Spring Breaks

In January and February the island is busy with part-time residents (I've heard 'snowbird' isn't really a nice term). There is definitely more traffic on the roads and the grocery store is more crowded, but this is a very civilized group of visitors. Polite, well dressed. We tend to get to church earlier on Sunday morning so we get a seat, and we rarely go to dinner in Old Town....reservations only during this busy time of year.

In March, we get the college students. Oh my. They take over Smathers Beach during the day and Duval Street at night. I saw large groups walking all over the island, coolers in tow, heading for the beach from their hotels. I also saw them at Publix....more of them than I wanted to, to be honest. This year there was a big contingent of 'let's go to the store with our bums hanging out' folks. Never good. They do sell bathing suit cover-ups at many local stores, just sayin'.

The third week of March is spring break for us locals. No school for an entire week. If my news feed on Facebook is any indication, the majority of local families head to Disney and Universal. Lots of camping and shopping on the mainland as well. We headed north to an area new to us, Aventura/Hallandale Beach, but one that we will definitely return to.

After five years of shopping excursions, I finally found my perfect source of all those those things we can't get in Key West. The Hampton Inn there is sparkly nice and quite posh for a hotel at that price range. Less than a half-mile up the road sits a huge Target (next to a Whole Foods Market, no less) and a large, clean Michael's craft store. Aventura Mall is the next right, with a ton of high-end stores and a Nordstrom that makes the big one in Tyson Corner, VA (my old stomping grounds) look like small potatoes.

Leave the hotel and head a short distance in the other direction and you'll see the Village at Gulfstream, upscale shopping and dining next to Gulfstream racetrack. West Elm, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, and my personal fave, The Container Store. I was in shopping heaven for sure. It was fun, and I filled the back of the truck with stuff I've needed (ok....wanted), but all that consumerism had a downside.

Before we headed back to Key West, I insisted on a stop at Williams-Sonoma for Easter supplies. My girls, who had been just delightful during our short trip, kind of lost it. As they were grabbing fancy marshmallows, gourmet jellybeans, and expensive chocolate bunnies, Josie started crying. She wanted to eat them NOW, not wait until Easter. And then Mari joined in. I realized that they were completely overstimulated and just ready to head home, so we put everything back and found Route 1. I think everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we left the mainland. And we were all happy to hit Key West three hours later.

Yes, you can definitely have too much of a good thing. And jelly beans and chocolate bunnies from Publix will be just fine.

Rusty Anchor

When we first moved here in 2010, I would often hear older people talk about eating at the Rusty Anchor, so for a while I assumed it was too old-school for me. But it has become one of my favorite lunch spots, with the kids or without. Yes, the decor and ambiance are definitely a throwback to seafood houses of the past (the same family has owned and operated it since 1983). But go more than a few times and the waitress will bring you your favorite beverage without you saying a word. The fish and shellfish is super fresh and prepared well, and the daily specials can seriously rock. So maybe I'm a bit more old school than I thought. And I'm not the only one - I see the same diners every time we go in there....young, old, and from every walk of life.

One of the first things that got me hooked (excuse the fishing pun) was the White Conch Chowder. It's served every Friday, and on Saturday if they happen to have any left. Seriously good stuff, made with a flavorful creamy base, tender chunks of potato, and lots of conch meat, cut small so that you get the flavor and not the chewiness. I enjoy ordering this soup at several restaurants in the lower Keys, but I think  Rusty Anchor's version just may be my favorite.

I love the women who serve lunch there, and the way they serve it. You don't just get an iced tea, you get a pitcher in case you need a refill. All seafood orders come with chilled squeeze bottles of both tartar sauce and cocktail sauce so you can use as much, or as little, as you prefer. Extra napkins, 'to go' boxes, and inquiries about the family are delivered without request. Food is served quickly. Maybe that is why it's so popular with large groups of local businessmen and the staff of the Sheriff's office?

Rusty's Fish Sandwich is served on Cuban bread with lettuce, tomato, and onion. I prefer the yellowtail snapper if they have it, fried, but you can also get your choice of the day's catches grilled, blackened, or lemon peppered. The Fish Reuben is really good, as is the Cuban Mix, dressed with mustard as it should be. If they have Pulled Pork as a daily special, order it! One sandwich is enough for two people, easily.

Along with fresh fish and local shrimp, the dinner menu offers spiny lobster, conch steak, and fresh tuna steak seared with sesame seeds, served with wasabi and soy sauce. They cut the Delmonico steak in house. That and baby back ribs make sure that the non-seafood eaters won't be hungry. Every Wednesday is 'Prime Rib Night.' I hear it's very popular. And kind of old school. At the Rusty Anchor, that's a good thing.

White Conch Chowder at Rusty Anchor

Breakfast at Azur

Short Rib Hash & Eggs

Breakfast is an important meal in Key West. We need fuel to start a busy work day and to take in the sights on land or water. There are quite a few who count on breakfast (no matter what time it is eaten) to 'get right' after a long night of fun. It's great that the island offers so many good places to choose from. Cuban coffee windows, healthy smoothie spots, diners, and more upscale options all abound. 

One of my favorite breakfast spots is probably better known for lunch or dinner. In fact, many locals don't seem to be aware that Azur is serving up a great breakfast Monday through Saturday mornings on a quiet corner in Old Town. Guests at Eden House, just a few doors down on Fleming Street, are invited to start their day there, but everyone is welcome.

Azur's breakfast menu is divided into sections, just like most morning menus, but the sections here are rounded out with some unusual and delicious choices.

First off, the Benedicts. Yes, an entire section devoted to them. Five options, each topped with two poached eggs. It's the rest of the plate that makes it special. How about a crisp flat bread with a layer of grilled tomatoes, two excellent crab cakes, and lemon hollandaise? Or maybe you'd like crisp yellowtail snapper filets atop grilled ciabatta with wilted spinach and caper hollandaise? Even the more traditional choices aren't so traditional. The Azur Benedict is made with the house-cured fennel salmon, crème fraiche, and tobiko (flying fish roe) hollandaise. The Roesti Benedict reflects the owners' time in Germany, with a crisp potato pancake as the base, and Brie, prosciutto, arugula and hollandaise on top.

Next, look at the frittata section. Another five enticing choices. These open-faced omelets are tender and full of flavor from combinations like spinach and sheep's milk Feta, Prosciutto di Parma, Fontina, and caramelized onions, and Brie, Herbs de Provence, and mushrooms. Potatoes and ciabatta toast are served alongside.

For those who like to start the day with a sweeter meal, Azur's key lime pie stuffed French toast should do the trick. It's made with thick bread slices soaked in vanilla custard then grilled. Add a same-size slice of real pie between each piece of toast and a wild berry compote, and you should be ready to face the day no matter what. 

The winner on this menu is the Carbonara Breakfast, listed under the Hearty Breakfast section. What, you say? Isn't that a pasta dish? I was skeptical but as I watched the plates of it pass my table on numerous visits I had to give it a try. Amazing! And not as heavy or sinful as it sounds. Azur's breakfast/dinner mash up features crisp pancetta, mushrooms, and soft onion throughout the pasta, with two poached eggs on top. The egg yolk blends with Parmesan Reggiano to make a sauce that is, well, just trust me and go try it. I've heard from the servers that they consider taking it off the menu sometimes, but that customers beg them not to. It's that good.

Yellowtail Snapper Benedict

Proscuitto & Fontina Fritatta