Page 54 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2017

DININGGUIDE culinary diversity
story by Julian Brunt
photos by Julian Brunt and John Stricklin
Is there a more culinary diverse and complex part of the Deep South than coastal Mississippi? I think not. The three coastal counties have well over 300 restaurants,
with Ocean Springs claiming a third of that number by itself, and that’s to serve a combined population of just over 380,000. That’s one restaurant for each 1,200 people or so, and that is pretty impressive.
Not that long ago the Coast couldn’t begin to make claims of much culinary diversity. Biloxi was
well known for a handful of eateries, popular with locals and tourists alike. You were almost always assured of finding a fried seafood platter, a few po-boys, and a good bowl of gumbo on the menu, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with those local favorites, but we might find it a bit boring by today’s standards. Most of those old joints have faded away, but they have been replaced by ten times their number and you can find just about anything you might want on today’s menus.
Are you interested in Jamaican? Check out Coastline Caribbean Restaurant on Hewes Avenue in Gulfport. What about Honduran?
Yep, Pupuseria Doña Blanca on Dedeaux Road, also in Gulfport, is what you are looking for. What if I said you could find a fantastic local seafood place, a killer good steak house, a renowned upscale Asian fusion restaurant and an absolutely authentic Italian restaurant all within a few minutes’ walk from each other? If you are a serious foodie, you’ll recognize this culinary hot spot as the Beau Rivage Casino and Resort. Perhaps one of the most romantic restaurants in the South can be found on the top floor of
the IP Casino Resort Spa — Thirty- Two, as it is called, is a world class restaurant. Also check out Mignon’s at the Palace Casino.
There are a few specific trends
54 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • May 2017
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BACCHUS ON THE BEACH on Hwy 90 in
Pass Christian.