Special Dinner in Key West
 

We would like to find a very romantic spot to have dinner in Key West to celebrate our anniversary. Posters a year or so ago suggested Louies Backyard. Does that still stand? What other options would you consider? Thanks!

I've never eaten at Louie's, the menu just doesn't thrill me. I know they lost their deck to Hurricane Wilma. They get very mixed reviews. I'd look at Pisces or Michael's. Seven Fish has changed hands, and has been getting bad reviews, besides it isn't very romantic. I like the food at Alice's, not sure how romantic it is though. I really like the patio dining at Mangia Mangia, but I'm not sure it's 'special' enough for an anniversary. There are a couple of beautiful Italian places on Duval. Also the Rooftop Cafe has been getting good reviews.

The restaurant at the Marquesa would get my vote for most romantic. Very good, but expensive, food.
I swore I would never go back to Louie's. It's been at least 15 years since I took that oath. I still haven't gone back.

I would second the Marquesa, A & B Lobster House (upstairs) is also pretty nice.

OK..it's a hotel but the Hilton actually sets up tables on the BEACH and you can look over at Key West glimmering across the water.

I third the suggestion for Cafe Marquesa. Had a fabulous dinner there during my husband's 40th birthday weekend (just the two of us). Very cozy room with inventive food and friendly waitstaff.

My experience that weekend with Louie's left a bad taste in my mouth (though I never actually got to eat there...). I had scheduled a birthday dinner there with friends for the same weekend. When I got a few more "yes" replies to my invitation (increasing from 8 to 11), I called to see if they would increase my reservation. They were only willing to do so if I paid a $25/person NON-refundable deposit -- and it wasn't for a private room. I declined the privilege. While I understand that restaurants lose revenue to no-shows, asking me to cough up $275, non-refundable, is just a tad unfriendly and excessive. They will never see my business as a result, especially when other restaurants in town were more than happy to accomodate me without requiring a deposit.

Thanks everyone for your replies, looks like I might want to avoid Louie's and check out the Marquesa. Thanks a bunch!

Our trip is coming up, any other ideas? I'm also looking at Hot Tin Roof and wondering what people think? Any other romantic WATERFRONT restaurants?

Intrepid mentions the Hilton... they will set you up on the beach of Sunset Island (across the bay from KW) with either a dinner table or picnic... that is probably the most romantic.... Louies appears to be the romance spot due to its setting, but mediocre food and poor, abnoxious servers have ruined the experience...

Marquesa is a small space that can be rather loud at times, but offers the best dining ... most other places are a step down in quality... You might be drawn to the romance of dining under the stars at some of the outdoor bistros, but they tend to be more interested in turning over the tables... good luck and make sure you call ahead for your reservation at Marquesa...

Four possibilities, one special and the others kind of equal.

1. Take the small shuttle out to Sunset Key and have dinner at the restaraunt there. It faces away from Key West and you can pretend you are on your own little island. Tickets are at the Hilton concierge and the shuttle leaves on the 1/2 hour. (Pricey)

2. Hot Tin Roof which is associated with the Ocean Key Hotel.

3. One Duval which is the restaraunt at the Pier House.

4. Nicola's at the Hyatt.

These last three all have indoor / outdoor seating but on a mild evening it is best to sit outdoors overlooking the harbor (and Sunset Key where you could have been) If you go just before sunset you can have a drink and order dinner while watching the sunset boats go out. If you go a little later, you can have a drink and dinner and watch the boats come in.

These last three are all in a row, link of straddling Duval Street and you could actually walk through them and see how they look in 1/2 hour. Prices and selection are similar in the last three.

Pjk

Michael's is nice if you like beef. I love Louie's for cocktails and lunch, have never had dinner there. The setting is beautiful, day or night. We dined at Sunset Key once, but it was too windy to dine outside and the food was only mediocre. Rooftop Cafe has great food, but don't know if I would consider it a special occasion spot.

Thanks so much for all the replies. We made reservations at Hot Tin Roof!

You definitely won't be disappointed with the ambiance at the Hot Tin Roof...next to Louie's Backyard, it's the prettiest restaurant in Key West. Please give us a review! I've eaten there twice, but it was a long time ago. The one time we ate at Latitudes (the restaurant on Sunset Key) it was really good, but I've heard from others that their food was awful!