During my tenure as a reviewer of all things delicious, I’ve experienced a number of coastal delights that offer true culinary satisfaction. Staple ingredients, beautifully plated meals, chef specialties, and staff hospitality are all essential to a good meal. It’s an amazing feat when a restaurant can excel in a few of these categories, but when a restaurant checks off all of these boxes, you know you’ve found something special. Downtown Biloxi is home to one such place: 131 Lameuse.
Lifelong friends Ryan Bolton and Chef Loren Gautier always wanted to open a restaurant together. Bolton’s business-savvy mindset and Gautier’s passion for food made for the perfect pairing. When the space at 131 Lameuse became available, everything seemed to fall into place.
Each course of this meal was simply amazing. Everything was exquisitely prepared and plated and showcased in a way that reflected Gautier’s attention to detail and his passion for food. The Seafood Gumbo is a generous portion of shrimp and alligator sausage set in a thick, earthy roux. Gautier’s house shrimp stock adds an additional depth of flavor to this local dish. The Charbroiled Oysters are a perfect dish to share while deciding on your next course. Generous portions of bacon and gouda adorn plump oysters that are grilled then broiled. However, the must-try starter is the Duck Poppers. An ode to hunting at any Mississippi lodge, the duck poppers feature tender pieces of duck nestled in cream cheese and jalapeño, then wrapped in bacon. A sweet topping of blackberry coulis is the perfect finishing touch.
If you go to 131 Lameuse during lunch, the Cajun Cubano is AMAZING. Gautier’s take on the classic Cuban sandwich features house-made pork shoulder marinated in salsa roja, Fly Llama Beer-infused creole mustard, spicy Tasso, pepper jack cheese, and house pickles, pressed on a toasted Cuban role. Served with fries, it is a definite lunch treat. 131 Lameuse’s dinner menu is still evolving, but staples like New Orleans BBQ Shrimp and Szechuan Duck are two ever-present options. Rosemary, garlic, bell peppers, and onions are sauteed with Worcestershire and Gautier’s shrimp stock for a deliciously rich BBQ Shrimp that will have you reaching for the nearest piece of bread to sop up any remaining sauce. The Szechuan Duck packs a powerful punch with Asian peppercorn marinated duck medallions piled atop mushrooms, wild rice, and Brussels sprouts, then finished with sweet potato chips. And no meal at 131 Lameuse would be complete without Gautier’s Dueling Pies dessert. Key Lime and Campfire pies are both tucked under a fluffy cloud of toasted meringue, leaving you undecided as to which one is truly best.
A highlight of the dining experience at 131 Lameuse is the fun and creative drink pairings. Bartender Michael Howe is a Level One Sommelier and an expert at finding the best libation to pair with your appetizer or dish. A host of wines can be paired with most anything, but Howe prides himself on inventive cocktails. The Blackberry Sidecar, featuring Grand Marnier, lemon juice, and fresh blackberries, pairs perfectly with the Duck Poppers. Howe enjoys serving a champagne in a traditional wide-rim glass with oysters for a sophisticated touch. But his stellar and standout cocktail is the Tokyo Tea. Think Long Island Iced Tea meets melon liqueur, with a vibrant, chartreuse hue. This goes along perfectly with the Szechuan Duck.
131 Lameuse can be summed up in two simple words: approachable upscale. Gautier uses this phrase to describe the restaurant’s service, atmosphere, and menu, and he couldn’t have hit the mark more perfectly. 131 Lameuse provides the perfect backdrop for an elegant meal in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The vibe is perfect for a romantic date, drinks with friends, or a quick bite after work. The menu is enticing, inventive, and impeccably curated. Fine dining options are carefully crafted, beautifully presented, and are anything but pretentious. Most importantly, it all tastes exquisite.
Check out 131 Lameuse for lunch, dinner and their newest addition, a Sunday Gospel brunch. You won’t be disappointed!
One Thirty One Lameuse
131 Lameuse St., Biloxi
228.207.1689
Facebook @OneThirtyOneLameuse
Wednesday – Saturday, 11 a.m.– 10 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
