The Lazy Ballerina Bistro restaurant brings Southern flair comfort food to Bradenton
Before opening The Lazy Ballerina Bistro, neither of the partners, Becky Kern-Garbus or Rae Ellen Hayo, had ever ventured into the restaurant business.
Kern-Garbus is owner of Island Lumber, a local lumberyard and hardware store, and Hayo is a real estate agent.
“I was a fish out of water,” says Kern-Garbus.
Yet, that lack of experience in the food business hasn’t kept The Lazy Ballerina Bistro at 2715 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, from rapidly growing its fan base since opening in February.
Attribute that success to the partners’ business sense, their passion for the 1911 house, which was most recently home to the Latte Luna coffee shop, and a staff that shares the owners’ sense of friendly hospitality.
What you first notice upon entering The Lazy Ballerina Bistro — named after a trellis where wine grapevines grow — are the lush colors, the tasteful art and the welcoming atmosphere. It’s a beautiful space. There is even a room off to one side set up as a library with comfortable, upholstered chairs.
But what Amiee and Kevin Taylor will tell you is that it’s the quality of the comfort food that’s the main attraction.
“It’s our new go-to place,” Amiee said.
In the last week, Amiee has eaten there three times, and Kevin four times.
“The fish and chips, the fritters, it’s amazing,” Kevin said.
The Lazy Ballerina Bistro opens in Bradenton
Here’s a rundown of what’s on the menu:
▪ A variety of starters, including pimento cheese fritters served with pepper, hoecakes, southern fried chicken sliders and more.
▪ Soup and salad: French onion soup and a variety of salads.
▪ Shared plates: chicken pot pie ($17), southern veggie plate with collards, black-eyed peas, fried okra and pot likker served with cornbread ($14), open-faced meatloaf, served on a buttermilk biscuit with mashed potatoes and gravy and fresh green beans ($19) and more.
▪ Sandwiches, all served with fries. Choices include prime rib, Reuben, southern fried chicken, pulled pork, the ultimate grilled cheese, grouper and burgers.
▪ Desserts include bread pudding, apple cobbler, carrot cake and key lime pie.
The potential of the 3,000-square-foot house is what first enticed the partners into the restaurant business. They saw a graceful setting that could offer something new in the area.
“If you wanted to go somewhere and get a glass of wine, there wasn’t anything,” Kern-Garbus said.
Adds Hayo: “We’re businesswomen and we wanted to try something new.”
Thus, the subscript for The Lazy Ballerina Bistro: “Our house in the middle of our street.”
The Lazy Ballerina Bistro is open 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday.
For more information, call 941-920-6126 or visit their Facebook page.
