News from The Restaurant Store

Dexter-Russell on the Radio

Well as if I didn't have enough to do... I just started hosting a weekday radio show on the new "KONK AM 1620" radio, the new public-interest radio station in town. My show will air Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 4:00 until 5:00 in the afternoon. We hope to make it a fun time to talk about food and wine happenings around Key West. On today's shows we spent a lot of time talking about quality knives. One of my guests was Charles Kowanetz from the Dexter-Russell knife company. Charles is an old veteran in the knife business and the company he represents is one of the few knofe manufacturers still producing in the United States. Here's a clip of Charles talking about the Sani-Safe and Softgrip lines of knives that are very popular in Key West restaurant kitchens and with the serious fishing community:

(Sorry about the audio quality. This is only our second day and we are still getting the kinks worked out.)

Vandenberg Sinking

We got invited to witness up close and personal the historic sinking of the U.S.S Vandenberg. This WW II relic of a troop transport and latter retro fitted into a missile tracking ship is now an artificial reef, dive site extraordinaire and working classroom for our local Community College, FKCC.

 

There was a slight delay in the scuttling timetable while a couple of sea turtles swam by but once they were safely away there was a red signal flare followed by a muffled explosion 1 minute latter. In under 3 minutes the 550 foot, 8 story, 17,000 ton vessel disappeared from view.

It was a momentous occasion for our community. Big thanks go out to a lot of different people who made this 8 years in the making dream a reality. Our hats are off to Joe Weatherby who had the idea and worked tirelessly to get it done and to City Commissioner Bill Verge who cleaned up every obstacle throw in this projects way and tied up every loose end to make this a reality.

 

James Beard Dinner at 915

We were among a lucky group of about 80 locals who got a preview of the dinner that is being served at the James Beard House on June 4th in NYC. Owner Stuart Kemp and executive chef Chris Otten run 915, one of the nicest restaurants in Key West. It's been written up in The New York Times and this is going to be their second trip to Beard House. You can find out more about the event at the following link: James Beard Dinner. When you come to Key West you need to dine at 915. Visit them on line at 915 Duval They've got a nice website.

KWYR and Friends

Every second Saturday of the month the Key West Young Republicans meet at Pepe's Cafe to discuss current events. One of the nice things about this group is that you don't necessarily have to be young or Republican to join in on the conversation. You just need heartfelt convictions and a willingness to express them loudly.

Beer for My Horses - Derby Day in KW

Every year on Kentucky Derby Day we drag it over to The Half Shell Raw Bar for a few brews and bi-valves and watch the Derby on the big screen in The Sailfish Bar. In the true Derby tradition the ladies wear their finest hand made hats. There is a nice buffet of food, lots of friendly wagering, mint juleps and mojitos and kegs of cold ones to keep the crowd refreshed.

This weekend also happens to be when one of the best events in our fair community takes place; the annual Key West Songwriters Festival; www.kwswf.com. If you've never been you need to come down here for it. It's over 100 of the best Nashville songwriters performing all over town for 4 solid days of the best music on the planet. And it happens right here, in Key West on the first weekend in May. Pictured here with my lovely bride and me is Sotty Emerick who likes to write # 1 hits with Toby Keith in his spare time. Scotty been to Derby Day at The Half Shell for about 6 years running. This year he brought the whole family.