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The Chimney's
1640 East Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS (228) 868-7020
"Specializing in fresh local seafood including steaks with a spectacular view of the Gulf, Serious Food - Great Atmosphere!"
Throughout the 80's and 90's the Long Beach small craft harbor was home to a quaint little casual restaurant called the Chimney's. The Chimney's set itself apart from the myriad of generic seafood houses dotting the Mississippi coast line by offering extremely high quality food in its very casual atmosphere. Just over a year ago, the popularity of the Chimney's caused them to outgrow the little spot in the harbor. The owners set their sites on a long neglected antebellum mansion on East Beach Blvd (Hwy.. 90) just east of Hwy. 49. Although they had to give up one of the most spectacular views of the sunset on the gulf, the restoration of the mansion was undertaken and the Chimney's relocated into its present home. Along with the change of location the overall atmosphere was converted to a very upscale, white table cloth, dining experience. Unfortunately, while the atmosphere and the prices have been greatly upgraded, the menu has not yet risen to meet the new surroundings. In fact, the menu, while attempting to be more ambitious has fallen flat. It has failed to even maintain the quality that was a hallmark of the harbor location. Simple dishes, such as shrimp scampi and lemon peppered grilled chicken have given way to more complex dishes which seem to be offered more for their descriptive value on the menu then for their taste value to the customer. It is my hope that these short comings only represent a lack of attention during the transition phase. I admire the ambitious attitude and would love to see the Chimney's grow into the fine gourmet restaurant they are attempting to be. There is, however, a definite need for casual restaurants and the loss of the Chimney's from that category is substantial. Now, by "stepping up in class" the Chimney's will have to work very diligently to gain the status among the upper tier restaurants with which it will now be compared.
Menu Recommendations:
Marinated Crab Claws - A hold over from the old location. Possibly the best example of this simple dish on the coast.
Speckled Trout - Either fried or broiled, preferably with the meuniere sauce. The more exotic seafood sauces seem to overpower the delicious, light flavor of the trout.
Steaks - Standard, but of excellent quality.
Shrimp Scampi - Offered sporadically as a special, I have suggested that it be returned to the menu. The best dish in the house. Do yourself a favor, request they prepare it for you.
Menu Warnings:
Salads - Totally uninspired, predominately iceberg lettuce with little flair.
Stuffed Flounder - Very poor dish with a stuffing of mostly bread crumbs plagued by an inordinate amount of crab shells and annoying tendency to involve the flounder bones with the stuffing.
All major credit cards and reservations accepted.
Mon-Sun 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Last Updated: 5/11/02
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