After reading the reviews, we went to Louie's backyard in Feb 2008. We had a table outside and really enjoyed the experience. The food was great and the service was good.

This restaurant is absolutely charming. Set on the ocean with fabulously fresh produce, Florida dining doesn't get much better. Loved it! A real gem.

We were recommended to this restaurant by a couple that we met on the small plane down from Naples to Key West. We walked from our hotel (the Hyatt resort - see my review) which was a very nice 40 minute stroll including a brief stop at Ernest Hemmingway's house to take photos.

Our reservation was at 6p (when the restaurant opens for dinner)and we arrived about 10 mins early. We were immediately taken to the bar on the afterdeck area right next to the ocean. We enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and were escorted to our table a few mins later. Our table was on the terrace overlooking the ocean.

The food was good - especially the spicey conch chowder. We had a bottle of the Heller cabernet 2004 ($40/bottle/$10/glass) - a beautiful wine and very good value. The service was extremely good and the view of the ocean was wonderful. We were glad that we went there during daylight for that reason.

We enjoyed our dinner there so much that the next day, when our flight was seriously delayed, we went back for lunch which was also extremely enjoyable. We both had the Asian chicken salad with a couple of bottles of the Gainey Sauvignon Blanc - another great wine at a very reasonable price.

The two meals we enjoyed at this restaurant were easily our best experiences in Key West. When you ask about this place locally it is generally described as "pricey but worth it". We agree.

As a frequent patron of Louie's usually bringing guests, we were in town shopping and decided on lunch. The greeting from the
mai-tre d' was " do you have reservations" What happened to
the warm reception we accustomed to? And the attire ..... unkempt and sweaty .Though hardly six or seven tables were
occupied our request for inside [ non-smoking] was met with disdain.While the food was good it was served without enthusiasm .The lunch with tip[ one house wine ,two beers] $89.40
Louie's does have that beautiful ocean front deck ,and wonderful anbience overall ,the food generally excellent, but I sense a decline in service [excepting John of course] 4/03/08