White Pillars Restaurant — Gunston Hall

Gunston Hall was completed in 1905 as a private residence on Beach Boulevard, built during the years when the Mississippi Gulf Coast was beginning its transformation into what boosters would call "America's Riviera" — a warm-weather alternative to Florida, drawing visitors to what would become the world's longest manmade beach. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stands as one of the last intact beachfront mansions on Highway 90. Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, causing what the historical record calls "historic destruction" to the region. Gunston Hall survived. It was restored and now operates as a farm-to-table restaurant serving Mississippi-sourced meats and seasonal local produce. Reservations are recommended for dinner.