Anne-Margaret Swary Columns
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Announcements

By Anne-Margaret Swary The Citizen

D.J.'s Clam Shack has opened at 629 Duval St. next to Haagen-Dazs shop.

Patrons will find the menu at this walk-up food stand a place "where northern and southern seafood meet," co-owner Jeff Gagnon said.

Gagnon and his business partner Doug Bell, who owns the Square Grouper Bar & Grill on Summerland Key, opened the eatery three weeks ago.

Featured on the menu are items such as crab cakes, clams or oysters in a half shell, New England or conch chowder and fish and chips. Gagnon recommends the Ipswich clam bellies and the Maine lobster roll. Everything is under $12.

"There's a lot of people down here from New England and New York who are happy to see some of the northern stuff on the menu," said Gagnon, a Long Island, N.Y., native.

D.J.'s clam Schack is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 11:30 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Call 305-294-0102 for more information. Free delivery in Old Town is available.

• Essy's Cafe recently opened on Flagler Avenue near the Key West High School.

Formerly home to restaurants such as Lulu's Kiss and Flagler Grill, Essy's is serving a variety of home-cooked Cuban dishes, all served with traditional sides of back beans, plantains, rice and Cuban bread. There's a variety of beef, pork, chicken and seafood dishes in addition to soups, salads and sandwiches.

Essy's also serves breakfast seven days a week, offering everything from bacon and eggs or pancakes to grunts and grits, and of course, cafe con leche.

There is covered seating available outside or at new picnic tables in the courtyard.

Essy's Cafe, 1908 Flagler Ave., is open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily. Call 305-296-1500.

• The Key West Key Lime Pie Co. recently opened a new location in Key West at the corner of Front and Duval street. This marks the third location for the company, which was founded three years ago on Big Pine Key.

The company's Key lime pie was named the 2009 American Pie Council's National Pie Champion.

In addition to its award-winning pies, the business also carries Key lime bars, marinades and jellies, cookies and candies, cookbooks, spices and other gifts.

Visit http://www.keywestkeylimepieco.com for more information.

Anne-Margaret Swary is The Citizen's business editor. Her column runs exclusively every other Sunday. She can be reached at amswary@keysnews.com.