SouthFlorida.com | Teen Link South Florida

South Florida is a mosaic of cultures and traditions.

Ethnic restaurants, such as the Cuban restaurant Versailles in Miami, are representative of this diversity.

Versailles is more than just a restaurant: It offers a window into the culture of 1960s Cuba, unfettered by the rule of Castro.

For more than 40 years, it has been the home of fervent anti-Castro gatherings. Every politician who makes his way through the city makes a stop at the famous restaurant and gathering place, including former President Clinton and current President Bush.

Founded by Felipe Valls Sr. more than 30 years ago, Versailles has catered to the Cuban-American community since its inception.

Located on the famous "Calle Ocho," Versailles offers pure and simple Cuban food. Waiters dressed in a green vest, pants and a bow tie greet customers in Spanish. However, service and a menu are offered in English as well.

Its unique cultural atmosphere, first-rate food and speedy service have made Versailles a cultural icon in a city of immigrants. Its vibrancy has attracted tourists from all over the globe seeking to experience this living museum.

"It's like a Cuban landmark," said Bryan Medina, a sophomore at American Heritage.

For some, Versailles has been a fixture in their lives since they stepped onto U.S. soil, said David Behar, a junior at University School of NSU. "It was, in fact, the first restaurant I went to in my life. My parents took me there as soon as I left the hospital."

Versailles has maintained the traditional ideal of a leisurely meal. And as it has gained stature, Versailles has become more of a meeting place than anything else. It has become the place to be seen (and do the seeing).

Customers frequently join in as Spanish bands make their way through the restaurant, and they all seem somehow to know one another. David Garcia, a sophomore at University School, put it simply: "[Versailles] makes me feel at home."

Versailles offers an unaltered insight into the rich Cuban culture. It is an opportunity for Cuban people who have left their home country to return to their traditions for a night, and they often wear traditional linen instead of American denim at the restaurant.

"It gives me a chance to be a part of the Latin-American community that my parents were both a part of in Cuba," Behar said.

From the pan con mantequilla at the beginning to the cafecito at the end, Versailles offers a rich political and culinary experience.