Romance in Key West

[JungMann]

Two 20-something New Yorkers looking for a special romantic restaurant as a respite from bar skipping in Key West. Hoping to keep it below $70pp and avoiding places that are seafood heavy. TIA!

[LJM]

Alice's and A&B are both good, but not so much for romance. The new Martin's on Duval is a good choice, as is Santiago's. Just stay aways from the food at Louie's.

[elasticwaistband]

I have been trying to see if there has been a chowhound review yet of Norman Van Aken's new restaurant in Key West called Tavern-n-Town, located at the Beachside Resort, but cannot come up with one. It may be worth a try (if you want to spend the $$$).

I too will be in Key West for a couple of nights soon, and was wondering how this place is doing so far.

I have heard that Alice's and Santiago's Bodega are winners.

www.beachsidekeywest.com

[Suzie]

If you look under tripadvisors key west forum you will find a thread about it. It wasn't favorable.

[Cookiefiend]

I've always liked Alices. Friendly, decent wine list and I have to say, the best duck ever.

And if you go, you must must must have the tropical fruit shortcake. I've been known to have dinner somewhere else and go to Alice's for that alone.

And the margaritas are good too!

[rweater]

I had a very romantic dinner once at La Trattoria on Duval Street (http://www.latrattoria.us/)

It was a long time ago, so I don't remember too much about the food specifically, but it seemed like a low-key but romantic place. Not overly touristy and since it's Italian you can get more than just seafood.

[rhnault]

we got married in Key West and afterwards took the shuttle boat out to the Hilton ( I think it's the Hilton....) that is on a seperate little island. We had a beautiful outdoor tiki torch lit dinner. We had surf n turf and it was perfect. I am sure someone more local could remember the name of the place....it's been 7 years now and I shamefully don't remember. Other good dinners were at Mango's and A&B Lobsterhouse. Make sure to go to 1/2 Shell Raw Bar though when you want just plain good fried seafood and oysters in a non-romantic setting.

[Suzie]

Mango's changes hands a while ago and its not as good as it once was. A&B is wonderful but it is seafood heavy. Google it and look at the menu and see what you think. Another idea is Bagetelle. Hilton in now a Westin. You could also look at The Rooftop Cafe.

[Cookiefiend]

That's Sunset Key and the restaurant's called Latitudes.

Sunset Key is my absolute favorite place in Key West. It is a Westin now, but that hasn't affected the place itself.

We also like Pisces, and Alice's. Of the two, Pisces, is probably more romantic, with a French style

[JungMann]

What would be a more realistic price point? I think we can increase the budget for something that will please.

[JungMann]

But 915 and Opera are both viable options? Any others? I would hope there are brilliant restaurants in Key West than just those two.

[LauraFL]

Some people give it a bad rap, but we had an amazingly romantic - and delicious - dinner at Louie's Backyard. You have to sit outside... the inside decor is nothing to write home about... ask for the two-person tables that face out to ocean (you sit side by side). The atmosphere there is proposal-worthy, it's that nice.

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Louie's Backyard
700 Waddell Ave, Key West, FL 33040

[Suzie]

Louie's is a huge tourist trap. You will not find locals having dinner there. They go there for lunch and to have drinks. It is also much more than 70pp. Skip it. The problem is there are a lot of great places but the 70pp might be a little low plus being an island, many of the good places are seafood heavy.

[Nick]

Opera or Antonia's.

[Suzie]

Antonia's Chef has left to do something on his own (Azur) so I would not suggest it for a special evening until they regroup.

[Suzie]

http://www.915duval.com/