The Blue Heaven Restaurant opened in 1992 and is located in the Key West's old town. Artist Suanne and writer Richard started serving lunches, and within a couple of years Dan, a chef and Richard's brother had joined the couple and set about improving the menu and specializing in the best of Caribbean cuisine, seafood and vegetarian dishes.
The building with its veranda and blue shutters is over a hundred years old and has an interesting history. It has been used for cock fighting, and boxing matches refereed by Ernest Hemingway. The upper floor was used for dancing, and a playhouse and bordello have occupied the space. In the Bordello Gallery the sliding peepholes can still be seen.
The courtyard outside has been paved with the slabs from old pool tables when part of the building was used as a billiard hall. The outdoor dining area has almond, limes and coconut trees - and roosters. The restaurant promotes walking, cycling or using a moped to get to their restaurant as an environmentally practical option and to ease the local parking.
The restaurant is popular for breakfast and choices include 'Richard's very good pancakes' with maple syrup and fruit, omelettes, and five types of benedict including vegetable or sausage options. For lunch choose from salads and soups including the Goombay Gumbo soup with okra, tomatoes and peppers, the jerk chicken plate, or luncheon tortillas. Dinner entrees include Caribbean barbecue shrimp, tofu stir-fry and pork tenderloin with fresh seafood specials. Desserts include banana heaven, key lime pie and Belgian chocolate torte.
