Gulfport’s newest moody and vibrant restaurant is open. But is it as good as it looks?
Passing through two sets of doors is all it takes to be transported from the quiet, palm-dressed 24th Avenue to the juxtaposed dark vibrancy of Downtown Gulfport’s new Social Siren Club.
From the owners of White Pillars comes a bar and restaurant unique to itself. Part lounge, part party, the Social Siren Club is at 1407 24th Ave. and on the bottom floor of the boutique Hotel Vela.
The building itself has history. It was once a mortuary. It was once a retail clothing store. Presumably not at the same time. Some of the old architecture has been retained. But new and electric poison pink lights casting their glow across the otherwise dark street serve as the signal the building is now home to something new and unique on the Mississippi Coast.
The first step inside brings you to the lobby. Reservations aren’t mandatory, but are highly recommended in order to ensure your passage through the next set of doors.
Those will lead you into a shotgun-style dining room where music and chattering echo from the table-lined brick wall on one side to the bar on the opposite.
An orange-painted siren overlooks guests and an open window into the kitchen provides a view of the food’s preparation.
Dim lighting from various low key fixtures create a sultry mood, 2010-era Rihanna builds on it and the cocktail menu capitalizes.
The drink menu is extensive. The cocktails are categorized into light and zesty, frozen and playful, tropical and sultry, luscious and sweet and potent and sexy. There’s wine in whites and reds and beer both domestic and imported.
The Siren Milk Punch delivered to open the evening was strong and sweet. Based with Jamaican rum and mixed with banana liqueur, heavy cream, vanilla syrup and sweet vibrations, it served as a perfect seasonal transition drink.
The night was deemed a success following the arrival of the appetizer. Such is the case anytime I try potato in a new form.
A first for me was the 1,000-layer potatoes. Served on a plate smothered in pesto were two baked potato chunks. Essentially, the whole potato is thinly sliced and stacked on top of the other. It’s then baked and dressed before embarking on its mission to satisfy the taste buds of potato lovers.
It was perfectly crispy on the edges. The pesto and aioli provided the perfect touch. It was immediately added to the home recipe rotation.
Up next were the entrees. On one side was the half-chicken. The other the carbonara pasta.
The chicken was made with spicy honey and served with chimichurri. The skin was flavorful and crispy and meat cooked perfectly. It was a strong reminder that chicken and honey are a perfect match and that the bees should be saved.
The carbonara used tagliatelle and duck egg with bacon and paddlefish caviar. It was splendid.
We did not escape without dessert. Out came the affogato to cap the meal with its (real) espresso and hazelnut ice cream. It was topped with candied hazelnuts and served with a shortbread cookie.
It was phenomenal. I’m not typically a sweets person so the coffee-drenched bowl was a perfect medium. As for my wife, she quite literally drank the bowl clean.
The Siren Social Club is a perfect place for a date night or a gathering. It provides a spot to unwind with drinks or a place to enjoy genuine fine cuisine. The staff was incredibly attentive and the food served quickly. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
