Alice's on Duval
by Wendy Maxey



A local's favorite, Alice's is situated on the eastern end of Duval St. and caters to a rather upscale crowd - although you don't have to be all that upscale to eat there (I donned by best beat-up khaki shorts and a tank top).

A small, quaint restaurant that doesn't look like all that much to brag about on the outside, Alice's has a quite a reputation for serving up some mean dishes. On a recent visit, I found out why.

I guess the big thing to do at Alice's is sit by the window and people-watch on Duval Street while you grub. Upon entering, we were asked for our reservation and told that since we didn't have one, we wouldn't get a table by the window. Reservations are recommended if this is your cup of tea. My dining companion and I didn't mind where we sat. We were concentrating more on our hearty appetites than anything else.

Our server promptly greeted us as we were seated. We started off with a glass of wine and some cracker bread. Patrick (our server) went over the night's specials for us, which included Citrus Grilled Mahi Mahi (with pineapple jalapeno salsa, toasted almond rice and stir-fried vegetables - $17.95), Mojo Marinated Ostrich Tenderloin (accompanied by black bean coulee, roasted corn tomato salsa and avocado sweet plantains - $25.95) and Berry Nutty Duck Salad (wild greens, fresh raspberry, hazelnut raspberry vinaigrette and nutmeg-scented wanton straws - $14.95).

I decided on one of the specials - the Pan Seared Skirt Steak (over classic Caesar salad with shaved Parmesan cheese, accompanied by a sweet onion stack - $15.95). My dining companion ordered the Vanilla Pan Roasted Chicken with wild mushroom studded red skin mashed potatoes ($15.95). The skirt steak was cooked perfectly and the Caesar salad boasted just the right amount of dressing (I hate salads that swim in dressing). My friend raved about the red skin mashed potatoes, upholding them as the best she'd ever tasted. Although Alice's serves large portions, we succeeded in cleaning our plates.

Other menu headliners include Corn Meal Coated Grouper ($17.95), Marsala & Wild Mushroom Tenderloin of Beef ($24.95) and Passion Salad (wild baby greens with goat cheese, mango, toasted almonds and passion fruit vinaigrette, $7.95).

For dessert, we had the Black Bottom Key Lime Pie ($5.95) and Black Beauty Milk and dark chocolate Mousse with Crispy Peanut Cookie Cookie Crust ($7.95). Being the pie-lover that I am, I found the Key Lime Pie amazing. My friend's mousse was just as good. These are the kinds of desserts that you don't even have to make room for - you order them no matter how full you are.

If you don't do anything else while you're in the Keys, go to Alice's. The service is great and the food is better. Although a tad pricey, you get what you pay for.