Louie's Backyard - Key West

For those seeking a quiet, scenic reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Duval Street in Key West, look no further than Louie's Backyard. Recommended by one of the staff at Casa Morada, we found this restaurant tucked in a quiet neighborhood with spectacular views of the ocean.

It was completely filled at 2pm the weekday we dined for lunch. We were fortunate to end up with a tiny table on the side deck, adjacent to the dining room. The view was breathtaking, the service was a bit slow, though friendly, and the food was superb.

It's important to start a vacation out on the right foot, in this case that meant a glass of Prosecco ($8), despite the early afternoon hour. The sparkling Italian wine had a sweet head and a smooth finish. My husband elected for an iced tea ($2), which was fresh brewed and strong, exactly to his liking.

Famished, we started with an appetizer of Crispy Crab Spring Rolls ($14.50), the best I've had and a strong contender for one of my "Best Food Experiences of 2008." Thinly sliced carrots, cabbage and green onion were rolled in crispy, flaky wrappers, alongside fresh crab, doused with fresh lime. Not a spot of grease could be found on these piping hot, crispy rolls. The accompanying sweet and sour sauce was mixed with an appropriate amount of rice wine vinegar to counteract the typical syrupy sweetness of the sauce. This appetizer alone was worth the 3 hour round trip drive we made to and from Key West.

The Key West Shrimp Salad Roll ($17.50) held finely diced Gulf shrimp, onions and celery in a toasted and buttered roll. The "salad" was topped with a spicy red pepper creole sauce, an unusual, yet interesting topping. A side of fresh mesculin greens was dressed with a light vinaigrette. The kettle chips were addictive, light and crisp.

The fish sandwich of the day ($14.50), a local Snapper, served on an onion roll with a spicy creole remoulade sauce was oh-so-fresh. My husband's only complaint was the amount of butter used on the bun - ask for it without this addition to appreciate the flavor of the fresh fish.

Though we only had lunch, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for dinner, as well. Off the beaten path, spectacular views, adequate service and fantastic "non-tourist trap" cuisine, makes Louie's Backyard an establishment I'd return to on future visits to the Conch Republic.