Page 32 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2025

DINING SIREN SOCIAL CLUB
Crispy Half Chicken
ADDRESS
1409 24th Ave. Gulfport
CONTACT
228.678.1000
WEBSITE
www.sirensocial.com
SOCIAL
Facebook @sirensocialclubgulfport
HOURS
Tues-Thurs 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
story by Anne Pitre
32 | October 2025
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
The next era of dining along the Mis- sissippi Gulf Coast may have just arrived with the Siren Social Club in Gulfport. Tucked discreetly within Hotel Vela, this reservation-only restaurant isn’t simply a place to eat—it’s an experience, a revela- tion, and perhaps the boldest sign yet of what’s possible for the future of the Coast’s dining scene.
The entrance itself feels theatrical. Guests are greeted at the hotel’s front desk before being led to the dining room, giving major speakeasy vibes. Inside, gothic arches frame tropical floral arrangements, a glistening bar, and a life-sized mermaid sculpture presides over the space with a siren’s allure. The effect is lush, dramatic, and unlike anything else on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Chef Austin Sumrall and his wife and business partner Tresse Sumrall have created something remarkable here: a restaurant that feels both intimate and ele- vated, playful yet sophisticated. The menu is rooted in familiar forms—potatoes, chicken, pasta, ice cream—but each dish is transformed with flair and imagination.
Take the 1000 Layer Potatoes, a dish that turns the humble potato into haute cuisine. Thin potato slices are baked in duck fat, crisped to golden perfection, and sprinkled with sea salt. They’re decadent, savory, and impossibly elegant—roasted potatoes made fashion.
The Beef Tartare pushes boundaries with its freshness and texture. I had never tasted this French classic before, even in my years in France. The beef was so fresh,