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.
Our server was the best. The entire time we were never left with an empty glass or an empty bread plate. She was on top of it! She was polite and helpful with the menu, and even wrote down the name of a dessert wine that I tried and loved (Castello Banfi Montalano, Florus 2009, Late Harvest).
I have not said anything about the food yet, but that too was amazing. The Funghi Farciti (stuffed mushrooms) were yummy as was the Bruschetta. The Insalata Paesana was refreshing and tasty. The Penne Venezia (penne pasta with crabmeat, shrooms, sun dried tomatoes, and a cream sauce) was rich and delicious. The seafood in the Linguine Fra Diavolo was done to perfection and the sauce was not too spicy either. Dantice all a Mediterraneo (sautéed snapper) was flaky and tasted so good without too many other flavors masking the fish which so many places do. And the Zuppa di Pesce was heaven, especially when you sop up the thick broth with the delicious bread. For dessert we all had coffee or cappuccino and cannoli, a sweet end to an amazing meal.
La Trattoria is not cheap, but it was well worth the price paid for both the quality of food and the quality of service that we experienced last night. The only part of the entire experience that I can say I had a hard time with was actually picking something from the menu because everything just sounded so amazing. I’ll have to go back again soon and try some of the other entrees that I had to forgo last night. I am glad that this location is once again home to a great restaurant.
La Trattoria Oceanside is located at 3593 South Rooselvelt Blvd. next to Benihana’s. It is open from 5 pm to 10:30 pm nightly. The number is 305-295-6789. Reservations are recommended.
For more information about things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site. You can also visit our Key West Events Calendar to see upcoming special events. And for more restaurant reviews check out our restaurant review section of this blogas well as our restaurant reviews at www.gotothekeys.com.
