Six reviews of the Chimneys. You may also be interested a brief history of the restaurant.

Review from the October 2004 issue
of SOUTHERN LIVING.

DINING BY THE SEA
Rejuvenate your taste buds at this enticing restaurant along U.S. 90.

The Mississippi coastline is known for its grand style in both homes and food. Now the two unite in one of Gulfport's most intriguing restaurants.

The Chimneys, located in an elaborate Queen Anne-style home, is tucked inconspicuously among live oaks. "Our sign isn't real big", says Dix Nord, who owns the place with her husband, Peter. "But I always tell people, 'If you find us once, you find us a second time.'" Indeed they do. Located on this stretch of road for five years, The Chimneys scenic location and coastal cuisine make a powerful pair. Dix admits, "The house is just as much a part of the attraction."

But it took Dix and Peter 18 months after purchasing the place to get it ready. "It was once a private residence," says Dix. "It had been vacant for a number of years, so we had to get it adapted for public use. Sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night completely panicked. But we knew the house had good bones, character, and love. It's proven to be wonderful for us and our patrons."

Each dining room boasts views of the water. Most visitors enjoy the front room where tables draped in white linens sit snugly by the windows. These seats serve up stunning glimpses of the Gulf year-round.

"We named the restaurant after one we owned in Long Beach," says Dix. "In the 1800s the town of Long Beach was called The Chimneys. Luckily our restaurant here in Gulfport was built with quite a few chimneys, so the name really fits."

During the cooler months when winter's chill blows through the coastal town, The Chimneys warms its guests with crackling fires. Plates with seafood selections from the Gulf rev up diners' palates. Fried oysters ($16), soft-shell crabs ($23), and the ultimate Trout 1640 ($23) served with lump crabmeat, green onions, and shrimp in a light cream sauce are just a few of the delicious dishes on the menu. For dessert, dive into the Mississippi mud pie.

With food this good, the locals won't be able to keep this place a secret much longer.

Review from the October 4-10, 2004 issue
of the MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL.

Consider the plight of old houses. Once beautiful and well kept, some of them fall on hard times, are left vacant, are considered too expensive for renovation or their residential neighborhood evolves into a commercial area. Or perhaps all of the above describes their woes. For the lucky ones, business and professional people lovingly renovate them for commercial use.

The Chimneys Restaurant in Gulfport and the law offices of Barton and Williams in Pascagoula are outstanding examples of such rescues. In both cases, the renovations were labors of love. Both properties are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places but choose not to be included.

Sitting on Beach Boulevard, facing the Mississippi Sound, the graceful old two-storey house known as the Sternberg House sat vacant for several years before it opened in March 2000, as The Chimneys Restaurant featuring "spirited dining." Owners Dix and Peter Nord do not have an exact date but know the house was built in the early 1900's. It has 4100 square feet of space and took almost a year and a half to renovate. The only new space added was a kitchen.

"We fell in love with it and could tell it needed tender loving care," Dix Nord said. "I think vagrants lived in it."

She praises the work done by her husband and three other local artisans, Ken Worley, Marc Giudici and Dan Hensarling, who all got into the project. Giudici, originally from San Francisco and visiting on the Coast, stopped by one day and asked if the Nords needed help with refinishing floors and hanging sheet rock. Worley did the millwork and Hensarling constructed the new kitchen.

"My husband is so talented and has knowledge of building, so they divided and conquered," Nord said. "I would do it all over again if I could work with these guys. It was a privilege to work with them."

She says glassing in the front porch was a no-brainer, knowing that diners want to overlook the water and beach. That alteration would not be allowed, however, for a house on the National Register.

"They suggested we glass in a back porch, but people wouldn't want to eat looking at a parking lot," Nord said. "Every day is different on the water and that's part of the dining experience so we decided we didn't need to be on the National Register."

Old houses are nothing new to Dix Nord who grew up in them in Natchez. She's the daughter of Sallie and Basil Ballard and the granddaughter of John and Sophie Junkin whose house was built in 1833.

"If something is wrong with an old house, you just say that's part of the charm," she said, "and it never ends. We will always have things to do to it."

The Nords are currently adding a wooden terrace on the house's west side where there's always a breeze. Built on three levels under the property's magnificent live oak trees, the terrace features exposed brick and a fountain for relaxed dining al fresco.

In Long Beach for 15 years, The Chimneys got its name from one of the town's early names. Sailors would refer to the chimneys of a house they spotted when nearing land along that part of the Mississippi shore. Nord said there was no changing the restaurant's well-established name when the move was made to Gulfport.

The law firm of Harvey Barton and Harris Bell Williams occupies a stately old house on Magnolia Street in Pascagoula that was built by a sea captain more than 100 years ago. Harvey Barton said it was a boarding house for shipyard workers in the 1940's and was converted into a law office by Ralph Pringle in the late 1970's. Baron purchased the house 11 years ago after it sat vacant for eight years. He says he needed to move into it quickly so they worked around the renovation.

"It looks good and works well as an office," he said. "It has lots of character and everyone who walks in loves it."

He gives his wife credit for coordinating the decoration that includes an exterior color scheme of taupe and maroon. Walls were sandblasted and wood floors refinished. In the time that he has owned the house, Barton has had to re-frame windows, re-do spindles on the stairs and replace boards on the porch.

"Still, I have no regrets about it," he said. "From the second I saw it, I always coveted it and wanted it. It was my heart's desire to have it as an office."

He says the only problem in the old house is trouble controlling the temperature. At one point the house was subdivided into offices for eight lawyers who all had their own electric meters. The Baron and Williams firm still receive four or five electric bills each month.

Barton also declined to have his property listed on the National Register because of requirements that forbid changes.

"Through the years I've had clients tell me they slept in rooms here when it was a boarding house, and they remember eating in the dining room which is now our conference room," he said.

---- by Lynn Lofton, MBJ Contributing Writer

Review from October 14, 2004
THE SUN HERALD newspaper

CHIMNEYS: A 'GRACIOUS' DINING CHOICE

We are going to be two ladies who lunch, I told my friend, Kaija, as we headed to The Chimneys restaurant in Gulfport one recent weekday.

It was no task to persuade her to accompany me as my dining companion for this review. We both have been fans of the restaurant for years. When I moved to the Coast 10 years ago, its former location in Long Beach was one of my first dining destination spots.

The Chimneys now makes its impressive home in an early-1900s house at 1640 U.S. 90 in Gulfport, right at "that fork" (at 15th Street) that leads motorists into downtown Gulfport near Holiday Inn. It's the perfect site for a restaurant that specializes in Southern cuisine with a strong coastal seafood influence. The glassed-in porch offers a beautiful view of the beach, and the recently added deck gives diners an outside option.

Indoors or outdoors, the food choices are impressive, and we lingered a while over the menu. Finally, Kaija chose the Oysters Chris, a dish of Gulf oysters baked in a savory sauce flavored with lemon, parsley and Worcestershire sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, at $15. I picked the Grilled Tuna Fillet, served with grilled onions and Tiger Sauce, at $14. To top our salads, we both chose the house dressing, a delicious and satisfying Creole ranch dressing. For our sides, we both asked for the asparagus. Other options included broccoli, baked potatoes and French fries.

As we sat at our porch table and enjoyed the view and our salads, I really did feel like a Lady Who Lunches, or at least a lady. It was the little touches; the petite vases with freesia, the gentle warning by our waitress to not burn our fingers on the very fresh -- and warm -- bread wrapped in cloth, and the general atmosphere. I was reminded of homes throughout the South where "gracious" is the perfect word to describe the owners as well as the houses themselves.

When our entrees arrived, we immediately tucked into them. The aroma of oysters, cheese and hot sauce wafted from Kaija's bowl of seafood comfort, and I was delighted to see the size of my tuna filet (I can never have too much tuna or salmon).

"The oysters are just the right size, too," Kaija noted. And they were; neither so big that they made eating awkward, nor so small that they disappeared in the dish. The Oysters Chris is slightly spicy from the hot sauce, but not overwhelmingly so.

After dipping several bites of my tuna into the Tiger Sauce, I said, "I wonder why they call it Tiger Saaaa..." Well, that's why; the wily horseradish sneaks up on you, then gently bites. Gotcha!

As we finished our entrees, we decided we deserved dessert, too. Several options tempted us, but we decided to split an order of the Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake. To our delight, our waitress soon returned with two dessert plates; the serving had been sliced for each of us and placed on individual plates, each latticed with chocolate syrup and topped with strawberry slices and fresh whipped cream.

It was just as good as the name sounds. The layers increase in density, completed with a chocolate cheesecake-like layer at the bottom. We "mmm"ed and nodded frequently.

Owner Dix Nord says the Trout 1640, on the dinner menu at $23, is the most popular dish at The Chimneys. It is a paneed speckled trout (or snapper) filet topped with lump crabmeat, fresh shrimp and green onions in a light cream sauce with a touch of Pernod.

As Kaija and I left The Chimneys, we were filled with good food, contentment and happiness. It was the classic feeling of Ladies Who Lunch.

---- Tammy M. Smith

Review from the Dining Out Section
of COAST MAGAZINE.

If you've ever heard the refrain "everything old is new again" you'll readily identify with Gulfport's newest dining addition, The Chimneys. The Chimneys, however, is not new to the Coast. Originally located at the Long Beach Harbor Complex, The Chimneys has relocated to a restored beachfront mansion on the east end of Gulfport's central business district. Formerly the home of the owners of the late, venerated Purple Lantern gift shop in Gulfport, this architectural jewel had lain dormant for years.

Enter the Nords, owners of The Chimneys, with restauranteur roots going back to the Cock of the Walk. Looking for new quarters in a suitable setting, it didn't take them long to settle on this diamond in the rough. Their vision has paid off in this beautifully restored turn-of-the-century home.

As we drive onto the property we are greeted by a variety of seasonal plantings and live oaks. Nearer the house we are further welcomed by massive columns and a bright glassed-in porch, which will provide us with a view of the Mississippi Sound and the property's surrounding foliage. A high portico at the main entrance offers protection from the elements, but on this night a balmy breeze caresses us as we enter the restaurant.
The property was initially part of 13.5 acres bought in 1830 by James McLaren from the United States government. In 1837, as part of the original Mississippi City Company, the land changed hands from McLaren to Dr. W. H. Tegarden who in 1876 deeded the property to his granddaughter, Margaret Soria. This lot and the surrounding neighborhoods became known as Soria City. The structure was built as a home in the early 1900's by Mr. and Mrs. T. G. B. Kellier. After changing hands several times, the Edward Sternbergs bought the property in 1952. The Sternberg family developed the yard into a lovely greenbelt with exotic herbs, rare fruit trees and magnificent camellias. In March 1999, they sold the property to Peter and Dix Nord, who have done a remarkable job of restoration in such a short time.

The foyer is sizable and spiders into the dining, lounge and upstairs areas of the house. Although renovation was still under way at the time of this writing and will be for some time, patrons on the main level see no sign of construction, just a beautiful finished setting.

The Chimney's menu also made the move from Long Beach offering the freshest seafood available and the choicest steaks, pork and chicken. On this evening I have the lightly battered and fried softshell crabs with meuniere sauce. Plump and juicy, their freshness is apparent from the first bite. This is how a softshell crab should taste. The trout is also the freshest our local waters have to offer. Often more exotic fish selections are available, which are sure to be "right off the boat." Signature entrees include the oysters Harrison and the blackened stuffed filet (with crab, shrimp and mushrooms). I would recommend any of the soups as well.

The service is friendly and the atmosphere cheerful and elegant. An old Coast favorite, The Chimneys, now newly located in a renovated old home in Gulfport, proves that not only can everything old be new again, it can also be better than ever.

---- Charles Darnay, COAST MAGAZINE

Review from PRIME
A Monthly Lifestyle Magazine
for the New Orleans Area
July 2000

COASTAL CUISINE
Seafood hideaways on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Enjoying a leisurely lunch in the sunroom of the circa 1900 Queen Anne-style mansion on the beachfront in Gulfport, Miss., a diner at The Chimneys is apt to forget he or she is in the 21st century. Dead giveaways, of course, are the hot-pink sails of windsurfers in the Gulf of Mexico bouncing and winding their way through white caps, and the many cars whizzing past on U.S. Hwy. 90.

Fellow diners, many wearing sundresses, Bermuda shorts and the like, are other reminders that you aren't some character out of a Kate Chopin novel, quietly being served as you gaze out through a canopy of live-oak trees at seagulls circling lazily over the rich brown waters.

Dining rooms both upstairs and down have been filled since The Chimneys' move about five months ago, says Dix Nord, who co-owns the restaurant with husband, Peter. Serving a variety of rich, mostly seafood-based entrees, The Chimneys has been a staple of the coast dining scene since 1985, when it opened in a two-story wooden building in Long Beach on the beach side of the highway, where it remained until its lease ran out.

While casino restaurants have certainly enhanced dining options along the Mississippi Coast, they have failed to outshine many of the area's excellent pre-casino establishments, most of which - like The Chimneys - are family-owned and specialize in seafood. Ranging from upscale to laid back, these restaurants have managed to thrive despite the availability of cheap casino fare - and with good reason - locals and visitors know good food when they taste it.

One of the most popular dishes at The Chimneys, for example, is Oysters Harrison, a generous bowl of fettuccine in creamy crab meat sauce topped with fried oysters, covered with cheddar cheese and baked. Diets will fly out the window after just one bite of the heavenly dish, a creation of chef Milton Godine.

Another specialty is the equally rich Neptune, a bowl of large shrimp, crabmeat and mushrooms mixed in a cream sauce with cheese and baked. Both dishes are exquisitely seasoned with just the right mix of fresh onion, pepper, garlic and paprika.

If you're a devil-may-care diner - or somebody who's sharing with a friend - you may want to precede your meal with a cup of one of The Chimneys' signature creamy soups, which include a robust crab and corn bisque and a slightly lighter one with crawfish tails in a tomato cream sauce with a hint of rosemary.

"We're not trying to play the low-cal game here," says Dix. However, The Chimneys does offer a few diet-friendly dishes like a grilled tuna filet and a grilled shrimp salad, both of which are quite tasty.

---- Kaija Wilkinson

Review from the December 2004 issue
of GULF COAST FUN FINDER.

DIG IN

The Chimneys Restaurant is located on the beach in Gulfport just a little less than a mile east of The Grand Casino at 1640 E. Beach Blvd. Dinner is served from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 to 2 pm and 5 to 9 pm on Sundays. Lunch is served Tuesday through Saturday 11 to 2 pm. Please visit their website at www.chimneysrestaurant.com for more information. Reservations are recommended especially on the weekends. Their phone number is 868-7020.

The glorious Queen Anne style antebellum home nestled behind ancient oaks and azaleas was built in the early 1900s and is in and of itself worth coming in to see. The painstaking renovations executed by Dix and Peter Nord, the owners of Chimneys, are in keeping with the original integrity of the home all the way from the high, vaulted ceilings with their crown molding to the wood floors all telling of times past. Upon entering on the east side you will be welcomed by friendly staff surrounded by turn-of-the-century décor and a wide staircase to your right. The bar directly in front of you is modern with a granite top and bright, dropped lighting. I urge you to step through the bar and visit the outdoor terrace. It's a perfect place to enjoy your aperitif with a view of the gardens and the beach beyond before embarking on a truly amazing dining experience. The dining areas on both the main and the second floor are aptly named for the part of the house in which they reside. On the main floor you have the study and the parlor both of which are exquisitely decorated along with the large glassed in porch area. The second floor with its large "White Room", smaller, yet very accommodating "Purple Lantern Room" and "Veranda" are perfect for your private dining needs. Please be reminded that there is no elevator or lift of any kind, so if you have a guest who cannot climb the stairs, you can consider hosting your event on the main floor. The entire restaurant is available for private bookings as well. For more information about planning your event send them an e-mail at info@chimneysrestaurant.com.

My husband, Phil and I have enjoyed Chimneys cuisine since their days in Long Beach and it has only gotten better. Recently we took our girls to have brunch on a Sunday afternoon and it was perfect! The day was bright and sunny so we began our brunch outside on the terrace with a perfectly mixed Bloody Mary all the while enjoying the gardens and sprightly conversation with our two very animated teenage daughters. In these fast times, it's very rare the four of us get a chance to spend time together. The slow, relaxed atmosphere of The Chimneys was just what the doctor ordered! We moved inside to the porch with filtered sunlight streaming in through the stately oaks and continued our special family meal.

We started off with the Gulf Coast Crab Claws. I recommend ordering the sautéed version rather than the fried. The garlic butter in which they are sautéed is seasoned with red peppers and green onion, freshly baked bread. While the portion is of grand proportion, we were smart in ordering two for the four of us to share. This is a definite must order item when visiting The Chimneys. Phil enjoyed his bowl of crab and corn bisque. It's not too thick or too thin. Meanwhile, I was in awe at how grown up my daughters have become. The salad menu at lunchtime includes chicken, nicoise, grilled shrimp, fresh tuna, fried oyster, remoulade or crab salad. There is simply something for everyone. The entrees are served with a house salad, your choice of vegetable or seasoned fries. If you have the house salad, order the Creole ranch dressing to go with it. It's divine! Seafood, chicken, steak and even a low carb item are offered on their lunch menu. Phil decided to order the special that day which was a seafood omelet. He loved it! My eldest daughter had fried shrimp and my younger one had the Crab Cake appetizer for her entrée. I was ravenous, so I ordered the eight ounce filet mignon, which was cooked to perfection and tender as can be. Phil and I shared a bottle of Simi Valley Sauvignon Blanc with our meal. We were having such a fantastic time that despite us having cleared our plates, dessert was definitely in order. I had the Cream Caramel, which is a creamy and not too sweet variation of traditional flan, the girls and Phil had cheesecake. They were quiet for a long while as it is impossible to chatter while enjoying something so delicious. Ask your server about the dessert and after dinner drink menu. Everything was perfect and our meal was complete and yet it was difficult to leave. Your surroundings at The Chimneys beckon you to stay.

Evenings at The Chimneys aren't much different. You're welcomed with open arms and the staff is incredibly competent, bright and witty; relaxed yet attentive and knowledgeable about the wine list and food preparation. They are truly an asset and a perfect accompaniment to your experience at The Chimneys. The clientele is up scale with young and old alike enjoying the atmosphere. Try the Trout Meuniere Almondine if you prefer lighter fare. The soft Shell Crabs for those of you who want a local delicacy. The Trout Bon Vivant is excellent topped with creamy cheese sauce, shrimp and mushrooms garnished with lump crabmeat. House specialties include the Blackened Stuffed Filet Mignon for the heartier appetite, the Lobster Tail Supreme or if you can't make up your mind, order the Port City Deluxe which is a seven ounce steamed lobster tail and eight ounce filet mignon. The chicken preparations are delightful as well as the veal. Again, I can't say enough about the variety of items available.

The Chimneys is a great place to take your family this holiday season during their visit. It is an unforgettable experience. Whether you be a local or out-of-towner, the ambiance of historical gulf coast living and truly excellent cuisine will charm you into returning again and again. Don't forget to call 868-7020 to make reservations for your "Spirited Dining" experience at a jewel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, The Chimneys Restaurant in Gulfport. Chances are you will see me there! Enjoy!

---- Jodi Koszarek