Celebrating the Holidays in Key West Bartender of the Week by LAURA RICHARDSON Us Lucky Enough to Call Paradise Home Grubby’S Key West Evolution
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INSIDE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 5, 2018 www.FloridaWeekly.com Vol. 3, No. 35 • FREE Top Picks Top things to do in town this week. A9 GGIFTGUIDE I F T G U I D E BYLAURARICHARDSON Florida WeeklyWeekly Correspondent Correspondent THE PICK DO YOU . HHOW BUSINESS IS SERIOUS IFT GIVING Bird talk perfect presents forfor youryour nearestnearest andand dearestdearest whenwhen your shoppingshopping optionsoptions areare notnot exactly exactly myriad myriad or or Harty and Whiteside on birds G and conservation. A7 varied? T-shirt shopsshops (with(with thethe ubiquitousubiquitous “EVERY- “EVERY- GIFT GUIDE, A10A10 THING $5!!!!” signssigns inin thethe windows), windows), stores storesSEE hawking hawking lotions lotions and potions ofof dubious dubious efficacy efficacy and and all all manner manner of oftrinket trinket and Celebrating the holidays in Key West Bartender of the Week BY LAURA RICHARDSON us lucky enough to call paradise home Grubby’s Key West Evolution. Florida Weekly Correspondent have our share of holiday stressors (even tropical island-dwellers have in-laws and A6 Year-round balmy temps, palm trees and get agita over sourcing the perfect gifts), sandy beaches may not exactly scream but they pale in comparison to what our “holiday season,” but while our friends friends on the mainland have to suffer up north are dreaming of sugarplums and through each year. Having to scrape iguana freezing their bundled up behinds off, we poop off your conch cruiser (that’s Key here in the Florida Keys will be celebrating West slang for a bicycle) is no picnic, but the season our way — with Conch Train it sure beats having to scrape off three feet Christmas tours (which are basically just an COURTESY PHOTO of icy shards from your Arctic incubator of excuse to ooh and aah over Christmas light On Friday, Dec. 7, those in town with pets should a vehicle. So, if you’re fortunate enough to displays while we get sloshed on a trolley trek over to the end of William Street (on the be joining us for the holidays this year, do and make up dirty words to Bing Crosby’s Schooner Wharf side) to the Pet Pictures with yourself a favor and relax; we’ve got plenty greatest holiday hits) and parades and par- Santa event at 6 p.m. of laid-back options for those looking to Real Estate ties galore, sans the winter coats and frigid experience the season island-style. weather generally associated with the win- That’s not to say life on the island is When the weather takes a turn for the A beauty at 626 Caroline St. ter season. always easy breezy. The truth is, those of for $625,000. A18 SEE HOLIDAYS, A13 A2 WEEK OF NOV. 29-DEC. 5, 2018 www.FloridaWeekly.com FLORIDA WEEKLY KEY WEST OFF OFF DUVAL Editor Owen Killian The most traveled and visible street books.com; 305-294-2904. This [email protected] in Key West is only the beginning, the decades-old boutique bookstore offers a surface, of what the town has to offer. surprisingly varied wealth of current and Publisher Ask the locals about their favorite spots, used titles, from bestsellers to rare titles. Niall Geoghegan stroll through quiet neighborhoods or Often open late, it’s an inviting place to [email protected] down alleyways off Duval and you’ll browse the crowded stacks. begin to dive deeper into the quieter, Reporters more diverse and less readily appar- La Rubia Fine Hats, 510 Fleming Bucky Montgomery ent offerings. Here are eight spots you St. 305-296-6059; www.larubiakey- Laura Richardson might not see at first glance. west.com. This is the Florida Keys’ Jennifer White only importer of authentic Panama hats. Better than Sex, 926 Simonton The owners developed the boutique Presentation Editor St. 305-296-8102; www.betterthan- to carry on the centuries-old tradition Eric Raddatz sexkeywest.com. A great place for of hand weaving hats (which come [email protected] couples. Swing by this dessert-only, COURTESY PHOTO from Ecuador, not Panama, by the way). adults-only restaurant late in the eve- The Mellow Café and Gastro Pub is open for There are styles for men and women Production Manager ning. Indulge your senses with choco- breakfast, lunch and dinner. in a wide array of colors and weaves. Alisa Bowman late dipped wine glasses and cheeky, There’s also a nice selection of wearable [email protected] homemade desserts and beverages such ret St. 305-292-4747; www.cuban- fair trade crafts such as jewelry, ikat as an Ephemere Apple Spiced Ale in a coffeequeen.com. The strong Cuban wraps and shigra bags. Graphic Designers tall beer glass with a signature caramel coffee at this hole in the wall is also Chris Andruskiewicz • Emma Campos rim-job. Lick it good. rich in Key West heritage. A café con Little Pearl, 632 Olivia St. 305-204- Paul Heinrich • Scott Sleeper leche paired with a classic Cuban 4762; www.littlepearlkeywest.com. Mellow Café and Gastro Pub, 1605 sandwich or some Havana rice and Nestled in the heart of Old Town Key Circulation Manager Roosevelt Blvd. 305-745-3874; www. beans will keep you going long into a West and away from the bustling down- Michael Gagliardi mellowventureskeywesst.com. Near Key West night. town streets sits this excellent spot for [email protected] the water in Old Town Key West, the fresh local catch and innovative cuisine café is open for breakfast, lunch and Firefly, 223 Petronia St. 305-849- with a tropical twist. It’s new and it’s Sales and Marketing Assistant dinner and offers unique island fare 0104; www.fireflykeywest.com. Being hot. Reservations are required. Tiffany Nagle with a mellow atmosphere to match. that Key West is home to the southern- Operations Manager The menu items are crafted with fresh, most point of the continental United Nancy Forrester’s Secret Gar- Kelli Carico locally sourced ingredients and include States, it’s fitting that the island is home den, 518 Elizabeth St. 305-294-0015; a fresh catch, Havana roasted pork, to a Southern-inspired restaurant. Fire- www.nancyforrester.com. Ms. For- Published by romaine leaf plates and caramelized fly’s plantation-style look and its menu rester has a secret, and it’s not her Florida Media Group LLC banana chocolate tacos. Drink options give it the most down-home feel of garden, per se: It’s what she keeps 100 Grinnell Street • Key West, FL 33040 include a large selection of craft beers, any culinary experience on the island. there. The longtime environmentalist 305.363.1310 11 rotating tap beers, wine, house-made The shrimp and grits, fried chicken and has been caring for orphaned parrots sangria and champagne cocktails. They bacon-wrapped meatloaf are a few fan for more than 30 years. She invites www.FloridaWeekly.com have a great happy hour daily from 5-7 favorites. the public to meet them, take pictures, p.m., and delivery is available. hold them and listen as she educates Key West Island Bookstore, 513 the community about her fine feath- Copyright: The contents of the Florida Weekly are copyright 2018 by Florida Media Group, LLC. No portion may be reproduced without Cuban Coffee Queen, 284 Marga- Fleming St. www.Keywestisland- ered friends. ■ the express written consent of Florida Media Group, LLC. #WATERFRONTBREWS CRAZY LADY HONEY BLONDE ALE This blonde ale brewed with local honey is good as it gets. A nice clean ale with a subtle honey-like sweetness that llingersingers jjustust lolongngg eenough.no Very drinkablekablb e anandd smsmooth.ooo thh. LAZY WAY IPA AMERICAN IPA A medium-bodied, lightly toasted IPA with a malt character and a balanced bitterness. The piney hop notes carry through to the flavor. Finishes crisp and fairly dry. ISLAND LIFE AMERICAN LAGER Standard American Lagers are the “regular” strength versions of the light American lagers. The style guidelines for this beer are almost identical as those for the light versions. BREWERY TOURS 7+856'$<$1')5,'$<$7306$785'$<$1'681'$<$730 BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.THEWATERFRONTBREWERY.COM Brewed in Key West, Drank in the AWARD ! WINNING BEER Keys On Draft at CORK & STOGIE KEY WEST - EL SIBONEY STOCK ISLAND - THE GATES HOTEL KEY WEST www.THEWATERFRONTBREWERY.com • 305-440-2270 • 201 WILLIAM STREET • KEY WEST, FL A4 WEEK OF NOV. 29-DEC. 5, 2018 www.FloridaWeekly.com FLORIDA WEEKLY KEY WEST MAP IT OUT Getting around Key West 1. Southernmost Point food carts, palmists and psychics. 8. Mel Fisher Maritime Museum 205 Whitehead St. The corner of South and 200 Greene St. 305-294-2116 Whitehead streets 5. Truman Little White House 305-294-2633 www.Audubonhouse.com www.southernmostpointwebcam.com 111 Front St. www.melfisher.org Original lithographs by John James The city of Key West erected this www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com Exhibits include treasures from the Audubon are on display in this former concrete buoy in 1983 to denote the The Little White House adds a presi- Spanish galleons of 1622 discovered by home of shipwreck salvager Capt. John southernmost point in the continential dential luster to the Conch Republic. Orig- Mel Fisher and his crew. Geiger. United States. inally built for Naval officers in 1890 and used as a command headquarters in three 9. Mile Marker 0 Sign 12. Key West City Cemetery 2. Conch Tour Train wars, the Little White House later served 490 Whitehead St. (corner Bordered by Angela, Frances and 303 Front St. as lodging for President Harry S. Tru- of Fleming Street) Olivia streets and Windsor Lane 305-294-5161 or 888-916-8687 man’s winter retreats from 1946 to 1952.