Key Lime Pie Pilgrimage

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Since we’re on Thanksgiving Week, a lot of us are thinking about desserts… Namely, pies! While Key Lime Pie isn’t typically associated with Turkey Day, it’s my favorite dessert! I know so many, even native Floridians, you can’t quite get around the tartness. For me, it’s the whole experience tart and sweet and creamy. If Key Lime Pie is on the menu, I will most definitely order it! That’s why it was so special to travel down to Key West earlier in the month and experience my own little pilgrimage. I didn’t check off all the slices that I wanted to, but here are three of the most popular pies in town!

Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe

If you are unsure about such tart desserts, this may be the slice for you! I found this pie to have a pretty tame flavor. David typically isn’t that much into desserts that kick back, so he loved it! He was particularly interested in the strawberry key lime pie or the chocolate-dipped slices on a stick, but I just wanted to stick with the classic. The shop also offers all kinds of key lime flavored things for the kitchen, and even scented body washes.

Pepe’s Cafe

Not only was this historic restaurant one of my favorite meals on the island, but it also serves one of the best slices of pie! The flavor was nice and tart, but I really loved the cheesecake-like consistency. A special surprise was the slight cinnamon flavor in the crust. It was pretty subtle, but you can definitely taste it if you know what you’re looking for. What a perfect pallet cleanser after a delicious lunch al fresco.

Blue Heaven

This picture just doesn’t do the dessert justice! Since it was a rainy day in Key West, I opted to leave my camera at home and had to resort to a quick iPhone pic. Atop a layer of delicious key lime pie, is a cloud of meringue about a mile high! The result is what feels like two desserts in one. I know meringue isn’t everyone’s favorite, but I say don’t knock it until you try it!

Asking me to pick a favorite pie is like asking a mother to pick their favorite child. Each had its own merits, but sometimes it’s satisfying to make your own. I like to brag that I make a pretty decent key lime pie myself! All throughout the island, you will see key lime flavor make its way into nearly everything. Sangria, hollandaise sauce, marinades. The best thing you can do for yourself in Key West is to enjoy the local flavor as often as possible!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Travel Guide: Key West

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Key West, Florida has long been an ideal travel destination. With tropical temperatures year-round and the southernmost point of the US, it creates a sense of really escaping the everyday. Although I’ve lived in Florida for nearly my entire life, I made my very first trip to the Florida Keys earlier in the month for a dear friend’s wedding. While the bands of a Tropical Storm made the weather less than perfect, I loved being able to explore the island. Here’s a quick look at my travel guide for the one and only, Key West.

How to Get There

• By Car: Depending on where you live, this could be a scenic and cost-effective option. One of the main reasons I had never been to Key West before is because it’s nearly a 7 hour drive. That’s not exactly ideal if you’re looking for a long weekend getaway. Driving would be the perfect option if you’re planning on having an extended trip or wanting to explore the rest of the Keys.
• By Plane: I cannot recommend this enough! Once we took off, we touched down in Key West in about an hour! From the Tampa Airport (and many other Florida cities), Silver Airways is a great budget friendly airline. The fact that their planes are pink and white is just an added bonus. Larger airlines also fly in cities along the East Coast, in case you don’t live in the Sunshine State.
• By Ferry: This final option is a perfect compromise if you live on the Central Gulf Coast of Florida. The Key West Express runs almost daily from Fort Myers Beach to Key West. Make your trip on the water, with a stocked bar and a great view!

Where to Stay

• Southernmost Resort: This hotel was our home away from home while in Key West. As the name it says it’s a stone’s throw away from the Southernmost Point, giving us instant access to the most popular spot on the island. I loved staying here because it was a short walk from everything in town, while giving us distance from the rowdier bars.
• Kimpton Hotels: Whenever I visit a new place, I always like to scope out where to stay on return trips. I have long been a fan of Kimpton Hotels, like the Hotel Zamora on St. Pete Beach. On Key West, there are actually five to choose from, each with their own unique personality. Between the Lighthouse Hotel, the Winslow Bunaglows, or the Fitch Lodge, you really can’t make a wrong choice!

Where to Eat

• Banana Cafe: Located just a few blocks away from our hotel, we found ourselves eating breakfast here twice during our trip. I love simple breakfasts with a twist and this place delivered. Especially with their omelets, key lime hollandaise sauce, and key lime sangria. I would never have guessed that French cuisine was alive and well in Key West.
• Little Pearl: This tiny restaurant was the location for such a special date night with David. Currently, they are offering a rotating pop-up menu that offers a selection of some of their most delicious bites. Not only was the meal incredible, but it felt so good to support a very local eatery. They offer seating only three times a day, so be sure to make a reservation.
• MisoHappy: My friend’s new in-laws own several restaurants in Key West. On Thursday, we were all able to get together and chow down on incredible Thai food. Everyone’s plate was more decadent than the last. The ramen and sake were particularly comforting on the rainy days!
• Pepe’s Cafe: When coming to this historic restaurant, my mission was their cinnamon crusted key lime pie. I was also treated to incredibly fresh fish sandwiches with a side of the best macaroni and cheese I may have ever had. Established in 1909, it’s easy to see why Ernest Hemingway was a regular customer.
• Key’s Coffee Company: On our daily walks through town, my morning was fueled by this little coffee shop… Especially their Buttered Rum Nitro Cold Brew! On our last morning in Key West, we took the time to have breakfast here before our flight. The avocado toast was exactly what I needed!

Come back soon for my guide dedicated to ALL things Key Lime Pie!

What to Do

• See the Southernmost Point: If you don’t take a picture here, did your trip really even happen? Since our hotel was so close, we were able to stop by the Southernmost Post bright and early. We even had the whole place to ourselves! As the day goes on, the line gets longer and longer. So, I recommend setting your alarm clock and getting there with the sunrise.
• Shop Locally: This is always my biggest advice when visiting a new town or city. Key West has so many incredible boutiques, we were only able to visit a small collection of them. My favorite was Key West Pottery. While visiting, I was able to actually meet the owner, Kelly Lever. She and her husband offer a beautiful selection of pottery and prints that would be perfect in any Florida home.

Because of the inclement weather, we didn’t get to nearly all of the places on my Key West bucket list. Consider this the Part One of my Key West Travel Guide. Here’s to hoping that the year 2021 will make room for another trip to the Conch Republic.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Snapshots from Key West

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One of the biggest questions I’ve been getting about our recent trip to the Conch Republic was in regards to social distancing protocols. Admittedly, I was much more apprehensive about this trip, in terms of Covid, then compared to Amelia Island. When partying and drinking are some of the biggest activities, it’s important to be even more diligent. Bring your mask, wear it inside, and sit outside when you can. Some of the most iconic bars are the tiny hole in the wall places. Because of that, it may be best to skip those for the time being. Trust me, there are so many other places to choose from! Anyways, enjoy a handful of the many snapshots from our trip to Key West.

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We stayed at the Southernmost Resort. Because it’s at the very end of bustling Duval Street, it seemed quieter. It’s just far enough from everything and I think that sincerely helped in the social distancing department. To minimize contact, they shielding at the front desk when you check in and offer to housekeep only if you truly want it. David and I almost always skip this when we travel, so we didn’t even notice the difference.

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Because you’re on a small island, there’s a finite number of restaurants and seating can be limited for obvious reasons. Especially if you’re thinking of traveling during COVID, my recommendation is to make reservations when you can. We also found it to be a huge help to eat outside of the peak dining hours. Having an early lunch or dinner opens up so many doors. For a really great look at restaurants, I highly recommend visiting Jennifer at Southern Anchors. She has lived in Key West for over a year and has the best recommendations!

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My final recommendation for visiting Key West during COVID is to get up early! Wake up with the sunrise and you’ll be able to have the town all to yourself. Sure, nothing is going to be open, save for the little local coffee shops, but that’s my favorite way to experience any town. On our daily morning walks, we were able to really take in the roots of the city, reading every single historic marker we walked past. The history of the city is simply incredible and should really be appreciated in its own right.

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Traveling is one of the luxuries that I hold most dear. While so many trips have been canceled in the year 2020, I feel so fortunate to live in a state with so much to offer. From Pensacola to Amelia Island to Key West, I invite you to get out and explore each corner of the Sunshine State.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.