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Hi List!
A few weeks ago I wrote asking for advice about eating in Key West.
I got a couple emails with advice, and a lot of requests for a
summary! Since the advice I got was not very extensive, I decided to
wait and summarize it, along with my experiences.
I traveled with my partner and some of her family, they knew Key
West well, and always had a clear idea of where they wanted to eat.
I went along, with my Triumph cards (no financial interest or
endorsement, just what I did!), and figured I would only mess with
their plan if I could not eat in a particular place. That never
happened! I seem to be pretty sensitive to "getting glutened," and
this was the happiest my gut has ever been while traveling!!! All of
these restaurants are on or very close to the old town Duvall Street
strip. Here is a list of the restaurants we tried and my experiences:
---Two Friends (lunch) ~$10-15 per person. I had grilled telapia.
It was very bland, they would not give me the rice that came with it,
for fear of unknown ingredients. Overall, they were careful, and I
did not get sick, but I felt ripped off as the meal was not very
good, especially compared to everyone else's.
---Duffy's (dinner) ~$20-30 per person. I had the Salmon and baked
potato. They were careful and attentive, but the result was not very
exciting.
---Blue Heaven (breakfast) ~10-15 per person. They were very aware
and attentive, offered to cook my scrambled eggs in a separate pan
before I could even start to explain my situation! The atmosphere is
very Key West, so while my food was not as exciting as everyone
else's, I still thought this one was a great spot to eat.
---Rooftop (dinner) ~$25-40 per person. Very attentive and careful.
I had the Tuscan Snapper, and it was OUTSTANDING! Had I called ahead
I might have been able to have dessert, but they were not able to
track down the chef who made the flourless chocolate cake to be sure
the pans were not floured. My friends had a piece of it and it was
fabulous, so if you go, call ahead and eat some cake too!
---Pepe's (breakfast) ~$8-15 per person. Again they were very
attentive and careful. I had an omelette, and loved it. Great
atmosphere, in an old fashioned diner meets Key West way. I highly
recommend this one for breakfast.
---Sarabeth's (dinner) ~$20-30 per person. Another very careful and
attentive place. I had the Mahi Mahi, served with tomatillo (sp?)
sauce. It was fantastic! I was in heaven! For dessert they were
offering Strawberry shortcake, and they were very nice about getting
me some strawberries and whipped cream. When I asked the waitress
for that, without checking with the manager, he was nice enough to
come over and tell me that he double checked everything. He also
gave us great tips for finding the best drag show for the evening
entertainment. I highly recommend Sarabeth's!
---Westin Hotel's cafe by the water (sorry I forgot the name of it)
(breakfast) ~$15-25 per person. Reasonably attentive and careful. I
had a neat dish with eggs and cheese served inside potato skins.
Very yummy, if a little overpriced.
Here is the list of suggestions that others sent me, before I went.
Thanks to those who responded!! Apologies if I left anyone out, I
think I misplace one email.
We ate at a delightful Mexican restaurant on Duvall Street- of
course, Mexican food is celiac friendly-
The grocery store in Key West is Winn Dixie. I haven't been back to
Key West since being diagnosed with CD so don't know what they have
or where to buy things. I think I also remember an Eckerds or
Walgreens there (drugstore) near the Winn Dixie and there was also a
TCBY. Please summarize your responses and email to the list. Thanks!
Have a great time in Key West-I was there last November for my brother's
wedding (on a catamaran at sunset!). I am not celiac but my daughter is,
so of course I check out the menus everywhere! There is a Publix
grocery store with an excellent gluten free foods selection, and of
course you are right about the seafood-that's all we ate while we were
there!
Melinda Freckleton, DVM
Catlett, VA
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