Michael John’s restaurant (or MJ’s as their local following calls it) is a fine-dining French-American restaurant that opened in November 2006. A hidden gem, snug in the heart of Bradenton, Florida. For over 16 years, guests have trusted Michael and his staff to provide a remarkable and memorable experience for their special occasions. We take this responsibility very seriously. From the moment you contact us by phone or our online reservation service, we start working on your future dining experience.
Michael John’s pursuit of excellence has been acknowledged many times over the years. Just recently, MJ’s was voted by Sarasota Magazine as Best Overall Restaurant & Steakhouse in Bradenton and received a Gold medal for Best Romantic Dinner and Steakhouse by SRQ Magazine in 2022.
Our Mission is to serve the highest quality of food with a focus on flavor, consistency, and presentation, all in a relaxed, casual atmosphere with impeccable-flawless service. Our motto is, It’s about Food, Company, and the Enjoyment of both. Dive into this article and read all the details that make Michael John’s the perfect spot to enjoy your romantic date night or other special occasion.
The Service
At Michael John’s, it’s all about the service. We work daily to create a memorable dining experience for each guest on every visit. Michael John’s is a place where the genuine care and comfort of the guests is our highest mission.
How do we make sure your experience is special? At the start of each night, Michael has a pre-service meeting with all front-of-house staff. This meeting usually lasts about 45 minutes. Michael discusses each reservation on the books for that evening.
Michael takes time to talk to each front-of-house member, from the door host to the server and their assistants about any special occasion or request in the reservation book for that night. Then, your soon-to-be server takes down notes on each of his or her guests and what their occasion or special requests are.
Michael always finishes the meeting by asking for input on how they can elevate the guest’s experience. Whether it’s from offering purse hangers for the ladies, a special table for those who have hearing problems, or pen lights for the more intimate areas of the restaurant, all ideas from the staff are taken into consideration. This ensures that your experience is a memorable one.
Upon your arrival, you will be greeted at the front desk by our door host, who will always welcome you to the restaurant with a warm and sincere greeting. At the front desk, you may ask to be seated in the Jordan Lounge to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails or wine, or we can escort you right to your table.
The Dishes
MJ’s is known for its hand-cut, in-house aged steaks, but it also specializes in fresh, locally caught seafood, free-range chicken dishes, and vegetarian choices. Paired with the right wine or cocktail elevates the experience. Start off the night by stopping by our new Jordan Lounge for pre-dinner drinks. A guest favorite here at Michael John’s is the Old Fashioned & Super Chilled Martini.
When you’re ready, the host will take you to your table, where menus, a lit candle, and your serving team will be there to welcome you and your guest. Start your culinary adventure with a shareable appetizer of crispy fried Calamari with a pepper beurre blanc or honey-baked French Brie with candied pecans, fresh berries, and warm French bread.
For those interested in a salad before your entree, we recommend the pear salad or heart of romaine wedge. Mj’s pear salad is made with Bartlett pears, baby lettuce, fresh berries, candied pecans, and a raspberry and port wine vinaigrette. For the wedge, Michael uses the heart of baby romaine, Wisconsin blue cheese, crisp applewood smoked bacon, and parmesan dressing.
Order a bottle of wine before your entree course to enjoy with your significant other. We prefer the Forefathers Cabernet or Silverado Solo Cab, from the Stags Leap District, Napa, California. A couple of good entrees that pair perfectly with these wines are the Filet Pinot or the baked Salmon filet on the menu.
To end the night, guests can share a Crème brûlée with after-dinner cocktails of Espresso Martini and French Press Coffee with Grand Marnier.
Conclusion
At Michael John’s, our pledge is to provide the finest personal service for our guests, who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed, yet refined ambiance. It was Michael’s goal back in 2006 and is still our most valuable and important mission.
Through our menu, dining rooms, and exceptional service, every action we have made and will make is in our guests’ best interest. That is why MJ’s is the perfect spot to take your loved ones for a romantic evening because those special moments become everlasting memories here. No other romantic restaurants in Bradenton can compare.
