Francisco Perri, who with his wife, Angelica...

Francisco Perri, who with his wife, Angelica Navarro, owned Ventura’s Cafe Beriloche, died three weeks ago of a heart attack.

But Navarro has managed to keep the Argentine restaurant operating, thanks in large part to support she has received from Ventura College instructors Maricarmen Ohara and Betsy Quinn.

Perri did most of the cooking for Cafe Beriloche. So Quinn and Ohara have been teaching Navarro to prepare the food. Quinn, a professional baker, has helped with the baked goods, and Ohara, a published cookbook author, is teaching Navarro some of her favorite recipes and helping redesign the menu.

Ohara eats often at Cafe Beriloche. “It was family-run and the people were charming,” said Ohara, a professor of Spanish and literature who recently was named Woman of the Year in Education by the Ventura County Commission of Women. “The least we could do is run and try to assist Angelica. She needs all the help she can get.”

Cafe Beriloche will continue to serve the popular empanadas and Milanesa con papa , a breaded filet of chicken or beef. New items include Chicken Latina Lover (skinless, boneless chicken with fresh vegetables) and Cha-Cha-Cha chicken sandwich (chicken marinated in orange juice and spices) and a variety of egg dishes.

The restaurant at 100 E. Fir St. is open for breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; it may soon also become a coffeehouse.

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A 1994 Reserve Chardonnay and a Santa Maria-style barbecue will share the spotlight Saturday and Sunday during the spring open house at Ventura’s Leeward Winery. Barbecue tri-tip, chicken and fish will be complemented by a tasting of the Chardonnay, straight out of the barrel. Another couple of dozen Leeward wines also will be available for regular bottle sampling.

Leeward Winery, at 2784 Johnson Drive, will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is free.