Vette4Paris

We're advising 125 or so family and friends going to KW for a relative's wedding, about food. Info. from this site was narrowed to these - any feedback you'd care to offer?

Mangia, Mangia; Antonia's; La Trattoria - Seven Fish; Pisces; A&B Loster; and Half Shell Raw Bar - El Siboney; El Meson de Pape's.

Blue Heaven; Johnson's Cafe; Bahama Mama; Green Parrot Bar - for breakfast: Pepe's Cafe; Banana Cafe; Camille's.

Alice's; Mangoes; Cafe Marquesa; Cafe Sole; Michael's.

The Catch; Square One; Ambrosia; Papa's Restaurant; Blond Giraffe (for key lime pie).

SuzieQ

What exactly are you looking for? Your list has many places and some really vary from each other. Chowhound.com is a great site if you are just looking for feedback.

Vette4Paris

SuzieQ, as stated, simply asking for feedback - for example, did I leave out any good ones, anybody's favorites? This list is to offer a variety of places, prices (we'll add notes later on each place to help people). I do know about Chowhound.com - use it at times, but frankly, it's not the most useful or informative source around.

shellmeister

Mangia Mangia, fairly cheap Italian.
Antonias, best Italian on the island but expensive
La Trattoria, never was too impressed with it
Seven Fish, great if you can get a reservation
Pisces, haven't tried it, looks fancy and expensive
A&B Lobster, one of the top nice places there.
Half Shell Raw Bar, an old standard, very good.
El Siboney, the only place to go for authentic Cuban, not touristy.
El Meson de Pepe's, tourist trap
Blue Heaven, my favorite
Johnson Cafe, never heard of it
Bahama Mama, never heard of it
Green Parrot Bar, great bar, lousy food from the bbq place next store
Pepe's, great
Banana Cafe, great but lousy service
Camilles, haven't tried it since they moved
Alice's, good
Mangoes, over rated
Cafe Marquesa, not good
Cafe Sole, never tried it
Michael's, the only place for steak, very very good.
The Catch, never heard of it
Square One, ok
Ambrosia, never tried it but if you like sushi its the only place to go
Papa's, on duval? tourist trap
Blonde Giraffe, good key lime pie

JackOneill

You certainly have my favorites listed.

I'm curious, how are the 125 people getting to Key West?

shellmeister

and where are they all staying? The pleasure of staying in Key West is the ability to walk to get where you need to. Cars are a pain in the butt there. High lot rates and high priced tickets if you get one.

JackOneill

that was one of my many points.

shellmeister

I would also refer you to Chowhound.com. I think I have seen some good threads about restaurants in the Keys and in Key West in the last few months.

bryarsmom

If I might disagree with the above post re: El Mason de Pepe down at the Sq.-we found the food very tasty.As with many places dining is available outside or in.The classic black beans and yellow rice, fried plantains(ummm!) and Cuban mix sandwiches are excellent, and not very expensive. A good place to get out of the heat, grab lunch or sample their key lime pie or great flan(enuf for 2) and a cool glass of iced tea-especially in this heat!

We recognized immediately El Siboney was a true Cuban food locals spot when we ate there-hearty portions of authentic cuisine, served simply and priced right.

Go to Pepe's Cafe on Caroline St. for the local color, if for nothing else! But the food is also plentiful and darn good too.Good prices.

I always see Blond Giraff rec. so highly for the key lime pie. We went to 4 or 5 places, just sampling their offerings and I have to tell you-the most decadent, rich slice was at the bar outside, at Ocean Key Resort-down at Mallory Sq.No meringe topping-just a good size slice of heaven.

For a lazy luch or supper with a neat view, try Conch Republic Seafood-open air dining. Food so-so.

Vette4Paris

Most are already on the way from S FL, driving, so we're taking this information with us when we drive down tomorrow. Everyone is responsible for his or her hotel, B&B, so they're spread all over. The feedback was interesting.

shellmeister

Cool, Does the bride and groom live there? If they do they will have a lot of good "insider" suggestions. Most of the accomodations will have menus of the places around town so that will also help in deciding where to eat.

JackOneill

Well, if you like "interesting," wait till you get to Key West!

Vette4Paris

Me Oh My, couldn't you guess, this isn't one of your traditional affairs. In Key West? Interesting? You can count on it. My partner or I will post how things went.

shellmeister

On a side note, there is a great little place called Alabama Jacks on the way to Key West. At the top of the Keys there is another road called Card Sound. Boring drive but at the end is Jacks.

Vette4Paris

I've made it a rule to avoid anything with the name Alabama or Jack. As far as driving down some godforsaken road, I'll pass. This has served me well so far. Thanks anyway.

bookhall

You will, indeed, miss a superb slice of Keys life if you don't stop at Alabama Jack's. We really look forward to it when we hit the Keys--it's a great introduction!

karincummings

Do not miss Blue Heaven. I had a meal there I still think about. It is a very unique place. But be prepared to wait. It is worth it. I can't remember if they take reservations. Louie's Backyard was also very good.

SusanCS

In case you haven't already left and will be checking this post one last time, I'd pare down your list this way since you have so many restaurants mentioned.
Forget:
El Meson de Pepe's (only because El Siboney is so much better for Cuban food)
Johnson's Cafe
Bahama Mama's
Green Parrot Bar (except for drinks)
Camille's (reviews have been iffy since they moved)
The Catch
Papa's Restaurant

Add:
915 - a tapas bar on Duval that just opened this year.

GoTravel

I think Card Sound Road is a much more pleasant drive than US1.