Chica Linda

You’d be forgiven for thinking designer Mike Delany dropped a tab of acid before choosing this riotous colour scheme. It’s alarming, that is until a few Panamargaritas ($17) get your lips tingling with jalapeno, aloe drink, agave and tequila, and ease you into the swing of things. Start your mock South American vacation with arepas. They’re dense, mitt-sized corn flatbreads stuffed with Soft Shell Crab ($6) or Smoked Pork Belly ($6) with honey chipotle glaze and pickled ‘slaw. And even if you’ve been burned by chewy Chicken Hearts ($6) before, trust me when I tell you to order one of these skewers each, accentuating them with a squeeze of char-grilled lemon. Asado Prawns ($15/3) are also worth ordering, particularly if you avail yourself of the on-table fiery, scotch bonnet sauce. Pineapple, coconut sugar and cachaca ensure the Caipirinha Amazonica ($17) puts out any remaining fire as you head into mains. They’re served Latino family feast style, so expect sharing platters of juicy Puerto Rican Roast Pork ($35) dripping in colourful tomato, corn and black bean salsa. A side of Coca Cola Rice and Beans ($9) is all your really need to make a meal for three, perhaps with a schooner of Kosciusko ($7) apiece? The Guava Empanada ($14) is a nice way to finish.

Chica Linda
The Carrington, 563 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Ph: (02) 9360 4714 drinkndine.com.au/chicalinda/
South American $$-$$$