Jennings Downtown Provisions

Downtown Bradenton is really coming into its own with a variety of new restaurants and cafés. Next time you make it there to check things out, be sure to grab a bite and a beer or wine at Jennings Downtown Provisions.

Jennings owners Marc and Donna Cripe operated Bradenton’s Central Café for 17 years before they sold it. The Bradenton-area natives wanted to run a restaurant where they could have fun while offering a nicer wine bar atmosphere to locals. Voíla—Jennings was born in October 2016.

“We always wanted to be downtown,” Donna says.

Located on Old Main Street in the 1920s-vintage Jennings Arcade (hence the restaurant’s name), Jennings changes its menu every month or so to reflect what ingredients are available seasonally. You can be sure what you get at Jennings is fresh because, as Marc Cripe points out, they have a tiny kitchen space that doesn’t leave much room for storage. Although Marc is the cook, Donna also works as a flight attendant and will find food-inspiration ideas while perusing menus from across the globe.

Despite the regular menu changes, there are some favorites you’ll likely find when you visit, including a Bavarian pretzel served with sausage and house mustard; and the beef tenderloin sandwich. The seafood quesadilla with crab and lobster meat is also a regular hit. The specials written on a blackboard one recent day included cream of mushroom soup, poké taco, poké salad, baked brie, mahi spread melt, salted caramel brownie, and a caprese board.

“Everything from there is good. There’s nothing that I haven’t liked,” says Angie Ionita, who operates the Pure Florida Honey Company shop also in the Jennings Arcade. “The soups are delicious, and the salads are like art.”

As for the drinks, you’ve got your choice of local brewery specials from business like Big Top Brewing, Naughty Monk, and 3 Daughters as well as national and international brands. The varied wine list includes wines from Lola Winery, owned by Mark’s brother, Seth Cripe. There are even Lola wines on tap. Regular visits to Lola Winery in California give Marc and Donna menu ideas.

The atmosphere at Jennings is casual, laid back, and clean. Inside, there are two large-screen TVs and a bar area as well as some tables. The music may vary from rock to reggae and included Tom Petty and Ozzy Osborne one recent day. If you prefer to sit outside, you’ll be able to people-watch.

“We want people to have fun here,” Marc says.

The addition of other new businesses in downtown Bradenton can only help Jennings and fellow restaurants to grow. “It will make downtown more like a destination,” Donna says.

Jennings Downtown Provisions: 417 12th St W, Bradenton, 941-896-5450