TERRY’S PICKY PALATE
Gourmet cuisine in an historic building
at Bagatelle on Duval Street
BY TERRY SCHMIDA
KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER
There are days when I think I may have the best job on the island.
Like, for instance, on the day I get to review one of Key West’s finest restaurants, Bagatelle, at 115 Duval St.
This famous eatery is housed in a remarkable and charming late 19th Century wooden building that used to be located on Fleming Street, next to the Key West Library. In the early 1970s the house was moved to its present location on Duval Street, and in 1979 opened as a restaurant to enthusiastic acclaim.
Bagatelle is now operated by Damian DeAngelis, who also owns the Nine One Five Restaurant & Bar and First Flight Key West Island Restaurant & Brewery.
Since purchasing the award-winning Bagatelle in 2014, DeAngelis and his new Executive Chef, David Zingg, have sought to maintain and build upon a reputation for quality that places it in the upper echelons of Key West dining establishments.
Judging from my lunch, the pair are doing just fine.
First I was served the Southern Benedict, one of six Benedicts on offer.
This mouthwatering daily brunch item offers juicy and savory pulled mojo pork, and 100 percent organic, cage-free eggs, served on yummy fresh-baked toasted cornbread, then covered with a rich and tangy Hollandaise sauce.
Ordinarily this would have been enough food for me at one sitting, but I had a job to do.
Out came another unique to Bagatelle dish, the Burrata & Heirloom Tomato Salad. This improvement on a run of the mill Caprese Salad features a mozzarella-like cheese so fresh it squirted when poked with a fork, marinated seasonal tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, and walnut pesto, dressed with an aged balsamic glaze. It was heavenly, and I made a mental note to come back and enjoy it again sometime.
I was well into overtime now, but somehow I managed to leave room for the Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Served on Texas toast and slathered with a three cheese blend, stuffed with a generous portion of bite-sized Florida lobster, it was sublime, and served with a cone of fabulous fries.
Created to satisfy the most discriminating palates, the quality, freshness, and taste of Bagatelle’s excellent fare will lure you back again and again. Book your reservation today and enjoy the fine cuisine at Bagatelle!
Bagatelle is open for brunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. daily. Lunch Happy Hour takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. Credit cards are accepted. To book a reservation, or for more information, call 305-296-6609, email info@bagatellekeywest.
CUTLINE:
It tastes as good as it looks: Bagatelle server Roberta Andie with three of Bagatelle’s daily brunch offerings.
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