Christmas & New Year's in Key West
 

Hi Ya'll,
My husband and I are going to be spending Christmas and New Year's Eve in Key West. Does anyone have any recommendations for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day dinner as well as dinner and entertainment for New Year's Eve? We are a moderately conservative couple in our mid-40's. Thanks for any recommendations anyone could give to us!
Susan

I haven't been to Key West for Christmas, but things are pretty unruly there New Year's Eve. Duval Street is crammed with people (most of whom are drunk or drinking). If you'd rather not get swept up in that crowd, you might consider making dinner reservations in a nice restaurant off the beaten path: two I highly recommend are Michael's and Louie's Backyard, though we normally only go to Louie's for lunch.

Another idea might be to look into the restaurant at Little Palm Island for either Christmas or New Year's dinner. It's VERY expensive but the food is fabulous. Check out their website at littlepalmisland.com

My husband and I (we're in our late 20s) went for New Year's & I would definitely not go anywhere in town during that night unless it's WAYYY off Duval. Duval Street was like a mini-Times Square with drunken crowds squashed together; there were fights, vomit, and a lot of pushing and shoving. Not pleasant. If you're down there on New Year's, head up the keys for something a bit more laid back, mellow, and romantic.

SusanCS,
Thanks for the info on Key West! I've heard of both Michael's and Louies Backyard, so I'm sure we'll try those. Since my husband is into gourmet food, booking a table at the restaurant at Little Palm Island might well be a good Christmas present for him. Thanks again.
Susan K.

Dear Little Salty,
Thanks so much for the advice. The Duval Street area for New Year's would definitely not be our cup of tea! We look for something "far from the maddening crowd!"

We were just talking about going to Key West for New Year's 2005. If we stayed at the Hyatt or Ocean Key Resort & just stayed at the hotel for New Year's eve & avoided Duvall St. would we be o.k. or should we skip the whole idea?

Lisa - By all means, go! Yes, Key West will be crowded but if you avoid Duval on New Year's Eve you'll be fine.

The weather should be great, too.

Thanks, Susan. How far in advance would we have to book either Michael's or Louie's Backyard for New Year's Eve? Any other restaurant suggestions away from Duval St.?

Lisa - There's another upscale restaurant that shouldn't be influenced by the revelry: A&B Lobster House. It's at the end of Front Street on Key West Bight very close to the Hyatt.

And while I'm thinking of it, prices during the holidays really skyrocket. We stayed at the Hyatt 5 years ago over New Year's Eve and there was a 4 night minimum and rates were $400!

As for dinner reservations, I'm not sure how early restaurants will accept them. Your hotel might be able to answer that question, or you might just check with the restaurant itself.