{ restaurant spotlight }
Jia: Pan-Asian at the Beau Rivage BY JULIAN BRUNT
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iloxi has had a vibrant Vietnamese community since the late 1970s. It was first centered in the Point Cadet area, the eastern tip of the Biloxi peninsula, the heart of the old seafood district. Hurricane Katrina displaced many families and businesses, but still many families and businesses remain, although dispersed around Harrison County. The largest Asian market in the state, the Lee International Market is located on Howard Avenue in Biloxi, there is still a scattering of good Vietnamese restaurants in Biloxi, Ocean Springs and D’Iberville, and there are several Buddhist and Catholic churches to be found as well. For several years Jia, the Asian themed restaurant at the Beau Rivage Casino and Resort, has been popular in the Vietnamese community and visitors from as well, but this well-known restaurant has just undergone an extensive remodel and enlargement and is gaining a reputation as the most popular Vietnamese restaurant in south Mississippi. The remodel opened the front of the restaurant, removing the bamboo wall and walk-through fountain, giving an open and airy feeling and adding additional seating. Perhaps the most important addition is the noodle bar, located just adjacent to the popular sushi bar, both of which guard the front of the restaurant. Each component of Jia has its menu, sushi bar, noodle bar and main restaurant, so there is a broad selection of Asian-
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themed dishes to choose from. Teppanyaki tables were added to the main restaurant as well, with Japanese-style grills for tableside preparation of your favorite dish. Executive chef Kristian Wade told me that a noodle bar was in the works almost two years ago, but Covid delayed its opening. I have been anxiously awaiting the addition to the restaurant and was delighted when it finally opened. Chef Wade said, “Coastal Mississippi has a strong Vietnamese influence and we have infused local and Eastern culture culinary flavors to develop the Jia menu by delivering the finest product available while also focusing on simplicity and letting the food speak
