Walking around downtown last month I noticed a small, new restaurant on Fleming Street called the Thirsty Mermaid. This weekend we finally found the time to check it out for dinner. Right off the bat we loved the relaxed atmosphere and the coastal decor, and we were excited to try out some different things on the menu.
We started with the clam chowder with Maine lobster, corn and bacon. This was rich and delicious with the different flavors complimenting each other. And bacon makes just about everything taste great!
The island wedge salad was very good. A simple salad made delicious with the bacon and the maytag blue cheese. Also loved the addition of tomatoes to this for some color and more varied flavor.
The grilled cheese sandwich with cheddar, Monterey jack, brie, bacon and tomato was out of this world. The mixture of cheeses made it creamy and added extra depth to this sandwich. And the accompanying fries were thin and crispy and tasty with just the right amount of salt.
The good ol’ boy burger was a really great hamburger, topped with cheddar, bacon, onion, and tomato. And this was also served with yummy fries. (Do you see a trend here? We really like our bacon!)
Okay, so moving away from the bacon…
The gnocchi and short ribs were billed on the menu as being spicy, but there is just a hint of hotness, so even those that cannot tolerate spice will likely be able to enjoy this dish. The short rib meat was tender and combined nicely with the delicate gnocchi.
The diver scallops were prepared perfectly. They were served with a corn relish and fingerling potatoes. The combination of the tastes was nice, but I would have liked for there to be a few more potatoes on the dish so that each bite of scallops could have been accompanied with both the relish and the potato flavor.
Thirsty Mermaid also has a nice wine and bar selection to choose from. For the four of us the bill came to a bit more than $150 with tip, so not outrageous. And the service was good as well. The is certainly a spot that we would dine at again.
Before deciding where you are going to eat while visiting Key West or the rest of the Florida Keys, be sure to read my other restaurant reviews too; check out our restaurant review section of this blog.
And to see what is happening on Key West during your visit, check out our Key West Events Calendar to see other upcoming special events. For more information about the fun side of Key West… things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site.
Feel free to Email Me if you have any questions about Key West!!
Island Genn
Key West Concierge
