Renowned for the impeccable fresh homemade pasta and made-from-scratch, herb-spiked sauces, this cozy Chicago-style trattoria is one of Key West’s best values and serves up simple, full flavors that are intoxicatingly good.
You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu here, but my personal picks include the Spaghettini with green-lipped New Zealand Mussels in a garlicky marina sauce; the heavenly Seafood Scampi with Maine lobster, shrimp and lump blue crab; and the Fet-tuccine with pine nut and walnut pesto.
And while it’s not always easy to find delicious gluten-free pasta, Mangia Mangia hits it out of the park with their high-protein Quinoa pasta. Topped with their tasty marinara, (or any one of their other wonderful sauces) it’s hard to beat.
Lots of grilled specialties here, too, along with beef, seafood, organic chicken, vege-tarian and gluten/egg-free dishes. A seductive and very extensive wine list features vintages dating back to the 1950s and has received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence since 1944.
You’ll find this hidden gem at 900 Southard Street in Old Town Key West. Open daily 5:30 – 10pm. 305-294-2469; mangia-mangia.com.
Mangia!
