Lobster Fest in Key West

Whether you prefer the sweet and tender claw meat of the North Atlantic lobster, or the savory tail meat of the spiny Key West lobster, it’s safe to say that almost everyone loves a good, fresh lobster! In honor of Lobster Fest in Key West this past weekend here are a few fun facts about these delicious critters!

Lobsters were once considered “poor man’s chicken” and only fed to pigs and goats.

Lobsters aren’t naturally red. They turn bright red when cooked, but in the wild they can be green, yellow or even bright blue!

Lobster blood is clear. When cooked, it turns to a whitish gel.

Lobsters have teeth in their stomachs.

Lobster brains are no larger than the tip of a ballpoint pen.

Lobsters are nocturnal, so it’s best to hunt them at night.

If you didn’t make Lobster Fest this year, make plans now to visit during this festival next year; it’s always held in mid-August.

It’s Mango Season!

Some sure signs of early summer in Key West: the bright orange Poinciana trees in full bloom, and luscious, ripe mangos hanging from seemingly every street corner.

If you live in Old Town Key West, you can expect that at least one bag of mangos will mysteriously appear on your porch sometime in June. There are just SO MANY MANGOS, you almost can’t give them away! Locals start competing for the most inventive recipes: mango curry chicken salad, mango upside-down cake, bourbon-mango pulled pork, and on and on until all the mangos are gone.

Another local trick for not wasting any of this deliciousness: freeze cubed mango in a Ziploc bag and use for smoothies well into the fall. In India (where mangoes originated and are considered sacred) people drink mango lassis: fresh mango, a little bit of fresh orange juice, ice cubes, honey, and plain yogurt. And speaking of drinks, a mango daiquiri is one mango, juice of two limes, sugar syrup to taste, ice, and 3/4 cup rum blended and served.

May all your mango dreams come true this summer!

Antonia’s – Fine Dining full of Charm

Key West is full of restaurants and various dining options. There are certainly plenty of options to suit everyone’s taste and preference. If you’re looking for fine dining and craving Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, we strongly suggest Antonia’s.

Located at 615 Duval Street, this fine dining establishment is full of charm. As a long standing “fixture” of a Key West restaurant, Antonia’s attracts many locals as well as tourists with its old world ambiance and fine white tablecloths. Reservations are highly suggested for both lunch and dinner.

Everything at this Italian eatery is fresh and prepared to order. You can watch the chef rolling out the day’s fresh made pasta through the window early in the day. The owners travel to Italy annually to research recipes, so you can expect authentic meals here. Expect personal service from the staff; perhaps even from one of the proprietors.

And now for the menu…

Starters, or antipasti, like caprese (homemade mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil) or the calamari in brodetto (grilled and sliced baby squid with spicy tomato sauce, garlic, a touch of red pepper, olive oil and parsley) are highly recommended favorites. Choose from several pasta favorites like gnocchi del giorno (homemade potato gnocchi with your choice of sauce: gorgonzola cream, meat ragu, or pesto). The pesce and carne menus feature fresh local seafood, beef, veal and lamb. Pair your meal with a vintage port or cognac, American wine or a cocktail from the bar. Finish off with a decadent dessert such as gelati, sorbet, or others. A tray of cookies accompanies your bill to help sweeten the deal.

For your special occasion, Antonia’s offers catering options as well as a dining room upstairs for private parties. The dining room sits above the restaurant and seats up to 50 guests. With a private entrance and full service bar, it’s sure to please your guests. Menu options are offered as three, four or five course menus, buffet, Hors d’oeuvres, and even dietary restricted menus. Whatever your needs, Antonia’s is sure to accommodate you and your party.

Enthusiastic foodies will be pleased know that Antonia’s is highly regarded by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Frommer’s Travel Guide, and Zagat among other restaurant critics.

Decide for yourself; make reservations today for your Key West vacation rental and follow up with a meal at Antonia’s. You won’t regret it!