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.

Lunch-out!!

Downtown Restaurant Element Adds Lunch Service

The new menu includes a smattering of salads and sandwiches, plus heartier fare like pork belly and scallop entrées.

06/11/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Salad days

Leaf & Lentil Serves Inexpensive Vegetarian Fare in a Cute North Trail Space

The café serves a mix of salads and "small" and "main" plates that rotates frequently.

06/10/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Wheels of fortune

New Mexican Food Truck Hits the Streets of Bradenton

Rincon Mexicano serves tacos and quesadillas stocked with pork al pastor, beef or chicken.

06/06/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Show business

Your New Sushi Splurge: 'Ultimate Omakase'

Star Thai and Sushi on Siesta Key recently began offering the over-the-top sushi extravaganza.

06/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Review

Umbrellas 1296 Delivers Affordable Eats in a Fashionable Downtown Space

The restaurant's menu covers the globe.

05/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Hot Chicken

Daily Bird Specializes in Ultra-Crunchy Fried Poultry

The restaurant serves sandwiches with either grilled or fried chicken; three- and five-piece fried baskets; a salad and even poutine.

05/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Bright Spot

Florida Power & Light Is Building the World’s Largest Solar-Powered Battery in Manatee County

What does that mean for consumers?

05/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

One of a Kind

Here's What Makes the Piada, an Italian Street Food, So Special

Chef Sara Valeri and her husband, Ken Doyle, opened Piada Mania in a small south Sarasota space last year.

05/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Grand Getaways

Grand Florida Hotels

Indulge at Florida's finest historic hotels.

05/27/2019 By Kay Kipling, Susan Burns, Cooper Levey-Baker, Megan McDonald, and Ilene Denton

Grand Hotels

Luxury and History Collide at Boca Raton Resort & Club

The hotel’s architecture was inspired by a Spanish convent built in the 11th century.

05/27/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Juicy trouble

Season Three of Claws Starts June 9

The hit TNT show, set in Palmetto, is an ideal summertime escape, with an exuberant, over-the-top panache.

05/22/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Get with the program

Here Are All 16 Restaurants Participating in Savor Sarasota for the First Time This Year

Bavaro's, Rudolph's, Reyna's and Speaks are just some of the new eateries offering Savor Sarasota deals beginning next week.

05/20/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Market forces

New Detwiler's Farm Market Will Open in South Sarasota

The new store will be located at 2881 Clark Road, Sarasota.

05/20/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

So Fresh, So Clean

New 'Fresh-Casual' Restaurant Coming to Downtown Sarasota

The new location will be SoFresh's sixth, following openings in Tampa and Lakewood Ranch.

05/20/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Stone cold beer awesome

New Oak & Stone Opens Monday

After this location opens, look for two more to open soon: one in Bradenton and one in Naples.

05/17/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Slice capades

New Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant Opens Friday

Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria is situated in a beautifully rehabbed law office on the eastern edge of downtown Sarasota.

05/15/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The French revolution

Libby's Will Reopen Later This Week. Here's What to Expect

The relaunch coincides with plans for a second Libby's that is expected to open in Lakewood Ranch later this year.

05/13/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Take one down, pass it around

99 Bottles Is Your New Downtown Beer Bar

Looking for a fun, new after-work meetup spot? Head here.

05/09/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Right flight

Take a Gander at This Insane Private Jet

Billed as the world's most spacious and luxurious private jet, the Crystal Skye is traveling from Sarasota to South Africa this week as part of an 88-person Admiral Travel International safari.

05/08/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Stayin' Alive

Florida Is the Deadliest State in the Nation for Bicyclists. An Expert Tells Us Why

In 2016, 138 cyclists in Florida were killed in vehicle crashes—the highest per-capita number of fatalities of any state in the nation.

05/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker