Bite Club: Trio of new places to try: La Perla, Juicy Pig, and Lua Viet Vietnamese

Three new restaurants on the eat beat: I made the pilgrimage to Guernveville to check out Juicy Pig, a new barbecue spot from Chef Ruben Gomez (most recently from Corks in Forestville). I've been hearing lots of great stuff about Gomez's barbecue, and as we arrived, the smell of smoked meats was a solid sign.

We loved the ridiculously cheesy mac and cheese and the unbeatable Ruben's Rueben ($14) with house-smoked pastrami, spicy sriracha 1000 Island dressing, sauerkraut, melted havarti and Gruyere and Costeaux pumpernickel.

Strangely enough, the day's soup — butternut squash — was one of the best bowls of soup ever. I mean, ever. The slow-smoked brisket and Niman Ranch pork ribs have potential but seemed like they could have benefited from just a little more fat and a little more time on the heat. Sides also show promise but could benefit with some additional seasoning.

Overall, we're looking forward to seeing how this one pans out, because barbecue is a rare sight in far West County. One to watch. 16440 Fourth St., Guerneville, 604-7120.

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La Perla, a sleeper Peruvian restaurant in downtown Santa Rosa, was a huge surprise on last week's Bib Gourmand list for the 2016 Michelin Guide for San Francisco and the Bay Area, beating out spots like Sondra Bernstein's Girl and the Fig and several others that dropped off the list.

It's always a nail-biter to see who the 'famously anonymous' Michelin critics tap each year.

I stopped by La Perla restaurant last Sunday to see what all the hubbub was about and wasn't disappointed.

Though the restaurant has had its ups and downs in the kitchen, Sunday was definitely an 'up,' with authentic ceviche dishes including a prawns with mango, ginger, red onions and lime ($15) and an ahi ceviche with coconut milk and plantain chips ($16).

We also loved the beef heart skewers and 'Papa Rellena,' a fried potato croquette with beef, onions, raisins and olives ($10).

There's been a bit of shuffling in the kitchen, and the chef who cooked for us Sunday — a former Sazon employee — has departed. The original chef has returned.

We'll have to wait and see how things shake out before a final thumbs up, but the ceviche is definitely worth checking out. 522 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 324-9548.

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Lua Viet Vietnamese: This Sebastopol newcomer caught my eye a few months ago, and a recent lunch didn't disappoint, with veggie-friendly dishes. My vegetarian friend ordered the Kimchee Lettuce Wraps without BBQ pork (small tear), but the garlicky kimchee, bean sprouts, togarishi spices, mint, shiso and crisp lettuce were so flavorful that I'd probably try it again sans pork.

Tofu spring rolls were standard issue, but her stir-fry vegetables were impressively tasty, with fresh, happy looking produce and fried tofu ($9.75). My stir-fry shaking beef ($16.95) had all the fresh produce and sweet-sour sauce of the vegetarian dish, plus bites of filet mignon (though the advertised 'cubes' were more like small strips). A 'real' Vietnamese iced coffee kept me going for the day.

If you go: Be sure to stop by the nearby Kefiry, the area's only spot for water kefir (a probiotic similar to milk kefir, but without the dairy). Described as a 'live culture fermented beverage,' the Hibiscus Maya with whole hibiscus flowers, allspice and cinnamon is habit forming. You can also find the company's 'enlivened beverages' on tap at a number of Sebastopol restaurants or grab a frozen kefir pop. 966 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol 824-8888.

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What a Week of Stars: The Big News for Wine Country restaurant star-seekers in the 2016 Michelin Star San Francisco Bay Area announcements: You're safe. Though there's plenty of drama in SF and the Peninsula, Wine Country didn't see a single addition or loss of stars this year. Maintaining their Michelin Three Stars in Wine Country: French Laundry and The Restaurant at Meadowood. The big news down south is that Chef David Kinch of Manresa has finally gotten his third star. A major fire shut the restaurant for a time in 2014 (although he got two stars for the 2015 guide).

There are no two-star restaurants in Wine Country, but keeping their Michelin One Star status are: Auberge du Soleil, St. Helena; Bouchon, Yountville; Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant, Forestville; La Toque, Napa; Madrona Manor, Healdsburg; Solbar Wine, Calistoga; Terrapin Creek, Bodega Bay; Terra, St. Helena.

Still hungry? Check out Heather's always-updated food and dining blog at BiteClubEats.com.