Bite Club: Cuban fare coming to Windsor

Rumba Cuban Cafe? Biteclub’s already jonesing for a Cuban cortadito (a sweet espresso drink with milk) from the yet-to-open Rumba Cuban Cafe in Windsor.

“Yeah, pretty much anyone who’s seen the Kardashians knows what a cortadito is,” said Elizabeth Torno, who with her husband Isaac plans to open an authentic Cuban cafe at 8750 Redwood Highway in the coming weeks. Along with Cuban coffee drinks, they’ll be serving up a variety of sandwiches including the Frita Cubana (a chorizo and beef hamburger), and the classic Cubano on freshly baked bread. “

A Cuban sandwich without Cuban bread just isn’t the same, said Elizabeth. Inspired by years of family recipes, the couple also plan heartier daily specials with classic beans and rice and tostones served with richly marinated beef, pork and chicken. A close cousin to Puerto Rican and Dominican cuisine, Cuban food is a mixture of Spanish, African and indigenous ingredients based around beans, rice and marinated meats.

“All of our friends are hooked on the food we’ve been making for years,” said Elizabeth. Just don’t ask for the Tabasco sauce with your Cubano. “Cubans don’t enjoy spicy food at all. We’re all about spices,” said Torno. “My grandmother would absolutely walk away from a jalapeño.”

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The Cookie Contest is ON! BiteClub’s annual Holiday Cookie Recipe Contest has begun, and time is running out (already) to submit your recipe.

This year’s winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to G&G Market, a stack of cookbooks and bragging rights as The Best Sonoma County Cookie Baker of the Year.

Entry is super easy: Just go to www.biteclubeats.com/cookie and input your recipe. Not digital? Mail your entry to BiteClubEats, 427 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Deadline is Nov. 5 and I’ll be hosting a Bake-A-Thon at G&G’s Ginger Grill Nov. 7 and 8. Yum.

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BBQ Spot Tasty As Ever: We mentioned a few weeks ago that the wildly popular BBQ Spot formerly on Santa Rosa Avenue was relocating to the Brickyard Center in downtown Santa Rosa.

The former SRJC Culinary training kitchen, the space has always been a bit, well, odd, proven by the quick closure of Mister Hof-Brau last year.

But with a bit of a remodel, it suits the barbecue eatery perfectly. The food is as good as ever, with smoky brisket, ribs and pulled pork being favorites. Sweet baked beans are a favorite side, along with cornbread, macaroni salad, fries and coleslaw. It’s simple, hearty eating.

On a recent visit, BiteClub tucked into a lunchtime brisket platter ($12.25), with enough left over for at least one meal (or a snack for a teenage boy). 458 B St., Santa Rosa, 707-585-2616. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday.

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Speaking of the Brickyard, La Perla Peruvian Restaurant has also opened, making for a true multi-cultural experience along Seventh Street between Mendocino and B Streets (Brazilian, Peruvian, Japanese, BBQ and Indian on Ross St.) Open just a few weeks, BiteClub was wowed (stunned might not be too strong a word) by 20-year-old chef Edwin Martinez Jiminez’ upscale Peruvian dishes. His passion for his native cuisine is palpable, and his execution spot-on.

Especially good were a four-some of ceviches with mixed fish and shrimp bathed in traditional lime, mango ginger and black mint ($24). More thumbs-up for beef empanadas ($10), Causita Aria, a beautifully-executed dish of pureed potatoes, sweet potato chips and cream sauce ($14). Entrées are large enough for at least two people (and some for later) and include the traditional Lomo Saltado (a Peruvian steak frites, $20), Pescado a lo Macho ($28), a whole bronzino fish with seafood stew and rice, and Seco de Cabrito ($24), a hearty lamb shank stew.

La Perla also recently opened for lunch and happy hour with reduced-price specials perfect for dipping your toe into Peruvian cuisine if you’re a newcomer. And with food this good, you probably won’t be a novice for long. 522 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-324-9548, opening daily from 11 a.m. Reservations and details online at laperlasr.com.

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Get Your Eat On: Two deliciously incredible events on Saturday, Nov. 8. (Sadly, you’ll have to choose.)

First up is the Farm-to-Fork Fall Feast at Glen Ellen’s Atwood Ranch. You’ll get to meet local farmers, cheesemakers and cider-makers, then sit down to what promises to be an incredible meal from Zazu Kitchen + Farm’s Duskie Estes. (And trust us, when Duskie’s in the kitchen, no one goes hungry.) She’s whipping up pumpkin soup, kale salad, red wine braised beef shank, chicken with Asian pear and much more.

Tickets are $150 per person, and includes live music from the Easy Leaves Duo. Proceeds benefit Sonoma County Farm Trails and the young farmers scholarship fund. Details online at farmtrails.org.

Also on Nov. 8, the “Best Winery Chefs” dinner and fundraiser at Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club. Featuring Simi Chef Kolin Vazzoler, Robert Mondavi’s Jeff Mosher, Lynmar Estate’s David Frakes and Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Tim Bodell, each chef takes on one course with a special wine pairing. Tickets are $145 per person, with proceeds going to the Redwood Empire Food Bank and other local charities. Details online at bestwinerychefs.com or by calling 707-526-2922.

Delicious pictures and even more details online at BiteClubEats.com.