Page 27 - Jackpot Magazine Tunica ~ August, 2025

Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards announced —
Seven casino restaurants make the list
MISSISSIPPI — Wine Spectator recently announced its award-winning restaurants for 2025. In Mississippi, 19 restau- rants made the list. Of those, seven were casino restaurants. Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.
To qualify for an award, a wine list must present complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections. Complete producer names and correct spellings are mandatory, and the overall presentation of the list is also
considered. Lists that meet these requirements re- ceive awards.
There were two Mississippi casino restau- rants to receive the coveted Best of Award of Ex- cellence. These
wine lists display excellent breadth across multiple winegrow- ing regions and/or significant vertical depth of top produc- ers, along with superior presentation. Typically offering 350 or more selections, these restaurants are destinations for serious wine lovers, showing a deep commitment to wine, both in the cellar and through their service team. Receiving a Best of Award of Excellence designation were Phillip M’s at Pearl River Resort and thirty-two at IP Casino Resort & Spa.
Five Mississippi casino restaurants were awarded an Award of Excellence, and four of them are located at one casino. These wine lists, which should offer at least 90 selections, fea- ture a well-chosen assortment of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Whether compact or extensive, focused or diverse, these lists deliver suf- ficient choice to satisfy discerning wine lovers.
Receiving an Award of Excellence designation were BR Prime Steakhouse, Coraline’s, Jia, and Stalla Italian Kitch- en at Beau Rivage, and Morton’s, The Steakhouse at Golden Nugget Biloxi.
Below are more details on the restaurants on the list includ- ing wine strengths, which are determined by Wine Spectator judges and indicate the emphasis of the list and not all regions from which wines are offered. Wine strengths are listed in de- scending order of prominence. Also listed, the wine director or sommelier who is responsible for managing the wine list and assisting diners with their wine selections. Chefs and general managers are also mentioned.
BEST OF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Phillip M’s at Pearl River Resort Strengths: Burgundy, France, California 800 selections/6,640 inventory
Wine Director and GM: Phillip Morris Chef: Zachary Weaver
thirty-two at IP Casino Resort & Spa
Strengths: California, France, Italy, Washington, Oregon and Germany
Selections: 740/Inventory: 8,200
Wine Director: Stephen Morgan Sommelier and GM: Nancy Nguyen Chef: Matthew Kallinikos
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Morton’s, The Steakhouse at Golden Nugget Biloxi Strengths: California
Selections: 225/Inventory: 1,200
GM: Brent Bingham
BR Prime Steakhouse at Beau Rivage
Strengths: California Selections: 320/Inventory: 5,000 Wine Director: Charlene Egan Chef: Zac Fillhart
GM: Corey Boykin
Coraline’s at Beau Rivage
Strengths: California, France Selections: 320/Inventory: 5,000 Wine Director: Charlene Egan Chef: Austin Dedeaux GM: Stephanie Scott
Jia at Beau Rivage
Strengths: California Selections: 320/Inventory: 5,000 Wine Director: Charlene Egan Chef: Nattalie Henderson GM: Amanda Archer
Stalla Italian Kitchen at Beau Rivage
Strengths: California Selections: 255/Inventory: 5,000 Wine Director: Charlene Egan Chef: Jose Roman
GM: Jamie Suddeth
THE SOUTH’S LARGEST GUIDE TO GAMING & FUN • www.jackpotmagazine.com
August 2025 • JACKPOT! MAGAZINE 27