Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Key West Trip Report Part 2

This is a continuation of my previous Key West trip report – focusing on one of the best things about Key West – the food! Please note that I am not a gourmet – but I like good food. And unfortunately I am not a fan of shellfish at all – but my traveling companion is – so the shellfish comments are from her. Hard Rock Café – Not really the place to go for seafood, but a good place to go on Duval during the heat of the day (air conditioned interior) with dependably decent food. Blue Heaven – we only went there for breakfast – but liked it so much we went back a second time. All seating is outdoors and it has a quirky atmosphere – several island chickens and roosters run around under the tables and there is a rope swing for the kids. They made the best blueberry pancakes I have ever had. Fogarty’s on Duval – seating indoors and out. Salads are so huge that they must be shared among 2 or even 3 people. Alonzos (in the same building on the bight as A&B Lobster house): The concierge recommended this as one of the best places to eat shellfish. My fried had the peel ‘n eat garlic shrimp – and thought it was the best shrimp she had the entire time we were in Key West. I recommend the homemade potato chips – nummy! Croissants de France (on Duval) – Good croissants (baked fresh 3 times daily). Also worth mentioning that the servings of fruit are very generous. Good place for breakfast. Kelly’s Caribbean Grill – OK food. Known more for its frozen drinks and microbrew – which I would give a thumbs up. It’s one block off Duval – which means that it is usually not too crowded. Note: If you fly directly into Key West, pick up a coupon at the airport for a free drink at Kelly’s. Margaritaville – You have to go just to say you were there! Being the landlubber that I am, I had several hamburgers while on the island - and the cheeseburger at Margaritaville was by far the best among them. The peach margarita was pretty good, also! American Bar – GREAT tapas (appetizers)! Conch Seafood Company (on the bight) – OK food – largest selection of rum and rum drinks on the island. Live music at night and lots of seating. El Siboney’s – a local Cuban diner (can’t really call it a restaurant). Off the beaten path, but well worth the walk. I had the Ropa Vieja - which I would recommend. And now for the 4-star restaurants: The Marquesa Café: A real gourmet’s delight. They mixed flavors that I would never have dreamed could be mixed – but it worked! My friend had the fixed price menu – eggplant to start, a large prawn for the entrée and a "too die for" dessert. For her, this was the best meal of the trip. I had a pork dish which was pretty good also. One drawback of the restaurant – it is pretty small. No problem for us since we made friends with the couple at the next table (which was less than a foot away). The Pier House: Spacious, great service – my best meal of the trip. I had grouper on a bed of spaghetti squash and proscuito (sp?). I devoured this meal – would have licked the plate if it wasn’t such a classy restaurant! The dessert was also first class – banana bread pudding – mmmmmm! There is a piano bar at the restaurant after 8:30 – the music can be heard throughout the restaurant. That’s it! Couldn’t eat any more after all this and had to go home.