The Brew Paddle is open inside Biloxi’s new boutique hotel The Bella
The transformation of Howard Avenue in Biloxi continues with the recent opening of The Bella Hotel. The new and distinctly boutique-style hotel, which opened just in time for Cruisin’ on the Coast, offers guests a different way to stay with 13 unique suites.
On the ground floor of the hotel, at 854 Howard Ave., is the best amenity in the building, at least to me. The Brew Paddle cafe is now open and serving coffee, breakfast and lunch to guests, passersbys and sports reporters moonlighting as food critics.
The Brew Paddle triples as a bakery, coffee shop and brunch spot. Fresh pastries, a lineup of coffees that come dairy free if desired and fresh, home-cooked meals are the specialty here.
So I did it all, starting with the coffee.
Inspired by a coffee made by the father of one of the owners, Rachel and Scott Plauche, Pop’s Brew is described as a coffee that’s “as close to ice cream” as they could get.
The vanilla and whipped cream is made on site and brewed with condensed milk. For a non-coffee drinker like myself, this sweet drink was right up my alley.
See, I do like coffee. Just as long as it doesn’t taste like coffee. Pop’s Brew was indeed sweet and was perfect in the iced form I ordered it in. The whipped cream was the best part.
As a starter I had the French onion soup. It was served in a perhaps-unintentionally spooky black cauldron bowl so it fit the vibes of this week’s fast-dropping temperatures.
Then there was the main course. To the surprise of many who find out, this lifelong deep southerner is not the biggest fan of grits.
So, naturally, that’s what I ordered. Specifically, the pork and grits. And holy Bella was it good. The pork was incredibly tender and the grits cooked to perfection. It was garnished with rings of pepper for a welcome kick in the center.
The kitchen and counter was well-staffed and highly attentive. The dining room featured a pillowed bench, a homely dining room table and stools at the bar.
The Brew Paddle is versatile. Whether you’re dining in or making a coffee run, the staff and vibe make it an excellent choice. It helps that the food is great, too.
This story was originally published October 6, 2023 at 12:37 PM.
