Azur Restaurant — Our History
Our story begins not on the warm sandy shores of the Conch Republic, but in the hills of upstate Pennsylvania. Our two chefs and co-owners began a friendship and a story that would span decades, travel between continents, and eventually land on our little island.
Oysters on the half-shell, plated on a bed of frisee lettuce.
HAPPY VALLEY, PA, USA
We Are
1988
Michael Mosi, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, grew up in the kitchens of his Italian and Hungarian grandmothers, who introduced him to a passion for food and ingredients that is all-present in everything we create.
After studying German and International Business at Penn State University, Drew Wenzel travelled to Germany to investigate his family roots. There, he had the opportunity to apprentice under the renowned chef Marina Boss in the highly-rated Voss-Haus on the Baltic Sea.
Char-grilled shellfish over a romesco, with olive oil.
HAMBURG, GM
Graceland
1994
In 1994 Drew and Michael opened the restaurant Graceland in Hamburg, Germany, which Drew co-owned until 2003.
Afterwards, Michael traveled to Italy, where he worked with many local chefs, Michael often visits his family in the Tuscan town of Pistoia, compelling him to infuse seasonal recipes and ingredients from that region into Azur’s unique menu.
Key West, USA
The Conch Republic
2004
In the 2000’s, when they returned to Key West, Michael and Drew worked at many different restaurants on the island. Michael had the pleasure of working for Alice Weingarten at Alice’s Restaurant and Masa at Ambrosia. Throughout the years they further developed their restaurant acumen. This lead to Michael being asked to helm Antonia’s, beginning a seven year run. Drew eventually joined Michael at Antonia’s, where they used knowledge gained from their travels to turn the quaint restaurant into a Duval St. staple.
Striking out on their own, the boys created AZUR Restaurant, a unique dining experience featuring Mediterranean specialties. Whether you choose our shaded terrace or the comfort of our newly renovated dining room, please join us for a hearty breakfast featuring a few new twists, an al fresco lunch by the waterfall, or an intimate dinner with offerings including old favorites and new creations. For a completely different dining experience in Old Town, AZUR is a must on your list of innovative-chef restaurants in Key West.
Bon Appétit