Family-owned Donut House Espresso & More opens in Bradenton

Donut House Espresso & More opened less than two weeks ago at 3211 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, offering freshly made yeast donuts, pastries, sausage rolls, espresso, frappe, coffee, lattes and more.

Although a sign outside says the shop is in its soft opening stage, judging by the response, the doughnuts and gourmet coffees already are spot on.

Owners Van Le and Mai Ngo are in the shop six days a week at 1 a.m. to start making the doughnuts.

Working from tried-and-true family recipes, the couple says the yeast can’t be rushed, meaning hot doughnuts are still coming out of the kitchen until 8 a.m.

The yeast and restraint in the amount of sugar and oil used in the cooking process produces a light, delicious doughnut, whether glazed, iced or filled.

The couple moved to the United States from Vietnam in the 1990s and moved to the Bradenton area a year ago from Dallas.

Mai Ngo has the business in her blood, especially a love of great coffees.

“I lived with my sister in Saigon. She had a two-story house with a coffee shop on the ground floor,” Ngo said. “My sister is also a really good chef, and now has a very successful restaurant in Houston.”

Each cup of coffee is ground individually, Van Le said, to ensure none of the freshness, aroma or taste is lost.

“We love coffee and my husband and I love baking,” Ngo said.

She added: “We strongly believe that you deserve the highest quality of doughnuts and coffee. We’re proud to offer a diverse line of coffee and doughnuts that brings out our best.”

Josh Cottom rounds out the staff at the new business.

“I came in and applied the first day they opened. I run the counter, make the coffee and do whatever I can so they can focus on the food,” Cottom said.

Vincent Crisci was one of those who stopped by for doughnuts on Tuesday and bought two dozen.

“When you have one of these doughnuts, you won’t want any others,” Crisci said.

Donut House Espresso & More is open from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, except Monday when the shop is closed.

For more information, visit lesdonuts.com or call 941-201-6315.

This story was originally published September 26, 2017 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Family-owned Donut House Espresso & More opens in Bradenton."