Kara's Sights and Bites: Gulf Coast visit on emotional anniversary brought renewed hope; restaurant and hotel finds

By Kara Kimbrough

Old-Fashioned Seafood Gumbo is a classic dish that almost everyone loves. If you’d like the recipe, email me and I’ll send it to you.

  Visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast on the 20^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina proved to be an emotional journey. Highlights were moving commemorative ceremonies and candlelight vigils; riveting documentaries and personal stories from those who lost everything but never considered not rebuilding.

I discovered a hidden gem hotel as well as restaurants serving delicious Coastal cuisine.

    First and foremost, I found a new home at The Inn at Long Beach. It’s a well-appointed gulf front property I’ve passed hundreds of times but never slowed down enough to notice. That changed a photo of the hotel’s pool facing the gulf surfaced in an online Gulf Coast discussion. Surrounded by majestic Live Oaks with a view of the beach and gulf, the scene transported me back to my childhood and the gulf front hotel at which we always stayed.

The Inn at Long Beach’s crown jewel – a beachfront pool surrounded by majestic Live Oaks, transported me back to the “old Coast “days.

    I can still picture my grandfather sitting out under the oak trees beside the pool of Gulfport’s Sahara Hotel enjoying the early morning breeze wafting in from the gulf just across Highway 90. The Sahara was destroyed in Katrina and I’ve never again seen another hotel pool surrounded by Live Oaks fronting the beach.

    I messaged the hotel to share my reminisces and how a simple photo in 2025 had transported me back to a simpler time on the Coast and in my life. The owner graciously invited me to experience the hotel for myself, despite the busy Labor Day weekend ahead.

   The thought of seeing the pool similar to the Sahara’s was foremost in my mind when I drove up to The Inn, located just a few miles from Gulfport. Upon entering the property, I realized I was in for an enjoyable stay. In short, The Inn is that it actually does live up to its name: guests actually feel as if they’re staying in a private inn instead of an impersonal cookie cutter hotel.

   As I entered the spacious, well-appointed lobby, I was greeted warmly, much like one would greet a friend entering their home. And the best part: I was offered homemade cookies and directed to help myself to beverages at the well-equipped coffee bar before heading up to my room.

    Many hotel lobbies can seem impersonal and somewhat cold, but The Inn’s large, yet cozy lobby is tastefully decorated with comfortable furnishings, artwork, fresh flowers and large windows offering scenic views of the shimmering pool, Live Oaks and the beach and gulf. I immediately felt at home, perhaps because the décor resembles just that – warm touches of a home rather than a hotel.

     That comforting feeling of being “at home” continued when I arrived at my spotlessly-clean, modern, yet cozy gulf front room. Once again, tasteful décor in soothing neutral shades instantly caused me to decompress. Equipped with a spacious bath, coffee bar and mini fridge and free Wi-Fi, each guest room offers everything necessary for a relaxing, comfortable stay. A ground floor fitness center and complimentary bike rentals are available for those looking for an active getaway.

   As a glowing sun descended below the gulf, I would have been perfectly content to relax by the pool and enjoy evening breezes as they wafted in from the water. However, I had dinner plans with friends and made the short drive over the bridge to Bay St. Louis (more on dinner below).

    The following day, I was directed to the breakfast buffet offered adjacent to the lobby. I’ve enjoyed numerous complimentary hotel breakfast in my lifetime, but this one far exceeded all the others in variety, quantity and taste.

   Freshly-made biscuits, gravy, bacon, sausage, grits and eggs and hot oatmeal with a variety of toppings are offered in the hot foods area. Guests can also request made-to-order pancakes, either plain or with specialty options like blueberry, lemon ricotta and other ingredients. Also offered are cereal, fresh fruit, a variety of pastries, freshly-squeezed orange juice and specialty teas and coffees.

   Guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast at cozy tables spread throughout the lobby and adjacent elevated dining area while enjoying a view of the pool just steps away.

   Lounging by the pool or taking a leisurely bike ride through Long Beach, both crossed my mind, but I had scheduled events to attend. Following a busy morning of ceremonies, it was time for lunch.   

     Stopping by Harbor View Café in Long Beach for a repeat meal after dining there during a media tour had been on my agenda for some time. After such a bounteous breakfast at The Inn, I didn’t feel I could explore the menu as I’d planned, but decided to stop by for a quick bite.

    Located near U.S. 90 overlooking the Long Beach Harbor (hence the name), Harbor View Cafe offers outdoor dining on wraparound porches for waterfront dining as well as plenty of indoor seating. The restaurant serves a variety of delicious appetizers, seafood dishes, salads, po’boys, steaks and desserts.

   I ordered shrimp remoulade, consisting of Cajun boiled shrimp tossed in house-made remoulade sauce served over mixed greens, cucumbers and tomatoes. It was the perfect light, yet utterly delicious meal.

   Speaking of shrimp, the evening before I joined friends at Cuz’s Oyster Bay in Bay St. Louis. A jumbo shrimp po’boy paired with delicately-fried onion rings with a delicious remoulade dipping sauce proved to be the perfect dinner at one of my new favorite restaurants.

   Yes, being on the Coast 20 years after so much despair and destruction was an emotional experience, but one that resulted in valuable “finds” that I will definitely revisit.

      The Inn, which I highly recommend for those looking for a more relaxed, quiet and personalized experience with easy beachfront access, was the undisputed highlight of my trip. Additionally, revisiting two restaurants and experiencing an above-average breakfast buffet that exceeded expectations, was the absolute icing on the cake of a memorable weekend.

   Last, a Coast friend shared her family’s tried-and-true recipe for seafood gumbo; a recipe handed down by her grandmother and used by generations of Creole cooks. It’s a little lengthy, so drop me an email if you’d like to try it and I’ll send it to you.

Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com