MARATHON
FO O D, FUS I O N & FL AVO R O F T HE FLO R IDA K E YS SUMMER 2022
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10055 Overseas Highway, Marathon | 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com
Each office is independently owned and operated.
Seafood
differently
Head down to the docks of Hawks Cay Marina at MM61 for the coldest draft beer and freshest Key specialties in the lower latitudes. Order off our menu or, bring us your filets for some great hook and cook options. Lunch: 11:30am - 3:30pm Daily Captain’s Hour - 3:30pm - 5:30pm Daily Dinner: 5:30pm - 10pm Daily
Hawks Cay Resort 540 Duck Key Drive • Duck Key, FL 33050
(305) 209-9991 | AnglerAndAle.com
SMOOTHIES • JUICE BREAKFAST • LUNCH GRAB-AND-GO Organic Cafe & Natural Market Retail Store: Mon - Sat: 8:30 - 5:30 Cafe: Mon - Sat: 8:30 - 5:00 Sunday Closed
305-743-3297
5800 Overseas Hwy. #23, Gulfside Village, Marathon
Kick back and relax We’ve made it through our “cold” months, just in time to enjoy the longer and warmer days of spring and summer in the Florida Keys. And a day in these islands can only be made better by the food we choose to enjoy. The impending May opening of the season for some of the Keys’ most prized catches like grouper and hogfish is bookended by the end of stone crab season and the yearly excitement of lobster season, meaning that if you’ve come to Marathon in search of prime seafood, you’ve come at the right time. More than 60 restaurants spread across Marathon’s 15-mile stretch of Overseas Highway are the ultimate authority for table fare in these islands, and here in the Marathon Table magazine we have included a convenient directory for each and every one of them. From dive bars, food trucks and family-owned pizza shops to waterfront fine dining, trust us when we say we have it all. Flip through these pages for recommendations sure to satisfy any culinary craving, along with mouth-watering photos of some of our favorite dishes and libations from Marathon’s iconic restaurants.
WWW.FOODFORTHOUGHTFLKEYS.COM
For those who’ve spent their days on the water and would rather enjoy a home-cooked meal with friends and loved ones featuring proteins and ingredients from local markets or a fresh catch, we spent time with a local sommelier to provide wine pairings sure to class up any evening. We also caught up with a community-minded chef here in town, and took a dive into the “honey pot” of the Keys to talk with local beekeepers, honey makers and mead producers. So whether your Marathon Table means going out or staying in, pull up a chair and enjoy yourself, and let us take it from here. Sincerely, Alex Rickert Editor
4 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
Publisher Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Managing Partner Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Editors Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Creative Director Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Director of Digital Media Chanice Dos Santos chanice@keysweekly.com Account Executives Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com
P.6
THE PERFECT PAIRINGS Wines to class up your evening meals
Art/Design Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Office Manager Char Hruska char@keysweekly.com
Published MMXXI Keys Weekly Newspapers 9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL. 33050 305.743.0844 Key West office 5450 MacDonald Ave. No. 5 Key West, FL. 33040 305.453.6928
P.8
ALL THE OPTIONS A directory of Marathon’s restaurants (Continued on pgs. 12, 18, 28, 32)
P. 20
CELEBRITY STATUS Chef Jamie Pruitt has a high-profile background
P. 34
AS GOOD AS GOLD Honey in the Keys, from beekeepers to mead
Tavernier office 91760 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 5
PERFECTLY PAIRED WHICH WAY TO WINE
By Alex Rickert & Stephany Duvall
Marathon’s restaurants are the area’s true authority in serving up the flavors of the Keys. But as we all know, home-cooked meals with friends and family after a day on, in or around the water are also a perfect way to end an evening. Whether you choose to purchase food from local markets or bring the day’s catch home to enjoy, a well-rounded knowledge of the appropriate drinks to pair with savory dishes will undoubtedly add a level of class to any dinner gathering. To that end, Keys Weekly partnered with local realtor and sommelier Stephany Duvall to bring us her recommendations for island-style meals cooked at home.
APPETIZERS Stone Crab Claws White: French Chablis or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The citrus acidity of these wines complements the salty freshness of the crab.
Fish Dips White: Chilean Sauvignon Blanc Red: Italian Valpolicella Conch Fritters White: California Chardonnay Red: Argentinian Malbec
Salt and oil pair better with higher acid white wines like a Sauvignon blanc. A dry red with seafood appetizers will deliver a balanced, light, herbal drinkable wine.
6 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
ENTREES Grilled or Blackened White Fish ( Grouper, Snapper, Hogfish, etc.) White: Oregon Pinot Grigio or Spanish Alabarino. White wine can be a better complement to fish because of its higher acidity, similar to a squirt of lemon juice to brighten the flavors of seafood. Red: French Beajoulais or California/Oregon Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is a light, acidic and fruity red wine and makes for an elegant and foodfriendly pairing with fish.
MEET THE EXPERT
Seafood Pastas (Alfredo, Scampi) Red: French Pinot Noir (Bourgogne) balances the richness of a buttery Alfredo sauce with cheese and garlic. White: Italian Pinot Grigio or French Provence Rose. Seafood pastas possess a mild and fresh flavor and are best paired with a refreshing and slightly bitter wine.
“Surf and Turf” (Florida Lobster & Steak) Red: French Bordeaux, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The high tannins of these wines help to cut through the juiciness and fattiness of the meat.
White: Napa or Sonoma Chardonnay. Pairing a white wine like Chardonnay will enhance the flavor of the wine and bring out the distinct nuttiness that this wine delivers.
Stephany Duvall is a realtor for Island Breeze Realty in Marathon and a director for the Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors. After successfully completing the Level 2 Sommelier certification from the U.S. Sommelier Association, Stephany was inspired to study abroad in Bordeaux, France at L’ Ecole Du Vin, mastering three certifications in Practical Level, Technical Level and Grand Crus of French Wine and receiving a Diploma de Sabrage in Champagne, France. In addition to her wine and spirits certifications, she holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nutrition and is a Certified Registered Dietitian. During her career, Stephany has visited more than 30 countries (many of them for the art of wine) and lived abroad in Denmark. She enjoys yoga, paddleboarding, the water and her family.
TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 7
Marathon Table has provided QR codes for various restaurants. No need to download a code-reading app. Just hover your smartphone camera over the code, which links directly to a restaurant’s website or social media pages. Establishments with blue boxes denote waterfront dining.
7 Mile Buffet 2211 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.453.6533
Angler & Ale 540 Duck Key Dr Duck Key | MM 61, Ocean 305.209.9991
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Barnacle Barney's Tiki Bar 1688 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.289.6706
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7 Mile Grill 1240 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.4481
7 Mile Pizzeria 2264 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.7200
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Bongo’s Cafe 59300 Overseas Highway Marathon (Grassy Key) 305.414.8245
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Brass Monkey 5561 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.4028
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Barracuda Grill 4290 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.3314
Brutus Seafood 6950 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.9181
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Blue Waters Bar 2146 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.289.2100
Burdines Waterfront Bar & Grill 1200 Oceanview Ave (end of 15th St, Ocean) Marathon | 305.743.9204
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PLAZA GRILL STEAK & SEAFOOD BEAUTIFUL
ATMOSPHERE EXQUISITE
FOOD ALL MEATS
CERTIFIED BLACK ANGUS 305.743.7874 TUESDAY-SATURDAY • 5:30-9:30PM 5101 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON
TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 9
COME BY BOAT, BIKE, FOOT OR CAR!
Ourdocks are open! LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR & DINNER
VOTED BEST HAPPY HOUR
12 YEARS IN A ROW! ALSO VOTED BEST MARGARITA!
LIVEIC HAPPY HOUR MUS 4-6 PM
Saturday & Sunday BRUNCH: including chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Guava French Toast, Crab Benedict and BOGO Mimosas & Glasses of Champagne Regular menu available K L COO WE’L CATCH, YOUR LOBSTER! & FISH LEASE BRINGEGAL P DL ED AN CLEAN
EAT FISH SAVE THE REEF NIGHTLY SPECIALS MONDAY: Closed TUESDAY: Jumbo Gumbo Bowls Tacos and Tequila Live Music: Joger Jokela WEDNESDAY: Wine Time Wednesday ($15-$20 bottles) Live Music
THURSDAY: Prime Rib Night Live Music: John Bartus FRIDAY: Live Music Abstract Radio SATURDAY: Mini Brunch, 11am-4pm BOGO Mimosas & Champagne Live Music: Roger Jokela SUNDAY: BRUNCH, 11am-3:00pm BOGO Mimosas & Champagne Closed at 3:00pm
www.sparkyslanding.com 305-363-2959 MM 53.5 | Overseas Highway | Marathon Waterfront location adjacent to Fairfield Inn 10 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
A beautifully plated sushi roll and a critical conservation effort shake hands in Castaway’s King of the Jungle Roll. Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive Ins & Dives with Guy Fieri, the roll is made from the highly destructive and invasive lionfish. Light white meat is wrapped with avocado and asparagus and topped with masago, chopped escolar, wakame and sesame seeds. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly.
Combine Fresh Seafood, Steaks, Sushi, And Cuisine With A Caribbean Flair…Poolside Tiki With Tropical Libations…Oceanside Beach With The Best Sunset Views…And At The Foot Of The World Famous Seven Mile Bridge… And You’ve Found Paradise!
Live Music! Sunday Funday is the Longest Running Pool and Beach Party in the Keys!
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily Spend the Whole Weekend On Our Oceanfront Pool Deck & Have Fun at Our Poolside Tiki Bar!
7 Knights Key Blvd. Marathon, Florida Keys MM 47 (At The Foot of the 7 Mile Bridge, Ocean)
www.sunsetgrille7milebridge.com • 305.396.7235
Come By Boat & Enjoy Our Dock
Butterfly Café 2600 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.289.7177
Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar 1406 Oceanview Ave (end of 15th St, Ocean) Marathon | 305.743.6247
Coco’s General Store 50 Coco Plum Dr Marathon 305.743.7743
Cracked Conch 4999 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.2233
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Causeway Pizza 301 Sadowski Cswy, #301 Key Colony Beach 305.735.4116
Coast to Coast Pizza 61 53rd St, Ocean Marathon 305.414.8626
Fish Tales Market and Eatery 11711 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.9196
Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House 3660 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.5516
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Dockside 35 Sombrero Blvd (on Boot Key Harbor) Marathon 305.735.4205
Food for Thought Café 5800 Overseas Hwy, Ste 23 (in Gulfside Village) Marathon 305.743.3297
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Driftwood Pizza Pasta & Subs 10875 Overseas Hwy, Ste 140 Marathon 305.743.8770
Frank's Grill 11400 Overseas Hwy (Town Square Mall) Marathon 305.289.7772
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VacationRentalsoftheFloridaKeys.com Explore over 170 gorgeous vacation homes on our website! TRUSTED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Call or text 305.680.0139
FROM LUXURIOUS WATERFRONT HOMES TO COZY COASTAL COTTAGES. NIGHTLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY.
Left to right: Bonnie Sanderson Property Manager | Vicki Tashjian Property Manager Melisa Merryman Quality Control | Kristen Brenner Property Manager/Owner Debbie Sanders Office Administrator | Jessenia Rubio Property Manager Rachel Sanderson Property Manager | Elliott Kreizman Quality Control
BETTER WITH BACON The name speaks for itself in this prime entree from Sparky’s Landing. Tender scallops are wrapped in perfectly cooked bacon casings and served over a bed of rice drizzled with Cajun honey sauce. Perfection. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
BREAKFAST
LUNCH
DINNER
SERVING UP AUTHENTIC INTERNATIONAL CUISINE IN A CASUAL ATMOSPHERE MONDAY - SATURDAY 6AM TO 10PM | SUNDAY 8AM TO 8PM 2211 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY | MARATHON | 305.453.6533
14 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
NOW OPEN
EAT IN • CARRY OUT WE DELIVER WE 7 MILE BRIDGE TO DUCK KEY
VOTED BEST PIZZA SINCE 2018
VOTED BEST FOOD DELIVERY 2021
CATER
!
305-743-8770 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 11 AM - 9 PM
10875 Overseas Hwy, Suite 140 MM 52.5 • Marathon
ONLINE ORDERING @ WWW.DRIFTWOODPIZZAANDSUB.COM
GO ALL IN Isla Bella Beach Resort’s recently redesigned restaurant Mahina offers upscale authentic Pacific Rim dining right on the beach. And sunsets on the beach are just that much better with one of Mahina’s signature cocktails in hand. The Royal Flush blends Empress Indigo gin, rosemary simple syrup, fresh lemon and sparkling wine. CONTRIBUTED.
16 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
9AM TO CLOSE • SAT EK • MON - FRI SUN 8AM E W A S AY TO CL D 7 OSE OPEN
ER LOBSTLADA ENCHI RED ON DINERS TU AS FEA S & DIVES -IN DRIVE
VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED
BEST SUSHI
HAPPY HOUR 2-5:45PM $7 Menu
• Chicken Wings & Livers + 23 other delicious items including some sushi • 32 beers on tap 1/2 OFF from 3pm-5pm • $2 Pints of Yuengling and Bud Light!
BREAKFAST UNTIL 2PM • Unique & interesting menu • $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots
LUNCH & DINNER
• Lobster Enchiladas • Diver Speared Local Fish • Prime Rib • Local Lobster • Cook Your Own Catch • Great Seafood Selections
32
BEERSP ON TA
1406 OCEANVIEW AVE MARATHON | 305-743-6247 CASTAWAYFLORIDAKEYS.COM
SUSHI
• Toro • Lionfish • Poke • Hamachi collar • Fresh Uni arrives on Wednesdays
MAKE RESERVATIONS AT CASTAWAYFLORIDAKEYS.COM OR FACEBOOK PAGE CASTAWAY WATERFRONT RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR
Havana Jack's Oceanside Restaurant and Bar 401 E. Ocean Dr Key Colony Beach 305.743.4849
Irie Island Eats 4540 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.509.9398
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Herbie's Bar & Chowder House 6350 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.6373
Island Fish Company 12648 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.4191
Keys Fisheries 3502 Gulfview Ave (end of 35th St, Gulf) Marathon 305.743.4353
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Keys Rotisserie 11524 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.440.3492
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Hideaway Cafe 57784 Overseas Hwy Grassy Key | MM 57, Ocean 305.289.1554
Isla Latte 9625 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.741.7498
Juice Paradise Cuban Café 2603 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.735.4051
King Seafood Market & Restaurant 10925 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.735.4132
Key Colony Inn 700 W. Ocean Drive Key Colony Beach 305.743.0100
La Isla Taco Grill 243 61st St, Gulf Marathon 305.393.7059
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18 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
NOW OPEN! Tuesday-Sunday 11am - 9pm Closed on Monday
LOCAL AND VETERAN OWNED
SS WRECK & GALLEY GRILL YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLACE FOR FRIENDLY SERVICE, GREAT FOOD & DRINKS AND A KEYS VIBE.
61 53rd Street, Ocean, Marathon 305-414-8626 coasttocoastpizzaco
NEW HOURS NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK SUNDAY - THURSDAY 11AM-9PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11AM-10PM
NEW HAPPY HOUR MONDAY - FRIDAY 3PM-5PM $7 FOOD MENU $1 OFF BEER, WINE & WELL DRINKS
305-517-6484 | MILE MARKER 59, GRASSY KEY (next to the Dolphin Research Center) www.sswreck.com for online ordering & special events TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 19
By Alex Rickert
CELEBRITY STATUS
CHEF JAMIE PRUITT BRINGS CROSS-COUNTRY CULINARY EXPERIENCE TO MARATHON Chef Jamie Pruitt has traveled the country and worked in restaurants from seafood shacks to celebrity chef venues in Vegas. But here in Marathon, he’s happy to craft meals for the locals he calls family. Born and raised in Ocean City, Maryland, Pruitt inherited a love for the culinary arts from his parents, as well as an appreciation for minimal handling between a food source and its consumer.
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A carpet bagger oyster wraps a crispy fried oyster with beef carpaccio on top of truffle whipped potatoes. CONTRIBUTED.
A 14-day aged duck breast is paired with a beef tartlet, cauliflower puree and berry demi glace. CONTRIBUTED.
“My parents were not wealthy people,” he said. “What people now call farm-to-table is kind of the way we lived. I duck hunted as a kid and fished, and we had friends close to us who had a little farm and produce stand.” As evidenced by one of his favorite childhood photos, in which he stirs chocolate on the stove at the age of 5 in OshKosh B’gosh overalls, his involvement in the kitchen began as soon as possible. At 13, one of his first employers put him in the kitchen on a busy Saturday night. What began as a summer job as a teenager soon blossomed into a cross-country culinary career that included stints working as an executive chef in celebrity chef Todd English’s restaurants in Boca Raton and Las Vegas with more than $12 million in annual revenue as well as opening a pub in Birmingham, Alabama. “I was a very small fish in a big culinary bowl, so throughout that whole time I was always trying to grow and improve,” said Pruitt. “I came from a resort town, so we were making things here and there, but it was a lot of fried food. I got to the fresh restaurants and really started to learn cooking from scratch and French cooking.”
Pan-seared sea scallops flank a mountain of cauliflower fried rice with a cilantro scallion vinaigrette. CONTRIBUTED.
After working in more than 20 restaurants, Pruitt eventually grew tired of cutting through corporate red tape to make changes to his menus. Brief stays back home in Ocean City and New Jersey soon found him looking for his next venture in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With massive layoffs throughout the industry, finding a worthwhile next step proved difficult, even for someone with his level of expertise. Working for a tree removal company during the days and a seafood shack putting out more than 500 carry-out covers a night, a call from his mother in Marathon in October of 2020 turned him on to an opening for a chef at the Marathon Yacht Club. The job was a considerable
change from his previous large-scale venues, but the chance to work in paradise for a tight-knit community had Pruitt sold. “I say it all the time. I cook for my family every single night,” he said. “It’s definitely different from what I’ve ever done, and obviously a big change of pace. I went from having 30 people under me to being the executive chef, the line cook, the front of house manager, all of it.” “The person you’re going to see come in here in a few minutes is my mom,” he said with a laugh. “She’s helping me tonight, and she’s my best employee. She’s found a new admiration for what I do.” Though Pruitt cooks for a private club, he’s done his best to get involved in as many Marathon events as he can. Whether he’s catering weddings for city dignitaries or serving as the chef of choice for concerts and dinner theater events at Marathon Community Theatre, Pruitt says he just wants to help wherever he can. “This is a small town, and it reminds me a little bit of Ocean City,” he said. “It’s a lot of locals who are all about doing anything that can help the community.” And as he experiments with new dishes featuring Keys seafood, Jamie is dedicated to understanding the people and processes behind the catch – from trap, net or hook to table. “I asked the person who I buy stone crabs from if I could fish with them one day, because as a chef, I want to know the whole process,” said Pruitt. “I worked on the boat for free. Everyone gets these things on a plate and goes ‘oh, this is great.’ But they don’t understand how hard that work is.” Pruitt is available to cater private parties, events, box lunches and more. Contact him at 954-778-3785 or at chefjpruitt@ hotmail.com.
TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 21
KEYS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT KEYRENTALSONLINE.COM
305-928-7354
START EARNING MAXIMIZE YOUR INCOME POTENTIAL
KELLY WILLEY 410.937.5561
ENJOY EXPERT PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
DERRICK JOHNSON 786.546.6678
HANNAH FIELDS 561.704.7011
OFFER YOUR GUESTS A VIP EXPERIENCE
KEYS REAL ESTATE 11187 OVERSEAS HWY MARATHON
JIM WILLEY 410.937.4071
MARK GABLE 770.561.6091
LAURIE GABLE 770.314.2893
305.432.9754 MYMIDDLEKEYS.COM
NACHOS ISLAND STYLE
The S.S. Wreck & Galley Grill may be one of the best spots in town to grab a beer and watch the big game. But its impressive array of appetizers combines “football food” with Florida specialties. The Tuna Poke Nachos feature a bed of fresh wonton chips individually topped with fresh tuna, seaweed salad, ginger mango salsa, wasabi and green onions drizzled with eel sauce and sesame seeds. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly.
24 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
LOCALS DISCOUNTS!
Friendly Service & Free Advice Overlooking The Boot Key Harbor Waterway Dockage • Bait • Tackle Ice Cold Beer • Snacks • Ice Clean, Pre-Filtered & Computer Monitored Marine Fuel
FFsel OD 10¢ ie n o ll a
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
per G 0-Octane or 9 e Gas ol-Fre Ethan h this ad unts. wit any other disco lid with , 2022 May 31 Expires
Marina Hours 7:30am - 5PM We monitor Channel 16
Not va
LUNCH 11AM - 2.30PM • DINNER 6PM - 9.30PM
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP! • NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED
305-743-5317
GREAT FOOD AT REASONABLE PRICES! 4290 O/S HWY. • MARATHON • 305-743-3314
MARATHON • MM 47.3 (725 11th Street, Ocean) 305-289-0839 www.lazydayssouth.com
Burdines
Enjoy Relaxing Oceanfront Dining While Feasting On Exquisite Seafood Dishes Prepared by Our Culinary Team
Reservations Recommended
Amazing Sunset Views
$3.95 Basket of
Fresh Cut Fries with this Ad Expires May 31, 2022
FFORDABLE A T A E IN IS U C KEYS-STYLE Y EVERY DAY PRICES ALL DA Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials!
We Cook Your Own Catch! Lunch Begins at 11 am Dinner Begins at 4 pm Happy Hour ~ 4-6 Daily (Bar Only)
Food So Good It’ll Make Your Tongue Slap Your Brains Out! Come by Car, Bike, Foot or Boat
1200 Oceanview Avenue (end of 15th Street), MM 47.5 Ocean 305-743-9204 • Open 11:30am – 8:30pm Daily TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 25
BBQ TIME The Florida Keys are one of the world’s seafood capitals, but there’s always room for more terrestrial offerings while enjoying waterfront dining at Porky’s Bayside Restaurant & Marina. Known for their barbeque, the restaurant’s famous fall-off-the-bone pork spareribs are the signature dinner plate on the menu. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly.
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FROM OUR BOATS TO YOUR PLATE! KEYS FISHERIES RESTAURANT MARKET & MARINA
Don’t forget about our Fuel Dock, next to Restaurant. Great Pricing! 90 Octane Ethanol free Open 7am to Noon Every Day but Sunday.
JOIN US AT OUR UPSTAIRS RAW BAR
WATERFRONT RESTAURANT Enjoy our daily specials like Taco Loco Wednesday, Homemade Soup or Chowder, Stone Crab, Stone Crab Roll, Stone Crab Mac & Cheese, Fresh Fish Sandwich or One of our Daily Specials while overlooking Florida Bay! Open for Lunch & Dinner Every Day!
RETAIL STORE
Fresh Stone Crab, Fish, Lobster, Soups and Chowders & Key Lime Pie!
WILD CAUGHT KEY WEST PINK SHRIMP - ALL SIZES!
BEST SEAFOOD & BEST SUNSET!
OYSTERS | CLAMS | STONE CRAB CLAWS FULL BAR AND THE BEST SUNSETS
STONE CRAB CLAWS STILL ONLY $4! THE FRESHEST IN TOWN!
CASUAL DINING • RESERVATIONS NOT REQUIRED • PETS WELCOMED! • OPEN 11 A.M. - 9 P.M. 7 DAYS A WEEK 35TH STREET, ON THE BAY (BEHIND THE STUFFED PIG) • MARATHON • 305-743-4353
TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 27
La Niña Restaurant 1571 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.517.6226
Marathon Bagel Co. 11090 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.517.6393
Overseas Pub and Grill 3574 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.290.4666
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Lazy Days South 725 11th St Marathon 305.289.0839
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Marathon Grill & Ale House 5800 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.5888
Panda House 5230 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.3417
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Lighthouse Grill at Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club 1996 Overseas Hwy Marathon | 305.434.9039
Marathon Liquor & Deli 5101 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743-6350
Paradise Flavors 9601 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.509.0112
Mahina 1 Knights Key Blvd Marathon 786.638.8106
My New Joint 22658 Overseas Hwy Cudjoe Key | MM 22.5, Ocean 305.745.8880
Plaza Grill 5101 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.7874
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INTRODUCING ISLA BELLA BEACH RESORT'S NEXT PHASE
Sophisticated beachside dining with a new menu blending the cuisine of the Pacific Rim with fresh Florida Keys Seafood
For reservations, please call 786-638-8106 1 Knights Key Boulevard, MM 47 Marathon, FL 33050 IslaBellaBeachResort.com
Authentic Mexican Food TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY | LUNCH 11-2:30 | DINNER 5 -10
ORDER AND PICK UP
305-900-0937 TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY 4:20 -11
WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY | LUNCH 11- 2:30 | DINNER 5 -10 BRUNCH SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11- 2:30
WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY 4:20 - 11
4250 OVERSEAS HWY MARATHON
BESTOS IT ! MOJO WN IN T WINNER BEST BREAKFAST in 2019
OPEN DAILY
8 AM - 11 AM (Breakfast) 11 AM - 10 PM (Lunch/Dinner)
BEST IN FL KEYS
Homemade BBQ & Fresh Local Seafood
PET Y L FRIEND
SUSHI 4-10 PM
LIVE Beer/Wine/Well Drinks/Mojitos ENTERTAINMENT Rum Punch &Happytizers DAILY SPECIALS 50c shrimp, BBQ Sliders Cajun Mahi Quesadilla Homemade Fresh Oysters Desserts PorkysBaysideBBQ.com HAPPY HOUR 3-6 PM DAILY
OLD WORLD FAMILY RECIPES HANDCRAFTED BY CHEF/OWNER, FRANK FARRELLO, AND SERVED IN A WARM AND INTIMATE SETTING.
BEER & WINE
AMERICAN AND ITALIAN FAVORITES
PorkysBaysideBBQFLKeys MM47.5 Bayside, Marathon 305-289-2065
WELCOME CRUISERS! 30 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
305-289-7772 | WWW.FRANKSGRILLMARATHON.COM LOCATED IN TOWNSQUARE MALL | 11400 O/S HWY MARATHON LUNCH MON - FRI 10AM-3PM | DINNER MON - SAT 5PM-9PM
COME HANG ON OUR PRIVATE ISLAND SPIRIT SNORKELING 3 HOUR TRIPS STARTING AT JUST $45. SNORKEL THE WORLD'S 3RD LARGEST REEF ABOARD THE FASTEST, LARGEST AND MOST FUN POWER CATAMARAN SPIRIT II VENTURE OUT TO CAPTAIN PIP'S PRIVATE ISLAND MONEY KEY FOR A FULL DAY TOUR. START THE DAY OFF SNORKELING, THEN ON TO MONEY KEY FOR LUNCH, DRINKS AND ACTIVITIES BOOK TODAY AT 305-289-0614 OR ONLINE AT CAPTAINPIPS.COM CAPTAIN PIP'S BOAT RENTALS ENJOY THE FREEDOM OF FISHING & DIVING AT YOUR OWN PACE ON ONE OF OUR CENTER CONSOLES OR PONTOONS. WE ALSO OFFER KAYAKS, PADDLE BOARDS, JET SKIING AND PARASAILING CALL 305-743-4403 OR VISIT US ONLINE AT CAPTAINPIPS.COM
Porky's Bayside BBQ 1410 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.289.2065
S.S. Wreck & Galley Grill 58835 Overseas Hwy Grassy Key | MM 58, Gulf 305.517.6484
Sweet Savannah's 8919 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.3131
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Stout's Restaurant 8349 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.6437
Takara Thai House 3740 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.509.7183
Sixty-One Prime 61 Hawks Cay Blvd Duck Key | MM 61, Ocean 305.743.7000
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Sparky's Landing 13205 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.363.2959
The Stuffed Pig 3520 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.4059
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Square Grouper Bar & Grill 22658 Overseas Hwy Cudjoe Key | MM 22.5, Ocean 305.745.8880
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Takeria La Palapa 4250 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.900.0937
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Sunset Grille & Raw Bar 7 Knights Key Blvd Marathon 305.396.7235
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32 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
The Table 5187 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.731.5654
Triton Seafood 11399 Overseas Hwy, #123 Marathon 305.998.4392
Upper Crust Pizza 3740 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743.7100
Wooden Spoon 7007 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.743-8383
Take our guides with you
SHARK IN THE WATER Enjoy unparalleled views of the Seven Mile Bridge at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, complete with a cocktail as you relax by the pool. Labeled as an “interactive drink,” the Shark Bite requires just a little effort from the consumer. Pour the grenadine-filled shark into the drink and stir to make the sea turn red. The only “bite” you’ll feel is the refreshing feel of the cocktail. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 33
HONEY… AS GOOD AS GOLD By Mandy Miles and Jim McCarthy
Hey, honey. We’ve come a long way from the old plastic squeeze bottle of honey in the shape of the “honey bear.”
bees forage from floral fauna that is unaltered by humans. Therefore the honey we produce is chemical-free and has an excellent quality and a unique, delicious taste.”
For years now, people have been rediscovering the taste, nutritional aspects and agricultural benefits of real, raw honey. And the Florida Keys is no exception.
Producers in the Keys make their silky golden honey from plants that include Brazilian pepper, Jamaican dogwood, mango blossom and other flowering plants.
The island chain is home to more species of native flowering plants than most places in the U.S., offering Keys bees one of the most varied sources of nectars anywhere in North America, according to the makers of Keez Beez, a honey production and bee-keeping facility with hives in Long Key, Grassy Key and Marathon.
In Key Largo, a mural by artist Ginger Hill featuring bees, honey and mead is colorfully displayed on the side of the Keys Meads building at MM 99.4. Patrons enter a honey hole with a wide variety of mead that’s brewed in the back, as well as local honey products by Pirate Hat Apiary and owner Jeff Wingate.
“As there is always something flowering in the Keys, we never have to feed our bees with sugar water, which weakens them, and we never have to treat our hives with chemicals or antibiotics. Our
Jeff Kesling is a co-owner of Keys Meads. In 2014, he was inspired to start home-brewing mead, an alcoholic beverage made from honey, as he wasn’t a huge fan of beer. Starting a meadery business was a natural decision for Kesling, who opened Keys Meads in 2017.
34 MARATHON Table SUMMER 2022 | Marathon & Middle Keys
Mead products sold at Keys Meads. Keys Weekly File Photo
According to Delish.com, “While mead has gotten a medieval reputation thanks to movies and TV shows, its history stretches back much further. With its simple fermented-honeyplus-water recipe, mead was one of the very first alcoholic beverages ever made, predating beer and wine — as far back as 3,000 B.C.”
“Eradicating honey bee colonies is considered pest control, which is illegal to perform without a license in Florida, states the University of Florida’s agricultural extension service. “As such, property owners can deal with nuisance honey bees through live removal (via a registered beekeeper) or eradication (only by a licensed pest control official).”
HEALTH BENEFITS OF NATURAL, RAW HONEY The benefits of honey go beyond its great taste. Raw honey contains vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and other important natural nutrients. It strengthens the immune system, eliminates allergies, and is an excellent (and ancient) remedy for skin wounds.
“Much of our rapid expansion is due to a growing public awareness of dangerous chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides, and antibiotics that are used in agriculture and found in most honey these days,” say the owners of Keez Beez. “These chemicals are entirely absent in our honey due to the simple fact that our bees are isolated from the mainland by hundreds of miles of warm ocean, and are never exposed to these chemicals. Even the South Easterly prevailing winds come across thousands of miles of unpolluted ocean.
A great natural source of carbohydrates which provide strength and energy to our bodies, honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance, endurance and reducing muscle fatigue of athletes. Its natural sugars play an important role in preventing fatigue during exercise. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy, states the Keez Beez website. “Next time before you go for a workout, take a spoon of honey to enable you to go for the extra mile. And if you are feeling low and lethargic in the morning, instead of reaching out for a can of carbonated energy drink, try honey. Spread it on hot toast or replace the sugar in your tea with it for a refreshing surge of energy.”
In making his mead, Kesling uses Wingate’s Pirate Hat Apiary products. The two met at a local home-brewing competition in 2014, and the connection grew from there. “It’s the honey that the Keys are most famous for. The mangroves’ roots are in saltwater, so the honey tastes like salted caramel butterscotch,” Wingate told the Keys Weekly. Along with honey, candles, soaps and body scrubs are also sold at Keys Meads as well as Keez Beez, which sells bottles of its homemade honey online at keezbeezhoney.com. Several local honey producers also offer bee and hive removal and relocation services when a natural hive becomes a nuisance.
Florida Keys Wildflower Honey made by Pirate Hat Apiary. Keys Weekly File Photo
SIMPLE HONEY SUGGESTIONS • Try it as a drizzle for desserts such as pudding, pancakes, ice-cream, oats and corn flakes. • As a sweetener for your tea, coffee, or smoothie recipes. • As a seasoning for barbecue spare ribs, pork chops or chicken wings before cooking. • As a salad dressing with olive oil and vinegar for the extra body.
Honey is also a good source of simple carbohydrates. “Nectar itself is composed mainly of sucrose and water. Bees add enzymes that create additional chemical compounds and a special honey nutrition value. Honey is also 80% natural sugar, composed mostly of fructose and glucose. Due to its high level of fructose, it’s sweeter than table sugar.
TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 35
A LOCAL & TOURIST FAVORITE
LOCAL SEAFOOD, FINE STEAKS AND DELICIOUS PASTA The Key Colony Inn is honored to have an amazing & dedicated staff we think of as family. Feast in our intimate main dining room or spacious patio or join us in our craft cocktail lounge for one of our signature drinks. Let our family take care of your family!
LUNCH Monday - Friday 11am - 2:30pm DINNER Monday - Saturday 5pm - 9pm 305.743.0100 • 700 OCEAN DRIVE KEY COLONY BEACH (MM 53)
COME TRY OUR FAMOUS ESPRESSO MARTINI
HAPPY HOUR 3-5PM
CATCH COOK EAT
REEF/WRECK | OFFSHORE | BAYSIDE | SHARK | TARPON FAMILY FUN TRIPS | SUNSET CRUISES | FULL OR HALF DAY
COME FISH ABOARD A 31'RYBOVICH RYBO RUNNER, OUT OF MARATHON! BOOK YOUR NEXT FUN ADVENTURE!
305.842.1908
SERVING LUNCH & DINNER WE HAVE THE FRESHEST FLORIDA KEYS SEAFOOD AWARD-WNNING GOURMET SPECIALTY SANDWICHES & SALADS DAILY SPECIALS LUNCH 11AM-4PM MON-SAT | DINNER 4PM-9PM WED-SAT
FRESH SEAFOOD MARKET
Stone crab | Key West pink shrimp Fresh fish | Conch ceviche and more!
WE PACK & SHIP YOUR CATCH www.keys-seafood.com admin@keys-seafood.com
MONTHLY SEAFOOD SUBSCRIPTION BOXES AVAILABLE TROPICAL LIVING | 6950 O/S Hwy, Marathon MM 51 Bayside | 305.743.9181 | brutusseafood.com
Keysweekly.com 37
WE ARE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR OVER 18 YEARS UPPER KEYS
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TROPICAL LIVING MAGAZINES (over 30 magazines annually)
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THE BEST OF MARATHON THE BUBBAS - Key West People’s Choice
PREFERRED PROGRAM PARTNER OF: MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL / NAUTICAL FLEA MARKET / OCEANFEST KEY WEST SEAFOOD FESTIVAL / MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS and more… A HOMETOWN PAPER YOU CAN BE PROUD TO CALL YOUR OWN Key West 5450 MacDonald Ave, Suite 5 305.453.6928
Marathon 9709 Overseas Highway 305.743.0844
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Tavernier 91760 Overseas Highway 305.363.2957
OPEN DAILY
Ice Cream • Cupcakes • Desserts Award Winning Key Lime Pie GIFT SHOP: TOYS, GIFTS, BOOKS & CANDY CUSTOM CAKES: WEDDINGS, SHOWERS & BIRTHDAYS
8919 OVERSEAS HWY IN THE SOUTHWIND PLAZA
SWEETSAVANNAHS.COM 305-743-3131
YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WITH LOBSTER!
SUSHI CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF FRESH SEAFOOD FULL BAR & HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 11:30AM-6:00PM FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS AT THE BAR EARLY BIRD SPECIALS EVERY DAY 3:30-5:30PM
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OPEN EVERY DAY 11:30AM–10PM 305.743.5516 | 3660 O/S HIGHWAY | MARATHON (MM49)