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.