Sol Caribe

It’s hard to find Puerto Rican cuisine of any kind in the Valley, so it’s great to know that this newish restaurant offers diners a well-executed and approachable menu of dishes from the Caribbean archipelago. Owned by a husband-and-wife team, this small but bright restaurant features a menu that provides helpful descriptions of the food should you not recognize the Spanish names. Appetizers include both chicken and beef empanadas. The alcapurria, a fried fritter made with green plantains, banana, and taro root and ground meat is delicious. Tostones, or deep-fried green plantains, are a simple, salty snack that taste great when dipped in mayo-ketchup. The restaurant's specialty is mofongo, a well-loved Puerto Rican dish made with mashed green plantains. For dessert, flan, budin (bread pudding with raisins), and tres leches cake are all sublime.