New Village of the Arts restaurant is all about the South. Especially its name
Fans of southern cooking would tell chef David Shiplett that he had them with words like “cast iron seared” meat loaf or southern fried chicken.
Shiplett recently opened Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen at 1114 12th St. W., under massive oak trees in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts.
Originally, Shiplett planned to call the restaurant Flo and Eddie’s, like the names of the founding members of the 1960s rock group The Turtles, but he changed the name to Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen before opening several weeks ago.
Prediction: guests will probably settle on Cottonmouth, a strong, catchy name emblematic of the South.
Shiplett, a 61-year-old native of Bradenton, got his chef’s training in San Francisco, but Cottonmouth is a return to his roots.
Five years ago, he opened Bird Rock Taco Shack,, at 1004 10th Ave. W., also in the Village of the Arts.
Cottonmouth’s 900-square-foot house with an open air front porch reminds Shiplett of his grandmother’s house. Although grandma probably had nothing on her walls like the original art from Cortez artist Susan Curry who specializes in creations made from found or recycled objects.
“This is also an art gallery and everything on the walls is for sale. We sold several pieces right after we opened,” Shiplett said, adding that a new artist will take over the space every three months.
Cottonmouth has separate lunch and dinner menus. The dinner menu is divided into small plates, salads and big plates. In the lead-off position for small plates is a basket of fresh baked biscuits served with unsalted sweet butter for $5, and collard greens made with boiled peanuts, hominy, smoked pork belly and “love” for $7.
A sampling of other small plates include pan seared jumbo blue crab cake for $13, and fried green tomatoes for $8.
Among the big plate selections are meatloaf burger for $14, sauteed Gulf shrimp and andouille cheese sprits for $22. There’s even a vegan pasta for $18.
The lunch menu is similar but a little smaller. It includes a fried chicken po’ boy, not found on the dinner menu, for $14.
The “liquid list” includes a selection of wines and beers, as well as nonalcoholic beverages.
Cottonmouth is open 4:30 - 9 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and noon - 9 p.m. Saturday. Shiplett plans to begin offering Sunday brunch, complete with live music, with the Village of the Arts Day of the Dead Celebration on Nov. 8, continuing through the end of April.
First to perform will be the Brown Bag Brass Band from Orlando, followed a week later by Doug Demming and the Jewel Tones on Nov 15.
“I am not doing it for the money. I honest to God do it because I love music. I don’t have to leave the village to hear it. Every musician that comes to the village loves it. Besides, my food is better when I am happy,” Shiplett said.
Cottonmouth has 28 seats inside and 70 outside under those gorgeous trees. “With COVID, outdoor seating has become a thing. It’s what most guests request,” Shiplett said.
Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.
“I firmly believe in the village, and I believe this is the best spot in the village,” he said.
For reservations or more information, call 941-243-3735.
This story was originally published October 20, 2020 at 8:26 AM.
