Conch Republic beach.

Some time ago I stayed in Southern Florida for a „long“ week. Destination hotel was the Marriott Golf Resort in Doral, which is now the Trump National Doral/Miami. Some great rounds of golf on different courses, including the „Blue Monster“ and a 5 star hotel. No, not only one time, several times and it was great fun.

        The Blue Monster from our hotel room in Doral and my favorite 19th hole at the Marriott.

During that week, I took a tour off to Key West, not for the first time, but this time it turned out to be a bit of a culinary tour. First day an easy drive direct from Doral to Key West and a 3 day/2 night stay at the famous Hyatt Key West. Fourth day slowly back, hopping through the keys and then one night at the Marriott Resort Key Largo.

          The Marriott Resort Key Largo, left view out the room and right the room on 5th floor.

What a wonderful experience of sightseeing, diving into „Caribbean Culture“ and amazing food. Since I am a sworn foodie, I like to share with you this trip. Lucky I was, with perfect weather around 28 C and sunshine every day and not to many tourists and traffic.

  My trip through the keys in South Florida, down and up.

Only 90 miles from Cuba and 150 miles from Miami, Key West is the outermost island in the Florida Keys and the most heavily influenced by Caribbean culture. People here have their own way of doing everything, including cooking, which is heavily dependent on the sea and locally grown tropical fruit.

  Key West Then !  Click on pic to supersize.

  Key West Now !  You don’t have to click on this one.

Visitors soon realize the two most recognizable dishes in Key West cuisine are the conch fritter and Key lime pie. Dive into these must-try dishes at some of the best restaurants in Key West – and some others I had the chance to try.

  In Key West is the Southernmost Point of the United States mainland.

 

The Conch.
Conch is a common name that is applied to a number of different medium to large sized sea snails or their shells. The term generally applies to large snails whose shell has a high spire and a noticeable siphonal canal (in other words, the shell comes to a noticeable point at both ends).

      The conch digging herself away into the sand. Right pic – notice the long protruding eyes.

The conch may be a lowly sea mollusk, but in the Keys, it has been elevated to heights of taste and creativity. Chefs get inventive with the conch: Conch chowder, conch ceviche and even conch pizza. But the conch fritter takes center stage in the Conch Republic.

  Conch seafood specialties booths in Key West.

At its core, the fritter is made from finely minced conch, mixed with onion and batter.
From there, chefs add their own interpretation, mixing in everything from jalapeno chilli  to celery or clam juice. The result is something like a hush puppy, served either as an appetizer or a side dish.

  Aren’t they mouthwatering? Served fresh everywhere.

You can find conch fritters on just about every menu in the Keys. Locals rave about the ones from Louie’s Backyard, served with hot pepper jelly or wasabi and terrific ocean views. Known for their especially conchy flavor, the fritters at Conch Republic Seafood Company also get high marks for authenticity and taste.

                                    Delicious conch fritters fresh and hot from the booth.  And the recipe on a restaurant sign in Duval street.

 

The Conch Republic.
The concept of “One Human Family” has always governed everyday life in the Conch Republic, where everyone “around the world is entitled to equal rights, dignity and respect.” Nowadays, this concept has been branded and distributed on 1.3 million bumper stickers, reminding the greater U.S. of the Keys’ exemplary philosophy.

                              
Conch Republic Proclamation. Click on pics to supersize and read. Right, the Republics Flag, one will see everywhere around Key West.

While most American cities tend to follow slash and burn trends, Key West’s predictability and reverence for history is a welcome respite. The gingerbread houses, coconut palms, bougainvillea and lucid waters that inspired Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway forever remain “Old Key West”.

       The „Old Town“ in Key West, a MUST SEE destination. You’ll discover evry day something different.

The larger than life, eccentric personalities and unwavering spirit of the island’s residents contrast modern society’s desperation to “fit in”. A drunken stupor through the “Pink Triangle” invariably ends up in a random bed (or the Island House hot tub). And both the sunsets and sunrises seem to grow more breathtaking over the years.

No comments needed, Key West is a tourist „hot spot“ par excellence.

The Hyatt Key West.
One of the island’s top resorts, the Hyatt Key West on Duval Street,  for those looking to experience the Conch Republic’s latest offerings of modern luxury. Contrasting the palm-tree print/Tommy Bahamas style of most Keys’ hotel rooms, the Hyatt Key West is a blend of contemporary design and Florida color and flavor (delightfully without the overkill throughout).

      The Hyatt, a sunset destination. As I said, no overkill in room design.

All guest rooms flaunt private balconies, ideal for enjoying the sea breeze with a glass of bubbly or Chardonnay. The pool is everything and anything you’d expect from a high-end resort and the hotel’s signature restaurant, SHOR American Bar and Grill, offers sensational, waterfront dining with a daily catch direct from the docks.

    

        The SHOR, great place for sunset watching. But, be careful, it can be very hot till the sun is really down. We decided to sweat, because we wanted the show. And you can take it easy with oysters on ice and a cold Sauvignon Blanc. When the sun was down we had the main course „SHOR’s Lobster Mac“.

 

Latitudes Sunset Key.
Across the water from the Hyatt at beautiful Sunset Key, Latitudes restaurant has unveiled a modern edge that spills onto Sunset’s downy sands, doling out even more of the delicious local seafood dishes that originally made this beachfront gem famous.

  Latitudes at the Westin Resort on Sunset Key.

There’s definitely more than just amazing fruits of the sea to be had around the island.
Latitudes Key West Restaurant, located on the Island provides fresh flavorful cuisine with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. A delicious, ever-evolving “work of art” menu incorporates locally sourced fresh fish and tropical fruits cuisine. To me this restaurant is the most romantic destination in all the keys.

    Wish I had the opportunity to dine at this amazing sunset destination. All right, one can’t have everything – may be next time.

Luxuriate while dining in the Ernest Hemingway Room, where photos of authors, fishermen and former Key Wests resident adorn the walls or outdoor dining overlooking the Gulf of Mexico where tiki torches illuminate the night sky magnifying the glorious Key West sunsets. That’s what everyone likes to see. I only had time for a lunch, but it was worth the trip over, ferry’s leave every thirty minutes.

  My lunch, Snapper Bowl and a cool Chardonnay.

 

A Little About Pepe’s.
Not quiet exclusive as the ones before, but therefore an affordable place, Pepe’s Cafe. Pepe’s, established in 1909 is the eldest eating house in the Florida Keys. Located on the old commercial waterfront area of Caroline Street. One can have Breakfast, brunch, lunch coffee, diner and late night snacks, a really old style one.

 

At breakfast time they serve everything from traditional breakfast and build-your-own omelets, to pancakes with fresh fruit to creamed chipped beef.

  Pepe’s Omelet Special and French Toast with Fruit.

At lunch time they have everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to burgers to fish sandwiches (grilled or blackened). The steak sandwich is popular, big chunks of tender beef grilled and topped with mushrooms, onions, paprika’s and cheese on a hoagie roll. All soups and chillis are house made.

  Pepe’s Oyster Medley and Gulf Oysters.

And dinner, well, we are at a steakhouse. They cut our own NY Strips and Fillets to order. Customers love the ‘Dinner For Two’, a 15 oz (almost 500 gram) NY Strip topped with two center cut pork chops, smothered with mushrooms, onions, and paprika’s, served with a baked potato and fresh vegetables. Every evening they prepare the fresh catch at least 5 ways and of course they have several other meals to choose from.

  Finally for diner, one can go for fresh seafood again or have a massive NY Strip. Steaks we have in Uruguay too, but I miss very much the kind of fresh seafood they offer in Conch Republic.

 

The Conch Republic Seafood Company.
And here we are, at „The Conch Republic Seafood Company“. CRSC was featured on the Food Network TV show “Road Tasted” along with the Deen Brothers cookbook “Recipes from the Road”.  The book and sauce products can be also be bought in their store. I tried a few recipes out of the book and like to share with you the 2 I use and like most.

  At harbor side in Key West.

1. Caribbean Ju Ju Slather.
This most popular sauce that can be served with all seafood, fish, and poultry dishes. It can also be used as a dipping sauce or brushed on meats during grilling.  As the story goes:

„One evening, after finding a lost bottle of rum, our chef was at home playing in his kitchen. When he was able to see the bottom of the bottle he decided to get creative and poured the remaining rum into a pan and started tossing in various ingredients into a giant coconut bowl. He threw it all on the stove and promptly passed out. It simmered away and stewed for hours while he dreamed of island girls. As the beautiful aroma began drifting out on the gentle island breeze, his own island girl came by and awoke him with a swift kick to the belly. However, once she dipped her finger into the bowl she forgave him for all his sins“.

      During my trip I used the bar only, several cold drinks during the walking and walking and walking and… through the „Conch R.“.   Cold cocktails or a cold beer !!

Ingredients.

4oz (125ml) of your favorite rum – Dark, Light, or flavored! (add more or less for your own taste)
2 lbs (1kg) honey
8 oz (250g) yellow mustard
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 sweet onion diced
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup chopped passion fruit or Passion Fruit puree. You can use pineapple if this is not available in your area (Uruguay)
1 teaspoon black pepper
Blended oil for cooking

   The always well frequented conch bar.

How to do.

Heat the oil and add onions and sweat till slightly caramelized. Add all of the other ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes. Thicken slightly with cornstarch (I never needed it) if required. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Place in food processor until smooth. You can keep this sauce easily in your fridge for some weeks.

  The Conch Factory restaurant.

2. Habenero Chutney.
This is a fruity and spicy chutney featured with the roasted chicken but also works well with seafood, fish and many other meats.

  Cracked conch with habanero chutney.

Ingredients.

2 cups pineapple juice
2 tablespoons  habenero puree (you can puree yourself or use Sambal Oelek)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup Water
1 jar 8 oz orange marmalade
1 24 oz (750ml) jar sweet and sour sauce (easy to make, check the internet for it)
2 tablespoons corn starch
4 cups mixed fruit segments chopped. You can use any fresh tropical fruit or any canned fruit that you enjoy.
1 tablespoons fresh grated ginger

How to do.

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, thicken with additional cornstarch if necessary. Keep refrigerated. Both sauces as shown here are almost made for a restaurant amount. For private use just cut all shown ingredients in half and you’ll be happy.

  Very refreshing, conch ceviche and a cold beer.

 

Key West Lime Shoppe.
Over 20 years ago, Kermit Carpenter began selling smoothies from a small stand in front of Papa’s Restaurant in Key West during his tenure as Papa’s bookkeeper. When the head chef suddenly drove off into the proverbial sunset one night, Kermit was left looking for a new adventure.

       Key West Lime Shoppe , the first shop left and inside the second one in Duval Street.

Having been brainstorming with his sister Anita and her husband John, they decided that whatever they decided to do, it needed to be high quality and say “Key West”….  gourmet food and Key Lime fit the bill, and so began Kermit’s Key West Lime Shoppe.

  The famous Lime Pie.

When the shoppe first opened on the corner of Elizabeth and Greene, the price was right, but the location was right across from a sewage pumping station. The good news was that it was also right on the bight – a Key West waterfront area. The City of Key West had great plans for the area. Kermit, Anita, and John all agreed, if we could survive the next few years, the site would be a premier location.

           I enjoyed Lime Shoppe twice, once I had the „Coconut Key Lime Pie“, left.  And then, on the right, (during a very hot day) the usual Lime Pie with a Mexican Corona. Most people, so as I, like cold Corona anyhow with a slice of lime. Believe me, this combination (beer and cake) tasted great.

In 2011, the opportunity arose to stake a claim on Duval Street, allowing even more Key West visitors the opportunity to enjoy delicious Key Lime goodness! With 2 locations in Key West, you’re never very far from a slice of key lime pie on a stick, dipped in Belgian chocolate!  Ouff , I tried it, what a delight !!  Down here left „normal“, right „de luxe“.

 

Must See – Key West.
Several times in Key West, I thought to share some of the flavors and scenes from this funky tropical paradise. Warning: Reading this will convince you to come here if for nothing else than to photograph the truly astonishing sunsets!

   

      Key West, the Conch Republic, sometimes crazy, over the top and for sure expensive, but always colorful. Only thing we didn’t like very much were the sand flies on beaches. One won’t see them, but you start itching your legs – horrible – as soon as you realize it, you should see a pharmacist and get the right, local (local is very important) treatment.

Key West is so much more than just sun and fun. By example  archaeology at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. There is an incredible history here that goes back 500 years from the Spanish Colonial period.

  

    Must See, the Hemingway House and the Aquarium, the Old Town and the Curry House – and much more.

     Take the time and visit Mel Fischer’s Museum so as Custom House Museum, it’s worth while.

For those of you who have never visited, this 4-mile by 2-mile island that has inspired so much great writing and great music goes far beyond its seven beaches and “main drag,” Duval Street.

  Duval street during happy hour.

But let’s get it out of the way: Duval Street is Key West’s best-known tourist street that’s dotted with a mix of funky bars, gay bars, outdoor restaurants (including a Hard Rock Cafe), upscale restaurants, cheap-T-shirt shops and a nude rooftop bar. Don’t expect rows of luxury retailers here. Key West is a holiday town, a relaxing Party Town.

                    Girls and Gays  everywhere. 

After sunset, the southern end of the street gets busy with a mix of pedestrians, bicyclists and human-powered pedicabs. Hopefully you’re driving, but if you are, expect to drive at a crawl. During my 3 days in Key West the rental car was parked at the Hyatt. Right, no need for a car in the Conch, there are no parking spots anyhow.

      You won’t forget the most important MUST SEE, every evening light show. Best from Mallory Square.

Must Taste – Key West.
All suggested restaurants are of my personal taste. I know that everyone has a different taste and all suggestions can be subjective only. Following some more ideas how to get through all the offers of Conch Republic.

     Must Taste by Andrew Zimmern. He would suggest a plate full of lion fish, not everyone’s taste „ay“.

       My Must Taste suggestion is conch fritters, they look great and even taste great.

           Or try Fish (conch) and Chips at „Conch Republic“, or some Cuban food at „Havana One“ .

            I never had that dish in my life before Conch Curry, fantastic ! And Shrimp and Pasta at the „Flaming Buoy“.

 

Finally MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT in Key West.

Louie’s Backyard ! It is not as „fancy and luxurious as Shor’s or Latitude“ and not as „crowded as Conch Rep. Seafood Co.“ or as „normal as Pepe’s and others“. It is relaxed, elegant, has one of the best spots in Key West with a very comfortable Bar and cozy, comfy terraces. Friendly and quick service and a first class variety of food for average (comparing in Key West) prices. Have a look.

Spectacular sunset views from Louie’s Backyard.

Louie’s Backyard and the ocean deck.

Oh, if only for a backyard as beautiful as the spectacular oceanfront setting offered by this Caribbean-American restaurant, Key West’s most popular destination, where you can dine on incredible cuisine served by a professional staff on either the fabulous multilevel deck or in the elegant dining room, it’s many folks’ idea of heaven, even mine !

The variety is good and prices are O.K.

      Louie’s Shrimp and Grits Plate or a fresh Hering Salad with a chilled dry rose wine.

The story:
In 1971, Louie Signorelli’s oceanfront Victorian home was transformed into Louie’s Backyard. The original restaurant seated only 12, and had one lone waiter. In 1983, Phil and Pat Tenney purchased and lovingly renovated Louie’s – with special attention to the maintenance of the building’s historical integrity – and transformed it into the architectural delight it is today. Their efforts earned it a placement in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Louie’s is a gourmand’s playground, a cafe-style restaurant with an oceanfront background setting – a must do experience.

       One can have all this at my favorite Bar or my favorite table on the backyard deck.

Whenever I have the chance to come back to the Conch Republic I will visit and enjoy Louie’s restaurant. I know this article has much to do with Key West’s food and indulging scene, but it could be much much more. If you have the chance to visit Key West once, try to enjoy the abandoned Caribbean life style . It’s a MUST SEE and DO.