Restaurant Reviews Key West - The Key Wester

Key West Restaurant Review: Zaza Pizzeria Napoletana

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:November 28, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

So there is another new restaurant in the Lower Keys. Located at the Sugarloaf Lodge, this new Italian restaurant has recently opened up. It is great because this area is in need of more restaurants and especially a pizza place for a quick dinner. I stopped in the other night to do just that. Since I had not been there before my sister and I decided to stop in and check the place out and get a pizza to go. The interior has certainly undergone some drastic changes from when Mary Goode ran the restaurant. It went from medieval style decor to brightly painted interiors with a modern look. But it is very noisy. Yes, there were several people dining in the vast dining room, but they were far from shouting yet it was still difficult to hear the guy when he was taking our order. I was glad not to be eating on property just for this reason, although it looked lovely and smelled good and the staff all seemed very friendly and very Italian which gave me high hopes for the food quality.

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Key West Restaurant Review: Kaya Island Eats

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:November 22, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

This new (only opened 2 weeks ago) eatery is located on the ocean and US1 N in Saddle Bunch Keys (about 15 miles north of Key West). The building once housed another restaurant but Kaya is thus far much different (in a good way). Based on its name, you can probably guess that the menu has a tropical theme which goes in line with the locale. And the owner, Scott, grew up in Hawaii and became a partner at the famed Key West restaurant, Blue Heaven, so it all fits. This also gives one a lot of hope for this spot as the locals really need another good restaurant in this area. Scott has already made some major improvements to the building with beautiful signage and a very tropical decor inside. The place definitely draws you in.

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Key West Restaurant Review: Boat House

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

Walking around last night checking out he race boats, we decided to grab a bite to eat before heading home. We ended up stopping at the Boat House, located beneath the Commodore Restaurant at A&B Marina. For those of you that have been in the area before thinking, there is no restaurant there, you are kinda right. This spot used to be a Tommy Bahama store but they closed their doors about a year ago and the Boat House moved in.

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Key West Restaurant Review: Ambrosia

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

My BFF”s birthday was Thursday so to celebrate she wanted to go to her favorite sushi restaurant, Ambrosia. When we got there at 7pm there was nobody there yet, but as the evening progressed the place became packed. Moral, make a reservation to eat here, lol.

Ambrosia is located at the Santa Marina Suites on Simonton Street. The decor is very modern and sleek.

When we first arrived we sat at the bar for a little bit and got a drink. Saki, sakitinis, beer. The sakitinis are the bartender’s version of a martini, but made with saki instead of vodka. I had a white peach sakitini that was delicious, if not a bit sweet. But after one I was good with water the rest of the evening. (Typically I order plumb wine which is also a sweet wine that I adore, but I decided to go with something different since other members of our group got sakitinis too. The bartender was fantastic (sorry cannot remember his name). (more…)

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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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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