Family Recipes, New Dreams

A new family-owned restaurant preparing to bring authentic Cuban cuisine to downtown Sparta is also carrying the weight of a much larger personal dream for owner Eduardo Rosell-Diaz.

After leaving Cuba in 2006 and eventually settling in White County for work, Rosell-Diaz said he spent years missing the flavors and traditions he grew up with — something he realized could not be found anywhere locally. Now, after purchasing and renovating a nearly 85-year-old downtown building, he and his family are preparing to open R&D’s Cuban Restaurant on May 26 at 240 W. Bockman Way with recipes, breads and traditions passed down through generations.