Martha's Tea Room, Ocean Springs

Driving along the Gulf Coast this summer (2004), a friend and I had lunch at Martha's Tea Room in Ocean Springs. Having eaten there previously, he recommended the stop. The Tea Room has an atmosphere reminiscent of a Southern grandmother - welcomingly warm and smelling of fresh baked bread and comfort food. The restaurant Victorian in style, appointed with flowered wallpaper, doilies for beverages, and traditional placesettings. The meal began with warm bread and home-brewed Iced Tea, offered sweetened and unsweetened. Both were above par, with the Iced Tea exactly as it should be in the South. As an appetizer, the cup of seafood gumbo was very good, though I prefer the more rustic and spicy gumbos of South Louisiana (for blunt terminology, Cajun) to the "Creole" version offered by Martha's, which you will find in old New Orleans restaurants, Mississippi, and other Gulf Coastal states; however, my friend's preference for gumbo is exactly the opposite and he was more than pleased. NOTE: If you are in New Orleans try the gumbo at K-Paul's (Cajun) and then at Galatoire's (Creole) to taste the difference. For the main course, I ordered Shrimp Alfredo and my friend had Martha's combination of four salads, including shrimp salad, pasta salad, and chicken salad (his favorite). The Alfredo could have used a bit more seasoning, but it was fine overall. The salad that accompanied the meal was very fresh tasting and the blue cheese dressing was rich and flavorful. For dessert, the Key Lime pie did not have the overly sweet crust that ruins most tart pies. Instead, a thin layer of graham cracker crust added the right amount of sweetness to accentuate the acidity of the lime, which with the cup of good coffee completed a very satisfying meal. The service was excellent, both friendly and attentive. Four stars: very good, though nothing spectacular, and the prices were reasonable.