Key West… as seen by Miss D

So last Saturday, I said to The Handsome Captain™ “Why don’t we take a ride to KCB (Key Colony Beach)?”, to which he said “Do you know how crowded KCB is?”    He left the decision up to me while I secretly hoped it wouldn’t be “beyond belief crowded”.

Sparky’s Landing is one of our favorite places when we do a road trip so we took off on US-1 and got behind some s-l-o-w-e-r than molasses visitors who thought it acceptable to drive 30 in a 45mph zone.   The trail of cars looked like an automobile version of the Pied Piper.

We finally got to

where we made our right onto Sadowsky Causeway.  There is a sign shortly after the turn that says “Slow Down, What’s Your Hurry?”  I really wanted to leave a sign of my own with something like “I really have to use the restroom” but didn’t think it would be at all appreciated.  So we kept our speed at the limit and found a good parking spot…these things are important in KCB during season.

Specials? They are always listed on the board here.

Upon entering, there was a guy playing guitar.  Apparently Bonez has no more of a poker face than I do and I guess he thought the musician was bad. So bad that when one of the young female servers made eye contact with him, she snickered and nodded her head in agreement.  Being that we could seat ourselves, Greg opted for a table on the deck, the farthest away from the singer.  To our delight, while Sparky’s was busy, they weren’t overcrowded.

This restaurant sits across some AMAZING views.

Aren’t they just gorgeous?  We think so.

I happen to think this is a very nice view, also…but I’m biased.

Another great view is food in front of me!

But before there could be food on the plate, I needed to get an image of it.  It was just too cool.  Now let’s fill it!

One of my favorite apps

Coconut Basil Clams!  Steamed clams served in coconut basil sauce and served with garlic bread.  I resisted the bread for as long as I could, but then there’s the problem of excessive sauce on the bottom of the bowl.  What were we supposed to do, we couldn’t just leave that amazing sweet and tangy sauce.  No, I joined Greg in sopping the sauce.  Total yum!

Then there’s one of Greg’s favorite apps

The totally healthy blue cheese chips!  Warm potato chips covered with blue cheese crumbles and drizzled with a herb vinaigrette.  The combo of the blue cheese and the pesto is fabulous, although Greg isn’t supposed to have it.

Next, the entrées…

Greg got the lobster tacos special.  Fried lobster, topped with pickled red onions, cabbage, cilantro lime cream and tomatilla sauce, served in warm flour tortillas with rice & black beans on the side (not pictured).

I got the fish tacos, which were prepared the same way except I opted out on the onions.

Let me say that both the cilantro lime cream and the tomatilla sauce are FANTASTIC!  The cilantro lime cream has the sweet and the tart going on and finished with the wonderful cilantro.  The tomatilla provided just the right degree of spice.  The fish in the tacos was mahi and FRESH!  The fish, as the breading broke away from it, was nothing short of moist and full of flavor.  Just delicious!  Greg kept trying to get me to try the pickled red onion because “it was sweet and didn’t taste so onion-y”.  Wrong.  I lightly put my tongue on it and guess what? It tasted like an ONION!  Yech.  Okay, moving on to the rice.  So often, unless it’s risotto, rice tastes almost the same everywhere.  Not so at Sparky’s.  Even separating the rice from the black beans, the rice is moist and spiced perfectly.  I wasn’t supposed to eat bread OR rice, yet I did.

Which is why I didn’t eat the tortillas.

Almost perfectly clean tortillas!

This guy definitely approved.

Somebody else approved, too.

So ummm….where’s dessert?

What to order?  If it’s different (or something Priss doesn’t usually eat), I’ll generally order it.  In this case, The Handsome Captain™ went along with the dessert order.

Tres Leches Cake, translated, means “three milks”.  In Sparky’s version, the yellow cake is soaked in coconut, condensed, and whole milks.  In addition, the cake also rests upon dark rum and is sprinkled with coconut shavings.   Prissy hit a home run with this one.  The flavor was incredible, though I realize each bite made my hips expand a size.

Still though, this cake was

just terrible.  We hated every bite.  Is there a manager around?

Just like on television game shows, Greg and I got these LOVELY parting gifts!  Stickers, yay!

Sparky’s Landing is the quintessential, Keys-y, fun place.  Their food is casual, yet fresh and delicious.   Their drink specials and happy hours are many, and there is always something going on.   From the Superbowl parties to pro & college sports to the live entertainment, Sparky’s always has a party!

Did you know that Sparky’s will also cook your catch?  Well, they will…just ask!  In addition, for those with mobility issues, Sparky’s Landing also has a handicapped ramp.

Greg and I just love everything about Sparky’s, from it’s casual vibe to the fabulous views to the wonderful owners and their vision.  It’s the perfect road trip for those coming into or out of Key West or just driving a short distance from your Marathon/KCB home.  Is it worth an hour or so on US-1 to experience Sparky’s Landing?  Every day of the week

For more on Sparky’s Landing, click here.

P.S.  If you enjoy “Prissy in Paradise”, please scroll to the top right-hand corner and click on the “f”.  This takes you to my Facebook page…please click “Like”!