Versailles
Sometimes I think traveling from Iowa to South Florida is like going to a different country. Last night, we went to Versailles, a really established Cuban restaurant in Little Havana on Calle Ocho. We had an authentic two-hour long Cuban dinner, our table stretching from one end of the room to the other (and there were still some family members missing!). The waiters sang Happy Birthday, or more like Heppee Beertday, to me and my Aunt Rosemarie, our names changed to "Panchita." We got a free tres leches cake, in addition to some flan. Mmm.
My grandfather used to go to that restaurant all the time with his politician friends. Watching The Godfather in Grinnell a couple weeks ago really reminded me of my grandfather. He always had people come to his store and ask him for favors. Turns out he absolutely loved that series. I think he was kind of like the Cuban-Lebanese Godfather, except with all the "offer he can't refuse" stuff (I hope). There's such a shroud of mystery on some of my family stories. Sometimes I wish he was still alive so I could hear more of them.
He's buried in the heart of Little Havana, right next to Versailles. How appropriate.
My grandfather used to go to that restaurant all the time with his politician friends. Watching The Godfather in Grinnell a couple weeks ago really reminded me of my grandfather. He always had people come to his store and ask him for favors. Turns out he absolutely loved that series. I think he was kind of like the Cuban-Lebanese Godfather, except with all the "offer he can't refuse" stuff (I hope). There's such a shroud of mystery on some of my family stories. Sometimes I wish he was still alive so I could hear more of them.
He's buried in the heart of Little Havana, right next to Versailles. How appropriate.