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.

Restaurant Review

The Reborn Libby's Improves on the Original

This is French comfort food par excellence—delicious and satisfying.

10/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sound Wave

Restaurants Are Getting Louder. Not Everyone Loves the Trend

Let's hope restaurant owners are listening.

10/29/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

It's Showtime!

At One of Sarasota's Oldest Restaurants, Great Service Matters

Columbia Restaurant assistant manager Richard Appelgren shares the secrets to the restaurant's success.

10/29/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sunday service

Lakewood Ranch Farmers' Market Moves to Sundays, Starting This Week

The Market at Lakewood Ranch will run 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday from November through April.

10/28/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Health is Wealth

Healthy Café Delivers Fast-Casual Bowls With an Indian Twist

The restaurant is currently offering a 20 percent introductory discount on its dishes, plus free turmeric tea and watermelon juice.

10/21/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Farm fun

Eat Local Week Kicks Off Thursday

The theme of this year's Transition Sarasota celebration is 'Exploring Food Waste.'

10/14/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤🔥🎤

Sarasota Rapper's New Album Drops Today

YB's Fire & Desire contains 11 tracks of well-crafted Christian hip hop.

10/09/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

October is the coolest month

Student Poets Will Be in Residence at Art Ovation Next Week

Led by educator Joanna Fox, creative writing students from Booker Middle School will be typing up poems inspired by random words plucked from a jar.

10/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Snacks back

Bradenton Farmers' Market Returns Saturday

The market sets up along Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from October through May.

10/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

There Goes The Neighborhood

Is Airbnb Ruining Our Neighborhoods?

Do sites like Airbnb boost the local economy or tear neighborhoods apart?

10/02/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurant Review

Bridges Restaurant Marries Old World and New World Food

Be sure to ask for a table by the window for stunning views of downtown Sarasota.

10/02/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Cut!

Claws Will Return for a Fourth and Final Season

The program is one of TV's most entertaining shows, a witty blend of Florida noir, dark comedy and outlandish style.

10/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Call it a comeback

Phillippi Farmers' Market Returns Wednesday

It's that time of year. Temperatures are dipping below 95, pumpkin spice is flowing freely and seasonal farmers' markets are returning to action.

10/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Greek Show

Athens Family Restaurant Delivers Food Network-Approved Greek Cuisine

Food Network host Guy Fieri dubbed the restaurant's kotopita "crunchalicious."

10/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sober Up

More and More Bars Are Mixing Creative Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

It’s part of what some call a nationwide “sober curious” trend.

10/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Pie times

Oak & Stone Opens New 'Fastfire' Location

Oak & Stone Fastfire offers a stripped-down menu that focuses on Oak & Stone's beloved pizzas, with a fast-casual setup.

09/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Morning glory

New Café Coming to University Town Center

Georgie's Garden Café will be a sister restaurant to the popular Naples eatery Jane's Café.

09/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Green party

New North Port Farmers' Market Kicks Off Wednesday

The list of vendors includes a number of names familiar from other local farmers' markets, like Maggie's Seafood, Mr. Fun Guy, Fermentlicious and more.

09/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Still Life

Drum Circle Distilling's Coffee-Flavored Rum Is a Big Hit

To make it, the company runs its silver Siesta Key Rum through Colombian beans roasted by Latitude 23.5 Coffee and Tea.

09/04/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurant Review

Even After a Major Overhaul, Mar Vista Retains Its Old Florida Bona Fides

Mar Vista's updates include a state-of-the-art kitchen, an outdoor fireplace and a revamped dining room and bar. What hasn’t changed? The magic.

09/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker