Last week I was invited to check out the new menu recently launched at Margaritaville, a laid-back CityWalk eatery spawned by the king of casual, Jimmy Buffett.
While a few of the menu’s mainstays have remained (including the iconic Cheeseburger in Paradise and the Key West Fish Sandwich), a few newcomers have made this tropical locale worth a visit.
First and foremost, ask for a table on the outdoor patio. I’m sure the tourists enjoy the impromptu Margaritaville sing-alongs and volcano blasts, but for date night I’m going to steer you towards The Porch of Indecision where you’ll enjoy a quieter scene complemented by the live guitarist that plays nightly starting at 5pm. You can kick it up a notch after dinner if you like when the band hits the stage inside around 9pm each night.
If it’s a ‘drinks and appetizers’ kind of night (and this is a great place for that), you’ll love the ample variety of sharable smalls plates including the new “Drunken” Shrimp Skillet (shown left, it's sautéed with tequila key lime butter) and the Asiago Crab Dip. I’m not usually a fan of dips for an appetizer but this dish, which came crammed with crabmeat, was a real standout on the menu in my opinion.
You’ll have your choice of a dozen fun cocktails, including the highly liquor-laden libation 5 O’Clock Somewhere, which combines Margaritaville Silver Rum with Paradise Passion Fruit Tequila, Bacardi 151 rum, and orange and pineapple juices. It’s stiff and it’s good.
Entrees, which range from $15.99 to $25.99, include Fish Tacos, Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya, and Seafood Mac & Cheese. The new LandShark Lager Fish and Chips is also a good option too thanks to the ultra light batter made with the signature beer.
For dessert, there’s really only one option and that’s the new Chocolate Hurricane. This smorgasbord of sweetness is an entire pint of vanilla bean ice cream served with brownies, Kit Kat and Heath bars, pirouette and mini shortbread cookies, sliced banana, whipped cream and chopped macadamia nuts. Then it’s swirled tableside with chocolate and caramel sauces. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.
My take: Margaritaville wasn’t as kitschy as I thought it would be and the food and drinks were really great. I’d go again.
Good to know before you go…
- Florida Residents receive free parking at CityWalk after 6:00 pm with proof of residency
- If you join the Fins Up Club, you’ll get a free appetizer on your next visit