Author: <span>Island Genn</span>

Restaurant Review – Old Town Mexican Cafe

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 14, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

This Saturday we decided to go downtown to check out Lobsterfest with some friends. The street fair covered several blocks of Duval Street with stands serving up all different types of lobster dishes and vendors sells all different types of wares, from jewelry to hats to clothing to art work. The selection was amazing and everyone was having fun. It was very hot outside and after walking around and checking everything out we were hot and tired and hungry. The lines for the food booths at Lobsterfest were long and we really wanted to find some quiet and shade.

So we walked down Duval Street to the Old Town Mexican Cafe. The seating was outdoor but under huge trees that provided a ton of shade and a cool setting. We chose our seat and our dog Indie was welcome too.

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Restaurant Review – Rusty Anchor

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 13, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Rusty Anchor Fish Sandwich — Rusty Anchor, Key West Fish Sandwich

The Rusty Anchor Restaurant and Seafood Market has been around for a long, long time. Mainly locals dine here as it is located on Stock Island away from the touristy areas of Key West. Their menu has local seafood favorites like dolphin, yellowtail, calamari, clams, shrimp, conch, and crab as well as burgers, ribs, and steaks. We go here on occasion for lunch or dinner, and many make this their weekly dinner spot every Wednesday for Prime Rib night.

We brought out friend from out of town here for lunch the other day so that he could experience a traditional Key West seafood restaurant in the comfortable air conditioned dining room. We ordered fish dip, calamari, peel and eat shrimp, fries, and a yellowtail sandwich.

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Key West Restaurant Review: China Garden

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 13, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Last night my husband and I went to Old Town Key West on a photo mission. We were planning on eating dinner while we were there, but most places are open air and it was hot, hot, hot. And the places that were indoor were packed. That’s what happens during a special event at 6 pm without reservation! Anyway, we decided to grab a bite in New Town instead, an. I suggested China Garden in the Searstown Plaza on Roosevelt Blvd. There is typically no wait here and last night was no different. (And if you are looking for delivery they are super fast and have never messed up an order for us!)

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Key West Parking Information

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 12, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Since Key West is such a small island, parking is at a premium. Not only do most of the 25,000 residents have vehicles, but many visitors to the island either drive down or rent cars while they are here. The larger hotels and New Town attractions have parking available for their customers, but many of the smaller B&B’s and downtown attractions do not, so if you are driving, you need to find a place to park. You can always take a cab, the Key West Bus, or rent a bicycle which will make this parking issue null. But for those of you that still need parking info, here it is.

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Key West Events: Captain Tony Days

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 11, 2011
Post category:Activities History

Captain Tony's Saloon, Key West, Florida

The 4 day long party celebrating the life of Captain Tony Tarracino, one of the most famous residents Key West has ever had, starts tonight!! Tony died at the age of 92 in 2008. He was the owner of Captain Tony’s Saloon located at 428 Greene Street, the former location of the original Sloppy Joe’s Bar where Hemingway spent many a days. He was also a boat captain, a smuggler, a movie actor, and the mayor of Key West. Here is the schedule of events:

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Key West Lobsterfest!

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 9, 2011
Post category:Activities

Okay, so lobster season has begun and that means that the annual Lobsterfest will be here soon! Participating bars and restaurants include Rick’s, Lazy Gecko, Fogarty’s, Hog’s Breathe, Bagatelle, Sloppy Joe’s, and more! The food is amazing and the street fair and concert are a blast! If you love Florida Lobster you need to be here to join in the celebration!! Below is the schedule of events for Lobsterfest 2011! (more…)

The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 9, 2011
Post category:Activities History

Great White Heron Key West, Florida — Great White Heron on a mangrove island in Key West, Florida

Established in 1938, the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is located in the lower Florida Keys and Key West and is comprised of about 200,000 acres of open water and islands which provides nesting, feeding, and resting areas for over 250 species of birds. The refuge was originally created to protect the great white heron, which are only found in the Florida Keys, from extinction. This area has also become an area where loggerhead and green turtles come to nest and feed.

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Key West and the Arts

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 8, 2011
Post category:Activities

Outside of the Custom House, Key West, Florida

Key West has practically always been a haven of sorts for artists and aspiring artist of all kinds. The island has a rich and diverse history in the arts. Key West has many art galleries, theaters, museums, festivals, dances, music,concerts, literary events, and more! Here are some regular events that you can feel free to take a part in during your visit to Key West!

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Books about Key West

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 3, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Conch Salad by Key West author Tracy McDonald

Key West has always interested people. So there is no wonder that there are so many books about Key West, both fiction and non-fiction. Here is a list of many of those books, albeit this is by no means a fully comprehensive one. I have bolded some of the books that I have or have read so I can personally recommend them.

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Things to Do in the Lower Keys

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 2, 2011
Post category:Activities

National Key Deer Refuge, Blue Hole, Big Pine Key

So you have a car and you want to get away from the hubbub of Key West for a day. Well here are some things to do just a short drive away.

1. Check out Geiger Key Marina & Tiki Bar. Drive us US1 N and turn right at the Circle K on Big Coppitt Key onto Boca Chica Road. Drive for about 1.5 miles and turn left onto Geiger Rd. You can hang out o the restaurant and tiki bar and get some great food with a nice view. And when the Navy pilots are doing drills there is no better viewing area than here! Saturday nights isa always Steak night in the BBQ pit and Sundays is always BBQ chicken and ribs night. YUMMY!

2. Go to the Jumping Bridge on Lower Sugarloaf Key. Drive up US1 N and turn right at MM17 onto Sugarloaf Blvd. (Sugarloaf Shores). Follow the road until it takes a sharp right. To your left you will see a yellow barrier. Park and walk through the yellow fence barrier to the bridge. The water is about 15 – 20 feet deep. You will probably find a bunch of locals already there jumping in and having a blast!

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Penne Venezia La Trattoria Oceanside, Key West

Key West Restaurant Review – La Trattoria Oceanside

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 1, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Martha’s was one of Key West’s finest restaurants until it closed in the early 2000’s, and ever since then the building has sat vacant. Until recently that it. The owners of the fab Italian restaurant, La Trattoria located on Duval Street decided to open a second restaurant in the former Martha’s location. Last night we had some friends in town and we deiced to check it out. We all love Italian food and La Trat, as the locals call it, is the only Italian restaurant on the island that I will eat at. And this one has the benefit of having a beautiful ocean view and parking!

I have to say that I like La Trattoria Oceanside better than the original. Everything was amazing from the moment we entered. The place is beautiful and elegant. Wood floors, great ocean view, white linen tablecloths, and the romantic sound of crooners like Sinatra and Martin playing in the background loud enough to hear it but not loud enough to be annoying. Great bar area with an incredible wine selection as well as a crazy martini menu.

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A Brief History of Key West

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:July 27, 2011
Post category:History

Florida’s Calusa Indian tribe was forced to migrate south to Key West where they fought to keep the southernmost lands as the New World was settled. In the process many Indians were killed and the Key West beaches were used as burial grounds. According to Key West lore, Spanish settlers found bones of the dead Indians strewn on the beach and called the island Cayo Hueso, meaning Island of Bones. Later English settlers called the island Key West, thinking that Cayo meant Key and Hueso West.

Over the years, ownership of the island has changed hands several times between the Spanish and the English. In 1815 the island was given by Spain to Juan Pablo Salas. American businessman, John Simonton, purchased the island from Salas in the early 1820’s, later selling portions of Key West to fellow businessmen Greene, Whitehead, and Fleming (all of whom have Key West streets named after them today, so be on the lookout!). The triumvirate began to develop Key West, and are even responsible for bringing the United Stated Navy down to build a base, which eventually put a stop to pirating in the area. However, settlers still had to combat illness, mosquitoes, and harsh seas.

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