As the summer sets in, I feel the need to flock to sun, sand, and surf. There's really only one place to go when this feeling hits that isn't several hours away. Beau Rivage is the place for a quick night or weekend getaway because there is a guarantee of excellent cuisine, top-notch entertainment, and luxurious accommodations.
The Beau Rivage is always changing so there's hardly a time when you'll get the exact same experience. On this trip, a beautiful brunch, brand new restaurant, and lively show were on the agenda.
Salt and Ivy is a more recent addition to the cuisine here, but the Brunch service with Bottomless Mimosa's is new for summer. The sun-drenched space feels like dining in a chateau's solarium. All of the brunch items looked so tasty, but I wanted something both sweet and savory. The Chicken and Waffles was the perfect option for that craving. I appreciate the crispness of the big waffle that allowed the syrup to sit on it and not soak into it the point of making it soggy. The huge tenders were just out of the fryer and so juicy. The addition of syrup made this more like a dessert than a meal. The Bottomless Mimosa options include the old fashioned Mimosa, Bellinis, or Poinsettias. I preferred to keep it traditional with the Mimosa, and I lazily enjoyed my brunch under the sunlight and in the air-conditioning.
This was my first visit to The Beau in which I used the MGM Rewards app to check into my room while at the table. It was quick and easy to do, and I was quite impressed. With this app, you can use your phone to enter your room too, so you never have to worry about forgetting to take your key. The app let me know that my room was ready to go, so I went right up after brunch to get ready for the pool.
The gorgeous pool area was a popular spot to be this afternoon, but a pool this size is hard to get crowded. There was ample room for everyone to enjoy laying out and sipping drinks lounging along the edge of the pool. The summer heat called for a Hollywood Colada to hydrate and relax the muscles simultaneously. After getting my first tan of the year, I plunged into the pool to cool off with a Grapefruit Crush in hand. I loved the big wedge of orange that burst with juice and made me feel like a million bucks.
I felt satiated in my pursuit for watery exploits, so it was time for nightlife activities. My first stop was the brand new seafood restaurant Coraline's which is one of the most impressive features I've experienced at Beau Rivage. It was simply amazing! The most intriguing aspect I noticed after entering through the vine-strewn archway were the windows. It's incredibly rare for casinos to have vistas of the outside world. Indeed, Beau Rivage had to raise the floor and carve these picture windows out of the building to give diners spectacular views of the Gulf. I believe this dedication to doing things differently shows The Beau's dedication to hospitality. Coraline's is a breath of fresh air with white tabletops and cream walls, green arches that break up the dining area, and greenery in abundance. Lively contemporary jazz and brass plays as you watch the sunset over the endless horizon.
I had to try the Where There's Smoke cocktail, and it didn't disappoint. The bourbon cocktail with black walnut bitters, blood orange juice, and maple syrup was rich enough, but the drink arrives in a domed platter that releases a cloud of smoke upon opening. With each sip, you get a nose of this sexy smokiness. This decadent drink went perfectly with the Seafood Gumbo that I am required to try out to test the quality of their New Orleans flavor. I believed at first that this gumbo wasn't that spicy, but a steady tingling heat grew in my mouth as I slowly ate it. This gumbo has that richness and depth you need in a gumbo. It did have some help from the addition of sausage and a darker roux than most seafood-based gumbos.
Coraline's menu has a focus on oysters from around the country that the server meticulously explains the difference between. The steamed seafood section will be a hit for seafood-adorers. I was more intrigued, however, by the signature dishes because I feel like that's where the creativity of the chef shines through.
I started with the Tuna Poke Tostada that arrived on a crystal plate shaped like an oyster. The deep red tuna is so fresh with only the addition of avocado and cucumber to accent it without overpowering. So many poke/ceviche dishes I get are more veggies than meat, but that's not the case here. The Zest to Impress Margarita was the perfect mid-course drink to come down from the freshness of the previous dish and prepare for the richness of the next. The pretty in pink drink was tequila-forward but had just a slight sweetness that even the most cocktail averse person would enjoy.
The Snapper Coraline was my selection for an entree, and it is a very pretty dish. The large piece of fish is slightly breaded for texture, but is perfectly cooked to retain moisture. The fish sits atop mushrooms and asparagus, and all are swimming in the Coraline Sauce, a cheesy, flavorful sauce that I scooped up with every forkful. Though I could barely move after this lavish course, I was told that these desserts are to die for. The Lemon Tart caught my eye. The big wedge of cool lemony goodness melted in the mouth. I could truly only take a few bites before boxing it up for a midnight snack.
I had to haul over to the theater to catch the last showing of Footloose: The Musical this weekend. I arrived just in time to swivel my chair around and watch the curtain fall. This show was a fast-paced, humorous, and nostalgia-inducing show about the town that banned dancing. The fact that the town was named Bomont garnered a chuckle from the many Texans in the crowd who are familiar with the Texas town of Beaumont. The actors danced and sang their hearts out while scaling scaffolding, picnic tables, and bar tops all in the pursuit of freedom. The ending number made it hard to stay in your seat as you just wanted to head to the aisle and join in. I think a few people did.
Now is the time to head to Beau Rivage to soak in the sun, enjoy seafood at Coraline's, and catch Footloose: The Musical playing until July 7th. There are also a number of concerts heading there to check out: Chevelle, Bruce Bruce, Elle King, and Patti Labelle to name a few.
