Page 17 - Fall/Winter Taste Magazine

night. Happy hour is also daily from 11:30am-6pm with great drink and food prices.
Hours of operation are: Monday - Thursday 11:30am-9pm, ‘til 10pm on Friday and Saturday and Sunday closed. Reservations can bemadethroughtheirwebsite www.modernchopsteakhouse.comor by calling (941) 201-6006. For all in-house private event inquiries please contact Nicole Praessel at modernchop1828@gmail.com Welcome to Modern Chop Steakhouse!
Mean Deans Local Kitchen
6059 26th Street West, Bradenton 941-251-5435 www.meandeanslocalkitchen.com
You know how it is when you finally find that special hidden gem of a restaurant and it becomes “your place,” causing you to return
to again and again? This is the case with Mean Deans Local Kitchen at 6059 26th Street
West, Bradenton (941)251-5435 with own- ers Dean Donnelly and his wife Michele Angell (pic- tured). They have trans- formed a long vacated space into a great neigh- borhood bistro and have created buzz in town.
While not in an area known for having many dining options, it really is easy to find just one block north of Bayshore Parkway on 26th Street West, in a plaza with lots of parking. When you first walk through the doors, you will feel as if you have arrived in a trendy downtown restau- rant.
Dean is the Chef here, so he is the creative force in the kitchen. His recipes are all made from scratch and he utilizes the two large chalkboards to showcase daily creations. He has been in the restaurant business his entire life and has owned restaurants in the past, including Cedar Reef Fish Camp in Bradenton and Venice for eight years. He also bring a vast knowledge of wine, having formerly been Wine Director for Flemings Prime Steakhouse. Michele also owned and operated Cedar Reef Fish Camp, and well as being an accomplished pilot! The restaurant seats 130 and serves wine from around the world
and craft beer from local breweries, all quality here. A glass of house wine during happy hour is $4, lunch starts around $10, and dinner entree average $15-25.
Chef Dean buys ingredients, not products. Dean not only serves the regular menu, but creates specials on a daily basis using sea- sonal ingredients. Dean and Michele created this restaurant to be a neighborhood place, somewhere that they themselves, would want to eat. “We opened two years ago and couldn’t be happier. We have so many wonderful regulars. It has been a pleasure to get to know our community and to see them enjoying Dean’s food,” says Michele.
Great news here is that they have opened their new second dining room! The can now do private events for larger groups for any occasion. This room can also be for dining and is very nicely done in keeping with the design of the restaurant. Catering is also available either in-house or they can deliver. How fantastic! They have great beer and wine selection and one of the best deals in town is the Big Sip and Lite Bites Menu which is served everyday from 3 to 5pm. Their full liquor license will be coming very soon so keep and eye on Facebook for the exact date. The menu features $8 appetizers and house wines for $4. A great deal! They also offer the eclectic wine culture people love, including their popular prix fixe Wine Dinners. Be sure to reserve for the holidays with any groups and make plans. One hidden feature I like is their cozy lounge area for desserts, drinks, and small gatherings. A gold
Mean Deans Local Kitchen
Voted one of the Top 5 Hidden Gems in Bradenton
Chef/Owned, emphasizing fresh, local and homemade
Big Sips & Lite Bites
$8 Apps,
$4 house wines, $1 off draft beers Daily 3 to 5pm
NOW OPEN!!! Our new expanded area
featuring a Private Event Space FULL CATERING TOO!
Lunch and Dinner
Hours: Sun - Thurs 11a-9p Fri,Sat 11a-10p www.meandeanslocalkitchen.com
6059 26th St W, Bradenton 941-251-5435
Taste Dining & Travel • Fall/Winter More online at www.tasteweb.net
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