Key West Magazine Spring/Summer 2019 Issue by Key West Magazine

THE BEST GUIDE TO KEY WEST AND THE KEYS - EVER!

MAY– AU GU ST 2 01 9

565 Reasons You’ll Love It Here

MAGA Z INE

Swim at Our 31 Enticing Beaches p. 54

Pick From 296 Bars, Cafés & Restaurants p. 26

Splash Into 66 Exhilarating Ocean Adventures p. 59

See All 82 of Our Only-In-KeyWest Attractions & Events p. 56

Don’t Miss Our 159 Unique Shops & Galleries p. 42

LAST STAND Protecting the Keys Environment since 1987

YOUR MEMBERSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Join at:

www.keyslaststand.org

SPOONBILL BALLET - old florida

ENDLESS JOURNEY

SEARCHLIGHT IN THE SKY

the official wildlife & fine art photographer of florida

1210 duval st key west, fl 33040 305-294-0005 | visions@alanmaltz.com | www.alanmaltz.com

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MAGAZINE

publisher and creative director Bill Semich original creative design Roger Black Studios logo and key west font design by Roger Black and The Font Bureau editor Joe Healy editor@kwmag.com art director Richard Hughes contributor Monica Haskell contributing writers Margit Bisztray, Cara Cannella, Juliet Gray, Joe Healy, Kristy Holland, Nancy Klingener, Paul Matwychuk, A. B. Miles, Scott Messenger, Stacy Rodriquez, José Teodoro, Lavester Thornton contributing photographers Larry Blackburn, Sue Cooper, Ralph De Palma, Nick Doll, Anne Drabicky, Mike Freas, Dawn Jones-Garcia, Haig Jacobs, Deborah Kalinowski, Bob Krist, Andy Newman, Rob O’Neal, Michael A. Philip, Samantha Scott, Jessica Talley, Carol Tedesco, Virginia Wark advertising Paulette Rezendes, Sales Manager (305) 240-1462 paulette@kwmag.com Produced by WorldNames Inc. founder and president Bill Semich bill@kwmag.com distribution services Richard Warwick, Specialized Deliveries Key West Magazine is a registered trademark of WorldNames, Inc. The Spring–Summer 2019 visitors guide edition of Key West Magazine is copyright 2019, worldnames inc., all rights reserved. no part of Key West Magazine Spring–Summer 2019 visitors guide edition may be reproduced in any medium without permission from the publisher. reprint requests, freelance submission and other correspondence should be addressed to: Editor, Key West Magazine, 422 Fleming St., Suite 7; Key West, FL 33040 PHONE: (305) 295-9804 E-MAIL: info@kwmag.com WEB: kwmag.com Manuscripts submitted without SASE will not be returned. Key West Magazine (ISSN #1938-653) is published by WorldNames Inc. The advertiser agrees the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred, whether such error is due to the negligence of the publisher or otherwise, and there shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.

To read Key West Magazine online, or to read previous issues of the magazine at no cost, visit kwmag.com. 4 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

• Alan S. Maltz Gallery, 1210 Duval St., Key West • Amazing Cakes, 517 Fleming St., Key West • Aqua Bar, 711 Duval St., Key West • Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton St., Key West • Berkshire Hathaway, 336 Duval St., Key West • Classic Harbor Line, America 2.0, 202 William St., Key West • Coffee Plantation, 713 Caroline St., Key West • Emeralds International, 104 Duval St., Key West • Florida Keys Community College, 5901 College Road, Key West • Fury Water Adventures, 313 Margaret St., Key West • Gallery on Greene, 606 Greene St., Key West • Gildea Contemporary Fine Art Gallery, 522 Southard St., Key West • Hands On Gallery, 1206 Duval St., Key West • Harrison Gallery, 825 White St., Key West • Island Dreams Decor, 30325 U.S. 1, Big Pine Key • Jeffs Gems, 906-F Kennedy Dr., Key West • JW Plastic Surgery, 1075 Duval St., Suite C19, Key West • Key Plaza Creperie, 1105 Key Plaza, Key West • Key West Art & Historical Society, Custom House and Museum, 281 Front St., Key West • Key West (24 hour) Fitness Center, 725 Caroline St., Key West • Key West Luxury Real Estate, 619 Eaton St., Key West • Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, 5210 College Road, Key West • Key West Urgent Care, 1501 Government Road, Key West • Little Room Jazz Club & Wine Bar, 821 Duval St., Key West • Little Switzerland 271 Front St., Key West • Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, 31020 U.S. 1, Big Pine Key • Lower Keys Medical Center, 5900 College Road, Key West • Lynn Kaufelt, Realtor, Truman & Co. Real Estate, 1205 Truman Ave., Key West • Martin’s Steak & Lobster Restaurant, 917 Duval St., Key West • Mel Fisher Maritime Museum & Shop, 200 Greene St., Key West • Ocean Wellness Spa, 829 Simonton St., Key West • Old Island Restoration Foundation, 322 Duval St., Key West • Patricia McGrath-Julien realtor, Century 21 Schwartz • Point Break Key West (cigar shop), 600 Duval St., 921 Duval St., 403 Greene St., Key West • The Pool Man of Key West, 5615 3rd Ave., Key West • Red Barn Theatre, 319 Duval St., Suite 2, Key West • Royal Furniture, 3226 N. Roosevelt, Key West • SALT Island Provisions, 830 Fleming St., Key West • The Sole Man, 610 Duval St ., Suite 5, Key West • Spencer’s by the Sea, The Reach, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, 1435 Simonton St., Key West • Square Grouper Restaurant, 22658 U.S. 1, Summerland Key • The Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton St., Key West • Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St., Key West • WeCycle, 5160 US 1, Stock Island and 326 Southard St., Key West • Zazoo Fine Art Gallery, 622 Duval St., Key West

Staying in one of the hotels or B&Bs below? You’ll find a copy in your room. Or stop at the concierge’s desk and ask for one: • 24 North Hotel, 3820 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West • Alexander’s Guesthouse, 1118 Fleming, St., Key West • Amoray Dive Resort, 104250 U.S. 1, Key Largo • The Best Western Hibiscus Motel, 1313 Simonton St., Key West • Banana Bay Resort and Marina, 2319 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West • Blue Marlin Motel, 1320 Simonton St., Key West • Cayo-Hueso Resort/Cottages, 509-515 United St., Key West • Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, 1500 Reynolds St., Key West • DoubleTree Grand Key Resort by Hilton, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West • Hyatt Windward Pointe Resort, 3675 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West • The Gates Hotel, 3824 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West • Hyatt Beach House Resort, 5051 U.S. 1, Key West • Island City House, 411 William St., Key West • Key West Bayside Inn & Suites, 3444 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West • Key West Bed & Breakfast, 415 William St., Key West • Key West Harbor Inn 219 Elizabeth St., Key West • Marquesa Hotel 600 Fleming St., Key West • The Mermaid & the Alligator Guesthouse, 729 Truman Ave., Key West • The Reach, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, 1435 Simonton St., Key West • Speakeasy Inn, 1117 Duval St, Key West • Sugarloaf Lodge, 17001 U.S. 1, Sugarloaf Key • Tropical Inn, 812 Duval St., Key West • The Truman Hotel, 611 Truman Ave., Key West

DISCOVER MORE. DISCOVER TEAMKAUFELT.

1401 TROPICAL STREET

4BD | 4.1BA | 3,700 SF

$2,465,000

Tropical Oasis just minutes from Old Town, Key West with an oversized saltwater pool, tropical landscape, and plenty of space for entertaining.

1720 WASHINGTON STREET

4BD | 3BA | 2,741 SF

$1,575,000

Classic Key West residence on an oversized corner lot featuring a wraparound covered porch, Dade County Pine, and a beautiful 36ft pool.

623 ELIZABETH STREET

1BD | 1BA | 662 SF

$749,500

Charming Conch cottage in Old Town exemplifying the unique architecture of Key West. Plenty of space for outdoor entertainment.

827 EISENHOWER DRIVE

teamkaufelt.com

3BD | 2.1BA | 2,641 SF

$1,650,000

Tropical Estate on Key Westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prestigious Riviera Canal. Enter through a grand entrance that reveals an indoor outdoor lifestyle like no other.

1500 ATLANTIC BLVD. #107

2BD | 2BA | 1,531 SF

$1,250,000

Desirable Beach Club condo with true indoor-outdoor living designed to exist in perfect harmony with its oceanfront setting.

2318 STAPLES AVENUE

4BD | 3BA | 1,481 SF

$695,000

Opportunity Awaits at this multi-unit CBS home featuring a guest cottage, beautiful pool, carport, and a prime midtown location.

Lynn Kaufelt

Licensed Broker Associate/Co-owner c: (305) 923-4276 e: lynnkaufelt@gmail.com

Jackson Kaufelt

Licensed Real Estate Agent c: (305) 393-1267 e: jackson@trumanandcompany.com

1205 Truman Ave, Key West

MAGAZINE

Spring|Summer 2019 Visitors Guide

THE GUIDE KEYSWIDE

Complete guide to Key West and The Keys

Get a hot fresh piece a' pizza at Angelina's on Duval

Felix the Cat is Back at Zazoo Gallery

Luxury Tropical Living in Key West at 1401 Tropical Street.

Feature

20 Tropical Living In midtown Key West, minutes from old town and several of the best beaches, this private tropical compound on Tropical Street could be your very own piece of paradise. By Key West Magazine staff

4 Find Our Magazine

Help keep Key West Magazine free of charge. Visit one of our supporting advertisers, listed here, for a free copy.

8 Key West Street Map

Includes public restroom locations and local bikeways.

13 Transportation

Where to find local scooters, bikes, electric cars, pedicabs, taxis and flights to the Caribbean and Cuba.

14 Notable Key Westers

10 Key West in Just 10 Hours

Follow our suggestions and see all the famous places— and still finish in time for our famous sunset.

6 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

Get to know Key Westers such as Christopher Peterson and his show EYECONS at La Te Da; also meet the owner of Gildea Contemporary Fine Art Gallery on Southard Street and learn about upcoming events. And more!

Shiver Yer Timbers on a Key West Wedding Cruise

26 Eat & Drink 27 Restaurants 30 Vegetarian 28 Bakeries 32 Bars 29 Coffee Shops 36 Ice Cream

42 48 52 54 56 59 62

Shops Galleries Hotels and B&Bs Beaches Attractions Watersports Events

THE UNDISPUTED LEADER IN KEY WEST FOR THE LAST 6 DECADES Based On Sales Volume

Residential, Commercial, Property Management 336 Duval Street, Key West, FL 33040 (305) 294-5155 • www.KeysRealEstate.com

0 CANNON ROYAL DRIVE, SHARK KEY $3,250,000 4BD/3.5BA • Waterfront • Pool • Gated Stunning Panoramic Sunset Views 3,339 Sq Ft Home on 14,250 Sq Ft Lot Joanne Allen • 305-923-0239

49 CANNON ROYAL DRIVE, SHARK KEY $3,450,000 5BD/5BA • Gated Community • Water Views 4,573 Sq Ft Home on 14,850 Sq Ft Lot Swim/Lagoon/Beach/Tennis Court/Club House Joanne Allen • 305-923-0239

901 TRUMAN AVE $2,925,000 5BD/6BA Unique Historic Home 3,850 Sq Ft on 7,525 Sq Ft Lot w/parking Renovated 6 Unit Investment Property Wendy Holifield • 305-394-7616

OLD TOWN VILLAS AT SIMONTON/GREENE Starting at $1,925,000 3BD/3.5BA Townhouse • 2 Car Garage Pool/Cabana • Private Elevator 2,541 Sq Ft • Balcony On Every Floor Team Gardner/Langley • 305-394-9020

281 TRUMBO ROAD #205 $2,495,000 3BD/3.5BA • 2,948 Sq Ft Exquisite Townhome Leigh Ann Roach • 305-587-4535

75 BAY DR, SADDLEBUNCH $1,399,000 4BD/1BA • 2,769 Sq Ft • Open Water Views Leigh Ann Roach • 305-587-4535

97 BAY DR, SADDLEBUNCH $1,375,000 3BD/2BA • 2,008 Sq Ft Waterfront Retreat Leigh Ann Roach • 305-587-4535

1212 GEORGIA STREET, OLD TOWN $2,500,000 5BD/5.5BA • 2,835 Sq Ft Interior • Pool Heather Corruthers • 305-509-2122

313 TRUMAN AVENUE, OLD TOWN $1,375,000 3BD/3BA • 1,548 Sq Ft Classic Conch House Andrew Birrell • 305-923-5753

28 JADE DRIVE #4, BIG COPPITT $850,000 2BD/2BA • 1,040 Sq Ft Waterfront Townhouse Wendy Holifield • 305-394-7616

901 TRUMAN AVE #3, OLD TOWN $625,000 2BD/1BA • Newly Renovated Condo Wendy Holifield • 305-394-7616

1413 OLIVIA ST, THE MEADOWS $994,000 3BD/2BA + Addt’l Office • Turn Key Kirsti Madeo • 305-587-0087

16745 TAMARIND RD, SUGARLOAF $629,000 12,500 Sq Ft Lot • Open Water Views Leigh Ann Roach • 305-587-4535

1801 N. ROOSEVELT BLVD T - 34 $250,000 2BD/1BA • 1,400 Sq Ft Floating Home Wendy Holifield • 305-394-7616

27974 TARPON, LITTLE TORCH KEY $229,000 2BD/1BA • Canal Front • Private Yard Tommy Gomez • 305-393-5156

1801 N. ROOSEVELT BLVD T – 11 $118,888 1BD/1BA + Loft • Garrison Bright Marina Wendy Holifield • 305-394-7616

KEY WEST’S

REAL ESTATE OFFICE

Delivering remarkable results for remarkable homes

©2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

The City of

KEY WEST 19 East Martello Tower 20 Key West Botanical Gardens 21 Key West Golf Club 22 Florida Keys Community College 23 Lower Keys Medical Center

10 Bahama Village 11 Hemingway House 12 Lighthouse Museum 13 Southernmost Point 14 Casa Marina 15 Public Tennis Courts 16 West Martello Tower 17 AIDS Memorial, White Street Pier 18 Police Station

■ Designated Bike Ways

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8 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

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1 Mallory Square 2 Key West Aquarium 3 Custom House 4 Westin Parking Garage 5 Truman Little White House 6 Historic Seaport Boardwalk 7 City Park & Ride 8 Key West Ferry Terminal 9 Public Library

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springâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

10 HOURS IN KEY WEST

So here you are in paradise. Pack the most into one day by following this one-mile route to the best of Key West.

Nature photographer Alan Maltz captures exquisite wildlife photos. Visit his Key West gallery on Duval.

Take a selfie at the almost-Southernmost Point. If you must take a selfie with the Southernmost Point concrete marker buoy—at South and Whitehead streets—this is the place you should start your day trip. Arrive very early to avoid the lines. Where is the real Southernmost Point in Key West? If you look southwest toward the large white sphere, you’ll see land extending even farther south than the buoy. That’s all Navy property—Whitehead Spit, which is the true southernmost point in the continental United States. Sit here and watch thousands of butterflies flutter about. From the Southernmost Point, walk back up South Street to Duval Street and go left to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory (1316 Duval St.). There are so many butterflies that they’ll tag along with you—settling on your head, shoulder, arm or even on your hand if you’re patient. Colorful clothing helps. The conservatory is home to about 60 butterfly species, with a stunning range

of size, shape and color, each one more perfect than the last.

See the light that wrecked the wreckers. Turn left onto Truman and walk a block to the Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum (938 Whitehead St.). After the Navy built a base in Key West in 1823, it built a lighthouse to warn ships away from the reef-laden waters off the Keys. But a hurricane demolished it in 1846. So the Navy chose the current location for its new lighthouse, also hiring a female lighthouse keeper, a first for the Navy. With the new light, the number of shipwrecks fell, wrecking the city’s booming salvage industry. In 1969, the U.S. decommissioned the lighthouse and the Key West Art and Historical Society converted it into this museum. The 88-step climb to the top has the best view on the island. Meet the polydactyl descendants of Hemingway’s cat. Cross Whitehead diagonally from the lighthouse to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum (907 Whitehead St.). Museum guides promote the legend of “Papa” as philanderer and tough guy, making much of his four wives, lacerated spleen, three concussions, damaged kidney and overextended, if not cirrhotic, liver. Like cats? There are about 50 of them meandering around the house and gardens, all

Discover Upper Duval Street. Leave the butterflies behind and continue on Upper Duval Street, famous for its upscale shops, eateries and galleries, heading toward Truman Avenue. Stop at Alan S. Maltz’s Gallery (1210 Duval St.) to view his seascapes, underwater scenes and sunsets like you’ve never seen. Step into the Archeo Gallery The curators at Archeo Gallery travel the world to find the colorful and exotic. next door for exotic antique Asian furniture, African art purportedly descended from Snowball, and colorful Gabbeh and Moroccan Hemingway’s original polydactyl (extrarugs (1208 Duval St.). Then stop at toed) pet. Climb the stairs for a glimpse Hands On Gallery (1206 Duval St.), a of Papa’s studio, or roam the old carriage posh women’s “wearable art” boutique, house. In the 1930s, he had no stairs—he to see what the well-to-do stylish crossed a hanging bridge to get there.

10 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JESSICA TALLEY AND COURTESY ARCHEO GALLERY

Key West Day-Tripper

snowbirds and locals are wearing. Continue on Duval toward Truman Avenue.

The largest selection of swimwear in Key West! Locally owned and operated with over 15 years experience 21 brands of swimsuits Providing all sizes including DD+ swimwear up to FF cup Complimentary FITTINGS trained by Eveden INC fitting specialists

511 Greene Street, across from Sloppy Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar.

10 HOURS IN KEY WEST want to be there at least 90 minutes before the sun sets. If you plan to visit many of the other attractions near the Square, add another two hours. So you’ll need to be there three and a half hours before sunset.

Stop at all the famous places. As you leave the San Carlos, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is directly on your left (500 Duval St.), worth a visit for sure. Go left again down Fleming Street to its intersection with Whitehead Street, take a quick selfie with the Mile Marker 0 sign. Return to Duval, stopping for stimulation at Aqua Key West to see the famous gender-bending “Aquanettes” with the backdrop of dueling bartendStep back into old Cuba. Continue ers and fun and games such as Martin’s menu will surprise you with its classic and tropical down Duval to the San Carlos Institute Texas hold ’em and karaoke—and mix—European sophistication and Key West playfulness. (516 Duval St.). Built in 1924 on property continue to the Hard Rock Café, purchased by the Cuban government— The Oldest House Museum, which still holds the deed—this was the Hemingway’s famed Sloppy Joe’s postal service and district courts. A tregrandest of the cultural centers built by and, turning left on Greene Street, Capt. Key West’s original Cuban population. Tony’s Saloon, “The Original Sloppy mendous exemplar of Richardsonian The real treasure here is the story it tells Joe’s.” Mallory Square and attractions are Romanesque architecture, it is like no about José Martí’s visit to the city in 1892 at the end of Greene Street. other building in Key West. Restored to rally support for the Cuban War of and converted in the early 1990s into Independence from Spain. Pick up some gold. The late, great a museum, it’s now the Key West Art Florida Keys treasure salvor Mel Fisher and Historical Society, with permaWatch the clock. At San Carlos, check struck gold worth $450 million in 1985, nent and visiting displays of local art the time. You’re heading for the Mallory after 16 years of searching, when he and and historical artifacts. Square Sunset Celebration, and you his crew found a sunken fleet of ships from 1622. Much of the haul Count down to sundown. Mallory is displayed at the nonprofit Square is directly behind the Custom Mel Fisher Maritime House (on Wall Street). Pass through Museum (200 Greene El Meson de Pepe restaurant and St.). The museum also tells Cigar City USA on your way. In 90 the excitingstory about minutes at Mallory Square, you’ll the discovery of 40 tons of see trained cats, airborne knives, silver and gold artifacts, and sun-baked tourists all there coins, bars and Colombian for one reason: the nightly Sunset emeralds—16 long years of Celebration. Performers like to claim determoned looking. You can that their Mallory Square stunts are buy authentic gold coins and so dangerous they can only learn other treasure there, too. them in Canada—where health care is free. Remember your visit by buying Visit the Custom House photographs, jewelry and paintings Museum and Cultural (all locally crafted) and enjoy busking Center (281 Front St.). The musicians and joyful songs. Don’t U.S. government built the let the sword swallowers, high-wire Custom House building (281 walkers and jugglers distract you from Front St.) in 1891 to house the spectacular sunset. That’s why you Key West’s Customs office, came to Mallory Square, after all. Golden history is on display at Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.

12 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JESSICA TALLEY

Shop on Duval Street, return for dinner and a show. Leaving Hemingway’s, turn right on Whitehead Street, right again on Olivia, and back to Duval, Key West’s busiest tourist spot. Our fantastic island nation has more than 200 bars and restaurants and 103 shops and galleries; most are crammed into this small but extremely lively area. For a fine dinner later come back after sunset to Martin’s, a restaurant and bar for grown-ups (917 Duval St.), and settle in at the outdoor lounge or the cool restaurant inside. And after dinner, let your curiosity take over and lead you to Key West’s version of La Cage aux Folles at La te da (1125 Duval), featuring Chris Peterson’s EYECONS and Randy Roberts and his show Randy Roberts LIVE; call (305) 296-6706.

GETTING AROUND

Out and about—island-style SCOOTERS, BIKES and ELECTRIC CARS KEY WEST / LOWER KEYS

A&M Rentals, 523 Truman Ave. and 513 South St.; (305) 896-1921; Rent kids, tandem, trike and beach cruiser bikes; or scooters and electric cars. Free customer pickups. Adventure Rentals, 617 Front St.; (305)

293-8883; Try an electric cars, scooter, mobility scooter, three-wheel “scootcoupe,” bicycle or Harley Davidson. Guided motorcycle tours available. Free shuttle service.

The Bike Shop, 1110 Truman Ave.; (305)

294-1073; Rent beach cruisers with soft seats, by a new bike and accessories, or get your bike repairs done here.

Bikeman Bike Rentals, eight locations; (305) 587-1783; This “green” business rents tandems, trikes, cruisers with tug, tote, baby seat or tag-along cycle options. (Also tennis rackets!) Blue Sky Rentals, 805 and 1020 Duval St.; (305) 896-3298; Rent a bicycle, scooter, electric “egg”car or custom electric car, including Jeep and Hummer brand and a California roadster. Free customer pickup available. Conch Electric Cars of Key West, 100 Grinnell St.; (305) 294-0995; Electric “egg” cars only. Conch Scooters, 81107 Key Plaza; (305) 747-8953; Find scooters, trikes, beach cruisers or geared bicycles here. Free delivery. Eaton Bikes, 830 Eaton St.; (305) 2948188; Rent or buy a bike, including custom bikes.

Instabike Key West, Sunset Pier, Ocean Key House, (305) 916-8613; This bikeshare business is run by locals who want more bicycles and fewer cars. Island Bicycles, 929 Truman Ave.; (305)

292-9707; Ride a road, beach cruiser or hybrid bike, and rent bikes for the kids, too. There are also trailers and baby seats for rent, as well as fittings, sales and repairs.

Key West Bicycles, 1200 Duval St.; (305) 900-9303; Small and large beach cruisers, tandems, trikes and fatwheeled options here. Free delivery. Moped Hospital, 601 Truman Ave.; (866)

296-1625; The hospital’s not just about scooters; you can rent a bike or trike here, buy a scooter and get repairs done too.

Pirate Scooter Rentals, 401 Southard St.;

We Cycle, 326 Southard St., Key West, and 5160 U.S. 1, Stock Island; (305) 294-7433; Find beach cruisers of all sizes, trikes, tandems, road and fitness bikes, as well as kids trailer cycles, trailers, front and back child seats. Free delivery and pickup. MIDDLE / UPPER KEYS

Big Pine Bicycle Center, 31 County Road, Big Pine Key; (305) 872-0130; Bicycle sales, rentals—including kids BMX, 21-speed cruisers and bike carriers for autos. Also repairs, parts and accessories.

Wheels 2 Go, 5994 U.S. 1, Marathon;

(305) 289-4279; Bikes, electric bikes, kayaks, paddleboards and sea sleds to rent or buy. Repairs, too.

CAR RENTALS

Key West Jeep Adventures, 3424 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 293-3555

TAXIS

KEY WEST / LOWER KEYS

Conch Limo, (305) 240-9757 Friendly Cab, (305) 295-5555 Key Lime Taxi, (305) 292-0496 Key West Cab, (305) 293-6860 Key West Taxi - Five 6’s, (305) 296-6666 Taxi Asap (app), (305) 712-0111 Perfect Pedicab, (305) 292-0077 MIDDLE / UPPER KEYS

Big Pine Taxi, (305) 872-2662 Islamorada

Islamorada Taxi, (305) 664-4100 Mom’s Taxi, (305) 852-6000 Spring’s Island Taxi, (305) 664-4331 To ‘N’ Fro, (305) 393-0955 Ty’s Taxi, (305) 923-8596 Key Largo

Keys Express Cab, (305) 923-1739 Marathon

Island Taxi, (305) 731-9022 Keyhopper Taxi, (305) 393-0146 On Time Taxi, (305) 289-5656 Tavernier

Overseas Taxi, (305) 741-7366 Tavernier Taxi, (305) 852-3200 All Keys

(305) 295-0000; Scooters, bicycles and electric cars for rent. Free customer pickup.

Tropical Limousine, Florida Keys; (254)

SunShine Scooters, 1910 N. Roosevelt

CHARTER FLIGHTS

Blvd. and 301 Duval St.; (305) 2948136; Rent gas-powered golf carts, electric “egg” cars and scooters here. The free shuttle service covers Stock Island.

Tropical Rent a Car, 1300 Duval St.; (305) 294-8136; Scooters, bicycles and electric cars for rent here.

THE BEST PIECE IN TOWN

291-4744

Air Key West, 412 White St., Unit 101; (305) 923-4033 (M-F) or (305) 9234034 (weekends and after hours); Flights to Cuba and air charters. Air Key West is a fully certified, licensed, bonded and insured Federal Aviation Administration commuter and on-demand charter air carrier.

GET A SLICE ON THE GO, OR A PIE AND WATCH THE WORLD GO BY… OPEN DAILY 10AM - 3:30AM | 305.296.3600 208 DUVAL - AT RICK'S COMPLEX | KEYWESTPIZZAS.COM

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum 200 Greene Street Key West Florida www.melfisher.org 305.294.2633

....................... People are talking: “Spectacular museum” ... “So interesting” ... “Huge fan of this place” ... “So many artifacts to view” ...

“Well done and great story” ... “One of our Top Three in Key West” ... “A must see”

....................... New Exhibition “Flashpoint”

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

NOTABLE KEY WESTERS

Notable Key Westers Learn about and get to know these interesting, memorable, cool people and places in Key West.

In his show Eyecons, Chris Peterson (below right) introduces Marilyn Monroe, Lucile Ball, Bette Midler, Judy Garland and other stars of stage and screen.

A Show with Many Stars Chris Peterson introduces famous women of entertainment in his one-man, many-woman show Eyecons at LaTeDa on Duval Street. By Joe Healy

hen you think of female show-business and Hollywood icons, famous names that spring to mind include Marilyn Monroe, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Better Midler, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland and Lucile Ball. Or in the next generation, maybe you think of Tina Turner and Madonna? Or today, Lady GaGa? What if you could see all of these icons on the same stage, on the same night? You can in Key West, with the show Eyecons by Christopher Peterson. Known as one of North America’s foremost female impersonators,

14 key west spring–summer guide 2019

Peterson will thrill and entertain you— and no doubt get you singing along with familiar choruses. His one-man show, during which he transforms into a dozen or more famous women, has been touring for more than a decade. In fact, throughout the past 20 years he’s worked to fine tune Eyecons. He

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NOTABLE KEY WESTERS creates a dozen or more of the world’s most astonishing ladies right before the eyes and ears of the audience in his lively show—all without lip synching. Peterson constantly introduces new characters and numbers to Eyecons, keeping it fresh and vibrant. Women he has played in Eyecons include Madonna, Lucille Ball, Bette Midler, Patsy Cline, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Reba McEntire, Tina Turner, Joan Rivers, Shirley MacLaine, Dr. Ruth, Barbra Streisand, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli and Julie Andrews. The show is always surprising, always entertaining. Born north of the state of Maine in Moncton, New Brunswick, Peterson found his passion for the theatre early in life and began developing his female characters while working on his theatrical career. Beginning in 1993, Peterson appeared at The Edmonton Fringe Festival in Guys in Disguise. He next played the female lead in Canadian Stage’s production of Tom Stoppard’s Rough Crossing and workshopped the role of Robin Turner in Brad Fraser’s stage musical adaptation of the hit movie Outrageous. He won the Dora Award (Canada’s equivalent of the Tony) for his performance in Brad Fraser’s Poor Super Man. Later, after a move to Los Angeles, he worked for a year with An Evening at La Cage. While in LA, he appeared on Truth or Consequences and Taste of LA Revue. Peterson appeared in the award-winning documentary We’re Funny That Way, about the first gay and lesbian comedy festival in Canada and was later released on Showtime, Cinemax and HBO. He also was featured as “a Lucille Ball” in Rat Race, starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. Peterson recently reprised a role as Bette Davis in Bitchslap at the Waterfront Playhouse here in town. Written by Darrin Hagen, the play centers on the feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the filming of the movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Clashing star power can produce fireworks—and can be highly entertaining, especially when Chris Peterson is on stage. ■

Kit Carson Smith has served satisfying pizza at Angelina’s Pizzeria on Duval Street for more than 30 years, also creating a fun atmosphere for workers and customers alike.

A Life of Slices Kit Smith is the owner of one of Duval Street’s go-to convenient-and-quick eateries—Angelina’s Pizzeria. By Key West Magazine staff

it Carson Smith had no plans on the horizon decades ago when he graduated from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. “But my friends Vince Walton and Mark Rossi were opening a bar called Rick’s in Key West, so I went down to Key West sight unseen planning to work a couple years with them. In the process, the property next door became available and my friend Mark acquired what was then called Alice’s Alley. I knew nothing about the restaurant business, I was a bar guy, but Mark said to me with a laugh, ‘Wanna take a pizzeria? What do you have to lose, you’re 24 years old?’ So we rebuilt the place and I started August 1, 1988.” Kit just passed 30 years in business at Angelina’s Pizzeria on Duval Street. “It’s been a hell of a 30-year ride, I think I’m enjoying it more now more than ever as I’ve matured with the business. When I was 24, my business plan was to make a great pizza and have a fun working environment, having fun with my friends, and making money if I could. I didn’t plan an exit strategy. But most everything has come true. I like to think I’ve had a positive impact on Duval Street for more than 30 years. I know we have a ton of repeat customers who come to see not only me but all my employees—guys who have been with me a long time, for more than 20 years. The newest employee I have has been with me for four years,” Kit says about the family atmosphere behind the counter. He ticks off the names of all the employees, with pride. His son worked in the restaurant and Kit’s wife, Valerie, has helped out. “My employees tend to stick. It’s been a great honor, it’s a stewardship,

16 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

NOTABLE KEY WESTERS we just have a real good time.” I ask Kit—hey, I have to ask!—if he’ll share the secret about what makes Angelina’s pizza so good and therefore so popular. He doesn’t hesitate. “Oh, man, I always talk about the sauce. I’ve been using Stanislaus tomatoes for almost 30 years after I discovered them. This past year, I went to Modesto, California, to their farms. They pack fresh tomatoes in season, and I really think that is part of the key—using a fresh tomato for the sauce. And then of course we make the dough fresh—and there’s something about fresh-baked bread, as opposed to getting a frozen product. We make the pizza dough fresh every day and I think we have a good balance of sauce and the dough and the right amount of cheese and I think that has satisfied the majority of palates over the years. We just enjoy what we do. “Of course, we have our moments,

From pizza to Porsches: Key West’s Angelina’s Pizzeria is a sponsor of Porsche GT3 races.

same as everybody else. Like during Fantasy Fest or Spring Break at one in the morning, you might catch us being a little frustrated, as you can imagine. But all our guys truly, truly enjoy

making pizza and they enjoy serving the public.” Kits says they don’t experiment with new pizzas or styles, staying true to their classic pizza recipe, avoiding changing recipes to chase fads or to pursue à la mode menus over the decades. “Most people appreciate that they’re going to get classic pizza at Angelina’s and they really like it.” When I spoke with Kit in April, he was heading to Daytona to support Key West resident Kurt Mazeikis in a Porsche GT3 race sponsored by Angelina’s Pizza. “This is the kind of fun we have,” Kit says. ■ Angelina’s Pizzeria, 208 Duval St., (305) 296-3600. Open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. daily. See the Angelina’s menu at angelinaspizzeriakeywest.com or order ahead at slicelife.com and pick up in 15 to 30 minutes.

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

NOTABLE KEY WESTERS

Figurative Works The man behind one of Key West’s contemporary figurative art galleries and upcoming events at Gildea Gallery. By Key West Magazine Staff

aul Gildea is going into his sixth year running Gildea Contemporary Fine Art Gallery at 522 Southard Street. “We show local artists and those from around the United States,” he says of the wide range of styles on display at the gallery. Paul was born in Indiana but spent nearly 60 years in New York City and 40 years working on Wall Street. He was in publishing early in his career in New York, then moved into real estate and later joined the bond business until 1999, when he retired and moved to Key West with his wife Cory Held, a former fashion-industry business leader in New York who now is a successful real-estate sales agent in Key West (call 305-240-0355). “We started off mostly as an abstract gallery, and as time went on we realized that figurative work was the main thrust of the whole industry. We now show a mixture of both contemporary-abstract and figurative work. I’m always looking for artists who can do figurative work and it’s very difficult to find great figurative work that has a contemporary feeling—but I seem to have found a few artists who work like that,” Paul says in reference to those he shows in his gallery and they work they do. ■ See www.gildea.gallery or visit in person at 522 Southard St., (305) 797-6485.

18 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

Three Gildea Gallery Artists: LEFT: Suzanne Betz, CENTER: Mark Horst RIGHT: Javier Lopez Barbosa

SPRING & SUMMER AT THE GILDEA GALLERY The excitingly modern Gildea Gallery, just off Duval at 522 Southard Street (open Tuesday to Friday 10 to 5 and Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 6) this late spring through summer will feature an exhilarating, rotating show of its contemporary Southwest and other North American artists at affordable prices. The rest of the gallery’s stable of 35 abstractexpressionist, surrealist and figurative regular exhibitors are available for viewing by request. The gallery’s April show of Southwest American artists continues with Mexico-raised Javier Lopez Barbosa’s wonderfully nonrepresentational explosions of sharp crimsons and deep blues on quiet plaques of pink, purple, blue, aqua. Most are of a reasonable price. Mark White, another Southwestern painter, uses patina dyes on metal panels to powerfully suggest seaside beaches and metallic ocean shimmer against a horizon often starkly, darkly earth-toned under lit-up skies. Or else

he offers muted waters stretching toward fuzzy light dune shapes. In the case of Suzanne Betz, her iconic, allencompassing smoky black backgrounds bring into stark presence her white swimming herds of rough line-figured horses or her solid but evanescent horseand-rider figures that she sketches in. The everyday figures in Mark Horst’s work from Albuquerque are hazy with speed or indeterminacy—figures just sitting around or boys hurtling away on their bikes. As he puts it, “the fleeting, the glimpsed . . . our incompleteness.” As for Suzanne Donazetti of New Mexico, she continues to offer her popular, eye-catching, shimmering panels of interwoven variegated metal strips, which cast subdued yet bright reflections of intermixed with copper, green, orange, magenta and blue. Throughout the summer season, Gildea Gallery will show Michelle Byrne’s exploration of women’s

roles around the world, including groups of African women in dark gray waiting patiently for their lives, as well as tall departing women walking away together in their beautifully patterned earth-colored robes. Next, Anthony Tomaselli of Rhode Island and his large water lily paintings remind the viewer of Monet’s, perhaps, and his avenue-long New York City canyons in the rain refer back to the 19th Century French impressionists’ rainy Parisian streets of their day. And standing apart is the huge impressionist seascape by M.J. LevyDickson of Nantucket and New York, with its gauzy pinks and lines of blue spray. The gallery will continue its display of Megan Eisenberg’s pop-up paintings of brilliant food and drink and the artifacts of everyday life, along with the tall, attenuated figures of Todd Babb and the wire-clambering athletic figures devised by Colombian Martin Ancizar, each in a wide choice of shimmering pastel colors.

Tropical Living

Tropical Living 20 key west magazine springâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;summer guide 2019

In midtown Key West, minutes from old town, this private compound could be your own piece of paradise. Key West Magazine Staff Report

Architect Manfred Ibel transformed the so-called Turtle House into an artist's studio and home for his wife, the painter Susan Sugar.

nterested in a home from which you can be in the thick of the action on Duval Street in old town Key West after a short walk or shorter bike ride, and then return to a private compound to soak in the in-ground saltwater pool and generally chill out? Here’s an engaging example of an address that provides a true sense of place and privacy, a quiet neighborhood location proximate to the action where the action is in Key West, a house with ample square footage that’s full of modern conveniences yet remains a private oasis. Try this: Close your eyes and visualize walking onto the double residential lot at the corner of Washington and Tropical streets. (You can enter from either Washington or Tropical.) Indeed, it’s fitting that this house is sited at 1401 Tropical Street because it’s a tropical getaway not far from the maddening crowd (and all the excitement, theater and arts-and-culture found in Key West). Realtor Jackson Kaufelt shares more: “1401 Tropical Street is a sophisticated tropical retreat where the outdoor living areas are an extension of the inside. The residence features a heated saltwater swimming pool, fully loaded chef kitchen, tropical landscaping, two master bathrooms and walk-in closets, plus an electric gate to a two-car carport.”

SERENITY NOW

The current owners—to protect their privacy, let’s call them the Smith family—bought the Tropical Street property in 2004 and set to work, gutting the existing structure to create an open floorplan. As that work continued, they also upgraded all the plumbing, electric and mechanical systems to modernize the home. And they didn’t stop there—they got to work on the outside, too, shoring up the roof and gutters and replacing the windows. The compound as it is today was taking shape. The owners next expanded the footprint, adding on to the structures and built environment. What about guest quarters and a place for work? And storage and a place to park? Check all those boxes—done, four times over. And then to contain it all, they built the privacy wall around the compound, for a bit of respite from the visitor attractions of downtown leading to old town Key West. The “Smith” family gave this property a name—Casa Tropical, in homage to the butterflies attracted to the gardens on the property. Speaking of which: The front gardens have wandering paths through bromeliad and heliconia flowering plants, palms and banana trees. The landscaped grounds, which were spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

Tropical Living featured on the Key West Garden Tour, were designed specifically to attract butterflies. The gardens are sustained by a separately metered irrigation system, while landscape lighting illuminates the grounds and provides an inviting afterdark experience. And then you’ll see the pool—all 40 feet of aquatic attraction. And so here we have tropical luxury— set behind a walled-in double lot with an oversized in-ground saltwater pool, tropical landscape and designed floral elements (what realtors call “hardscape”) and plenty of space for outdoor entertaining. You’re invited to enter through a stunning formal entry to discover a stylish living room, formal dining room and a gourmet-style kitchen with brandnew Viking and Miele appliances. Because this property is for sale, the realtor Jackson Kaufelt shared more with us: “The wing off the main living spaces leads to two bedrooms, a full bath and the laundry area. The large guest suite has cathedral ceilings, its own exterior access and a walk-in closet. The second bedroom is currently designed for use as an office.” Needless to say, the improvements were done in meticulous fashion. Leading to the first master suite upstairs is an alcove with custom built-ins, French limestone countertop and tree-top views. The master suite includes a walk-in closet, master bathroom and laundry room. You’ll also find a flatscreen TV concealed behind a two-way mirror and an adjoining exercise room, which could be converted to another purpose if need be. A second master suite is opposite the laundry room and also has a separate entrance via a spiral staircase and a private covered porch and is topped off with cathedral ceilings. The emphasis is on casual comfort in a modern, stylish design. But work must be done at times, too. For that, home-office areas are available and these could be converted to whatever design or purpose the home owner may like. Take a look at the property on these pages to see for yourself.

Indoor Comfort, Outdoor Beauty: The comfort and spaciousness indoors create an easy feeling carried outdoors through to the gardens and pool area of this tropical oasis. All within minutes of the best of Key West—and all found in this luxurious midtown property fittingly located on Tropical Street.

22 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Sited in midtown Key West, this residence is a short bike ride to the best beaches, old town and the up-and-coming White Street Art District. A glance at a map of Key West (see page XX of this issue) will show you how “in the heart of the action” this property is. In a house such as this, you can enjoy the riches of Key West and retreat to a sophisticated estate home. Combining privacy, ease of access to the best of Key West and proximity to several of the island’s popular beaches, this is an enviable Key West property you’ll be proud to own. ■

THE DETAILS

A Gathering Place: Views out onto the saltwater pool invite conversation during the day, at happy hour—as well as into the night when the gardens are lit up. This patio is a perfect example of the inviting social aspects of the house.

1401 Tropical Street, Key West, FL 33040, 4 bedrooms, 4.1 baths, 3,700 SF Source: Truman & Co. / Team Kaufelt (Key West), 1205 Truman Ave., teamkaufelt.com, contact Jackson Kaufelt, (305) 393-1267 Asking: $2,500,000 Information: The layout of the home is owner’s choice: easily converted or reconfigured to include a workout room,

artist’s studio or multi-purpose room. The covered carport is accessed by a customdesigned, electric sliding gate. A manual sliding gate is also provided for gardener and pool access. Located in midtown Key West, this residence is a short bike ride to the best beaches, Old Town and the White Street Art District. The house was built in 1958, and recently remodeled; 2017 taxes were $15,256.69. Guest and off-street parking.

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

STUDY HALL REDEFINED Live & Learn in Paradise

www.fkcc.edu

EAT&DRINK

RESTAURANTS . . . 27-41 | BAKERIES . . . 28 | COFFEE SHOPS . . . 29 BARS . . . 32-33 | VEGETARIAN . . . 30 | ICE CREAM . . . 36

The Grouper Group Following the success of the original restaurant’s upstairs lounge My New Joint in Cudjoe Key, Square Grouper now has a second location in Islamorada.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF KEY WEST MAGAZINE

hen Lynn Bell came to the Keys in 2003, this time to live in the place she remembered so fondly from childhood trips in the 1970s, she opened a restaurant of her own, drawing on experience from her family’s summer-vacation inn located in the Champlain Islands of northwestern Vermont. You could say she leveraged her hospitality know-how from the islands of Lake Champlain to succeed in the interconnected islands of the Florida Keys. “The ’70s was a crazy timdown here,” Lynn says of the era of her childhood visits. The daily catch by Keys fishermen occassionally included a bale of marijuana, aka “square grouper,” which brought quite a bit more income than fresh fish. “There were lots of rich white-boot fishermen wearing Rolexes and gold chains,” she says. “I was 14 or so and it was awesome—or so I thought, anyway! So Square Grouper for me is a great name for the restaurant, with

26 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

great memories.” Her restaurant Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key continues to thrive and receive top rankings from Trip Advisor and others. It got so popular the bar was packed with customers waiting for dinner, while the impatient ones skulked off to find the next-closest restaurant. Naturally, the answer was to expand—which she did by opening My New Joint in the space upstairs. “The upstairs lounge was born to fill a void that was missing downstairs. It’s a totally different atmosphere and menu than downstairs,” Lynn says. In February of 2019, Square Grouper became a school of restaurants, migrating a bit farther north with a location in Islamorada, at mile marker 80.5 bayside, where you'll also find the Islamorada Marina businesses. —Bill Semich 22668 Overseas Hwy, Cudjoe Key; call (305) 745-8880 or for information on all the Square Grouper restaurants go to www.squaregrouperbarandgrill.com.

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS Our restaurant and bar guide is a collection of where to find the best food and drinks in Key West and the Keys. Don’t see your favorite haunt? Send listings/updates to info@kwmag.com. A key to the restaurant listings’ symbols: AVERAGE DINNER ENTRÉE IS $10 OR LESS AVERAGE DINNER ENTRÉE IS $10-$20 AVERAGE DINNER ENTRÉE IS $20 OR MORE BAR SERVICE LIVE MUSIC SMOKING PERMITTED

Key West 5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop, Cuban, 930 Southard St.; (305) 2965205. If you want to start your day like a local, this is the place to go. Order an espresso or café con leche paired with a guava-and-cheese pastry or Cuban toast. Everything is takeout (and cash) only, so have a seat on one of the outside benches and enjoy your breakfast as you watch the people of Key West wander by. Also check out: Five Brothers Grocery Two, 27023, U. S. 1, Summerland Key; (305) 872-0702 $ A&B Lobster House, seafood, steak, 700

Front St., upstairs; (305) 294-5880; aandblobsterhouse.com Since 1947, A&B (named for its original owners, Alonzo and Berlin) has been a destination of choice for superior seafood dining with great views of the boats docked at Key West Bight. Try the shrimp cocktail martini appetizer: jumbo Key West pink shrimp served chilled with horseradish $$$ cocktail sauce and lemon.

Abbondanza Italian Restaurant, 1208

Simonton St.; (305) 292-1199; abbondanzakeywest.com Abbondanza is known for large portions of standard Italian fare as well as friendly service. Popular entrées include: capellini con cozze, angel hair pasta with fresh mussels served in a light marinara sauce; classic chicken Parmigiana; and the delicious lasagna alla Bolognese. $$

Alonzo’s Oyster Bar, seafood, 700 Front

St.; (305)294-5880; alonzosoysterbar. com Alonzo’s has the largest selection of cold- and warmwater oysters on the island. Dine outside with a view of Key West Bight and try the oysters, clams or shrimp served steamed or chilled, or another seafood dish from the extensive menu. The appetizers are half price $$ during happy hour.

Ambrosia Japanese Restaurant, 1401

Simonton St.; (305)293-0304; ambrosiasushi.com Ambrosia serves up fresh sushi and Japanese-influenced fare. Try the sashimi appetizer with four varieties of the day’s fresh fish, or the duck tataki: duck breast marinated in sweet miso paste, seared, sliced thin and served with spicy green yuzu pepper. $$$

Amigos Tortilla Bar, Mexican street food, 425 Greene St.; (305) 292-2009; amigoskeywest.com Not your typical taco stand, Amigos serves a square tortilla that means more filling and less spilling. Their handmade corn tortillas have no preservatives, no trans or saturated fats and are filled with seasoned meats, veggies or fresh seafood, then topped with combinations of freshly diced onions, chopped cilantro, pico de gallo and salsas. $$ Ana’s Café Cubano, Cuban, 567 South

St. and 531 Greene St.; (305) 916-5580, anascafecubano.com Ana’s is a great Key West stop for Cuban sandwiches,

plantains and café con leche. It’s on the south end of Old Town, at the corner of Simonton and South streets and with an additional location on Greene. Try the plantains or the Cuban mix. $

Andy’s Cabana, New American, 308 Petronia St.; (305) 916-5093 At Andy’s Cabana, you will find a changing menu with choices such as hand-cut fries, fish tacos, conch fritters and The Big Andy Burger. Enjoy a cold beer and outdoor seating in historic Bahama Village. $ Angelina’s Pizzeria, 208 Duval St.; (305) 296-3600; angelinaspizzeriakeywest. com. When you have afternoon or latenight munchies, Angelina's will fill that void with your favorite pizza, pasta, subs, appetizers, salads, pasta dishes and more. Open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. every day, this is a welcome oasis serving fuel when you need it most. Call ahead or order online at slicelife.com, and pick up in 15 to 30 minutes. $$ Azur Restaurant, Mediterranean, New American, 425 Grinnell St.; (305) 2922987; azurkeywest.com Enjoy Azur’s Mediterranean fare on a shaded terrace by a waterfall or in the comfort of the cool dining room. The menu changes seasonally. Highlights include the eggplant chips topped with salt and rosemary honey, and the whole grilled branzino fish served with rosemary, garlic, cured tomatoes, Kalamata olives and Yukon potatoes. $$$

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS, BAKERIES Bad Boy Burrito, juice bar, Mexican,

beer menu with many choices for pairing with, say, the fried bologna, pan-seared and smothered with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and jalapeños; the beer-candied bacon; or Brookey’s spicy chili, served with cornbread. $

Tex-Mex, 1128 Simonton St.; (305) 292-2697; badboyburrito. com Recently featured on the Food Network, the gourmet-style burritos at Bad Boy Burrito are a local favorite. The plentiful build-your-own options include choices for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. Try the Cayo Hueso fish tacos, locally caught fish served on handmade corn tortillas with shaved cabbage, pico de gallo, verde sauce and sour cream. $

Big John’s Pizzeria , Italian,

sandwiches, 1103 Key Plaza; (305) 293-9576; bigjohnspizzeria.com Big John’s is a family-owned pizzeria that has been serving Key West since 1997, making authentic New York-style pizza and other Italian specialties. A wide variety of pizza, pasta and sub combinations are available. The Greek salad is a favorite here, as well as the regular cheese pizza with fresh garlic. $$

Bagatelle, seafood, 115 Duval St.; (305) 296-6609; bagatellekw.com Bagatelle serves tropical seafood fare in a converted Victorian-style home right on Duval Street. Sit on the porch and try the tuna tataki: sesamecrusted, seared rare tuna served with wakame salad, wasabi, pickled ginger and a sesame-soy peanut sauce. The lobster mac and cheese is also not to $$$ be missed.

Bistro 245, traditional American,

Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina, 245 Front St.; (855) 3668045; margaritavillekeywestresort. com Dine indoors or outside with sweeping views of Key West Harbor perfect for viewing the sunset. The exceptional service and magnificent views make Bistro 245 one of the top restaurants in Key West that even locals love. They also host a spectacular Sunday brunch on the waterfront with complimentary champagne service. $$$

Banana Café, French , seafood,

1215 Duval St.; (305) 294-7227; bananacafekw.com Banana Café is a French bistro with a Caribbean twist. Menu items include a variety of sweet or savory crêpes, as well as crisp salads, hearty sandwiches and a vast array of fresh local seafood prepared with a host of sauces. Try the sautéed yellowtail snapper served with a citrus beurre blanc, haricots verts and cherry tomatoes. $$$

Benihana Key West , 3591 S. Roosevelt

Blvd., Key West, (305) 294-6400; benihana.com/locations/keywest-fl-ke Benihana offers a dining experience unlike any other! Guests are seated at communal tables, where your chef will perform the ancient art of teppanyaki. Watch as the chef slices and dices, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes and your taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak or succulent seafood. Also enjoy freshly prepared sushi and a specialty cocktail, while dining along the oceanfront. $$$

Better Than Sex: A Dessert Restaurant , 926 Simonton St.; (305) 2968102; betterthansexdesserts.com This decidedly adult dessert-only restaurant serves tongue-in-cheek titles of its sweet confections, such as the Fork You Fondue: vanilla cheesecake fondue served chilled and paired with pound-cake doughnut holes rolled in cinnamon sugar. $$

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAWN JONES-GARCIA

Bien , Caribbean, Latin American,

1000 Eaton St.; (305) 517-6740; bienkeywest.com Bien is known for its huge, flavorful sandwiches served on lightly toasted baguettes, such as the hot pressed ham and Swiss cheese, topped with caramelized onions, banana peppers, garlic aioli and fresh cilantro. Try the vegetarian black beans and rice, too. $

The Bier Boutique, burgers,

Midwestern, 1421 First St.; (305) 7417779; thebierboutique.com The Bier Boutique specializes in from-scratch tastes of the Midwest for delivery or carryout from their walk-up window. They also have an extensive craft

Amazing Cakes Bakery on Fleming makes artistic, and delicious, creations.

Blackfin Bistro, New American, seafood, steak, 918 Duval St.; (305) 509-7408; blackfinbistro.com Blackfin

Bakeries

These bakeries, up before the local roosters, make to-die-for pastries, mango bread, cakes, croissants and more. KEY WEST

Amazing Cakes & Creations, 517

Fleming St.; (305) 360-2021 or (305) 602-0603; amazingcakesandcreations. com Pastry chef Paola Warwick’s motto, “If you can think it, I can make it,” pretty much sums up Amazing Cakes & Creations. From the daily croissants she makes from scratch to a fruit sculpture centerpiece, she can tailor her wares to your taste. But stop in any day for standard bakery fare including fresh, sweet pastries—try the banana caramel rum-filled one.

Cakes by Karol, 218 Whitehead St.,

Suite 4; (305) 393-3020; cakesbykarol. com; Karol Ortez makes her cakes “from the ground up,” on demand, with the freshest and best ingredients. Order one of her unique creations for weddings, anniversaries, bridal showers, birthdays—any occasion will do! How about a cupcake tower for the office? Just because. Or stop by and grab fresh cookies, Danishes or guava pastries.

Cole’s Peace Artisan Bakery and Deli,

1111 Eaton St.; (305) 292-0703; colespeace.com Get this bakery’s fare to go or put in your lunch order next door, at The Restaurant Store, which serves Cole’s Peace freshly made baked goods and sandwiches on its specialty breads.

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The bakery is a local lunch favorite. We especially enjoy the fresh halfcookie that comes with every sandwich platter! Try the signature mango bread, baguettes, ciabatta, Cuban or French sourdough bread—or the croissants, muffins, scones and sticky buns.

Key West Cakes, 1014 White St.; (305) 296-4162; keywestcakes.com Owner and operator Steven Sassano’s crew at Key West Cakes are incredible baker-artists. They bake beautiful, delicious cakes, cookies and cupcakes. The bakery’s wedding cakes have won awards via happy brides’ nominations. Key West Cakes was founded in 2001 in Sassano’s kitchen at home, and the business has grown steadily since then. Old Town Bakery, 930 Eaton St.; (305) 396-7490; oldtownbakerykeywest.com This old-world-style bakery in Old Town makes artisan breads, pastries, cookies, brownies and sandwiches on-site every day. The bakers make the bread by hand, using natural ingredients. Best thing about the place: Its bakery schedule is online, so you can coordinate your visit and pop over and get a baguette, almond croissant or specialty bread right out of the oven. There’s also free delivery on the island. Get a fresh tart or éclair and frozen latte before strolling the hot sidewalks of Old Town.

MIDDLE KEYS

Sweet Savannah’s Bake Shop, 8919

U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 743-3131; sweetsavannahs.com Besides its ice cream and café foods, Sweet Savannah has its own bakery. It makes fresh cookies, brownies, bread pudding, cake pops, cupcakes and gourmet cheesecakes almost every day. The store makes cakes to order for any event, too.

UPPER KEYS

Bob’s Bunz, 81620 U.S. 1, Islamorada;

(305) 664-8363; Enjoy breakfast, lunch or just sweet pastries at this Upper Keys landmark. Fresh-baked pastries include muffins, cookies, pies and the “Best Bunz in Town,” the cinnamon and sticky buns. You can also order cakes for weddings and other special events. Stop by and try the raspberry elephant ears or the mini Key lime Bundt cakes, or maybe the potato chip cookies, which were featured on the Travel Channel.

Pinecrest Bakery, 99100 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 735-4368; pinecrestbakery.com; The Southernmost branch of this Miami bakery makes Cuban pastries, empanadas and sandwiches (think medianoches) and great café con leche. Best of all, Pinecrest Bakery is open 24 hours a day. Build your own cake online and pick it up later, order custom school lunches for the kids or hire the company to cater an event for you.

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS, COFFEE

The Blind Pig , Caribbean-Cuban food truck, 3824 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 394-7427; gateshotelkeywest.com This permanently situated food truck is by the Gates Hotel’s Rum Row bar. Start the day with hearty items such as Cuban-inspired breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruits and omelets. For lunch and dinner, expect different tacos and ceviches daily, made with fresh local fish, as well as hearty sandwiches and arepas, and “Irresistible Snacks,” including truffle popcorn and housemade chips. $ Bliss, Columbian, 411 Petronia St.;

(305) 240-1281; blissrestaurantkw.com Bliss focuses on high-quality, fresh ingredients cooked to order and Colombian family recipes. Among local favorites is the Parmesan cheese and herb-encrusted yellowtail snapper fillet, served over white rice with beurre blanc sauce and capers—it pairs nicely with a glass of the housemade sangria. $$

Blue Heaven , Floribbean, 729 Thomas St.; (305) 296-8666; blueheavenkw. com In historic Bahama Village, Blue Heaven is one of the more casual Key West restaurants, with live entertainment and American, Caribbean and vegetarian cuisine. Try the popular Key lime pie (Kenny $$$ Chesney is a fan). The Blue Macaw Island Eats & Bar,

Caribbean, 804 Whitehead St.; (305) 440-3196; bluemacawkeywest.com Blue Macaw Island Eats & Bar provides a Caribbean atmosphere, island drinks, local cuisine and live music in historic Bahama Village. For breakfast, try the Blue Beni, eggs Benedict served on a mini-waffle with pulled pork and hollandaise sauce. For lunch or dinner, try the fish tacos, stuffed with the daily selection—broiled, blackened or fried—and served with oil-and-vinegar slaw, guacamole and $$ roasted tomato salsa.

B.O.’s Fishwagon, burgers, seafood,

801 Caroline St.; (305) 294-9272; bosfishwagon.com Home of the “Square Grouper Sandwich,” B.O.’s Fishwagon is a slice of old Key West. Stop by Friday nights for great live music and try the fried cracked conch, shrimp or fish-ofthe-day sandwich. Try a fried seafood platter, served with black beans and rice, salad and hand-cut fries. $$

The Café, seafood, vegan, vegetarian, 509 Southard St.; (305) 296-5515; thecafekw.com The Café is a “mostly vegetarian” restaurant that also has a variety of vegan and gluten-free items, in addition to beer and wine. Key Westers love the veggie burger, housemade with legumes, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, scallions and sunflower seeds. $$

Café Marquesa , New American,

seafood, Marquesa Hotel, 600 Fleming St.; (305) 292-1244; marquesa.com/cafe-marquesa.htm Café Marquesa has contemporary American cuisine that changes seasonally. Specialties include the porcini-dusted diver sea scallops, served with mushroom truffle butter, herb risotto and Swiss chard, as well as the grilled black Angus filet mignon with a blue-cheese crust, served with asparagus, brandy horseradish sauce $$$ and Boursin mashed potatoes.

Café Solé, Caribbean, French,

seafood, 1029 Southard St.; (305) 294-0230; cafesole.com Café Solé has been serving up Chef John Correa’s combination of European and Caribbean cuisine in Key West for 20 years. Try the fresh-caught hog snapper, served with a roasted red-pepper zabaglione, or the black grouper with spicy roasted redpepper and hazelnut sauce, garlic and tomatoes. $$$

Camille’s Restaurant , New American,

1202 Simonton St.; (305) 296-4811 This funky restaurant has been a local staple for more than 20 years, serving up favorites such as the build-yourown omelet, the BLTA (bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado sandwich), and macadamia-nut crusted yellowtail snapper with diced tomatoes, caramelized Vidalia onions, coconut milk, ginger and Key lime chardonnay $$ sauce.

Caroline’s Café, sandwiches, traditional American, 310 Duval St.; (305) 294-7511; carolinescafe. com Caroline’s is a casual outdoor bar and restaurant right on Duval Street that serves decidedly American cuisine, including fresh salads, pasta dishes and sandwiches. Try the grilled marinated portobello mushroom sandwich served with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, garlic $$ mayonnaise and fries. Charlie Mac’s, barbecue, 404 Southard St.; (305) 320-0204; charliemacs404. com Next door to the world-famous

Green Parrot Bar, Charlie Mac’s serves barbecue: smoked ribs inspired by the sizzling pits of South Carolina, plus chicken and brisket, along with craft beer. Try the fried pickles to start, followed by the dry-rubbed, slowsmoked, chopped barbecued pork platter served with coleslaw, cornbread and a choice of two sides. $$

Chico’s Cantina, Mexican, seafood,

5230 U.S. 1, Stock Island; (305) 296-4714; chicoscantina.com This Stock Island favorite cooks authentic Mexican cuisine, with lots of choices for tacos, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas. Try the fish adobado: fresh local catch marinated in red chili purée and seasoned with garlic, herbs and spices, wrapped in corn husks and grilled over an open fire. $$

China Garden West Downtown ,

531 Fleming St.; (305) 296-6177; chinagardenkeywest.com The Cheng family has been serving traditional Chinese cuisine, such as chicken chow mein, General Tso’s chicken, sweetand-sour pork, moo shu vegetables, curry shrimp and vegetable lo mein, in Key West for more than 25 years. The portions are large enough to share and they're always open during the holidays. $

The Club at Key West Harbour, Caribbean-Cuban, 6000 Peninsula Ave., Stock Island; (305) 292-3121; floridamarinaclubs.com The Club at Key West Harbour provides Cubanand Caribbean-inspired cuisine accompanied by incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean. Try the fresh catch, served blackened, broiled, grilled or $$$ fried. Cole’s Peace Artisan Bakery and Deli, 1111 Eaton St.; (305) 292-0703; colespeace. com Baguette, ciabatta, sourdough, multigrain, cinnamon raisin and olive breads, among others, are fresh and made on the premises. For lunch, order a classic egg salad sandwich on your choice of bread, or one of the daily specials, such as the house-smoked brisket with pickled onions and barbecue sauce on whole-grain bread. $

Coffee Shops Need nothing but coffee? Go here for your espresso, cappucchino, doppio, macchiatto—you name it. KEY WEST Coffee Plantation, 713 Caroline

St.; (305) 295-9808; coffeeplantationkeywest.com Owners Diane and Theo Glorie have served fresh brew in Key West for more than 15 years. They call their Internet café the unofficial “town hall,” and on any given day you can find Key Westers holding meetings, on their laptops or chatting with friends. It’s also decorated with vibrant local art.

Cuban Coffee Queen, café,

sandwiches, 284 Margaret St.; (305) 292-4747 and 5Key Lime Square; (305) 294-7787c ubancoffeequeen. com The café con leche goes perfectly with the Key Wester breakfast sandwich. And there’s more here than just coffee: Cuban Coffee Queen also mixes up a variety of fruit smoothies with natural additions such as soy milk, Echinacea, ginseng, ginger and more. $

The Commodore’s Boathouse Bar & Grill, seafood, traditional American,

700 Front St.; (305) 294-9191; commodorekeywest.com Request a table by the window for fine dining with great views of Key West Bight. The Commodore serves select seafood and steak dishes as well as an extensive wine menu. Try the mahi-mahi sautéed with mushrooms, tomatoes, capers and lemon in a white wine sauce, served $$$ with roasted red potatoes.

The Conch Flyer, traditional American, 3495 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West International Airport; (305) 296-6333; eyw.com/page/Airport-Shops-and-Food In the main terminal of the Key West airport, The Conch Flyer has sit-down dining before security and deli fare after. With a full bar in both spots, the Conch Flyer is a great place to get your $$ last cocktail in Key West. Conch Republic Seafood Company, Caribbean, 631 Greene St.; (305) 2944403; conchrepublicseafood.com The busy Conch Republic is a huge openair, harbor-front restaurant and bar with live music many nights and a latenight menu available after 10 p.m. Try the catch-of-the-day sandwich: fresh fish served seared, fried or blackened on Cuban bread along with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and fries. $$ Conch Shack on Duval, burgers, seafood, 118 Duval St.; (305) 295-2494; myconchshack.com The Conch Shack has a few chairs for eating streetside and serves overloaded lobster rolls, fish and chips, hand-cut fries, hot dogs, burgers and, of course, conch fritters. Ice-cold beer is also on tap, as are a host of smoothies made with alcohol. $$

Croissants de France & Le Bistro,

bakery, French, 816 Duval St., Key West, (305) 294-2624 and 5620 MacDonald Ave., Stock Island, (305) 916-5669; croissantsdefrance.com This unique establishment has a gardenstyle patio restaurant, Le Bistro, and serves crêpes, salads, sandwiches, quiches and omelets. The bakery,

Starbucks, 430 Duval St.;

(305) 296-2921, 431 Front St.; (305) 906-2061, 2500 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 900-8436; It’s Starbucks. What can we say? You know it already.

LOWER / MIDDLE KEYS Baby’s Coffee, 3180 U.S. 1,

Saddlebunch Keys; (305) 7449866; babyscoffee.com Baby’s is all about good coffee. The owners roast 100 percent premium, high mountain Arabica coffee beans, and use the nonchemical Swiss water process for decaf.

Island Coffee House, 24437 U.S. 1, Summerland Key; (305) 394-5875; http://

island-coffee-house.business. site. Open 7 days a week, serving Espresso, Cuban and American coffees, as well asice cream treats, including sundaes,malts, frappes and banana splits. Don’t miss the unique boutique next door.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF KEY WEST HARBOUR/CARONCHI

is a classic bistro that serves breakfast (all day), lunch and dinner. Breakfast highlights include the smoked salmon omelet served with goat cheese, sautéed onions and truffle oil, and lots of eggs Benedict options. A variety of wines by the glass and bottle are also available, as well as imported and domestic beer. $$$

Keys News and Coffee, 2960

U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 9984672; This newsstand, coffee bar and gift shop is in the heart of the Florida Keys. It’s got custom-roasted brewed, iced and frozen coffee, with Torani-brand flavored syrups available, as well as tea, smoothies and pastries. The gift shop includes ceramics by local artists; the newsstand offers more than 500 magazines and newspapers.

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EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS Croissants de France, bakes freshly baked tarts, croissants, pies and cakes. They create and deliver wedding and specialty cakes from Key West to Islamorada. $$

Duval Street is a café inside a store, The Green Pineapple. $$

De Luna’s Café, Cuban, Latin American, 5790 Maloney Ave.; (305) 453-6654 Open for breakfast and lunch, De Luna’s specializes in genuine Cuban and Latin American food. $

Cuban Coffee Queen, café, sandwiches, 284 Margaret St.; (305) 292-4747 and 5 Key Lime Square; (305) 294-7787; cubancoffeequeen.com The café con leche goes perfectly with the Cuban Coffee Queen’s Key Wester breakfast sandwich. And there’s more here than just coffee: Cuban Coffee Queen also mixes up a variety of fruit smoothies with additions such as soy milk, Echinacea, ginseng, ginger, maca root powder, brown rice, bee pollen and cocoa powder. $

D.J.’s Clam Shack, sandwiches, seafood, 629 Duval St.; (305) 294-0102; djsclamshack.com Recently featured on the Food Network, D.J.’s Clam Shack serves traditional Northern and Southern American seafood. Favorites include the overstuffed Maine lobster roll, cracked conch tacos, New England clam chowder, and golden-fried clam strips served with fries or coleslaw. $$

Dante’s Key West , traditional American, 951 Caroline St.; (305) 293-5123; danteskeywest.com Dante’s is one of the few places in Key West where you can eat, drink and then relax in a large pool that isn’t part of a hotel. It has a wide selection of fresh, locally sourced seafood, which includes smoked fish dip, conch fritters, crabstuffed shrimp, she-crab soup, and steamed oysters, clams and shrimp, $$ among many other options.

Dolphin Deli, 5600 Maloney Ave., Stock Island; (305) 293-0707; dolphindeli. com Dolphin Deli has been serving up breakfast and lunch to the hungry people of and visitors to Stock Island since the early 1990s. Its staying power lies in the classic American cuisine on its extensive menu. Try the island meltdown sandwich: cheddar, Swiss and provolone cheeses with marinated tomatoes on grilled sourdough. $

Date & Thyme, juice bar, sandwiches,

Classic meets tropical, and it's always satisfying—that's Martin's Key West.

Duffy’s Steak & Lobster House, 1007

Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants These eateries are either 100 percent vegetarian/vegan or have dedicated menus for plant-eaters. Eat your artichoke heart out. KEY WEST

smoothie to go with it. That’s got kale, pineapple, mango, banana, coconut oil, chia seeds, whey protein and coconut milk in it. Fresh-squeezed juices include the “Pink Lady,” an apple, cucumber and beet concoction. They also have salads, a full coffee bar and sweet healthy treats.

The Café, 509 Southard St.;

(305) 296-5515; thecafekw. com The Café bills itself a “mostly vegetarian” restaurant. Try the Kung Pao tofu; it’s served on organic brown rice with housemade spicy teriyaki sauce. Or, our favorite, the curried butternut squash, with curried organic red and white quinoa, Brussels sprouts, carrots, onion and coconut milk, served with sautéed spinach. The weekend brunch menu proclaims “grass-fed tofu.” What’s better than that? All food is made to order, from scratch. Eat in, take out or have them deliver your meal, no extra charge.

Date & Thyme, 829 Fleming St, (305) 296-7766; 1130 Duval St.; (305) 587-7475;

The Cafe’s veggie burger dateandthyme.com You can find great vegan and vegetarian food at both locations. Try the Buddha bowl: brown rice or quinoa with mixed vegetables, chickpeas, cultured vegetables (oh là là!) and lemon tahini dressing. Get a green warrior

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Duetto Pizza and Gelato, Italian, 540 Greene St.; (305) 848-4981; duettopizza. com Duetto serves a variety of pizza, along with a dozen different types of gelato. Try the quattro formaggi pizza baked with tomato sauce, provolone, Italian mozzarella, Gorgonzola and Swiss cheese. There’s also grilled ciabatta, wraps and focaccia sandwiches, as well as coffee, smoothies and shakes. $$

Sugar Apple Café, 917 Simonton St.; (305) 2920043; sugarapplekeywest. com The Sugar Apple Café, a small side room through an ordinary doorway in the Sugar Apple health food store, pulls no punches. “This is a vegan café,” the sign states: no animal products, no preservatives and no GMOs. They make everything by hand while you watch. It’s got daily specials on fresh juices, salads and more. The Peaceful

Tempeh is popular: It’s tempeh, avocado and cranberry sauce on multigrain bread with soy mayo, mixed greens and fresh veggies. The kids will probably like the organic peanut butter and jelly on whole grain bread. There’s also Lloyd’s famous eggless egg salad! And you stand a good chance of meeting Lloyd there, too.

LOWER/MIDDLE KEYS Good Food Conspiracy, 30150 U.S.

1, Big Pine Key; (305) 872-3945; goodfoodconspiracy.com This juice bar and deli serves fresh food in a friendly atmosphere. There are vegetarian and vegan sandwiches, salads and soups, wheat grass, vegetable juices and fruit smoothies. Try some of the baked and raw desserts while relaxing in the back garden. Or pull up a barstool to the small, square center café and checkout area. We guarantee you’ll make some healthy friendships.

Food for Thought Organic Café,

5800 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 743-3297; foodforthoughtflkeys. com Stop in the heart of the

Keys for breakfast and lunch at the Food for Thought Organic Café, which makes a variety of vegan and gluten-free dishes. Try a salad, wrap, gluten-free baked good or snack. Get a smoothie, specialty shot, juice or espresso to wash it down. Vegetarians who eat eggs (ovo-lacto) will devour the Mostly Green frittata, with eggs, sautéed spinach, zucchini noodles, tomato, cashew sour cream and chipotle mayo.

UPPER KEYS Ballyhoo’s, 97860 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 852-0822; ballyhoosrestaurant.com Ballyhoo’s is not strictly vegetarian, vegan or organic, but the seafood grill does have entire vegetarian and glutenfree menus. And they make it all from scratch. We love the house vegetable curry, a yellow curry with fresh vegetables, bananas, pineapple, coconut milk and ginger, served in a red bell pepper with white rice and topped with almonds, coconut, raisins and housemade mango chutney. The mango brulée dessert is to die for.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY A DRABICKY , DAWN JONES-GARCIA

vegan, vegetarian, 829 Fleming St. and 1130 Duval St.; (305) 296-7766; dateandthyme.com Date & Thyme is a café, juice bar and market all in one. The café serves organic sandwiches, wraps and salads; the juice bar uses fresh, ripe organic fruits and vegetables in its juices and smoothies. The market sells organic foods, books, as well as beauty care and household items. The new, second location on

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS, BARS Simonton St.; (305) 296-4900; duffyskeywest.com Duffy’s Steak & Lobster House maintains its tradition of casual dining at affordable prices. The menu favorites are Buffalo wings, conch fritters, prime rib, filet mignon, whole fresh Florida lobster, jumbo shrimp scampi and even fried alligator tail. $$

Eaton Street Seafood Market, 801 Eaton

St.; (305) 295-3474; kwseafood.com Eaton Street Seafood Market serves fresh seafood caught by local fishermen. There are a few small tables at which you can enjoy some smoked fish dip or, a favorite, the shrimp salad sandwich, served on a croissant with spring greens and tomato. The market also ships fresh seafood right to your door. $$

El Meson de Pepe Restaurant & Bar,

Cuban, 410 Wall St.; (305) 295-2620; elmesondepepe.com El Meson de Pepe is a family-owned-and-operated Cuban restaurant. Menu highlights include the classic ropa vieja, a traditional Cuban dish of shredded beef stewed with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, onions and red wine. Every night at sunset, the local salsa band Caribe of Key West performs while people dance and mingle outside at the patio bar. $$$

El Mocho, Cuban, 5708 Maloney Ave.;

(305) 296-7490; Located on Stock Island, El Mocho serves traditional Cuban food. The extensive menu includes Cuban sandwiches, breakfast, platters, and, of course, café con leche. $

El Siboney Restaurant , Cuban, 900

Catherine St.; (305) 296-4184; elsiboneyrestaurant.com El Siboney is one of the island’s best Cuban restaurants, serving generous portions of affordable, traditional Cuban cuisine. Favorite menu items include the café con leche, Cuban mix sandwich and the roast pork with yellow rice, black beans, sweet plantains and Cuban bread. $$

Falafel King , Middle Eastern, 110 Fitzpatrick St.; (305) 292-0097 falafelkingkw.weebly.com At Falafel King you can find a variety of traditional Middle Eastern dishes such as falafel, shawarma, kabob and hummus made fresh and served as a sandwich or platter. $ Fernandy’s Café, Mexican, Cuban, 1110 White St.; (305) 295-0159; fernandyscafe.com A great place to start your day off like a local by grabbing a hot café con leche, or stop by later for their dinner selections such as the Vaca Frita (fried, shredded beef and sautéed onions with rice and beans) or blackened mahi mahi as well as weekly specials. From the sandwich menu, try a classic Cuban mix, or the Alambre Chihuahua: pastor pork, tomato, onions and green peppers, with rice cooked with black beans. Local delivery available. $$ Firefly Key West , Southern, 223

Petronia St.; (305) 849-0104; fireflykeywest.com Firefly serves Southern fare using a mixture of traditional and modern techniques to

create new versions of classic familiar dishes. Try the deviled eggs with bread and butter pickles followed by the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and charred corn on the cob. $$$

First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewery, seafood, burgers, Italian,

301 Whitehead St.; (305) 293-8484; firstflightkw.com This new restaurant occupies the space of the former Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill and Brewery. The beer is still freshly brewed, but now the food is gastropub seafood with garden dining. Enjoy the Whitehead Street location—the former Key West headquarters of Pan American World Airways, which first flew from Key West to Cuba. Though Pan American is now gone, you can toast the first flights from Key West to Cuba at First Flight Restaurant & Brewery. $$

Fisherman’s Café Key West, burgers,

seafood, 205 Elizabeth St., Unit D; (305) 741-7044; fishermanscafekeywest. com Expect fresh, just-caught seafood, and tasty made-to-order specialties at this café. Try something traditional, such as the Bahamian cracked conch sandwich with papaya-citrus slaw and chipotle Thousand Island dressing. $

Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 500

Truman Ave.; (305) 296-2177, and 2814 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 7354938; fiveguys.com Five Guys Burgers and Fries claims there are more than 250,000 possible ways to order one of its burgers. Yes, the options are plentiful, and the burgers are made with fresh, never-frozen ground beef, while the fries are cooked in no-cholesterol peanut oil. There are also hot dogs and veggie sandwiches. $

The Flaming Buoy Filet Co. , Caribbean, New American, seafood, 1100 Packer St.; (305) 295-7970; theflamingbuoy. com This restaurant and wine bar serves inventive contemporary menu options such as barbecued Danish baby back ribs, which are spicerubbed and slow-baked, then finished on the grill with a jalapeño barbecue sauce and served with sweet-andspicy Szechuan green beans and macaroni and cheese. $$$ Fogarty’s Restaurant , burgers, seafood, traditional American, 227 Duval St.; (305) 294-7525; fogartysofkeywest. com Fogarty’s is a great spot on Duval Street to people-watch as you dine. Try the shrimp and bacon club with grilled Gulf shrimp, smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and tomato-basil dressing on whole-grain $$ bread served with fries.

Frenchie’s Café, bakery, French,

sandwiches, 529 United St.; (305) 396-7124; frenchieskeywest.com Stop in for a cappuccino with a homemade croissant or pastry, or choose from a wide variety of sandwiches and salads. Frenchie’s also has a daily quiche selection and two hot sandwiches, the Croque Monsieur and the Croque Madame. $$

Frita’s Cuban Burger Café, 425

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EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS, BARS

Garbo’s Grill, seafood, burgers food

truck, 409 Caroline St.; (305) 3043004; garbosgrillkw.com Garbo’s Grill isn’t your typical brick-and-mortar restaurant. It’s a food truck that was recently featured on the Food Network. Locals Eli and Kenna Pancamo serve popular dishes such as Korean barbecue

tacos: marinated beef short rib, Napa cabbage, scallions, carrots, daikon, citrus soy dressing and sriracha served on two soft tortillas. $

Glazed Donuts, 420 Eaton St.; (305) 294-9142; glazeddonuts.com This Southernmost doughnut shop in the continental United States makes, you guessed it, fresh, delicious doughnuts. And the selection is plentiful. Owners Jonathan and Megan Pidgeon make everything from scratch, from the dough to the frostings, glazes, jellies and even the sprinkles. One house specialty: the maple bourbon with candied bacon doughnut. $

Bars

Key West has many restaurants with bar service. But for a drink, and maybe some entertainment, try these hot spots. KEY WEST 801 Bourbon Bar and Cabaret, 801

Duval St.; (305) 294-4737; 801bourbon.com This bar and cabaret has nightly drag shows at 9 and 11 p.m., karaoke with Gassy Winds every Sunday at 4 p.m., and drag queen bingo on the weekends.

The Afterdeck Bar, 700 Waddell Ave.; (305) 294-1061; louiesbackyard.com The Afterdeck Bar at Louie’s Backyard restaurant features beautiful views of the ocean. Try the Island Cosmo, housemade, pineappleinfused vodka mixed with fresh lime and cranberry juice. Agave 308 Tequila Bar, 308 Front St.; (305) 509-7304; agave308. com Agave 308 Tequila Bar celebrates the Key West experience, with tequila. It’s the only tequila bar on the island. Bartenders here specialize in margaritas and hand-crafted cocktails. Aqua Nightclub, 711 Duval St.; (305)

294-0555; aquakeywest.com Aqua Nightclub offers adultoriented, interactive entertainment as well as a mixed bag Winter 2016 of drag shows, music, poker and live entertainment, and fun bartenders doing zany things for a gay and gay-friendly crowd.

Bare Assets, 1029 Truman

Ave.; (305) 296-3979; bareassetskeywest.com Bare Assets is Key West’s largest exotic nightclub, complete with a fullservice bar and dancers from all over the world. No reservations needed; must be 21 or older.

Berlin’s Cocktail and Cigar Bar,

700 Front St.; (305) 294-5880; aandblobsterhouse.com End your evening situated on the harbor

above A&B Lobster House at Berlin’s with a cigar, a Cognac, a view of the harbor and live music.

Blue Mojito Pool Bar & Grill, Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa, 601 Front St.; (305) 809-4000; keywest.hyatt.com At the Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa, the Blue Mojito treats you to island breezes while you relax in a resort setting overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Blue Room, 1128 Simonton St.; (305) 296-2807; blueroomkw. com This recently renovated lounge offers live music, dance parties on Tuesday nights and comedy on Thursday nights. They also host private parties and events. Bobby’s Monkey Bar, 900 Simonton St.; (305) 294-2655; Bobby’s Monkey Bar is a fun-loving joint beloved by locals. There’s pool, plenty of TV screens, fabulous karaoke and a well-stocked jukebox. Bobby’s does allow smoking and is cash only. Bottle Cap Lounge & Liquor, 1128

Simonton St.; (305) 296-2807; bottlecapkeywest.com Every Friday, the happy hour at the Bottle Cap is dedicated to raising funds for a different Key West nonprofit, which enables customers to drink for good causes. Otherwise, it’s most popular as a late-night stop.

Bourbon Street Pub, 724 Duval St.; (305) 294-9354; bourbonstpub.com Bourbon Street Pub is one of Key West’s most popular gay bars, featuring music videos, male dancers, drink specials and a men-only pool bar.

The Bull & Whistle Bar / Garden of Eden, 224 Duval St.; (305)

296-4545; bullkeywest.com The street-level floor of The Bull

32 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

Goldman’s Deli, bagels, sandwiches,

2796 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 2943354; goldmansdeli.com For more than 15 years, Goldman’s has served up traditional New York deli-style fare. The bagels are made fresh daily, boiled and baked there, as is the bread. Other deli favorites are chicken noodle and matzoh ball soups, hot corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, burgers, kosher franks, smoked salmon and herring in wine or cream sauce. $$

The Grand Café, New American,

314 Duval St.; (305) 292-4740; grandcafekeywest.com In a Victorianstyle mansion, the Grand serves contemporary American cuisine with

an extensive wine list. Try the tuna tartare, served with wonton crisps, pickled ginger and wasabi peas. Sit indoors in the cool air conditioning or outside on the porch or brick patio to watch the Duval Street parade go $$$ by.

La Grignote, bakery, French, café, 1211 Duval St., (305) 916-5445; lagrignotecafe.com The French-born owners of this artisanal bakery offer a wide assortment of breads, croissants, viennoiseries (pastries), galettes (buckwheat crêpes with savory fillings), and more all made from scratch. They also serve sandwiches on homemade bread and a variety of

features live entertainment in an open-air setting. On the second floor, there’s a large wrap-around balcony with a great view of Duval; upstairs on the rooftop deck is The Garden of Eden—a clothing-optional bar.

Capt. Tony’s Saloon, 428 Greene St.; (305) 294-1838; capttonyssaloon.com A favorite watering hole of such legends as Ernest Hemingway; (when Sloppy Joe’s was at that address), Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, Capt. Tony’s Saloon is not just a bar, it is a piece of living history. Caroline’s Other Side, 429 Caroline St., Suite 1; (305) 294-7511; theothersidekw.com On the other side of The Porch bar (hence the name), this cool bar/ lounge specializes in craft cocktails such as the refreshing throwback Ramos Fizz: gin, lemon, lime, cream, egg whites, orange flower water and club soda. Chart Room Bar, Pier House Resort,

1 Duval St.; (305) 296-4600; pierhouse.com Known as “a funky little bar trapped inside a luxury resort,” the Chart Room at the Pier House Resort & Spa offers no blender drinks, no umbrellas and no pretense.

Conch Town Liquor & Lounge, 3340 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-4343 conchtownliquorkeywest.com Conch Town Liquor & Lounge is a place to relax and choose from a variety of drinks while you enjoy watching sports, shooting pool and playing darts or playing Golden Tee. If that’s not enough, they also have a daily happy hour. Cork & Stogie, 1218 Duval St.; (707) 492-5778 message center; corkandstogie.com Locals head to this laid-back establishment for fine wine, craft beer and yes, cigars. Arturo Fuente, Cuban Honeys, Original Key West and Padron are just a few of the popular cigar brands on offer. Crow’s Nest, 202 Duval St.; (305) 296-4890; ricksbarkeywest.com

Bartender Tom Luna mixes it up at Aqua Nightclub on Duval.

This upper deck overlooks the wild crowd below in Durty Harry’s. Party while enjoying the view of the live band onstage and watch the crowd below in breezy comfort.

Dons’ Place, 1000 Truman Ave.; (305) 296-8837; donsplacekeywest.com Dons has an inside bar with 19 TVs, a pool table and dartboard, an outside bar with foosball, Ping-Pong and cornhole, as well as a liquor store, complete with a drive-up window.

Durty Harry’s, 202 Duval St.; (305) 296-5513; ricksbarkeywest.com Durty Harry’s showcases live music and entertainment nearly every night and offers 10 flatscreen TVs as well as specials on shots and drinks during all the big games.

D’vine Wine Gallery, The Gardens

Hotel, 526 Angela St.; (305) 294-2661; gardenshotel. com The D’vine Wine Bar, inside The Gardens Hotel, has numerous wines on offer. Enjoy

PHOTOGRAPH BY JESSICA TALLEY

Southard St.; (305) 509-7075; fritascubanburgers.com The “frita” burger was popular street fare in Cuba in the 1930s. The fritas here are a blend of beef and pork seasoned with Spanish spices and topped with crispy fried julienne-cut potatoes all served on a Cuban bun. Frita’s also has traditional Cuban fare. $

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS, VEGETARIAN, VEGAN hot and iced coffees and teas. $$

Half Shell Raw Bar, 231 Margaret St.;

(305) 294-7496; halfshellrawbar. com Originally built as a shrimp warehouse, the Half Shell Raw Bar was established as a restaurant in 1972 serving local seafood on the Key West Bight ever since. Gulf oysters, clams and Key West pink shrimp are available cooked different ways. Try the fried shrimp served with coleslaw $$ and fries.

Harbourview Café, Caribbean, seafood, Pier House Resort, 1 Duval St.; (305) 296-4600; pierhouse.com Right on Key West Harbor at the Pier House

a glass on the secluded grounds, surrounded by palm trees, flowering bushes and hanging orchids.

Fat Tuesday, 305 Duval St.; (305)

Resort, the Harbourview Café serves island-inspired cuisine with a side of terrific harbor views. Make sure to request a table on the patio overlooking the harbor. $$$

Harpoon Harry’s Restaurant and Bar,

American diner, 832 Caroline St.; (305) 294-8744; harpoonharryskeywest.com Daily blue-plate specials, soups, salads and sandwiches combined with a parade of colorful locals make Harpoon Harry’s a unique Key West experience. Harpoon Harry’s (cash only) is also a package store, so you can stock up after your meal. $$

Hogfish Bar & Grill, seafood, 6810 Front St., Stock Island; (305) 293-4041;

beers on tap, a full bar with premium well and domestic and imported bottled beers. Catch your favorite games on HD bigscreen satellite TV.

296-9373; fattuesdaykeywest.com Fat Tuesday has been serving great frozen drinks in a colorful setting in Key West since 1990. Try the 190 octane daiquiri, an icy blend of grain alcohol and orange punch.

La Te Da’s Piano Bar and Terrace Bar, 1125 Duval St.; (305) 296-6706; lateda.com Watch the passersby on Duval at the Terrace Bar, enjoy a pre-show drink at the Crystal Room bar or listen to live music at the Piano Bar.

Grand Vin Wine Bar, 1107 Duval

Little Room Jazz Club, 821

St.; (305) 296-1020 Grand Vin offers a daily menu of 20 wines and Champagnes hand-chosen by the owners. Relax and enjoy a drink on the beautiful wooden wraparound porch.

Green Parrot Bar, 601 Whitehead

St.; (305) 294-6133; greenparrot. com A longtime local favorite, this open-air bar has excellent live entertainment and lots of character. A sign above the bar says it all: “No sniveling.”

The Green Room, 540 Greene

St.; (305) 741-7300; thegreenroomkeywest.com This eco-pub’s mission is to test the limits of how environmentally friendly a bar can be. Enjoy a beer in a bar made from recycled materials or a frozen drink with from-scratch mixes.

Greene Street Cigar Co., 540 and

614 Greene St.; (305) 296-5499; greenestreetcigarcompany.com At the number-one rated cigar bar in Key West, choose from a long list of premium or boutique cigars and pair it with a Cuban coffee, a craft beer or a glass of wine.

Grunts Bar, 409 Caroline St.; (305) 294-8280; Grunts serves the coldest beer in Key West with an eclectic selection of wines with a daily happy hour. Out back, you can find Garbo’s food truck, and out front there is a spacious patio area. Joe’s Tap Room at Sloppy Joe’s, 506

Greene St.; (305) 294-5717; sloppyjoes.com Joe’s Tap Room, a sports bar, has hand-crafted

Duval St.; (305) 741-7515; littleroomjazzclub.com This posh, intimate listening room with live jazz performances by top artists seven nights a week serves a refreshing array of craft cocktails, wine, beer and artisanal little bites food choices. A not-to-be-missed venue for music lovers.

Orchid Bar, Orchid Key Inn, 1004 Duval St.; (305) 296-9915; orchidkeyinn.com The tinybut-chic Orchid Bar has a full bar and the bartenders use fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables and infused liquors to create seasonally themed craft cocktails. The Porch, 429 Caroline St.; (305) 517-6358; theporchkw. com A local favorite, The Porch is a craft beer and wine bar in the historic Porter Mansion that serves 18 beers on draft and more than 70 beers in bottles. Red Garter Saloon, 208 Duval St.; (305) 296-4964; ricksbarkeywest.com The Red Garter Saloon is an adult entertainment venue with a friendly staff, reasonably priced drinks, and of course talented exotic dancers. Rick’s Key West, 202 Duval St.; (305) 296-5513; ricksbarkeywest.com The original Rick’s has live music on offer daily and is the first of the eight unique bars on the property including: Rick’s Loft, which serves signature martinis

hogfishbar.com This is the place for local seafood, with Key West pink shrimp, lobster and hogfish. The restaurant only uses hogfish caught by local divers and does not substitute other fish when it’s out, so call ahead to make sure the hogfish is available. Try the fried hogfish sandwich with Swiss cheese, onions and mushrooms on fresh Cuban bread. $$

Hog’s Breath Saloon , traditional

American, 400 Front St.; (305) 2964222; hogsbreath.com Hog’s Breath has great seafood, fresh smoked barbecue, live music and even a kids menu. Sit inside or outside on the spacious patio while enjoying the live,

and wines by the glass; Rick’s Mardi Gras, serving potent frozen daiquiris; Rick’s Tree Bar, famous for its Bloody Marys; and Rick’s Upstairs, a dance club.

RUMba, Casa Marina Resort, 1500 Reynolds St.; (305) 296-3535 ext. 7703; casamarinaresort.com This bar in the lobby of the famous Casa Marina Resort boasts the most extensive collection of rum on the island. Bartenders craft creative rum cocktails using natural ingredients. Pair with hand-cut, house-spiced plantain chips, or enjoy a stogie from a local cigarmaker. Or both! The Rum Bar, 1117 Duval St.;

(305) 296-2680; speakeasyinn. com In the lobby of The Speakeasy Inn, you’ll find the rum bar and its wraparound porch, where you can enjoy a spectacular cocktail from their full bar and watch the people passing on Duval Street.

Rum Row, 3824 N. Roosevelt

local entertainers. Try the seafood sampler: peel-and-eat shrimp, conch fritters, garlic shrimp dip and smoked fish dip served with coleslaw, lemon, $$ dipping sauces and crackers.

Hot Tin Roof, Latin American, seafood, Ocean Key Resort & Spa, 0 Duval St.; (305) 296-7701; oceankey.com The Hot Tin Roof restaurant is at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa overlooking Key West Harbor. Request a table on the covered patio at sunset to catch some of the best views on the island. Try the shrimp tacos, served with warm tortillas, pico de gallo, queso $$$ blanco and salsa verde.

United St.; (305) 292-1450; thesouthernmostinn.com Relax in this informal, openair spot tucked away at the Southernmost Inn. Enjoy a beer or cocktail from the full bar under awnings and fans that keep it surprisingly temperate. Take a dip in the hot tub or one of the two pools, too.

Sun Sun, Casa Marina Resort, 1500 Reynolds St. (305) 2963535; casamarinaresort.com Sun Sun offers a stunning oceanfront location complete with swaying palm trees, warm sunny breezes and a full bar with signature cocktails. Sunset Tiki Bar & Grille, Galleon Resort, 617 Front St.; (305) 295-0207; galleonresort.com or sunsettikibar.com Looking for a fun local-centric place on the water where you can grab a couple drinks and watch a beautiful sunset? This is the place. Usually you’ll find live music, too.

Blvd.; (305) 320-0930; gateshotelkeywest.com Channel the days of Prohibition with specialty rums and rum cocktails at this outdoor tiki bar located poolside at The Gates Hotel, convenient to The Blind Pig Food truck and often featuring live music.

Vinos on Duval, 810 Duval St.; (305) 294-7568; vinosonduval.com Vinos is a unique wine bar where you can enjoy a glass or bottle of wine from an extensive collection, meet interesting locals or just people-watch from the outside patio.

Shots and Giggles, 201 Ann St.;

Virgilio’s, 524 Duval St.; (305)

(305) 414-8272 This tiny bar sits on the corner of Ann and Greene streets and offers wine and Champagne by the glass or bottle as well as beer and, yes, shots.

296-8118 Virgilio’s features $5 Martini Mondays and great live music from folk to funk. Locals love this place for dancing: It’s half-outdoors, dark, fun and open late.

The Smallest Bar, 124 Duval St.;

Wine-O, 430 Duval St.; (305) 280-0208; laconchakeywest. com Wine-O offers an outstanding assortment of wines by the glass, or experience a varietal tasting with our everpopular flights. Enjoy a bottle in the sleek, sophisticated lounge, or take it to go. Enhance your wine experience with one of the Chef-prepared cheese or charceuterie boards.

(305) 294-8507; oldcustoms house.com/smallest-bar This spot is famous for what it lacks in size, boasting only two stools in its 72 square feet. Don’t let that fool you: you can still order from a full bar or even have a refreshing rum drink right out of a pineapple.

Southernmost Inn Patio Bar, 525

LOWER AND MIDDLE KEYS Brass Monkey, 234 55th St., Marathon; (305) 743-4028 The Brass Monkey is familyowned, with a famous Friday happy hour buffet and live music seven nights a week, 365 days a year. It’s at Mile Marker 50 oceanside at Kmart Plaza. The Hurricane, 4650 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 743-2220; hurricaneblues.com The Hurricane has been Marathon’s favorite place to party for more than 50 years. It’s got a full bar, live music nightly and possibly South Florida’s most impressive Lego model ever.

Sugarloaf Lodge Tiki Bar, 17001 U.S. 1, Sugarloaf Key; (305) 7453211; sugarloaflodge.net Known for delicious cocktails, nightly entertainment and fabulous ocean views, Sugarloaf Lodge Tiki Bar serves everything from cold beer to frozen drinks.

TJ’s Tiki Bar at Tranquility Bay Resort, 2600 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 289-0888; tranquilitybay.com TJ’s Tiki Bar in Marathon is perfectly suited to let you unwind and watch the sunset while enjoying a delicious cold drink from the full bar.

UPPER KEYS Caribbean Club, 104080 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 451-4466; caribbeanclubkl.com Locally owned and operated since 1963, the Caribbean Club boasts live music most nights, daily happy hours, breathtaking sunsets and a dog-friendly atmosphere.

Woody’s in the Keys, 81908 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-4335; woodysinthekeys.com Woody’s is the only adult nightclub featuring total nudity and full liquor between South Miami and Key West. Believe it.

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS Key Plaza Crêperie, European,

1105 Key Plaza; (305) 517-6032; keyplazacreperie.com This excellent, beautiful European-style restaurant makes artisan coffees and teas, as well as crêpes, galettes, paninis and wraps. Try the prosciutto-and-Swiss-cheese galette, a savory, organic buckwheat crêpe filled with prosciutto, Swiss cheese, tomato, basil and your choice of eggs any style. $$

RUMba’s

Cocoa Daiquiri: RUMba Guest Bar Casa Marina Resort 1500 Reynolds St.; (305) 296-3535, ext. 7703 www.casamarinaresort.com Bar open 2-9 p.m.

Keys Coffee Company, 505 Southard St.; (305) 906-1205; keyscoffee.co Besides coffee, this self-described “breakfast and brunch” shop serves smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. They also serve locally baked croissants, bagels and breads. $

1 ½ ounce SelvaRey Cacao Rum ¾ ounce Monkey Coconut Rum ½ ounce Kahlua 2 ounce pineapple juice

❶

Kim’s Kuban , Cuban, Mexican, 2302

N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-2878; kimskubankeywest.com Kim’s Kuban is an authentic Cuban deli that serves a variety of breakfast and Cuban-style sandwiches. There is limited seating, so you might choose to take your meal to go. This is a favorite breakfast stop for locals heading to work, as Kim’s serves one of the best cups of café con leche on the island. $

Combine all ingredients into a

mixing glass

❷ ❸ ❹ ❺

Fill the shaker 2/3 full of ice. Shake well. Strain into a glass—no ice. Garnish with cocoa powder.

Kojin Noodle Bar, Asian fusion, 502

Southard St.; (305) 296-2077 Serving more than just noodles, Kojin has a refreshing Asian-inspired menu with fresh steamed pork buns, chicken gyoza, and the local favorite, Saigon salad. Kojin serves half or full orders of its noodle bowls, so make sure you specify when ordering. Try the house ramen with pork shoulder and belly, a soft egg, nori and scallion. $$

Hurricane Hole Waterfront Bar

and Seafood Grill , 5130 U.S. 1; Stock Island; (305) 294-8025; hurricaneholekeywest.com For fresh seafood, a cold drink and a view from the docks, look no further than Hurricane Hole. Enjoy a daily happy hour while watching the charter boats come in as the sun sets over the $$ mangroves. Incas Restaurant , Peruvian, 800 White St.; (305) 292-1616; incasrestaurant. wixsite.com/incasrestaurant Incas, across the street from the Meadows neighborhood, has the best selection of Peruvian-style dishes in the Keys. Try the lomo saltado: sautéed beef with onion, tomatoes, cilantro and fries served with rice, and pair it with homemade sangria or a Peruvian soda or beer. $$ Irish Kevin’s, pub food, 211 Duval St.;

(305) 292-1262; irishkevins.com You can hear Irish Kevin’s before you see it, as it has amplified live music most days and nights. Wings, flatbread pizzas and sandwiches (also available pressed) are on the menu, as well as a large selection of craft beer that $$ changes seasonally.

Island Dogs Bar, burgers, traditional

American, 505 Front St.; (305) 5097136; islanddogsbar.com Island Dogs

is the Southernmost hub for the New England Patriots and Florida State Seminoles fan clubs. Cheer on your team with a cucumber-and-ginger martini and the fresh catch of the day prepared blackened, grilled or fried, served with Key lime tartar sauce, vegetable du jour and yellow rice and $$ beans.

Jack Flats, sandwiches, traditional

American, 509 Duval St.; (305) 2947955; jackflatskw.com Locals love to watch their favorite sports games at Jack Flats on one of the 19 big-screen TVs. There are plenty of beers on tap and a full bar for whatever your cocktail of choice proves to be. Classic bar fare is available, such as the local favorite, Buffalo shrimp: jumbo shrimp fried and tossed with cayenne pepper sauce, served with celery and blue cheese. The burgers are great, too. $$

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, burgers, New American, 500 Duval St.; (305) 292-1435; margaritavillekeywest.com Yes, this is the original Margaritaville, and yes, Jimmy Buffett has played both inside the restaurant and on Duval Street just outside the doors in recent years. Head here for the Cheeseburger in Paradise, topped with American cheese, lettuce and tomato, served with Heinz 57 and

34 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

fries; stay for the great live music $$ playing most evenings.

Joe’s Chicken Shack , Southern, wings, 722 Duval St.; (305) 296-0148 Find some comfort in the food at Joe’s, with traditional fried chicken and sides including coleslaw, potato, green bean or macaroni salad, and mashed potatoes. See daily specials on the board outside. $ Jose’s Latin Food , Mexican,

Nicaraguan, 1101 Truman Ave.; (305) 741-7818; joseskeywest.com Enjoy a wide variety of Latin dishes made with the freshest ingredients. In addition to the daily menu, Jose’s has a daily special menu with selections such as chicken fricassee, salpicone and oxtail enchilado. $$

Kennedy Café, Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, pizza, 924-A Kennedy Drive; (305) 8099000; kennedycafekeywest.com Mediterranean restaurants prepare and serve a variety of traditional small dishes called mazzas in Italian, Greek, Turkish and Uzbek cuisine. Kennedy Café specializes in such mazzas, which include hummus, grilled eggplant and falafel, and also serves hearty American-style food such as pancakes, omelets, burgers, chicken fingers and wings. $

La Crêperie, French, 300 Petronia St.; (305) 517-6799; lacreperiekeywest.com The owners of La Crêperie originally hail from France, and serve up their signature crêpes with style. Try the sweet crêpe with dulce de leche, banana and coconut, or the savory organic buckwheat galette with goat cheese, pesto, tomatoes and fresh basil. $$ Lagerheads, seafood, 0 Simonton St.;

(305) 509-7444 ; lagerheadsbeachbar. com It doesn’t get more beachfront than Lagerheads. Enjoy a cold beer or a cocktail with fresh fish tacos or conch ceviche, then pull up a beach chair or sit on a stool on the small porch of this tiki shack and stay for a front-row view of $$ the sunset.

La Te Da, New American, 1125 Duval St.; (305) 296-6706; lateda.com There’s a lot going on at La Te Da, which houses a hotel, piano bar, terrace bar, restaurant and cabaret. The restaurant has contemporary island-inspired cuisine, such as sautéed Key West yellowtail snapper with brown butter, capers, Kalamata olive-studded mashed potatoes and the chef ’s selection of $$$ vegetables. Latitudes Beach Restaurant, New American, Sunset Key Cottages (short ferry ride from Key West Resort and Marina, 245 Front St.); (305) 292-5394; www.sunsetkeycottages. com Sunset Key Cottage’s signature restaurant, Latitudes, serves a fresh,

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JESSICA TALLEY AND JORDAN NUTALL

RUMba's master mixologist concocted this Cocoa Daiquiri especially for the Casa Marina’s chocoholic guests.

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS flavorful island cuisine with free ocean breezes and gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico. A delicious, ever-evolving “work of art” menu incorporates locally sourced fresh fish and tropical fruit, and cuisine is based on what is in-season $$$ and includes daily fresh catch.

La Trattoria Old Town, Italian, 524 Duval

St.; (305) 296-1075 La Trattoria Oceanside, 3593 S. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 295-6789; latrattoria.us For more than 30 years, La Trattoria has been serving authentic Italian cuisine in Key West. Try the linguine con pollo alla Parmigiana: lightly breaded, pan-fried chicken breast topped with mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and tomato sauce, served with linguine pasta and $$$ vegetables.

Lazy Days Islamorada, seafood, chicken, steak, 79867 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-5256; lazydaysislamorada.com Lazy Days has frequently been voted Best Seafood Restaurant in the Upper Keys. Dine on the beach, on the patio or inside. Try the Grouper Lorenzo, served with crab cake and Key lime butter, and the housemade banana bread. Visit the on-site fish market and gift shop. Dinner $$$ reservations recommended. Lazy Days South, seafood, chicken,

steak, 725 11th Street Ocean, Marathon; (305) 289-0839; new.lazydayssouth. com Offers both oceanfront patio and

cozy indoor dining. Try the Grouper St. Croix, fresh grouper coated with Japanese bread crumbs, sautéed, and served with black peppercorns, lime wheels and Key lime butter. They will cook your catch. And try their Key lime pie for dessert. Dinner reservations $$$ recommended.

Le Petit Paris, French, American, 825

Duval St.; (305) 393-2592 lepetitparisonline.com The mission of Le Petit Paris is to mix the best American food with European cuisine in the healthiest way possible, and to serve it in a relaxing atmosphere. Dishes include omelets, crêpes, burgers and salads. $$

Louie’s Backyard, Caribbean-American,

700 Waddell Ave.; (305) 294-1061; louiesbackyard.com Locals have been dining at Louie’s for more than 40 years thanks to the fantastic food, service and ocean views. Request a table on the deck, right on the water, and arrive early for a pre-dinner cocktail at the Afterdeck Bar as the sun sets. Try the sautéed Gulf shrimp with bacon, mushrooms and $$$ stoneground grits.

Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant, 1500

Bertha St.; (305) 295-2616 Lupita’s dishes up authentic Mexican food including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, chicharrónes, camarónes, fajitas and tostadas, plus a good selection of Mexican beers and

margaritas. Try the combo platter: two chicken enchiladas, one beef burrito, rice, refried beans and a small salad. $$

Mangia Mangia Pasta Café, Italian, 900

Southard St.; (305) 294-2469; mangia-mangia.com Here in Key West, Mangia Mangia is famous for its fresh, housemade pasta. There’s spaghettini topped with green-lipped New Zealand mussels in a garlic marinara sauce, linguine with clams in shallots, white wine, Spanish onions, garlic and parsley and many other delicious varieties of pasta dishes. $$

Mangoes, New American, seafood, 700

Duval St.; (305) 294-8002; mangoeskeywest.com Mangoes supports sustainable fishing, farming and ranching methods, and all produce is sourced as locally as possible to create its Floribbean fare. Try the El Corazon salad: chopped hearts of romaine, andhearts of palm, Manchego cheese and sour orange $$$ buttermilk dressing.

Martin’s Steak & Lobster, 917 Duval St.; (305) 295-0111; martinskeywest.com Dine inside in the cool air conditioning, outside on the patio overlooking Duval Street or al fresco Winter 2016 in the peaceful back garden. Wherever you choose, you’ll be treated to fresh, local seafood as well as options such as filet mignon, ribeye $$$ and beef Wellington.

Mayanjali Café Boutique aka Shakti Yoga, 1114 White St.; (305) 363-9197;

mayanjali.com This café cum boutique cum yoga studio literally has it all: food, art, yoga, drinks, a cool boutique, nail salon and special events. The capacious, beautiful building has skyscraper ceilings and lovely, colorfully painted columns and walls, including a big mural of the Hindu god Ganesh in the yoga studio and works by local artists for sale. Practice yoga, enjoy healthy fare and shop for “socially conscious” goods from around the world. Or get a pedicure with natural oils and Dead Sea salt scrub. $

Michaels Restaurant , fondue, New

American, 532 Margaret St.; (305) 295-1300; michaelskeywest.com For more than 15 years, owners Michael and Melanie Wilson have been serving up contemporary American cuisine to locals and visitors alike, including prime beef, seafood and pasta. Try the filet al forno: filet mignon, roasted $$$ garlic and Roquefort cheese.

Mo’s Restaurant, Caribbean, Creole, Haitian, 1116 White St.; (305) 296-8955 You’ll find big Caribbean and Creole flavors at this small restaurant, with its open kitchen right in the dining area. The seafood is freshly caught, almost all locally sourced. Locals and visitors rave about the generous portions of the shrimp Creole pasta, oxtail stew and sautéed snapper. $$

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS Mr. Z’s, pizza, sandwiches, 501 Southard St.; (305) 296-4445, and 2798 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-5306; mrzskeywest.com Attention, hungry insomniacs: This is your place! Pizza, grinders, stromboli, hoagies and cheesesteaks are available Winter 2016 daily until 4 a.m. on Southard Street. Dine in at the small counter or take your order to go. Order an ice cold Rolling Rock or Bud Light while you wait for your slice or chicken cheesesteak. $

New York Pasta Garden , Italian, pizza, sandwiches, 1075 Duval St.; (305) 292-1991; newyorkpastagarden. com For 25 years, New York Pasta Garden has served pizza, seafood and pasta. Try the battered artichoke fritters served over mixed greens, with a lemon, tarragon, white wine and butter sauce. Next the penne alla vodka: prosciutto sautéed with basil, garlic and vodka-tomato cream sauce. $$

American, 915 Duval St.; (305) 2960669; 915duval.com Dine al fresco with ample views of Duval Street on the elegant Victorian-style patio, sit indoors on the first floor amid eclectic artwork, or head upstairs to Point5 on the second-floor balcony. Point5 serves light bites and craft cocktails, while nine one five serves contemporary American cuisine $$$ infused with global flavors.

Nine one five and Point5, New

Southwestern, 609 Duval St.; (305)

Old Town Mexican Café, Mexican,

Ice Cream Dreams

Here are all the ice-cream specialty shops you need to know about. KEY WEST 2 Scoops, 2814 N. Roosevelt Blvd.,

Winn-Dixie plaza; (305) 735-4433; This ice cream parlor and Internet café makes premium ice cream, cupcakes, smoothies, milkshakes and coffee drinks. You can also place a special order and even plan to have a birthday party there.

Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, 3124 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 290-2459; These classic sweet shop companies, which merged, are merged physically, too, tucked away in a business duplex near Searstown. Boardwalk Frozen Custard, 335 Duval St,

(305) 849-2109 boardwalkfrozencustard.com; This frozen custard shop

offers other cold treats. Also serving hot and cold coffees, espressos and affogato: a dish of their custard with a shot of espresso poured over it. 1,000 flavors.

Carpe Diem Ice Cream, 300 Front St.; (305) 504-4469; Seize the day and some ice cream at this sweet shop right in the heart of downtown— where you need something cool and delicious away from the

hot tourist mecca outside. It’s also got cookies, cupcakes, shakes, coffee and other beverages. Grab a treat and cool off at one of the inside tables.

Conch Tour Train Ice Cream Gift Shop, 501

Front St.; conchtourtrain.com/key-westtour-works.html; (305) 293-7250; It’s a train-stop shop, but everyone’s welcome to visit and choose from some 15 ﬂavors of ice cream, fudge and various snacks and beverages. Souvenirs galore for sale!

Dairy Queen Store, 1207 United St.; (305) 293-3737; dairyqueen.com Soft-serve ice cream and signature shakes (Blizzards!) top the menu at this classic chain. Flamingo Crossing, 1105 Duval St.; (305)

296-6124; Flamingo Crossing is famous for people-watching views and its housemade ice cream and gelato, with classic to original tropical ﬂavors made with real fruit. Try the guava, mango, papaya or soursop (guanabana); the piña colada and rum runner are made with real alcohol. Be warned: It’s cash only.

Häagen-Dazs, 425 Front St.; (305)

296-2290, and 625 Duval St.; (305) 294-3378; www.haag endazs.us This counter-service chain has scoops of ice cream and sorbet plus sundaes, shakes and smoothies.

Key West Polar Bear Homemade, 247 Front

St., (305) 293-9966 Ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothies, shakes and other treats, including chocolate-dipped Key lime pie on a stick. Try their Key lime float or a fountain soda.

Kilwin’s, 505 Duval St.; (305) 320-

0986 ; The old-fashioned confectionary chain sells ice cream, chocolate, handmade sweets and gift baskets.

Mattheessen’s Ice Cream Parlor, 106 and 419 Duval St.; (305) 923-5418 and 296-8014; This hometown favorite has 23 small-batch, housemade ﬂavors, including Kahlua almond fudge, Cuban coffee and toasted coconut. Marble slab fudge and gigantic cookies also will call to you. Guess what? You can get a Key lime pie there, too. All at two prime Duval Street locations. Sweets of Paradise, 291 Front St.;

(305) 296-1611; Sweets of Paradise confectionery shop, in Clinton Square Market, serves housemade ice cream as well as fudge, cookies, coffee and— surprise!—Key lime pie. It also will bake your cookies to order.

TruVal Ice Cream and Treats, 500 Truman Ave.; (630) 217-9476; There are 28 different ﬂavors at this colorful open-air parlor, named for its key location at Truman Avenue and Duval Street. Watch the world go by while trying to keep up

36 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

with your ice cream’s melting point.

LOWER & MIDDLE KEYS Cone Republic, 30770 U.S. 1, Big Pine Key;

(305) 879-1576; conerepublic.net Try “A Scoop of Paradise” from this artisanal ice cream truck, serving Florida Keys–inspired flavors with tropical fruit toppings on waffle cones made from scratch. Be sure to try their Cuban Coffee, Toasted Coconut Cream or Purple Haze flavors, as well as the Fentimans “botanically brewed” sodas or the iced cold brew coffee they also offer.

Island Time Diner, 5187 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 204-4825; islandtimediner.com Serving ice cream cones, shakes, malts and specialty sundaes, all handmade in small batches, and available as cones, shakes or malts or in one of their fabulous (and huge!) specialty sundaes. Try their unusual flavors, including guava cheesecake or dulce de leche. The waffle cones are made in house as well. Consider the variety of lunch items including sandwiches and sides, plus sack lunches to go. Sweet Savannah’s, 8919 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 743-3131; sweetsavannahs. com Sweet Savannah serves 24 ice cream flavors—including gluten, dairy and sugar-free options. Have a shake, malt or float, or a housemade cookie bowl. Specialty sundaes include chocolate piña colada and Mint Mania. UPPER & MIDDLE KEYS Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory, 92220

U.S. 1, Tavernier; (305) 922-2400; Awarded best Key lime pie in Florida eight years running by Florida Monthly magazine.

Charli’s Shave Ice, 77522 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 304-3852; This tiki-type shaved-ice truck also serves ice cream. The syrups are made with 100 percent cane sugar, the owners say. Cool down with a treat after you feed the tarpon! Mrs. G’s Ice Cream, 82205 U.S. 1,

Islamorada; (305) 304-1776; Grab a cone with an oversized scoop of vanilla black cherry, cappuccino flake or another yummy flavor at this cash-only ice cream parlor. Get an authentic Cuban coffee, too. Cash only.

Sub-Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt, 82685 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-2740; and Key Largo, 99625 U.S. 1, (305) 9984103; subzeroicecream.com Customize your dessert by picking full-fat, lowfat, sugar-free, lactose-free, vegan, soy and yogurt options, mix and match from 30 toppings and then watch it be flash-frozen.

296-7500; oldtownmexicancafe.com The salsa at the Old Town Mexican Café is a Key West must-have. It is so good, in fact, that local grocery store Fausto’s sells it by the tub. Servers bring you salsa as soon as you sit down, and what you order after that will be just as tasty. Try the appetizer of roast corn served with grated cheese and chili aioli. $$

One Duval , New American, Pier House Resort & Spa, 1 Duval St.; (305) 296-4600; pierhouse.com Be sure to indulge in a culinary treat at our signature restaurant, One Duval. Featuring fresh, organic, local and farm-raised fare, reflects Chef Maria's inspired vision for a culinary adventure with waterfront views. Tucked into an intimate space overlooking the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, diners of One Duval can experience an exquisitely designed menu reflecting fresh flavors of the $$$ season. Onlywood Pizzeria Trattoria , Italian, pizza, 613 (rear) Duval St.; (305) 735-4412 ; onlywoodkw.com The owners of Onlywood grew up in a small village in Napoletana, Italy, and learned how to make pizza from a founder of the Italian Associazione Napoletana Pizzaoli. Try the Kesté pizza with San Marzano tomato sauce, topped with homemade mozzarella, prosciutto di Parma, arugula and shaved Parmesan cheese. $$ Origami Japanese Restaurant , 1075 Duval St.; (305) 294-0092; sushibarorigame.com At Origami, you’ll find traditional Japanese cuisine including sushi, teriyaki, tataki and tempura dishes. Dine indoors surrounded by contemporary art or outdoors in the lush courtyard. Sushi lovers should try the Brian salad: an assortment of sashimi, miso dressing and ponzu sauce atop mixed greens. $$ Original Sandy’s Café Cuban, At M &

M Laundry, 1026 White St.; (305) 296-4747; theoriginalsandyscafe.com Open for over three decades, under the same family, Sandy’s is a Key West tradition. Stop in for quality Cuban cuisine, like the “original” Cuban sandwich and great Cuban coffee, including cortadito and con leche. Open daily, also serving breakfast. Takeout available, as is delivery service within Old Town. $$

Overseas Pub & Grill, American, chicken, ribs, burgers, 3574 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 290-4666; overseaspubandgrill.com First opened in 1937, this local watering hole reopened after renovation in 2016. Owners Tim and Kathy O’Connell hail from Buffalo, New York, and serve authentic Buffalo wings, Sahlen’s Buffalo hot dogs and soft-serve ice cream (rare in the Keys). Overseas features a custom beer-chilling system for “the coldest beer in town,” at 32 degrees. $$ Palm Haven Restaurant , Latin American, seafood, tapas, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Grand Key,

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 2931818; doubletreekeywest.com Palm Haven, at DoubleTree Resort, serves island-influenced American cuisine including seafood, steaks and salads. Request a table outside on the Osprey Veranda and try the filet mignon brochettes: grilled beef tenderloin topped with a port wine-mushroom demi-glace. $$$

Panini Schamini, juice bar, sandwiches,

1075 Duval St.; (305) 296-2002; paninikw.com Start your day with a lemon, ginger and cayenne juice shot followed by a soy latte paired with an egg, cheese and bacon panini, reputedly a great hangover cure. Or stop by for lunch and choose from an assortment of grilled sandwiches, fresh wraps and crisp salads assembled to order, a fresh-fruit smoothie or freshpressed juice to go. $

Paradise Pizza, Italian, pizza, sandwiches, 503 Greene St.; (305) 2924100; paradisepizzadelivery.com Grab a large slice of Paradise’s New York-style pizza or some wings, jalapeño poppers or mozzarella sticks to enjoy before you wander through the downtown Duval area. Out late? Paradise Pizza is open daily until 4 a.m. Try the Grandma pizza, made with fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato and garlic oil. $$ Pepe’s Café & Steak House (also

seafood), 806 Caroline St.; (305) 294-7192; pepeskeywest.com Pepe’s

was founded in 1909; locals credit its staying power to the housemade fare such as granola, breads and freshly squeezed juices for the margaritas and screwdrivers. Popular menu options include oysters (raw or baked), a variety of burgers, fresh seafood, pork $$ chops and, of course, steaks.

seafood-focused menu with items such as sliders, creamy corn-and-crab chowder and a variety of sandwiches, burgers and seafood dishes. Try the fried combo feast: fried shrimp, scallops and the fish of the day served with rice, coleslaw and the vegetable du jour. $$

Pinchers Crab Shack , seafood, 712 Duval St.; (305) 440-2179; pincherscrabshack.com As the name implies, Pinchers serves up crab in many ways, from hot crab-andcheese dip to jumbo lump crabcake sandwiches. Other seafood dishes on the menu include the Gulf grouper sandwich: grilled, broiled, fried or blackened grouper on a toasted roll with choice of sides. $$

Roof Top Café, Caribbean, New American, 308 Front St.; (305) 2942042; rooftopcafekeywest.com The Roof Top Café serves “new island cuisine,” combining contemporary tropical flavors with Far East spices and Mediterranean staples. Try the grilled mahi-mahi with mango salsa with citrus beurre blanc served with $$$ garlic mash.

Prime Steakhouse (also seafood),

951 Caroline St.; (305) 296-4000; primekeywest.com Quality, prime aged beef—such as New York strip—is the focus of Prime Steakhouse, but lobster tail, oysters, fresh local catch and pork tenderloin are also on the menu. Start with the she-crab soup followed by the Surf & Turf: a 10-ounce filet mignon and 8-ounce Florida lobster tail served with oven-roasted garlic and a red wine demi-glace. $$$

Red Fish Blue Fish , Caribbean, traditional American, seafood, 407 Front St.; (305) 295-7447; redfishbluefishkw.com Red Fish Blue Fish serves a classic American

Roostica Wood-Fire Pizzeria , 5620 MacDonald Ave., Stock Island; (305) 296-4999; roostica.com Roostica makes authentic Neapolitan pizza, using only soft-grain flour, fresh yeast, water and sea salt for the dough, then cooking it in a traditional woodburning oven. Build your own from one of the inventive topping options, or try one from the menu, such as the Rocket, with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, arugula, prosciutto and shaved Parmesan. $$ The Salty Angler, barbecue, seafood,

1114 Duval St.; (305) 741-7071; The Salty Angler promises a casual atmosphere where fishing stories are as key as the adult milkshakes, like the

Dirty Thin Mint or the SomBeach. Try out Thunder Thighs, smoked for two days in spicy brine and slow-smoked over hickory, or the Local’s Catch, with jalapeño cornbread or toasted brioche bread. $$

Salute! On the Beach , Caribbean, Italian, seafood, 1000 Atlantic Blvd.; (305) 292-1117; saluteonthebeach. com Right on Higgs Beach, Salute! serves Italian cuisine with lighter, Caribbean-influenced takes on classics, with fresh breads, vegetables and local seafood. Request a table overlooking the beach and try the sautéed scallops on fresh greens served with tropical salsa. If you’ve got the kids with you, there’s a public $$ playground right next door. Sandbar Sports Grill , Mexican, New American, 511 Greene St.; (305) 9165530; sandbarkeywest.com Sandbar is a family-friendly place to catch your game on one of its large-screen TVs while enjoying a bite from the large menu. Choices include something for everyone, like the fish taco, grilled or blackened, or the Loaded MacN-Cheese—choose from toppings including onions, peppers, blue cheese crumbles, cilantro, guacamole and $$ more. Santiago’s Bodega , Spanish, tapas, 207 Petronia St.; (305) 296-7691; santiagosbodega.com This tapas-style restaurant, a local favorite, is off the

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EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS beaten path, deep in Bahama Village. Choose from more than 30 inventive tapas-style dishes, soups and salads, and don’t miss the hot rumsoaked bread pudding for dessert. Tables typically fill up quickly, so $$ reservations are recommended.

Sarabeth’s , traditional American, 530 Simonton St.; (305) 293-8181; sarabethskeywest.com Sarabeth’s is a popular brunch spot that focuses on classic upscale American cuisine. Sarabeth’s also serves a complete lunch and dinner menu. One highlight is the open-face tuna salad sandwich: garlic-rubbed grilled sourdough bread topped with chopped tomatoes, marinated in aged balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil and basil. $$$ Schooner Wharf Bar, traditional

American, seafood, 202 William St.; (305) 292-3302; schoonerwharf.com This open-air bar and restaurant is a slice of old, funky Key West that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a unique blend of special events and great live music at the water’s edge. Conch fritters, smoked fish dip and chowders are on the menu, as well as a variety of soups, salads and $$ sandwiches.

Seven Fish Restaurant , seafood, New American, 921 Truman Ave.; (305) 296-2777; 7fish.com This intimate seafood-centric restaurant features “off-beat, yet elegant architecture and tastefully accessorized space.” In addition to fresh fish, the menu includes grilled banana chicken, New York strip steak, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, and sea scallops served over mashed potatoes, pea purée and spinach. Reservations recommended. $$$

Shanna Key Irish Pub & Grill, European, Irish, pub food, 1900 Flagler Ave.; (305) 295-8880; shannakeyirishpub. com Shanna Key focuses on traditional Irish fare including corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. The pub also shows all the major European rugby and soccer matches, in addition to NFL games. Key West has one of largest bocce leagues in the United States, and Shanna Key is a $$ popular post-game spot. SHOR American Seafood Grill , New American, Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa, 601 Front St.; (305) 809-4000; keywest.hyatt.com Sit in the cool indoors or request a table on the patio for great views of Key West harbor. While seafood is definitely the focus of SHOR’s menu, the Wagyu tenderloin from Florida's Jackman cattle ranch is $$$ also a highlight. Sister Noodle House, Vietnamese,

Chinese, 2502 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 900-3057; sisternoodlehouse. com Sister Noodle serves Key West authentic Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. Try the soup—including wonton, chicken noodle and seafood tom yam. $$

Sloppy Joe’s Bar, pizza, sandwiches, traditional American, 201 Duval St.; (305) 294-5717; sloppyjoes.com

Angelina's Pizzeria will fill that afternoon or late-night munchies void. Sloppy Joe’s has been in the heart of Lower Duval Street since 1937, and it still serves ice-cold cocktails and piping-hot bar food to hungry patrons. Daily live entertainment begins at noon. Try the sandwich that started it all, the Sloppy Joe: ground beef in a sweet tomato sauce topped with onions, peppers and spices, $$ served on a roll.

Southernmost Beach Café, New American, 1405 Duval St.; (305) 2956550; southernmostbeachcafe.com This beachside eatery has a fabulous view of the Atlantic as well as great local catch. Get it roasted, blackened, grilled, macadamia-crusted or made in island-coconut curry. It’s paired with seasonal rice and vegetables. $$$ Spencer’s by the Sea , steakhouse, The Reach Resort, 1435 Simonton St.; (305) 296-5000; reachresort.com Spencer’s by the Sea at The Reach Resort serves perfectly prepared prime cuts of steak, along with fresh seafood. Sit on the outdoor terrace to admire the ocean view, and try the hash browns topped with applewood smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, sweet $$$ onions and chive sour cream. Square One Restaurant , New American, 1075 Duval St.; (305) 296-4300; squareonekeywest.com Highlights include small plates for sharing, such as the Shanghai-style fried calamari, shrimp and grits with caramelized corn butter, a braised short-rib plate and thoroughly $$ inebriated mussels. The Stoned Crab, seafood, Ibis Bay

Beach Resort, 3101 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 294-9431; stonedcrab. com The Stoned Crab has fresh seafood, specializing in a seasonal island favorite: stone crab claws. Bayside at Ibis Bay Beach Resort, the restaurant’s two private fishing boats deliver a seasonal catch of stone crab and Florida lobster, and daily haul of

38 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

Key West pink shrimp and a variety of $$$ local fish.

Sun Sun , seafood, Casa Marina Resort, 1500 Reynolds St.; (305) 296-3535; casamarinaresort.com/dining Dine in sea breezes on the open-air deck of the Sun Sun, which serves a taste of the sea along with an extraordinary ocean view. The meals range from traditional island conch chowder to grilled local fresh catch, chipotle lime marinated roasted chicken, grilled New York strip and Florida lobster. $$$

Taco Express Key West Mexican, 101 Cross St., Stock Island; (305) 5091473 This food truck offers a variety of Mexican specialties, including tacos (you probably guessed that!), burritos, quesadillas, tostadas, sandwiches and salads. $ Tavern N Town , New American, steak,

tapas, Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel, 3841 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-8100; tavernntown.com Tavern N Town has steakhouse favorites as well as fresh local seafood, salads, pasta and pizza. Sit directly in front of the tapas theater kitchen to watch the chefs create menu items such as lobster, crab and and lemon crusted $$$ sea scallops.

Thai Island Restaurant (also sushi) 711 Eisenhower Drive; (305) 2969189; thaiislandrestaurant.com Thai Island, at the foot of Palm Avenue Bridge overlooking Garrison Bight, serves authentic Thai cuisine. Start with the tom kha gai or tom kha tofu soup: coconut milk blended with chicken or tofu, mushrooms, lemon grass, scallions and galangal root. In addition to dishes including pad thai and red or green curry, there’s also sushi. $$ Thirsty Mermaid , raw bar, seafood, 521 Fleming St.; (305) 204-4828; thirstymermaidkeywest.com This new local favorite, a raw bar with

fresh seafood, also has landlubber options and wine and beer. The oyster selection varies—the mollusks are flown in fresh from regions including Apalachicola Bay, Florida and Washington state. The decor is beachy and fun: A giant octopus triptych adorns the main wall, hovering over distressed wainscoting with rope accents topped by small individual mangrove plants. $$

Thirsty's Cafe & Mini Mart , 531 Greene St. (305) 916-5197 Casual place with food to go. Locals love Thirsty’s Cuban sandwiches and homemade biscuits with sausage gravy. Or try a Southern barbecue pulled pork sandwich. Cuban and American coffee drinks and beer and wine are also available as well as ice cream and frozen treats. Tong’s Garden , Asian fusion, Chinese,

1458 Kennedy Drive; (305) 2940577; tongsgardenkeywest.com Tong’s Garden is a bountiful, authentic Chinese restaurant with shareable portions and all the entrées you’d expect, such as crab Rangoon, sweetand-sour soup, chicken egg foo young, vegetable chow mein, General Tso’s chicken, moo shu pork and crispy sesame shrimp. You can dine in or take out. $$

Tower of Pizza, Italian, pasta,

appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, 81900 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 6648216 or (305) 664-8246; keysdining. com/towerofpizza Beer and wine also available. Free delivery ($10 minimum order) between MM 74 and MM 88. $$

Turtle Kraals/The Tower Bar, Caribbean, Latin American, seafood, 231 Margaret St.; (305) 294-2640; turtlekraals.com Dine inside in the air-conditioned restaurant or upstairs on the Tower Bar deck, watching the sun set over Key West’s Historic Seaport. Try one of the five wildly popular Key West ceviches prepared in the traditional

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS, ICE CREAM Peruvian style, with citrus juice curing the fish, and chilies, herbs and vegetables enhancing it. $$$

Two Friends Patio Restaurant , traditional American, 512 Front St.; (305) 296-3124; twofriendskeywest. com For more than 45 years, Two Friends has been serving local seafood including shrimp, fish, lobster, oysters, conch and crab, as well as chargrilled steaks and ribs. This lively bar and restaurant also has karaoke some nights. Try the Key West pink shrimp, regular or Buffalo style. $$$ The Waterfront Brewery, seafood,

traditional American, 201 William St.; (305) 440-2270; thewaterfrontbrewery.com Stop in to try the beers of the Florida Keys and stay for the beer-battered fish and chips, slow-roasted baby back ribs or chargrilled ribeye. Make sure to get a table by the water, as the sunset views $$ over the harbor are fantastic.

Willie T’s , burgers, seafood, traditional

American, 525 Duval St.; (305) 2947674; williets.com Dine outdoors at Willie T’s and enjoy a full bar, live entertainment, and pasta, burgers and pizza. Try the grilled thin-crust veggie pizza with portobello mushrooms, grilled red onions, sautéed spinach, Roma-tomato sauce and Fontina $$ cheese.

Wing Masters, pizza, sandwiches, wings, 934 Truman Ave.; (305) 2930750 There’s nothing pretentious about this eatery. The wings are served with your choice of numerous flavors, including Buffalo, honey garlic, wasabi ranch, chipotle and lemon pepper. In addition to the wings, there’s a variety of sandwiches, burgers, pizza, quesadillas and nachos. $$

Lower, Middle Keys 7 Mile Grill , Mediterranean, 1240

U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 743-4481; 7-mile-grill.com In Marathon, the 7 Mile Grill, on the water close to its namesake bridge, has been a historic landmark for travelers since 1954. Bring in your catch and the chefs will cook it to order: fried, grilled or blackened. Enjoy a drink from the full $$ bar while you wait.

Angler and Ale, seafood, Hawks Cay Resort, 61 Hawks Cay Blvd., Duck Key; (888) 395-5539; hawkscay.com/ amenities/dining/angler-and-ale The more casual Angler & Ale will cook your catch (or someone else’s!) in a variety of ways as you wait dockside $$ with a cold draft beer. A Slice of Paradise, pizza, sandwiches, Italian, 24458 U.S. 1, Summerland Key (At Caribbean Dr.); (305) 744-9718 Hot and cold subs and sandwiches, Greek and other salads, pizza with multiple choices of toppings, pasta dinners and much more, including desserts. Delivery available. $$

Bagel Island Café, sandwiches,

breakfast, 205 Key Deer Blvd., Big Pine Key; (305) 872-9912; bagelislandcoffee.com New York style bagels and other breads as well as cannoli made fresh daily. Full breakfast and lunch menus, along with weekday specials, including bagel or croissant sandwiches and salads, all made to order. Dozens of coffee flavors also to choose from, both iced and hot, including real Cuban coffee, plus tea and other beverages, pastries and croissants. $

Bella Luna , Italian, 21611 Old St Road

4-A, Cudjoe Key; (305) 453-6179; bellalunaflkeys.com Enjoy this Italian experience by trying favorites such as the calamari fritti San Felice: The squid are flour-dusted, fried and served with arrabiata sauce. Or sample the lasagna al momento, baked to order with layers of pasta, Bolognese sauce, herbed ricotta and fresh house mozzarella. $$$

Bobalu’s Southern Cafe, pizza, seafood, Southern, 301 U.S. 1, Big Coppitt; (305) 296-1664; bobalusrestaurantandbar.com, Bobalu’s is a staple of the Lower Keys, serving homemade conch fritters, Caribbean pork shanks, grouper Reubens and barbecue pork sandwiches, whole yellowtail Snapper, Key West pink shrimp, Caribbean mango and hurricane hot wings, mac and cheese, collard greens, the Key West classic pizza, Bo’s meatloaf and award-winning shrimp corn-chowder, $$ and, of course, Key lime pie. Boondocks Grille & Draft House & MiniGolf, seafood, traditional American,

27205 U.S. 1, Ramrod Key; (305) 8724094; boondocksus.com Stop in at this large tiki hut for 18 holes of mini-golf while sampling from the full bar and fresh-catch baskets. With a large selection of lunch sandwiches and dinner entrées, the eatery has freshcatch seafood, artisan-crafted pizzas, crisp quality salads, huge burgers and $$ more.

Butterfly Café, Caribbean, seafood,

Tranquility Bay Resort, 2600 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 289-7177; tranquilitybay.com Dine outdoors on Butterfly Café’s covered patio, or inside in the impressive dining room with its soaring ceiling and casual, yet sophisticated décor. The dinner menu has seafood-centric items such as conch chowder, lump crab cakes and panko-crusted Florida grouper. $$$

Fish , seafood, 3100 U.S. 1,

Saddlebunch Keys; (305) 735-4201; dineatfish.com At Fish you get seafood straight from the boat, served in a casual atmosphere. Enjoy the freshest seafood, outstanding service $$ and ambience.

Fish Tales Market & Eatery, seafood, 11711 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 7439196; Fish Tales is a family-owned and operated full-service restaurant, seafood and meat market. All the seafood in the market and restaurant is harvested right here in the Florida Keys. From fresh fish, stone crab

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EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS (LOWER,MIDDLE KEYS) claws, lobster and shrimp to hand-cut aged steaks, they cook your catch or sell you theirs. $$

Galley Grill, 24862 U. S. 1, Summerland Key; (305) 745-3440 The Galley Grill has a welcoming, casual atmosphere, and its crab cake Benedict is not to be missed: It’s made with blue crab and served with two poached eggs and hollandaise $$ sauce. Geiger Key Marina Smokehouse Restaurant , burgers, sandwiches,

seafood, 5 Geiger Road, Geiger Key; (305) 296-3553; geigerkeymarina. com The Sunday special at Geiger Smokehouse is the barbecue dinner, starting at 4 p.m. The bar and deck are the perfect spot to watch the sunset, right next to the mangroves. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily. The Smokehouse also has great-tasting burgers and fish $$ tacos.

Island Fish Co. , Italian, Mexican, raw

bar, seafood, 12648 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 743-4191; islandfishco.com Sit at the longest tiki bar with a stellar sunset view in the Florida Keys. Sip one of the bar’s frozen favorites, a mixed drink or a cold draft beer while pondering the extensive menu. Sunday, there’s a Mexican lunch $$ menu.

Island Time Diner, 5187 U.S. 1,

Marathon; (305) 204-4825; Serving deli sandwiches, pressed Cubans, gyros and quiches, or choose from the 1.5 pound “Triple Burger” (with three patties), the barbecue bacon burger or other styles from their menu, all made with hand-pressed patties. The fries are hand-cut as well, and available in nacho or other cheese-smothered varieties. They’ll also prepare sack lunches to go. Don’t forget to try their ice cream or browse the bakery case. Gluten-free items available. $$

Juice Paradise Cuban Café, Latin

American, 2603 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 735-4051; cubanfoodmarathon. com Authentic Cuban food as well as sandwiches and tropical juices make Juice Paradise a great place for breakfast and lunch. The tortillas are freshly cooked with crunchy vegetables and savory cheese. The toasted Cuban bread and butter go well with one of the best cups of café con leche in the Keys. $$

Keys Fisheries Market & Marina ,

seafood, 3502 Gulfview Ave., Marathon; (866) 743-4353; keysfisheries.com For many Key Westers, a trip to the mainland is also a reason to stop at this seafood restaurant, where customers order at the window and eat on the deck. Enjoy watching the commercial fishing fleet while you dine. The lobster Reuben is justifiably famous; the smoked fish dip is also without parallel. $$

Little Palm’s Dining Room , French, seafood, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, 28500 U.S. 1, Little Torch Key; (305) 872-2551; littlepalmisland.

com—check for reopening date. The resort’s eclectic, seasonally fresh menu has a vibrant blend of French and pan Latin flavors. Try the yellowtail snapper ceviche, with passion fruit and coconut gelée, or the roasted pork tenderloin with corn, blackbean, sweet-plantain and bacon hash, $$$$ served with a mango mojo.

known for its good food and friendly service. There’s live music every night, happy-hour food and drink specials, as well as daily dinner specials. Locals head to Porky’s for the smokehouse barbecue and the beef brisket, pulled pork and smokehouse BBQ pulled $$ chicken.

Looe Key Tiki Bar, burgers, seafood,

American, seafood, 22658 U.S. 1, Cudjoe Key; (305) 745-8880; squaregrouperbarandgrill.com This environmentally friendly restaurant serves innovatively prepared fresh local seafood, a Winter 2016 large selection of earth and ocean small plates as well as entrées such as seared sea scallops with bacon mushroom vinaigrette, chicken-fried chicken livers, flashfried conch and burrata caprese. Square Grouper also has seasonal, homemade desserts, a boutique wine list and craft beers. Head upstairs to SqGr2, My New Joint, also listed here. $$$

traditional American, 27340 U.S. 1, Ramrod Key; (877) 816-3483; looekeytikibar.com Locals and serious dive tourists frequent this open-air tiki bar where talented bartenders often perform fiery tricks. The smoked fish dip is sure to please, with tomatoes, onions, black olives, jalapeños and Cuban crackers. There’s also live music and a groovy dance $$ floor.

Mangrove Mama’s , Caribbean, Creole,

traditional American, seafood, 19991 U.S. 1, Sugarloaf Key; (305) 745-3030; mangrovemamas20. com Mangrove Mama’s has been a landmark restaurant and bar on Sugarloaf Key for more than 30 years. It serves fresh local seafood, succulent steaks, specialty drinks and delectable desserts. Stop in for breakfast (brunch on Sunday), lunch or dinner. $$$

My New Joint , American, seafood,

22658 U.S. 1, Cudjoe Key; (305) 7458880; mynewjoint420lounge.com Head upstairs at The Square Grouper to the new lounge, My New Joint, for fresh shucked Winter 2016 oysters from the East and West coasts as well as a variety of grilled oysters, a full liquor bar with a specialty cocktail menu, 16 draft beers, and 150 canned and bottled beers. Its innovative tapas menu includes burgers, steak and fish dinners, salads, vegetarian options, cheese and chocolate fondue and lots $$ of yummy desserts.

No Name Pub, pizza, pub food, seafood, 30813 Watson Blvd., Big Pine Key; (305) 872-9115; nonamepub.com This spot is worth tracking down when visiting Big Pine Key. Funky island décor make for a fun atmosphere, and the pizza is renowned Keyswide. Add the draw of its chili, smoked fish dip and sandwiches—served on paper plates in an authentic, old rustic bar plastered with autographed dollar bills—and you’ll agree that this Big Pine Key haunt is worth the drive. $$ Plaza Grill , Italian, seafood, steak,

5101 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 7437874; plazagrillflkeys.com The menu at Plaza Grill showcases steakhouse favorites and creative daily preparations of local seafood, such as the catch of the day and Florida Keys lobster, as well as grilled steaks and fresh seasonal salads. Try the Classic House Seafood Paella. $$$

Porky’s Bayside Restaurant and

Marina , barbecue, seafood, 1410 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 289-2065; porkysbaysidebbq.com Porky’s is

40 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

The Square Grouper Bar & Grill , New

Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, 7 Knights Key

Blvd., Marathon; (305) 396-7235; sunsetgrille7milebridge.com Sunset Grille & Raw Bar looks like a thatched tiki huta and has an oceanfront deck with one of the largest pools in the Keys. Customers love the local seafood, steaks, chicken, burgers, raw bar, sushi and salads. The Hogfish Martinique is a favorite, baked with a fresh topping of tomatoes, capers, olive oil, lemon, shallots, garlic and $$ fresh basil.

Upper Keys Bitton Bistro Café, 82245 U.S. 1,

Islamorada; (305) 396-7481 Bitton, the area’s only French café, serves breakfast and lunch that includes crêpes with various flavors, pastries, soups, salads and housemade gelato. Free Wi-Fi. $$

Bob’s Bunz, 81620 U.S. 1, Islamorada;

(305) 664-8363; bobsbunz.com Serving breakfast, lunch and baked goods, pastry chef Robert Spencer also bakes special occasion and wedding cakes on-site. $$

Breezer’s Tiki Bar, traditional American,

Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort, 03800 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 4530000; marriott.com The bay, beach and incredible sunsets make for the ultimate open-air experience. The tiki bar is on the north end of the Marriott Bay Beach Resort, just over the pedestrian suspension bridge from Gus’ $$ Grille.

The Buzzard’s Roost Grill & Pub, seafood, chicken, steak, Garden Cove Marina, 21 Garden Cove Dr., Key Largo; (305) 453-3746; buzzardsroostkeylargo. com Named for Key Largo’s high ground, called wachula, which mean’s “buzzard’s roost” in the Seminole tongue. The housemade smoked fish dip (cold-smoked mahi blended with cream cheese and spices) is a local favorite. Famous for local seafood

(or your own catch) prepared to your choice: grilled, blackened, Jamaican jerked, broiled, fried or sautéed with lemon butter and white wine. Or try a certified Black Angus steak, or chicken prepared as you like it. Scrumptious desserts include housemade Key lime pie and Grand Marnier crème brûlée. $$$

Café Moka, 91865 U.S. 1, Tavernier;

(305) 453-6271; cafemoka.info Café Moka’s French owners have combined the casual Keys lifestyle with the French cafe tradition. They also serve a special coffee blend their family has roasted in France for four generations. There’s also breakfast, lunch, dinner, a wine bar, gift shop and special events including dinner and live jazz performances. Oh, and there’s Wi-Fi! $$

Chef Michael’s, the New American, 81671 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 6640640; foodtotalkabout.com New York City- and Caribbean-trained owner/ chef Michael Ledwith specializes in hogfish, but also serves up yellowtail, cobia, lionfish and other locally sourced seafood, to rave reviews. Try the tempura Maine lobster tail with buttery ginger and garlic dipping sauce. And don’t overlook Michael’s gourmet meat dishes, including lamb, New York strip steak and chicken. $$$$ Craig’s Restaurant, American, seafood, 90154 U.S. 1, Tavernier; (305) 8529424; craigsrestaurant.com Craig’s Restaurant has been dishing up breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1981. Try the “world famous” fried super fish sandwich. Other favorites include shrimp scampi, fried chicken, seafood omelets and stuffed mushrooms with crabmeat and shrimp. And don’t forget the Key lime pie. $$ The Fish House Restaurant, 102401 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 451-4665 The Fish House Encore, 102341 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 451-0650; fishhouse.com The Fish House specializes in fresh local seafood, including yellowtail snapper, mahi-mahi, grouper, Florida lobster and stone crab claws served in a casual atmosphere. The smoked fish is made right on the premises. Come for dinner and watch the sunset. Start with one of the homemade chowders. Encore is an extension of The Fish House Restaurant, serving the same fresh seafood but adding a selection of premium meats and specials, with a sushi menu and live music. Try one of the signature infusion martinis, and save room for rich desserts. $$$ Green Turtle Inn, seafood, steak 81219 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-2006; greenturtleinn.com An Islamorada institution for more than 70 years, Sid and Roxie’s Green Turtle Inn serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Signature dinners include Fresh Catch à la Roxie (daily fresh local fish, seared and topped with jumbo lump crab, tomato and sweet onion beurre blanc) and Fresh Catch à la Sid (daily fresh local fish, seared and covered in a Maine lobster, orange and vanilla butter sauce). Or try a Black Angus steak, or Bacon Wrapped Love (chef ’s own mushroom-stuffed meatloaf

EAT&DRINK RESTAURANTS, UPPER KEYS wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon with tangy tomato glaze). Closed Mondays. $$$

fish when you're in the Keys?

Gus’ Grille, pizza Floribbean, Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort, 103800 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 453000; marriott.com Gus' Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with Florida and Caribbean influences, as well as pizza. For dinner, try the panseared yellowtail snapper or Chicken of the Keys—cocout-breaded chicken breast with mango, hearts of palm and coconut jasmine rice. Extensive wine list. $$$

pub food, sandwiches, 84500 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-8052; theoceanview.com The OceanView Pub has been a favorite of local residents, fishermen and charter boat captains for many years; it holds the very first liquor $ license issued in the Florida Keys.

Pierre’s Lounge & Restaurant at Morada Bay, French fusion, 81600

U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-3225; moradabay.com/pierres Pierre’s cuisine is based in the classic French technique with Asian, Caribbean and world influences. Request a table on the patio for incredible sunset and Atlantic $$$ Ocean views.

Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill, pub food, seafood, 85361 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-9669; hogheavensportsbar.com Hog Heaven is a relaxed sports bar with 17 flat-screen TVs, some of the freshest seafood in town. Try one of the staff favorites, like the Surf and Turf Burger with ginger lime slaw, fried shrimp tossed in mild sauce and melted provolone on a $$ freshly baked ciabatta bun.

Snapper’s Waterfront Restaurant,

Island Grill, seafood, 85501 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-8400

Island Grill at Mandalay, 80 E. Second

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY BILL SEMICH

St., Key Largo; (305) 852-0595; keysislandgrill.com Ask for a table out on the dock area of the Islamorada Island Grill, at the south end of Snake Creek Bridge. Three bars and indoor/ outdoor dining allow for great views of the Atlantic. Try the original tuna nachos, shrimp Thai rolls or the spicy tuna roll. Expect the same at the Mandalay location, with ocean views $$ and live music nightly.

Kaiyo Grill & Sushi, Japanese/American, 81701 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 6645556; This elegant eatery features an unusual fusion of Asian cuisine and Southern wood-fire grilling preparation. Signature dishes include Drunken Scallops, Crispy Peking Duck and Mongolian Beef. And of course there’s a wide variety of sushi! Or try the Florida lobster tail, grilled or tempura fried. Delicious desserts include Key lime pie (of course) and white chocolate macadamia pie. $$$

$$$

The OceanView Inn & Sports Pub, burgers,

Trip Advisor still ranks Square Grouper restaurant Number 1 in the Keys.

American, Asian, Caribbean, Mexican, 139 Seaside Ave., Key Largo; (305) 852-5956; snapperskeylargo.com Enjoy Snapper’s contemporary cuisine al fresco on the deck overlooking the marina. There’s live music nightly and lots of fresh seafood on the menu. Don’t miss Uncle Wesley’s smoked fish spread, served with sesame flatbread, $$$ crackers and pepperoncini.

Sixty-One Prime, steak, seafood, Hawks Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen, seafood, traditional

American, 99336 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 451-3722 Mrs. Mac’s II, 99020 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 451-6227; mrsmacskitchen. com Mrs. Mac’s has been serving up comfort food in the Keys since 1976. Antique license plates bedeck the walls and even the hanging lamps, contributing to the eclectic tropical decor. The hearty housemade soups, salads and seafood dishes keep the locals coming back, but it’s the Key lime pie they really rave about. $$

Morada Bay Beach Café & Bar, Caribbean, seafood, 81600 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-0604; moradabay.com/

the-beach-cafe Enjoy the sunset while dining at this chic-yet-casual restaurant on a beautiful sandy beach. For a relaxing, kicking-back meal in an easy setting, you found you place. Often, you'll be treated to live music, also. You'll be right next door to the well known World Wide Sportsman/Bass Pro Shops plaza—in fact, you can walk from the store to the restaurant, or settle in after you've checked out the boats along the pier or had a beverage at the Zane Grey Lounge upstairs in World Wide. $$$

Num-Thai & Sushi Bar Restaurant, 103200 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 451-5955; This place has fresh, authentic seafood and daily specials. Try one of the three bento boxes or a sushi special. How can you resist

Cay Resort, 61 Hawks Cay Blvd., Duck Key; (888) 395-5539; hawkscay.com/ amenities/dining/sixty-one-prime Named for the mailing address (61 Hawks Cay Boulevard) of the famous and recently reopened—after massive destruction from Hurricane Irma— Hawks Cay Resort, Sixty-One Prime is a new fine-dining eatery. Sixty-One Prime features USDA Prime steaks and gourmet seafood dishes served in an elegant atmosphere. Specialties include lionfish (an invasive species, and delicious eating) served with melted leeks, carrot puree and citrus, and the 1855 Filet of Angus Beef Tenderloin. Or try the PotatoWrapped Cobia Fillets. Reservations recommended. $$$

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

SHOPS

Key West BEAUTY Key West Aloe, 416 Greene St.; (305)

735-4927 and 1075 Duval St. #9; (305) 517-6365; keywestaloe.com Founded on the island in 1971, Key West Aloe was the first company to bring the vast medical benefits of aloe vera to market with a large and luxurious product line.

Purely Paradise Natural Bath Products, 1108-A Duval St.; (305) 509-7125; purelyparadisesoaps.com Purely Paradise Natural Bath products are all-natural and handmade right here in Key West. The company uses quality oils with vitamin E added as a natural preservative. Radiant Cargo Perfumery & Spa, 605-B

Simonton St.; (305) 296-0330; radiantcargo-spa.com Radiant Cargo’s products are inspired by Parisian skin care techniques that not only protect the skin, but also alleviate the damage caused by UVB and UVA exposure. Besides selling its handcrafted beauty products, Radiant Cargo also uses them in their own spa, which includes a hair salon and aesthetician for skin care services.

Ocean Wellness Spa & Salon, 829

Life’s a Beach

Get primed for Key West’s beaches with the best in women's beach fashions from Key West Swimwear.

ffering about 20 swimwear brands and more than 1,000 swimsuits at prices about the same as you might find online—meaning affordable—Gy and Stanya Luginbill want to help beach-goers look their best with swimwear selections available at their shop, Key West Swimwear at 511 Greene Street. Gy says his wife Stanya sold swimwear for 15 years at a shop on Duval Street, attending the Miami Swim Show for about 10 years and choosing the best swimwear directly from vendors. “We’ve both lived in Key West for about 15 years, and Stanya wanted to have a quality-oriented store and cut out all the middlemen and people in between and have prices that are the same as on the Internet,” Gy says. He spent years working in construction helping to remodel shops on Duval Street, so the time was right for the Luginbills to embark on their own joint venture in retail. The shop emphasizes comfort and has three dressing rooms (one that’s wheelchair accessible) so customers can shop at their leisure. The shop sticks with manufacturers’ suggested prices and don’t mark up just because they’re in paradise. “And the quality of the merchandise is the best,” Gy says. “We try to provide a comfort to women when they come in, with no pressure and no hassle.”—Joe Healy Key West Swimwear, 511 Greene Street, open seven days, key westswimwear.com or (305) 204-4866; shipping is often free.

42 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

Simonton St., (305) 320-0500, www. oceanspakeywest.com; Signature spa packages are designed to restore and rejuvenate your body, including massage, facial, pedicure and manicure, and more.

BIKES The Bike Shop, 1110 Truman Ave.;

(305) 294-1073; thebikeshopkeywest .com Operating in Key West since 1981, The Bike Shop is your neighborhood carrier of Trek, Sun, Giant and Phat Cycles as well as a full line of components and accessories. You can also visit them for bike maintenance.

Eaton Bikes , 830 Eaton St. and 326 Southard St.; (305) 294-8188; eatonbikes.com Eaton Bikes sells and repairs bikes. You can find accessories here, too, such as horns, drink holders and baskets. Island Bicycles, 929 Truman Ave.;

(305) 292-9707; www.islandbicycle. com Island Bicycles is a full service bike shop that’s been around since 1996. The staff of experts can help you choose the bicycle right for you or fix the one you already have.

We Cycle, 326 Southard St., Key West,

and 5160 U. S. 1, Stock Island; (305) 292-3336; wecyclekw.com This bike shop on Stock Island is well worth the short trip over Cow Key Bridge to see its wide selection of Keys cruisers, electric bike kits and fat tire bikes. They boast the widest selection and friendliest staff in the Keys. Can’t get to Stock Island? Check out the second location at 326 Southard St. Or give them a call and they’ll come to you.

BOOKS Books & Books, The Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton St.; (305) 320-

0208; booksandbookskw.com This is Key West’s new, local, independent bookstore—a spacious community center for readers and writers. They

have all the newest books, with a strong representation of recent literary fiction and nonfiction.

Key West Island Bookstore, 513½

Fleming St.; (305) 294-2904; kwislandbooks.com Island Books has the largest collection of Key Westrelated and Keys-centric books in the nation. The store carries new, old and rare editions, as well as best-sellers. The “local interest” section is an excellent primer on Key West’s rich literary history.

CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES Amri, 1204 Simonton St.; (305)

292- 4000; amrikeywest.com Amri is a hidden gem of a salon, spa and boutique filled with chic, islandfriendly dresses, locally designed T-shirts and accessories, as well as organic salon product lines.

Everything But Water (Aqua Beachwear), 714 Duval St.; (305) 292-9300;

everythingbutwater.com Of-themoment designer swimwear, resort wear and accessories for your headto-sandy-toe getaway wardrobe. A luxurious year-round shopping experience with style and fit-savvy sales associates to help find your perfect fit. A wide-ranging assortment of bikinis, one pieces, D+ cup sizes, sundresses, cover ups, hats, jewelry, and sandals.

Grace on Frances, 600 Frances St.;

(305) 294-0864; graceonfrances.com At Grace, a new gallery by Archeo, you can find Himalayan cashmere scarves, hand-thrown ceramics from Japan, gold and gemstone jewelry and ethnic textiles and artifacts.

Graffitti, 721 Duval St.; (305) 295-

0003; squareup.com/store/graffitti Since 1987, Graffitti has been the hot shop for men’s clothing in Key West. Sporty swimsuits, stainless steel wallets, pride jewelry, and bow ties handcrafted from wood are just a few of the fabulous items for sale in this local favorite boutique.

Hands On Gallery, 1206 Duval St.;

(305) 296-7399; handsongallery.com Hands On is both a gallery and shop that sells unique handmade art-towear clothing, original accessories, handcrafted jewelry and an everchanging array of fine American and international crafts.

Key West Handbags & More, 531

Southard St.; (305) 320-0543; keywesthandbags.com Owner Carla Lewis will help you find the perfect handbag, cosmetic bag, one-of-a-kind clutch, wallet or jewelry piece to go with your favorite outfit.

Key West Madhatter, 253 Front St.;

(305) 294-1364; keywestmadhatter. com This unique shop carries more than 2,000 hats for men, women and children to choose from for any occasion.

Local Color, 276 Margaret St.; (305)

292-3635; localcolorkeywest.com Local Color features Key West Beads, hook bracelets, custom clasps, charms and rings, as well as handcrafted Caribbean and other exotic jewelry.

Mix Mercantile, 618-B Duval St.; (305)

SHOPS 916-5261; This chic boutique on Duval Street sells women’s clothing and accessories, including brightly striped beach bags and totes, comfortable earth-toned tunics, and big, colorful sun hats—everything you need to live comfortably and look stylish.

Timmy Tuxedos, 812 Fleming St.; (305)

294-8897 ; timmytuxedos.com Timmy Tuxedos has tuxedos as well as all the accessories a man needs for any formal event, including hand-painted formal shirts, ties and cummerbunds.

Tucker’s Provisions, 611 Duval St.;

(305) 304-5004; tuckersprovisions. com Tucker’s Provisions carries fun, chic, Hemingway-inspired vintage clothing and accessories for men and women as well as everything you need for a great day at the beach. It’s a Key West storefront version of the old J. Peterman Catalogue.

Vignette, 526 Southard St.; (305) 916-

5722; vignettekeywest.com This chic women's boutique has been described as more an experience than a store. “Everyone has a story they want to tell with their clothes — everyday people create vignettes about themselves.” says Tania Cole, co-owner of Vignette

GIFTS, GOODS Bésame Mucho, 315 Petronia St.; (305)

294-1928; besamemucho.net This Key West favorite sells Kiehl’s products, assorted candles, leather goods,

bedding, handmade jewelry and other lovely boutique items.

Earthbound Trading Co., 400 Duval St.;

(844) 211-4437; earthboundtrading. com This eclectic shop is a throwback to the Key West of the ‘seventies. Earthbound stocks home décor including beaded bamboo curtains, Buddha statues, paper lanterns, retro fashion and accessories such as sunglasses, jewelry and mood rings.

Funky Chicken Store, 814 Duval St.;

(305) 295-9442; funkychickenstore. com Yes, we love our chickens, and this store is one way you too can pay homage to Key West’s ubiquitous feathered friends. It sells a chickenthemed assortment of fine art from local artists, crafts, home goods, T-shirts, caps and posters.

Grace on Frances, 600 Frances St.;

(305) 294-0864; graceonfrances. com At Grace, a new gallery of exotic imported goods by Archeo, you can find Himalayan cashmere scarves, hand-thrown ceramics from Japan, gold and gemstone jewelry and ethnic textiles and artifacts.

The Grateful Guitar, 1075 Duval St.;

(305) 453-6413; thegratefulguitar. com Whether you are a beginner guitar player just starting out, or an experienced solo performing artist, the Grateful Guitar can help you find the guitar that is right for you.

Green Pineapple, 1130 Duval St.; (305)

509-7378; greenpineapplewellness. com This eco-boutique sells unique vintage, recycled and handmade gifts and goods. While there, you can take a class at the Key West Yoga Sanctuary, have a coffee, snack and get some life coaching, all under the same roof, then check out Anahara Spa next door.

The Peace Store, 419 Duval St. (305)

922-2540; thepeacestore.net The Peace Store has peace-themed items to decorate you and your home or give as gifts. The intent is that whatever you pick up here will spread a little peace wherever you go.

Petronia Island Store, 801

Whitehead St.; (305) 440-3710; petroniaislandstore.com This lovely little boutique sells many unique handmade items including locally made, recycled sari silk necklaces, screen-printed pillows, handwoven African baskets, books, cards and jewelry.

Sand and Sea Coffee and Gift Shop, The

Reach Resort, 1435 Simonton St.; (305) 296-5000; reachresort.com This resort shop sells specialty coffees, frozen frappes, locally made gelato from Flamingo Crossing, sandwiches and fresh salads to go, fruits, pastries and bagels as well as beer, wine and other beverages. Also find sand, sun and surf supplies, essentials and souvenirs here.

HOME FURNISHINGS

Fast Bucks At Home, 726 Caroline St.;

(305) 294-1304; fastbucksathome. com The store is the last remaining iteration of longtime local favorite Duval Street emporium Fast Buck Freddie’s (now defunct). They have a collection of tropical and contemporary home furnishings as well as select imports from around the world, home accessories, bedding, flatware and gifts.

Fred’s Beds, 201 U.S. 1, Big Coppitt

Key; (305) 295-8430; fredsbeds.com For more than 30 years, Fred’s Beds has sold beds and home furnishings to Keys residents. Check out their two showrooms to find what you need.

Island Love Story, 804 Caroline St.; (305) 293-8555; islandlovestory.com Island Love Story, formerly Accents, sells furniture, lamps, mirrors, tabletop accessories and garden items that are perfect for island-inspired living. Kolhage Appliance, 1700 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Ste 2; (305) 294-0090; kolhages. com As the Keys premier home appliance source, this family-owned business specializes in all of all of your needs from refrigerators and dishwashers to air conditioning. Need an appliance fixed? Kolhage also offers top notch repairs and outstanding customer service. Royal Furniture and Design, 3326 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 295-6400; keysfurniture.com For more than 20

PROTECTING THE CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM WITH EVERY PAIR SOLD

pool man REEF RELIEF® is a local Key West non-profit organization working to protect coral reef ecosystems through a wide range of programs and initiatives.

AVAILABLE AT

610 DUVAL ST. #5, KEY WEST, FL 33040

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

SHOPS years, Royal Furniture has run its onestop furniture and decorating centers. The business, which has branches in Marathon and Key Largo, also does custom interior design.

Southernmost Kitchen & Bath, 3229 Flagler Ave., Suite 106; (305) 4814444; southernmostkitchenbath.com Southernmost Kitchen & Bath sells unique plumbing fixtures, lighting and hardware, with styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. INTIMATE ITEMS Fairvilla Megastore, 524 Front St.; (305) 292-0448; fairvilla.com Fairvilla Megastore sells intimate apparel, sensual accessories, erotic novelties, adult DVDs and costumes for Fantasy Fest and other occasions—or just for fun. You must be at least 18 to enter.

Leather Master, 418 Appelrouth Lane;

(305) 292-5051; leathermaster.com This toy shop for the adventurous offers handcrafted leather pieces, artisan masks and unique costumes— and has for more than 35 years. They specialize in one-off leather masks during the Fall Fantasy Fest season; design your own.

Mix Mercantile has an eclectic selection of surprising and interesting wares and wearables.

JEWELRY Artisans Key West, 406 Duval St.;

with Local Color Jewelry, both listed separately here.

(305) 600-0937; artsihome.com This chic boutique carries jewelry items by Sienna Sky, fashion watches, brightly painted leather handbags, wallets, and shoes by Anuschka— which blend art and functionality—plus home décor by Crestview.

Commotion, 800 Caroline St.; (305) 292-

3364; localcolorkeywest.com/commotion Commotion carries unique jewelry, including the Key West Hook bracelets, Happy Hour rings and Atocha treasure coins as well as a selection of casual, elegant women’s clothing. The company is under the Local Color umbrella, along

Diamonds International, 129

Duval St.; (305) 293-1111; diamondsinternational.com With outstanding customer service and comfortable shopping atmosphere, Diamonds International offers a lifetime upgrade guarantee on diamond jewelry and South Florida’s largest selection of Tanzanite.

Emeralds International Inc., 104 Duval St.; (305) 294-2060; emeraldsinternational.com This family owned fine jewelers is an internationally recognized boutique

specializing in the finest quality rough and cut emeralds and rare conch pearls loose or set in exquisite designs. With strikingly beautiful works by Marcial de Gomar.

Gilded Peach Inspired Studio, 1114B Truman Ave.; (410) 456-2135; gildedpeach.com Locals head to the Gilded Peach for unique, custom, handcrafted jewelry made by owner Abigail Houff. She uses semiprecious stones sourced worldwide. Jeff’s Gems and Nautical Designs, 906-F

Kennedy Drive; (305) 296-4367; jeffsgems.com Famous for creating the rings for the royalty of the annual Fantasy Fest, this longtime local favorite can tackle all jewelry and watch repairs as well as create custom jewelry. Check out their showroom featuring engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and other unique jewelry.

Key West Local Luxe, 515 Fleming St.;

(305) 304-9001; keywestlocalluxe.com Key West Local Luxe owner, artist and designer Barb Grob and the artists she finds on her travels around the world created the handmade, one-of-a-kind and rare jewelry she sells here. The shop also sells gifts, garments, lingerie, eyewear and accessories.

Little Switzerland, 271 Front St.; (305) 293-8600; littleswitzerland.com This duty-free retailer of gemstones also has the island’s largest supply of Swiss timepieces and sells some of the most desired collections of designer jewelry and watches. Local Color Jewelry, 425 Greene St.; (305) 296-0151; localcolorkeywest. com Local Color Jewelry sells a large selection of jewelry, including Key West-inspired rings and bracelets and original and specialty jewelry with rare and unusual stones. Mel Fisher’s Treasures, 200 Greene With 20 years footwear industry experience, John Brandolino, of Sole Man.

44 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

St.; (305) 296-9936 and 613½ Duval St.; (305) 295-9555; melfisher.com

The Mel Fisher shops sell the coins, emeralds, chains, and artifacts that Mel brought back after finding the Spanish galleons the Atocha and the Santa Margarita. Get your share of the booty here.

Neptune Designs, 301 Duval St.; (305) 294-8131; neptunedesignskeywest.com Neptune Designs has an array of fine jewelry handcrafted by master jewelers in silver, gold or platinum. The shop also specializes in jewelry repair. KITCHEN STUFF Isle Cook Key West, 218 Whitehead

St., Unit 6; (305) 741-7443; islecookkeywest.com Isle Cook sells indoor and outdoor tableware, cookware and kitchenware, fine wines and craft beers. Not to be missed: cooking lessons for chefs of all levels.

Peppers of Key West, 602 Greene St.;

(305) 295-9333; peppersofkeywest. com Peppers sells hundreds of fiery food products with names such as Dave’s Insanity, Blair’s After Death and Walking Dead Tabanero Hot Sauce.

The Restaurant Store, 1111 Eaton St.;

(305) 294-7994; keywestchef.com For more than 30 years, The Restaurant Store has provided top quality restaurant and cooking supplies to pro and amateur cooks and chefs.

OUTFITTERS The Angling Company, 333 Simonton St.;

(305) 292-6306; anglingcompany.com This full-service fly-fishing and outfitters shop has a selection of rods, reels, fly lines, custom flies and clothing. Sign up for fly-casting lessons, too, or garner guide for both fly and rod and reel fishing.

COAST, 6404 Front St., Stock Island;

coastprojects.com Coast sells handmade boards and boats, well-built bikes and hand-printed shirts. Coast is also home to an outdoor concert space, , where they host events including a

SHOPS monthly concert series and “Friday Flicks.”

Saltwater Angler, 243 Front St.; (305)

296-0700; saltwaterangler.com The Saltwater Angler, a complete fly-fishing equipment resource, also carries a selection of travel and fishing apparel for men and women, including clothing, footwear, sunglasses, rods and reels.

PET CARE All Animal Clinic, 5450 MacDonald Ave.,

Suite 13, Stock Island; (305) 294-5255; allanimalclinickeywest.com All Animal Clinic is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. They have an in-house laboratory and on-call hours, in addition to a full range of medical services.

American Dog Outfitters & Kitties Too, 1454 Kennedy Drive; (305)

294-BARK; americandogkw.com American Dog Outfitters sells the most nutritional, healthy pet food. They also have toys and treats to spoil your dog or cat!

Dog30, 1025 White St.; (305) 2964848; What time is it? Why, it’s Dog30, of course. This fun and funky pet supply store carries fine dog and cat food as well as a large selection of collars, beds, toys and treats. Doggie Style Pet Grooming Salon, 1411

First St.; (305) 294-3800; This pet salon does full-service grooming and

has a fitness center to keep Fido fit! This family owned business comprises years of experience with animals ranging from guinea pigs to elephants.

Island Beach Dogs Mobile Grooming,

2000 Fogarty St.; (305) 294-3261; Let the spa come to you with Island Dogs Mobile Grooming. This one-stop-shop for pet baths requires no effort on your part!

Key West Vets and Pets, 1118A White St.; (305) 294-0099; keywestvetsandpets.com For checkups, vaccinations, nail trims and emergencies, visit Dr. Thomas Householder and his crew. They have more than 30 years of emergency vet experience. Lower Keys Animal Clinic, 1456

Kennedy Drive; (305) 294-6335; lowerkeysanimalclinic.com This fullservice veterinarian office handles a wide array of pet needs, including flea, tick and parasite prevention.

SHOES Kai-Kai Sandals, 910 Duval St.; (305)

assembled and glued in-store.

Sandal Factory Outlet, 5180 U.S. 1; (305) 292-9700 ; sandalfactory.com For more than 20 years, the Sandal Factory Outlet has been selling a wide range of sandals, including brands such as Teva, Merrell, Reef, Mephisto and Birkenstock. They have branches throughout the Keys. The Sole Man, 610 Duval St. #5; (305)

292-2505; soleman.com “Comfort comes in many forms” is the motto of this casual footwear emporium, which sells brands such as Vibram, Ugg Australia, FitFlop, Chaco, OluKai and Keen.

SPIRITS Conch Town Liquor & Lounge, 3340 N.

Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-4343; conchtownliquorkeywest.com Conch Town Liquors not only carries a wide variety of domestic, imported and craft beer brands and lots of wines and liquors, and will order anything special that you can’t find in stock.

294-1047; kaikaisandal.com These unique flip-flops have the famous natural-rubber sole that molds itself to your feet for comfort.

Dons’ Place, 1000 Truman Ave.; (305) 296-8837; donsplacekeywest.com Dons’ Place is not just a favorite Key West watering hole; it’s also a package store with a drive-thru window.

Kino Sandal Factory, 107 Fitzpatrick

Green Parrot Package Goods & Spirits,

St.; (305) 294-5044; kinosandals.com All the sandals sold at Kino Sandals are handmade, using natural leather uppers and natural rubber soles, and

601 Whitehead St.; (305) 294-6133; greenparrot.com; It doesn’t get much more conveniently located than next door to the Green Parrot Bar. Here

you can find daily specials on a wide selection of liquor, wine and beer.

Key West Distilling, 524 Southard St.;

(305) 295-3400; kwdistilling.com This craft distillery brews spirits such as Rumbunctious rum and Spyglass vodka, distilled from cane sugar.

Key West First Legal Rum Distillery,

105 Simonton St.; (305) 294-1441; keywestlegalrum.com This distillery’s original white rums are made with Florida sugar cane, some infused with coconut, Key lime, vanilla and crème brulée. Tours are available.

Key West Winery, 103 Simonton St.; (305) 916-5343; thekeywestwinery. com Key West Winery offers dozens of varieties of tropical fruit wine: Key Lime, Hurricane White Sangria and Mango Momma have won many awards. KWEST Liquors, 705 Duval St.; (305) 294-5995; kwestliquorstore.com KWEST stocks all of your favorite beers, wines and spirits and also sells cigarettes, snacks and lottery tickets. Right on Duval Street, it’s a central stop on your way out or your way in for the night. Uva Wine Shoppe, 519 Fleming St.; (305) 735-4871; uvakeywest.com Choose from assorted varietals and blends from around the world. Uva specializes in small batches. Sit at the bar in the store and enjoy a glass of wine with artisanal meats and cheeses.

jeffs gems

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

SHOPS (LOWER, MIDDLE KEYS)

Lower, Middle Keys BIKES Big Pine Bicycle Center, 31 County

Road, Big Pine Key; (305) 872-0130; bigpinebikes.com Bicycle sales here include kids BMX, 21-speed cruisers and bike carriers for cars. Employees also have parts and accessories on hand and repair bicycles.

Overseas Outfitters Sport & Bicycle,

1700 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 2891670; overseasoutfitters.com Overseas Outfitters sells and repairs bikes in the Middle Keys, as well as shoes, skateboards, sporting goods and sunglasses.

Wheels 2 Go, 5994 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 289-4279; wheels-2-go.com; Check out bikes, including Synergy Cycles electric bikes, and kayaks, paddleboards and sea sleds at this shop.

CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES Bayshore Clothing, 8911 U.S. 1,

Marathon; (305) 743-8430; Bayshore has been selling a selection of cute infant and children’s clothing, including swimsuits, in the Keys for more than 25 years.

Dk’s Style Hut, 8347 U.S. 1, Marathon;

(305) 440-2738; dksstylehut.com The boutique specializes in fun and hip styles in apparel, accessories and jewelry.

Summerland Sandal and Surf Co., 24818 U.S.

1, Summerland Key; (305) 745-9966; summerlandsandal.com In addition to shoes, Summerland Sandal and Surf Co. has all you need in the way of clothing and accessories to be in and around the water, including swimsuits and sunglasses.

Timmy Tuxedos, 6799 U.S. 1, Marathon; (800) 654-2931; timmytuxedos.com Timmy Tuxedos has tuxedos as well as all the accessories a man needs for any formal event, including hand-painted formal shirts, ties and cummerbunds.

HOME FURNISHINGS Casa Casa Interiors, 5190 U.S.

1, Marathon; (305) 922-2033; casacasadesignstudio.com Casa Casa Interiors sells stylish gifts and home decor. Owner Julie Tong has a great eye for design and years of experience in the Keys to help you with projects big and small.

D’Asign Source, 11500 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 743-7130; dasignsource.com The family behind D’Asign Source has been serving the architecture, construction, interior design and home furnishings needs of the Florida Keys for more than 50 years.

Fred’s Beds, 13333 U.S. 1, Marathon;

(305) 743-7277; fredsbeds.com For more than 30 years, Fred’s Beds has sold beds and home furnishings in the Florida Keys. Check out the showrooms to find what you need.

Pipe Dreams Patio Furniture, 30325 U.S. 1, Big Pine Key; (305) 872-2628; islanddreamsdecor.com Where to go for island-style interior designs and colorful, durable tropical furniture. You’ll find custom-made outdoor Sunbrella cushions, quilts, lamps, area rugs, colorful recycled plastic furniture, Keys-style art and gifts for the home—and consultation services on home and outdoor designs. Royal Furniture and Design, 1757 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 743-43970; keysfurniture.com Royal Furniture also has branches in Key West and Key Largo. For more than 20 years, the company has run its one-stop furniture and decorating centers. The business also does custom interior design. JEWELRY Alo Jewelers, 5175 U.S. 1, Marathon;

(305) 743-9383; Alo Jewelers makes custom jewelry and sells affordable and trendy pieces in stock.

Midas Touch, 5800 U.S. 1 Suite 8,

Marathon; (305) 743-4653; The motto at Midas Touch is, “If you can dream it, we can make it.” Check out the store’s many cases of fine jewelry.

GIFTS, GOODS 7 Mile Vapor Shop, 2401 U.S.

1, Marathon; (305) 741-1421; 7milevapor.com This small smoking accessories shop sells vaporizers, pipes,

e-liquids, batteries and more to cover all your smoking needs.

Hawks Cay Marina Dockside Store, 61 Hawks Cay Blvd., Duck Key; (866) 347-2675; hawkscay.com This dockside shop provides boating, fishing, grilling, beer, wine and souvenir needs. The Key Lime Tree, 95231 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 853-0378; keylimeproducts.com Find any Key Lime products you can dream up and then some. From health and beauty products to sauces to cookies and candies to pottery or even wood carvings, Key Lime Products has it all! Linda Lee Byars Music Store, 2797 U.S. 1,

Marathon; (305) 743-4050; Linda Lee Byers Music Store has a large selection of instruments, amplifiers, sheet music and supplies for your music needs or for the musician you love.

Little Palm Island Gift Shop, 28500 U.S.

1, Little Torch Key; (305) 872-2524; littlepalmisland.com/shop Unique gifts, apparel and artwork fill this little tropical boutique. This shop sells items from around the world as well as a variety of pieces from local artisans.

Marooned in Marathon, 11528 U.S.

1, Marathon; (305) 743-3809; floridakeyscigars.com This tropical island outlet is a wonderland of gifts including art, kitchenware, beach towels, ornaments and T-shirts.

KIRRA

BACKSTRAP SANDAL

AVAILABLE AT

610 DUVAL ST. #5, KEY WEST, FL 55040

46 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

SHOPS (UPPER KEYS) Out of the Blue Gallery & Gifts, 29842 U.S. 1, Big Pine Key; (305) 872-8864; Find books, crafts, locally made jewelry and art at Out of the Blue. It’s got rooms and rooms of unique items and ideas from near and far.

(305) 743-0535; dogsenvoguesalon. com For grooming, boarding and boutique services for your pet in Marathon, Dogs En Vogue is the place.

Upper Keys

Put Your Name On Anything, 11400 U.S.

Reeflections Aquarium and Marathon Pet Center, 10692 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 440-3748; marathonpetcenter.com This full-service aquarium center also comprises a well-stocked, quality pet store. Find dog and cat food, live fish, bird supplies and more.

OUTFITTERS Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters , 82240

1, Suite 218, Marathon; (305) 7434456; putyournameonanything.com Put Your Name On Anything screen prints, embroiders, makes awards, engraves, sublimates, and creates business cards and signs for your business or event.

OUTFITTERS Formula Freediving, 2940 U.S.

1, Marathon; (386) 235-2713; formulafreediving.com Formula Freediving says it’s the largest resource in the Keys for all things free diving and spear fishing. Take their classes to get started and keep safe.

The Angler’s Closet, 2920 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 289-4383 The Angler’s Closet is a retail store that carries the best brands in the boating industry for apparel to fishing tackle. The Tackle Box, 1901 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 289-0540; thetacklebox.com Find rods, reels, lines and even good advice from seasoned locals at The Tackle Box. PET CARE Dogs En Vogue, 12237 U.S. 1, Marathon;

Tracy’s Pet Services, 2250 U.S. 1,

Marathon; (305) 743-3770; Tracy’s Pet Services provides grooming, bathing and pet-sitting for your dog or cat.

Whalton’s Pet Shop, 247 Key Deer Blvd., Big Pine Key; (305) 872-3737; This pet shop specializes in hand-fed baby parrots. Whalton's also has supplies for dogs, cats, fish and pet services. SHOES Sandal Factory Outlet, 5195 U.S.

1, Marathon; (305) 743-5778; sandalfactory.com For more than 20 years, the Sandal Factory Outlet has been selling a wide range of sandals, including brands such as Teva, Merrell, Reef, Mephisto and Birkenstock.

Summerland Sandal and Surf Company,

24818 U.S. 1, Summerland Key; (305) 745-9966; For a wide variety of shoes and sandals from top brands and knowledgeable customer service, try Summerland Sandal.

U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 517-4177; backcountrycowboy.com Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters connects patrons with the Florida Keys outdoors, offering the largest and newest selection of kayaks and bicycles in the area. What’s more, if you’re just visiting, they rent (and sell) kayaks, bicycles and camping gear. You can also book a guided kayak tour.

Capt’n Pete’s Pro Shop , 102970 U.S.

1, Key Largo; (305) 890-6939; keylargoproshop.com Capt’n Pete’s carries the latest in state-of-the-art equipment and custom-made rods. The shop has something for everyone, from the weekend fisherman to the professional angler.

Florida Keys Outfitters , 81219 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-5423; floridakeysoutfitters.com This premier saltwater fly-fishing resource has been serving the Keys since 1989. Find the finest rods, reels, fly lines, technical clothing, flies and accessories here, and book a trip with an experienced guide. Latitude 25 , 82748 U.S. 1,

Islamorada; (305) 664-4421;

floridakeysstore.net Everything you need for the Florida Keys is in this one store, from Guy Harvey apparel to Salt Life gear to Tervis tumblers to Key West Aloe products.

Otherside Boardsports , 82758 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 853-9728; othersideboardsports.com This store serves as a retail and demo center, providing kiteboarding, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and skating and stand-up paddleboarding expertise, equipment. Seven Sports/Islamorada Watersports Co. , 84771 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305)

853-5483; islamoradawatersports. com Seven and IWC comprise a onestop shop in the Florida Keys for everything on the water.

World Wide Sportsman-Bass Pro Shops, 81576 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 6644615; basspro.com You can't miss this giant complex in Islamorada that houses a three-story Bass Pro World Wide Sportsman store, the Zane Grey Long Key Lounge, and the Islamorada Fish Co. Restaurant. Climb aboard the actual “sister ship” to Ernest Hemingway’s famous Pilar fishing boat in the center of World Wide Sportsman and pretend you're Hem-self, and observe many of the prized sportfish of the Keys swimming in the large tank inside the store.

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104 DUVAL ST. KEY WEST 305-294-2060 spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

GALLERIES Works by Don Oriolo (left) adorn the walls of Zazoo Fine Art Gallery on Duval Street. His father co-created the icons Felix the Cat (left) and Casper the Ghost.

Joe develop Felix the Cat into what we now call a brand, long before that word was ubiquitous in business vocabulary. When Joe passed away in 1985, Don took creative control of Felix and helped to maintain the character’s popularity—that is, when he wasn’t recording music and publishing hit songs by the Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Donna Summer and others. A musician, Oriolo wrote songs, too, and performs Gallery owner, musician and fine artist Don Oriolo paints his own take on the with his band Felix and the Cats. cartoon icon Felix the Cat, which his father Joe originated and popularized Through the years, Felix in the 20th Century. See Felix and more original and captivating paintings at continued to gain cultural Zazoo Gallery on Duval Street. acclaim. The character literally became big in Japan and then the world. In 1988, Felix the Cat: ne of the iconic characters of the cartoon world The Movie was released. You can see paintings of Felix the since the mid-20th Century is Felix the Cat. Happy, Cat—oh, right, we should also mention that Don Oriolo is a playful and cunning, with an expressive and sly look painter—and paintings of Elvis and other scenes, all from the thanks to his oversize eyes and wide smile, Felix brushes of Oriolo. He was just named an approved artist for possesses the most engaging characteristics of a Elvis Presley Enterprises. He ran Elvis’s music-publishing feline companion. company for a while, so there’s the direct link to Elvis. He also Almost a decade older than Mickey Mouse, Felix the Cat paints Casper the Friendly Ghost, co-created by his father. rode the wave of silent film animation popularity in the “And he does great paintings of Elvis,” said Jason Cornely, mid-1900s right into the mainstream. In the 1950s, Felix gallery director. “Don has a treasure trove of work and he's was revitalized by Joe Oriolo as a daily comic strip character very entertaining, being a musician. He plays the guitar in the distributed by well-known King Feature Syndicate, and then gallery and chats with people as he paints. It’s kind of a great a television show. In the late 1930s, Joe Oriolo had already show when he’s here in Key West.” Jason says to keep an eye reached a measure of cartoon success when he co-created on the gallery’s Facebook page to find out when Don plans to Casper the Friendly Ghost. By the 1960s, everyone in be in town. ■—Joe Healy America knew Felix the Cat, and Casper wasn’t far behind in the country’s collective consciousness. Zazoo Fine Art Gallery, 622 Duval Street; (305) 294-8925. Growing up in New Jersey, Don Oriolo watched his father Open six days a week at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. on Sunday.

The Cat is Back

48 key west spring–summer guide 2019

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ZAZOO

GALLERIES (KEY WEST)

Key West 7 Artists & Friends, 213 Simonton St.;

(305) 294-8444; 7artistskw.com This consortium of artists comprises the works of the original seven artists, plus the nine who now make up the group. The artists have been practicing their craft in Key West for at least 15 years.

90 Miles To Cuba, 616 Greene St.; (305) 292-1333; 90milestocuba.net The 90 Miles to Cuba gallery celebrates Key West’s historical link to Cuba. It has art and nautical antiques, handmade modern and antique jewelry, select books, original and reproduction graphic art and antique postcards of Key West and Cuba.

Alan S. Maltz Gallery, 1210 Duval St.;

(305) 294-0005; alanmaltz.com Fine art photographer Alan S. Maltz uses his camera as both brush and palette. Spring 2016 Whether photographing wildlife or daily life, this self-taught artist follows the light and creates masterpieces.

Archeo, 1208 Duval St.; (305) 2943771; archeogallery.com Archeo Gallery seeks out and sells ancient art for modern living. Every piece in Archeo, whether a colorful handwoven Gabbeh carpet, or a handhewn teak table or an African tribal mask, tells a story, echoing its maker, tribe and geography. ART 830, 830 Caroline St.; (305) 2959595; art830.com ART 830 sells glass art, sculptures, paintings, jewelry and photography from artists such as Thomas Mann, Eddie Mitchell and co-owner Tony Gregory. The two-story building houses the gallery on the first floor and an artist’s studio on the second. Art Space Key West , 1102 Truman

Ave.; (305) 433-0165; Art Space was created as an alternative venue to showcase new talent and dynamic and renegade art projects. There are monthly shows for emerging talents and multimedia art.

Art Warehouse, 3436 Duck Ave.; (305) 293-1122, artwarehousekw.com Visit Art Warehouse for some inspiring custom framing ideas. Family-owned and -operated for 27 years, the business caters to the picture-framing needs of everyone from personnel at fine art galleries to proud parents framing their child’s first drawing. Audubon House Gallery of Natural History, 205 Whitehead St.; (305) 294-

2116; audubonhouse.org The Audubon House Gallery has a unique collection of Audubon art and prints, with a comprehensive selection of John James Audubon’s timeless images.

Cocco and Salem Gallery, 1111 Duval St.; (305) 292-0072; coccoandsalem.com The Cocco and Salem Gallery exhibits nationally and internationally known painters along with some of Key West’s most respected artists.

Frangipani Gallery, 1102A&B Duval St.; (305) 296-0440; frangipanigallery.com Frangipani sells the fine art of Fran Decker and friends, including local artists William Welch, David Scott Meier and Susann D’Antonio. You’ll find unique creations in all media, including painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry and stained glass. Gallery on Greene, 606 Greene St.;

(305) 294-1669; galleryongreene.com The Gallery on Greene has an extensive collection of artists, with Spring 2016 an emphasis on local history. Award-winning artists whose work can be found here include renowned wood carver Mario Sanchez, Mike Marrero and Pulitzerprize winners Annie Dillard and Jeff MacNelly.

Gildea Contemporary Gallery, 522 Southard St.; (305) 797-6485; ; https://gildea.gallery Featuring the work of local and international artists in the contemporary figurative genre. Founded in 2013 by owner Paul Gildea, the gallery continues to successfully champion figurative art in Key West. Gingerbread Square Gallery, 1207

Duval St.; (305) 296-8900; gingerbreadsquaregallery.com This is the island’s oldest gallery, founded in 1974 by Key West’s beloved late Mayor Richard Heyman. It has exhibited the works of such greats as John Kiraly, Van Eno, Tennessee Williams and Henry Faulkner.

Guild Hall Gallery, 614 Duval St.; (305) 296-6076; guildhallgallerykw.com Guild Hall Gallery was established in 1976 as a co-op with 27 artists. With 27 display spaces, Guild Hall stays true to its original dream, providing affordable space for Key West artists to display their work and expand their creative potential. Haitian Art Company, 605 Simonton St.,

Suite A; (305) 296-8932; haitian-art-co.com This gallery maintains a close relationship with many of Haiti’s best-known artists, and has been instrumental in supporting the emerging talents. Haitian Art Company has a large inventory of paintings, beaded purses and wood, stone and metal sculptures.

Hands On Gallery, 1206 Duval St.;

(305) 296-7399; handsongallery. com Hands On is both a gallery and shop of unique, handmade art-towear clothing, original accessories, handcrafted jewelry, and an everchanging array of fine American and international crafts.

Harrison Gallery, 825 White St.; (305)

294-0609; harrison-gallery.com Helen and Ben Harrison have owned and operated their studio/gallery for more than 30 years. During that time they have represented many talented sculptors/artists, including themselves.

Island Style Gallery, 512 Duval St.; (305) 292-7800; islandstylegalleries.com Island Style Galleries (there’s one in Sanibel, too) showcase an array

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

GALLERIES (KEY WEST) Native Colors, 291 Front St., Suite 3; (305) 292-2302; nativecolors.com The muted colors of the wall sculptures, selected by owner Tony Klaesius, are made in Connecticut, Haiti and Mexico. Expect big sun sculptures, palm trees and tropical flowers in all shapes and sizes, as well as many fish designs.

of American arts and contemporary crafts by a select group of artists. The collection includes home furnishings, handcrafted decorative arts, artistic jewelry and vibrant fashion.

James Coleman Gallery, 534 Duval St.;

(305) 294-7900; jamescolemanart. comThis fine art gallery has works in oil, watercolor, bronze and glass, as well as unique fine jewelry inlaid with precious stones. There’s also a large collection of Brian Arthur bronzes and tropical paintings by Wendy Norton, among others.

Red Door Gallery, 812 Caroline St.; (305) 296-6628 Owner and artist Rene Blais has created affordable island and Caribbean-inspired artwork for nearly two decades. Local artists, including Blais, create works that paint a picture of Key West scenery and island life.

Key West Art Center and Gallery,

301 Front St.; (305) 294-1241; keywestartcenter.com This is a nonprofit organization devoted to encouraging local artists that furnishes a central marketplace for their work. Art by dedicated local artists, both in style and price, is for sale here.

Rock House Masterpieces, 330 Julia

St.; (305) 600-7823; rockhouseart.com Rock House Gallery is an everevolving and passionate journey to curate inspirational and extraordinary masterpieces of art and furniture. This gallery caters to those who yearn for something exotic and embraces the traveler, explorer and adventureseeker.

Key West Gallery, 601 Duval St.; (305) 923-1696; keywestartgallery. com Key West Art Gallery showcases more than 50 international artists. The shop specializes in bringing together collectible and investmentquality works from around the world, including originals and limited editions. Key West Pottery, 1203 Duval St.;

(305) 900-8303; keywestpottery.com Owners Kelly Lever and Adam Russell specialize in the making and curating of functional pottery and ceramic fine art, both of which you will find in abundance at Key West Pottery.

Rubies & Clay Island Gallery Studios,

Examples of the figurative art available at Gildea Contemporary Fine Art Gallery.

SALT Island Provisions, 830 Fleming St.;

Lemonade Stand Gallery, 318 Petronia

St.; (305) 731-9333; lettynowark.com The Lemonade Stand Gallery, in the heart of Bahama Village, is the official gallery of Letty Nowak, known for her iconic painted portraits of local character. The shop also exhibits the works of a different visiting artist monthly.

Native Key Wester Mike Marrero displays his work at The Gallery on Greene.

(305) 896-2980; saltislandprovisions. com SALT Gallery is a curiously curated shop specializing in Florida Keys goods and fine art. Within, you'll find artisanal sea salts and local Keys islands honey, jewelry, wine and books, eclectic island-based artwork and a featured artist each month.

SoDu Gallery, 1102-B Duval St.; (305)

296-4400; sodugallery.com Local artists Janis Childs, Lainie Davia, Fran Decker, Karen Beauprie and Marci McGee have partnered to sell original works in a variety of media: painting, pottery, silk, fine gold and gemstone jewelry, sculpture and furniture.

Lucky Street Gallery, 1204 White St.; (305) 294-3973; luckystreetgallery. com Lucky Street has a 30-year tradition of presenting the best of contemporary and cuttingedge sculpture, paintings, pottery, constructions and mixed-media works by some of Key West’s best local artists, including sculptor John Martini, photographer Carol Munder and ceramic artist Anne Goldman.

South Pointe Gallery, 1201

Duval St.; (305) 295-9354; authenticvintageposters.com This collection mainly comprises original vintage European posters featuring artists such as Cappiello, Razzia, Broders, Colin and many more. The gallery also sells hand-carved exterior and interior wooden objects.

Millionaire Gallery, 608

Duval St.; (305) 440-2392; millionairegallerykeywest.com Millionaire Gallery has an eclectic collection of island-made fine art and home furnishings as well as authentic and exclusive memorabilia. Autographed portrait of Frank Sinatra, anyone?

Montage, online orders only; (305) 295-9101; montagekeywest.com All the handcrafted decorative signs here are cut and finished in a 2,400 square foot studio on Stock Island. Each piece carries the gallery owner’s signature.

529 Whitehead St.; (305) 294-5556; rubiesandclay.com Rubies & Clay has pottery by Grace Epperly, paintings by Maggie Ruley and Ray Rolston, and Garth & Katie Holtkamp, fused glass by Paula Cooper, and jewelry by Lois Songer, Abigail Houff, Sandie Guthrie and Jessica Wilson.

Stone Soup Gallery & Frame Shop, 802 White St.; (305) 296-2080 Stone Soup Gallery exhibits a range of works by both local and out-of-state artists for the discriminating art collector. The Studios of Key West , 533 Eaton St.; (305) 296-0458; tskw.org The Studios brings world-class artists to the island, connecting them with local audiences and artists, and providing space for both to explore their creativity. Climbing to new heights: Gildea Contemporary Fine Art Gallery.

50 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

Wild Side Gallery, 1000 Duval St.; (305) 296-7800; Wild Side Gallery

GALLERIES (LOWER, MIDDLE AND UPPER KEYS) displays the works of more than 40 artists, drawing on local talent and beyond. Pottery, wood, glass, batik and jewelry also are for sale.

Wyland Galleries , 623 Duval St.;

(305) 292-4998; wylandgalleries.com Wyland Galleries’ artists use a variety of media and techniques. Check out the fine Oggetti glass from Italy’s Murano and the works of master artist Dino Rosin as well as pieces by other international artists.

Zazoo Fine Art Gallery, 622 Duval St., (305) 294-8925, zazooart.com A wide variery of art and photographs by renowned artists including Don Oriolo of Felix the Cat and Casper the Friendly Ghost fame, who’s also an approved artist for Elvis Presley Enterprises painting portraits of Elvis. View the work of many other artists, too!

Lower, Middle Keys Artists in Paradise, 221 Key Deer Blvd., Big Pine Key; (305) 872-1828; artistsinparadise.com Fourteen Lower Keys artists founded the co-op Artists in Paradise Gallery 22 years ago. The gallery now has more than 30 members who create a variety of artwork, from watercolor paintings to wood sculptures.

Upper Keys Key Largo Art Gallery, 103200 U.S. 1,

Suite 10, Key Largo; (305) 451-0052; keylargoartgallery.com This gallery represents a consortium of artists, who exhibit their works and educate the public about the creations. The Key Largo Art Gallery has a variety of media from photography to metalwork.

Gallery Morada, 81611 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 664-3650; gallerymorada. com Gallery Morada boasts the “finest American craft in the Upper Florida Keys.” All pieces are uniquely handcrafted by some of the country’s most gifted artists. Pasta Pantaleo Signature Gallery, 81599 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (954) 290-4262; artbypasta.com Pasta Pantaleo, a Florida Keys marine artist, says he is on a lifelong journey to study and paint the area’s most beautiful aquatic wildlife. Depicting the beauty in the sport-fishing capital of the world takes a special commitment, he says. The Redbone Gallery, 200 Morada Way, Islamorada; (305) 664-2002; redbone. org The Redbone Gallery specializes in marine and wildlife works by artists such as Don Ray, Kathleen Denis and Tim Borski, whose work often emphasizes fly-fishing and shallow-water fishing scenes in imaginative styles. A portion of all original-art sales is donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Sanchez & Jewish Friends

A wide variety of fine art and photographs by renowned artists Don Oriolo (Felix the Cat, Casper the Friendly Ghost), Tom Everhart (Peanuts), Ronnie Wood, Ed Heck, Fabio Napoleoni, Terry O’Neill, Baron Wolman, Milton Greene, Bob Gruen, and more are sure to make you smile.

Mario Sanchez: Jewish Friends & Conchtown Neighbors, curated by Mario Sanchez specialist Nance Frank of Gallery on Greene, explores the cultural dialogue between Mario Sanchez (1908–2005), the Cuban community and Jewish shopkeepers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Key West. This is a

622 Duval Street Key West, FL 33040 (305) 294-8925 zazooart.com

continuing exhibit at The Gallery on Greene, 606 Greene St. The subject is explored in the book by Arlo Haskell, The Jews of Key West: Smugglers, Cigar-Makers, and Revolutionaries (1823-1969). The above intaglio depicts Sanchez’s father reading to the

spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

LODGING Flagler's Casa Marina Resort is a beachfront paradise.

24 North Hotel, 3820 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West; (305) 320-0940; 24northhotel.com Named for the Key West GPS coordinates, (24° 34' 16.8" N 81° 45' 18.6" W) this newly refurbished hotel near the entrance to the island has a free shuttle to Old Town, a pool, fitness center, and naturally, a bar. Banana Bay Resort and Marina, 2319 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-6925; bananabayresortkeywest.com The adults-only Banana Bay Resort has a tropical freshwater pool, small, sandy sunning beach, whirlpool, beachside wedding gazebo, tiki bar and excursions including a dolphin watching and snorkel tour. Best Western Hibiscus Motel, 1313

Simonton St.; (305) 294-3763 or (800) 748-5100; bestwestern.com This casual motel is just one block off Duval. After a free hot breakfast, enjoy a 3-minute walk to the beach, or a 10-minute walk to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Relax poolside with free Wi-Fi. Free parking, too.

Blue Marlin Motel, 1320 Simonton St.;

(305) 294-2585 or (800) 523-1698; bluemarlinmotel.com Families love the large heated pool at the Blue Marlin, the continental breakfast, free parking, and the convenient location just one block off Duval. Each clean and spacious room includes a refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker and free Wi-Fi .

Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, 1500 Reynolds St., Key West;

(305) 296-3535; casamarinaresort.com When Henry Flagler, the millionaire who conceived and built the Overseas Railway in 1912, got off the train on its inaugural

ride, he decided to build a hotel to attract tourists to stay in Key West instead of hopping on the nearby ferry to Havana. So he built the Casa Marina Hotel, Key West’s first resort hotel. Today the Casa Marina, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is still operating as a tony resort, with its own beach, watersports, a boat dock to receive your yachting guests, two infinity pools, the beachfront Spa La Mer and Sun Sun restaurant and bar, Flagler’s Café in the hotel proper and the recently launched RUMba rum bar. With valet parking for your Stutz Bearcat or Tesla Roadster too.

Cayo Hueso Resorts & Cottages, 513

United St.; (305) 797-1500; www. cayohuesoresorts.com Private Homes, Cottages & Bungalows. Great for weddings, family reunions, honeymoons, groups. Prime location just steps off Duval and South Beach. True Key West Style Living.

DoubleTree Grand Key Resort by Hilton,

3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 2931818; doubletree3.hilton.com Besides the chocolate chip cookies, enjoy shuttle service to and from the airport, a beautiful zero entry pool with cabanas and tiki bar, the full-service Palm Haven Restaurant and a 7,000 square foot meeting space.

The Gardens Hotel, 526 Angela St.; (305) 294-2661 or (800) 526-2664; gardenshotel.com The Gates Hotel, 3824 N. Roosevelt Blvd.;

(305) 320-0930; gateshotelkeywest.com Mixing contemporary design and retro Floridian flair, The Gates Hotel combines upscale sophistication with the island’s casual laid-back vibe. Rum Row, the hotel’s lively pool, bar and lounge scene,

52 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

welcomes visitors and locals alike.

themarkerkeywest.com

Havana Cabana, 3420 N. Roosevelt Blvd.;

The Marquesa Hotel, 600 Fleming St.;

(305) 294-5541 or (800) 330-5541; theinnatkeywest.com

Hyatt Beach House Resort, 5051

U.S. 1, Key West; (305) 294-0059; hyattbeachhouse.hyatt.com This tropical resort at the entrance to Key West boasts a private beach, freeform pool and whirlpool, and the upscale two-bedroom, two-bathroom accommodations for which the Hyatt Residence Clubs are justly famous.

(305) 292-1919 or (800) 869-4631; marquesa.com; and Marquesa 4-1-4, 414 Simonton St.; Small luxury hotels with friendly staff, two pools, great cafe, and premiere location one block from Duval St. Free coffee, water and ice tea poolside. We welcome children age 14 and older.

Orchid Key Inn, 1004 Duval St.; (305) 296-9915 or (800) 845-8384; orchidkey.com

Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, 601

Front St.; (305) 809-1234 or (888) 5911234; keywest.hyatt.com

Parrot Key Resort, 2801 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (888) 211-0348; parrotkeyresort .com

Hyatt Residence Club Key West, Windward Pointe, 3675 S. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305)

Pegasus International Hotel, 501 Southard

293-5050; hyattwindwardpointe.hyatt. com On the ocean side of Key West, this Hyatt Residence Club has two-bedroom two-bathroom residential-style villas with fully equipped kitchens and dining rooms. There’s also a pool, spa, volleyball court, bike rentals and barbecue grills.

Key West Bayside Inn and Suites, 3444

N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-7593; baysidekeywest.com This pet-friendly inn has one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens. Enjoy the continental breakfasts, and lounge in the outdoor pool and hot tub near the Gulf of Mexico's waters.

Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel, 3841

N. Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-8100 or (800) 546-0885; beachsidekeywest.com

La Concha Hotel & Spa, 430 Duval St.; (305) 296-2991; laconchakeywest.com The Marker Resort Key West, 200 William St.; (305) 501-5193;

St. (corner of Duval); (305) 294-9323 or (800) 397-8148; pegasuskeywest.com

Pelican Landing Resort & Marina, 915 Eisenhower Drive; (305) 296-0500; pelicanlandingkeywest.com Pier House Resort & Spa, 1 Duval St.; (305) 296-4600; pierhouse.com

The Reach Key West, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, 1435 Simonton St., Key West;

(305) 296-5000; reachresort.com This elegant hotel is on a private beach with a pier and gazebo, pool, hammocks, fitness center, the Spa al Mare and Spencer’s By The Sea restaurant on the beach. It’s a casual retreat with the best service.

Santa Maria Suites Resort, 1401 Simonton St.; (305) 296-5678; santamariasuites.com Southernmost Beach Resort, 508 South

St.; (305) 296-6577 or (800) 354-4455; southernmostbeachresorts.com

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY CASA MARINA RESORT

Hotels, Motels and Resorts

Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina,

245 Front St.; (305) 294-4000 or (855) 366-8045; westinkeywestresort.com

Sunset Key Cottages, (boat dock) 245

Front St.; (305) 292-5300 or (855) 995-9799; sunsetkeycottages.com

Truman Hotel, 611 Truman Ave.,

(305) 296-6700 or (866) 487-8626; trumanhotel.com The Truman Hotel is a boutique hotel in downtown Key West boasting renovated rooms with fabulous furnishings, a stylish courtyard and welllandscaped pool area. Although you can walk most everywhere, covered parking is offered, as well as free Wi-Fi.

Bed and Breakfasts, Guesthouses and Inns Alexander’s Guesthouse, 1118 Fleming

St.; (305) 294-9919 or (800) 654-9919; alexanderskeywest.com This guesthouse is exclusively for LGBT guests and friends. Seventeen lovely rooms share a pool, Jacuzzi and two clothing-optional sun decks. Breakfast, complimentary happy hour, a welcome cocktail and daily turn-down service is included with your stay. Full concierge services are available too.

thebanyanresort.com

Blue Parrot Inn, 916 Elizabeth St.;

(305) 296-0033 or (800) 231-2473; historickeywestinns.com

Casa 325, 325 Duval St.; (305) 292-

0011 or (866) 227-2325; casa325.com

Cayo Hueso Resorts & Cottages,

509-515 United St.; 305-797-1500; cayohuesoresorts.com

Chelsea House Pool & Gardens, 709

Truman Ave.; (305) 296-2211 or (800) 549-4430; historickeywestinns.com

The Conch House Heritage Inn, 625

Truman Ave.; (305) 293-0020 or (800) 207-5806; conchhouse.com

Cuban Club Suites, La Casa de Luces,

Douglas House, 419 and 422 Amelia St.; (305) 294-5269 or (800) 8330372; douglashouse.com

Cypress House Hotel, 601 Caroline St.; (305) 294-6969 or (800) 549-4430; historickeywestinns.com

Duval House, 815 Duval St.; (305) 2941666; duvalhousekeywest.com

Eden House, 1015 Fleming St.; (305)

296-6868 or (800) 533-5397; edenhouse.com

Almond Tree Inn, 512 Truman Ave.;

Equator Resort, 818 Fleming St.; (305) 294-7775 or (800) 278-4552; equatorresort.com

Ambrosia House, 622 Fleming St.; (305) 296-9838; ambrosiakeywest.com

Frances Street Bottle Inn, 535 Frances St.; (305) 294-8530 or (800) 2948530; bottleinn.com

(305) 296-5415 or (800) 311-4292; almondtreeinn.com

Amsterdam's Curry Mansion Inn, 511 Caroline St.; (305) 294-5349 ; currymansion.com

Andrews Inn & Garden Cottages, 0

Whalton Lane; (305) 294-7730 or (888) 263-7393; andrewsinn.com

The Artist House, 534 Eaton St.; (305) 296-3977; artisthousekeywest.com

Authors of Key West Guesthouse Hotel,

725 White St.; (305) 294-7381 or (800) 898-6909; authorskeywest.com

Azul Key West, 907 Truman Ave.; (305)

296-5152; azulkeywest.com

The Banyan Resort, 323 Whitehead St.; (305) 296-7786 or (866) 371-9222;

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY SPENCER’S BY THE SEA RESTAURANT

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY CASA MARINA RESORT

LODGING

The Grand Guesthouse, 1116 Grinnell St.; (305) 294-0590 or (888) 947-2630; thegrandguesthouse.com Heron House, 512 Simonton St.;

(305) 294-9227 or (800) 294-1644; heronhouse.com

House, the newer Cigar House, and lush tropical gardens.

Key West Bed and Breakfast, 415

William St.; (305) 296-7274 or (800) 438-6255 keywestbandb.com Bahamian shipbuilders built this three-story Victorian house about 1898 on quiet, tree-shaded William Street just a few blocks from the harbor. Also known as The Popular House, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

Key West Harbor Inn, 219 Elizabeth Street, (305) 296-0898, keywestharborinn.com Set in a 19th Century mansion surrounded by a lush, tropical garden, this laid-back, adultsonly inn is a 7-minute walk from the Key West Aquarium and 1 mile from the Key West Lighthouse. Individually decorated rooms and suites feature wooden floors and en suite bathrooms, as well as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. There’s also an outdoor pool, a sundeck and bike rentals. Lighthouse Court, 902 Whitehead St.; (305) 294-9588 or (800) 549-4430; historickeywestinns.com

Speakeasy Inn, 1117 Duval St.; (305)

296-2680; speakeasyinn.com The Speakeasy Inn is an aptly named, 1876 landmark building located on the boutique and gallery-filled end of Duval Street. Spacious suites are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers and private bathrooms. Complimentary continental breakfast and discounts at The Rum Bar are a plus.

Travelers Palm Inn and Guesthouses, 815 Catherine St.; (305) 304-1751; travelerspalm.com Tropical Inn, 812 Duval St.; 305-2949977; www.tropicalinn.com The upscale, family owned and operated, Tropical Inn offers romantic ambiance, a central Duval Street location, and a lush tropical garden with pool and hot tub. Most rooms have a private outdoor area, some with their own spas. Weatherstation Inn, 57 Front St.; (305) 294-7277 or (800) 815-2707; weatherstationinn.com

Old Town Manor, 511 Eaton St.; (305)

OUTSIDE KEY WEST

292-2170; oldtownmanor.com

The Palms Hotel, 820 White St.; (305) 2943146 or (800) 558-9374; palmskw.com The Paradise Inn, 819 Simonton St.; (305) 293-8007 ; theparadiseinn.com

Island City House Hotel, 411 William

Pilot House Guesthouse, 414 Simonton St.; (305) 293-6600 or (800) 6483780; pilothousekeywest.com

St.; (305) 294-5702 or (800) 6348230; islandcityhouse.com The oldest operating guesthouse in Key West. It includes two 1800s-era buildings, the Carriage House and the Island City

1327 Duval St.; (305) 294-0715; southernmostpoint.com

The Mermaid & the Alligator, 729 Truman Avenue; (305) 294-1894 or (800) 773-1894; kwmermaid.com An unparalleled level of personal attentiveness and concierge services keep guests returning to this elegant Victorian home, where the innkeeper serves poolside breakfasts, afternoon lemonade and early evening wine amid lush foliage with, of course, the mermaid and her alligator.

Heron House Court, 412 Frances St.;

(305) 294-9227 or (800) 932-9119; heronhouse.com/heron-house-court.htm

simontoncourt.com

Southernmost Point Guest House,

Rose Lane Villas, 522–524 Rose Lane;

(305) 292-2170; roselanevillas.com

Simonton Court, 320 Simonton St.;

(305) 294-6386 or (800) 944-2687;

Westwinds Inn, 914 Eaton St.; (305) 296-4440 or (800) 788-4150; westwindskeywest.com Wicker Guest House, 913 Duval St.; 305296-4275 or (800) 880-4275; http:// keywesthospitalityinns.com/wickerguesthouse Amoray Dive Resort, 104250 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 451-3595; amoray.com Step out of your room and onto a boat at Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive resort for fast access to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s best Key Largo reefs, wreck, snorkel and scuba sites. Sugarloaf Lodge, 17001 U.S. 1, Sugarloaf

Key; (305) 745-3211; sugarloaflodge.net Enjoy old Florida charm where 31 rooms overlook beautiful Sugarloaf Sound. This backcountry paradise has a lively tiki bar, pool, marina, bait shop and yoga classes.

The scenic and relaxing view from the beach at The Reach Key West, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. spring–summer guide 2019 | kwmag.com

BEACHES Sim

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BEACHES Key West 1 Sunset Key

Sunset Key Cottages, 245 Front St.; (305) 292-5300; sunsetkeycottages.com Film buffs will remember this spot as the setting for the millionaires' beach resort where Milton (of the missing red stapler) relaxes with a margarita in the final scene of Office Space. This private beach is only available to the island’s millionaire (or billionaire) homeowners and millionaire-wannabe guests at the Sunset Key Cottages resort. But guests at L’Attitudes, the island’s posh—yet affordable—restaurant can enjoy a millionaire’s view for the price of dinner, with to-die-for sunsets and free boat transport to and from the island.

2 Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

601 Howard England Way (end of Southard Street); (305) 292-6713; floridastateparks.org Fort Zach is a National Historic Landmark and a local favorite. The park is home to a sandybut-rocky beach, a mid-1800s Civil War fort, picnic and grilling areas, chair and umbrella rentals, restrooms, a nature trail and a small café.

3 Simonton Street Beach

0 Simonton St.; (305) 509-7444; lagerheadsbeachbar.com This

tiny beach is home to the popular Lagerhead’s Beach Bar, with live music, beer and wine and fresh seafood, as well as a boat ramp and watersports rentals.

4 Pier House Resort & Spa

1 Duval St.; (305) 296-4600; pierhouse.com Guests at the Pier House Resort can enjoy the spectacular sunset views at this small beach with a roped-off swimming area and floating dock right off Key West harbor. There is a pool leading up to the beach area and on-site dining as well.

5 South Beach

1405 Duval, Southern end of Duval Street (305) 809-3700 Tennessee Williams once said he swam at South Beach every morning before sitting down to write. This tiny beach on the Atlantic Ocean near the Southernmost House has shallow waters and a concrete pier. It is a designated public Key West beach, but there are no facilities or amenities available.

6 Southernmost Beach Resort

1319 Duval St.; (305) 296-6577; southernmostbeachresort.com Guests of the Southernmost Beach Resort can lounge poolside or on the modest oceanfront beach, which is also home to the Southernmost Beach Café, a full-service bar and restaurant serving ice-cold beer, cocktails and fresh seafood.

54 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

7/9 Casa Marina Resort and Reach Resort

Casa Marina Resort: 1500 Reynolds St.; (305) 296-3535; casamarinaresort.com, Reach Resort: 1435 Simonton St.; (305) 296-5000; reachresort.com If you stay at one of these neighboring Waldorf Astoria resorts, you can experience the nice sandy beach that they share on either side of tiny (and private) Hidden Beach, as well as Dog Beach and the waterfront bar of Louie’s Backyard. At the Casa Marina, two pools (one for adults, one for families), a bar and a restaurant lead up to the large, sandy beach area, where guests and visitors can reserve a beachfront table for lunch or dinner. The Reach’s pool and outdoor dining are also right along the beach. Both resorts have watersports, equipment for rent and beachfront spa services.

8 Dog Beach

1500 Vernon Ave., End of Alberta Street Key West’s only dog-friendly beach is right next to Louie’s Backyard restaurant and bar. This tiny bit of land reaches out into shallow water perfect for throwing the ball, Frisbee or whatever your pooch likes to chase out into the ocean.

10 Clarence Higgs Beach Park

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Public Private Pet friendly Fee required

1001 Atlantic Blvd.; (305) 295-4385 Within this county-owned 16-plus acre oceanfront park is a playground, dog park, bocce ball courts, the Salute! beachfront restaurant, the Civil War-era West Martello Tower and Garden Club, African refugee burial grounds, the

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White Street Pier and AIDS memorial, public restrooms, covered picnic areas with grills and volleyball nets.

11 Rest Beach

Western side of White Street, on Atlantic Boulevard; (305) 809-3700 Rest Beach is near the White Street Pier in C.B. Harvey Rest Beach Park, a beachfront area with picnic facilities and a shoreline perfect for wading and shell searching in the warm waters of the Atlantic.

12 No Name Beach

(The Key West Berg Nature Preserve) Just after 1800 Atlantic Ave., east of Bertha Street, heading toward White Street There are three public nature trails in the wide park on Atlantic Boulevard between Bertha and White streets. You can stroll for short walks over boardwalks and mulched trails through native habitat to an undeveloped beach on the Atlantic Ocean. View endangered species of flora and fauna, and wading, migratory and year-round birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, pelicans, terns and herons.

13 Smathers Beach

Along South Roosevelt Boulevard; (305) 809-3700 Smathers is the largest public beach in Key West. It stretches almost a mile along South Roosevelt Boulevard. There you will find food trucks parked streetside, restrooms, shower facilities, volleyball courts, a boat ramp, parasailing and jet ski rentals.

BEACHES

Lower Keys

19 Curry Hammock State Park

14 Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

28500 U.S. 1, Little Torch Key; (305) 872-2524; littlepalmisland.com Like Sunset Key, Little Palm Island is accessible only by private boat. Only its upscale guests can walk its fine sandy beach. But same as Sunset Key, its restaurant is open to the public.

15 Bahia Honda State Park

36850 U.S. 1, Big Pine Key; (305) 8722353; floridastateparks.org One of the best beaches in the U.S., Bahia Honda State Park has the remnants of one of the railroad bridges built by Henry Flagler. A long sandy beach with public and private spots, it also has campsites, cabins, covered picnic tables, kayak rentals, restrooms, guided nature walks and charter boat excursions.

16 Veterans Memorial Park

40000 U.S. 1, Little Duck Key Key West may only have one designated petfriendly beach, but as you head up the Keys, you’ll find many more. This small pet-friendly park is a great swimming spot with a sandy beach, restrooms and covered picnic areas.

Middle Keys 17 Sombrero Beach

102601 U.S.1, Key Largo; (305) 4516300; pennekamppark.com The first underwater state park in the U.S., Pennekamp is home to several small beaches, a nature trail, campsites, restrooms, showers, concessions and many watersport activities and equipment rentals.

81500 U.S. 1, Islamorada This short stretch of beach is right behind the Islamorada branch of the Monroe County Library, across from the Islamorada Hurricane Monument. There is a small playground, plus restrooms and showers.

20 Long Key State Park

67400 U.S. 1, Long Key (305) 6644815; floridastateparks.org Long Key State Park is home to a long stretch of beach that’s popular with kitesurfers because of its calm, shallow waters. It’s also a full-service campground with 60 oceanfront campsites, picnic tables, an observation tower, ranger station, restrooms, showers and a hiking trail popular with birders.

30 Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort

103800 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 4530000; marriottkeylargo.com The Key Largo Marriott’s Gulfside beach is for guests only, but you can stop by for a meal and enjoy the view, or back up a mile or so and go to the Pennekamp beach, which is public.

26 Founders Park

86800 U.S. 1, Plantation Key; (305) 853-1685; www.islamorada.fl.us/ founders_park.asp This 40-acre park on the Gulf of Mexico includes a beach, baseball diamonds, bocce and tennis courts, a dog park, skate park, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and public restrooms.

21 Anne’s Beach

73500 U.S. 1, Islamorada; (305) 6646400 Another pet-friendly beach, this one is dedicated to environmental activist Anne Eaton. Warm, shallow waters extend all the way out to the channel. It has restrooms and covered picnic areas on-site. The entrance is a sharp right turn off U.S. 1 (if you’re heading north from Key West). Be sure to slow down when you get close, at Mile Marker 73.4.

31 Rowell’s Waterfront Park

104550 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 8522161; monroecounty-fl.gov/Facilities The newly opened Rowell’s Waterfront Park marks Monroe County’s 20th park. The former marina property comprises 8 acres and is kid- and dogfriendly. Along Florida Bay, it has picnic tables, benches, a place to swim (at your own risk) and a launch for kayaks, canoes and standup paddleboards. It is open seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to sunset.

27 Harry Harris Park

50 East Beach Road, Tavernier; (305) 852-7161 This pet-friendly beach surrounds a tidal pool, a popular spot for children, plus a playground, picnic areas, restrooms, ball fields, a basketball court and a boat ramp.

28 Hilton Key Largo Resort

97000 U.S. 1, Key Largo; (305) 8555553; hilton.com The Hilton’s guests-

22 Indian Key Historic State Park

78000 U.S. 1, Islamorada; 305) 6642540; www.floridastateparks.org/park/ Indian-Key Accessible only by boat, the 11-acre Indian Key hosts the ruins of a town from the 1800s as well as a small beach and swimming area. You can rent a boat or kayak to get there at the nearby Robbie’s Marina (305-6649814).

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74501 U.S. 1, Islamorada This milelong beach is a popular location for shallow-water flats fishing, thanks to the surrounding waters’ large population of bonefish and tarpon. Its name derives from the beach’s abundance of natural sea oats.

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109 Coco Plum Drive, Marathon, (305)743-0240; www.cocoplum.com Also pet-friendly, this natural beach sits on the Atlantic Ocean and is adjacent to a wetland. Coco Plum is a sea turtle nesting area, with nests marked off from April through October. Restrooms and a covered pavilion are on-site.

29 John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

25 Library Beach Park

Upper Keys

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18 CocoPlum Beach

only beach is on the Gulf side of U.S. 1, and along with the Key Largo Marriott, it’s a good place to unwind driving south to Key West, and a better way to relax on the long drive back north to Miami and farther.

123 Beach Road, Islamorada; (305) 664-4708; themooringsvillage.com Think private, exclusive, high-end, sugar-white sand, aqua-green seas, and you get the sense of The Moorings’ appeal. Also think expensive. Fodor’s Travel guide says it has “the Keys’ best resort beach . . . possibly the most beautiful property in the Keys.”

Sombrero Beach Road, Marathon, (305)743-6598; www.ci.marathon.fl .us/government/parks/city-parks-and -beaches This spacious public beach is also a turtle nesting area from April through October, when you can see loggerhead turtles coming onto the beach at night to lay their eggs. Along with the nocturnal turtle visits, it has a picnic area, volleyball courts, restrooms and showers. Includes total handicapped accessibility.

24 The Moorings Village & Spa

56200 U.S. 1, Marathon; (305) 2892690; floridastateparks.org Curry Hammock is the largest uninhabited parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key. In addition to the beach, there are mangroves, hiking trails, covered areas with picnic tables and grills, restrooms and 28 campgrounds.

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Lower, Middle and Upper Keys

spring–summer 2019 | kwmag.com

Key West Audubon House & Tropical Gardens

At La te da on Duval, Randy Roberts captivates audieces with memorable star character tributes.

205 Whitehead St.; (305) 294-2116; audubonhouse.com Original lithographs of John James Audubon’s drawings are on display at this former home of shipwreck salvager Capt. John Geiger. Tour the home and the surrounding lush tropical gardens and learn the techniques Audubon used to create his avian masterpieces.

CityView Trolley Tours of Key West 105

Whitehead St.; (305) 294-0644; cityviewtrolleys.com These open-air trolleys offer hop-on-and-off tours that incorporate narration of the history of Key West. Pickup and drop-off locations throughout the island include Clinton Square, Higgs Beach, Key West Bight, the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center and Duval Street.

Conch Tour Train 303 Front St.; (305) 294-

At the Cabaret

La te da on Duval features the exclusive and highly entertaining show “Randy Roberts LIVE.”

hen Randy Roberts was in high school, he aspired to a lifetime career in performance. His experience in formalized drama in a repertoire company led to his performance career, taking him from Norfolk, Virginia, to points around the country and the world, including New York, Las Vegas, Madrid and eventually to Duval Street in Key West. Now Randy performs from 80 to 100 nights a year in the Crystal Room at La te da on Duval—“It was built specifically for cabaret,” Randy says—and moonlights at other performance spaces around Key West. He’s a resident of the Island Nation now, but he’s well-traveled and has accomplished much in his career, including appearing on the TV show America’s Got Talent. At La te da, he captivates audiences with his show of memorable characters called Randy Roberts LIVE. “I call it a tribute to the most famous and infamous characters on the stage, screen and in my mind. Because two of my characters are famous and one is original—Bette Midler and Cher, and then there’s me, Randy Roberts. I created (the character) Randy Roberts because I always loved watching the old TV specials—where the stars told stories through songs. So I created a character that does that. Putting on the dress gives me this mask to hide behind. And people will accept more from ‘her,’” Randy says, using the female pronoun for his character. ■ —Joe Healy

See Randy Roberts and “Randy Roberts LIVE” exclusively at La te da, 1125 Duval Street.

56 key west magazine spring–summer guide 2019

5161 or (888) 916-8687; conchtourtrain. com The Conch Train has been winding its way through the streets of Key West since 1958. This hour-and-a-half tour has stops for refreshments and shopping. Sights include the Hemingway House, Southernmost Point and Bahama Village, among others.

Custom House Museum 281 Front St.; (305) 295-6616; kwahs.org The Custom House was originally home to Key West’s customs office, postal service and district courts. It was restored and converted in the early 1990s into a museum and the official headquarters of the Key West Art & Historical Society. Dry Tortugas National Park (305) 242-

7700; nps.gov/drto The Dry Tortugas is a cluster of seven islands about 70 miles west of Key West. The park is accessible only by boat (either your own with a permit, or on the Yankee Freedom III: 800-634-0939; drytortugas. com) or seaplane (305-293-9300 or keywestseaplanecharters.com). Activities include exploring the historic Fort Jefferson, snorkeling, bird-watching, fishing and camping.

The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum

907 Whitehead St.; (305) 294-1136; hemingwayhome.com This Spanish Colonial home where Ernest Hemingway once lived and wrote contains many of the original fixtures and furnishings, as well as artifacts from his life. Take the tour and say hello to one of the 40 to 50 six-toed cats, all descendants of Hemingway’s cat, Snowball.

Flagler Station Over-Sea Railway Historeum

901 Caroline St.; (305) 293-8716; flaglerstation.net Flagler Station brings to life the amazing history of business tycoon Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway Key West Extension. Dubbed “The Eighth Wonderof the World,” the Over-Sea Railroad operated from 1912 until its destruction in the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Tours include a reconstructed train station, films and costumed historytellers.

Florida Keys Historical Military Memorial 1

Mallory Square This open-air memorial to multiple wars is in honor of those who lost their lives while serving the U.S.

Plaques explain battle information and list the names of Florida Keys military veterans dating back to World War II.

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center 35 E. Quay Road; (305) 809-4750; floridakeys. noaa.gov/eco_discovery.html Sponsored and operated in part by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA, the Eco-Discovery Center features interactive exhibits, including a mock-up of Aquarius, the world’s only underwater ocean laboratory. Fort East Martello Museum 3501 S.

Roosevelt Blvd.; (305) 296-3913; kwahs. org/museums/fort-east-martello/history This Civil War fort built in the late 1800s now houses a sculpture garden and museum featuring a collection of relics from the Civil War. Artifacts also document the wrecking and cigarmaking industries—and the museum is home to Robert the Doll, a highlight on Key West’s trolley tours.

The Original Ghost Tours of Key West

430 Greene St.; (305) 294-9255; hauntedtours.com Take a guided walking tour during the day or night through the eerie areas of Old Town Key West. The tours end inside the only haunted Hard Rock Café in the world, right on Duval Street.

Harry S. Truman Little White House

111 Front St.; (305) 294-9911; trumanlittlewhitehouse.com This historic building famously served as the winter White House for President Harry S. Truman in 1946. Truman later made 10 more trips to the Little White House, which is now a museum focusing on his Key West experience during his presidency.

Historic E. H. Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St.; (305) 295-4369 Once a well-known cigar factory, the Gato Building now houses a fascinating collection of cigar memorabilia, including a massive collection of cigar labels. Rotating art exhibits are also displayed throughout the building.

Key West AIDS Memorial Foot of White

Street and Atlantic Boulevard; keywestaids.org At the entrance to the White Street Pier, the Key West AIDS Memorial commemorates Florida Keysfriendly people who have died from AIDS-related causes. New names are engraved each year on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day.

Key West Aquarium 1 Whitehead St.,

at Mallory Square; (888) 544-5927; keywestaquarium.com The Key West Aquarium is home to alligators, jellyfish, sharks and many other marine animals. It features a touch tank with conchs, sea stars, sea urchins, giant hermit crabs and horseshoe crabs. Guided tours and feeding presentations are available.

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory 1316 Duval St.; (305) 296-

2988; keywestbutterfly.com More than 50 different butterfly species from around the world and 20 different exotic bird species coexist in this climate-controlled, glass-enclosed habitat that includes waterfalls, flowering plants and trees.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LARRY BLACKBURN

ATTRACTIONS

ATTRACTIONS Key West City Cemetery 701 Passover Lane; (305) 292-8177; friendsofthekeywestcemetery.com Stop at the sexton’s office near the entrance at Passover and Windsor lanes for a map of a free walking tour from the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. The tour includes the famous headstone of hypochondriac B.P. “Pearl” Roberts that reads: “I told you I was sick.” You can also arrange for a guided tour in exchange for a donation to the foundation by calling ahead of time. Key West Food Tours (305) 396-2224; keywestfoodtours.com Walk with us, talk with us—and sample the best Key West cuisine along the way. Key West Food Tours take up to 10 people on a walking tour of Old Town, stopping at six island food favorites. Feast on authentic Cuban food at El Siboney, throw back a couple shots at the Key West Distillery (just in case you haven’t shaken off the mainland yet) and maybe try Blue Heaven’s famous Key lime pie, with its mile-high meringue. Then enjoy Camille’s, a funky, laid-back local favorite with great café con leche, by the way, and finish up at Andy’s Cabana, which serves yummy fish tacos, conch fritters and yellow snapper. Our guides also will stuff you full of local history. Key West Food Tours, meets at 11 a.m. at Catherine and William streets. You’ll have to buy tickets to learn the exact location. Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden 401 Wall St., at Mallory Square;

keywestsculpturegarden.org This sculpture garden, at the site of the original shoreline in Mallory Square, features 36 bronze busts of the most influential men and women from Key West’s past, including Henry Flagler, Ernest Hemingway and President Harry S. Truman, among others.

Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum 938 Whitehead St.; (305) 294-

0012; kwahs.com This lighthouse opened in 1848, was decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1969, and now stands as a museum dedicated to Key West’s maritime heritage. Take a look at the artifacts of lighthouse keepers past, and then climb the 88 steps to the top of the lighthouse for a great view.

Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

1 Whitehead St.; (305) 292-8990; keywestshipwreck.com Walk up the 65-foot lookout tower for a 365-degree view of Key West and its harbor, learn about the lucrative wrecking industry and discover artifacts from the Isaac Allerton, the richest shipwreck in Key West’s history.

Key West Theater 512 Eaton St.; (305)

985-0433; thekeywesttheater.com The Key West Theater is a newly renovated performing arts center that presents original plays, musicals, films and concerts. Their performance season includes world premieres of plays penned by Key West writers, a Broadway concert series, nationally known musicians and music acts, concerts by local musicians as well as national recording artists such as Christopher Cross.

Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden 5210 College Road, Stock Island; (305)

296-1504; keywestbotanicalgarden. org This natural conservation habitat is home to many endangered flora and fauna as well as two of the last remaining freshwater ponds in the Keys, making it a migratory stopping point for rare birds from as far away as South America.

Key West Wildlife Center 1801 White St.; (305) 292-1008; keywestwildlifecenter. org The Key West Wildlife Center is in the 8-acre Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park and includes a nature walk with a freshwater pond and two aviaries. The center also provides rehabilitative care to more than 1,000 native wild animals. Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

400 Wall St.; (786) 565-7448; sunsetcelebration.org This nightly festival begins at the water’s edge about an hour or two before sunset and includes street performers, local artisans, food carts, palmists and psychics. Jewelry, T-shirts, photographs, paintings and sculptures made by local artists are also for sale.

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum 200 Greene

St.; (305) 294-2633; melfisher.org Exhibits include treasures from the Spanish galleons of 1622 discovered by Mel Fisher and his crew, Spanish coins in the New World, the real pirates of the Caribbean, the science of shipwrecks, artifacts from a merchant slave ship and much more.

Mile Marker 0 Sign 490 Whitehead St., corner of Fleming Street U.S. 1 begins here in Key West, continues 2,369 miles north up the East Coast, and ends in Fort Kent, Maine. Stop here to commemorate your visit to Key West with a photo next to the iconic Mile Marker 0 sign.