Closing out 2013

After a lovely holiday, with laziness as the activity of choice, I am energized and ready to jump into a new year.  I thought I'd start out by catching up on all the little things that weren't big enough for their own posts.

Most romantic spot in Key West? The buoy. We stopped to take photos with visiting family. When the guy in front of us asked Mark to take a picture, I had a feeling it was more than just a photo op. I managed to dig out my phone but didn't have time to set it to video. She said yes.





Need personal introspection while you watch the big orange ball plunge into the sea? Head south down Duval Street. There are plenty of bike racks, if you're riding, and parking on the south end is much easier than you'd think. You'll find a blue pay station in the middle of each block. They take debit/credit cards or cash, though no change is given.




Watch the sunset from the pier at Southernmost Beach cafe, then grab a late dinner or specialty drink in the bar. You can even wiggle your toes on the small sandy beach. (that's Mark relaxing near the middle of the pic)




Down here, a tree isn't always a tree. For Christmas, a nautical theme lent a hand with lobster traps.

Key Lime Pie is an island staple. Just like sunset cruises and rum punch at Sloppy Joe's. And just as a rum punch should have equal balance of rums and juices, Key Lime Pie should be equally tart and sweet. A first bite should lead to a cleaned plate. Best on the island? There's two. For creamy, light and smooth, Caroline's Cafe.  For rich and custardy, the Half Shell Raw Bar.


Last bit - if you come down to visit please remember, this ain't Disneyland. The locals live and work here. Look both ways before you cross the street and be mindful of the red lights. If you rent a bike or scooter, watch for traffic. I can't count how many times someone on a scooter merged in front of my 300 horsepower Mustang without so much as a glance over their shoulder.  Lucky for them, the average speed limit on the island is 30.  Be careful, be aware, have a great 2014.

Restaurants - Blue Heaven

One of the most popular breakfast options in Key West, you'll find Blue Heaven tucked in Bahama Village, at the corner of Petronia and Thomas, just a short walk from Duval Street. The main seating area is outside under the Spanish Lime trees. Free range, err, roaming chickens and roosters wander through the tables most days, looking for handouts. (just not this day)

The food is excellent but a bit on the expensive side. Mark and I headed here spur of the moment a few days ago in desperate need of breakfast. By the time we got our food, we were so hungry we forgot to take pictures, sorry. You'll have to believe me when I say it was as beautiful as it was tasty. I gorged myself on the airy blueberry pancakes and was squirted in the eye by more than one gigantic blueberry my forked pierced.  Mark had a fluffy ham and cheese omelette and could barely finish it. Their specialties are a variety of Eggs Benedict dishes including a Lobster Benedict, ordered by a guy at the table next to us. I really wanted to ask for a bite.

If you're used to a breakfast that includes the staples - bacon, toast, fruit, you're out of luck. Everything here, is á la cart, so costs add up quickly.  Mark and I stuck with the basics, his omelette, my 2 pancakes, a coke and an ice tea and the bill, with tip, was 27.84. If you're not on a tight budget, I'd say go. Otherwise, you'll get just as good a meal, for a bit less, at Two Friends Patio, and they don't hit you with the á la cart thing. 

If you have to wait on a table, as we did, you can pass the time at the ping pong table. 

This is Jesk, one of the resident cats. On the Blue Heaven website, they were offering her up for adoption in 2007. I guess it didn't take. 

Mark and I killed time at the bar, while we waited for a table. 

Caroline's Cafe

Ok, it's me again, Mark.  Melissa just isn't keeping up her blogger duties so I'm picking up the slack.

Soon after moving to a new home, you take a vow to explore all of the locale bars and restaraunts.   Hooey. That's a lot easier said then done. Inevitably, you find a spot you really like and exploration quickly takes a back seat. Everyone quickly latches onto favorite places for lunch, dinner, dancing or drinking. Unfortunately, that can also keep you out of some spots you'll like even better.

It took us almost a year before we ate at Carolines Cafe but now it's a regular haunt.

It's has outdoor seating, a great location right on Duval St and the food is absolutely great. You'll find it almost directly opposite the Hard Rock Cafe.  It has an elevated location with several tables that are prime locations for viewing the street.  Now that it's sun dress season, that's meaningful.

Caroline's has a Caribbean flavored menu with some amazing dinner options.  We absolutely love the the Caribbean Skirt Steak, but...we tend to favor the lunch menu.

Melissa has dreams about the Shrimp Club...

...but I'm a fan of their Cuban Sandwich.  They marinate the pulled pork for 24 hours and it's delectable.

The biggest drawback to their sandwiches is the size.  They're gloriously big. They're Bubba big. Most times, Melissa and I just split one. Even the salads are huge.  I overheard a couple ladies, today, happily moaning that their salads were too big to finish, but "yes" they would like boxes.  "Oh Miss, could we also have an extra box for the fries?" 

Despite the portion size, the price is excellent. The Cuban is just $8.99 and the Shrimp Club is $9.99. Those ladies' monster Caesars were $7.99. 

If we are there, you'll normally find us at our favorite table, tucked into the corner. 

A Handsome Cock

When you're this beautiful where else would you spend your mornings, but the ladies' restroom at Schooner Wharf Bar?  This guy hangs out on a regular basis and doesn't seem to mind foot traffic to and from the stalls, directly behind him. Some mornings, I can even wash my hands at the sink next to him and he won't move. Nowadays, a chicken at Schooner is a rare sight. The place used to feel like a breeding ground. Hens with chicks wandered through the tables of the open air eatery, and a rooster or two hanging by the entrance. And all looking for a handout. For some reason, the roosters didn't wander through like the moms and babies. The tourists love the sight, but the locals hate them, usually muttering damn chickens, as tourists block the sidewalks or stop their cars in the middle of traffic to take photos.