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.

Fresh Air

Our Favorite Outdoor Dining Destinations

Covid-19 has made outdoor dining more popular than ever. Here are our favorite destinations for an al fresco feast.

09/22/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Taking a Detour

Local Food Trucks Adapt to an Industry Radically Altered By Covid-19

“We’re trying to adjust and adapt. It’s nothing like it used to be.”

09/22/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Q&A

America’s Former Surgeon General Discusses Loneliness, Isolation and Covid-19

Dr. Vivek Murthy is the author of a timely new book titled "Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World."

09/21/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Gallery grub

New Restaurant in the Sarasota Art Museum Opens Oct. 1

The menu at Bistro will include soups, tartines, salads, sandwiches, charcuterie and cheese platters, breads and pastries.

09/17/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Keifer's House

Sarasota Nonprofit Opens New Residential Program for People Leaving Incarceration

Project 180 gives stable housing to people being released from jail and prison and also helps them with transportation, employment and addiction recovery.

09/16/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

You Are Not Alone

Covid-19 Is Fueling America’s Loneliness Epidemic

The pandemic has left millions of Americans cut off from other people, and public health experts say the consequences could be dire.

09/15/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Alas, Poor Yorick

New Food Truck Serves Up Comfort Food in a Downtown-Adjacent Courtyard

The name of Hamlet's Eatery might lead you to expect Danish cuisine, but the truck instead offers burgers, quesadillas and tacos.

09/15/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Data

Restaurant Industry on Track to Lose $240 Billion This Year

The National Restaurant Association estimates that 3 million food service employees are still out of work because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

09/14/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best Breakfasts

Five Local Diners We Love

In a hurry? These old-school breakfast spots will get you in and out in a jiffy.

09/14/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Home Tour

Take a Look at This Huge Yacht-Inspired Home Going Up Near Lido Beach

If you've been out to Lido recently, there's no way you haven't seen this project.

09/11/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Breaking

Florida Bars Can Reopen on Monday

The new rule applies to bars, breweries and other alcohol vendors.

09/10/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Starting over

Downtown Indian Restaurant Rebrands, Overhauls Menu

Healthy Café is now India Café, and it has a new, more traditional Indian menu.

09/04/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Switcheroo

Avlí Mess Hall Has a New Name: 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails

The restaurant was forced to change its name because an Illinois company owns a trademark on the name Avlí.

09/04/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Groceries

Detwiler's Farm Market Adds Online Ordering System

Customers now have access to more than 5,000 different products that can be purchased with zero contact.

09/01/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

New Five-O Donut Co. Opening This Fall

Five-O's third shop will be located in the strip mall previously known as Paradise Plaza.

08/31/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

A New Food Truck Brings Gourmet Grilled Cheese to the Streets of Sarasota

Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company is serving cheesy sandwiches at neighborhoods throughout Sarasota.

08/27/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Neighborhood guide

Where the Locals Eat in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch and University Town Center area offers a bevy of great dining options.

08/24/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

Sarasota's Antojitos Cuban Cuisine Serves a Crave-Worthy Cuban Sandwich

The restaurant makes big sandwiches with even bigger flavor.

08/21/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Crime

Sarasota Man With Ties to Steve Bannon Arrested

Andrew Badolato was arrested Thursday and charged with wire fraud and money laundering, along with Bannon and two others.

08/20/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Return to vendor

The Sarasota Farmers Market Is Back. Here's How Things Are Going.

Since the market reopened on Aug. 1, customers have flocked to downtown Sarasota to get their hands on food from local vendors.

08/20/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker