Key West’s newest restaurant month is in full force. Wine Dine Key West makes multi-course dining affordable. At $20 for a two-course lunch or $35 for a three-course dinner, the possibilities are astounding. This marks the first year of the event, and with seventeen restaurants participating, it is quickly becoming a local favorite. Over the weekend we checked out the lunch menu at Cero Bodega, the poolside restaurant at The Marker Hotel. We left the house in a slight drizzle, and instead of turning around to enjoy our comfortable, dry home, we pressed on. By the time we made it to the restaurant, we were completely drenched. Fortunately, they have pool towels handy, and a huge covered dining space.
The Wine Dine lunch menu is limited but includes a cocktail and tacos. There are also select wines by the bottle for $20. Now that is a bargain. We all started with the (included) muddled watermelon, cucumber, mint and vodka beverage. Refreshing, and not at all sweet, it was perfect to help me forget that I was soaking wet, and somehow still sitting outside.
The $20 lunch menu includes lovely composed box with tri-color chips (the red ones scare me a little), salsa, and guacamole, as well as your choice of two tacos: fish, chicken or beef. I couldn’t decide and had one each of the chicken and beef. FKGuy chose the grouper, and it was yummy. As for mine, the spicy shredded chicken topped with a cabbage slaw and jalapeno was outstanding, as was the beer braised beef topped with salsa and queso. The clear winner was: me. Eating all of them was the right choice. I should also mention that the chunky, fresh guacamole is lick-the-bowl good. (I will neither confirm nor deny the bowl licking.)
Cero Bodega did a great job preparing an appropriate Wine Dine menu. While the food was a bit slow coming out of the kitchen, we enjoyed the $20 bottles of wine. We enjoyed the Bousquet Sparkling Brut Rose, perfect for lounging poolside in any weather.
Despite the name, Wine Dine offers more than just food. With discounts at local boutiques, tours, and even hotel rooms, there is something for everyone. Check it out. I know I will be seeking out other yummy-sounding menus before the event ends on October 16.
