Patio 44 is a spacious restaurant, with plenty of inside and outside seating (the patio also includes a water fountain), and the bar is one of the classiest in town, with stained wood and high back stools. The tables and chairs are stained wood too, and the centrally spaced glass wine cellar adds an upscale touch.
The first location in Hattiesburg opened in 2012.
Patio 44 describes itself as a “Unique patio-style restaurant in Biloxi with delicious food, tasty cocktails, and comfortable casual.” However you want to describe it, it is classy, from its ambiance to every carefully plated order that comes out of the kitchen.
You know I am a small plate kind of guy, I love the Spanish concept of tapas. It allows you to taste a broad cross-section of the menu, and the chef’s talent, and share it with a few friends too. Patio 44 excels in its appetizer selection (there are 10 in all). And if you start out with their famous blue crab fondue, you will know what I mean. It’s made with crab meat, three-cheese sauce, toasted baguette. The debris fries stand out too with braised beef trimmings, brown pan gravy, melted cheese blend, and green onions. You also might want to try the fried green tomatoes and the pimento fritters.
The menu is divided into seafood entrees, items from the grill, soups and salads, local favorites, sandwiches, and a daily special called Lunch at Patio. This really is a thoughtful thought-out menu and it’s difficult to pick out what might be the best. Brown butter with capers, and soft-shell crabs, and shrimp and grits look great in the seafood section. The grill menu is all about steaks, including a tomahawk for two. Crawfish etouffee and red beans and rice in the soup section look good. I don’t see anything in the local favorites section I would object to, but the sweet hot pecan chicken looks sensational, as does the Southern-style pot roast. There are five sandwiches, but I’d just have to go for the fried green tomato BLT. The menu also includes a good selection of wines and cocktails.
The Biloxi Patio 44 is a great choice for almost any occasion. It is classy but it’s comfortable too. Bring the kids or a date, but whatever you do, don’t plan on rushing in and out. You will want to hang out for a while and enjoy this great restaurant.
