Cooper Levey-Baker has written about food, politics, civic issues, the arts, and music in Southwest Florida for 15 years. His work has won multiple awards from the Florida Magazine Association and the Florida Society of Professional Journalists, as well as an honorable mention from the Julia Child Foundation. Follow him on Twitter: @LeveyBaker.

Survey Says...

Survey Finds Most Floridians Think It's Important to Wear Masks in Restaurants

According to a new survey, eight in 10 Floridians say it's either "very" or "somewhat" important to don a mask while visiting a restaurant.

06/30/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

First Look

Willow's Cafe Brings More Breakfast, Lunch Options to the Rosemary District

The restaurant, which opened in April, serves everything from simple egg-based breakfasts to sandwiches, wraps and salads.

06/30/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Breaking

City of Sarasota Now Requires Masks in Public

The city received hundreds of phone calls and emails about the proposed ordinance in recent days.

06/29/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker and David Hackett

Breaking

Florida Is Shutting Down Bars Again Because of COVID-19

The state issued the order the same day it was reported that Florida had 8,942 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, a single-day record.

06/26/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Get Your Fixe

Bradenton's Excellent Château 13 Reopens With a New Prix Fixe Menu

The restaurant was a hit as soon as it opened its doors last year. After a prolonged shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's back.

06/25/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Expanded menu

More Food and Drink Options Coming to Lakewood Ranch

The developers behind Waterside Place recently announced that the project will be home to Duck Donuts, Atria Bread + Coffee and CROP Juice.

06/23/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

G's Southern Kitchen Dishes Up Terrific Takeout in a Golf Course Clubhouse

The restaurant offers an eye-catching selection of chicken wings, sandwiches, salads and sides.

06/23/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Data

USF Researchers Find Black and Hispanic Americans Much More Likely Than Whites to Fear Police Brutality

Two University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee researchers have found that Black Americans are nearly five times more likely than whites to worry "a lot" about police brutality.

06/22/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Day Drinking

First Watch Starts Serving Alcohol

It's the first time the restaurant chain has sold alcohol since its first location opened in 1986.

06/18/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Reality check

Siesta Key Star Fired for Alleged Racist Social Media Posts

Alex Kompothecras 'will not be in future seasons of Siesta Key,' according to an MTV spokesperson.

06/17/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Spring Cleaning

Clásico Has a New Look, a New Menu and a New Chef

It's the restaurant's first extensive refresh since it opened roughly eight years ago.

06/16/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Neighborhood guide

Where the Locals Eat in Palmer Ranch

Five restaurants where the folks in Palmer Ranch like to get together.

06/15/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

Kürtós Serves Creative Sandwiches Out of a Tiny Downtown Storefront

The company makes Hungarian "chimney cakes," hollow spirals of dough that can be either sweet or savory.

06/15/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Video

Let’s Learn How to Make a Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita

Via Zoom, Loaded Cannon Distillery's Michelle Russell shows us how to whip up a summer-friendly cocktail.

06/12/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Recipe

Let's Learn How to Cook Tiger Prawns Like They Do at Avlí Mess Hall

Avlí chef de cuisine Johnny Zaki says it's vitally important to leave your prawn heads intact.

06/11/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

'This Is An Incredible Time in History'

Sarasota's Mayor Says the Time for Anti-Racist Action Is Now

Jen Ahearn-Koch discusses the protests that have rocked America, how Sarasota city government should respond and whether we need to 'defund the police.'

06/11/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Party Time

LGBTQ-Friendly Restaurants Celebrate 'Taste of Pride' Starting Today

Several restaurants and food businesses in Sarasota are offering special deals, dishes and drinks to celebrate Pride Month.

06/10/2020 Photography by Cooper Levey-Baker

Weather

Damage From Tropical Storm Shuts Down Casey Key Road

Heavy rain, high winds and tall waves cracked a portion of Casey Key roadway that runs along the Gulf of Mexico.

06/08/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Health scare

Fundraising Dinners Will Help Local Chef With Lung and Brain Cancer

To help Lila's Arthur Lopes recover, friends have organized a GoFundMe campaign and the restaurant is planning two special meals to raise money.

06/08/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Fins up

Gecko's Cocktail Raises $10,000 for Mote

In 2018, Gecko's pledged to donate $1 for every sale of a new cocktail named in honor of Mote founder and world-renowned scientist Eugenie Clark.

06/08/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker