Chef of the Week: Michael John Auer, Michael John's American Brasserie

Name: Michael John Auer.

Title: Owner and Chef.

Restaurant: , 1040 Carlton Arms Blvd.

Contact Info: 941-747-8032

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 4:30-10 p.m.

Specialty: A brasserie is a French-style cafe that serves beer, wine, and simplistic, hearty food. Our specialty is great steak. When it comes to the beef I serve, I only carry Midwest corn-fed prime or black angus dry-aged steak that I age personally.

How long have you been cooking? Since I was about 7 or 8 years old. I grew up in a New Jersey Italian family, but my mom’s background is German. She used to make these elaborate Oktoberfest spreads, and I loved to watch her cook. Around then, she started letting me help.

Do you cook at home? I’m here every day, so this place is like my home. And I cook here, so yes, I do cook at home — every day! But no, I don’t really cook outside of the restaurant. I usually eat out. I also have some amazing staff who do enjoy cooking outside of work, and sometimes they cook for me in their homes.

What is your favorite comfort food? My favorites are “working cuts” from pork and lamb — the tougher cuts of shank, leg and shoulder. My mom would always cook pork shank. Those cuts, you need to have so much patience for. If you give them six or seven hours and a lot of love, at the end of the day they’re just so soft and juicy. Perfect comfort food.

Other than your restaurant, where else do you like to eat in Bradenton? , , and are some of my favorites.

A message from Chef MJ: We have a very strong passion for what we do here. Everyone from the back of the house to the front of the house is committed to excellent food and service, and we strive for perfection every single night. Our focus is on the guest experience — we want to be that restaurant that you spend the entire day looking forward to when you have reservations. It’s about good food, good company, and the enjoyment of both.

Other information: Every night we have a different special. Mondays is the $18 prime rib dinner. Tuesdays are our favorite — Tapas Night — with eight to 10 brand new dishes featured every week. Wednesdays are wine and draught specials. Thursday night is Date Night with live jazz and Cote de Boeuf on the menu. Fridays we have a four-course dinner for two for $50. Saturdays a Chef’s Choice prix fix menu is featured. Every night is something different!