Eat Drink Mississippi: Life Is Sweet in Sardis

If you’ve ever been to Sardis, you know that it’s famous for two things: Sardis Lake and the award-winning pizzeria TriBecca Allie Cafe.

This past December, TriBecca’s owners, Dutch and Becca Van Oostendorp, opened a coffee and sweets cafe next door to their famous pizzeria and named it Frog’s Pearl Station. “Waiting room is limited at TriBecca Allie Cafe, so we waned to open a space where our customers could go have a cup of coffee, browse the gift shop, or have an appetizer while waiting for their table,” says Becca. “After a meal, it’s a great place to go and hang out for dessert and coffee.”

Why the name Frog’s Pearl Station? The origin of the name is a romantic one that’s best explained in person by Becca and Dutch. Let’s just say it involves a love of swimming, a love of golf, and, ultimately, a love for each other.

Long before becoming Frog’s Pearl Station, the historic red-and-white gingerbread-style house at 218 South Main STreet was once home to the law offices of Senator and Judge John W. Kyle. Renovated about 20 years ago to its original glory with custom millwork, reclaimed heart pine floors from Alabama, charming Scottish wallpaper and breezy window dressings from England, the spot is a cozy getaway for lazy afternoons spent sipping coffee and eating cake.

And speaking of food, mouths water when faced with appetizer selections ranging from shrimp dip to oak-roasted mushrooms to homemade bread and olive oil. Specialty cakes, including Limoncellow mascarpone and chocolate moussse are shipped in from an Italian baker in New Jersey; homemade ice cream flavors such as rum raisin, Nutella, butter pecan, and pistachio are custom created for the restaurant by Memphis’ popular La Michoacana; and gelato is imported from Italy in flavors ranging from hazelnut to vanilla bean to salted caramel.

Steamy cappuccinos, espressos, lattes and mochas are enjoyed alongside muffins, cookies, cannolis, biscotti, puff pastries, and Becca’s special Sunday cinnamon rolls, while children of all ages fight over who will get the last sip of old time soda floats.

Neighbors volunteer their time at the Frog’s Pearl Station gift shop, where unique wares from local artisans are nestled amongst jars of honey and fragrant soaps, while outside, preparations are underway for springtime entertaining on the side patio and backyard porch.

Hours at Frog’s Pearl Station currently coincide with those at TriBecca Allie Cafe, making it easy for Becca and Dutch to move easily between the two.

Story and photography by Liz Barrett at Eat Drink Mississippi