Key West Anniversary Dinner Recommendations
 

My partner and I will be celebrating our tenth anniversary in Key West in November. We live in Miami and make it to KW at least once a year, so we're pretty familiar with most of the Island's finer dining establishments. Some of our faves: seven fish, louie's backyard, blue heaven, latitudes on sunset key. I'm looking for suggestions on places that offer exceptional food and service and a romantic atmosphere.

I'm a big fan of Louie's Backyard, but we've always eaten there at noon - (same food, better prices, better view).

We've only eaten at Seven Fish once, but weren't real fond of it...it was okay, but nothing special.

The one time we ate at Latitudes it was wonderful, but it gets very, very mixed reviews from locals.

For fine dining, I'd throw Michael's into the mix. Sit outside by the fountain. The food is exceptional and so is the location.

Having said all that, I love Louie's...could you celebrate at lunch rather than dinner?

Another vote for Louie's Backyard. Day, night, whatever. You also might check out Sarabeth's

Thanks, but we'd rather have a romantic dinner.

Sarabeth's menu doesn't really excite us. I'm a chef and my partner has a refined palate, so we look for interesting preparations and places that emphasize use of local ingredients in selecting restaurants. In Key West, we would most often order fresh fish, for instance. Michael's menu looks interesting and it has received lots of stellar reviews, but I'm a little leery of going to a steak house when we're likely to order seafood. It's definitely on the list, though.

How about the Restaurant at La Te Da? My wife and I dined there a number of years ago; it was excellent then and most Web reports confirm it still is.

Have you tried 915? It gets excellent reviews, and the only reason we haven't eaten there is because they only serve wine and beer and my husband is a scotch drinker.

I've ordered fish at Michael's any number of times and think it's really good there. I might add, though, that the inside area of the restaurant is hardly romantic. The lights are bright and it's bustling. If you decide to eat there, ask for a table outside (maybe near the fountain).

You might try Santiago's Bodega if you like tapas.

http://www.santiagosbodega.com/

It's an old house in the middle of a residential neighborhood that's been turned into a very cute restaurant. The neighborhood is a little rough but I had the best birthday dinner there and a chocolate croissant bread pudding for dessert that I still dream about.

Look at Columbian Grace...

http://www.colombiangrace.com/About_...ian_Grace.html

Pjk

I enjoyed Seven Fish - it was several years ago - not sure what recnet reviews say.

Here's another vote for Santiago's Bodega! Not for a romantic dinner (it's anything but) but for a very tasty dinner with a huge variety of food. If you'll be in Key West several days and haven't tried it, you should!

Hot Tin Roof at Ocean Key Resort. Sit out on the balcony at sunset. We thought the food, wine and service were wonderful and the view perfect. Very romantic!! PamT

We ate at 915 in January and weren't impressed. My risotto was so soupy that I had to send it back. The food is close to being very good, but it lacks that final touch of seasoning, acid, etc. to take it over the top. Bodega looks fun for lunch. If we go to Michael's we'll be sure to sit outside--thanks!

travel - love that you didn't love 915. I've been feeling guilty for the past several years for not having tried it, but I feel better now.

Having said that, we had a really nice dinner outside at Martin's a few months ago. You might add it to your good food list...not necessarily for an anniversary, but for great food.

Martin's is well-known for Sunday brunch, but we don't normally eat brunch, so I have no personal input.

Susan, there are 175 reviews on Trip Advisor that give 915 a 4 1/2 star average, so lots of people do like it. Could have been a bad night, could have been just what we ordered. Then again, I once read people recommending Bubba Gump Shrimp Co to people going to New Orleans :)

Thanks for the Martin's rec. We love martinis, so we might just have to hit happy hour!

Oh, gawd. I won't comment on Bubba Gump's because I haven't eaten there - and won't.

I know most folks on TA (including lots of people I know) love 915, and that's one of the reasons I've felt remiss about not going there. But hey, my husband likes scotch! I'd be a little pissed if he wanted to go someplace that didn't serve wine, so I "get" it from his point of view.

Hope you have a great trip, travel, and please let us know how things turn out!

Thanks Susan. We always have a great time in KW.

travelbug2000, since you mentioned martini's, I feel obligated to mention Virgilio's. Absolutely wonderful drinks. The music is good as well. Probably our favorite night time bar in Key West.

Thanks, Jean. We haven't been there yet. We'll have to check it out.