This is written on Sunday and the locals are gnashing their teeth because the “Cold” weather has set in. Knit caps and jackets are being worn and scarves are wrapped tightly around necks all over the Conch Republic. Don’t get me wrong..it is chilly by local standards, but that means it’s in the mid sixties. Sixties? Yep. Oh boy. Whatever happened to Global Warming?
Anyway, let me wind the clock back a couple of days to Wednesday when things were “normal” (in the 80’s). I discovered I had misidentified the restaurant on Duval Street where he had eaten lunch on Wednesday (with wonderful crepes). The correct name was Martin’s. I noted the error when we drove past “Michael’s” on Margaret Street and wondered why there were two “Michael’s” in town. (Margarita’s on the brain??). Anyway, we managed to sneak in a nice nap after Martin’s.
For dinner, we scratched our head and dug through the local listings for something new (to us) and recalled having spotted LaTrattoria Oceanside on South Atlantic Blvd. Near the airport. We had enjoyed more than a few delightful meals at LaTrattoria on Duval and thought this might make an interesting comparison to make (and to avoid the hassle and long walk to the downtown LaTratoria). We arrived shortly after eight and found parking to be a breeze (adjacent, free lot next to Benihana). Seating was also a breeze because there were only a few occupied tables and that raised a concern that perhaps we’d made a bad choice because downtown usually was packed and required reservations. Fortunately, such was not the case and we were pleased with almost everything. Because we had splurged at lunch, we opted to skip the appetizers and just ordered a main course and a couple of glasses of Sangiovese. Fran’s polo picatta (a yummy chicken dish) was done perfectly and my beef lasagna was equally tasty and compared favorably with the downtown’s version I had eaten on previous visits. Although our visit was at night, I can just imagine the wonderful daytime view of the beach out the huge picture windows that overlook the ocean. The only downside was the noise level driven by hard floors, ceilings, windows and walls without much sound absorption. With only half the tables occupied, it was sometimes challenging to speak in conversational tones. That issue diminished as the crowd thinned as our dinner progressed. We loved the people watching and let our creative minds craft a story line about a couple who arrived shortly after us. Menus were provided and we noted both parties began keying/messaging on their mobile phones. The gentleman placed his menu on the table and excused himself. We presumed he was headed to the men’s room…except he never returned. Hmmmmm. Was he a secret agent who had just been summoned to the White House? Was he an off-duty cop called back to conduct a homicide investigation? Maybe he forgot his wallet and was just going to stick his date with the tab? Did she tell him he had spinach between his teeth? The woman at the table ordered a glass of wine and about fifteen minutes later called the waiter to place her meal order and had him clear the second place setting. Such intrigue at the Oceanside.
Key West Ice Cream Photo: Skip Mays
Thursday’s lunch had been on our schedule since our arrival. Last year, we had visited the Westin’s Sunset Key Latitude’s Restaurant for dinner and rated it our top destination in the Keys up to that point last year. (Little Palm Island has now bumped Sunset Key into #2). Sunset Key is a small island directly adjacent to the cruise liner piers and Westin Hotel in downtown Key West. It’s a short, ten minute boat ride, ducking under the bow of whatever liner might be moored at the pier to this private oasis with rental cottages booked through the Westin. Beach-side dinner reservations at Lattitude’s had been sold out every night of our visit, so we opted for lunch. Still delightful. Your reservation booking is actually the time of your launch ride from the mainland and the island staff has your table ready for your occupancy on arrival. Showers had been in the forecast so I had requested a table under the overhang rather than on the beach and that also afforded a shelter from the bright sun that arrived instead of the showers. Lunch consisted of conch fritters as a starter and a thick turkey club sandwich and a yummy grouper sandwich. Dessert consisted of two presentation pieces of art. Mine consisted of a single, large scoop of vanilla ice cream (you can tell I rather enjoy vanilla), nestled in the center of a 12” serving place that includes a four inch wide cavity in the middle into which hot chocolate fudge has been poured. That combination is then garnished with a sprig of mint and a sliced strawberry and spiked with a double chocolate swizzle. OMG.
Not to be outdone, Fran selected a cheesecake that looked almost too pretty to eat.
A nice bottle of Sauvingnon Blanc had been a core component to our luncheon and made the short motor-launch trip back to Key West proper almost a mellow blur. Ah, time for another nap. I love Florida living.
Friday must have been rather dull, because I have no clue what we did that day, but Saturday morning we headed out early for breakfast at Columbia Grace Restaurant on Petronia Street. We stumbled upon this gem a couple of years ago after being told there was a two hour wait at Blue Heaven, just down the street. Such a find! Of course the sign out front that touted “Free Sangria With Saturday Breakfast” caught our eye earlier in the week. Arriving shortly after 9:30, we were one of the early birds and had our choice of tables in this former store front with French doors across the front of the place, allowing both sidewalk and interior dining in an contiguous setting. We both decided on omelets of different styles. Mine came equipped with shrimp and cheese-topped fritters and Fran’s came with roasted round potatoes.
Such a civilized way to start one’s day. More to come.
Part IV will hopefully come soon. Skip writes when he’s motivated and has the time. The stories he shares are always great. ~MDH
Author: Maralyn
Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, is president emeritus of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, member of Society of American Travel Writers, and Society of Professional Journalists. She is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and contributes to other publications. She also speaks and is a guest on many shows. The majority of Maralyn’s articles are now geared to the luxury market, spas, corporate retreats, business events, and culinary tourism, from simple to gourmet. Maralyn’s description of herself: I was born to travel and tell the tale. I’m energized by different cultures in every aspect of their lives, from food, wine, and destination, to how they conduct business. Travel represents a continual geography lesson.
