Modern Chop Steakhouse coming, the newest creation of Sage Biscuit partners
The owners of the two Sage Biscuit daytime restaurants in Bradenton — Jose Moreta, Joe Moreta and Nicole Praessel — are aiming to open their newest eatery, Modern Chop Steakhouse, on Nov. 1.
The steakhouse will be located at 1830 59th St. W., in space that has been the home for a number of previous restaurants, most recently Lamantini Trattoria.
Joe Moreta, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, had his eye on the restaurant space near Blake Medical Center, and around the corner from Cremesh Coffee and Bakery, for some time.
He saw it as an ideal location for a fine dining restaurant, serving prime and choice cuts of beef, as well as pork and lamb dishes, seafood and vegetarian dishes.
“The atmosphere will be totally different with a cool, modern vibe to it,” Joe said.
The dining room will have textured walls and an expanded bar, where guests can choose from an eclectic wine list or enjoy a craft cocktail. The partners have enlarged the restaurant space by taking over a unit next door that will become a lounge and private function room. The restaurant will also have patio seating.
“We are excited. This is something we have always wanted to do,” said Nicole Praessel, who earlier in the day had been experimenting with strawberry shortcake waffles at Sage Biscuit.
Jose Moreta spent most of his working life as a printer.
“I never dreamed I would be in business with my son. This is my retirement,” Jose said. “It’s been good. We have enjoyed 10 years of success.
The partners opened their first Sage Biscuit in 2013 at 720 Cortez Road, and the second in 2016 at 1401 Manatee Ave. W.
Prior to that, Praessel and Joe Moreta owned and operated the Iron Skillet Cafe on Cortez Road from 2004-08.
The restaurant failed during the Great Recession, but Joe Moerta said that experience helped him build on everything that came later.
“It was the biggest step toward success. You can look back and see the things that you did wrong. Peoples’ houses were in foreclosure and they weren’t eating out. Nicole and I worked two jobs for four years after that,” Joe Moreta said.
When the partners opened the first Sage Biscuit in 2013, it was clear that the hard times had not diminished their appetite for the restaurant business.
“It’s our passion. We love food. We love to cook. We love the business,” Joe Moreta said at the time.
