The Cuban restaurants in California are giving Miami restaurants a run for their money with beautiful décor and ambiance that can’t be beat. The latest gem on the restaurant scene is the Tropi-Cuba Café in Torrance, California -- about 14 miles South and East of LAX. Once ensconced under the beautiful bohío covered dining room, check out a menu that goes beyond the tired offerings of lesser Cuban restaurants with several unique and inventive dishes. We’re talking about asparagus and baby carrots in a Cuban restaurant! Coconut shrimp with a mango dipping sauce! And you won’t see frog legs on many Cuban menus in Miami!

Even the standards are done here with inventiveness and flair. The picadillo includes potatoes and capers, nice additions to this rich meat dish served topped with a fried egg. The sandwiches go way beyond basic Cuban. The Camaguey Especial sandwich is especially noteworthy. It’s a real treat with tender chicken in a flavorsome tomato sauce smothered in melted provolone cheese. Tropi-Cuba also serves a delicious lamb stew rich with the flavor of red wine and garnished with Italian peppers.

Save room for dessert as Tropi-Cuba has a bakery case in the front of the house that’s loaded with pastries including many excellent Cuban delights from Porto’s Bakery in Glendale.

We Show You How in Two Great Cuban cookbooks: