David B. wrote: >I've been following with pleasure the threads on restaurants in New Orleans >the past several weeks, and saving them for my files. Now it turns out that >I'll be going there around Sept. 15th, and doing a circle trip up to Mer- >idean, Mississippi, and then down to Biloxi. >The information I'm looking for are recommendations for neighborhood >places that serve good bar-b-que or seafood at all of those locations, >or anywhere in between. >The fancier places with *CUISINE* are nice, but I really like the >neighborhood joints, as long as they're not too wild. >You can e-mail me directly to save bandwidth. Thanks, >Dave Barnett >[email removed] Dave, I just got off the phone with Tom Fitzmorris, who is a local food critic here in New Orleans. He has a radio show (WSMB 1350) where they talk about food and restaurants and such. Anyway, he says there aren't really any good b-b-q seafood places on the Gulf Coast. He didn't have a recommendation for Biloxi proper, but suggested Vrazel's, which is on Hwy 90 (the coast road) in Gulfport. If you're in Biloxi, Gulfport is west, as in heading back towards New Orleans. The Gulf Coast isn't my stomping ground, which is why I called Tom. If you're going to be here in New Orleans, Pascal's Manale on Napoleon Ave. uptown is the best bet for b-b-q shrimp. Enjoy!
Mississippi
New Orleans, Meridean, Biloxi
David B. wrote: >I'll be going there around Sept. 15th, and doing a circle trip up to Mer- >idean, Mississippi, and then down to Biloxi. > >The information I'm looking for are recommendations for neighborhood >places that serve good bar-b-que or seafood at all of those locations, >or anywhere in between. You will find good seafood all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast but our favorite barbecue place, An-Jac's in Gulfport, closed recently. >The fancier places with *CUISINE* are nice, but I really like the >neighborhood joints, as long as they're not too wild. This is a review of some of the non-franchise/chain restaurants to be found along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi ("The Coast") from the Louisiana border to Biloxi. We also have all the usual chain restaurants. In Mississippi, wine is classed with hard liquor, so, many places will serve beer but not wine, for which they need the bar license. Since this is a beach resort area (sometimes called "The Redneck Riviera") there are few, if any, restaurants that will refuse to seat customers in casual (nice shirt & slacks) dress. There are some, however, where this would be out of place. These have been noted below. We don't have smoking/ non-smoking laws. So, if you are adamant about smoke-free dining it would be best to call ahead. The prices I mention are about what you might expect to pay for what a normal person would eat for dinner in that class of restaurant. So, in a pizza parlor a meal might be a large slice and a soft drink while at a first rate restaurant it would include drinks, dessert, etc. The Coast had benefited from the continued collapse of New Orleans as chefs and restauranteurs flee for the suburbs. The opinions expressed are my own, your mileage may vary. Waveland: Armand's, US Hwy 90. A restaurant out of place. Newly constructed 1st-rate French/Louisiana cuisine on Hwy. 90 among the strip malls. Go figure? $50/person; bar. Pass Christian (pronounced chris-chan): The Blue Rose: I think this is the best on The Coast. Owned by New Orleans refugees, the Farrars. First rate all-the-way. French/Louisiana cuisine as found in the best New Orleans restaurants. Overlooking the small craft harbor. Reservations and coat & tie urged. $50/person; bar. The Rusty Pelican: Overlooking the beach. Simple seafood dishes well prepared with an oriental touch. $10/person; beer. Long Beach (where I live) Chimney's: Overlooking the small-craft harbor. Dix & Peter Nord owners. Gulf Coast fish/shrimp dishes are the specialty. We eat here frequently. Don't bother looking for any chimneys that is a prior name for the town of Long Beach. $25/person; bar. Chappy's: Among the oaks, overlooking the beach. John (Chappy) Chapman, a New Orleans refugee. New Orleans/ Cajun cusine. Well regarded but we have not eaten there in a while. $30/person; bar. Amelia's Po Boys: 1 block off Hwy 90. Amelia is a Boston refugee who is fortunate that beach dwellers love eccentrics. She has decorated her restaurant in a combination of nautical, Mardi Gras, and flamingo (the bird) motifs. You can get a great New Orleans style Po Boy or North End Boston Sub. She has a variety of Italian dishes and daily specials. Our favorites are the Shrimp Pistolettes and the Shrimp Stuffed Artichokes. A live combo plays oldies ('40s & '50s) on Thurs-Sat nights. $5-$20/person, BYOB. Beachside Pizza: Between McDonald's and Amelia's. Just what the name implies. Fast food, wide variety of non-franchise pizza and Italian items served on paper plates. Stuffed Italian pie, calzone and great New Orleans style Muffaletta. $5/person. Gulfport: Vrazel's: Fine dining on Hwy 90, now overlooking the Grand Casino, formerly overlooking the small-craft harbor. Wide range of French Creole and Gulf Coast dishes. Meticulous service. Formerly gorgeous setting now ruined by that monstorous lavender barge. Reservations; coat & tie urged. $50/person; bar. Borelli's Ristorante Italiano: We think Teresa Borelli (Oleg) has the best Italian restaurant on The Coast. We particularly like her canoli with an espresso. $25/person; bar. Toucans Mostly Mexican Cafe: On Hwy 49, 1 mile S of I-10. A different sort of Mexican restaurant. Some people love it, others hate it. My wife & I are split. $15/person; bar (?). Le Teagarden: An interesting blend of French and Vietnamese flavors. I know this may sound strange but the results are quite interesting. Overlooking the beach on Hwy. 90. I find the chairs a bit uncomfort- able. $20/person; bar. They may have smoking/non-smoking. We always sit on one side. There may be a reason. Biloxi (pronounced bi-lux-y not ba-lox-y): Hunan Restaurant: Our favorite Chinese place on The Coast. Good, well prepared dishes, some unusual. Look out for MSG. $15/person; I forget if they have a bar or not. Keppner's Gasthaus: Not Luchow's but an authentic German restaurant, just the same. For people who have a weakness for food aus der Vaterland. $12/person, beer. French Connection: Off the beach on Pass Rd. It has been a few years since we have eaten here, but friends report that it is still one of the best French restaurants on The Coast. No view. Luigi's Pizza: Pass Rd. near Keesler AFB. One of the few non- franchise pizza parlors. Many interesting, hand-made pizzas. They make some really BIG pizzas for parties. Mary Mahoney's: Old Gulf Coast landmark. Interesting experience. The restaurant is a strange jumble of old buildings. I have not been terribly impressed with the food but the urinal in the men's room is packed with shaved ice so you can leave grafiti without defacing the walls. 8-) Reservations, coat & tie urged. $30/person; bar. Fisherman's Warf: I have not eaten here, but it was suggested by a friend. It is almost at the East end of Biloxi. For dessert, their "Fisherman's Warf Pie" is highly recommended. They don't take reservations.