Key West's The Stoned Crab Restaurant Creates A Whole New Fish Dining Experience Thanks To Local Fishermen

Known for serving the freshest seafood in Key West, The Stoned Crab restaurant is now taking the dining experience to a ‘whole’ new level by offering diners just-caught, whole fish prepared using a variety of complementary cooking techniques learned from Florida Keys local fishermen.

Upon entering the Trip Advisor four-star rated beachside restaurant, patrons are now immediately greeted with a unique LED-lit “Select Your Fresh Fish” display case that houses fresh, never frozen whole fish caught by Dock to Dish’s local fishermen that day. Diners can select a whole fish from the case and have it prepared whole or to their liking! “Once we learned from our local Dock to Dish fishermen that cooking fish whole maximizes freshness and flavor, we knew we could introduce our customers to a whole new dining experience. It’s a perfect addition to our menu and re-enforces our reputation for offering the ‘Freshest Seafood in Key West’,” said restaurant General Manager Bill Gernaat.

“Fish cooked whole simply tastes better: The skin protects the delicate flesh, the bones keep it juicy, and you can stuff the cavity with flavorful ingredients and herbs,” noted local Dock to Dish Fisherman Alex Osborn.

Since they began promoting the freshness and flavor of prepared whole fish, The Stoned Crab’s whole fish sells out almost every day. “When it’s brought to the table, it looks so beautiful that every other guest in the restaurant wants to order it,” added Gernaat.

After selecting their whole fish, customers can customize their meal by choosing any number of preparation techniques. “Customers can have their whole fish prepared grilled, baked, blackened, barbequed, fruit glazed, or stuffed with lobster orcrab. You name it and we can do it whole,” said the restaurant’s Executive Chef, Paul Menta.

However, while Menta and his team take great care in preparing the whole fish, they dedicate equal effort to ensuring the freshness and flavor of the dish’s sides and accouterments as well. “What really adds to the uniqueness of this dining experience is that, in these dishes, we only use ingredients purchased from local farmers, harvested locally. The whole fish is local to our Florida Keys waters and the accouterments are local to our Florida Keys farms. Everything about this dish is completely fresh and local.”

Smaller whole fish such as Snappers, Hogfish, and Lion Fish can be ordered upon arrival to The Stoned Crab. Larger fish, such as 10 lb and over Grouper, Mahi Mahi, and Barrelfish require preordering in advance.  “For birthday, bachelor, or graduation parties, customers can call The Stoned Crab to pre-order a, say, 10 lb Black Grouper or a 20 lb Mahi Mahi,” said Gernaat. “Based on the weight, we calculate the whole fish cooking time so that it’s ready to serve shortly after the customer is done with appetizers. We time the cooking perfectly so no one has to wait.”

“When you order a 20 lb Mahi Mahi for a party of eight people, you’re not just getting a meal - you’re getting a completely unique Key West dining experience,” emphasized Menta. “In addition to being cooked to perfection, the whole fish is decorated with skewered local fruits and vegetables, plated on an impressive tray, and carried to the table by multiple members of the wait staff. It’s not only a delicious dining experience, but a unique one that you can’t find anywhere else in the Florida Keys.”

For more information or to pre-order a whole fish, visit TheStoned Crab at 3101 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040 or call (305) 294-4350.

The Florida Keys' Best Flats Fishing Is Now Literally Just Outside Your Door at Ibis Bay Beach Resort!

IBIS BAY Beach Resort in Key West, Florida receives a lot of praise for its authentic 1950s Key West ambiance, its first-rate 21st Century service, its plentiful watersport activities, and its immediacy to the Trip Advisor 5-star rated Stoned Crab restaurant.  But there’s one major new attraction that traveling fisherman are really going to love — the newly enhanced IBIS Bay Fish Camp!

IBIS BAY is home to the only boat ramp to Key West’s bay, putting flats fishing just outside the door for any of the resort’s guests. Recognizing how important this area is for visiting fisherman, owner Chris Holland has made it a priority to provide everything a fisherman guest might need to enjoy the bounty of the Key West’s beautiful waters. This includes Key West’s only boat ramp on the bay for guests who bring their own flats boat, as well as two house-owned boats for rent, a group of rooms called the Fish Camp with maritime decorations and outdoor cleaning stations, and fresh catch cooking at the red-hot Stoned Crab restaurant in front of the resort! 

Jason Wells, manager of the Stoned Crab, is a local Key West fisherman who also runs two commercial fishing boats in Alaska during sockeye salmon season each year. According to Wells, the fishing, food and experience at IBIS BAY and the Stoned Crab is second-to-none. 

“Key West is a fisherman’s paradise,” Wells said. “From March to July there’s a huge bounty of tarpon, permit and bonefish, and the actual variety is much larger for the patient fisherman. We know these waters are fantastic because we fish them every day, and that’s also why we are able to serve the best seafood on the island. We’ll cook your catch for a small fee as well, giving you a self-caught meal like you’ve never had before.” 

So what is staying at IBIS BAY like for flats fishermen? Imagine waking up in a beautiful room, opening the door to a gorgeous white sand beach and being able to get out on the water in minutes. Guests without a boat can rent the resort’s 19-foot Release for a full day ($575) or half day ($375) with or without a captain (additional $100 for half day, $150 for full day), or take out the resort’s 24-foot Starcraft ($600) for a 5-hour trip with a captain, paddleboards, beach chairs, water masks, and a special sandbar cookout of any catches courtesy of the captain! This make it a great option for families as well as seasoned fishermen. 

“Local fisherman and visitors alike know that Key West’s waters are ripe with incredible catches every day of the year,” said IBIS BAY owner Chris Holland. “The fishing community here is vibrant and friendly, and for many travelers a fishing and fresh cooking experience is something they won’t get anywhere else. For veteran fishermen we’re excited to offer them Key West’s only bayside boat ramp and everything they need to clean and prepare their fish for a fantastically fresh and delicious meal at the Stoned Crab restaurant.” 

IBIS BAY has quickly become a favorite among travelers and locals and is already having a big impact on the local community through the many events and fundraisers it hosts.  As the island’s only beach resort to embrace Key West’s Cuban history, IBIS BAY stands alone as both a resort and a destination.  Owner Chris Holland is all about authentic travel, and he has fused the island’s classic 1950s style with 21st century comforts to create a fun, uniquely Key West destination.

Additionally, Holland has recently teamed with New York-based Dock to Dish to bring the locally-sourced seafood membership based Seafood Market to Key West. They are passionate about serving and selling only the freshest fish available, whether in the Stoned Crab restaurant or at the new on-site Dock to Dish Seafood Market. 

IBIS BAY offers rental bicycles, scooters and electric golf carts to help you get around the island, jet skis to have fun on the water, and IBIS BAY Paddle Sports to take you, your friends and your family out for an amazing kayak or paddleboard adventure where you can see all sorts of marine life. Be sure to check out the clear-bottom kayaks for an incredible tour where you can watch the ocean floor sweep by while the brilliant tour guides tell you all about the island and its rich ecosystem. 

For more info visit www.ibisbayresort.com or call them at 305-296-1043. Reservations for all activities including boat, vehicle and watersport rentals can be made with the front desk, even if you aren’t staying at the resort.

Key West Flats Fishing is Just Outside Your Door When You Stay at the Ibis Bay Beach Resort!

Flats fishermen only need to check out one place in Key West for the best access to the island’s plentiful bay — the IBIS BAY Beach Resort! Guests with flats boats have direct access to the resort’s private boat ramp, which happens to be the only boat ramp on the bay in Key West. It puts flats fishing just outside the door for anyone who stays at the beautiful trendy resort, and there are even special Fish Camp rooms with maritime decorations and outdoor cleaning stations — perfect for guests who enjoy casting a line on the open sea!

Over the last two years the resort has seen a multi-million dollar renovation that includes redesigned rooms, new furnishings, new landscaping, and the opening of the fresh-as-it-gets Stoned Crab restaurant that specializes in stone crab dishes.  IBIS BAY has quickly become a favorite among travelers and locals and is already having a big impact on the local community through the many events and fundraisers it hosts.  As the island’s only beach resort to embrace Key West’s Cuban history, IBIS BAY stands alone as both a resort and a destination.  Owner Chris Holland is all about authentic travel, and he has fused the island’s classic 1950s style with 21st century comforts to create a fun, unique Key West destination.

“We don’t want to be the Ritz Carlton,” Holland emphasized, “and have that hotel chain sameness because it’s so boring!  We’re looking to provide travelers with a unique experience that allows them to enjoy the Key West of the 1950s while utilizing the advantages of modern technology to ensure a pleasant and fun-packed stay.   The Fish Camp and our exclusive private boat dock are tailored specifically to flats fishermen, and only flats boats can get into the water on our beautiful shallow bay.  Ibis Bay is basically an untapped fishing spot, so the amount of wildlife here is truly incredible and can make for an amazing day or weekend trip for flats fishermen.”

Theon-site Stoned Crab restaurant offers a true boat-to-table seafood experience with daily deliveries of fresh stone crab, lobster and other locally caught delicacies that go right from the restaurant’s dock to the kitchen. Located on the property of IBIS BAY, the restaurant has been a big hit with locals and visitors who love dining on the freshest seafood in town.

“People say that Key West is like no other place on Earth, and IBIS BAY Beach Resort is like no other place in Key West,” Holland said.  “Since I took over the Blue Lagoon and turned it into IBIS BAY we’ve made incredible improvements and progress, creating a truly unique destination that has everything a traveler could ask for, from the gorgeous beaches and ocean views to the updated rooms, friendly service and stellar dining. Whether you’re going on a family vacation, a honeymoon retreat or a weekend fishing trip, Ibis Bay is the place to stay!”