Bar Tab: Fratello's Chicago Pizzeria

/
Fratello's Chicago Pizzeria is at 7110 Cortez Road, W., Bradenton. STAFF PHOTO / WADE TATANGELO

Fratello's Chicago Pizzeria is at
7110 Cortez Road, W., Bradenton. STAFF PHOTO / WADE TATANGELO

Bradenton residents and Anna Maria Island beachgoers have a new option for pizza and drinks on Cortez Road. Opened about a month ago, Fratello’s is a Chicago-style pizzeria with a full-liquor bar. Located in the large space formerly occupied by Stonewood Grill and Tavern in the Shoppes of Paradise, Fratello’s is owned and operated by the VanDerNoords. The family also has the Riverhouse Reef and Grill on the Palmetto side of the Manatee River.

Espresso martini at Fratello's. STAFF PHOTO / WADE TATANGELO

Espresso martini at Fratello's. STAFF PHOTO / WADE TATANGELO

DRINKS: Fratello’s features a mostly standard selection of martinis and mixed drinks in the $7-$8 range. We’re talking Long Island iced tea, appletini, mojito and margaritas. I had a nicely mixed and presented espresso martini made with Van Gogh Espresso that should appeal to those with a sweet tooth. I also tried the “Killer Key Lime” martini made with Pearl vodka, key lime vanilla liqueur, splash of key lime ice cream and a generous amount of whipped cream around the rim that dominated all the other flavors. The 12 taps include macro beer favorites as well as solid craft selections including Kolsch by Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton. Wines are also available by the glass and bottle.

Slice of Fratello's "Rush Street" deep dish pizza. STAFF PHOTO / WADE TATANGELO

Slice of Fratello's "Rush Street" deep dish pizza. STAFF PHOTO / WADE TATANGELO

EATS: There are sandwiches, salads and other Italian-American items including thin crust pizza but at a place billing itself as a “Chicago pizzeria,” I had to try a deep dish pie. I ordered the “Rush Street” (10 inch for $23) that has sausage, pepperoni, black olives and green peppers. The menu warns diners that deep dish pies take 30-40 minutes to make so I returned to the appetizer section of the menu and also ordered us the “Italian Patatine” ($6). It was a big plate of fries covered in what tasted like your average pre-made mozzarella, parmesan, bacon bits and a smart touch of basil. We put our pizza order in just before 5 p.m. on a weekday and it arrived much faster than 30 minutes. Dense and filling, the deep dish pie could easily feed four but the crust lacked much flavor and the toppings were equally bland.

SCENE: I liked the dark, horseshoe bar removed from the sprawling dining area when it was Stonewood, and Fratello’s has kept it almost exactly the same, including the stone and wood motif covering the entire interior.

Fratello's Chicago Pizzeria
7110 Cortez Road, W., Bradenton; 794-0300; fratellosbradenton.com

Have a suggestion for a place or event to be featured in Bar Tab? Comment below, email to wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com or contact me on Twitter: @wtatangelo For past Bar Tab columns, slideshows and SNN videos visit the archive.

Fratello's Chicago Pizzeria
7110 Cortez Road, W., Bradenton; 794-0300; fratellosbradenton.com

Wade_Tatangelo_by_Mike_Lang_HT_06212013
WADE TATANGELOis a content producer who has been an entertainment editor, reporter, columnist and reviewer at publications nationwide. He is a Hershey, Pa., native who grew up in Tampa and graduated from the University of South Florida. Wade joined the Herald-Tribune in 2013 as entertainment reporter and writes the weekly Bar Tab column. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4955.
Last modified: March 24, 2015
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be published without permissions. Links are encouraged.