Cafe Sole - Review
Cafe Sole is a gem located right in the heart of Old Town Key West. Offering an incredible atmosphere coupled with a fine dining Carribean flare cuisine.
Pricing
$ $ $ $ $
Service
9/10
Atmosphere
9/10
The Food
10/10
1029 Southard St, Key West, FL 33040
Cafe Sole Cuisine
A combination of French cuisine with Caribbean flair, and Chef John makes use of the fresh local seafood. However, there are meals for land lovers as well, such as filet mignon, rack of lamb and duck a l’orange along with an extensive vegetarian menu. A beautiful wine list rounds out the choices.
Cafe Sole - Review
I might be a little bit biased on this review as this is where I chose to enjoy some of our special occasions. I love the dreamy romantic atmosphere, the delicious food, and the wonderful service we always get here.
The meal started off with fresh bread served with a garlicky hummus which was so, so good. My husband is not a fan of hummus so he always asks for butter and he is always obliged.
As far as the food is concerned, every meal that I have ever eaten here has been amazing. Everything was beyond fresh and the flavors melded together like magic. My absolute favorite thing on the menu is the baby clams – seafood cooked to perfection and mixed with al dente pasta turns a simple meal into a memorable one. I am actually craving that pasta again it is so tasty.
Service is very good throughout the meal and we are never without water. They even bring Indiana Bones a dish of water out when he accompanies us, and he always enjoys a few bites of the bread. Even though temperatures can be high here, it is comfortable sitting outside under the brand new roofing.
About The Food
Appetizers
Foie Gras which is served with fig jam, wild cherry compote, and toast. If you like pate, this is amazing.
Caviar served with toast, creme fraiche, chopped egg, onions and capers.
Stone Crab Claws which are a real treat in my opinion and should be tried at least once if you love crab and / or have never have them before.
Cold water oysters…
Portobello mushroom soup made rich with caramelized onions, port, cream and asiago cheese. This is delicious and wonderful to enjoy on the cooler days we have here.
Gazpacho which I have not tried, but this would be a refreshing soup on the many hot days that wee experience in Key West.
Lobster Bisque is deliciously rich and given a slightly different spin with the addition of sun-dried tomato.
French Onion Soup at this French inspired restaurant is delicious and just as it should be.
Beet Salad – I have never gotten this because of the truffled vinaigrette. I do not care for truffles. But, if you like beets and truffles which are paired with goat cheese, arugula and tomato, I am sure it is delicious.
Burrata with tomato, pesto, basil, pine nuts, olive oil and balsamic reduction has so many of my favorite things that this is a favorite of mine.
Arugula Salad, again I have not had this because even though I love arugula I do not love truffles and this also is dressed with a truffle vinaigrette.
Ingram’s Salad is one of our favorites here with mixed greens, pears, toasted pecans, Maytag blue cheese and a lemon vinaigrette. I love the mix of the sweet and the savory mixed with the freshness of the greens.
Conch Carpaccio I have not tried here, but it is on my list.
Beef Carpaccio served with asiago cheese, olive oil arugula and lemon is divine. Tender and delicious.
Tuna Tataki is my husband’s favorite appetizer here. The fish is a perfect cut, lightly seared and served with seaweed salad.
Cheese Board is offered in two size options with a mix of cheeses, nuts, jams, fruit, bread and crackers.
Angels on Horseback are garlic stuffed dates wrapped in bacon. What is not to love here. I love the pairing of sweet and savory.
Artichoke Aphrodisiac is delicious, stuffed with garlic and breadcrumbs, baked, and served with a hollandaise sauce.
Saganaki is something that I have not tried here.
Fresh Anchovies served on crostini is another app that I have not tried. I actually do love anchovies, but typically my dining companions do not and I like to get apps that I can share.
Entrées
Baby Clams at Cafe Sole are served with white wine, butter crushed red pepper, garlic and angel hair pasta and it is one of my favorite meals anywhere.
Shrimp Sole with garlic, olive oil, sherry, crushed tomato, basil and angel hair pasta is delicious with perfectly cooked shrimp and al dente pasta.
Fruit of the Sea mixes perfectly cooked scallops, shrimp and calamari with pesto, sun-dried tomato sauce and angel hair pasta. This is a favorite of my husband.
Shrimp Scampi is local Key West shrimp, roasted garlic, olive oil, white wine and linguine. What is not to love here!
Hogfish Snapper Sole is their signature dish and I highly recommend it, especially if you have never had hogfish as it is a real treat! It is delicately pan seared and served with a red pepper hollandaise. When they don’t have the clams, or if I am just wanting something else, this is my other go to dish.
Yellowtail Snapper Sole is a beautiful filet sautéed with mango salsa which is kicked up with jalapeño, onion, cilantro and lime juice. It is both delicious and fresh.
Grouper Romesco is paired with tomato, hazelnuts, garlic and red bell pepper.
Tuna Pistachio, Jumbo Diver Scallops, and Florida Lobster round out the seafood options here. By the way, all seafood dishes are served with a vegetable medley, rice, mashed potato and tomato provencal.
Duck a’la Orange, Rack of Lamb, Spicy Skirt Steak, and Prime Filet Casanova are the meat entrees, and I can say that I love the seafood here so much that I have never even thought about trying any of these options. Maybe one day! They are served with mashed potatoes, asparagus, vegetables and tomato provencal.
Cafe Sole Deserts
Key Lime Pie – I am on a mission to find the best key lime pies in Key West, so this award winning version capped with a toasted marshmallow meringue and served with Chantilly cream sauce was a must try. It had more of a cheesecake consistency to it and was more sweet than tart. I liked it and my husband thought it was the best one he has had in some time, so there you go!
Creme Brûlée – This is one of my favorite desserts, and this version is as good as any I have had. The creamy almost cheesecake like consistency with hints of vanilla and a crispy sugar shell is a decadent way to end a meal.
Bananas Foster, Chocolate Pecan Pie a la Mode, andMolten Chocolate Cake are other options on the sweeter side of things here.
Cafe Sole Notes
After working at other Key West restaurants such as PT’s, Chef John Correa opened Cafe Sole in 1995. When we were there the other evening, he came out to the dining area and conversed with the diners, which was a nice touch that I know he is not always able to do. He is entertaining, and seemingly genuinely interested in his clients as well.
Cafe Sole is dog friendly, and we love taking our little Malteses here with us.
Cafe Sole is also happy to cook your catch. If you have fish that you caught on charter and you want it prepares, Chef Correa’s team will be happy to do so!
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