Key West - where to eat, what to do?
 

DH and I are going to key West at the end of the month - I can hardly wait! Now - thanks to Fodorites - that we've settled on where to stay (Marquesa), I would like to get where to eat/what to do recommendations. I'm doing chemo, so I don't have tons of energy - plus my diet (due to other things) is somewhat limited (mainly I need to stay away from high fiber foods). The good news is that, although lots of things don't taste the way they ought, seafood tastes just fine. So - food - seafood, but someplace where it is fairly plainly prepared or where i can request a simpler preparation. Also, my appetite is limited, so I will probably have an appetizer for dinner while DH will want appetizer through dessert - so either a good selection of appetizers or a place that will let me get an appetizer sized portion of an entree. Next - things to do. We're planning on very low key - lots of reading and people watching, with some sight seeing/window shopping thrown in. DH is very interested in Mel Fisher's museum and I'm thinking the Hemingway House (heard it has good tours). Comments? Also, what about the conch train tour vs the (I think) trolley?

The restaurant at the Marquesa is very accomodating, especially to the guests at their property... plan at least one dinner there... and explain your situation...

Peter K has recommended the Trolley on another post with the link (see Key West - 1 day Activities post) it looks way better than the Conch Train for your situation... you could ride to each stop and spend as much time as you could manage)

There are several seafood choices at the Bight, which is also one of the trolley stops...

Good luck on your rest vacation...

This might help a little. Not all menus are listed, but a lot are, and I think you'll find most restaurants are very accommodating. My husband and I went to Key West several days after his feeding tube was removed and though his diet was limited, everyplace we went was very helpful.

http://www.keywestmenu.com/

You need to try Blue Heaven..the best breakfast, lunch and dinner on Key West. It's set in an old house with chickens and cats everywhere. They have the best Key Lime Pie I've ever had anywhere. Blue Heaven!!!!! Love It!!

We like Louie's Backyard. It's on the Atlantic side and has great views from the terrace deck. You might want to try them for lunch for the view.

http://www.louiesbackyard.com/

Gary22 - DH talked to Marquesa and they were very nice and accomodating - we are going to have one meal there. What would the dress code be? We're going down in a commuter-type plane from Clearwater/St. Pete, so have a 20-lb luggage limit. We're not heavy packers - but would DH need jacket/tie at anyplace? We'd rather use the weight for books than clothes! Looking at the menus - from the menus website and the Blue Heaven and Louie's sites - actually made me hungry. It's nice to know that places are helpful about menus and ingredients. I like (or rather, liked) to cook so much that we seldom eat out - and really haven't at all since my appetite/taste problems - so I've never had to ask for off-the-menu type things.

Also, it looks like there might be two trolley tours, apart from the conch tour (which I would probably freeze on - I tend to wear fleece when DH and the boys are in shorts - they are greatly amused). They are both called Old Town Trolley Tours, but there are two different webistes: trolleytours.com and historictours.com. If these are two different companies, would you recommend one over another?

One more question, while I'm here. I know about Mallory Square at sunset, but during the day - are there benches and is it a good place to take a book and read/people watch? Are there always lots of people? Are there quieter squares or city parks or public places with benches? What about areas with outdoor restaurant seating for just a cup of coffee? I sure do hope it's warm - we had a cold December and January/February last year were awful! I checked weather.com, and the historic day time temps are a couple of degrees higher in Key West than here, but night time is almost 10 degrees warmer - so that's good.

There hasn't been a jacket and tie in Key west in at least 40 years.... casual bahama shirts are as formal as it gets... you can wear shorts anywhere but I usually wear khakis and a button down for dinner, shorts for breakfast and lunch... also don't forget Marquesa has breakfast service at your room... when I was there we set up on the deck...

the trolly recommended by PeterK in his post was www.cityviewtrolleys.com . I have never been on it but it looks like it stops at all the sites and allows you to get on and off at your convenience... PeterK may have better comparisons...

Just a note about Louies... it's at the far end of the Old Town so walking may be difficult if you are tired... you could do lunch there by jumping off the trolley ... its near Southernmost point marker...

There are lots of places to people watch... Duval Street is the main hotspot, some places to sit along steps and a few benches, loads of outdoor cafe choices with shade... the Bight is near the water and docks, the pier at the end of Duval, and the museum area near Clinton Square... all are great choices...

we found both the mel fisher tour and the hemmingway house fascinating. would recommend both

I found plenty of places to sit in Mallory Square. Most of the restaurants had outdoor seating; in fact it was hard to find a place in the Keys that had indoor seating.

One attraction in Key West that I had not read about was the Eco-Discovery Center that has just been open a couple of years. Interesting exhibits, some aquarium tanks including a coral reef, and a good movie on the nature of the Keys.

I just got back from the Keys last week and am finishing up my trip report. If you are interested it is at http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm.

I was going to suggest touring the Hemingway House. We did it years ago and really enjoyed it. The house is not that big but it is two stories. We had an excellent guide who gave us a lot of history of the house and Hemingway. I don't think it would be too tiring for you. We didn't have time for the Audubon House, but it was open for tours too. Don't know if it still is or not, but looked interesting.

Mallory Square is pretty much deserted during the day. There are benches there, but many are used by vagrants.

There are benches beside Mallory Square, sort of in front of the Westin. Nice place to sit. We sometimes sit there and watch the people come off the cruise ships.

We toured the Truman Little White House and found it very interesting. Things have certainly changed for the president in the past 60 years.

Thanks so much everyone! Nikki - really enjoyed your trip post - almost (note - ALMOST) made me wish we were driving down, but it would just take too long.

I read about a place with tapas. Sanitagos Bodega, I think. Has anyone eaten there?

Santiagos Bodega is wonderful! Please don't be put off by the sketchy neighborhood in Bahama Village. The food is really, really great, and although a little off the beaten path, it's well worth the trip.

Santiago's Bodega was a real highlight of my recent trip. Loved the tapas and had a great, large salad.

I love the Lighthouse Court Inn near the base of the light house and across the street from Hemingways House...a block off Duval Street.

Food - Mangoes on Duval is my ult favorite. And, have a chocolate covered key lime pie..YUM

A hidden gem is the Butterfly Museum...very cool...down toward the southernmost end.

Beaches- Go pay to get into the base beach - Ft Zachary Taylor..clean, no bums, chairs and good snorkeling.

Go to the Sunset Deck for drinks at sunset and then walk the board walk over to Mallory Square....just as good as the touristy junk at Mallory Square. Sunset cruises are very nice too. have a jolly time, mon

Chocolate covered key lime pie! Sounds wonderful!

I love the Butterfly Conservatory and agree that Ft. Zach has the best beach. But Mangoes? Bella, I'm not sure how long it's been since you ate there, but they changed hands several years ago and the food has gone downhill. It used to be one of our favorites, but sadly, no more.

Opinions on Michael's fondue?

I haven't tried yet, but everyone I know absolutely raves about it. The only disadvantage is that you have to sit at the bar to order it; it's not available at the tables.

Oh - probably not good. I've lost a lot of weight with the chemo, so I go for really comfortable seating. I guess I could test a chair before deciding!

Another question - what about 915?

bell, I haven't been to 915 because it's wine/beer only and my husband drinks scotch. But it gets excellent reviews!

I think they've recently modified the upstairs area as a small plates and late night music venue.

Have you seen the menu?

http://www.915duval.com/menus/dinner/

Thanks and yes - I was going through the restaurant list on the Key West destination guide and clicking on menus. The small-plate type things sounded really interesting - plus there would be things that DH would enjoy. He is not into Asian food, aside from Chinese, which is really sad - and he announced last night as he was looking at what i had printed out (the destination guide stuff, plus these comments) that he really didn't like Carribean food all that much. I reminded him that he really liked several Cuban restaurants here in town, and he backed down far enough to say that he liked Cuban food. This may be difficult.......

this is a small Cuban neighborhood place far from the tourists. Not fancy but the food was great.

Jose's Cantina
800 White St
Key West

For Cuban, El Siboney! Wonderful food, and reasonably priced. If you like Paella, they'll make it if you give them notice. (can't remember how much notice you need to give, though)

http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/

Thanks! To get off food for a post - what about glass bottom boats - reef tours?

I have only one recommendation about the glass bottom boats, and that's one that was given to me years ago. Rather than using the newer catamarans, use the old boats that are docked at Key West Bight. In them, you walk down stairs and sit on benches facing the glassed-in sides.

On the catamarans, you stand and look over the glass bottom, and apparently lots of people are inclined to be seasick.

I've never taken a reef tour, so can't help you there.

I will second the recommendation for El Siboney. Food was very good and a very good value. There was a pretty good crowd waiting outside but the line moved swiftly because the restaurant is bigger than it looks.

Interesting about the glass bottomed boats. We took one of the catamarans and indeed there were a lot of people not feeling well. It appears that wasn't just a one time experience.

Susan and Nikki - thanks for the tip. I have to (when forced to go on them) look straight out of ferris, not down, or I sort feeling sort of sick (in addition to terrified - although roller coasters don't bother me at all!). Maybe it's the same idea - out, not down.

Another question - the Dry Tortugas. DH really wants to go and I would like to (more so if it were summer), but the long boat ride when we only have two full days is putting me off. Has anyone taken the seaplane? If so, what did you think? How do they get you from the seaplane to land?

bell - hopefully someone else will chime in on this one, because I've never been to Dry Tortugas. Years ago I wanted to take the seaplane, but it was discontinued and has just recently started back up. The reviews in the past were pretty spectacular...you can apparently see all sorts of sea life from the air on the trips out and back.

No idea how you get to land, but these sorts of things are usually geared to people of all ages and all health issues. It's probably something very simple...maybe a raft.

@SusanCS -- Bummer to hear about Mangoes...it has been since 07 that I ate there...although a trip in 09 but we dined elsewhere...guess it is time to head down the FL coast and hit a new restaurant fave in Key West!

Susan - I booked the seaplane trip - so excited! We're doing a 1/2 day trip - I want to say 40 minutes flying time each way, 2 (+?) hours at Ft. Jefferson, and back - flying low enough to see things, as you said. They beach the plane to get you off - no questions about age or mobility, so it must be easy. One funny thing - considering that I'm native Floridian and refuse to swim until DH (who did most of his childhood swimming in Rhode Island) declares the Gulf bathtub temperature - they provide snorkeling gear! Maybe for far north Canadians?

Only a week - I'm getting so excited - thanks to everyone for your help!

bell - I'm so excited for you! As you can probably tell, I absolutely love Key West, and always want others to love it, too. For many, it's a party town, but for us it's simply R&R.

In addition, a couple of years ago my husband had surgeries for lung and tongue cancer and though he didn't have to have chemo, we can certainly empathise with your restrictions.

I hope you have the most, most fun! :)

bella - I can't remember the year Mangoes sold, but we met (and had a very slight relationship with) the former owner. When she sold, she did something wonderfully exotic like going to South Africa to herd horses. That probably isn't it, but it's close.

The current owners are more into making money than having great food. They own a couple of other restaurants in Key West - neither of which interest us.

I wanted to thank everyone for your help - we had a wonderful time! More coming with my trip report - probably will start on Friday.