Key West weekend fun

 A brief summary of the weekend since we got back from Canada.  

Friday evening: An early start of a 3am wake up call on Friday morning for a 6.15am flight - which by the way, was the right decision to get up so early, the airport was extremely busy even at that time in the morning.  Also, I had issues checking in online so we needed to go to a physical desk.  Plus, add into the mix that we were flying international after all and needed to go through US immigration prior to getting to our gate. 

As you can imagine we were quite tired that evening (also factor in that Patrick was working in the afternoon once we arrived back to Key West), so we decided to take it easy and pop around to Shanna Key for dinner.  Shanna Key is nothing fancy as you know but it is reliable as a local (Irish) bar/restaurant for a bite to eat and a drink.

After a great night's sleep for both of us we were up and out on Saturday morning, headed out to 400 feet trolling. Success! After about two hours of some hard trolling we caught one.  And with a great story to boot! Pure chance we were both looking backwards at the two rods (normally one person is looking, the other focusing forward on the driving) and we both witnessed the mahi mahi jump twice, at great speed, BEFORE taking the hook.  It was incredible to watch.

And another story to tell! The second fellow was caught at 180 feet, 5 seconds before Patrick was about to call it and reel the rod in - like he was literally on his feet walking over to the rod and then boom, it hit!

Two nice 26 inchers (22 on the fork - they must be bigger than 20 to keep them).  We had a fabulous dinner of fresh fish on Saturday night and then again on Monday evening.

Saturday morning, another day of up and out.

One of our dockmasters gave us co-ordinates of a new spot to try out.  It is where the snapper are spawning right now so it was a popular spot with maybe 10 other boats there.  We didn't stay out too long. We hadn't brought all the accoutrements needed (chum!) and also didn't fancy anchoring today so we just floated around and enjoyed the time on the boat.  We drove home around the island the opposite way we normally go and that is always a nice trip when we change it up.

Bill texted Patrick and they came up with a plan for happy hour so I was delighted with that.  They are going to Ireland on Wednesday and kindly offered to bring anything back for me if I wanted so I quickly rushed to the store and bought a few little small things for my family.  Oh my gosh, how cute are these little shoes for my niece!!!

Always a great time with this pair.  It was lovely chatting with them before they head off on their big Irish and Scottish adventure!  Bon Voyage to them and their family!

Southernmost Beach Cafe

We had a lovely end to a nice weekend at Happy Hour at the Southernmost Beach Cafe yesterday evening.  Patrick loves the view there (and rightly so!) and I love the atmosphere - I like to pretend we are on vacation because it feels like a beach bar that we might go to if we were on holidays in Mexico lol.

And in other Happy Hour news, I started a fun little instagram page where I will post up to date menus of Key West Happy Hours - so that people will know the times are accurate/the offerings are still the same, compared to some of the old stuff on websites etc.

I woke up this morning to the grand sum of 5 followers! Ha!

Want to follow?  Search for keywesthappyhours on instagram

Southernmost Cafe (on the beach), Happy Hour

 I met Isabelle for a lovely few after work drinks and a bite to eat.  After a little discussion, we settled on the Southernmost Cafe where we ordered a big load of carbs.  Yup! Buffalo chicken poutine and pizza rolls. C'mere sure, what are you going do about it?!

'Twas a fun night! 

New Happy Hour venue!

If you have been following my blog and noting my Key West eating venues, you probably have worked out that Half Shell Raw Bar and Martin's are two of our favorite Happy Hour Eating establishments.

 

Half Shell is casual and easy, and feels authentic Key West. A license plates on the wall type of place, originally a shrimpers shed, turned restaurant, situated on the spot where the fishworkers spilled out their catch right on the bight.

 

Martin's is when we are feeling a little fancier and want to drink wine and martini's - that would be every Sunday so! The food is fancier too.

 

15% strength!
 

But now! Now, we have Old Town Tavern which is a "just riiiiight" balance between the two. 
 

Apparently it has the "Best Guinness in Town" according to Patrick, a man with 30 years of  drinking Guinness (IN IRELAND) under his belt.

 

It also has Craft Beers.  Something which my Chicago man  has occasionally (very occasionally it must be said) lamented since arriving South.  Well lament no more!  This bar even has Goose Island Bourbon Stout!

And their Happy Hour food, oh my!

Flatbreads; with toppings ranging from a sexy little shrimp scampi number, to your classic chicken barbeque to the exquisitely unique pig and pickle. 

Looks good, right?!

Yes,  of course I had the pork. I can never resist pork.

Along with a chicken liver pate dish of crispy toasted bread,  wholegrain mustard and capers we were just nicely satisfied.  Not at all hungry, and not too full.  In fact "just riiiiight".

If I was really hungry I would also have ordered the meat balls and the pork belly.  Have I mentioned I can never resist pork?

And while I am almost a year into my little Key West adventure and one could argue disappointment that I had not found this little gem of a joint earlier, on the other hand for that very reason it makes me appreciate it all the more. Without a doubt, it is part of our Happy Hour repertoire going forward, and will be for many more years I hope.