On Santa Monica Blvd., just west of Fairfax Ave., you’ll find the West Hollywood location for Cha Cha Cha. It is one of those places that doesn’t seem like much from the outside, but once you cross over the threshold, you see and hear that it is far from mundane. If you want to add a little spice to your night, check it out after the jump…

Festive. That’s the best way to describe the interior of Cha Cha Cha. There’s so much going on from the greenery lacing the pillars and the ceiling to the figurines of Mother Mary in the middle of the bar. Gold and purple shiny balls hang over the tables, colorful paintings adorn the walls and the walls are painted in bright red. After your eyes register everything, your ears are the second organ to experience sensory overload. The word that comes to mind in reference to Cha Cha Cha is LOUD. The noise level is outstanding, which is great when you’re in the mood for raucous fun. The area near the bar is literally swarming with people waiting for cocktails and munching on appetizers, while the seating area is packed with tables in red, yellow and blue—some so close to your neighbor that you could taste what’s on their plate.

Because we arrived early for our reservation, we had a drink near the bar and perused the menu. The host was very gracious, letting us know that our table would be ready in 30 minutes. That was rather disheartening until he came back after ten minutes to let us know the table was ready at that moment! We were led to a table near the windows facing the street, which also happened to be in between a boisterous group of six to the left and a cuddling couple to the right. The waiter brought out menus, and we shuffled through the plastic leaves in an attempt to figure out what we wanted to eat.

The menu at Cha Cha Cha is quite varied. Pasta dishes range from a fusilli with vegetables and herbs, penne with chorizo, tomato and garlic and shrimp, scallops and swordfish over fettuccine. There’s the traditional jerk chicken, the fruity mango chicken, the Argentinian-style grilled steak or the grilled salmon with a balck pepper sauce. And don’t forget the salads, paella, empanadas and plantains. We had a lot to choose from.

My friend ordered the ceasar salad with grilled chicken, and I decided to try two different appetizers—the guava and goat cheese quesadilla and the ceviche guadalupe. While we waited for the food to arrive, we tried to carry on a fruitful conversation which was repeatedly interrupted by the decibel level of the guests around us. The best thing about Cha Cha Cha is that it fosters the idea of fun and enjoyment of the moment, but that is not the environment conducive to intimate chats. Just know that when you go to Cha Cha Cha, you should be ready to shirk all important conversations because you will not be able to hear a word.

The food arrived, and everything looked amazing. The salad was crisp, and the chicken was grilled to perfection. It was the perfect light meal, and it was finished quickly. The guava and goat cheese quesadilla was a fruity, rich mix of fruit and cheese that blended surprisingly well. It’s fairly heavy for an appetizer due to the full flavor and quality of the cheese, but it’s great to split amongst the table. The ceviche, on the other hand, was absolutely amazing. Served in a coconut shell, it’s a great blend of juicy tomatoes, salmon, swordfish and shrimp in a tomato, lime and cilantro base. The light flavor of the coconut blends into the mixture, creating a smooth, tangy, fruity, thick soup that feels filling yet light all at the same time. What’s even better is that it comes surrounded by spicy tortilla chips that add extra flavor to each bite when the two are paired together. I was half way through mine when my friend decided to order one for himself, and he finished it in minutes.

Dessert was the hardest decision to make because most of the time anything under the desserts listing is most likely fabulous. We went for the mango cheesecake, which was a great way to round out the meal. It’s a rather large piece topped with a fresh mango puree and drizzled with a raspberry sauce. The cheesecake itself is soft, creamy and smooth, which can be somewhat different than the harder cheesecake that is typical of most restaurants. The mango puree is very sweet, and in all honesty, I enjoyed the cheesecake purely by itself without the other ‘distractions’ on the plate. Because we were so full, only half of the cheesecake was eaten, but it each bite was enjoyed nonetheless.

Cha Cha Cha has a few amazing qualities. First of all, there are actually two locations. The first one was opened in Silverlake, and it’s still open and thriving. West Hollywood is the second location that is always booming with business. Second, both restaurants have a few different things on their menus, so you have more options to choose from. West Hollywood’s spot has a great Happy Hour from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm Tuesday through Friday. Enjoy Happy Hour prices ALL NIGHT on Mondays. If that’s not a great way to cure the Monday blues, then I don’t know what is! (A drink suggestion: Try the Latin Lover during Happy Hour. You’ll definitely order another as a follow up.) On the other hand, Silverlake’s spot has an amazing brunch! From open until 3:00 pm, you can enjoy fresh berries and cream, grilled steak, eggs and salsa criolla, jerk chicken omelets, churros and pancakes. Third, it’s right in the middle of West Hollywood. Enjoy your meal (and drinks) at the restaurant and then venture down Santa Monica to the various bars and clubs in the middle of town.

Next time you’re looking for a little spice in your life, take a ride down to Cha Cha Cha. Nothing beats a night of festivity, especially when it’s accompanied by all of the distinctive qualities that make this place so full of life and the food so full of flavor.