A former art gallery will transform into upscale French restaurant in downtown Gulfport
“A shift in the sails” will see Renée’s grow from a breakfast and brunch spot to a fine dining experience in downtown Gulfport.
Renée’s :A New Era of French Cuisine will open late this year or early 2023 at 1321 27th Ave. in Gulfport.
The former location of Williams Gallery, the French blue building just south of the railroad station is being transformed into a multi-level restaurant. A new annex will provide a lavish event space for weddings, large group events and private dining.
The interior will be redesigned with soaring ceilings, an upper mezzanine for dining with balcony views plus many European-inspired architectural curves and arches throughout the space.
During the daytime, Renée’s will be a bright, airy venue for light course dishes.
In the evening, it will transition into an upscale fine dining restaurant with low lighting and classical entertainment.
The centerpiece of the dining room will Renée’s siphon bar, featuring specialty coffees, wine and champagne from around the world.
Something different brewing
Renee’s restaurant and coffee shop opened in 2013 on Courthouse Road in Gulfport and introduced South Mississippi to Chef Renee’s French breakfasts, breads and specialty coffees.
“Now we’re expanding to a fine restaurant,” said Sharon Peterson, who co-owns Renee’s with her daughter, Amber Peterson as a Christian family business.
Sharon also is Chef Renee, the family name passed down though generations.
“Everything is made fresh,” she said, and nothing is fried.
“My coffee is made right in front of you,” she said, fresh-ground and flame brewed. The cold brewed coffee is like wine, she said, made with very rare coffees.
“It’s not a coffee shop. This is an experience,” she said.
Specialties of the house
Chef Renee will reveal her dinner menu just before the opening of the restaurant.
Her menu of specialties lists authentic French bread, her signature cheesecakes, rum-flambéed bananas Foster, gourmet coffees and organic tees.
During the months leading up to the opening, Renée’s will feature special promotions, exclusive purchases and grand opening ticket reservations, Peterson said, to get the community excited about this new dining experience in Gulfport.
