Blue Heaven Restaurant is located in the historical Bahama Village in Key West. It is an iconic landmark for Floridian-Caribbean cuisine, key lime pie and live music, according to their website.



For me, however, Blue Heaven will be the place that I realized I had COVID-19. Now, I didn't necessarily catch it at the restaurant. It's just here that I noticed my sense of taste and smell wasn't as strong as it should be. Which, of course, didn't help my dining experience.



"Opened by a pair of free spirits, Suanne and Richard, Blue Heaven has become its own well-known destination in Key West. The chickens and cats roaming the premises are almost as famous as the food. Blue Heaven is al fresco dining, Key West style: canopies of tropical foliage, improvised art (a leopard-spotted mannequin, a rooster graveyard, jolly-colored coconuts and trap floats) and a sail strung between trees providing shade," reads the website.



I enjoyed some fresh fruit, which just felt fitting inn the warm weather. I also always crave grapes or other fruit when my tummy is just a bit upset.



For my entree, I ordered the Caribbean "BBQ" Shrimp, which is pan-blackened Key West shrimp deglazed with Red Stripe beer, finished with butter, served with skillet corn, black beans and organic rice. Plus veggies and bread.



Now, I imagine this is full of flavor. Maybe a bit spicy. Maybe a bit sweet. But, I couldn't really tell you. I know I was super excited to try it, but my tastebuds were not on the same page. It was then that I realized... I gotta go home.



Next time, I will be sure to try it, COVID-19 free.



Grade: ?

Cuban Coffee Queen is a Key West coffee shop that is no-frills yet a bit of a tourist hotspot due to its location.

"At Cuban Coffee Queen, our passion lies in offering exceptional coffee experiences, rooted in the rich traditions and flavors of Cuba. We are dedicated to not only providing the highest quality coffee but also sharing our extensive knowledge on coffee roasting, all while upholding our core Christian values. We are committed to establishing a nurturing and supportive environment that celebrates the love for coffee and fosters a sense of community," reads the website.



Cuban coffee - also known as cafecito - is strong and a bit sweet. It's made by combining espresso with a whipped sugar foam. It's not for the faint of heart (me).



Grade: B

Have you really been to Key West if you didn't get a slice of Key Lime pie?



Located on the historic Key West Bight, Kermit’s Key lime pies are known as the best. They are simultaneously creamy and tangy.



"Made with their in-house key lime juice and topped with fluffy whipped cream, this classic Key lime pie features a traditional graham-cracker crust and a rich, tart filling that is just scrumptious. When Kermit Carpenter opened his namesake Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe in 1993, he was on a mission to serve the best Key lime pie in Key West. Located near Mallory Square (where you can often find Kermit jokingly pretending to toss pies at tourists), Kermit’s Key lime pies and Key lime pie on a stick are the real deal," reads Gold Belly.



Grade: A

Sloppy Joe's is an iconic Key West bar that was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway's.



"The official beginning of Sloppy Joe’s Bar, the famous and infamous Key West Saloon beloved by Ernest Hemingway, was smack in the middle of the Depression, December 5, 1933, the day Prohibition was repealed," reads the website. "Located at the corner of Duval and Greene since 1937, it is one of the most famous bars in America and is known worldwide. Sloppy Joe’s is full of Key West history and characters. The bar offers drinks, food, a retail store, and live music 365 days a year… and is still the best party in Key West."



When we walked in, it was already a party. Lots of hootin' and hollerin' and some entertaining displays. I was more interested in ordering food than participating in the entertainment. We had some chips and salsa with black bean dip, which was fine. And I also had "The Original Sloppy Joe Sandwich" - It made Sloppy Joe’s and Key West famous! Delicious ground beef, celery, onions, and peppers in a sweet flavorful tomato sauce. I added cheese. I do love me a good Sloppy Joe, and this was pretty tasty. It was simple, but done well. And if rowdy is your vibe, this place is for you.



Grade: B

Versailles Bakery is a famous Cuban bakery that is the counterpart to the famous Versailles Restaurant.



"Versailles eventually expanded to accommodate the now equally popular Versailles Bakery. The bakery makes all the desserts and pastries for the restaurant. Aside from famously sweet and decadent desserts, the bakery carries all the elements for a typical casual Cuban breakfast. Our loyal morning customers come in for a cortadito, a pastelito, and a croqueta, which they enjoy while sitting in the cafe reading their copy of El Nuevo Herald," reads the website.



I know pretty much no Spanish so I did a lot of pointing and trying to sound out words. But I still made sure to try a variety of items.



I tried a trea leches cake, guava and queso pastelito and jamon and queso pastelito.



Pastelitos, or Cuban pastries, are baked puff pastries with sweet or savory fillings. Similar to an empanada.



Every single item was perfection. I wished I could have tried even more. But the fried pastries are perfectly crisp without any grease. The flavors are explosive.



The tres leches cake was so moist and rich. It is one of my favorite cakes.



Really, it is a wonderful display of pastries, both sweet and savory, that are satisfying any time of day or night.



Have you been?



Grade: A