CORTEZ –The grand reopening of the Cortez Kitchen, 4528 119th St. W., is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 14.
The newly-remodeled restaurant and bar is an upgraded version of its former self, featuring a new bar and seating, a state-of-the-art kitchen and TVs throughout, while still keeping the casual atmosphere that it had when John Banyas and Peter Barreda opened it in 1996.
“It was remodeled and beautifully upgraded, but with the same Florida charm that it always had,” said Adam Sears, general manager of Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar, also owned by Banyas.
Banyas previously leased the Cortez Kitchen to Joe Oelker for 19 years. When Oelker retired last August, Banyas decided to take over the restaurant business.
“We’re all about serving up the freshest catches with that old Florida flavor. Our place is on the water, so you can enjoy your grub with a killer view,” according to the Cortez Kitchen website. “We love being part of the Cortez crew, so come hang with us and enjoy the flavors that everyone around here loves. Swing by the Cortez Kitchen for a laid-back dining experience where good eats are the main event.”
The menu features some new items along with some traditional Cortez Kitchen favorites.
“Two of the favorites are still on the menu,” Sears said. “We’ll have the royal red peel ‘n eat shrimp and the buffalo grouper.”
Other menu items include appetizers like smoked wings, Cortez Kitchen ceviche, fried okra and Atlantic lobster quesadilla. Entrées include a steamer pot with local crab, clams and shrimp, scallop risotto and braised short rib. A variety of sandwiches include softshell crab, lobster roll, Pete’s pressed Cuban and grouper or mahi. Seafood, short rib and chicken baskets round out the menu, along with salads and a kids menu.
Seating along the windows on the west side of the restaurant affords patrons a water view of Sarasota Bay.
“It’s nice that we’re able to reopen after nearly five months,” Sears said. “We’ve been working really hard to get this done.”
Sears said some of the employees of the restaurant when it closed in August will be back.
“There will be some old faces along with some new faces,” he said.
Live musical entertainment will be featured on weekends. Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones will play on Sunday, Jan. 14 from 4-7 p.m.
The music lineup and menu can be seen at www.cortezkitchenfl.com.
