Turtle Tales

“…the dinner was perfect.”

Just a note to let you know that we did have our Thanksgiving dinner at the Green Turtle and we brought out little dog, who was pretty well behaved for a 9 month old. I want to say our server was Lauren who was terrific and could not have been nicer. The food was great. My husband & I had the Thanksgiving dinner and from start to finish it was the best. The soup was great, the dinner was perfect. There is a restaurant that we go to in Stuart that we think has the best Key Lime pie. That is until we had your pie. It is now the best. My husband said get the recipe for the soup and pie. LOL.Thank you for a memorable Thanksgiving. Happy New Year.

Cathy

“Turtle Tale – of the horseshoe kind!”

A woman from Marathon with a calling card reading “Calamity Jane” recently informed us that she had in her possession a horseshoe that was originally placed inside of the original Green Turtle Inn neon sign for good luck. It seems she came to possess the horseshoe through her ex-husband, who worked for the sign company and stole the horseshoe out of the sign while repairing it many years ago.

The horseshoe has been hanging in her home ever since. Her husband passed away and Clamity Jane returned the horseshoe to the Green Turtle Inn this summer. The horseshoe now hangs above the bar.

For good luck- c’mon in and check it out.

“We were thrilled to discover your two
restaurants…”

We just got back home to Cleveland from our vacation in Islamorada at the Cheeca Lodge. We were thrilled to discover your two restaurants, Kaiyo and Green Turtle…We dined at Kaiyo three times in one week and Green Turtle twice. You are doing a fine job! The service was awesome on each visit. The servers at both restaurants are, by far, the most professional and friendly in Islamorada (and probably the entire Keys.) Our family was happy when (another Islamorada restaurant) lost our NY Eve reservation and we were able to dine at Kaiyo instead. We enjoyed that you offered your regular menu and did not force a prix fix upon everyone.

The food was great. I really like the menu at both restaurants. They offer enough variety so we could visit multiple times in one week. Also, Kaiyo does a great job of combining sushi with a full (non-Japanese) menu. Most restaurants never combine the two smoothly. My favorite dish was the limonesco preparation of fish (we usually brought our own catch). Is there any way I can persuade you to share the recipe so I can attempt it at home?

Keep up the great work,

Regards from snowy Cleveland,
Malisse Sinito

“Mouthwatering”

My husband and I had dinner here while staying in the upper keys and I can’t say enough good things about it. In fact, I’ve told friends that have vacationed in the keys to go there and THEY cone back raving about the place. The parking is great and it’s easily located from overseas highway. The restaurant itself has great dark wood decor and “old Florida” feel as my husband would say. Lots of fishing pics adorn the walls and you feel like your in a nice featureless (sic) but not a snooty one.

The staff is impeccable. They are nice, informative, and accommodating (sic). And the food was out of this world. We had the prime rib and not only was the portion a good value, but it was melt in your mouth good. This was my first time trying prime rib and I was in love. My husband however, who has had it many times in upscale steak houses, declared it the best he’s ever tasted. We can’t wait to go back!

“Truly, a wonderful experience!”

We arrived at Green Turtle on a recent stormy Friday night. The bartender at the Cheeca Lodge recommended it to us. She was a local and claimed to be a “foodie” so I knew to listen to her praises.

We walked into the Green Turtle about 7pm and found it to be warm, inviting, dark and a very interesting/ eclectic/ intimate space. Loved it.

Sort of old New York speakeasy. We sat at the bar and bartender AnneMarie was fantastic. She chatted with us/ showed us the menu and spoke of the places history. And what a history it has! The dining room is small… but very cool. After 45 minutes or so, and into my second martini… we were seated. Food and service: both exquisite. We started with the appetizer special which was “fried bread”. It was warm soft pillowy crusty donut-like pieces of bread served with hummus, tomatoes and roasted garlic. TO DIE FOR.

Both of us ordered fish (hog snapper) and we were not disappointed. The fish was cooked perfectly and all of the sides were delicious. Everything was terrific. One of the hosts or the dining room manager.. his name was Yoel came over to ensure all was ok and he was so nice and accommodating. We chatted with him for a while, as well.

Dessert was as delicious as it was beautiful….All in all.. a great place and next time we’re in Islamorada………we’ll return to the Green Turtle.

“…deserves a medal!”

We had been to the Green Turtle only once in its prior incarnation and were not impressed by the surroundings, the food or the service, so never returned.

Since the “makeover”, we have become regulars for Sunday breakfast and love everything about the “new” Green Turtle: the decor and ambience are both attractive and comfortable, the service is outstanding in every respect and, of course, the food is wonderful. The only thing that we would like to see is the return of the Yucca Hash to the breakfast menu; we think it is “to die for” and is a real signature dish for the restaurant that differentiates the Green Turtle’s menu from all others in the area. The Sunday breakfast specials are wonderful!

Last week, we tried lunch in order to accommodate the schedule of a departing friend and were equally impressed by everything. Now we will become regulars for lunch, as well. As a side comment, whoever created the “Gumbo Ya-Ya” deserves a medal!

Please keep up the good work – knowing that it is very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Bernie and John Cooper
Islamorada, FL