Page 34 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2021

8813 Lorraine Rd. Gulfport 228-241-1450 www.marinacantinagulfport.com
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.- 11 a.m.
34 | May 2021
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MARINA CANTINA
Marina Cantina opened
last October in Gulfport and quickly became a popular eatery with loyal followers. That could be because it’s
got everything going for it. In other words, what’s not to like? They specialize in outstanding seafood dishes, cold brews
and specialty cocktails and atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere — that laid-back Gulf Coast kind with a big kick of Caribbean islands tossed in. It’s a place where you can come as you are and relax while enjoying a breeze o Bayou Bernard and watching the boats go by. Or you can come in your own boat and tie up at the restaurant’s private dock. With its philosophy of ‘Sunsets are Better with a Drink,’ who can resist?
“Marina Cantina brings only the freshest food to your table,” says owner/chef Thomas Genin. “We don’t buy frozen food and we peel our shrimp, we don’t thaw them.”
There are many local favorites, including Royal Reds, oysters, tuna dip and fresh
sh dishes. But to keep things interesting – and to tie in to the restaurant’s name – there are Mexican dishes such as street corn, roasted poblano queso, fresh guacamole, four kinds
of nachos and plenty of tacos including shrimp and Mahi.
Not to be overlooked is the live music every weekend featuring local, regional and national acts with multiple ticket options. Manager Ben Kaufman said, “Grab a seat and a cold drink and enjoy some good music as you watch the sun slowly set.”
The Marina Cantina concept is so successful that Genin says Marina Cantina 2 will open
in Ocean Springs, hopefully
in late summer. “There will be a complete renovation of the former restaurant space that’s there to include outdoor seating with two bars, cabanas, re pits and a band stage.”