Blue Island offers a taste of Cuba

An outspoken Cuban man who found himself in Spokane as a political refugee a few years ago has opened a restaurant that allows him to share cuisine from his native homeland.

Rolando Diaz, who lobbied for open government and greater civil rights in Cuba, moved to Spokane in 2005 with his wife, Doralquis “Doris” Labrada, and their two children. The new chapter in their lives has meant adventures learning English and a new way of life.

Their latest opportunity comes in opening the Blue Island Restaurant in Spokane Valley in mid-August in the familiar location that once served as the Plantation Restaurant. Now the wafting aromas of garlic, peppers and fried banana can be found at the large facility that also offers catering and banquet rooms – and is touted as Spokane’s first Cuban restaurant and maybe the first in the Northwest region.

Diaz, who in Cuba had owned a sandwich bistro until he was forced to close in 2002 amid his political activism, said he and his family are now living the dream.

“This is my dream, and all of my family is excited,” he said, adding his two sons enjoy cooking and being active in the business.

Diaz said he has found many supporters and friends in the area who have helped him with advice to get to this point of having his own business. Diaz said he worked as a chef at another Spokane restaurant for several months and sampled many of his Cuban breakfast specialties there.

“I was surprised by people living in Spokane know the Cuban food,” Diaz said, recalling one customer who requested a specialty fried banana dish.

The Blue Island Restaurant menu offers a vast variety of appetizers and dishes such as pork fried Creole, grilled sandwiches, croquettes and roulettes and Congri – rice with beans and pork seasoned with garlic and onion. Options also include a variety of egg dishes, pastas and many meat and seafood items. The dessert menu includes flan, a variety of rice and bread puddings and banana flambé.

Cuban cuisine combines the flavors from the country’s rich history that has been influenced by its Spanish, indigenous and African heritages as well as from the French, Italian, Arabic, Asian and Yucatan immigrations.