Whether you are meeting friends for a relaxed meal after work or entertaining clients from out of town Steve’s Marina is the place to be. Steve Pucheu invites you to come out to Steve’s Marina at 15151 Airport Road and enjoy an authentic Mississippi Gulf Coast meal. Steve is a self taught chef who has been the chef for some of the Coast’s best known seafood restaurants. One of the keys to being successful in the restaurant business is consistently cooking top quality fresh food, a lesson Steve has not forgotten. He brings with him Chef Ed and Cher Ryan who have been with him for 20 years. Steve and his wife Shandell have transformed a local smokehouse restaurant into a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a coast classic. Steve’s Marina was started in Long Beach in 1999 right at the harbor hence the name. After Katrina destroyed the building Steve was encouraged by all his customers to hurry up and open back up so they could enjoy his Red Snapper Cat Island or the Captain’s Rib Eye. After making the decision to move inland while waiting to see what the future brings for his property in the harbor, Steve opened Steve’s Marina at it present location in May of this year much to the delight of his loyal customers. Once you walk into Steve’s Marina it is obvious you are in for a great dining experience just by reading the specials of the night on the board. The night we were there Steve took care of us with some of his specials. We began with a medley of appetizers; fried green tomatoes, fried mushrooms and artichoke, and blackened shrimp. The fried green tomatoes were topped off with crabmeat and a hollandaise sauce. The tiger sauce served with the fried artichokes and mushrooms gave them the right kick not too hot but you knew it had a little heat. Topping all of this was a serving of blackened jumbo shrimp with a pineapple rum sauce. One is tempted to stop at the appetizers but then you would miss out on the savory main course. For the four of us Steve prepared some Shrimp Scampi (a new addition to the menu) the Red Snapper Cat Island, the Seafood Manicotti, and the Captain’s Rib Eye so that we could sample the variety of meals he serves.
Restaurants
STEVE’S MARINA GRILL
By Pat Thompson The Red Snapper Cat Island is a coast classic that Steve named years ago at another Coast landmark restaurant that Katrina took. At Steve’s Marinna you can chose from several toppings that set the meat off. For the Red Snapper Cat Island it is topped with sautéed onion, mushrooms, and artichoke hears, shrimp and crabmeat in a light butter sauce. For long time coast residents this is one of the defi ning meals of the coast. It will melt in your mouth. For the pasta lovers the Seafood Manicotti is a sure fi re winner. It is manicotti noodles loaded with a blend of cheeses and then it is topped with lump crabmeat and shrimp in a light au-gratin sauce and served with sautéed vegetables. Steve has just added the Shrimp Scampi to the menu after many requests for this traditional Italian- American meal. The wait is over for those who love the delicate taste of shrimp sautéed in wine, garlic and butter and served over pasta. I feel certain that this will become one of the top sellers in no time. For the hearty meat lovers you cannot go wrong with the Capitan’s Rib Eye which is a 12 oz, rib eye topped with a sauce of shrimp, crabmeat, mushrooms, green onion, garlic, and basil that has been sautéed in butter, white wine and then lightly covered with hollandaise sauce. A desert should be the crowning touch of a wonderful meal and we were not disappointed. We fi nished off the night with the bread pudding and a piece of the peanut butter pie both of which were an excellent compliment to any meal. After dinner you will want to visit the gift shop. They carry the new Ippi girl clothing line as well as Guy Harvey. The Mississippi Coast is blessed with many artist and their crafts are for sale in the gift shop as well. One of the local artist featured is Marty Wilson. The gift shop has his prints as well as his tee shirts available for sale. You cannot go wrong with Steve’s Marina if you are looking for a classic Coast meal. If you are planning a banquet Steve’s Marina can accommodate parties up to 70 people. The hours are Sun – Thurs. 11:00 – 9:00, Fri & Sat 11:00 – 10:00. You can call them at 228- 868-7207. . 82 • Holiday 2008 Newcomers & Visitors Guide South Mississippi
