Travel Edition – Key West, FL
Amazing. That is the best way to start a write up on Latitudes, amazing atmosphere, amazing service, amazing food. This might be one of the most romantic restaurants we have ever seen. I will say that getting a reservation can be quite a challenge so the moment you start planning a trip to Key West you should probably book this one. We tried, as usual, to book online with OpenTable but there was nothing available. I did however find success when I picked up the phone and spoke to the staff there directly. I explained that it was my wife’s birthday and they managed to make it work and fit us in. If you are unable to find a dinner reservation it is still worth going if you can get in for lunch.
Our reservation was for 5:15 (which is actually the time you check in for the water taxi not your meal) so we would be there to see the sunset. They will check you in dockside then transport you to Sunset Key (a beautiful private island that has homes owned by superstars like Oprah) just 10 minutes by boat. When you arrive you will immediately see why this is such a coveted reservation and why some people make them a year in advance. The restaurant has a little beach area surrounding it and plenty of outdoor tables with beautifully lit tiki’s like something you would expect to see in Hawaii or in a movie. Once you get off the boat you will pass by the quaint outdoor bar and be checked in then immediately seated. One couple stopped at the bar first and was not checked in which created confusion once they were ready to be seated. We would recommend you just get a drink at your table and enjoy the view.
The staff was impeccable and very professional. Since this is Key West the dress code is relaxed but make no mistake, this is an upscale restaurant so wear something nice. My wife had on a beautiful Lilly dress and pearls and I had on a nice Tommy Bahama shirt and khaki shorts.
They have a very nice drink menu and the very friendly waiter made his recommendations. I had the Key Lime Martini (and later the house special Latitude 24N81W martini) and my wife had the Pomegranate Margarita. All of the drinks were fantastic and they kept a good eye out to make sure they were there when you wanted another or to keep your waterglass full.
For appetizers we had the lobster bisque (which was different because they use local Florida lobster but very good nonetheless) and the artisan cheese plate (perhaps one of the best cheese plates I have ever had, it was incredible). For the main course I had the grilled center cut tenderloin (it was perfectly cooked and the seasoning and blue cheese topping was amazing) and my wife had the butter poached Caribbean lobster tail in a delicate potato fried basket (absolutely beautiful and delicious but different from Maine lobster, if you have never had it you should expect it to be a little less sweet).
By the time we were finishing our meals the sun was setting and the atmosphere was incredibly beautiful. I believe there was another couple that got engaged on the dock just in front of the restaurant and everyone clapped and cheered. The staff was very gracious to take pictures for all the couples that were trying to capture the moment and the entire experience felt like something out of a magazine. We opted not to have dessert as we had other plans for that (which I will do a write up on), not that we could have eaten one more bite. The food was so good you just don’t want to stop eating. We went back to the dock and relaxed while we waited for the next ferry back to Key West (I believe they come every 30 mins). The ride back was nice and the boat ride feels like a bit of a bonus and we really enjoyed every minute of this experience. We would highly recommend you plan a special trip to Latitudes the next time you go down to Key West, we know we will again. Have you ever had your expectations exceeded on every level and somehow the food tastes better, the service seems excellent, and the atmosphere more romantic and a bit magical? Yeah, its like that.
Date Nights Palm Beach 