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UPPER KEYS

FO O D, FUS I O N & FL AVO R O F T HE FLO R IDA K E YS SUMMER 2022

GUIDE YOUR APPETITE

SUMMERTIME SIP S

THAT’S A SPICY PEPPER

BIG DISHES FROM OUR SMALL KITCHEN

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN PIZZERIA AND MARKET

KEY LARGO 98070 OVERSEAS HWY 305-440-2700 ISLAMORADA 82779 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY OPENING JUNE 2022

Publisher Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Managing Partner Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Editors Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE

CONTENTS

FOOD TRUCK FRENZY Find the latest cuisine machines and what they’re serving. P. 6

Creative Director Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Director of Digital Media Chanice Dos Santos chanice@keysweekly.com Account Executives Jill Miranda Baker jill@keysweekly.com Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

WHERE ARE WE EATING? Look inside to find an expansive list of Upper Keys dining options and see what’s on the menu before you arrive. Directory begins on P. 8.

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 Contributors Doug Finger Charlotte Twine Tiffany Duong

PIPING HOT Local pepper grower launches a flaminghot company. P. 12

Spring and summer dining is worth diving into all the Keys have to offer. May brings the opening of the season for some of the Keys’ most prized catches, such as grouper and hogfish, bookended by the end of stone crab season and the yearly lobster season. Looking for prime seafood? You’ve come at the right time. From Key Largo to Islamorada, a variety of restaurants situated along U.S. 1 and nestled along the ocean are the ultimate authority for table fare in the Upper Keys. Inside the Upper Keys Table magazine, find a directory containing the many food establishments. From food trucks and fine dining to bars and breakfasts by the waterfront, believe us when we say there’s a little bit of everything for visitors and locals. So, flip through the pages for recommendations to satisfy your thirst, seafood cravings and any sweet tooth you might have. Find eye-popping pictures of some mouth-watering favorites and libations from Upper Keys’ restaurants. Adding to the dining scene are food trucks offering breakfast favorites, lunch options and dinner meals. Find out where these food joints are located and what they’re serving out the window. Also, dive into the “honey pot” of the Keys as we showcase the local beekeepers, honey makers and mead producers. And learn more about what’s hot in the Keys: peppers.

Cover Photo Roman Odintsov

MMXXII

Published by Keys Weekly Newspapers 91760 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070 305.363.2957 keysweekly.com

Traversing the bridges of the Florida Keys, one can expect picturesque sunsets, beautiful parks and renowned tourist attractions like Betsy the Giant Lobster and Alligator Lighthouse. What they can also expect is a Keys food scene that many locals and visitors have come to enjoy as they show off a colorful drink or a fancy dessert to the world through Instagram.

GOOD AS GOLD Honey in the Keys is buzzing. P. 22

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Whether your Upper Keys Table gets you out for some conch ceviche and a sunset or staying inside to enjoy a hot, fresh pizza, pull up a chair and enjoy yourself, and let us take it from here.

Sincerely, Jim McCarthy Editor

Where Wherefresh freshseafood seafoodbegins begins

From our shore to your dr From our shore to your dr From our shore to your dr caught here. processed here. served here. caught caughthere. here.processed processedhere. here.served servedhere. here. TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 5

By Jim McCarthy

EMERGING JOINTS OFFER MORE TO THE CUISINE SCENE MIKE’S BBQ A stomach-satisfying barbecue is no longer difficult to find thanks to Mike’s BBQ 101 food truck in Key Largo. Owner Mike Porcari made his entrance into the Keys food scene in early 2018. He wields more than 20 years of culinary experience and is mastering his own barbecue brand. Finger-licking feasts include the Carolina pulled pork, Texas beef brisket and BBQ chicken, to name just a few. Love ribs? A half rack or full rack of Mike’s won’t disappoint. Side item choices include macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, green beans, corn bread, chips or a roll. All are made from scratch.

SANDBAR DONUTS

TACOS JALISCO

Situated on the property of Sundiver Station in Key Largo, this charming little donut truck is taking the area by storm. Open during the weekends, hot and fresh donuts are made to order. Some 15 different flavors are available from Fruity Pebbles and Cinnamon Toast Crunch to chocolate bacon and Key lime. Paula and Jordan Quade opened the food truck in May 2021. Now, it’s the spot to go for a donut and gourmet coffee.

What can we say? With one food truck on the grounds of Key Largo Chocolates and the other at Florida Keys Brewing Co., Tacos Jalisco is arguably the busiest lunch spot during the week. From quesadillas and tacos to chips and salsa, all ingredients are handmade. Hungry and thirsty? Order a taco, grab a beer and enjoy it all at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. garden. Hungry and got a sweet tooth? Order a burrito and stroll over to grab some ice cream at Key Largo Chocolates.

BRAD’S FOOD TRUCK It’s one of the newer food joints in Tavernier. Located at the Florida Keys Dive Center, owner Brad Epstein and co-chef Sergio Valle serve up some of the freshest subs on freshmade bread. Subs come with a special touch of ingredients. For instance, the steak and cheese uses a special sweet pepper mix. The buffalo chicken sub (Brad’s favorite) uses a homemade sauce. There’s also the club sub that comes stacked with meats and cheese.

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Food trucks have found their way to the Upper Keys island chain. From Key Largo to Upper Matecumbe, these cuisine machines are on a roll and expanding the region’s many menu options for visitors and locals. Serving everything from smoky barbecue and authentic Mexican food to hot, fresh doughnuts and gourmet coffee, these moveable feasts offer something for everyone. The emerging food truck frenzy provides convenient options for busy, local families, while visitors traversing the Florida Keys have plenty of choices for quick and delicious meals on wheels.

ROADSIDE BBQ AT GREEN TURTLE If you haven’t tried this place on your way through Islamorada, you’re missing out. Opening roughly two years ago, the Roadside BBQ at Green Turtle offers some of the best barbecue around. Fresh off the grill are BBQ chicken, BBQ pulled pork, smoked ribs and sausage. With sweet, creamy coleslaw, baked beans, southern style potato salad and collard greens as sides, it’s everything you want and more in a barbecue.

Sounds good to us!

Clear, comfortable hearing, even in a busy restaurant?

Whether you’re out on the town or just relaxing at home, hearing the world around you is important. If you’ve been struggling to hear in virtually any situation, you owe it to yourself to call the Florida Keys’ own Dr. Michelle and schedule your risk-free appointment.

Scan this on your phone to connect directly with

Hear the way you were meant to. Call Dr. Michelle today. TAVERNIER 93911 Overseas Hwy. Suite 5 (2nd Floor)

(305) 247-8227

MARATHON 11400 Overseas Highway, Suite 209 Town Square Mall

(305) 747-7750

KEY WEST 513 Fleming Street, Suite 11 (2nd floor accessible via elevator)

hear4uaudiology.com heardrmichelle.com

(305) 809-6041

With additional locations in Miami and Homestead TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 7

From dockside dining to indulging indoors, there’s a bevy of restaurants in the Upper Keys to frequent. Upper Keys Table offers an array of restaurant and bar listings from Key Largo and Tavernier to Islamorada.

OPEN AIR DINING

BAD BOY BURRITO

CAPT. CRAIG’S

81868 Overseas Hwy.

90154 Overseas Hwy.

Islamorada | 305.509.7782

Islamorada | 305.852.9424

badboyburritoislamorada.com

captcraigs.com

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WATERFRONT LIVE DINING ENTERTAINMENT

A DINNER IN PARADISE

BAD BOY SUSHI

adinnerinparadise@gmail.com

81868 Overseas Hwy.

305.905.7732

Islamorada | 305.509.7782

adinnerinparadise.com

badboysushiislamorada.com

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C&C WOOD FIRE EATS 99201 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo | 305.451.0995 candcwoodfiredeats.com

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CHEF MICHAEL’S ARTHUR’S ISLAND KITCHEN 102255 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo 305.952.2332

BAYSIDE GOURMET 82758 Overseas Hwy.

81671 Overseas Highway Islamorada, 305-6640640

Islamorada 305.735.4471

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CACTUS JACK’s AVENUE SUBS 98900 Overseas Hwy.

103900 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo | 305.453.0249

CHEF ROLF’S TUNA’S 80939 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada 305.440.2829 tunasseafoodrestaurant.com

Key Largo 305.741.7461

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TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY LUNCH 11AM - 2:30PM | DINNER 5PM - 10PM MM 22.5 • Cudjoe Key, FL • squaregrouperbarandgrill.com

TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY 4:20PM - 11PM MM 22.5 • Cudjoe Key, FL • mynewjoint420lounge.com

WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY LUNCH 11AM - 2:30PM | DINNER 5PM - 10PM BRUNCH SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11AM - 2:30PM MM 80.4 • Islamorada, FL • squaregrouperislamorada.com

SUNSET LOUNGE ISLAMORADA WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY 4:20PM - 11PM

MM 80.4 • Islamorada, FL • squaregrouperislamorada.com

TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 9

A TASTE OF ITALY The “pizza Napoletana” is an artistic and cultural treasure that patrons are biting into at Italian Food Company in Key Largo. While Naples is known for its natural beauty and historic treasures, the southwestern coastal city is also recognized for Neapolitan pizza. From the act of twirling the dough to decorating with fresh classic toppings, the pizza is placed into a classic woodbrick oven. It’s an art form that’s served at this intimate casual dining scene. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

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WINE WINESTORE STORE||CHARCUTERIE CHARCUTERIE BRUNCH BRUNCH||BOTTLE BOTTLECLUB CLUB||BUBBLY BUBBLY CRAFT CRAFTBEER BEER||PRIVATE PRIVATEEVENTS EVENTS WINE WINEBY BYTHE THEGLASS GLASS

80925 80925 Overseas Overseas Hwy Hwy Unit Unit #3#3 Islamorada Islamorada 305.923.1317 305.923.1317 MONDAY, MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY FRIDAY 4-10PM 4-10PM | SATURDAY | SATURDAY 2-10PM 2-10PM |SUNDAY |SUNDAY 10AM-4PM 10AM-4PM (BRUNCH) (BRUNCH) CLOSED CLOSED ON ON TUESDAYS TUESDAYS | CLOSED | CLOSED WEDNESDAYS WEDNESDAYS AFTER AFTER LABOR LABOR DAY DAY 20 UPPER 20 UPPER KEYS KEYS Table Table SUMMER SUMMER 2021 2021

By Charlotte Twine

DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT IT guy Titus Rennie’s profession unexpectedly inspired the creation of the ‘hottest’ pepper biz in the Keys

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At the April 21 Island Gauntlet Challenge peppereating contest hosted by Island Peppers Co., the competition got, well, heated. Contestants had to eat 10 peppers, ranging from Tabascos to habaneros to ghost chilis to scorpions to Brain Strains to the notorious Carolina Reaper peppers. As seen on Island Peppers Co.’s Instagram livestream, the first person who finished forcing the fiery and spicy vegetables down their gullet won prizes from the company’s line of products. Each contestant had to swallow the peppers down through to the stems. Contestant Elvira, who has the Instagram handle “Hellvira,” proved a force to be reckoned with. However, competitors such as “Hairy Potter Chilis” were tough to beat. If you, dear reader, are uneducated about peppers, we can answer a question for you: Yes, there is a pepper called Brain Strain. The pepper names are meant to be intimidating and can usually indicate the heat level. In other words, eating the fiery peppers ain’t for sissies.

And here’s a fun fact: Chili peppers are actually classified as both fruits and vegetables, though from a diner’s standpoint, they are vegetables. From a botanist’s point of view, they are fruits due to the seeds. Regardless of the category, these veggie fruits generate heat, measured in units called Scovilles. The hottest pepper in the Guinness Book of World Records is the Carolina Reaper, clocking in at 2.2 million Scovilles. To compare, a jalapeno pepper has 10,000 Scovilles. Tavernier resident Titus Rennie is the owner and founder of the Island Peppers Co., and he is fascinated by the brightly colored culinary jewels. Three years ago, with a fast-paced day job in IT, Rennie was looking for a way to relax. He started planting peppers in his garden and he became obsessed with all the different types. “I enjoy growing peppers,” he said. “It’s my Zen.” So what’s a chili pepper grower to do with his plethora of peppers? Why, create a side hustle called Island Peppers Co., of course. And the company has grown quickly. Rennie now boasts a dry spice rub, dehydrated peppers and business partnerships that produce Raging Masshole Hot Sauce and hot honey (made with Keys’ Meads brewery’s honey line) among his offerings. The proof is in the pudding, served piping hot. The company’s Instagram account has nearly 6,000 followers and counting, with one fan saying she was going to get a tattoo of one of the posted pepper photos, and the Raging Masshole sauce has gotten so popular that the Wahlburgers restaurant chain bought a few bottles for their burgers. Meanwhile, back at the contest, Hellvira’s face was flushed red and sweaty. Sixty-one minutes in, she was huffing and puffing after swallowing nine peppers, taking a moment every now and then to wipe her nose. The final pepper: Dragon’s Breath, which is expected to one day beat the Carolina Reaper as the hottest pepper in the Guinness World Records. Taking a beat to shout, “‘Eye of the Tiger!’” while thrusting her arms in triumph, she swallowed the 10th fiery pepper down whole. Viewers watched quietly as she took deep breaths to control her panting. She looked up and smiled in victory. Hellvira had run the Gauntlet.

Titus Rennie, founder of Island Peppers Co. Island Peppers Co./CONTRIBUTED Products and partnerships include honey, spice and “Raging Masshole” hot sauce (not for sissies). Rennie smokes his peppers with cherry wood, lining the vegetables first on a tray. An Island Peppers specialty is the banana leaf–wrapped and smoked cayenne pepper, at left. Island Peppers Co./CONTRIBUTED

“This girl is amazing,” Rennie said in admiration. “She killed it.” For more info on Island Peppers Co.’s products and for the next Gauntlet Challenge, go to islandpeppers.net or hit up Island Peppers on its Instagram or Facebook pages.

TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 13

ISLAMORADA

ENRICO’S PIZZA 20 High Point Road

HARBOR CAFE 90

Tavernier | 305.852.2200

90311 Old Highway

enricospizza.com

Tavernier, 305-767-3210

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BREWERY & DISTILLERY 82229 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada | 305.508.9093 islamoradabeerco.com

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FLORIDA KEYS BREWING CO. 81611 Old Highway Islamorada | 305.916.5206 floridakeysbrewingco.com

HOG HEAVEN SPORTS BAR & GRILL 85361 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada | 305.664.9669 hogheavensportsbar.com

ISLAMORADA SHRIMP SHACK 81901 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada | 305.664.8433 islamoradashrimpshack.com

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ISLAMORADA WINE CO. 80925 Overseas Hwy., GREEN TURTLE INN 81219 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada | 305.664.2006 greenturtleinn.com

HIDEOUT

Unit 3, Islamorada | 305.923.1317

RESTAURANT

islamoradawineco.com

47 Shoreland Dr. Key Largo 305.451.0128 Scan for website

ITALIAN FOOD

HABANOS ON THE CREEK 90800 Overseas Highway,

HUNGRY TARPON

Tavernier | 305.916.5350

RESTAURANT AT ROBBIE’S 77522 Overseas Hwy.

COMPANY 98070 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo | 305.440.2700

Islamorada | 305.664.0535 robbies.com Scan for facebook page

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LET US FIND YOU YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE Barbara Eads Realty, Inc is about being helpful and working hard to help all of our clients. My challenge is to help everyone I can to reach their goals. Whether purchasing the house of their dreams, or selling their property for the highest price we can get.

Beer Ga Outdoorrden & Bar

BEER GARDEN

Cocktail & Beer Flights

WWW.KEYSFORSALE.COM 91770 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY | TAVERNIER 305-853-5982 OFFICE | 305-586-7326 CELL BARBARA@KEYSFORSALE.COM TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 15

LOBSTER ROLL GOODNESS Enjoy fresh seafood favorites, like the lobster roll, while dining alongside the marina at Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe. Savor every bite as you look out over the water. JIM McCARTHY/ Keys Weekly

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HOTTEST PLACE IN THE KEYS TO COOL OFF! WATERFRONT DINING & TIKI POOL BAR

LIVE HAPPY MUSIC HOUR 7 DAYS A WEEK

MON-FRI 4-7PM

ORIGINAL LOCATION: MM 104 BAY SIDE KEY LARGO | ENRICO'S LOCATION: MM 88.8

INSIDE & OUTSIDE DINING AVAILABLE So Good It’ll Make Your Tongue Slap Your Brain

305-852-2200

online ordering & Delivery Tavernier/islamorada MM 97 - mm 82 20 High Point Rd. Islamorada, Florida Keys MM 88.8

Visit us at enricospizza.com

EXPERIENCE THE Pastabilities TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 17

JIMMY

KEY LARGO

JOHNSON’S BIG CHILL

FISHERIES BACKYARD CAFE

104000 Overseas Hwy.

1313 Ocean Bay Drive

Key Largo | 305.453.9066

Key Largo | 305.451.3782

jjsbigchill.com

keylargofisheries.com

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KEYS’ MEADS 99411 Overseas Hwy., Unit 6 Key Largo | 305.204.4596 keysmeads.com

MANGROVE MIKE’S CAFE 82200 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada | 305.664.8022 mangrovemikes.com

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LAZY LOBSTER 102770 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo | 305.451.0565 lazylobsterinthekeys.com

MAR BAR 90775 Old Hwy. Tavernier | 305.853.6199

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MEAT SHOP OF THE FLORIDA KEYS KEYS CHOCOLATES

LAZY DAYS

102900, Unit 1,

& ICE CREAM

ISLAMORADA

Key Largo, 305-451-2002

81933 Overseas Hwy.

79867 Overseas Hwy.

Islamorada

Islamorada | 305.664.5256

305.440.3178

lazydaysislamorada.com

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KEY LARGO

LORELEI

CHOCOLATES & ICE CREAM

RESTAURANT & CABANA BAR

100470 Overseas Hwy.

96 Madeira Road

Key Largo | 305.453.6613

Islamorada | 305.664.2692

MOES PLACE

keylargochocolate.com

loreleicabanabar.com

79851 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada 305.664.0166

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Imported Olive Oils, Balsamic Vinegars, Island Treasures, and Gift Baskets!

Experience Our Tasting Shop!

Open Mon-Fri 10am to 5pm • Sat 10am to 4pm ~ WE SHIP OLIVE MORADA

WWW.OLIVEMORADA.COM

@OLIVE_MORADA

82245 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036 | MM 82.2 Oceanside | 305-735-4375

102770 OVERSEAS HWY, KEY LARGO 305.451.0565 | LAZYLOBSTERINTHEKEYS.COM SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 11AM-9:30PM FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 11AM-10PM TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 19

SUNSET LOUNGE Entering through Square Grouper’s front doors, guests now find their way upstairs to a lounge-like atmosphere with comfy couches and seats, a long bar and tables with large windows providing a beautiful bay view. Sunset Lounge also specializes in craft cocktails that use in-house syrups and freshly squeezed juices. Pictured are a Mary James watermelon margarita, the Hot Flash, made with Don Julio Blanco, blood orange, habanero simple syrup and black lava salt around the edge. and a Morada Sunset, made with Empress 1908 gin, chai tea lemon and aqua faba. DOUG FINGER/ Keys Weekly

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AUTHENTIC CUBAN LUNCH & DINNER WITH A FLORIDA KEYS VIEW FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED CREEKSIDE & INDOOR DINING AVAILABLE TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY 11:30 A.M.-6 P.M. TAVERNIER CREEK MARINA 90800 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY 305-916-5350

TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 21

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.”

antibiotics. Our 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

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.

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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

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 23

A CRUNCHY DELIGHT A relaxing oceanfront dining destination, Snappers in Key Largo serves up some delicious appetizer options. The tuna nachos are made with diced sushi grade tuna marinated in a sweet soy and orange chili sauce. It’s served atop a bed of wakame salad on two crispy wontons and drizzled with wasabi aioli. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly

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FAMILY, FOOD & FUN

Join us daily 4-6pm for $3 small plates, domestic drafts, wine & liquor!

And don’t miss our Live Music! Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 5-8pm

C&C WOOD FIRED EATS Thursday steak night at C&C Wood Fired Eats won’t disappoint. It’s cooked in the wood fire oven. Add an array of toppings such as roasted mushrooms, shallot butter, Gorgonzola dolce, housemade steak sauce and housemade peppercorn demi. Taste the difference the wood fire makes. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

GRILLING

SIMPLIFIED!

FLORIDA KEYS PERSONAL CHEF SERVICE

Grass-fed, USDA Prime Beef, Chicken, Pork & More

OCEAN TO TABLE CUSTOMIZED MENU OPTIONS PREPARED, COOKED AND SERVED IN YOUR HOME

BOOK TODAY!

305-905-7732 OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 11 A.M.-6 P.M. PLAZA 103/BAYSIDE, 102900 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, UNIT 1 26 UPPER KEYS Table SUMMER 2022

adinnerinparadise@gmail.com

www.adinnerinparadise.com

COME BY BOAT, BIKE, FOOT OR CAR!

Our docks 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

LOC

AL S OPS EAFOOD • STEAKS & CH

Saturday & Sunday

Indoor fine dining & outdoor patio dining with live music

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 BRING E PLEAS AND LEGAL ED CLEAN

Bloody Mary Ja m Sundays at 11:30 a.m.

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

Open Mondays, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 4 p.m. 80939 OVERSEAS HWY | MM80 | ISLAMORADA 3054402829 | CHEFROLFSTUNA.COM TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 27

MORADA BAY BEACH CAFE

SEÑOR FRIJOLES

SQUARE GROUPER

103900 Overseas Hwy.

80460 Overseas Hwy.

Key Largo | 305.451.1592

Islamorada | 786.901.5678

senorfrijolesrestaurant.com

squaregrouperislamorada.com

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81600 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada | 305.644.0604

SUBWAY

MRS. MAC’S KITCHEN 99336 Overseas Hwy.

SNOOK’S

99625 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo

BAYSIDE RESTAURANT

91200 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier

99470 Overseas Hwy.

82685 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada

Key Largo | 305.453.5004

subway.com

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Key Largo 305-451-3722

OLIVE MORADA

SPARKY’S

82245 Overseas Hwy.

SWEET TREATS

Islamorada | 305.735.4375

99625 Overseas Hwy., Suite 1

olivemorada.com

Key Largo | 305.998.4103

SUNDOWNERS 103900 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo | 305.451.4502 Sundownerskeylargo.com

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SPARKY’S LANDING PILOT HOUSE RESTAURANT 13 Seagate Blvd.

13205 Overseas Hwy Marathon 305.363.2959

SUNSET LOUNGE 80460 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada | 786.901.5678 sunsetloungeislamorada.com

Key Largo | 305.451.3142 pilothousemarina.com

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28 UPPER KEYS Table SUMMER 2022

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When you’ve left a little extra room for dessert, don’t forget these sweet treats from restaurants and local shops.

KEY LARGO & KEYS CHOCOLATES What’s a dinner night out or a weekend without a visit to Key Largo Chocolates or Keys Chocolates in Islamorada? Answer: It’s not as sweet. There’s plenty of chocolates and ice cream selections to satisfy all the taste buds. But there might not be a sweeter treat than the Key lime pie on a stick.

LORELEI RESTAURANT & CABANA BAR Enjoying a meal during a nice day or a picturesque sunset? End your dining experience with Lorelei’s famous frozen Key lime pie. It’s creamy and whipped, and it’s less tart than your typical Key lime pie. It’s topped with mango sauce and whipped cream.

SPARKY’S SWEET TREATS Sparky’s Sweet Treats shop brings kids and parents’ ice cream concoction imaginations to life. Located at the Waldorf plaza in Key Largo next to Subway, tasty treats like cookies and ice cream are even available for dogs. Enjoy a frozen treat inside an invigorating, kid-friendly atmosphere containing pool tables, games and Wifi.

TROPICAL LIVING | Keysweekly.com 29

ROLLIN’ WITH FISH What the Fish Rolls & More, the small restaurant at Casa Mar Village in Tavernier, specializes in ocean-to-table seafood, featuring locally caught delights and favorites such as crab cakes and lobster rolls. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly

TWISTED SHRIMP 87745 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada | 305.453.6377 twistedshrimp.com

WAHOO’S

WHAT THE FISH

BAR AND GRILL

ROLLS & MORE

83413 Overseas Hwy.

90775 Old Highway, Unit 6

Islamorada | 305.664.9888

Tavernier

wahoosbarandgrill.com

305.440.3650

WAHLBURGERS 700 Front Street Key West | 305.433.2020

WHALE HARBOR

wahlbergers.com/keywest

SEAFOOD FEAST

ZIGGIE & MAD DOGS

83413 Overseas Hwy.

83000 Overseas Hwy.

Islamorada | 305.664.4940

Islamorada

whaleharborrestaurant.com

305.664.3391

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30 UPPER KEYS Table SUMMER 2022

WE ARE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR OVER 18 YEARS UPPER KEYS

DISTRIBUTED KEYSWIDE

TROPICAL LIVING MAGAZINES (over 30 magazines annually)

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

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

www.keysweekly.com

Tavernier 91760 Overseas Highway 305.363.2957

A LOCAL FAVORITE FOR NEAPOLITAN WOOD FIRE COOKING AND SO MUCH MORE THAN PIZZA HAPPY HOUR SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 4-6 P.M.

AR TOO F D, R E V O E N AT FO E R G FOR L WORTH WEL RIVE THE D

$10 PIZZA & PITCHER $10 PITCHER AND CHICKEN THIGHS $4 HOUSE WINE, DRAFTS, HIGH NOONS HOUSEMADE MEATBALLS PORK BELLY • STEAKS ROASTED ARTICHOKES EXTENSIVE WINE LIST SELECTION OF CRAFT BEERS SPECIALTY IMPORTED/DOMESTIC CHEESE AND MEATS

99201 Overseas Highway (Northbound at Flashing Yellow Light)

OPEN DAILY AT 4 P.M. HAPPY HOUR UNTIL 6 P.M.

305-451-0995