All seven of the mystery novels I have written are set in Put-in-Bay, Ohio. When I was 18, I made my first trip there and the thought hit me: What a perfect place to set a novel. Since then, I have written seven mystery novels, all based on this island oasis. I visit often and write in an upstairs carriage house behind Ashley’s Island House Bed and Breakfast.
I thought the island could not get any better. I was wrong.
Last summer, The Keys opened. It’s a complex of five restaurants and a vibrant taste of paradise with panoramic views of Put-in-Bay’s harbor. It’s the perfect place to catch a sunset amid cool island breezes while sipping its signature Mangrove Mama’s rum punch.
It’s also a tribute to Put-in-Bay’s sister town — Key West, Fla. The northernmost buoy at the Bayview Avenue entrance welcomes visitors to The Keys. It resembles Key West’s southernmost buoy and is quickly becoming one of the most photographed spots on South Bass Island.
“The Keys concept developed from our love of the Florida Keys and Key West,” says Eric Booker, whose family owns the complex with the Sheehan family. “We want to be known for eating, drinking and repeating.”
The families purchased the former Axel and Harry’s Restaurant in 2011 and got to work. Located next to the Jet Express dock, The Keys is brightly painted in Caribbean hues. The grounds are a mixture of lush tropical plants, colorful umbrellas over outdoor tables and chairs painted in bright lime green, turquoise, tangerine and lemon yellow. Strategically placed misters provide cooling relief from the sun. Adding to the tropical atmosphere are local entertainers who perform on a stage next to Lola’s Key and Tortugas Rum Nation. 
After signing books during the day, I often retreat with my wife, Cathy, to The Keys for dinner and a drink. On the afternoon of our most recent visit, Cathy and I sit on the outside patio of Tortugas Rum Nation with a steal-your-breath-away view of the bay. 
Before sampling several of their top menu items, we order the Mangrove Mama’s rum punch and Book’s Bushwhacker’s, which is basically a Wendy’s Frosty for adults.
For starters, we taste the conch fritters ($9), island calamari ($12), smoked fish dip ($8.50) and braised, pulled pork sliders ($8). They all are delicious, but especially noteworthy are the conch fritters and island calamari. The fritters are Bahamian conch, onions and bell peppers, which are lightly fried and served with key lime tartar sauce. The island calamari are fried in a zesty pineapple-chili sauce, then served on a bed of crispy rice noodles.
Next, we try the Grouper Reuben ($16), grilled Gulf grouper topped with homemade cole slaw, guacamole, Swiss cheese and a sweet tartar sauce on grilled marble rye and served with seasoned french fries. Next was the Black and Blue Grouper ($16), a very tender, grilled Gulf grouper seasoned with blackening spices and topped with melted bleu cheese, lettuce and tomato and served on a toasted roll. 
We then sampled one of the dinner entrees, Atlantic Red Snapper ($21). The grilled fillet was covered in a sweet Caribbean rum sauce and seemed to melt in your mouth. It was served with asparagus and tomato basil couscous.
And don’t dare leave without trying one of The Keys’ desserts ($7-$8) — Key Lime pie, Banana Xango with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce, and the Ultimate Chocolate Lover’s Dream Cake, a staggering six layers of chocolate cake filled with chocolate fudge icing and skirted with dark chocolate curls.  
It’s hard to say what’s a better reason to come to The Keys — the food or the view. But I know I’ll spend a good chunk of my summer there. Stop by and, chances are good, I’ll be there and can sign a copy of my latest book, “Sandustee,” for you as we relax at this tropical island paradise.

Dining Options at the Keys
• Tortugas Rum Nation features Caribbean and South Florida menu items, as well as a variety of tropical drinks. Indoor and outdoor overlooks the boat docks and bay. Even if you dine inside, the large open windows make you feel as if you’re outside.

• Lola’s Key is located on the waterfront and serves the same great drinks and food as Tortugas Rum Nation.

• Nagoya Sushi at the Bay is located on the second floor of Tortugas Rum Nation and has an outdoor deck offering an unrestricted view of Perry’s Monument. It serves cocktails and fresh sushi prepared daily by Nagoya’s sushi chefs. 

• The Tiki Shack offers drinks and features its “soon to be famous” Book’s Bushwhackers cocktail and sloppy joes. 

• The Dairy Isle is the newest addition to the complex. Formerly a Dairy Queen, the building was acquired by The Keys owners over the winter and has been remodeled. The menu includes soft-serve ice cream, burgers, chicken fingers, chili dogs and the Isle’s signature Belgian waffle sundae.

• Filling out the complex are Local Color, a tropical gifts and art shop; Sandy Cheeks, a bathhouse for boaters; and the Park Place Boat Club, which has dockage for 50 boats. 

Bob Adamov is the award-winning author of seven mystery adventure novels set in Put-in-Bay, Ohio. His books can be found at packardislandpublishing.com.

If You Go
The Keys
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
419-285-5397
thekeyspib.com