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.

Savor Save

Savor Sarasota Returns Again in June

During the event, dozens of restaurants will offer prix fixe meals for $16 at lunch and $32 at dinner.

04/16/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Coldplay

Publix Is Now Carrying SorBabes, a Sorbet Brand With a Sarasota Connection

SorBabes makes excellent fruit sorbets, as well as ultra-creamy varieties made with nut butters and nut hunks.

04/15/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Do the wave

New Main Street Coffee Shop Opens

Breaking Wave Coffee is located in the former home of Artisan Cheese Company.

04/12/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Pep Talk

Ian Bremmer Closes Out the Ringling College Library Association's 2019 Town Hall Series

Thursday's event also included the announcement of next year's lineup, which includes Annie Leibovitz, Rick Steves and more.

04/11/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

World tour

Three-Day Ringling Festival Celebrates the Culture of India

A Journey Through India includes a Bollywood dance festival, live music from a sitar master, lectures on Indian culture, a market with food and artisan goods and more.

04/08/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The First 1,000 Days

The Goal of This New Food Bank Program Is to Make Sure Newborns Have Enough to Eat

Children today aren't often identified as food insecure until they enter the public school system.

04/08/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Shack attack

Shake Shack Opens Next Week

The beloved 'better burger' restaurant has been in the works since early last year.

04/08/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Gulf Feast

The Ultimate Guide to Great Gulf Seafood

Dive into our favorite fish houses, top seafood shops, the secrets of mullet-smoking and why clams are eco-friendly superstars.

04/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Yay, Mullet!

The City of Sarasota Should Ditch the David and Embrace Its Fishy Heritage

We can think of no better representation of the charms of Sarasota than those laid out in the city’s original seal, with the beautiful, flavorful, iconic mullet front and center.

04/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

After the Bloom

A Year of Catastrophic Algal Blooms Has Local Seafood Companies Hoping For a Rebound

Overall, the Gulf seafood industry experienced huge losses last year.

04/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

True Roe-mance

Mullet Roe Is Delicious. Here's How to Use It

And where to get it, too.

04/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Get Out Your Weber

How to Conquer a Classic Florida Dish: Smoked Mullet

History rarely tastes this good.

04/03/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Gulf Feast

Five Shops That Specialize in Great Gulf Seafood

Where to take home some top-notch fish.

04/02/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Gulf Feast

10 Local Restaurants Serving Up Succulent Gulf Seafood

Our favorite fish houses.

04/02/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Review

Bushido Izayaki Rolls Out Creative Japanese Fare in a Samurai-Themed Strip Mall Space

“Bushido” is a reference to the samurai code of ethics, and you’ll find warrior-themed designs throughout the 4,000-square-foot space.

04/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks or Less

3 Pepper Burrito Co. Brings Mission Burritos to the Heart of Downtown

The restaurant just opened its 10th location dead center in the middle of the downtown Sarasota Farmers Market, perfectly situated amid dozens of offices within a walkable range.

04/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Plant city

State Street Adds New Vegetarian Items as Part of Menu Revamp

New items include seared cauliflower and Szechuan noodles, with optional seafood upgrades.

04/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Cluck cluck

New Chicken Restaurant Opens Downtown

Daily Bird serves sandwiches that feature either grilled or fried chicken; three-, five- and 10-piece fried baskets; and bowls stocked with greens or sprouted grains.

03/26/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The politics of pours

Black Bourbon Society Founder Participating in Whiskey Obsession Festival

Samara Rivers wants more diversity in the whiskey world, and she's bringing her message to Sarasota.

03/25/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Worth the drive

Sebring Festival Lets You Explore the Sweet World of Craft Soda

Sample colas, ginger ales, root beers and cream sodas, with flavors like caramel apple, prickly pear, espresso, peach cobbler, candied bacon and more.

03/22/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker