Pesto Bistro and Wine Bar — Restaurant in South Bradenton

So we went to this restaurant while on vacation. It had some of the best reviews in the area, so we were super excited. It was a weird experience from start to finish. First, and I think this is the most important, our server showed another table our bill. I do not know if the other table was actually the owners or what. But there was another table directly across from us (will talk about the set up later on) and the server and the musician playing clearly knew them. So when the server took our check book it was the only one in her hand. She walked over to the other table opened up our checkbook with my partners card in it and showed it to them. There was a male presenting person with small glasses and medium length hair. He looked at the checkbook, said something to the server, and then she left. It made us vastly uncomfortable because we watched it happen right in front of us. Second, the set up of the restaurant is small and not well suited for live music. The restaurant takes up half of an older home. Which is totally fine on its own. But they also had live music going. So the room we were seated in, there was 6ish tables, a bar and a very small area where the musician was. We were seated right next to the musician and it was just really awkward. Honestly not the worst thing in the world, it just added to the ongoing weird experience is all. Also there was no windows. So you are in a tiny tiny room with a super small bar, 5 other groups, and only one exit. Third, our service took a bit longer than it should have. When were seated we were pretty quickly asked if we knew what we wanted to drink. We said no and the waitress said she would come back. Great! 10-15mins later she did come back and took our drink order. But not our food order. So 20mins later she came back and took our food order. Just to get the food ordered, it took about 30-40mins. And then it was about another 30-40min wait for the food to arrive. Finally, when we were done, we had to ask for our check multiple times. We arrived at about 6:30pmish. We left about 8:15pm. There was another couple that arrived maybe 5mins before us (we watched them walk in when we pulled up) but they left 15-20mins sooner than us. It maybe inconsistent timely service possibly. Don’t get me wrong, totally get multitasking, customer service stress, etc. But it was frustrating because there were only 5 tables (including our group and one came basically when we were asking for our check) total the entire time we were there. One server was seating and running out food and one was taking orders and pouring drinks. Finally, the food. There are several reviews praising the food. I am really glad others had a great food experience, unfortunately ours was not. My tortellini was lukewarm, tasted store bought, and was not super well made. The artichoke hearts were not well mixed with the rest of the pasta. I had a huge chunk at one end of my plate underneath a ton of pasta but there was none in the rest of the dish. My partners food he rated a 6 out of 10 and he described it as “just fine nothing grand or worth the price.” Overall, this was the strangest experience I had. I do not write reviews often, but all of our family agreed it was important to share our experience. Especially the sharing of our checkbook with my...

Had dinner last night at Pesto on Cortez Rd W for the first time and found it to be a wonderful surprise! Although it is small, they have managed to create such a great use of space. They can accommodate family style dining with children, and also a series of smaller rooms for intimate dining for 2 or more. It is such a comfortable environment surrounded by TVs tuned into virtual fish tanks...such a peaceful and serene view instead of news and sports as seen in other places. No one was checking their phones but instead engaging in lively and intimate conversations...what a warm feeling that was. The food and wine selections were what you would expect at a fine dining, white table cloth restaurant. I had their red snapper special...servings are extremely generous so plan to take a box home. Courtney was our waitress and super warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. She helped with the food selection and provided wine samples where I found my new favorite...Oregon Pinot Noir Lady Hill. Desert was awesome and beautiful. Ohhh...and the soft jazzy background music was a perfect addition to the ambiance. It was a perfect dining experience. I will return many times and tell my friends. I recommend making reservations. We didn’t have one but Courtney found us a spot at the small bar which turned out to be a lot of fun...we got to chat with the owner...very cool guy. Thank...

Friends told me I needed to try this little restaurant. I went about two hours later because it was fresh in my mind. I arrived at about 840pm. The restaurant closed at 10. Upon greeting I immediately felt unwelcome. I was asked it I had a reservation and I did not. At that very moment three other guests walked into the restaurant, they were asked if they had a reservation and they did. A table was cleaned by a staff member and the party was sat before me. Then I was guided to a table and noticed the bar which seats 4 people. Upon seating at the bar, before I ordered, I asked the server/bartender what time the restaurant closed, I was reassured that 10pm was the closing time. The couple next to me were impressed that I asked such a question. I had the meat ball appetizer and the Brazilian style ribeye which were both excellent. The first wine I ordered the restaurant no longer carried. I had to ask for a glass of water three times. I was offered bread after my appetizer arrived. None of the staff seem to clear plates after a course is finished at every table in my view. The couple next to me had appetizer plates, dinner plates in front of them when dessert was served. The music was great for the concept. The decor and lighting need some work. I will go again to enjoy the food. The food is...