I’ve recognized about Crimson Shoe Island Bistro for awhile, however I sometimes keep away from going downtown throughout busy season as a result of parking and reservations could be troublesome. So, with the season beginning to gradual a bit, my husband and I together with our mates Lisa and Jason determined to attempt it out. We made reservations for 6pm, fortunately. In any other case, I’m fairly certain we’d not have gotten in because the place crammed up shortly after we arrived.
We have been seated instantly and given menus to peruse. Our server requested if we needed faucet, nonetheless, or glowing water. We went with faucet and a bottle of cabernet for the desk. They solely have beer and wine right here, however it’s a superb choice.
The Appetizers
There are 4 appetizers on the menu, each has 4 items to it, so excellent for 2 {couples} to share. So, we opted to get one in every of every for the desk.
Deviled Eggs with Scallops – This can be a deviled egg topped with a seared scallop and drizzled with lobster sauce. Now, I’m not an enormous fan of deviled eggs. Nonetheless, I did actually take pleasure in this. The scallop was scrumptious as was the lobster sauce.
Shrimp Mango Toast -The toasted Mango bread from Cole’s Peace Bakery proper right here in Key West was topped with shrimp in a garlic, scallion and caper aioli with parsley and purple chili. This was wonderful! First off, I like the entire bread at Cole’s Peace, so that they already had me there. However, the seafood was ready completely and the marginally candy with the savory was like magic in my mouth.
Baked Key West Shrimp – These shrimp have been stuffed with a Maine lobster stuffing and drizzled with a key lime, tamarind and honey sauce. Nicely, what’s to not like about shrimp and Maine lobster? I declared them scrumptious!
Lobster Roll Profiteroles – So, first it’s good to know {that a} profiterole is principally the shell of a cream puff. However as a substitute of a cream filling these have been stuffed with Maine lobster salad. So superb!
Whereas the entire appetizers have been wonderful, I must say that the Shrimp Mango Toast and the Lobster Roll Profiteroles have been my private favorites. My husband’s favorites have been the Shrimp Mango Toast and the Deviled Eggs with Scallops.
The Salads
There are two Salads on the menu right here. They’ve a Caesar and a Caprese. Lisa and Jason ordered the Caesar to share whereas Steven and I ordered the Caprese to share.
The Caesar is grilled hearts of romain lettuce with croutons and a parmesan crisp tossed with a do-it-yourself caesar dressing. I didn’t do that, however they cleaned their plate off so I do know it was good.
The Caprese was wonderful. Recent ripe cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata mozzarella, and recent basil, dressed with olive oil and balsamic. In case you like tomatoes, this salad was perfection.
The Entrees
There are six entrees on the menu, and right here, all of us agreed upon the Seafood Medley. The recent fettuccini pasta would have been wonderful by itself. However, tossed with completely cooked scallops, mussels and shrimp and evenly coated in a fragile tomato, shallot and boursin sauce was heavenly.
Whereas the menu is clearly seafood heavy, there’s one non seafood choice for dinner. The Beef Stroganoff was a excessive contender to attempt, however we simply went with the seafood vibe we have been feeling final evening. Black Angus skirt steak served in a discount sauce with bitter cream with portabello mushrooms over recent pasta sounds great, so I’ll simply have to return one other time! And the Yellowtail Snapper is their signature dish, so I must attempt that ultimately as nicely.
The Desserts
The 2 desserts that they serve are their award profitable Key Lime Pie and a Lavender Cheesecake. We ordered one in every of every and shared as a result of we needed to attempt each after all!
The Key Lime Pie had an incredible graham cracker crust and a candy filling topped with recent whipped cream. Excellent. And positively a high contender for my favourite on the island. The others being Louie’s Yard, Kaya Island Eats, and Publix.
The Lavender Cheesecake I used to be not going to get as a result of I don’t like consuming floral flavors. However, a good friend of mine instructed me that I needed to attempt it. I’m so glad that I did. It was not floral in any respect. It was creamy however had a freshness to it. In case you like cheesecake you’ll love this.
The Verdict & Different Issues to Know
All through the meal, the server was attentive with out being annoying. Our water glasses have been perpetually crammed. And the meals was divine. The environment is welcoming and seating was cozy. That is my new favourite restaurant in Key West! I critically can’t wait to return!
The Crimson Shoe Island Bistro is positioned on Petronia Road. For those who have lived right here for twenty plus years, you’ll keep in mind this constructing was as soon as residence to the unique Higher Than Intercourse in addition to to Bliss which I additionally beloved. There’s a small pay car parking zone proper throughout the road from the restaurant, but it surely fills up shortly. We ended up having to park about two blocks away on Whitehead Road. So, if Uber is an choice, go together with that.
2025 Replace
Final night, my husband and I introduced some mates to Crimson Shoe Island Bistro for dinner. As soon as once more, every part was great. We ordered a few of our favourite appetizers. The deviled eggs with scallops, the shrimp mango toast, and the baked shrimp are common menu gadgets that we all the time order and they’re all the time wonderful. I then tried the brand new pear and blueberry salad with goat cheese. This salad was so refreshing and scrumptious, I wish to return only for that! I additionally tried the meat stroganoff for a change, and whereas it was good, I might most likely not reorder that as in my view it doesn’t evaluate to the opposite seafood dishes which might be on the menu. However, the dill sprinkled on the meat dish gave it a very nice freshness to the plate. My husband all the time will get the seafood medley which by no means disappoints. And naturally, we couldn’t depart with out sharing a bit of the lavender cheesecake which is among the most wonderful desserts I’ve ever eaten anyplace!
2026 Replace
Crimson Shoe Island Bistro has turn into our go to position for particular events and foodie mates. Final evening we celebrated a good friend’s birthday right here, and it didn’t disappoint. First, if in case you have by no means been right here, the doorways open promptly at 6pm. Your entire employees comes exterior to greet the diners and final evening they did a little bit of David Bowie trivia as nicely. And, anybody that was celebrating a birthday or anniversary was given a shout out, after which we have been all seated. I like how they do that because it actually units them aside as an institution and provides a little bit of personalization and leisure to the night.
We began off with a bottle of wine for the desk which was fairly priced. And we additionally ordered just a few appetizers for the desk. My husband loves the deviled eggs with scallops, however the creamy lobster sauce of this dish is the star for me; all of it pairs so nicely collectively. My favourite it the shrimp mango toast which has a little bit of kick to it. New to the menu are crab muffins which I needed to attempt and so they have been scrumptious; crispy on the surface and loaded with yummy crab that was not overly seasoned or breaded. I can be getting these once more quickly! There have been additionally some new salads, and we tried the one with watercress, oranges and blue cheese. The candy and the tangy all labored so nicely collectively. At this level, I used to be fairly full, however I needed to attempt the hen which has been on the menu for a bit however I had not tried it but.
The hen was very tasty. Served with a facet of completely steamed broccolini and an arepa which by itself might have been boring however smothered within the barely candy and spicy sauce was wonderful. The hen was filled with Boursin cheese and wrapped in bacon. The bacon stored the hen tender and was crispy on the surface. It was actually scrumptious.
Extra About Key West
See what is going on on the island throughout your go to by testing our Key West Occasions Calendar. And, for different issues to do and see in our island metropolis, go to our Key West Net Web site.
However, earlier than making your reservations for dinner whereas in Key West take a look at our restaurant critiques! I’m certain that Prim Rib received’t be in your listing for each evening of the week! Be at liberty to Electronic mail Me if in case you have any questions on Key West!!
