Lunch Review: SOMA Restaurant

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SOMA

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The SOMA or “South of Manatee”  restaurant challenges the phrase, “location, location, location!”  Such is the lament of failed businesses when asked “what went wrong?”  Several restaurants have tried to make that small nook on 10^th Street, where Manatee Avenue splits into two separate one-way roads, home, but to date, SOMA may be the first to actually succeed.

The Ambience:  Completely refurbished, redecorated and re-EVERYTHING, the new SOMA restaurant turned what used to be a cramped space into a cozy upscale diner, complete with caramel-colored accent walls, and soft gallery lighting showcasing paintings and photography from local artists.  

There are two separate dining areas, the first complete with a beer and wine bar, and enough strategically placed tables and chairs to accommodate approximately 25 people comfortably.  The second, a narrow room that converts picnic tables into a company meeting area, with velvet seat cushions and fresh bamboo centerpieces, that can seat about the same.  Background music includs smooth jazz with a  bit of world music and lounge vocals. 

The Food:  There is nothing quite like the South Florida Lobster Bisque ($6) at SOMA.  Served with lemongrass, green curry, and onions in a coconut milk, it’s a combination of my three all time favorite soups:  Lobster bisque, Tom Kha Gai, and French Onion.   When you order the soup, don’t offer to share with fellow diners, or you may not get to have any.  It’s worth ordering a bowl, plus one more for the road. 

The Chicken Breast Cobb was served pan seared, with avocado, sautéed spinach, bits of bacon, and crumbled goat cheese ($11).  Resembling a version of Carrabba’s Chicken Brian, this version was sans the basil butter and sun dried tomatoes, and had more distinctive textures from the creamy avocado and hint of crispy bacon.  On special was the delicately cooked and seasoned Ahi Tuna Stir Fry ($11.95), served with chick peas, almonds, and green beans over a bed of basmati.

About the Chef:  Owner and Executive Chef Dave Shiplett’s reputation precedes him.  Many guests remember him from Ezra’s, where he was former co-owner and chef.  Complete with a new location and new recipes, two things haven’t changed, loyal employees and devoted customers. 

For a business that’s been open fewer than three months, the lunch hour rush had the place bustling. Manager Kari Bunker and server Tonya Kida attribute it to both Chef Dave’s personality and his much sought after cuisine.  They, and an entourage  of diners, followed Shiplett to his new locale. 

A perfectionist by nature, the mild-mannered Shiplett, who popped out of the kitchen to greet us, was also responsible for designing and hand picking everything that went in to SOMA’s interior, as well as everything offered on the ever-changing seasonal menus.

***

Address:  616 10th St. E. Bradenton, FL 34208

Phone:  941-748-0002

Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday, 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

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