A Weekend Wedding in Key West

Get off the main drag (Duval Street) and stroll the side streets for famous Key West cottage architecture. The Keys are the only place I've seen where all the gingerbread manages to look tropical cool instead of stuffy and overly sweet. Art abounds, both indoor, outdoor and the performance variety every night at the not to be missed Mallory Square sunset festival. When you go there, give a buck to the silver man so he can feed his silver kids. Nearby see the sculpture garden, with bronze busts of famous keys inhabitants, especially fun and creepy at night. Duval Street is quaint by day and depraved by night. Take your pick, but remember: the motto here is "Come as you are", and if you have no tolerance for every "alternative life style" under the sun, you should stay home. The rest of us happy tourists will be strolling the Seaport Harbour walk, watching the boats dock.

Quick Tips:

While Key West is fairly kid-friendly, my husband and I decided this is a place best enjoyed as a couple. What we thought was charming our 6 year old found to be boring. Be warned if your're driving; iT'S SLOW GOING on the road through the keys, and not exactly pretty in most parts. Expect three hous from the mainland if it's raining.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walk, or rent a moped. Parking is nonexistent, whether you just paid for your room or not. Taxis are also fast and don't rip you off.

We were booked in the "Saddlebunch Suite" for two nights. Our cottage was renovated throughout, and our suite was downstairs of the peach painted cottage. Reservations for these properties are taken at Center Court, another old town Inn. Both Cindy and Norman in the office were extremely nice and helpful, with Cindy quickly coming to my aid after I booked the wrong (after the wedding) weekend. I was thrilled she could find anything for us with only a two week notice, and did not expect our suite , at $138, to be as nice as it was. Ample window units keep it all cool, and although the suite is small, the rattan couch is comfortable, the full kitchen is stocked with a blender and the king size bed, housed right off the kitchen, is comfortable. Traveler's Palm supplies the thoughtful extras like quality cotton bedding, nice toiletries, and a CD player. My request for an ironing board was quickly met with a laugh from our housekeeper; people don't iron much in the keys!

Breakfast is included by the pool; they do a wonderful job of transforming the alley in between the two cottages into a tropical garden path leading to the swimming pool.There is a screen house with table and chairs off an open kitchen stocked with juice, fruit, cereal, breads, coffee, tea, etc. Guests can also come at night to enjoy a glass of wine. I loved this set-up for a continental breakfast; it's self-serve, casual, and everybody gets what they want. You can also sleep late and linger by the pool. I woulnd't hesitate to book this Inn again.

As we wandered from our B&B, in search of an early lunch or late breakfast, we stumbled upon the Deli. The good news is, they serve breakfast all day. The bad news is, it's pretty mediocre, and not cheap. Not until I was paying the bill ($27), did I spot a brouchure describing the place as "historical" and "Key West Original". I think by original they were describing the fingerprints on the jelly holders, which desparately need a cleaning.

The meal, after ordering, took a while. My husband's Reuban sandwich was good, nicely grilled with french fries, my western omelet ($5.75) was, passable, made in one of those strange flip top pans, with a side of barely toasted bread. My daughter's Begian waffle, at $5.50, was a dissapointment, obviously microwaved and thrown, alone, on a plate.

All in all, pricing seemed high for what was bearly passable as "decent luncheonette food" and service is slow but cheerful. If you need a basic meal, this could fit the bill. But refrain from thinking, as the brochure suggests, that you've stumbled upon a Key West "diamond in the rough".

An obvious favorite among the pleasure boats docked outside the door. We were quickly seated in the large, open dining room. Grateful to get into the air conditioning, we didint complain about getting a table for 7 directly (and I mean directly) in front of the door. The very casual dining room features lot's of blond wood, blackboards on the wall listing the day's catch, and the usual "fish house", no frills atmosphere. The kitchen, however, shows many creative sparks. I was expecting, from the decor, fried fish and coleslaw, but was happily suprised by a large selection of interesting entrees, as well as daily specials. My husband ordered the "Florida Gator tail Special" ($19.95)It was perfectly sauteed and nicely presented with a light picatta (garlic,lemon,caper) sauce. The "Coconut Crusted Grouper with mustard alioli and daikon garnish" (19.50), was a good choice , with the grouper very fresh, white and firm, and not a hint of grease in the coconut crust. Daikon garnish was not seasoned and seemed out of place piled on top. I happily pushed it aside and devoured the delicious fish with the light mustard-mayonaisse. Some of us ordered appetizers in lieu of an entree, a good idea given the generous portions. The server was very agreeable to this; as in most of Key West "anything goes" have an app, an entree or just a drink, or whatever.

Spinach and garlic baked oysters, and Oysters Rockefeller ($9.95ea) both arrived piping hot, the huge oysters plump, juicy and well seasoned. Buffalo Shrimp ($7.95) had good sized whole (not breaded) shrimp in an extra spicy chili sauce. Even the kids meal chicken fingers were a quality plate, with crispy chicken and "real" french fries, housemade and delicious. This restuarant was a great combination of upscale cuisine and very casual atmosphere.