My husband I are vacatioining in Key West in Feb. These are the list of restaurants we are eating at:
Square 1, Alice's, El mason De pepe, Antonias, michaels, mangoes, a&b lobster. Are they good choice?!

Also, any sunset cruise suggestions, a tall ship perhaps?
Thany you,
Jane

janie427@hotmail.com

I've heard good things about Square One, Michaels, and A&B Lobster House... not sure about the rest.

Read some Key West Restaurant Reviews!

And check the TripSmarter.Com People's Choice Awards for winners (2003 Top 3 were Mangia Mangia, Square One, and Michaels... full results are available on that page)

Jane,

Excellent choices for Key West restaurants you have there. Let's go over some of what you have listed:

Square One:
Square One looks very promising. Everyone I've spoken to about this restaurant adores it, and it's gotten very good reviews on it's listing page. Explore the video clip as well for more information. Also if you are planning on doing enjoying the nightlife at Square One.. we shot a Club Hour segment there not too long ago. Club Hour at Square One

Alice's
You cannot go wrong with Chef Alice Wiengarten of Alice's. She was recently honored as part of our Key West Chefs cooking show spotlighting local chefs on the Island. You can learn a little more about the restaurant she runs and the type of food she makes by watching her show which is archived here (How to Prepare a Wild Mushroom Calzone and Mediterranean Pot Stickers.) Also, we have a
Club Hour at Alice's and La te Da for your nightlife needs.

El Meson de Pepe:
El Meson de Pepe seems to be getting great reviews on it's listing page and is a great place to get a mojito as proclaimed in it's Club Hour at El Meso de Pepe. It seems like a cool place.

Michaels:
Michaels has some reviews you should check out on it's listing page, as well as a video clip. Also... Chef Michael Wilson was recently featured on Key West Chefs (Macadamia Nut Encrusted Mahi).. (at the beginning there is a background on the chef and the restaurant)
See it here.

Mangoes:
Mangoes has a video clip explaining a little more about the resaurant on it's restaurant listing.. and Chef Paul Orchard recently made Yellow tailed snapper for us on his Key West Chefs appearance. (at the beginning there is a background on the chef and the restaurant)
See his show archived here

A&B Lobster:
A&B Lobster is a tradition in Key West. It's run by Konrad Jochum who heads several restaurants in Key West. This guy knows what he's doing, and he's the king of anything lobster... so when you go order something with lobster in it.
Chef Jochum made some great lobster dishes on Key West Chefs.. (at the beginning there is a background on the chef and the restaurant)check that show out here .. and see a few good reviews and a video for A&B Lobster on the listing for the restaurant.


Not sure about the cruise. Some may be seasonal, or.. ? May just have to ask once you get there based on availability.. but I'll keep looking.

Hope this helps you, and anyone else going to Key West.
Take photos!

Very nice choices but let me add a few things.

Square One - Very nice, good cockails. Ask for a table outside.

Alices - She just moved this from La Te Da to across the street to its original location. The one at La Te Da is now called Bachus (sp?) and she also runs it. Go to the original one across the street. By Feb she should have the bugs worked out. Try the Artichoke.

Skip El Meson De Pepe. Its a bit of a tourist trap. For authentic Cuban go to El Siboney. It is really good and is where the locals go.

Antonias has the best Italian on the island. It is really really good.

Michaels is easily the best steak house on the island. Sit out in the garden. Save room for the chocolate volcano.

Mangos is a little hit or miss but a great people watching place. Sit at the bar with T.K. (if he is bartending) and have one of his margaritas. You wont be dissapointed.

A&B is also a little hit or miss. Great Lobster Bisque and a pretty view of the marina so be sure to sit outside.

For a sunset cruise go with Floridays. They dock out of the Hyatt. Its a beautiful boat. Here is the link. http://www.floridays.org/

Have a great time.

Let me add a couple of other places to try -

Ambrosia - only if you like sushi. It is some of the best I have ever tried.

915 - only about 1 1/2 years old but is the new hot spot with locals for food. It is really good. Only open for dinner.

Half Shell Raw Bar - This is a must for any visitor. Great for lunch or dinner.

I seem to remember a L-O-N-G wait for Ricky's Blue Heaven for dinner. Is there a way around that?

Thanks

-Sean

Unfortunately not unless you want to get there early. Off season it isn't too bad but in season it can take forever to get a table.

915 -
For anyone interested in Nine One Five (915) we have got the newest Key West Chef Show uploaded. Chef Martha Hubbard from Nine One Five makes Scallop Appetizers as well as Chorizo & Clams. See the show here. There is a background on the chef and the restaurant at the beginning.

What does anyone think of mangoe's at 700 Duval?

Sean,
Scroll up and you will find some links and reviews for it.

We were in Key West in May and ate at a great little local restaurant and neither of us can remember the name. It was south of Duval about 1/2 to 1 block on the same cross street that Mangoes sits on, but on the west side of that cross street. It was a little outdoor place with a courtyard that had just recently changed names. Had great snapper. We had eaten at A&B' the night before and thought it was good, but this place was much better and about 1/2 the price. If anyone knows what I'm talking about please help.

We also ate at Blue Heaven for lunch and enjoyed it also.

I did find out that the restaurant I am trying to find info. on was formerly known as Awful Arthurs. If that ehlps anyone with what it is now and an address/phone number that would be great. Thanks

Hot Tin Roof has been added to our list of Key west Chef show features. Chef Jesse Van Rossum of Hot Tin Roof cooked up Yellowtail Snapper and Shrimp for host Doug Shook... Delicious!

Check out the show here, streaming online

As far as sunset cruises.....try www.sunnydays.com

They have the BEST cat in the island...."Caribbean Spirit" not to mention the BEST crew!!

Another recommendation for sunset cruising on the Florida gulf is the Floriday's. Its docked at the Hyatt Resort & Marina at 601 Front St. Go on their "champagne sunset cruise" for $39.00/person. Romance & leisure is in the air as the sun slowly slips into the gentle waters of the gulf. They also offer snorkeling, fishing, weddings & private charters. If you are staying at the Hyatt you can get a 15% discount which is great or one of the other resorts on the Island. You won't be disapponinted & the crew is great! :)