While on vacation in Miami in June 2007, we took a day trip to Key Largo and planned to dine at a restaurant that had been featured on the Food Network. We were extremely disappointed to discover that particular restaurant had closed and moved to Marathon. We were starved, but we didn't want to eat at a fast food restaurant or in a hotel dining room. I leafed through a tourist magazine I'd brought with me from our Miami condo and found an advertisement for The Fish House, a restaurant we had passed by a few moments before.
With it's weathered siding and tin roof, the restauant didn't look like anything special. We figured it was frequented by locals and the occasional tourist driving through the Keys. We pulled into their gravel parking lot when it was still empty, a few minutes before they opened their doors to serve dinner. Inside, assorted strands of lights--fish, chili peppers, and starfish--hung from the ceiling. The walls were plastered with an unusal assortment of pictures and plaques depicting the seashore, fishing, and ocean life. Our 13-year-old son thought the decor was "cheesy" but it was just the kind of place we search for when we're seeking a special dining experience.
Our smiling waitress served us quickly and made several excellent suggestions. My mother said her pre-dinner Mai Tai cocktail was too strong, but my husband thought it was perfect. I was excited to find Mahi Mahi on their menu and ordered it without considering any other entree. A generous portion was dusted with flour, dipped in egg wash, and pan sautéed in butter with lemon and sherry. Delicious! Hubby and mom ordered Grouper Hemingway style, baked in a light breading and served topped with a basil cream, wine and garlic sauce. They both loved their meal. Our fish entrees were served with a choice of two sides. Son, Chris, is still talking about the Shrimp & Scallop Key Lime, a combination of nine large shrimp and scallops sautéed with lime juice, white wine, garlic, butter, mushrooms, scallions & hot sauce, served over pasta noodles. We were too full to order dessert and took leftovers back to our hotel.
By the time we left, about one hour later, the tables were filling up. Back in Miami, I read an article about The Fish House and discovered Bobby Flay had featured the restaurant and its seafood market on FOOD NATION on the Food Channel in 2003.
What a find!
What really makes The Fish House special is that they serve fresh local fish that is caught daily, filleted and prepared on premise. It's a restaurant with a casual Keys style atmosphere, excellent food, and friendly attentive service.
The Fish House is certainly worth a second trip to Key Largo.
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