The Louie's Backyard Cookbook

Mixing elegance with an island attitude, Louie's Backyard is an award-winning Key West, Florida restaurant famous for its fine food and relaxed oceanfront ambience. Lunch regulars say the Conch Fritters are the best in Key West, and dinner regulars praise the Conch Chowder. Everything is homemade in the restaurant, from the tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette to Louie's famous Key Lime Pie. The entrees are an artist's creation with the finest ingredients, from the Jerk-Rubbed, Free-Range Chicken Breast with Black Beans and Papaya Salsa to the Sauteed Key West Shrimp with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Stone-Ground Grits.

Louie's Backyard Cookbook not only contains the creative recipes of Executive Chef Doug Shook but also takes you to the edge of the sea with photos and stories that will make you feel the ocean's breeze. It is the next best thing to experiencing the islands themselves. This important addition to the RoadfoodT Cookbook series is sure to be a favorite with people in the Keys and throughout the country.

Jane Stern was raised in New York City and southern Arizona, learning to love both hot pastrami sandwiches and bordertown chimichangas. She met Michael Stern when they were graduate students at Yale University, at which point the couple set out on a lifelong quest to find the best American food and to write about it.

Michael Stern was raised at a Heartland table of square meals. The Sterns ’ monthly “Roadfood” column in Gourmet magazine has earned them three James Beard Awards for journalism. They are heard weekly on Public Radio's The Splendid Table.