L’ATTITUDES

Dinner at L’Attitudes last night. A very fine dining experience.

L’Attitudes is located on Sunset Key. A boat ride away. All of five minutes. The restaurant sits just off the dock where the boat disembarks customers.

The last time I was at L’Attitudes was 15 years ago. Beautiful then. More beautiful now. It has been remodeled.

I had not been in all that time because of the boat ride. An inconvenience from my perspective. I now realize my loss.

Everything magnificent! From the view to the food to the service. Viewing the sunset while dining is special in and of itself. The sun set through gray clouds in a large orange ball. Mallory Square dressed up.

I asked for a table inside when I made my reservation.  By a window so I could see the sunset. My request was met. Thank you, Chris and Dan.

My waitress was Eve. Short for Ivelisse. Puerto Rico born. She has been in Key West 16 years. Efficient. Charming. Lovely.

L’Attitudes making a ton of money! Obvious. The place full. The boat bringing customers back and forth. The customers tourists. I did not recognize any locals.

Would I return? Yes. To dine alone at the bar and read the newspapers. With the added benefit of the setting sun.

My day yesterday began at Farmers Market. Bought bread. A long thin crispy loaf. Two. Toasted half of one for lunch. To die for.

Then Publix. Picked up a few essentials. Ran into Paul Toppino. Two bachelors grocery shopping. What the final quarter of life brings.

Spent part of the afternoon working on tuesday’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

My evening ended in a bit of disaster. I had to leave my car in the Weston garage. The key would not turn in the ignition.  Walked down to the Chart Room, had a drink, and Emily called me a taxi.

I have not taken a taxi in ten years. Expensive. $27.50, without tip. Pier House to my home in Key Haven. Bring on Uber!

When I finish this blog, I have to find someone to drive me to the car. The key problem happened once before. I left the car in Don’s parking lot. The next morning the key turned with no problem. Hope it works the same way today.

Tons of events scheduled for today as part of Hemingway Days. The one that appeals to me is the second preliminary round of the selection/elimination process in the search for this year’s Hemingway look alike. Sloppy Joe’s at 6:30. A full house guaranteed.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports Sheraton Suites was sold for $94 million. Most if not all of Key West’s major hotels have changed hands the last three years. Why not! Key West is packing them in. Guaranteed high occupancy at high rates.

Last but not least. Perhaps the most important item this morning. Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi announced a budget reduction for the next year. Almost 6 percent. Taxes will be reduced! When was the last time?

Gastesi should run for President!

Enjoy your day!

 

TRAINWRECK

Went to the movies last night. Saw Trainwreck. Thought it was a wreck.

I went to view the movie because of all the hype it has been receiving. A great funny show. Contemporary sex. I was not impressed.

The first third of the movie I had trouble staying awake. The rest of the movie had its funny parts. If contemporary sex is as was represented, I have missed out on a lot. I am sure I have. It is a different world.

LeBron James is in the movie. He has a significant part. Plays himself. He is an actor! No question about it. The man has talent in a second field. The thought occurred during the movie that his performance was worthy of an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

I was right on. This morning’s news reports James signed a major Hollywood contract yesterday.

Trainwreck was the last stop of the evening. Prior to the movie, I enjoyed an early dinner at Tavern ‘n Town. Michael Emerson entertaining. Enjoyed his singing.

Hot Tin Roof’s Joseph came in for dinner. Went over to his table to say hello. I like Joseph.

Across the bar from me were two Key West lovelies I seem to be running into frequently of late. Sisters Mary and Jeneane. Friends from the Pier House. They were with a woman of Asian extraction. A beauty.

My morning began with the anti-gravity treadmill at Body Owners. For whatever reason, knocked me on my ass yesterday. I was dead all afternoon. Spent the afternoon in bed after lunching at Hogfish. I thought food would pep me up. It did not.

I plan of visiting the Farmers Market at lunch time today. The refrigerator is empty. I want to buy a few Farmers Market items before heading over to Publix.

Hemingway Days continue. Hemingway boxed. Enjoyed mixing it up. He encouraged other Key Westers to box. Neighborhood boxing matches were held at Blue Heaven. Hemingway refereed them.

In addition to fishing, boxing, and writing books, Hemingway wrote poems. As part of Hemingway Days, there will be a reading of his poems tonight at Blue Heaven. The program titled Papa’s Poems. Early. Like 5 o’clock.

Anna reports she had a great meal at Mythos last night. Mythos roasted a baby goat on a spit. Anna says it tasted like lamb. I believe it. Mythos did a goat for me on my last visit to Amorgos.

My KONK Life column re Planned Parenthood and the sale of fetus body parts hit the stands last night. It is available throughout the Keys today. I linked it to my Key West Lou website this morning. keywestlou.com. Read it and believe!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

FARMERS MARKET

I was on the road yesterday. Tried to be up and about more than the day before. Got four hours in. 10:30-2:30. Exhausted at the end.

One of my stops was the Farmers Market. Believe held weekly at Bayview Park. A first time visit. Ashamed I had not visited before. A winner!

I have visited Farmers Markets in upstate New York, Alexandria Bay, San Diego, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Athens, Milan, and probably more. The Key West one absolutely the best!

Set in a large u shaped fashion, each tent pleasant appearing and welcoming. Everything! Breads, cakes, honey, Mel Fisher Atocha items, apple juice, candies, fruits, vegetables, jewelry, etc. Vendors a happy bunch.

The food vendors did particularly impress me. Each offered a sample. Next time I visit, it will be at lunch time. I did not partake yesterday. I would the next time. The samples are a lunch in themselves.

My day began with a business meeting. Then a haircut with Lori. Lori and several friends leave today for a week’s vacation in Arizona. They have rented a large house boat. They will be traveling on some lake that meanders through the Grand Canyon. Lori showed me pictures. Wow! The  rust colored rock mountains tall and endless. Their tiny house boat thousands of feet below.

Lunched at the old Lobo’s. Now Conch Island Queen. Best described as a Cuban sandwich place. Situated in tiny Key Lime Square behind Antonia’s.

Cuban toast and water. Still need to watch what I consume. I questioned if the Cuban toast was proper. However, I said screw it and went for it!

Then grocery shopping at Publix. My food intake consists of three levels. Each a different type food. I am entering the third phase. Needed new foods.

My article in this week’s KONK Life is Saudi Arabia And The Hypocrisy Of It All. It became available yesterday on my Key West Lou and Louis Petrone Facebook websites.

This week’s KONK Life carried two new items. The first a photo section which I am told will be part of the paper henceforth. The other a detailed story about Peter Diamond. One of Key West’s nicest persons and premier vocalists.

I close today with the Marathon Turtle Hospital. I frequently mention the turtle hospital because it does such great things.

This weekend two formerly very sick turtles will be returned to the ocean.

 

Saturday at 10:30 am in Marathon, Patti. Patti is a sub adult sea turtle. She was brought to the turtle hospital months ago emaciated with pneumonia, lock jaw and eye ulcers. Now, cured.

The other is Tiny. A very good time awaits him.

Tiny is a 50 year old 300 pound adult turtle. Turtles live to 100 or more. He was struck by a boat. Beat up badly. Now recovered, he will be released to the ocean sunday at 12:30 off Higg’s Beach behind Salute’s. He is returning to the ocean at a very good time. The hospital manager said…..He is just getting out there in time to start dating and make baby turtles.

What a life!

Enjoy your day!