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New restaurant in Bradenton offers Hungarian specialties after move from St. Armand’s

What Nikoletta Pongo was looking for in a restaurant space was a place where local local residents and business people would feel comfortable dropping by, eating and lingering.

It wouldn’t hurt if an attraction like the Bradenton Riverwalk was a few blocks away.

She found such a place at 711 Manatee Ave. E., and in February opened her Vernona Gourmet Restaurant & Market, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.

It was a big change from her former space at St. Armands Circle in Sarasota.

“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.

She would rather her guests savor their meals and take their time with their food.

While there are burgers, sandwiches, steaks and other offerings on the menu that can be found in many other restaurants, what sets Vernona apart are the Hungarian plates.

Among them:

Homemade chicken paprikas (Hungarian-style chicken ragu served with pasta)

Stuffed peppers (bell peppers filled with a mixture of ground pork and rice, herbs and spices and slow cooked in a tomato-based sauce)

Rantott Sajt (cheese coated in bread crumbs, deep fried until crispy and served with fries)

That’s just for beginners. Most of the specialties are $18 to $20. Of course, there is also perhaps the most famous Hungarian dish: goulash for $7.

“I love Hungarian food, and I want to introduce it to everyone,” Pongo said. “Hungarian food needs a lot of patience. You can’t rush it.”

Szavoles Gulyas and Ranott Sajt, natives of Hungary, had dinner at Vernona’s recently and pronounced the food not only good but authentic.

Gulyas enjoyed a pork dish, while Sajt had the Rantott Sajt. For dessert, Gulyas had somloi (Hungarian sponge cake with raisins, walnuts, chocolate sauce and whipped cream) and Sajt had turogomboc (Hungarian cottage cheese dumplings).

Pongo emigrated from Hungary in the mid-1990s with a culinary degree and a dream of opening a restaurant.

She owns the restaurant — operating in space formerly occupied by Theresa’s Restaurant — with her husband, Gregory Volkov. Much of the staff is Hungarian.

Vernon takes its name from The El Vernona Hotel, also known as the John Ringling Hotel in Sarasota.

Pongo is a hands-on restaurateur, who lends a hand wherever needed.

Vernona serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“Many times I jump in. You have to when you run a breakfast, lunch dinner restaurant. I like to meet and talk to my customers,” she said.

Vernona seats 77 inside and 36 outside under a covered patio. Monday features jazz night and local musicians can sign up to join the jam.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Breakfast is served 8 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m., lunch is served 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner is served 5-9 p.m.

For reservations, call 941-284-0416. For more information, visit https://www.vernonagourmet.com/.

Nikoletta Pongo, shown 3/30/2023, opened Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.
Nikoletta Pongo, shown 3/30/2023, opened Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine. Shown above is the stuffed pepper dish.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine. Shown above is the stuffed pepper dish.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine. Shown above is their goulash.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine. Shown above is their goulash.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.
Vernona​ Gourmet Restaurant & Market opened in February at 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, specializing in Hungarian cuisine.