The atmosphere at this restaurant is warm and friendly; lively but not too lively when we were there on a Thursday evening. We could have a good conversation at a normal volume. The cocktails were the highlight for me--the original daquiri with demarra syrup more than hit the spot. The empanadas--chicken and vegetable--were also delicious, with a light cornmeal batter and savory fillings. The shrimp ceasar salad could've had at least 2 more shrimps (there were only two on mine--don't know if this was a mistake) and some of the lettuce was wilted or was that a green sauce i missed? There was only one person waiting tables and one bartender but they were efficient, informative and professional.
Michelle
We tried a lot of dishes— appetizers, mains, and desserts. Everything was amazing! All of us loved the food and the location was perfect near the Orpheum.
Chuck
We absolutely love Chao Pescao for the food and cocktails. The tostones and salsas are as good as my mamas and the chicken dishes are so good and yummy that we have them even the next day. If you want a quiet place to talk, the afternoon and late evenings are best. for their dinner hours on the weekends are quite busy and noisy.
Dianne
Delicious food and drinks. Close by Civic Center for a bite to eat before the Symphony or Opera. The yucca fries are amazing. Will come often.
Jeannette
We went here, trying to make a show at the Orpheum. Due to the extremely slow service and how long it took us to get our food we barely made it to the show in time. We had to ask multiple times about the status of our order and when it finally came, we had to eat so fast that it was not even enjoyable. We got to the restaurant an hour and a half before the show and we were lucky to barely make it in time. 
jeff
Really nice place before the theater. Good food, good vibe and really good service. The 6 "jumbo" small shrimp for $40 on the special was over priced and not great but the quinoa salad was great.
Anthony
Super great place to have either small bites or dinner prior to the Opera (us) or the Symphony, or to have lunch if the fare at the Asian Museum doesn't meet one's cost/value expectations. Can be a bit lively when full due to the hard surfaces echoing. The pork belly, tostones and empanadas are delicious.
Tom
Arrived 30 min early. We're seated right away. Staff was friendly, answered menu questions patiently. Had the empanadas and chicken sandwich. Food was prepared/served without undue delay. Food was delicious, appropriately spiced as the menu indicated. Out in time for a leisurely walk to the opera. Great experience.
ellen
Good ropa vieja and service. Would prefer to be served 1 entree instead of an entree with rice and beans in a set.
We were greeted by the lovely hostess when we arrived 30 minutes early for our reservation (inexplicably there was no traffic). She was able to seat us right away. The decor was lively and colorful, each section of wall was a different vibrant hue with a unique theme (musical instruments, telephones, ceiling domes). Our server was friendly and professional and helped us navigate the menu. She suggested several of her favorites and all were outstanding. Highlights were the qunoia salad, empenadas and the crispy (but still juicy) tajin fried chicken, yum! We will definitely be back.
Bao
My first glass of red wine tasted off and I asked if the bottle had been open for a while and they acknowledged that and were nice enough to replace it. The service was pretty good. The food was OK. We had a couple of the wraps and the meat was overcooked, but wasn't bad. All in all, a decent place.
Donna
A great spot to have dinner before catching a showing of &Juliet at the Orpheum! My friend and I enjoyed small shareable plates: the Yuca Frita, Empanadas de Cerdo, Empanadas de Vegetal, and Maduros, with our cocktails, Mono & Amaro and Copa, Copa Havana. All delicious! I want to go back to try the plates and mains! Carolina, who took care of us, was terrific!
Steve
They have a great selection of Latin American dishes, expertly prepared with very fresh ingredients. The restaurant is cleverly and whimsically decorated, and the servers know the menu and flavors. The noise level is quite high which can be irritating for me - but it seems most places thrive at high volume. I'll surely be back to sample more items.
The atmosphere at this restaurant is warm and friendly; lively but not too lively when we were there on a Thursday evening. We could have a good conversation at a normal volume. The cocktails were the highlight for me--the original daquiri with demarra syrup more than hit the spot. The empanadas--chicken and vegetable--were also delicious, with a light cornmeal batter and savory fillings. The shrimp ceasar salad could've had at least 2 more shrimps (there were only two on mine--don't know if this was a mistake) and some of the lettuce was wilted or was that a green sauce i missed? There was only one person waiting tables and one bartender but they were efficient, informative and professional.
We tried a lot of dishes— appetizers, mains, and desserts. Everything was amazing! All of us loved the food and the location was perfect near the Orpheum.
We absolutely love Chao Pescao for the food and cocktails. The tostones and salsas are as good as my mamas and the chicken dishes are so good and yummy that we have them even the next day. If you want a quiet place to talk, the afternoon and late evenings are best. for their dinner hours on the weekends are quite busy and noisy.
Delicious food and drinks. Close by Civic Center for a bite to eat before the Symphony or Opera. The yucca fries are amazing. Will come often.
We went here, trying to make a show at the Orpheum. Due to the extremely slow service and how long it took us to get our food we barely made it to the show in time. We had to ask multiple times about the status of our order and when it finally came, we had to eat so fast that it was not even enjoyable. We got to the restaurant an hour and a half before the show and we were lucky to barely make it in time. 
Really nice place before the theater. Good food, good vibe and really good service. The 6 "jumbo" small shrimp for $40 on the special was over priced and not great but the quinoa salad was great.
Super great place to have either small bites or dinner prior to the Opera (us) or the Symphony, or to have lunch if the fare at the Asian Museum doesn't meet one's cost/value expectations. Can be a bit lively when full due to the hard surfaces echoing. The pork belly, tostones and empanadas are delicious.
Arrived 30 min early. We're seated right away. Staff was friendly, answered menu questions patiently. Had the empanadas and chicken sandwich. Food was prepared/served without undue delay. Food was delicious, appropriately spiced as the menu indicated. Out in time for a leisurely walk to the opera. Great experience.
Good ropa vieja and service. Would prefer to be served 1 entree instead of an entree with rice and beans in a set.
Very noisy
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
We were greeted by the lovely hostess when we arrived 30 minutes early for our reservation (inexplicably there was no traffic). She was able to seat us right away. The decor was lively and colorful, each section of wall was a different vibrant hue with a unique theme (musical instruments, telephones, ceiling domes). Our server was friendly and professional and helped us navigate the menu. She suggested several of her favorites and all were outstanding. Highlights were the qunoia salad, empenadas and the crispy (but still juicy) tajin fried chicken, yum! We will definitely be back.
My first glass of red wine tasted off and I asked if the bottle had been open for a while and they acknowledged that and were nice enough to replace it. The service was pretty good. The food was OK. We had a couple of the wraps and the meat was overcooked, but wasn't bad. All in all, a decent place.
A great spot to have dinner before catching a showing of &Juliet at the Orpheum! My friend and I enjoyed small shareable plates: the Yuca Frita, Empanadas de Cerdo, Empanadas de Vegetal, and Maduros, with our cocktails, Mono & Amaro and Copa, Copa Havana. All delicious! I want to go back to try the plates and mains! Carolina, who took care of us, was terrific!
They have a great selection of Latin American dishes, expertly prepared with very fresh ingredients. The restaurant is cleverly and whimsically decorated, and the servers know the menu and flavors. The noise level is quite high which can be irritating for me - but it seems most places thrive at high volume. I'll surely be back to sample more items.
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