Blanka Prusova White
Google
The Pearl Restaurant – Gulfport
We’d been eyeing The Pearl for a long time, after seeing their posts on the Tierra Verde Community Group page, we finally made it in for dinner. It’s easy to find, just off Gulfport’s main path, with plenty of free parking—and a big plus, the location is high and dry, so no worries about weather!
The Pearl is actually a longtime staple in the area. It used to be on Treasure Island before the floods and hurricanes forced the entire plaza there to be leveled. Thankfully, they’ve found their new home here in Gulfport, and the restaurant feels just as special as ever.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting. Even without a reservation, we were able to get a table for two at 6:30 p.m. The dining room was already lively, and for anyone waiting, there’s also a small bar with a few stools to grab a drink.
The service and food lived up to the reputation. We started with the grilled Caesar salad, brie, spring rolls, and escargot—all delicious, the grilled Ceasar was outstanding. For entrées, the special lamb fillet with mashed potatoes and asparagus was tender and perfectly cooked, while the bouillabaisse seafood stew was flavorful and light.
We were trying to be good, but it was Saturday night… so we wrapped up by sharing dessert—beignets with salted caramel ice cream and toasted nuts. While I’ll always love beignets on their own, this was a fun and tasty twist. Add in their great wine and cocktail selection, and it was the perfect evening.
The Pearl will be closed briefly for vacation, but will reopen in October, ready for the season. We’ll definitely be back.