Sunday Brunch: ChaCha's Latin Kitchen

Despite all the religious and cultural celebrations that happened recently, more are around the corner. Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day will come and go sooner than you think. So instead of scrambling to compile lists, we'll dish about some you might not have checked out yet. To start, we motor north to Brea Downtown for some funday.

If you're seeking somewhere chill, ChaCha's isn't for you. We mean that in the best possible way, because we're damn certain their biggest draw has more to do with their entertainment.
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We're not trying to knock the menu. Their champagne brunch, at $21.95, is one of the better bangs for your buck. Chips, salsa and glass of bubbly get things going. Then diners choose one starter and entree. Roasted tomato and chile tortilla soup ($5.95) soothes us on a frigid afternoon. Not part of the deal, chunky shrimp ceviche ($10.95) is marinated in serranos, orange and lime. That mix of spice and acidity wakes us up and gets our mouth buzzing.

Getting back to the entertainment, it's impossible to ignore the trio Sombra Quieta. Sacha, Diego and Dylan's harmony resonates every corner of the restaurant. From melodious standards to current hits, they hit all the right notes and then some. Groups celebrating get worked up in a good way when the trio gets going. Just don't stare too long at Dylan, or he'll make you blush.

Despite a signature hash, roasted Jidori chicken and a bunch of others, we gravitated towards carnitas ($17.95). Slow braised in their wood oven, it pulls apart with no effort. Sides of black beans, rice and tortillas make for a DIY meal we're more than pleased with. Sure, you can get tacos or enchiladas or margs– but those are available all the time. When the weather warms, we'll kick back on the patio and order unlimited mimosas instead.