Rainbow Cone, Panda Express, Yard House, Kiku Sushi: Restaurant News

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Here's the latest restaurant and bar news in Sarasota and Manatee counties:

The Original Rainbow Cone Opening in Bradenton

A Chicago staple, The Original Rainbow Cone Ice Cream Shop, is opening a Bradenton location — its first one out of state — this summer, according to the brand’s website.

Earlier news releases from the fall of 2022 indicated that franchises were planned in other Florida cities, including Sarasota, Naples, Key West, Marathon and Key Largo, but these locations aren’t included on the company’s website.

The first Rainbow Cone shop was opened in 1926 by “Grandpa Joe” Sapp and his wife, Katherine. Rather than one flavor on a cone, they stacked five sliced — not scooped — flavors: chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio and orange sherbet.

Café Baci Property Bought for $2.8 Million

The property that was formerly home to Café Baci, which closed last spring, serving its last meal on Mother’s Day, sold for $2.8 million to Benderson Development.

The developers plan “to reimagine the property” at 4001 S. Tamiami Trail, according to the Business Observer.

“We didn’t buy it with a specific user in place or in mind,” Mark Chait, Benderson’s executive director of leasing, said. “We just think it’s a great piece of real estate in Sarasota. We specifically think Café Baci is extraordinarily well located. We’re excited about what redevelopment might come.”

Second Panda Express Planned in Manatee County

A second Panda Express is coming to Manatee County, according to the Bradenton Herald. The new location will be built in the White Eagle shopping center on State Road 64 E. in Lakewood Ranch.

The Chinese food chain’s first-ever location in the county opened in February in the Braden River shopping center on State Road 70 E. in Lakewood Ranch.

New Indian Restaurant Opens in Sarasota

Royal Peacock Indian Kitchen has opened its doors at 5445 Fruitville Road in Sarasota. The space was formerly home to L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, a Honolulu-based chain.

The new restaurant’s owners, Vasanth Raju and his wife, Marjorie, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that when he previously worked at Indian restaurants in Tampa, many customers were visiting from the Sarasota area.

"That tempted us to think about why we can't move towards the Sarasota area, because I was planning to open a restaurant by myself," Raju said.

Hungarian Restaurant Moves from St. Armands Circle to Bradenton

A Hungarian restaurant that closed its St. Armands Circle location in Sarasota has reopened in Bradenton.

Vernona Gourmet Restaurant & Market has opened its doors at 711 Manatee Ave. E., the former home of Theresa’s.

Owner Nikoletta Pongo told the Bradenton Herald that she hopes the new space encourages diners to spend more time in the restaurant and enjoy their meal.

“I really enjoy people coming in and meeting them. We don’t want them to rush out. It’s not like go, go, go,” she said.

Japanese Restaurant Opening in Osprey

The Bradenton-based Kiku Sushi & Grill is opening a second location in Sarasota County.

The new Japanese restaurant will host a grand opening soon in Osprey, according to the family-owned eatery’s Facebook page.

Kiku serves a wide variety of Japanese dishes, from traditional shrimp teriyaki, chicken tempura and California rolls to newer style entrees, such as sushi bento, the Pink Lady Roll, the Dragon Roll and more.

The company is hiring full-time and part-time workers at both locations.

Yard House Opens in University Town Center

Yard House, owned by Darden Restaurants in Orlando, opened its new University Town Center location on Sunday, according to Sarasota magazine.

According to the company’s website, the brand has a “passion for great beer, great food and great music,” and offers “a diverse menu inspired by our California roots.”

The chain was founded in Long Beach in 1996.

New Yorker Plans Deli and Pizzeria in Bradenton Area

A New York native is opening a new eatery, Morrone’s N.Y. Deli, Restaurant and Pizzeria, in the Bradenton area.

Pastry chef Ermanno Morrone, the son of Italian immigrants and a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, opened Morrone Pastry Shop and Café in the Bronx in 2000, according to the Bradenton Herald.

His new restaurant will move into a space at the intersection of State Road 70 and Caruso Road, near Manatee Technical College, which was previously occupied by Petrosino’s Italian Deli & Market.