Restaurateur, Author, Columnist, Podcaster, Travel Host Founder of Extra Table. Sober 42 yrs. 45 years in hospitality. Building people, places & stories ONWARD!

Joined September 2008
3,536 Photos and videos
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Apparently some of the bars on Bourbon Street are still open. #HurricaneBarry2019
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The Downtowner is a seven-day-a-week, 360-days-a-year restaurant, and it always will be. But for the next two Mondays, we’re closing up. No sales, no covers, no service. Just a day off for the awesome team who’ve been pouring everything they have into this opening week (and for several weeks before we even opened the doors). Here’s how I see it. You can’t take care of your team if they’re running on empty, and I’d rather lose two Mondays of business than burn out a single one of them. They’ve earned the rest. Honestly, they’ve more than earned it. So enjoy your Mondays, team. Sleep in. See your families. Fill your own cup for once. We’ll be right back at it on Tuesday, ready to take care of our guests. Thanks for understanding, Gulfport. We’ll see you soon. Onward.
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Every ingredient has a story. We believe the best meals begin with people who care deeply about what they produce. The new Crescent City Grill lunch menu features Benton’s bacon, crispy rice flour chicken thighs, Beason Family Farms buttermilk black peppercorn dressing, and fresh greens from Salad Days. Eat local. Support local. Join us for lunch at Crescent City Grill. #eatlocal #supportlocal #lunch
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It’s our favorite time of year—blueberries, blackberries, and peaches are in season! Thanks to our friend Tim Goggans at Sandy Run Farm, we don’t have to go far. His fruit shines in desserts at Crescent City Grill & Loblolly Bakery—like the #1 blueberry king cake of Mardi Gras! #repost #blueberry #blackberry #peach
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Cheers to Tina Thames — a true powerhouse behind the bar and on the floor, with 25 years of dedication! A leader, a legend, and an incredible part of our team. Here’s to many more! #repost #loyal #leader #hardworking
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Robert St. John retweeted
How do you “win” your order? Well, going to Toast with James Beard Award-Winner Susan Spicer is a start… Episode 12 with Susan Spicer Watch or listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart — links in bio. Ya Gotta Eat! #neworleans #foodculture #podcastclips
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Meet Garrett (aka Cookie) — our powerhouse GM at Loblolly Bakery. His passion and dedication leveled up not just our Mardi Gras king cake game, but the bakery as a whole. A true leader in our core values: hospitality, quality, and community (just to name a few). #repost #bakery #leadership #cookies
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For more than 70 years, this corner was where Gulfport gathered. We’re honored to carry that tradition forward at The Downtowner. 2429 14th St. • Gulfport, MS Open daily, 7 AM–2 PM #breakfast #newrestaurant #opening
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Simeon Williford started out taking art classes from my mom and is now an essential part of the team—smart, capable, and now coordinating our overseas tours in addition to her role as my executive assistant. She’s been a great addition, and I’m truly grateful to have her on board. #repost #assistant #coordinator #team
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Meet Jessica Oliver — a certified sommelier and fine dining pro, she brings heart and expertise to every event. #repost #restaurant #business #finedining
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The Downtowner is officially open in Gulfport. Proud of this team, grateful for the support, and excited to welcome you in. 2429 14th St. • Gulfport, MS Open daily, 7 AM–2 PM See y’all at breakfast. #breakfast #brunch #gulfport
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Crescent City Grill has been serving Hattiesburg for 38 years, and under Jennifer Heritage’s leadership as GM, the restaurant has reached new heights. She leads with passion, grit, and heart—and her team thrives because of it. We’re proud to have her at the helm. #repost #leadership #business #management
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Today’s the day. The Downtowner is officially open. Thank you to our team, our families, our friends, and the Gulfport community for helping bring this dream to life. We’re honored to serve you. 2429 14th St. • Gulfport, MS Open daily, 7 AM–2 PM #breakfast #brunch #gulfport
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John Richardson is the backbone of the Ed’s Burger Joint kitchen. With passion and precision, his focus on food and labor costs keeps us sharp — and it shows in the numbers. #repost #leadership #cost #management
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Rachel’s up at 5:00 every morning making Loblolly better. Her Earl Grey Pinwheel is proof. At first, I wasn’t sure it fit our brand. Then I tried one. Now I can’t imagine our pastry case without it, and neither can our customers. Stop by Loblolly Bakery early and grab one before they sell out. #pinwheel #earlgrey #bakery
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From day one to GM, Justin Jordan’s been leading the charge at Ed’s, keeping things running smoothly. Catering, holidays, operations — he’s done it all. A big part of what makes Ed’s, Ed’s. #repost #catering #decor #management
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Robert St. John retweeted
Opening a restaurant starts long before the first guest walks through the door. For Susan Spicer, it often begins with a space. Fall in love with the location first, then figure out what belongs there. Ya Gotta Eat! #neworleans #foodculture #storytelling
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Someone once asked me, “What is there to do in Hattiesburg?” This. FestivalSouth’s America 250 celebration is another reminder that extraordinary things happen in our corner of Mississippi. Proud of this community. Hope you’ll join us. #celebration #america #music
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Behind rough times is steady leadership. Jarred’s calm, practical vision helped steer New South Restaurant Group through COVID—driving record sales, a cultural revival, and our strongest chapter yet. #repost #leadership #management #culture
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From server to standout GM — Jennifer Heritage’s journey is a masterclass in leadership, hustle, and heart. #repost #server #sales #leadership
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Anybody can buy ingredients. We prefer to know the people who produce them. The ranch on our gluten-free fried chicken salad starts with fresh buttermilk from Beeson Family Farms in Philadelphia, Mississippi, delivered straight to our back door several times a week. Those relationships matter. They make for better food, stronger communities, and a salad you won’t find anywhere else in the country. It’s one of the highlights of our new lunch menu at Crescent City Grill. Supporting local isn’t a trend around here. It’s the way we’ve always done business. And there’s more to come, including pastured poultry from Chef Nevil’s farm in Purvis. It doesn’t get much more local than that. #supportlocal #local #ingredients
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