Tropical blue water, a cool ocean breeze, and the perfect setting for fine dining. This is Louie’s Backyard in Key West Florida. Close to the Southernmost point in Key West at 700 Waddell Street, this restaurant and “After Deck” Bar is a must see while visiting Key West.
Housed in a gracious class revival home, which was built around 1909 by Captain James Randall Adams, who was a “Wrecker”, (A brave man with a fast boat who would salvage goods from ships wrecked by the whims of wine and wave); this restaurant has both inside and outside dining on one of its many decks. All seating focuses on the many colors of blue that lines the Atlantic Ocean.
I’ve dined at Louie’s many times and it is a favorite when we visit the keys. My wife and I decide to dine late Sunday morning at the Brunch that is offered weekly. We are seated at a table on the deck that has a bench so both are facing the wonderful views. Our waiter informs us that it was 11:45, and we could not be served alcohol until noon on Sundays. We were fine, and he brought us Iced Tea.
The “Brunch” menu had a wide variety of items with breakfast such as French Toast with Caramelized Green Apple Compote and Applewood smoked bacon, or Florida Lobster scrambled eggs with green onions and brie, with grilled brioche. Both sounded wonderful. There were also seafood, salads, chicken, and steaks.
I could not decide between the Chipotle crusted chicken stuffed with tetilla cheese and roasted red pepper and black beans, or the grilled ribeye with Fra Diablo sauce and onions rings. My wife, who I thought would choose the French toast, decided on the Asian chicken salad with green tea soba noodles, gingered cucumbers and Thai peanut sauce. I opted for the special Ribeye dish.
Warm bread and butter were immediately brought to our table along with our drinks. We devoured the bread because we had only had fruit for breakfast since we knew we were in for such a treat. We relaxed and watched the picture perfect views and before we knew it, our meal arrived.
My ribeye was ordered medium and it was cooked to perfection. The Fra Diablo sauce was spicy as expected, but not so that it took away the taste of everything else. The onion rings and green beans that accompanied the steak was tasty and well received. I was very pleased as usual and enjoyed the entire feast.
Maureen’s Asian Chicken Salad was probably the best and most unique salad my wife has had. There was a dry slaw base, topped with the soba noodle and piled high with pieces of chicken that was cooked just right. Gingered cucumbers were mixed in and the Thai peanut sauce was poured on top. What made this dish so wonderful were the green tea soba noodles and the Thai sauce. The sauce was not to strong, but the perfect blend to enhance the noodles, chicken and cucumbers.
After our lunch was complete, we went to the “After Deck” bar, which is built over the water. My wife ordered one of Louie’s specialty drinks, the raspberry cooler, which was made of raspberry wine and Chambord liquor, while I tried a Mojito. Both drinks were refreshing and the perfect ending to a great lunch.
Louie’s Backyard
700 Waddell Avenue
Key West, Florida, 33040
1-305-294-1061