Tag Archives: conch fritters

Olivia’s Cafe

Well, fellow Disney fans, I only have 52 days until my Old Key West family reunion. Today I want to talk about my favorite Walt Disney World restaurant, Olivia’s Cafe. I will have dinner there on the first night, and probably a breakfast or two there during the following eight days. Here’s what Disney says about it:

Savor hearty home cooking with a taste of the Florida Keys at this hidden gem at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. 

Outdoor patio seating for 4 at Olivia's Café

As Breezy and Relaxed as Key West Itself

A longtime resident of Conch Flats, Olivia welcomes diners with Island-inspired dishes. This nautical-themed eatery has the friendly, familiar feel of a neighborhood institution and is a perennial favorite of many a Guest.

A must-visit spot for breakfast, Olivia’s Cafe serves up traditional favorites as well as several of Olivia’s own specialties: the Sombrero Beach Omelet and the Banana Bread French Toast.

Come in and Conch out
Conch Fritters, Conch Chowder, an array of stacked sandwiches and the signature Duval Street Burger make for a leisurely and fully loaded lunch.

Dinnertime is delicious time with Pan-Seared Sea Scallops, Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken and New York Strip Steak.

If you have any room left, you can’t go wrong with the Key Lime Tart or the warm Banana Bread Pudding Sundae with bananas foster topping.

Olivia’s also offers a cavalcade of Island cocktails for Guests over 21. Wines and draft beers are also available, as are milkshakes, smoothies and glowing character punch— featuring a light-up Disney character.

Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit.

A wall filled with photos labeled

Who Is Olivia?

Olivia Farnsworth lived in a small cottage along Turtle Krawl, upwind of the strip. Almost daily, she would invite curious passersby who smelled her cooking to come on in and pull up a chair. People loved her vibrant flavors and earthy personality, and, before long, she found herself setting more tables.

Eventually, Olivia opened the doors to her eponymous cafe, which has been a haven for locals and a must-visit for out-of-towners ever since.

That’s it in a nutshell. I always feel at home dining there, and I have never had a bad meal there. I can’t recommend it enough. I hope you get to try it, and I hope you like it as much as I do.

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Vacay Day One

In just 67 days, we leave for Walt Disney World. I’ll be so excited to get to Disney’s Old Key West for eight nights. Here’s what’s on the agenda for the first day:

  1. When we check in, our first stop will be Gurgling Suitcase for an order of Conch Fritters to share.
  2. Then we’ll pick up drinks from Good’s Food to Go.
  3. We’ll sit at one of the picnic tables on our mini-boardwalk, breathe in that vacation air, and feel all stress melt away.
  4. Next we’ll freshen up in our room, and enjoy our Three Bedroom Grand Villa for a few hours.
  5. Then maybe we’ll go for a swim.
  6. Later it’s back to the front of the resort for dinner at Olivia’s Cafe, while we wait for the rest of our party to arrive. We’ll bring some food back to the room for our English family who get in later in the evening.
  7. Once they arrive we’ll hug and kiss them, and visit with them while they have a bite to eat.
  8. Then it’s off to bed so we can get up early and make it to the Magic Kingdom for an 8:15 am breakfast at The Crystal Palace.

Wow! What a delightful day it will be!

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

Better Choices

Day 22 of dancing toward Disney

Here’s today’s plan: I would like pancakes with lots of syrup and butter for breakfast.  But today I am having an egg-white omelet loaded with spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers and a little low-fat mozzarella cheese, served with fruit and a piece of rye toast.  I won’t regret the flavor, and I will remain sugar-free today.  I can do that just for today.

Then I will shop for the healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, sugar-free ingredients to prepare our new recipes for the week.

I thought eating this way would be so bland, but Mike and I have found the opposite to be true.  We are thoroughly enjoying the natural flavors of foods.  And we find ourselves really looking forward to dinner-time and our chance to just sit and taste the new recipes.  Who knew?

Today’s particular Disney dream?  Sitting at Olivia’s Cafe at Old Key West with Mike and the kids, sipping  a cup of coffee and nibbling conch fritters.  I can just feel the stress leaving my body thinking about it.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: In only two more weeks, I will have made my original commitment of five weeks sugar-free.  Who’d a thunk?