The Restaurant Store

The Restaurant Store hosts various specialty cooking seminars right in the store itself after business hours. This review is specific to the Caponata & Mozzarella Seminar with Mozzarella Mark of Key West.
Cost: $ 40 — includes Prosecco, wine and tastings of the culinary delights prepared.
This was my first visit to The Restaurant Store for a seminar and I absolutely loved it. It was a great time and I look forward to going again.
There are tables set up with chairs facing a cooking station for everyone to see. The tables are all nicely set up and felt very rustic and homey. For this visit everyone received at their seats a complimentary fresh mozzarella ball along with recipes and some background information. Baskets of crostini drizzled with a quality extra virgin olive oil where set between the guests to enjoy along with the samplings being prepared. The hostess and main orchestrater of the event, Shani, buzzed about to make sure everyone was taken care of and happy. Prosecco and white & red wines (in a plastic cup) were offered along with water. As you watched the interactive demonstration, Shani wasted no time in making sure that everyone received refills as well as samplings of the different dishes Mozzarella Mark and the second station chef where whipping up. It was delightful!
As Mozzarella Mark went through the entire process of making the mozzarella, everyone was able to go up to the large vat, put on plastic gloves, and learn first hand about the chemistry and artistry involved in the process. As the different demonstrations went on, the second chef prepared different mozzarella appetizers which Shani ensured everyone received a sampling of.
Next up was the caponata demonstration. Mozzarella Mark went through the entire process explaining the steps. Once prepared Shani passed out generous portions to each person to enjoy. IT WAS AWESOME!
As we exited Shani graciously thanked us for attending and asked how everything was.
I would definitely like to attend another seminar.
You can check out their FB page for upcoming seminars. Prepaid reservations are required.

I have been coming here for a couple of months now for all of my craft beer needs while in Key West. Unless you count the Walgreen down on Duval, this place has the best selection for take-​home beer on the island. This place also serves as the consumption area for the Bone Island Brewing Company, which is housed around the back of this place.
The selection here is absolutely amazing. They have anything and everything. The only downside to this is that the stock doesn’t rotate as often as it should. I noticed several products that were kind of old, but also several products that were freshies and new seasonals. I overheard the purchasing manager speaking with a rep and he seemed enthusiastic about the selection and having the best, newest beers on the shelf.
I bought a pint of BI beer and browsed the selections on my last visit, and left with a super fresh six pack of Jai Alai. Best place on the island for take home beer, and at very reasonable prices.

Fairly decent restaurant supply store that I would say caters more to an accomplished home cook rather than to the restaurant industry. They probably do stock everything you would need in your home kitchen in addition to oils, vinegars, salts, sauces, pickled products, and wines.

Always great for quirky gifts and kitchen gadgets. I needed long spoons for root beer floats… in the south they are referred to as Iced Tea Spoons.
I asked initially for sundae /​float spoons. Blank stare. Then I called them iced tea spoons and was directed towards them right away.
$ 1 per spoon. Very reasonable prices.
I try not to let myself wander through the store because I know I will want 30 pounds of kitchen gadgets i’d have to mail home or bring home in my luggage. The people who run the store are fabulous and always very helpful!

This is a tough place to review…
5 STARS… based on selection and their knowledge of their inventory
3 STARS… based on the customer service of the employees.
I’ve been here more times than I can remember and have never been let down in finding what I need (including items that can be incredibly hard to find at common stores like Bed Bath and Beyond or the Kitchen Department at Macy’s). But I tend to search the store for what I need rather than inquire because most of the time the staff has attitude of being too busy (even though the store is never busy).
Why can’t I get your full attention? Why can’t the staff be more welcoming? I just don’t get it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is a retail store; don’t make me feel unwelcome. An odd feeling to have when visiting a retail establishment. Don’t get me wrong, I truly love this store; I just wish the mood was consistently positive and not «hit or miss».
PS very interesting mens room… the urinal was filled with pebbles and has a porcelain frog and fake plants in it… it’s funny and odd at the same time… I just want to know if I am supposed to pee on it still (GUARANTEE PEOPLE HAVE).