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Alice's Key West (Whimsical New World Fusion)
1114 Duval Street, Key West, Florida
Phone: (305) 292-5733
Website: http://www.aliceskeywest.com/
A Chef James Best of Key West Restaurant
Hours:
Breakfast - Served from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Brunch and Lunch - 10:00 am – 2:00pm
Dinner - 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Reservations: Highly Recommended
Accessibility: ADA compliant access.
Parking: Metered street parking
Price Range: Moderate
Note: customer comments below
REVIEW
Have you ever met a business owner/operator whose personality just saturates the operation they oversee? Chef Alice Weingarten is that person and her restaurant is aptly named Alice’s. She’s got a smile as big as the Florida Keys and creative juices that always seem to just overflow. It’s a habit of hers to make the rounds out front to greet the guests on many evenings and then you’ll see just what I mean.
I don’t profess to know why she recently moved across the street from her old digs at La Te Da, but now there’s an eatery called “Bacchus” there and Alice is doing her thing across the street. In keeping with her vivacious personality you’ll find the décor clean, eye-catching and whimsical and the service friendly and professional. I have opportunities daily to hear from locals and tourists alike when they discuss their experiences here on the southernmost island, and I never hear anything but positive feedback on the subject of Alice’s.
Remember those creative juices I mentioned earlier? It doesn’t matter whether you chose a classic Alice’s dish or one of her new creations you know right off the bat it is special by some of the most interesting and unusual presentations I have seen since my arrival here. I almost always opt for a fish dish when going to a better restaurant and the yellowtail or tuna has always drawn me in. I also try very hard to avoid desserts because of a slight weight issue, but I can’t possibly avoid Alice’s bread pudding because it’s the best I’ve ever had including the one I had in New Orleans at Commander’s Palace which is touted as the best anywhere. A cinnamon stick with mint off the top forms a palm tree signature for a complete Key West finale to one of the best meals you’ll have on your visit.
The uptown location gives you a fighting chance for a parking space since all the side streets above Truman are non-metered, and be prepared to pay for a fine dining experience. I honestly can’t think of anything but positive things to say when referring to Alice’s. She is an exciting and cutting edge personality who has made her mark on the Key West landscape and you have to make every effort you can to know her and her work by visiting this eating spot and come out feeling better then you went in!
Doug Heyman in Key West
for the Food Reference website
Customer comment
Hi James,
We've since returned from our honeymoon in Key West.... we'd like to commend you for your restaurant review section of your website. Based on a glowing review, we tried Alice's Restaurant and fell in love with the innovative cuisine! It was out of this world!!!
Anyway, thank you for your attention and consideration in the matter of the Blue Heaven hostess debacle. Our experience with the fine quality cuisine of "Alice's" more than outweighs the one disappointing experience at Blue Heaven.
Thanks again (and I absolutely love your recipe section!)
Heather Hall Sena.
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Previous Review:
There have been several different outlets and incarnations on the property but the finest among them in recent history has been Alice's.
Among the highlights are her Southwestern Pot Stickers with Cuervo Salsa (Filled with Tequila Grilled Chicken, Green Chili, Manchego Cheese), Cajun Spring Rolls, Hot & Sour Passion Sauce (Filled with Blackened Shrimp, Fire Roasted Corn, and Goat Cheese), "Pure Passion Salad" (Wild Baby Greens with Goat Cheese, Mango, Toasted Almonds and her Passion Fruit Vinaigrette (which---for foodies---she presented at the James Beard House in New York). I also enjoyed the Tahitian Pan Roasted Chicken Scented with Vanilla, Wild Mushroom Mashed Potatoes and Stir Fried Vegetables. This, and all portions, are more than generous.
On the list for innovation in flavors, as well, is Chef Alice's
Cuban Style Mojo Marinated Ostrich with a black bean coulis, roasted corn avocado tomato salsa with Coconut Basmati Rice, and Sweet Plantains (also prepared at the James Beard House by Chef Alice in New York)! WHAT?! Chef Alice wins on all counts for her more than innovative and palate-seducing combinations of flavors, ingredients and mastery of flavor combinations.
I LOVED the ostrich dish, for example! What an astounding melange of flavors on one plate. She is the superhero of menu-innovation who ALWAYS comes up with something shocking, intriguing and victorious. Also there is a Tuna roll, tempura style that I absolutely crave anytime I am within 3 blocks of Alice's at La Te Da. It is, without a doubt, the finest, most satisfying, inspired, high-grade Tuna dish that I have had on the island. A close second is a tuna tataki which will appear in a future review.
I have finished many a meal with Chef's Cappuccino Bread Pudding with White Russian Chantilly Cream. There are no words that can do it justice. Just try it (or any of her desserts for that matter). Chef Alice Weingarten. She is a culinary blessing to Key West for her innovation, daring, hard work and tenacity. She came in and, in many ways, raised the bar on cuisine on this island---from service to preparation---to presentation. Alice's at La Te Da is now firmly and deservedly rooted as a fixture and a "must experience" on Key West. Bravissima!
Marc for FoodReference.com
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