Aerial view of Biloxi + great food = Thirty-Two

By Jane Feehan

IP Casino Resort

850 Bayview Ave.

Biloxi Mississippi  39530

888-WIN at IP

Sunday-Thursday: 5 - 10 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 5 – 11 p.m.

Up, up and away … that’s “thirty-two”, the upscale restaurant on the 32nd floor of the IP Casino and Resort, tallest building in town. With a great view of Biloxi’s Back Bay from the lounge and a view of the Gulf from the dining area, thirty-two offers a top-notch dining experience.

I started my meal with their signature thirty-two salad: arugula, mesclun greens, grapefruit, bleu cheese and walnut bits, dressed in champagne vinaigrette. Excellent. The main course of red snapper was salt water fresh and the accompanying butter lemon sauce was served appropriately on the side. No covering up these goods with sauce, as if it were a dare to find fault with the fish, which I couldn’t. Most everything is a la carte. I ordered creamed spinach, which was very light (I could actually taste spinach) instead of the usual tasteless quasi-cement mixture presented by many other dining establishments. A variety of breads was served with both baked garlic and butter. Since everything was so good – and relatively light in calories – I decided to try dessert. Their Southern Fried Fruit Pie served with sour cream ice cream was a winner; it wasn’t too heavy or too sweet, a perfect ending to a memorable meal.

Thirty-two offers Allen Brothers steaks for beef lovers. They also serve a fairly good collection of single malt scotches as well as good wines from an extensive list. This place is expensive – about $150-200 for two with just two glasses of wine each. It’s worth it in so many ways. If you seek the experience without the big tab, eat in the lounge from the appetizer menu while listening to live music. Try it either way; you’ll love it. Service: excellent.

© 2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Official website
Tags: Mississippi Coast restaurant reviews, Biloxi restaurants

Lower the sails for breakfast at Ole Biloxi Schooner

Ole Biloxi Schooner Seafood Restaurant

871 Howard Ave. (Across the street from the cathedral, Nativity B.V.M.)

Biloxi, MS 39530

228-435-8071

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

Breakfast 7-10 a.m Mon-Sat

Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Closed Sunday

http://schooner.biloxi.tk

Having enjoyed lunch at Ole Biloxi Schooner, I recently stopped by for breakfast on a Saturday morning. The popular eatery does better with the afternoon and evening fare (see prior review).

The menu is basic: eggs and bacon, pancakes, cereal - quite ordinary, which isn't a bad thing. I ordered eggs and potatoes with a biscuit. A large portion of pan fried potatoes was more than I could finish.  The over sized biscuit was impressive but it was brought down a few notches by serving a "spread," a.k.a margarine - a turnoff for this butter lover.

Their lineup of house-made cakes looked intriguing: German chocolate and a few cheesecakes.   I'll be back for a slice of one of them next time with a cup of coffee instead of another typical breakfast choice.

Ole Biloxi Schooner, located near city government, draws the court house crowd during the week. An early start to the day mingling with the city's movers and shakers may deem the morning meal here a power breakfast, if not a culinary experience. Lunch and diner  - a better bet. Service: good  .©2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Biloxi Shrimp Prices and Perils

Biloxi Shrimp: prices and perils

Small Craft Harbor Biloxi (Behind Hard Rock – parking for docks on first floor of garage)

Biloxi, Mississippi (About 75 miles from New Orleans)

By Jane Feehan

The boat docks were crowded this morning with residents and tourists buying Biloxi shrimp. The season opened 10 days early on Thursday to accommodate the uncertainty of the effects of the BP oil spill on the Mississippi Sound. 

Shrimp – small because of the early harvest – are selling for $2 a pound for small, $6 for large. The prices for large shrimp are considerably higher than they were at the close of last year’s season.

“They were selling for $3.85 then,” said shrimper Tony Nguyen. “This season is not great.”

Nguyen’s parents have been shrimping for 35 years in Biloxi; he has nearly 25 years in the industry.

“If the oil comes here, there will be no fishing, no shrimping for years,” Nguyen said.  “We’ll have nothing. Same as what happened in Alaska after that [Exxon] spill.”

After my chat with Nguyen, I visited Desportes off Porter Avenue. Their shrimp prices were about the same as the docks but supply was definitely down and they were pushing five-pound packs of frozen shrimp. The fish catch, while it looked excellent, was not plentiful, though that could be because there were plenty of customers.

Shrimp season is open - and questionable for how long. Testing of the water and the shrimp for oil contamination continues ...

Read prior post, Biloxi Shrimping: A one-two punch and still standing. 2010 Jane Feehan All rights reserved.

Biloxi Shrimping: A one-two punch and still standing

Biloxi shrimp

Small craft harbor docks

Behind the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

On the water near 777 Beach Blvd.

By Jane Feehan

Note: I first posted this last October. Just when the summer fishing season starts, we're faced with the BP oil spill. This afternoon, the first day of an early shrimping season (10 days early because of the BP disaster), I saw more boats in the Mississippi Sound than I've seen in five years. There's a sense of urgency because oil may be here in a matter of days. And the shrimpers may be gone then for who knows how long.  Buy Mississippi shrimp - support the shrimpers. 

Long before the city became known for its casinos, Biloxi was known for its shrimping industry; it’s still important to many of its residents. Stop at the docks behind the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to pick up a pound or two. Fishermen were recently asking for $2.80 a pound. That price is a steal – and a sad commentary about the plight of Coast shrimpers.

During the last few years the industry has been beleaguered by the high cost of fuel and by imports from Asia and South America. It costs more than $400 for fuel for a 14-hour shrimping trip. Imports have driven shrimp prices downward about 50 percent

Then came Hurricane Katrina; the storm destroyed many boats and shrimp habitats.

Since the record breaking hurricane in 2005, about $37 million has been approved by Congress to be distributed to Mississippi over the next few years as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service Disaster Recovery Program.

Today there are plenty of shrimp; there are not enough buyers.

You can’t stop in Biloxi without trying Gulf shrimp. “Mississippi shrimp are the Cadillac of shrimp,” said Irvin Jackson, director of seafood marketing for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.© 2009 All rights reserved.

Farradday's at Isle of Capri Hotel and Casino - Biloxi, Mississippi

Farradday’s
Isle of Capri Hotel and Casino
151 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS
1-800-The-Isle
228-436-8749
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5-10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 5 – 11 p.m.
http://biloxi.isleofcapricasinos.com/dining-farradday.aspx


By Jane Feehan

Before and right after Hurricane Katrina, Farraddy’s occupied a spot in the Isle of Capri overlooking the water – a great vista with a friendly bar. Since then, it’s moved to another part of the hotel without a view but that can be forgiven. The staff tries to please here and the food is good. Lots of locals dine at Farradday’s for special occasions.

On my last visit I supped on seafood: Wahoo interestingly wrapped in strips of paper thin potato and set atop a bed of fresh asparagus - good. I passed on a salad this time; salads here are oversized - enough for two. If you’re tempted by bread, Farradday’s delivers some tasty morsels in three different varieties. Nice start to a meal.

I usually order garlic mashed potatoes and wish I had stuck to that routine. Instead I asked for the sweet potato casserole. It was overloaded with chopped pecans; I couldn’t find the potatoes for the nuts. Forget that dish. I’ll also pass on their southern dessert concept of fried strawberries in a Melba sauce. The berries were juicy but the batter was crusted in far too much sugar - solid white - and topped with so-so whipped cream. This dish may have been much better with an undressed batter coating.

A few stumbles at Farradday’s on this visit but I’ll be back. The food is usually good and the service is terrific. They serve steaks, prime rib, chicken, pork, and lobster ($17-35) as well as a great choice of appetizers (about $10-14) to make an entire meal from. Diners are welcome at their very attractive granite-topped bar.

If you self park, don’t get turned off by the dirty garage lobby and elevators. Otherwise valet park. There’s no excuse for dirty floors and carpet as a way to greet clientel. Clean it already, Isle of Capri, or paint the walls and replace the carpet. Geesh. It's like your customers don't matter. © 2010 Jane Feehan All rights reserved.

Snapper's Seafood - Biloxi, Mississippi

Unacceptable

Snapper’s Seafood
1699 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39531
228-374-7962
Open daily 8 a.m.- 11 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

The best thing Snapper’s has going for it is its beach location and outdoor deck. The food leaves a lot to be desired.

I ordered boiled shrimp ($8.75), one of their “specialties.” They were over cooked and small. My dinner “salad” was shredded lettuce, a few sliced tomatoes and a packet of dressing. That says a lot. A side order of hushpuppies was equally disappointing – tasteless, tough, over-fried and under-sized thingies served with what looked like ranch dressing. The Bloody Mary I had with the meal was bland.

Snapper’s serves a variety of po-boys, fried seafood, oysters, a number of appetizers and breakfast. Hopefully breakfast is better. This place seems to be best suited for the thirsty seeking a cold beer or frozen margarita after a hot day on the beach. © 2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Mary Mahoney's Old French House - Biloxi, Mississippi

Mary Mahoney’s
Old French House
116 Rue Magnolia
Biloxi, MS 39530
228-374-0163
Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Closed Sunday
www.marymahoneys.com


By Jane Feehan

A stay in Biloxi requires a visit to Mary Mahoney’s for lunch or dinner. A meal here is always a special occasion because of the ambiance of the historic 18th-century building, not because of the food.

It’s a hit and miss menu. I’ve been here several times and have yet to think or say “wow” but it’s not bad. On occasion, fish I’ve ordered was not fresh but frozen and the salad was just OK. On a recent visit I ordered a cup of seafood gumbo ($8) and, nicely seasoned, it was quite good. I chose a seafood salad plate ($12.95) for the main luncheon course. With a scoop of shrimp and a scoop of crab salad the dish was low on the flavor meter and high in mayonnaise content. Ordinary but ample. It came with hardboiled egg and tomato wedges and a couple of large stuffed olives. An excellent Bloody Mary with pickled green beans and olives made up for a lot. Also, the bread brought before the meal was piping hot.

Lunch specials for $13.95 include salad, entrée and a vegetable and feature items such as grilled salmon or crab cakes and items of the day. Entrées off the specials list average about $18. They serve steaks, chicken, and a variety of seafood, including fried platters. Dinner entrées average $30.

Mary Mahoney’s, close to the beach and the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino, boasts two well-preserved waterlines for customer viewing - one of when Hurricane Camille inundated the restaurant, another, much higher one, marking Hurricane Katrina’s visit. Unbelievable. Also of interest is a live oak tree estimated to be about 2,000 years old named “The Patriarch” in their courtyard.

The restored plantation house provides a number of dining rooms perfect for intimate dining or large parties. Service: Excellent. ©2010 Jane Feehan All rights reserved.

The Buffet at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino - Biloxi, Mississippi

www.beaurivage.com

The Buffet
Beau Rivage Hotel Resort and Casino
875 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
228-386-7444
Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

I used to like going to a buffet on a holiday – in Fort Lauderdale or Houston - but a recent visit to The Buffet at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi will make me think twice about it next time.

The lines were unbelievably long. And though the hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas, diners were decked out in very casual attire. The I’m–too-lazy-to-cook-for-Thanksgiving-so-let’s-fill-up-at-the-casino-buffet-look ruled the day – and spoiled mine. This spectacle, during these tough economic times, reminded me of standing in line at a soup kitchen.

The food was good, for the most part: fresh salad bar, plenty of king crab legs and turkey, other meats and roasted vegetables – but not enough green choices. Then I couldn’t find butter for my roll and couldn’t get the attention of wait staff in the crowd.

The waitress let the dishes stack up on the table instead of removing them each time we went back to the buffet. Maybe she didn’t know that’s what they’re supposed to do. Maybe the customers didn’t know either. I looked forward to a piece of pumpkin or pecan pie and was turned off by what was available. I chose spice cake instead and left most of it (among all the dirty dishes); it wasn’t good.

I’ll eat at home next year or go to a place with good table service – away from the madding, ill-dressed crowd. © 2009 All rights reserved.

Yuki's - Biloxi, Mississippi

Yuki’s
2389 Pass Road
Biloxi, MS 39531
228-388-2233

Monday-Friday:
Lunch 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday – 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

There’s a large, glitzy electronic sign in the baggage area of the Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport with a picture of a woman in ethnic garb beckoning visitors to Yuki’s – a Japanese steak and sushi restaurant.

Run the other way. It’s a dismal place that belies the cheer and sophistication of the airport ad.

Before I opened the door, the heavy odor of grease nearly stopped me in my tracks. Upon being seated, I was handed a four-page plastic bound menu that was falling apart and dirty. If they don’t care about the menu they show customers what the heck goes on in the kitchen?

I’ve been here several times since Hurricane Katrina. Many were grateful for an open restaurant after the storm; there wasn’t much to choose from. Yuki’s was a refuge – for a time.

Today, the sushi is just OK; most items on the menu are tempura cooked – fried – and taste of grease. The food in the hibachi side isn’t bad but it took two hours to get lunch one day. That was two years after the storm.

On my last visit – and it will be the last – I ordered stir fried vegetables and chicken, which was little more than bean sprouts out of a bag, some random pieces of broccoli and a few tiny bits of chicken.

Yuki’s seems to have declined since the storm. It’s not as clean, paint is chipped off the walls – and I don’t see Yuki anymore. Maybe that’s the problem. 2009 All rights reserved.

Ole Biloxi Schooner Seafood Restaurant - Biloxi, Mississippi

Ole Biloxi Schooner Seafood Restaurant
871 Howard Ave. (Across the street from the cathedral, Nativity B.V.M.)
Biloxi, MS 39530
228-435-8071
Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Closed Sunday
http://schooner.biloxi.tk

By Jane Feehan

This store front eatery, located in downtown Biloxi, draws the business community, legal eagles from the nearby courthouse and law offices, and workers from government buildings. Law enforcement also frequents the Schooner and that's usually a sign of reasonable and good food.

The restaurant has plenty to draw tourists from nearby Beach Boulevard, whether to an inexpensive breakfast, a lunch of local seafood favorites or a tasty special of the day such as meatloaf or baked chicken. One tourist of note, President George W. Bush, lunched at this spot on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina – no doubt to get a real feel for and taste of Biloxi.

Seafood gumbo, crawfish etoufee, crab burgers, crab platters, fried seafood and Po Boys highlight the lunch/dinner menu. I enjoyed a seafood salad top heavy with shrimp, lightly accented in crab meat and decked out in green and black olives and tomatoes. I indulged in a side order of delicious hushpuppies – piping hot and crispy on the outside and tasty with bits of onion on the inside – just the way hushpuppies should be.

Plans are underway for an oyster bar with cold beer in the same building. Currently, no alcohol served. Service: Good. © 2009 All rights reserved.

Le Bakery & Cafe - Biloxi, Mississippi

Le Bakery and Café
280 Oak Street (off Beach Blvd.)
Biloxi, MS 39530
228-436-0850
Tuesday – Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Closed Mondays


By Jane Feehan

Yes, there’s a little bit of France in Biloxi and it’s not far off the beach, near the casinos. It’s Le Bakery & Café, a French-Vietnamese establishment that makes the best pastry and French bread along the Mississippi Coast. You’d have to drive to New Orleans to find a bakery as good.

Their fruit-filled pastries are light and flaky and luscious. They also make cakes, cookies, tarts, Asian desserts and smoothies. Le Bakery serves Po Boys on their French bread with variations of pork – pork meatballs, pork sausage – and chicken. These sell for about $3, a bargain.

This is not a pretentious place; it’s basically a bakery with a few tables for those who want to eat sweets or a small lunch or can’t bear the drive home with the wonderful aroma of Le Bakery’s delights floating out the bag throughout the car.

Satisfaction Buffet at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Biloxi, Mississippi

Satisfaction Buffet
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – Biloxi, MS
777 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
228-374-ROCK (7625)
Lunch 11 a.m.-3.p.m. Seven days
Dinner 4 -10 Monday – Thursday
Dinner 4-11 p.m. – Friday and Saturday

By Jane Feehan

The best deal for lunch in Biloxi has to be at the Satisfaction Buffet in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, next door to the Beau Rivage. For $11.99, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. you can dine on much of the same spread that’s offered at night. And what a spread it is.

There’s something for any taste and appetite: Asian with stir fry, egg rolls and dumplings; BBQ with several meats including turkey and brisket; a soup and salads section with plenty of fresh shrimp; a grill area featuring fried catfish and other items; an Italian counter with pasta and pizza. There are tacos for the taco lover and a great bakery area – if one is still hungry – with shelves of sweet offerings including brownies, pies, cakes and a generous assortment of cookies. And, most of the food is good.

The Satisfaction Buffet dinner ($16.99) offers prime rib and more seafood selections than at lunch. Wednesdays are touted as their seafood nights ($21.99). Both are bargains.

This place is not big on atmosphere; it’s in the casino, noisy but pleasant. The accent is on fun. Service: good. © 2009 All rights reserved.

Desportes & Sons Seafood - Biloxi, Mississippi

Desportes and Sons Seafood
1075 Division Street
Biloxi, MS 39530
Monday – Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Call to verify - some days closed earlier)
Saturday 7 a.m.– 2 p.m.
228-432-1018

By Jane Feehan

If you’re looking for a great shrimp po’boy, a seafood platter or a seafood special of the day, check out Desportes. This is a fish market with a food concession. The restaurant is very casual; rustic is a better description. There’s not a lot of seating and it’s an order/pickup- at-the-counter system. If there’s wait for a table, it’s worth it. Outdoor seating is available.

While you’re waiting to pick up your order, check out their seafood counter. The fish is brought in thumping fresh each day. They also sell a wonderful seafood dip that doesn’t last long at parties. This family takes pride in their business and it shows. They also supply many of the area restaurants with their fish and shrimp.

Tags: Best po-boy in Biloxi, Biloxi shrimp, Biloxi seafood market

Small Craft Harbor for fresh shrimp - Biloxi, Mississippi

Biloxi shrimp
Small craft harbor docks
Behind the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
On the water behind near 777 Beach Blvd.

By Jane Feehan

Long before the city became known for its casinos, Biloxi was known for its shrimping industry; it’s still important to many of its residents. Stop at the docks behind the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to pick up a pound or two. Fishermen were recently asking for $2.80 a pound. That price is a steal – and a sad commentary about the plight of Coast shrimpers.

During the last few years the industry has been beleaguered by the high cost of fuel and by imports from Asia and South America. It costs more than $400 for fuel for a 14-hour shrimping trip. Imports have driven shrimp prices downward about 50 percent

Then came Hurricane Katrina; the storm destroyed many boats and shrimp habitats.

Since the record breaking hurricane in 2005, about $37 million has been approved by Congress to be distributed to Mississippi over the next few years as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service Disaster Recovery Program.

Today there are plenty of shrimp; there are not enough buyers.

You can’t stop in Biloxi without trying Gulf shrimp. “Mississippi shrimp are the Cadillac of shrimp,” said Irvin Jackson, director of seafood marketing for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.© 2009 All rights reserved.

Shady's - Biloxi, Mississippi

Shady’s Global Grill
Pass Road, Biloxi
228-432-8424

In the dark days after Hurricane Katrina there were many of us who were thankful for Shady’s; it was one of the few places open to get a good, hot meal. A funky sculptured head of a pirate sat boldly at the bar with a sign hung from its neck stating “Katrina sucks.” That the same pirate head now has another sign suggesting “Oyster Shots” is testimony to Biloxi’s recovery from the historic storm.

Shady’s clearly reflects the Thai influence of its previous owner. The menu has plenty of Asian items – lettuce wraps (spicy and worth a few trips back), Thai Spring rolls, Asian dumplings and coconut milk soup. All good. But a better description of Shady’s food would be eclectic. They serve fresh seafood, including sautéed blue crab fingers that get high marks; BBQ pork, Louisiana crawfish tails, calamari, fried pickles, seafood combos, pork ribs and oysters.

Since Katrina, they’ve added additional patio dining – and best of all – a separate bar area for smokers. There’s another Shady’s in Ocean Springs on Government Street. The owner is opening one more eatery (of a different name) also in Ocean Springs in a few months that will offer a more upscale menu with good wines - something Shady's doesn't pour now. Service: good. © 2009 all rights reserved.

The Fillin' Station - Biloxi, Mississippi

The Fillin’ Station
“Biloxi’s Oyster Bar”
592 Howard Ave (at Main Street)
228-432-5565
Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. - ‘til
Sunday – 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

What do you get when you mix funky with a dash of New Orleans and a bit of retro? That would be the Fillin’ Station in Biloxi, just a few blocks from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the Beau Rivage, off Main Street.

This very casual eatery is a converted gas station, circa 1950s. A patio for outdoor dining lies in front of this eye-catching renovation. What used to be a garage door is open to a bar with a few tables for semi-indoor dining; there’s plenty of air-conditioning.

I tried fried crawfish and banana peppers with a spicy hot sauce made of Serrano peppers and mayonnaise on an excellent French bread roll; pretty good for a place this casual. That and a side order of cole slaw and a soft drink came to $10. There are oysters done several ways: New Orleans style - charbroiled (Drago’s invention), oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller – and other variations. They offer Po’ Boys – shrimp, fried oyster, roast beef. Other choices include chicken BBQ on a roll, fish sandwiches, burgers, cheese quesadillas and salads. With a full bar and a following of all ages, the Fillin’ Station provides live bluegrass/soft rock music Wednesday-Saturday starting at 10 p.m. No cover. There’s a television for sports enthusiasts at the bar. Fun. © 2009

Jia - Biloxi, Mississippi

Jia
Beau Rivage Hotel
875 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
Sunday-Tuesday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday – 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Closed Wednesday and Thursday
228-386-7111
888-952-2582

By Jane Feehan

Put Jia on the top of your list if you’re looking for a sophisticated Asian dining experience. The menu includes dishes from Japan, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam and China.

I tried Lemongrass Seared Panang Style Swordfish (about $30) and was not disappointed. The sauces were superb, especially the coconut red curry cream, which did not overpower but accented the fish. Chef Alberto Rosa came out to ask how I liked the food – a nice touch and a plus in my book.

Other samplings included sushi and an order of avocado crabmeat spring rolls. The array, freshness, and quality of sushi is probably the best in Biloxi – perhaps on the entire Mississippi Coast. The spring rolls were a bit large, and enough for two or three people but quite tasty and served with two sauces, one a mild mustard.

Jia is located on the casino level, a stylish restaurant in a lively setting. Expensive. Service: excellent.

Thirty-two - Biloxi, Mississippi

By Jane Feehan

IP Casino Resort
850 Bayview Ave.
Biloxi MS 39530
888-WIN at IP
Sunday-Thursday: 5 - 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5 – 11 p.m.

Up, up and away … that’s “thirty-two” – the upscale restaurant on the 32nd floor of the IP Casino and Resort, tallest building in town. With a great view of Biloxi’s Back Bay from the lounge and a view of the Gulf from the dining area, thirty-two offers a wonderful dining experience.

I started my meal with their signature thirty-two salad: arugula, mesclun greens, grapefruit, bleu cheese and walnut bits, dressed in champagne vinaigrette. Excellent. The main course of red snapper was salt water fresh and the accompanying butter lemon sauce was served appropriately on the side. No covering up these goods with sauce – as if it were a dare to find fault with the fish, which I couldn’t. Most everything is ala carte. I ordered creamed spinach, which was very light (I could actually taste spinach) instead of the usual tasteless quasi-cement mixture presented by many other dining establishments. A variety of breads was served with both baked garlic and butter. Since everything was so good – and relatively light in calories – I decided to try dessert. Their Southern Fried Fruit Pie served with sour cream ice cream was a winner; it wasn’t too heavy or too sweet, a perfect ending to a memorable meal.

Thirty-two offers Allen Brothers steaks for beef lovers. They also serve a fairly good collection of single malt scotches as well as good wines from an extensive list. This place is expensive – about $150-200 for two with just two glasses of wine each. It’s worth it in so many ways. If you seek the experience without the big tab, eat in the lounge from the appetizer menu while listening to live music. Try it either way; you’ll love it. Service: excellent.
© 2009

Tien - Biloxi, Mississippi

At IP Casino Resort
850 Bayview Ave.
Biloxi MS 39530
888-WIN at IP
Wednesday-Thursday: 5 p.m.– 10 p.m
Friday-Saturday: 5 p.m.- 11- p.m.
Sunday-Tuesday: Closed

By Jane Feehan

My search for authentic Asian food in Biloxi took me to Tien at the IP Casino and Resort. I sampled vegetable pot stickers ($6.00), “authentic” Vietnamese spring rolls ($6.00) and a main course, Tom Xao Cai or shrimp and vegetables ($18.00).

To my disappointment, none of the dishes were good: pot stickers - overcooked and presented with an unremarkable sauce with far too much lemon (out of a bottle maybe?); spring rolls - thick-crusted, oversized, greasy,obviously frozen, and certainly not the real thing. I’ve never seen broccoli rabe as the featured vegetable in an Asian dish but that’s what I got with the main course - a large, tough piece unmanageable with chopsticks and drenched in an unimaginative, tasteless sauce. The shrimp were excellent, as I expected them to be in Biloxi, one of the shrimping centers of the Gulf Coast.

Tien’s large menu also features teppanyaki, noodles, sushi and Chinese American entrees. Hopefully other selections will please some less discriminating palates. The restaurant opens to a view of the casino. Atmosphere and service: Excellent.
© 2009

Bonefish Grill - Biloxi, Mississippi

Bonefish Grill
2600 E. Beach Blvd. (at Edgewater Mall)
Biloxi, Mississippi 39531
228-388-0009
Open Sunday –Thursday 4 p.m. -10:30
Friday-Saturday 4 p.m.–11:30

By Jane Feehan

I don’t usually critique chain restaurants, but Bonefish Grill (owned by the corporation that started up the hugely successful Outback) deserves a mention. I’ve been to five or six throughout the country and only one, in Iowa, was not particularly good.

On the Mississippi Coast, if you’re looking for consistently fresh seafood that’s not fried and comes at a reasonable price, stop at Bonefish Grill in Biloxi. This eatery is kind to the dieter. Grouper is excellent as is Norwegian salmon. There’s a variety of sauces to choose from. They have an unusual vegetable medley of tomatoes, sliced red and yellow peppers, a dollop of spinach and two kinds of squash. If seafood is not your thing, try their steaks; their Outback steak savvy makes a beef entrée a winning choice. Meals are served with a basket of warm sour dough bread and a dish of olive oil sprinkled with cheese.

Try the starter menu if you don’t have a big appetite. You can make a meal out of such items as Bang Bang Shrimp, crab cakes or Mussels Josephine. They have a great wine list and interesting cocktail menu. Good happy hour. I recommend sitting in the lounge area at a booth. Smoking is permitted there, however. Menus vary by location. Check out their website for full menu and prices. Service is good.© 2009

Other Outback Restaurants: www.outback.com
Carrabba's Italian Grill: www.carrabbas.com
Roy's Restaurants: www.roysrestaurant.com
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar: www.flemingssteakhouse.com