The Shameless Lounge

 

By Diane Johnson

 

The Shameless Lounge is a delightfully eclectic restaurant devoted to foodies. The ingredients are fresh, organic and local. There is no microwave in the kitchen and everything is made from scratch.

 

 

We started with the Buffalo chicken soup in a puff pastry. It was out of this world incredible, with a fluffy freshly made pastry on top and creamy spicy soup below. Next up was a refreshing watermelon and blueberry salad with mixed greens, feta and a lemon vinaigrette dressing, perfect for a hot day. The shrimp and leeks pizza with bacon was crispy and melt in your mouth goodness. We topped off lunch with a homemade honey vanilla panna cotta topped with watermelon kiwi salad in coconut lime sauce. This dessert was light as a feather and the perfect combination of sweet and tart. The iced tea is freshly brewed.

 

 

Excellent food when paired with wine or cocktails is incredibly satisfying. The craft cocktails made at Shameless are created with their own infused ice balls and syrups. Think of how good that cocktail tasted when you first took a swig. Then the ice melts and it’s a bit watered down. Now try a cocktail with infused ice balls. It tastes just like the first sip all the way down to the bottom of the glass!

 

 

The Chef at Shameless is none other than Jennifer of Salute fame. Karolyn Samartino is the pastry chef. Owner Dion Contreras has created a supportive environment, where the staff can develop their craft and showcase their talents. Try the appetizer featuring the delicious pairing of brie butter, spiced apple jam, bacon and honeycomb on a ciabatta crostini. This unique combination is sheer genius.

 

 

Co-owner Sarita Bandita loves to cook and grew up on an organic farm in Illinois. She is passionate about food as medicine and healing. Sarita is a woman with a vision of providing great food to locals and tourists at a reasonable price in a setting where you can relax, enjoy your libation and savor tasty food.

 

 

The name Shameless represents an attitude where no apologies are necessary and you can be yourself. The interior is funky and embraces the diversity of Key West. Sarita believes eating local should also apply to art in the restaurant. On the walls you will find the photography of Tom Flip and the work of Anna Sweet. Future plans include wine tastings and a “Ladies Who Lunch” program, where you can sample different foods, drink wine and learn how to cook various dishes.

 

 

Join the staff any day of the week and become a member of the Shameless tribe. Their hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day. Lunch is served from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Happy Hour features two for one drinks and runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Shameless is located at 610 Greene St., just a few steps from the intersection at Simonton and Greene. For reservations, call 305-296-2033.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]