Page 22 - DreamScapes Magazine | Fall/Winter 2023

PHOTOS: THE FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST
THE (FLORIDA) KEYS
to Your Heart
BY CHARMAINE NORONHA
Off the southernmost tip of the conti-
A TASTE FOR LIONFISH
PINK SHRIMP PARTY
nental United States, there’s another
The exotic, overly abundant lionfish has caught
Sweet, delicate Key West pink shrimp ranks world of culinary wonders that awaits.
the attention of some local chefs. Avid lionfish
among the Florida Keys’ most popular nat- Flanked by ocean on all sides, the Florida Keys
diver and chef Robert Stoky has created a tasty
ural resources. Named for the rosy shell and Key West’s access to the freshest seafood
recipe for butter-baked lionfish at his Marker 88
colour, foodies consider them sweeter than lends itself to a unique dining scene. Go for
Waterfront, a beachfront eatery in Islamorada.
other types of shrimp. Find them on many dockside dining, hit the seafood shacks, check
You can also try lionfish in Marathon at Cast-
local restaurant menus, including Alonzo’s out the food trucks or consider the array of his-
away Waterfront Restaurant and Sushi Bar,
Oyster Bar in Key West, where they’ve been toric locally run properties and gourmet
whereyou’llenjoythisseafooddelicacyasthe
servinguppinkshrimpsincethe’40s.This hotspots that can be found only in this mighty
owner, John Mirabella, has often been crowned
legendary waterfront oyster bar is also archipelago of coral and sand islands.
the “Lionfish King” of the Florida Keys. Ask for
famous for their warm crab and shrimp dip Explore some of these standout menu
it “wrecker” style, as a sashimi or nigiri sushi
as a starter, which is capped off with a meal
choices that start in Key Largo and continue in
roll, or as a ceviche appetizer.
of local pinks served buffalo style, battered with coconut, or peel-and-eat as part of its multi-story seafood tower.
Get ready to dive into some of the most unique eateries with even more unique menu items—found only in the Florida Keys and KeyWest.DS
Travel Planner
For more travel inspiration on the Florida Keys and Key West visit fla-keys.com/food-drink
Islamorada, Marathon and, of course, the most southerly eats in Key West.
CRAB CLAWS CRAWL
Welcome to stone crab season! The Florida Keys is Florida’s leading supplier of delicious stone crab claws, which are uniquely sustainable as these feisty crab claws regrow. Indulge in this buttery-flaky delicacy at Key Largo Fisheries, an old-time fish market where commercial fishing boats pull up to the dock for fishers to unload their catch. The stone crabs are processed immediately, so dine at this dockside restau- rant for the freshest crab claws.
For more finger-licking, head to The Stoned Crab in Key West. The open-air restaurant has two private fishing boats that deliver daily catches of stone crab, lobster, Key West shrimp and local fish. Sip on an organic cocktail while clawing your way through your meal at Key West’s first organic and sustainable eco-bar.
22 DREAMSCAPES FALL/WINTER 2023