Schmap Florida Keys Dining & Drinking

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Florida Keys - Dining & Drinking
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Seafood is king, queen and courtier here in the Keys, and no wonder. Fat lobsters, succulent clams, toothsome shrimp, hefty tuna, bass, grouper, pompano, swordfish, and a host of other undersea creatures dwell amid the surrounding coral reefs and on the sandy bottom in water so clear you can almost see them swimming.

Commercial fishing fleets with a mission pluck those delicacies from the deep with nets, traps and a variety of ingenious methods, and see to it that they find their way to platters—and it all happens almost faster than you can say "seafood." See what we mean at A & B Lobster House, Green Turtle Inn, or Marker 88.

Local Ingredients

Chefs from the Caribbean and South America and from much of the rest of the world have found their way to these islands. Once here, they have focused their considerable talents on seafood and other local ingredients, including citrus, particularly tiny yellow Key limes, sugar cane, spices, a variety of unusual fruit, and seemingly ceaseless quantities of winter vegetables. Tomato fields stretch for miles just a few miles north of the Keys in Homestead. Delicately intriguing lychee nuts grow not far away in the fields of Redlands. That list of indigenous ingredients goes on and on, and chefs have learned to unite them into intriguing Floribbean cuisine and New Age flavors, as well as sticking to the much-loved steak-and-potatoes favorites.

Conch, that big shell that's pink inside and sounds like the ocean if you hold it up to your ear and use a little imagination, has long been a resident of the toasty waters around these islands, so conch chowder, conch fritters and conch in several other preparations turn up in many restaurants and particularly in Caribbean-influenced dining spots.

Cuban Food

Cuban cigar makers who settled here generations ago, and whose descendants remain, brought their distinctive cuisine with them: picadillo, ground beef and raisins; thick, strong cubano coffee; and sweet, fried banana-like plantains. Bahamians, who have created a colorful Bahamian village right in the middle of Key West, brought their akee fish and rice, their rum, and their pigeon peas. Try the flavors at Rick's Blue Heaven or Caribe Soul.

International Flavor

Chefs from Europe added some intriguing touches to it all and, voila, such award-winning restaurants as The Buttery, Cafe des Artistes, Alice's at La Te Da, Cafe Marquis, Louie's Backyard, and Martha's were born.

Even Asian flavors have somehow found their way to the Keys. Try Dim Sum's Far East in Key West for Pan-Asian cuisine and an intriguing meld of classic French culinary talents and Asian touches.

Besides well-known restaurants scattered throughout the Keys, perhaps the most fun is stopping into some rustic little find and discovering a memorable meal you'll be discussing for many a day to come.

Nightlife

As for nightlife, you can have it or ignore it. In the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys, well-known watering holes range from the rustic-going-on-rustic ambience of No Name Pub to Alabama Jack's, where a decidedly eclectic crowd gathers, and the Caribbean Club, where the 1948 classic Key Largo was filmed.

If you're a party animal of note, take your notes to Holiday Isle Beach Resorts & Marina, where three entertainment areas feature live bands playing everything from reggae to rock for the young-on-young crowd that flocks here in large and lively numbers.

In Key West, the sky—and well beyond—is the limit, with entertainment ranging from quiet guitar music—warbler Jimmy Buffet got his start here—to raucous bands. A favorite diversion is the Duval (pronounced Doo-vahl) Crawl, which consists of dedicated pub crawling to the multitude of watering holes along Duval Street.

A stop at Capt. Tony's Saloon and Sloppy Joe's is required behavior, as Ernest Hemingway could attest were he raising an elbow with you, as he pretty much always was at these two haunts.

Higher Culture

Despite its raucous nightlife, or perhaps because of it, Key West also has some cultural diversions, including concerts and theatrical presentations, most of which take place at the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center.

Key Limes

And finally, lest we forget, those tiny yellow Key limes, turned into juice, teamed with sweetened condensed milk and eggs, then baked into a tangy custard and topped with whipped cream or meringue is a mainstay of every menu in the Keys. Such a part of life is the Key lime pie, in fact, that Key West promoters annually whip up a massive pie, nearly as big as a city block, and deliver it to the state legislature as a little reminder that one should taste, but not toy with, the Florida Keys.

One of those pie-in-your-face efforts actually won a place in the Guinness Book of World Records—and Key lime pie is now the Official Florida State Pie.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

A & B Lobster House

Longtime Key West favorite

700 Front St
Florida Keys, FL 33040
United States
+1 305 294 5880

Both Florida and Maine lobsters, the latter much larger than their Florida counterparts are served in this restaurant, which features a barn decor with wood floors and skilled service. If lobster is not your dish, you will find a host of other seafood selections and a few landlubber items on the menu as well. Water views add to the allure of this longtime Key West favorite that also now has a cigar bar and Berlin's Cocktail lounge for potables.

Review © 2007, Wcities

A & B Lobster House photo by Luke Sharrett

Photo: Luke Sharrett

Alabama Jack's

Wild is as wild does 1500 Card Sound Road
Florida Keys, FL 33037
United States
+1 305 248 8741 Anything goes here and usually does. In fact, anythings been going here for more than 50 years. An eclectic crowd populates this spot in Key Largo, and a similarly eclectic crowd drops in to watch the eclectic crowd. They are a mix of retirees, boaters, kids...well, just about everyone who is near. Locally made Key West Lager and Sunset Ale are popular, abetted by conch fritters, steamed shrimp and similar munchies. The fare is light, as is the atmosphere. On weekends, there is a live band at this popular spot in the mangrove swamps.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Lisa Cochran
Photo: Stephanie Sawyer
Photo: angus1241

Alice's Key West Restaurant

Top female chef's a winner 1114 Duval Street
Florida Keys, FL 33040
United States
+1 305 292 5733
http://www.aliceskeywest.com/ At Alice's, the award-winning cuisine is served in a tropical setting. Stop by for breakfast, perhaps for the Magic Mushroom and Goat Cheese Omelete. Or come for dinner and experience the Key West Yellowtail with Brown Butter and Capers. Some outstanding poultry, pork, game, seafood and beef selections are created in this kitchen. The basics are enhanced by spices, curry flavors, Asian vegetables, delicate rice and more. A full bar is also available.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Andrew Huff

Blue Heaven Restaurant

Historic dining 729 Thomas Street
Florida Keys, FL 33040
United States
+1 305 296 8666
http://blueheavenkw.homestead.... This much-loved restaurant reportedly was once the site of boxing matches refereed by none other than Ernest Hemingway. Now you will find avant-garde artwork in the gallery upstairs and great chow at modest prices in the restaurant. Caribbean flavors predominate and baking is done on the premises where desserts, rolls and breads pour from the ovens. All three meals are served here and Sunday brunch draws crowd. No reservations are taken, so be prepared to wait in line. That may, in fact, be half the fun.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Steve Reed
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Captain Tony's Saloon

Lively spot in the Old Town 428 Greene Street
Florida Keys, FL 33040
United States
+1 305 294 1838
http://www.capttonyssaloon.com/ Once a morgue and later an ice-house, this lively spot is one of the city's most popular bars and is said to have been the original Sloppy Joe's, entertaining author Ernest Hemingway. Jimmy Buffet sang here for a while in the beginning of his career and now live bands play nightly, who knows, perhaps you will hear the next Buffet. Stop by for a drink, or just to take a look at the "Hanging Tree," located inside the bar.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: wastedinthekeys
Photo: Brandon Stockburger
Photo: Anna Poppe

Caribe Soul

Caribbean and soul food combo 1202 Simonton
Florida Keys, FL 33040
United States
+1 305 296 0094 Tucked in next to the Eden House Resort, this small restaurant offers a tropical patio with a tinkling waterfall and handsome decor that focuses on white furniture and colorful fabrics. Both Caribbean specialties and soul food are featured, each with special twists that elevate these culinary styles to a new high. The typical Caribbean peas and rice dish may be treated to a mango salsa and served with Jerk Duck, redolent with the spices of jerk barbecue cooking. Sauces, salsas, relishes and cookbooks are for sale at the front desk.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Louie's Backyard

View-filled dining 700 Waddell Avenue
Florida Keys, FL 33040
United States
+1 305 294 1061
http://www.louiesbackyard.com One of the island's most popular dining spots, Louie's Backyard offers an uninterrupted view of the ocean and favorites like rack of lamb and grouper. It also adds intriguing touches such as roasted garlic or side dishes of intriguing salsas. The Key Lime Pie has a Pistachio Crust and rests on a Raspberry Coulis. Outside, dine under the shade of a tropical tree. Many come for lunch, to revel in both the expansive view of the Atlantic and the somewhat less lofty lunchtime prices. In the evenings, there's the Afterdeck Bar for libations into the morning hours.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Marker 88

Award-winning Keys restaurant MM88, P.O Box 829
Florida Keys, FL 33036
United States
+1 305 852 9315 This is a favorite day trip for Miami and Fort Lauderdale diners in search of Keys ambience and top-notch cooking. Folks come from miles around to dine on a menu of seafood, although there are plenty of other options if you prefer something more terrestrial. Start with Cured Nova Scotia Salmon (USD11) followed by it with the daily catch (USD19-25). This attractive location overlooks the Florida Bay and the sunsets are spectacular; it all adds up to a wonderful dining experience. A full wine selection is available.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jorge de la Torriente
Photo: G. Gardiner Urban

No Name Pub

Defying description North Watson Boulevard
1 1/2 mile north of U.S 1
Florida Keys, FL 33043
United States
+1 305 872 9115
http://www.nonamepub.com/ Plunked down here in 1936, this rustic spot has changed little, still offering plenty of beer and pizza. No Name is rough, it's ready and it is about as close to the "original" Keys as you are likely to get these days. Appetizers include smoked fish dip and spicy conch fritters. For dinner, try a fish sandwich, blackened chicken with Swiss, or a seafood combo with grouper, shrimp and clam strips. Pizza choices include key shrimp, Caribbean chicken, vegetarian and Mexican. Or just ask for a cold pint and enjoy the ambiance of this memorable bar.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Pisces

France meets the Caribbean 1007 Simonton Street
Florida Keys, FL 33040
United States
+1 305 294 7100
http://www.pisceskeywest.com There's nothing like a melding of two distinct culinary styles to create exciting new flavors. You'll find French and Caribbean here blended into delicious delicacies. Each day brings something new to the menu, whether it's venison with a fruit sauce or fish cooked with a light dusting of curry and wine with ginger, and a few other spices tossed in for good measure. Dining takes place inside or on a rooftop deck beneath the spreading sapodilla tree. Stars shine, the food is good and all is right with the world.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Sloppy Joe's

Sooner or later everyone can be seen here 201 Duval Street
Florida Keys, FL 33040
United States
+1 305 294 5717
http://www.sloppyjoes.com/ This famous bar bears the name of a Hemingway confidante. It is said he shared his stories with the author who then turned them into prize-winning material. With a very casual atmosphere, this bar also serves good meals, including the original Sloppy Joe sandwich. Live entertainment is scheduled noon, afternoon and nightly and that plus a lively crowd and plenty of food and libations make this the best party in town. It is also the home of the famous Hemingway look-alike contest. All Keys' visitors should stop by.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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