Nadjalisse R.
Yelp
What an incredible experience!
I made reservations through their Resy app, and requested the balcony seating for the sunset view to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. They could not guarantee balcony seating due to high demand, but we were pleasantly surprised upon arrival when the lovely hostess guided us to the "perfect" spot overlooking the gorgeous sunset!
Our table was decorated with a shining "Happy Birthday" sign, which was an unexpected detail that made us smile, and elevated the already pleasant experience.
Our waitress welcomed us with a smile, acknowledged the special occasion, and gave us the (very cool) back-lit menus. Her beautiful energy added to the joyous occasion, and her kind attention was much appreciated.
We ordered the Champagne (Nicolas Feuillatte Brut, France) to start, which was light and perfectly complimented the warm ocean breeze and soothing sunset hues.
Everything on the menu looked enticing. I was immediately drawn to the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with bacon, corn sauce, and baked lemon. The Lobster Bisque with brandy, lobster salad, and lemon-chive creme fraiche was also a must, as was the Blackened Shrimp Mac & Cheese with andouille, cavatappi, and manchego gratin. Lastly, we added the Crispy Brussel Sprouts, sweet-and-sour with fresno peppers, per our waitresses' recommendation.
Every bite was a celebration of rich flavors, and textures. We loved everything that we ordered, and the brussel sprouts were unexpectedly exceptional!
Our waitress checked in on us throughout the evening, refreshing our glasses of bubbly as we delighted in the magic of the evening's colors, and gentle ocean breeze. She was attentive without being pushy or making us feel rushed, which we appreciated.
We punctuated the meal with the grand marnier creme brulee with caramelized sugar and adorned with a vanilla bean macaron. We love creme brulee, but this one had a touch of Key West flair with a hint of key lime zest. So delish!
Our experience at Hot Tin Roof was exceptional all around -- dreamy views, delectable dishes, and delightful service!
A few tips to keep in mind:
Parking -- there is a parking lot about a block away, street parking, and valet service. We opted to valet, as it was the most convenient.
Sunset Views -- Research the sunset hour for the day of your visit, and plan your reservation accordingly. Keep in mind that this is a busy hour in Key West, so availability and parking in the area will be limited. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior.