A few weeks back, my girlfriend Jacquelynn Powers and I headed down to Islamorada to shut off and shut down. Serving as the EIC of Aventura Magazine, her job is demanding. And my 22 jobs are glamorous yet exhausting. She presented the invite as an early birthday gift and I obliged.
To be clear. The food in Islamorada has never been WOW. Pierres is MEDIOCRE AT BEST. And their other property is good for a beer. We sent returned Morada Bay’s Publix bagged salad back. Imagine that. So it was a MAJOR surprise to eat well on this trip down. Staying at Islander was peaceful. And delicious. Who would have thunk?
Exploding with a mix of Lilly Pulitzer vibes gone RH, every single meal that we enjoyed on the property was wondrous. From the bar, where we had her favorite Rose with flatbreads, fish dips and sandwiches, the menu was extensive so they had something for all. For kids and adults alike, the menu is available ‘all day,’ and each time we ordered from that specific menu, each dish was mighty good. Their fish dip was also worthy of driving down for. They also modify allergies, removing any ‘msg’ from my meals.
At Drift on the Beach, to be honest - we relaxed in the mornings so didn’t enjoy breakfast. But we had a rather romantic dinner one evening. After Chef Mixon came out and greeted us, she suggested a few dishes like the Tuna Poke Stack. The tuna melted in our mouths and in proper Florida-style, it came with mango, avocado, seaweed salad, it was topped off with yuzu truffle. If you are a scallop lover, do not miss the Crispy Scallops that were paradise. Prepared with parsley they are parmesan crusted with a lemon gastrique, parsnip and heavenly purple Peruvian potatoes. I was ready for a second order but was sadly too full.
Lastly, our server was so attentive and kind. She and her colorful compression socks made the experience 11/10.
What to Eat and Drink: The food throughout the property was stellar. After all, under the helm of Chef Amy Mixon, what could go wrong? Like I’m talking INSANELY good. Especially for Islamorada which I have never found particularly tasteful. So - at Tides Bar - which serves lunch and dinner, do not miss the fish dip. It’s one of the best in the area, and I am a self-proclaimed pro. Their fried chicken sandwich was also beyond memorable. The balance of the fried with the pickle, jicama slaw, jalapeno, ‘tides’ pickles and hot honey ranch, it was buttery and worth the calories. We split one portion and that was sufficient. The definition of casual heaven. At the main restaurant where they serve breakfast, they also use the space for a more fine-dining, sexy beachfront dinner. At Drift on the Beach, everything was as fresh as fresh can be. They offer seasonal menus but PLEASE try the tuna tartare if it’s available with the chips which are also made in house. Lastly, they have the best deal in town with their Veuve brunch. For just $50, you get a bottle. It’s an unheard of opportunity. Take advantage.
Don’t Miss: That fried chicken sando. As I type this, my mouth is watering.
Perfect For: Simple. Good. Food. It’s ideal for families, or a romantic dinner. The bar has a large TV for sports fans so it is lovely to enjoy a beer, kick your legs up and enjoy.
Pro Tip: Stay at the hotel. It’s really charming. And makes the dining experience easy to drink and walk to your room.
Expect to Pay: For lunch for 2 with a bottle of rose, it could run you around $120 and dinner, once again, depending on what you order from $30 pp to $100 pp.
How’s the Parking: Easy. Self parking is available on property!
@islanderresort // 82100 Overseas Highway., Islamorada.