Mattison's Riverside
941.748.8087
Mattison's Steakhouse
at The Plaza
941.387.2700
Mattison's City Grille
941.330.0440
Mattison's Forty One
941.921.3400
Mattison's Catering Company
941.387.2700
Mattison's Culinary Outfitters
941.387.2700
Mattison's International
Cookery
941.387.2700
The Bradenton Herald
front page article; Twin Dolphin getting new name, chef; by Tilde Herrera; October 10,
2006
A high-profile Sarasota restaurateur's venture into Manatee County is expected to shine a spotlight on an area undergoing a nearly $1 billion revitalization effort.
Paul Mattison, chef-owner of a successful string of upscale Mediterranean restaurants in Sarasota County, is taking over the operation of the Twin Dolphin Marina Grill near downtown Bradenton.
Mattison is teaming up with the Miller family for a dramatic $200,000 renovation of the restaurant to be renamed Mattison's Riverside. The Millers consist of brothers Don Miller and Dan Miller, a former U.S. congressman, and Don Miller's son, Hugh. The Millers retain ownership of the marina and restaurant but lease the land from the city. They opened the Pier Restaurant in 1976 before changing it to the Twin Dolphin in the late 1990s. Hugh Miller called Mattison about taking over restaurant operations as he focused on future changes at the marina. He plans to redevelop the marina with new floating docks and larger boat slips to accommodate the bigger boat trend.e looked to Mattison to take over a restaurant that has enjoyed an annual growth rate of close to 18 percent. "This place is getting ready to explode," Miller said. "So what I wanted to do is be on the front end of that and take advantage of this opportunity to bring in somebody who is well-respected in the field," Miller said.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Mattison appears on the Home Shopping Network and hosts a weekly cooking segment on a local ABC affiliate. The development adds to his growing restaurant empire. He owns establishments in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Siesta Key, as well as a catering company and restaurant design business. As his catering arm expanded into Manatee, Mattison began looking at opening a restaurant here between six and 12 months ago. He called the area "underserved." "I hope to encourage more to come," Mattison said of restaurant competition. "I hope it drives more density."
The addition will give residents more reason to venture downtown, said Mike Kennedy, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. "I think Paul Mattison coming to the Twin Dolphin is a huge shot in the arm for downtown because of his quality and reputation in the region," Kennedy said. "I know I ll be there a lot." Mattison will add an unusual element to downtown Bradenton, an area with many casual eateries and watering holes, said local restaurant consultant Gaston Merideth. "The style of food he does is different," Merideth said. "He has more mid-to upscale-style food and menu. He really doesn't have much competition when it comes to that quality of food." Mattison plans to continue serving the Twin Dolphin's current menu while giving the restaurant a major overhaul on a piecemeal basis.
An official grand opening could take place as early as Nov. 13 when the renovation is complete. At that point, he'll introduce a new seafood-driven menu that maintains the Twin Dolphin's current price point. During renovation, Mattison will hire and train new staff, re-train current staff and replace and update equipment. One big change involves installing a sushi bar near the front entrance and knocking out a wall to expand the lounge. Mattison plans to host special events in a large upstairs ballroom. There is a huge demand for waterfront banquet space, said Barry Batson, general manager of Manatee Riverhouse, a waterfront banquet facility across the river in Palmetto. "We've got events booked out all the way out to June of next year," Batson said. "People call us because they can't get dates anywhere else.", executive director of the Downtown Development Authority.
A high-profile Sarasota restaurateur's venture into Manatee County is expected to shine a spotlight on an area undergoing a nearly $1 billion revitalization effort.
Paul Mattison, chef-owner of a successful string of upscale Mediterranean restaurants in Sarasota County, is taking over the operation of the Twin Dolphin Marina Grill near downtown Bradenton.
Mattison is teaming up with the Miller family for a dramatic $200,000 renovation of the restaurant to be renamed Mattison's Riverside. The Millers consist of brothers Don Miller and Dan Miller, a former U.S. congressman, and Don Miller's son, Hugh. The Millers retain ownership of the marina and restaurant but lease the land from the city. They opened the Pier Restaurant in 1976 before changing it to the Twin Dolphin in the late 1990s. Hugh Miller called Mattison about taking over restaurant operations as he focused on future changes at the marina. He plans to redevelop the marina with new floating docks and larger boat slips to accommodate the bigger boat trend.e looked to Mattison to take over a restaurant that has enjoyed an annual growth rate of close to 18 percent. "This place is getting ready to explode," Miller said. "So what I wanted to do is be on the front end of that and take advantage of this opportunity to bring in somebody who is well-respected in the field," Miller said.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Mattison appears on the Home Shopping Network and hosts a weekly cooking segment on a local ABC affiliate. The development adds to his growing restaurant empire. He owns establishments in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Siesta Key, as well as a catering company and restaurant design business. As his catering arm expanded into Manatee, Mattison began looking at opening a restaurant here between six and 12 months ago. He called the area "underserved." "I hope to encourage more to come," Mattison said of restaurant competition. "I hope it drives more density."
The addition will give residents more reason to venture downtown, said Mike Kennedy, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. "I think Paul Mattison coming to the Twin Dolphin is a huge shot in the arm for downtown because of his quality and reputation in the region," Kennedy said. "I know I ll be there a lot." Mattison will add an unusual element to downtown Bradenton, an area with many casual eateries and watering holes, said local restaurant consultant Gaston Merideth. "The style of food he does is different," Merideth said. "He has more mid-to upscale-style food and menu. He really doesn't have much competition when it comes to that quality of food." Mattison plans to continue serving the Twin Dolphin's current menu while giving the restaurant a major overhaul on a piecemeal basis.
An official grand opening could take place as early as Nov. 13 when the renovation is complete. At that point, he'll introduce a new seafood-driven menu that maintains the Twin Dolphin's current price point. During renovation, Mattison will hire and train new staff, re-train current staff and replace and update equipment. One big change involves installing a sushi bar near the front entrance and knocking out a wall to expand the lounge. Mattison plans to host special events in a large upstairs ballroom. There is a huge demand for waterfront banquet space, said Barry Batson, general manager of Manatee Riverhouse, a waterfront banquet facility across the river in Palmetto. "We've got events booked out all the way out to June of next year," Batson said. "People call us because they can't get dates anywhere else.", executive director of the Downtown Development Authority.
