A location between a movie theater and a gym created an opportunity for Debra Murphy.
The owner of Ventura’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar on Longboat Key found a spot at 4805 Cortez Road W. to open a second location. In less than three months, Ventura’s Italian Kitchen on Cortez was born. It offers a couple of twists from the original.
A pizza by the slice window, subs and cheesesteaks are some of the menu differences. Gelato is also coming to the Bradenton store soon.
Grabbing a slice, rather than an entire pie, is commonplace in local pizzerias in Murphy’s native New Jersey.
Location, location, location
Being next to Regal Oakmont and Amped Fitness made the Bradenton restaurant a prime spot to offer pizza by the slice.
“People coming in the movies, getting out of the movies (saying), ‘Oh, I’m kind of hungry, let’s just go grab a piece of pizza,’” said Murphy, who is from Atlantic City.
Some popular pizzas are the New York Supreme, the Sicilian Meat Lovers and the Sicilian Grandma Pie — Ventura’s version of the Margherita pizza.
“Quality ingredients are the reason our pizza is good,” Murphy said. “And the care that goes into making it every day. My staff is, without a doubt, the best in the state. I’m not just saying that.”
Ventura’s owner Debra Murphy holds a signature pizza at the new restaurant at 4805 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, shown here on Aug. 13, 2025.
What’s in a pizza name?
The various pizzas take on local names like the Cortez that features clams in an ode to the area’s rich fishing history and the Bradenton pizza, which features sausage, carmelized onions and roasted red peppers.
“It pays homage to our roots here in Manatee County,” Murphy said. “Because when we started making pizzas on our barbecue grill at home, we would make this. So I would saute sausage, caramelize onions and roast red peppers. And it would all be done on the grill. And then we’d put it all on top of the pizza.”
But Ventura’s isn’t just about pizza.
Other popular dishes include lasagna, veal canneloni, penne portofino and various types of Philly cheesesteaks.
Beer and wine are also served.
Inside the Cortez restaurant, which opened in July, the voice of Frank Sinatra provides the soundtrack to the dining experience. Familiar Ol’ Blue Eyes’ tunes fill the air for the roughly 100 seats, though diners can grab takeout or order delivery.
“DoorDash will deliver (but) you have to order via our website, not through DoorDash,” Murphy said.
Ventura’s Italian Kitchen recently opened at 4805 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, shown here on Aug. 13, 2025.
Italian restaurant owner’s career change
Owning a restaurant began with a nudge from some family members. And then, when a friend died at a young age, Murphy, who was working for the state of New Jersey, started reevaluating her life.
“Things happen in life that question why you’re doing things,” Murphy said. “Best way to put it is life is short and you have to take chances. And that’s what I did.”
Jim Friel and Michael Ventura, two of Murphy’s brothers, had previously asked her to relocate to open a sub shop on Florida’s east coast where they live.
However, a location was hard to come by. Through her initial search, one real estate broker asked her if she was familiar with Florida’s west coast and Anna Maria Island.
Murphy and her husband had friends in Lakewood Ranch and visited the beaches on Anna Maria Island several times over the years.
Eventually, she found a spot that became Ventura’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar on Longboat Key. Three years later, Murphy opened her second restaurant.
Hours of operation
Ventura’s Italian Kitchen on Cortez is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The restaurant also offers catering services.
For more information, visit Ventura’sItalianKitchen.com.
Ventura’s Italian Kitchen recently opened at 4805 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, shown here on Aug. 13, 2025.
Ventura’s Italian Kitchen recently opened at 4805 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, shown here on Aug. 13, 2025.
Dining and Cooking