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.

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

Clean Sweep

The Hottest Food Trend in Sarasota? Nutrition

The word of the year on the Sarasota dining scene is “clean.”

04/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Philly Flair

You'll Find Real-Deal Cheesesteaks at Gentile Bros. on the South Trail

More than a sandwich shop, Gentile Bros. is a shrine to all things Philadelphia.

04/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Tel Aviv in a Truck

Spice Boys Brings Modern Israeli Food to Sarasota

Steven Schmitt and Carl Kolber were inspired by eateries Shaya in New Orleans and The Palomar Restaurant in London and chefs like Yotam Ottolenghi.

04/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Review

Sage Brings New Energy to a Historic Downtown Address

Owner Sharon Carole purchased the property for $2.1 million in 2014; it opened in January this year.

04/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best of Sarasota 2019

Our Editors' Picks for the Best New Restaurants, Shopping and Services in Sarasota-Manatee

We celebrate the best in dining, shopping, the arts and attractions.

04/30/2019 By Susan Burns, Cooper Levey-Baker, Megan McDonald, Kay Kipling, Ilene Denton, and Giulia Heyward

Diner things

New Greek Restaurant Set to Open in June

Guy Fieri has dubbed the chef's kotopita 'crunchalicious.'

04/29/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Pop's Star

Waterfront Restaurant Adds Huge New Tiki Bar

The new bar at Pop's Sunset Grill in Nokomis bumps right up against the Intracoastal Waterway.

04/29/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

History Lesson—Part I

Der Dutchman Celebrates 50 Years of History This Saturday

The first Der Dutchman opened in Walnut Creek, Ohio, on May 1, 1969, with seating for 75 and 15-20 employees.

04/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The Purple One

Miss Prince? Purple Reign Pays Tribute to the Legend

Jason Tenner has been imitating the inimitable in Las Vegas for 22 years. He brings his show to Sarasota on Saturday, May 4.

04/23/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Desk-side dining

New Healthy Lunch Delivery Service Launches

'Lots of carbs and gluten are getting old,' says Fresh Flamingo owner Patrik Malatinszki. 'This is something new.'

04/22/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Space race

Gecko's Opens New Event and Meeting Space

Signature Events & Catering is located in The Landings, in the original Gecko's location that closed in 2017.

04/22/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker