Actor-entrepreneur Sunny Leone’s restaurant Chica Loca is an extension of her personality

Sunny Leone is no stranger to fame. After facing the arclights as an actor, model and television host, she took the entrepreneurial plunge in 2018 with her vegan cosmetic brand, StarStruck by Sunny Leone. She, along with her husband Daniel Weber, founded the PETA-certified brand to empower people with tools to enhance their natural beauty. 

Later, Leone also introduced two more brands–Lust and Affetto, offering body fragrances. She also owns a lingerie brand. 

The Canadian-Indian celebrity earlier also donned the writer’s hat with Sweet Dreams, a collection of erotica published by Juggernaut. She also became the first Indian actress to mint her NFTs (non-fungible tokens) in 2021. 

Now, the serial entrepreneur has ventured into the hospitality industry with Chica Loca, a progressive space that offers world cuisine and gourmet cocktails, in Noida’s Gulshan One29. 

On the sidelines of its launch, YS Life chats with Leone to understand her philosophy behind Chica Loca and what sets it apart from the rest. 

Edited excerpts from the interview: 

YS Life (YSL): Why did you choose the name Chica Loca? What does it signify?  

Sunny Leone (SL): Chica Loca literally translates to 'crazy girl'. We wanted to create a space that reflects my personality, life, and stories. Daniel Weber (my husband) and Sahil Baweja (Director, Singing Bowls Hospitality) insisted that to be Sunny, one must be a little ‘loca’—and we all agreed.

It encapsulates the energy of the space where people can enjoy world cuisine and drama on the plate and stage. 

YSL: Tell us about your partnership with Sahil Baweja.  

SL: I was looking for a partner who could understand me as a person and present a restaurant space as a culinary concept. Daniel and Sahil met first to discuss the viability and economics. Sahil took a pragmatic approach that balanced creativity and business acumen. Our shared experiences of living and working around the world contributed to our shared spirit and belief in an intersection of tradition and innovation, exploring progressive world cuisine.

YSL: Tell us more about the space—its decor and design. How did you conceptualise Chica Loca? 

SL: The space is 7,000 square feet spread across two floors—the terrace offers stunning views. The main floor features a performance stage with theatre-style seating, making food, drinks, and entertainment all part of the same experience. Everything—from the colour scheme to the furniture—exudes modern chic. 

Purple and lavender hues complement a two-story golden bar. The terrace features cosy cabanas surrounded by lush greenery and a small fire for warmth. 

Sahil and Daniel took the lead in communicating my ideas and vision to the architects and design team. We wanted to create a space where people could have a variety of experiences—from stage-front VIP tables at events to indulgent group dining to hanging out at the gourmet cocktail bar.

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YSL: What’s special on the menu at Chica Loca? Does it include some of your favourite comfort foods? 

SL: Chef Vaibhav Bhargava (of Chô fame) oversaw the menu development. With a focus on sustainability and artisanal ingredients, we offer a wide range of progressive and classic dishes. Chica Loca has a diverse menu that includes dim sum, sushi, Indian tandoor, Italian, and, of course, my favourite Mexican cuisine. 

I am vegetarian (Daniel and Sahil assisted with the non-vegetarian dishes). As someone who is obsessed with avocados and pizza, I have ensured there are lots of both on the menu. 

Some of my favourite dishes at Chica Loca include avocado chaat papdi, eggplant and burrata with Yuzu, charcoal dahi kebabs, edible gold cheese dumplings, and avocado cold pizza!

YSL: Let’s get to the cocktail menu, Potions by Sunny Leone. What are some innovative concoctions?  

SL: I literally tried a gazillion cocktails for this one! The signature cocktails are all based on anecdotes from my life. There is a drink that is named after Daniel (his Instagram ID/–dirrty99.  One of my favourites is Bollywood Diva Energy, a tequila and olive brine mix inspired by my first Bollywood song shoot.

There’s Charlie, a beverage dedicated to my character in the upcoming film Kennedy. You Do You, a truffle-infused whisky with banana, is dedicated to an interview I gave. Starstruck, a vodka rose and bubblegum drink is inspired by my cosmetics brand. 

My personal favourite is the Secrets gin cocktail infused with seabuckthorn. We have a large selection of gin and tonics, as well as some fun-sharing cocktails. These drinks combine botanicals, infusions, magic, and secret recipes to create elevated experiences.

YSL: With so many restaurants opening today, what really sets Chica Loca apart?  

SL: Our combination of entertainment, gourmet cuisine, and craft cocktails is undeniably strong, but I believe what truly distinguishes us is that the space has a soul, a heart–from the servers to the entire kitchen team, you will feel a sense of warmth and community. We are on a mission to make you happy and that spirit is what people will appreciate the most.

YSL: What's next? Will you be taking Chica Loca to more places in 2024?

SL: Oh yes! We are already in talks to bring this to Hyderabad, Goa, and Chandigarh. Currently, we are actively reviewing locations.