Today we’re taking a trip back to Old Key West Resort to try some of the appetizers at Olivia’s Cafe. Olivia’s is located in the main building known as the Hospitality House (a few doors down is Gurgling Suitcase).
The interior has a laid back, Key West beachy-feel, appointed with nautical touches and a hodgepodge of chair designs. Off of the main dining room as a smaller room, as well as covered patio seating.
We asked what was being served for the Homemade Soup of the Day ($5.49), and were informed it was Beef and Potato. While you can always order Conch Chowder from the menu, Matt was very happy that the soup of the day wasn’t another chowder variety.
The soup was very hearty, with plenty of vegetables, potatoes, and chunks of beef. The broth was rich and beefy, and the scallions added a fresh crunch. Matt would have liked a tad more salt and pepper, but it didn’t stop him from finishing the bowl. I think the only complaint was that it didn’t come with refills!
I had to try the Conch Fritters ($10.49). They come served in a cone with two sauces on the side: Remoulade and Key Lime Mustard.
The Remoulade was pretty standard, but flavorful. It had a good thickness to it so eat easily stuck to the fritters.
The Key Lime Mustard was the standout sauce. It was quite a bit thinner than the remoulade, with a nice brown mustard bite and great lime flavor. Matt, who doesn’t like mustard, was impressed by it, too.
While I neglected to count how many fritters were served in the cone, there were a lot. Matt only tried one, but it seemed to be a never-ending batch. There must have been at least 10 in there, each around the size of a ping pong ball.
The fritters were very light and not greasy at all. They were very different than the ones I enjoyed at Fulton’s Crab House, which were more like hush puppies. Olivia’s are a different breed from that.
The interiors were fluffy with a slight chew. They were mild in flavor, but really paired well with the dipping sauces.
We wanted to order dessert, but we were feeling pretty full at that point. If you’re still hungry for more, check out my review of their Cuban Sandwich! We were happy to give two items a try and both be very pleased with our selections.
What is your favorite item from Olivia’s Cafe? Do any of the items we tried appeal to you?
Here’s a look at the menus from June 16th, 2012.
Breakfast:
Kids Breakfast:
Lunch & Dinner:
Kids Lunch & Dinner:
Beverages:
Desserts:
Great review! I’ve previously only been to Olivia’s for breakfast, but I have a dinner reservation there on my next visit. I’m looking forward to tasting some of the South Florida-style offerings, particularly their seafood dishes.
I would have liked to have tried more, but I was full!
Very nice and thanks for showing this. I never knew about this one! great photos.
Thank you! The resort is a bit tucked away, so it’s not a place that gets a lot of attention.
I really love Olivia’s. Had the best cream of potato soup I’ve ever had there. We never seem to get to Old Key West anymore, but this, coupled with the drink review,reminds me why we need to.
It’s a great spot for a resort day! Very realaxing, heck, if only for an afternoon.
Is it the same prices for lunch and dinner? Thanks : )
I believe they now use the same menu for both lunch and dinner now, without a change in pricing.