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.

Waste Not

Five Products That Reduce Takeout Trash

Eco-conscious consumers are even bringing their own utensils to the table.

07/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The Great Disruption

How Food Delivery Apps Are Changing the Economics of the Restaurant Business

Today, Bite Squad works with more than 170 area restaurants.

07/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Grab & Go

10 Can't-Miss Takeout Meals

When we’re too lazy to fix dinner, these are the to-go feasts we turn to most often.

07/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Groceraunts

Five Great Quick-Dinner Items You Can Pick Up While Grocery Shopping

We consider these our weeknight staples.

07/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Essential Intelligence

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Is Back on Florida's Gulf Coast

Sea turtles have been swimming the world’s oceans for 100 million years, but today their future is precarious.

06/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Shack Attack

Shake Shack Has Arrived at The Mall at UTC

Shake Shack now operates roughly 250 locations around the world.

06/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurant Review

Lemon Tree Kitchen Serves 'Clean' Cuisine in the Former Louies Modern

You don’t have to be a vegetarian to love Lemon Tree, but the menu is stocked with great vegetarian options.

06/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Making Waves

Six Women Shaping Our Region—and Our World

We celebrate six women whose talents and accomplishments are transforming the environment, business, sports and politics here and beyond.

06/29/2019 By Pam Daniel, Susan Burns, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Kay Kipling

Making Waves

Stevie Freeman-Montes Is Determined to Help Sarasota Face Climate Change

“I’m trying to facilitate a process of figuring this out together.”

06/28/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Smoke shop

A New Nancy's Bar-B-Q Is Opening in Lakewood Ranch Next Week. Here Are the Details

The new restaurant will be open seven days a week and will offer a full bar menu, a first for a Nancy's.

06/27/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

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 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