Blue Heaven

Heaven is in the backyard at the wonderful restaurant Blue Heaven on the corner of Petronia and Thomas Streets in Key West, F.L.  Dining outside on the patio by candlelight, beneath an umbrella of trees and within earshot of the live reggae music, is delightful.  And the food is local, fresh and delicious.
As you walk [...]

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A Seaside Dive in Key West

“Eat it raw!” That’s the slogan at Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West, where raw is “in” and the clams and oysters are fresh as can be. The wooden seaside shack at the end of Margaret Street is open-air, overlooking the marina and out to the Gulf. It’s a very laid back atmosphere with [...]

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Turkey Sausage-Spinach Lasagna with Spicy Homemade Tomato Sauce

I’ve sampled many a slice of lasagna in my day, from mom’s kitchen to fine Italian restaurants and church potlucks. The best have been moist and flavorful, not over-baked; firm and well-set; and made with incredibly fresh ingredients of cheese and sauce.
This rendition of the Italian classic (Bon Appetit, March 1999) ranks right up there [...]

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Crispy Oatmeal Coconut Cornflake Cookies

Quick: what do you do with a leftover box of cereal that you don’t like to eat for breakfast?  Grind it up and make cookies! That’s what I did with some Kellogg’s Product 19 sitting in my cabinet. I had bought the cereal on sale, but it never really caught my fancy. Crushed and mixed [...]

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The Buzz on the City’s Best Burger

If you judged a burger on hype alone, Shake Shack’s would win by a landslide. Since moving to the city last summer, I have not stopped hearing about their fresh, juicy burgers, high-quality toppings, crispy hand-cut fries, and thick creamy  milkshakes — all at reasonable prices, by New York standards.
The rumors are all true: these [...]

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New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

There’s truly no cuisine like New Orleans cuisine. And if you ever watch Emeril — or saw this season of Top Chef — you know that it holds a special place in American culture. In honor of Mardi Gras last week and to satiate a craving, my dad prepared the spicy and savory Louisiana classic: [...]

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Get a Tropical Fix: Key Lime Coconut Cake

I don’t know about you, but this time of year I always start craving the tropics — sun, surf, and sweet coconut flavors and smells. Spring Break is quickly approaching!  And in celebration of that fact, this key lime coconut cake. (Can you guess where I’m headed for a getaway??)
This cake is dense, moist and [...]

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