When Rhumba first opened, I gave it three tries, but did not enjoy the food or flavors and thought their menu was limited.
I always like to give a home town establishment another opportunity if it manages to survive the initial first year or two in business; therefore, five years of success later, it was time to go back.
We went for lunch on two separate occasions and I’m now a believer! Our first lunch was on their playful patio, where shade trees sway in the Colorado breeze while you transport to island life. Our second was inside which is lively in color and art. Both experiences were lovely with fun, unpretentious service and atmosphere.
For appetizers, we sampled two items: Chips and salsa ($5.00), a combination of red chili corn chips and plantain chips with tomato salsa fresca and cantaloupe scotch bonnet salsa. Both chips and salsas were delicious. Next, we had the coconut shrimp ($6.00) with grilled pineapple salad. This item is uninteresting and not as plump and golden delicious as we’ve experienced elsewhere, very TGI Friday’s – Esk. I asked the chef if they do them in house and was informed they receive these shrimp pre-breaded in their coconut blankets. An item I would re-think as it detracts from the quality of Rhumba’s other fantastic offerings.
For main plates, we sampled 3 items: The pressed pork sandwich ($11.00), which had amazing flavor and is served on Cuban flat bread which is pressed on the grill like a Panini. The pork is shredded and succulent, marinated in a multitude of vegetables and spices. This is served with a choice of sides; we selected fries and enjoyed the dipping sauces of banana guava catsup and alternatively a tamarind glaze, both were good on the sandwich and the fries.
We ate tilapia fish served in hard, red chili, corn taco shells ($14.00). These were served with a generous portion of fresh grilled tilapia drizzled with sour cream and served with sides of lettuce, tomato salsa fresca and shredded white cheddar. Accompanying the tacos were the Cuban mainstay; red beans and rice. To compliment these spicy flavors, I ordered a side ($4.00) of fried bananas, which were delicious mixed with the red beans and rice or just by themselves – YUM!
We also ordered the bbq chicken sandwich ($9.00) which had slices of tender chicken, cheddar cheese, a combination tart & sweet bbq sauce served on a burger bun, also with a side of fries.
Rhumba, I’m pleased you survived and am thrilled to have a restaurant as fun and fresh as yours in our beautiful mountain town.
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