travel
On this tiny dot of land there is Ocean Key
Resort & Spa—charming and unique in that
it can claim Zero Duval Street in lively Old
Key West as its location. Overlooking the
iconic Sunset Pier in Mallory Square with the
Gulf of Mexico as its playground, this luxury
boutique resort is one of the top places that
harmonize amazing vistas with delectable
victuals. No wonder it has become a go-to
for honeymooners and island lovers, who
like to hop between the ocean and the re-
sort’s swimming pool, then take a luxurious
break at their world class SpaTerre—and not
necessarily in that order.
Warm tropical tones, rich graphic accents,
and Spanish style wooden chairs give Ocean
Key an old charm, first-class style elegance
while dishes from Hot Tin Roof restaurant’s
superstar chef Scott Maurer, create an exqui-
site taste in diners’ mouths.
Many resorts in the Florida Keys with party-
hearty aspects can be found in locales with
dramatic views, and offer good rates with a
staff that generally has a happy disposition,
but often the food pales in comparison.
That’s not the case at Hot Tin Roof, a Latin
inspired world class restaurant that serves
American, Cuban and other Spanish dishes
to perfection. But this is not surprising, as
Maurer lived in Barcelona, Spain, where he
drew from their exotic cuisine that influ-
enced his culinary career and earned him a
spot in Madonna’s kitchen as her personal
chef.
One of Maurer’s classic dishes is the
Spanish Paella, an authentic Valencian rice
dish studded with lobster, shrimp, chicken,
chorizo, mussels, and clams. For a taste of
seaside Spain, Maurer serves this delicious
concoction of arroz y mariscos on a hot
skillet, hence its name: paella, a word which
derives from the Old French word paelle for
pan.
wpbmagazine . com
“A dose of serenity just steps
from Key West Harbor, Old Town,
and Mallory Square.”
84
wpbmagazine
•
j u ly t h r u s e p t e m b e r
2017