This is another Florida Keys restaurant review and one that you don’t want to miss if you are in the area or plan to visit the area in the future! Marker 88 is located at 88000 Overseas Highway in Islamorada, Florida. We went here when we were staying in Key Largo. Marker 88 is open for lunch and dinner and I know anytime you go you will enjoy it. I would highly recommend making reservations in the evening during the sunset time.
Marker 88 is located on the water with an amazing outside dining area with a dock area that is perfect to view the amazing sunsets. They have some really fun seating near the water that is basically a large four person covered picnic table and benches…but they are on a rocker! Not only are you next to the water but sitting there would make you feel like you are on the water! We were not seated there, we were actually directly next to the water with the most awesome sunset view I could possibly imagine. Did I mention they also have live music as well? Yup! Within the first couple of minutes I was in awe at the atmosphere and the beauty of this place. It is just incredible!
We were greeted and seated very quickly and had a plate of assorted warm bread and an oil and herb mixture for dipping. This was really good. The herb mixture had a ton of flavor, lots of fresh herbs and garlic! Great way to start! We decided on the crispy crab roll ($14.00) for an appetizer. This was not totally what I was expecting. It was definitely a little outside of the box as it was a seaweed roll with rice,crab and avocado with a sweet and spicy sauce! This was really good, crispy outside, full of rice, and the sweet crab on the inside with a bit of creamy avocado. My friend Rosalie and I both agreed this was excellent and we would both order this again!
For dinner I had one of the specials of the night, Bacon Encrusted Scallops with Mashed Potatoes. Rosalie ordered the Key Lime Seafood Penne. And, as these were not enough we also ordered a side of Thai green beans!
Rosalie’s dish was just amazing. Penne pasta with lobster, shrimp, and blue crab sautéed in key lime tobacco butter with tomatoes and scallions! ($36.00) This dish was delicious and one of the best seafood dishes I have ever had. The key lime tobasco butter was a little spicy but filled with the sweetest most tender seafood you can imagine…then fresh sweet tomatoes! Absolutely delicious. The portion size was huge!
My bacon encrusted scallops were cooked to perfection! The bacon was crispy and the scallops were so juicy and tender. Sweet and salty all in one bite. Another amazing dish. This came with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. The potatoes were also done to just right, creamy and full of garlic flavor!
I mentioned we ordered the Thai Green Beans ($5.00), this was a terrific side dish, the green beans were fresh,crispy and lots of flavor with the Thai sauce on top! And the portion size for each dish? The portions were big, much more than either Rosalie or I could eat at one time. We of course did not mind that one bit as we both knew what our lunch the next day was going to be! And in case your wondering it was all delicious the second time around!!
Marker 88 has a great variety of menu items. All of them are loaded with flavor. Certainly lots of seafood items as you would expect but plenty for the burger, steak eaters too!
Their appetizers range in price from $12.00 to $17.00 dollars but with choices like the Blue Crab Dip, Oyster’s Rockefeller, Lobster Mango Guacamole or a Tomato Goat Cheese Flat Bread. Knowing the portion sizes I think it is well worth it!
If you’re looking for something a little smaller or lighter they have soups and salads to choose from as well. Including a Conch Chowder and Lobster Bisque or how about an Alligator Reef Salad, a Sesame Seared Tuna Salad or an Island Tropical Salad with Tropical Fruits, Walnuts and Toasted Coconut ! They also have a house and Caesar salad as well! Salads range in price from $6.00 to $18.00
Plenty of sandwiches and burgers to pick from. How about a Cheeseburger in Paradise? This is the place for that! Maybe a Cuban Sandwich or a Grilled Chicken Avocado Club and of course a Crab Cake Sandwich. All of these options range in price from $13.00 to $19.00.
The entree’s are certainly a little more expensive but for the amount and the quality you are getting it is well worth the cost! I have told you about what our entrees were but they also have much more to pick from. They have a Captain’s Platter with Lobster, Mahi Mahi and Shrimp, Filet Mignon, Double Cut Pork Chops or maybe a Mangrove Honey and Chipotle Bone in Ribeye! The entrees range from $26.00 to market price on the seafood items.
Are you still hungry? They have desserts too! They have the Key Lime Baked Alaska, Molten Chocolate Cake or how about a White Chocolate Creme Brûlée? We were so stuffed we did not try the dessert but I have no doubt that the desserts are just as good as everything else they offer!
This restaurant was hands down the best restaurant I have ever been to. The location, service, and the quality of food was just the best EVER! This restaurant is the whole package! The night we went the weather was just perfect, the sunset was brilliant and each course we were served was better and better. The service was prompt, not only by our server but by the management as well. If you find yourself in the keys, do yourself a favor and go to Marker 88. I am looking forward to another trip to Key Largo!
Enjoy!
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