Pica Pica Maize Kitchen - Napa, CA

Pica Pica
610 First Street
Napa, CA 94559
Sun-Fri: 11Am-8Pm
Sat: 11Am-9Pm
707.251.3757
http://www.PicaPicaKitchen.com/
$-$$


The Oxbow Market has recently opened up near Copia on First Street between Soscol Avenue and Silverado Trail, and with it, there are a few new options for vegetarians!!

I'll highlight the new Venezuelan kitchen, Pica Pica, first...

Pica Pica (peeka-peeka) is derived from Picar, meaning to eat several small things. The portions are perfect for a light lunch or dinner. My fiance and I went and shared the Yucca Fries with Pica'Chup (their signature spicy ketchup), the Pabellon Vegetariano Arepa, and the Cheese Maize'Wich. We were both satisfied at the end of the meal, (but I did find room for a scoop of Three Twins Organic Ice Cream - which is right down the way from Pica Pica).

Their menu consists of quite a few vegetarian options, and it's not burritos or tacos. Instead of tortillas, the various fillings rest inside arepas or cachapas. What the heck are those?!?
Well, they are kind enough to present a short glossary on the front of their take home menus, just so you don't forget...
Arepas (ah-ray-paz) are grilled corn flour flatbreads, crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. (wheat and gluten free)
Cachapas (ka-chop-az) are a sweet corn pancake. (wheat and gluten free)
The Maize'Wich is served on sweet cornbread.

Veggie Menu Items:
Domino Arepa: black beans with shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Pabellon Vegetariano Arepa: Pica Pica seasoned tofu, fried plantains, black bean paste and sliced avocado (my favorite!!)
Queso Arepa: choice of cheese
Cheese Cachapa
Cheese Maize'Wich
Bululu Salad: corn, red bell pepper, jicama and pineapple with mixed greens
Sifrina Salad: hearts of palm, carrots, celery and daikon with mixed greens
Yucca Fries with choice of Morena (black bean mayonnaise), Pica'Chup (spiced ketchup), Pica'Pun (signature hot sauce), Mela'o de Papelon (sugar cane) and Tamarindo (tamarind)
Tostones: crispy, fried green plantain


The atmosphere is casual, with seating in the middle of the market building, or along the bar area where you can watch the cooks working.

From PicaPicaKitchen.com:

The maize-centric take-out kitchen that brings the flavors of the unexplored, delicious cuisine of Venezuela and South America to American food lovers. Using fresh ingredients and authentic recipes, Pica Pica’s center piece dish is the arepa, a grilled corn flour based flatbread filled with delicious options, which can be enjoyed as finger food, as a complete meal or taken home for dinner parties. The menu is complimented with tequeños, cachapas, polvorosa de pollo, yucca fries, salads and a variety of South American beverages and desserts. Good all day, from breakfast to dinner.

Respectable of nature, Pica Pica favors local ingredients and serves its food in 100% biodegradable containers made of corn or sugar cane.

0-25 - $
25-50 $
50-75 $$
75-100 $$
Based on two people, eating entrees, and drinking a beverage.

Beer and Sangria are on the Beverage Menu, along with Coconut Lemonade and an assortment of bottled beverages.


Here's what the Napa Register had to say about Pica Pica...