Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant
Downtown Ocean Springs
1223 Government Street
Ocean Springs, MS
228-875-0603
Breakfast, lunch and dinner: Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 9 pm
Friday - Saturday 7 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday - breakfast and brunch: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
By Jane Feehan
Phoenicia offers food with a Middle Eastern flair with its homemade hummus and warm pita bread served with each meal and a variety of items including chicken shawarma – boneless, sliced chicken marinated in olive oil, lemon juice and garlic – a winner. But there is so much more if you’re looking for something less exotic.
Fish is a favorite there – always fresh, never frozen. Phoenicia also serves USDA prime steaks. A typical lunch special may include a choice of fresh red snapper, mahi mahi, lemon fish or coconut shrimp, with spinach lentil soup, a salad and desert for around $15. You won’t have room for dinner after lunch at Phoenicia. If you’ve got dinner plans, think about sharing lunch. A dinner at Phoenicia also comes in large portions at a reasonable price. Ask for the specials before ordering from the menu.
The menu also offers a “little of Mexico” with chicken or beef fajitas or quesadillas and a children’s menu with chicken tenders and hamburgers.
A plethora of choices tends to cast doubt in my mind about how good everything can be but Phoenicia has a handle on it. They recently started serving breakfast. One of the morning featured items is Eggs Oscar Tournedos of Filet Mignon topped with a poached egg, crabmeat, asparagus and Hollandaise sauce for $11.95. Everything I’ve eaten there for lunch and dinner has been outstanding; the same is expected of breakfast.
Phoenicia does not sell alcohol but they invite you to bring your own. This may be an inconvenience but it ensures a very reasonable tab. It’s a casual atmosphere, and Middle Eastern with its gold, blue and white wall décor and white table clothes. This is a popular place, reservations are welcome. Service: It’s been both good and bad.
© 2009
