New Bradenton restaurant opens with southern comfort food and a sports bar. Take a look
Two Bradenton men who became best friends a decade ago when their daughters were 12-year-old sports teammates have opened a new west Bradenton restaurant.
Five Nine Grill & Tavern, 5718 Cortez Road W., opened Dec. 4 in the Cortez Commons shopping center.
In its first eight days, the restaurant, which serves southern comfort food and is also an upscale, family friendly sports bar, has exceeded expectations, say partners Mike Degirolamo and Quincy Watkins.
Degirolamo is a graduate of Bayshore High School and Watkins is a graduate of Manatee High School.
They were attracted to the Cortez Commons shopping center for its west Bradenton location and the promise of a national grocery planned as an anchor. The name of the grocery has not been announced.
The partners describe Five Nine Grill & Tavern as “a high-energy, new American local tavern offering contemporary takes” on steaks, seafood, burgers and wings, with some southern classics and comfort food in the mix.
They also say it is “a great place to watch a game, enjoy a bite and local craft beer.”
Although the restaurant is new, Degirolamo and Watkins are already laying claim to having the best burgers in town.
Degirolamo has 30 years of experience in the culinary arts, and Watkins, who has worked primarily in trucking, also owned a smoothie franchise in St. Petersburg.
Degirolamo’s wife, Holly, previously worked in Watkins’ smoothie shop, and now works at Five Nine Grill & Tavern, along with Degirolamo children, Christina and Dominic.
From the beginning, Degirolamo and Watkins were on the same page with what they wanted in the restaurant. The biggest problem was settling on a name, they say.
Five Nine Grill refers to its proximity to 59th Street on the west side of the shopping center.
The restaurant offers daily specials Monday through Friday, ranging from $8 to $14.
“With the economy the way it is these days, we wanted to give our guests a bang for their buck,” Watkins said.
The “family favorites” part of the menu looks especially interesting. Among the offerings are the Backyard Shrimp Boil (shrimp, andouille sausage, red skin potatoes, sweet corn and red onion) at $22, Jambalaya at $17, Almond Coconut Chicken at $16.
What would a southern comfort kitchen be without fried green tomatoes? It has that, too, for $9, along with other starters such as spicy avocado dip and loaded nachos.
Rounding out the menu are flatbreads, craft burgers, mac and cheese, greens and wings.
“It turned out really well,” Holly said of the 122-seat restaurant with a full-bar. “It’s a cozy, clean place where people can enjoy good food with their family and friends.”
What to know about the restaurant
Name: Five Nine Grill & Tavern
Address: 5718 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. seven days a week
Online: www.fiveninegrilltavern.com/
Phone: 941-251-3086
