Cuban Pete’s, a vibrant restaurant in Montclair, New Jersey, has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Owner Dominick Restaino, a seasoned restaurateur with decades of experience, recently shared his story, offering a deeper look into the passion and dedication behind this popular eatery. It turns out, the journey to establishing Cuban Pete’s wasn’t without its hurdles, particularly when it came to their signature sangria.
Restaino’s connection to the restaurant business stretches back 31 years, and includes owning Mexicali Rose for a decade. After selling Mexicali Rose in 2004 with plans to relocate to Florida and open a Cuban Pete’s there, hurricane setbacks rerouted him back to Montclair, “Emerald City” as he affectionately calls it. This homecoming paved the way for the Cuban Pete’s Montclair residents know and love.
However, just two days before the grand opening, a snag hit Restaino’s plans. His vision for Cuban Pete’s centered around offering authentic sangria, but a misunderstanding regarding New Jersey’s wine license regulations threatened to derail his dream. A call from a New Jersey winery representative delivered the news: the state’s wine license, intended for selling wine by the bottle, couldn’t be used to serve sangria by the glass. The issue stemmed from the interpretation that sangria, being mixed with fruit and other ingredients, didn’t align with the license’s stipulations for selling pure wine.
This revelation placed Restaino in a difficult position. He had invested his life savings into launching Cuban Pete’s, with sangria as a cornerstone of the menu. Adding to the complexity, he had already received town approval for prominent sangria signage. Facing this challenge, Restaino drew upon his extensive culinary background and opted for a traditional approach to sangria preparation. He decided to “cook” the wine with fruit, a method he believed not only enhanced the flavor and presentation but also naturally lowered the alcohol content, potentially aligning it with state regulations.
Cuban Pete's restaurant front with people dining outdoors
Despite this adaptation, the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) questioned the legality of serving his sangria under a wine license, insisting a liquor license was necessary and requested the removal of his sangria signs. Restaino, however, stood by his understanding of sangria’s definition. Referencing Webster’s Dictionary, he highlighted sangria as “a usually iced punch made of red wine, fruit juice, and soda water,” emphasizing that wine is the base ingredient. He argued that his sangria, made with wine and fruit, was no different conceptually from dishes like vodka penne or chicken marsala, which incorporate alcohol into cooking.
Furthermore, Restaino pointed out the irony of other establishments in New Jersey serving sangrias made with hard liquors like vodka, whiskey, or cognac, which he considered inauthentic. He felt his “real sangria,” made with wine and fruit, was unfairly targeted. Sampling of his sangria by the ABC revealed a 9% alcohol content in the base wine, which was further diluted during the cooking and mixing process with fruits, juices, and ice. Having grown up with sangria in his Spanish heritage, Restaino was confident in the authenticity and legality of his recipe.
Ultimately, while initially facing legal scrutiny, Dominick Restaino views the entire experience, including his arrest related to the sangria issue, with a positive outlook. He believes the attention has inadvertently boosted the popularity of Cuban Pete’s sangria, now offered in 20 tropical flavors. He credits the ABC, the Montclair police, and even the media for raising awareness, albeit through initial misunderstanding. Restaino expresses respect for the law and a willingness to cooperate with the ABC, even if it means adjusting his signage. Looking ahead, once the legal matters are resolved, Cuban Pete’s plans to host special events to support organizations like MADD and DARE, promoting responsible alcohol consumption. For Dominick Restaino and Cuban Pete’s, Montclair truly is “home,” and they are committed to serving their community with passion and authentic flavors.
