MIAMI — Felipe A. Valls Sr., proprietor of what is arguably the most well-known restaurant/bakery in Little Havana, has died.
Started by Cuban-born Valls in 1971, Versailles is a well known cafe amongst nearby Cuban exiles and holidaymakers for its cuisine and relationship to anti-Castro politics.
The opening of Versailles Cafe 51 a long time ago marked the onset of fulfilling Valls’ eyesight for a Cuban hub.
His aim was to produce a put in which family members could get pleasure from substantial high-quality food items at cost-effective charges. At the time, Little Havana’s Calle Ocho had not yet become the bustling business enterprise and commerce heart it is right now. Miami was quickly growing in population and range, having said that, and Felipe foresaw this place turning out to be a central location in the changing city.
As Valls experienced hoped, the time and financial commitment invested developing and nurturing Versailles paid out off. Cuban consumers-hungry as considerably for nostalgia as for meals-and the curious Miami locals arrived in droves. The mass attractiveness of this Eighth Street restaurant much exceeded his anticipations it drew crowds from all above the world. Ultimately, he opened Versailles Bakery.
An extension of the Versailles model is Cafe Versailles, a Cuban coffee and pastry stand inspired by the “Ventanita” and bakery. There are currently 5 Cafe Versailles stands situated at the Miami Global Airport.
Valls seen the success and the importance of Versailles as a reflection of his passion and perseverance, as perfectly as that of his team, the patrons and the at any time-evolving dynamic of the Metropolis of Miami.
