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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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