Downtown Bradenton’s newest and longest-running restaurants are neighbors on Old Main Street and I couldn’t be happier.
Fav’s Italian Cucina (419 Old Main Street) has been serving some of the region’s best pizza, pasta dishes, stromboli and sandwiches since 2000.
This month Mark and Donna Cripe, owners of the outstanding Central Cafe (906 Manatee Ave. E.) opened Jennings Downtown Provisions at 417 Old Main St. The Jennings Provisions menu is smaller than Central Cafe’s but the quality is the same and so is the enticing wine list.
My wife Kristin and I made our first visit to Jennings Downtown Provisions, named after its home inside the cozy Jennings Arcade shopping center, last Friday. Just in time for the 4 to 7 p.m. happy hour, I had a glass of my favorite wine, Lola, for six bucks, about four bucks less than a glass usually costs. I’m a fan of Lola’s pinot noir and riesling but on this visit had the equally enjoyable chardonnay.
Marc Cripe’s younger brother, Seth Cripe, founded Lola Wines in Napa Valley in 2008. So, yeah, Jennings Downtown Provisions and Central Cafe are great places to get this excellent vino.
Kristin and I started off with the plate of three lime chicken tacos ($9), which were tastefully cooked and served with cabbage, black bean corn salsa, feta and radish.
And then we decided to be decadent.
The “jumbo soft pretzel” ($12) is a perfect way to eat sinfully. The delicious, plate-sized hot pretzel is served with beer-braised sausage, garlic butter, house mustard, pickles and a spot of salad covered in balsamic drizzle.
Complement that top-shelf comfort food with the Rolling Rock tall boys and, well, that’s good living.