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.

Recipe

Three Delicious Mezcal Cocktails

Whip up one of these sippers the next time you're contemplating a cocktail.

03/12/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Road Trips

Kennedy Space Center Aims to Inspire Future Astronauts

You can plan a trip to Kennedy to coincide with a SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral; videos of takeoffs and landings are breathtaking.

03/01/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Wakeup Call

Three Killer South County Breakfast Spots

Three killer South County breakfast spots.

03/01/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Caffeine Dreams

The Coffee Lover's Guide to Sarasota

A guide to the best cups around.

02/28/2018 By Megan McDonald and Cooper Levey-Baker

Caffeine Dreams

In Praise of Starbucks, Kind Of

Making peace with the great green empire.

02/28/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Caffeine Dreams

The Best Convenience Store and Fast Food Coffees

Cooper Levey-Baker tastes and tells.

02/28/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Second Chances

Should Former Felons Have the Right to Vote?

More than 6 million Americans are barred from voting because of a felony conviction—including more than 1.6 million in Florida.

02/28/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Made in SRQ

Made in SRQ: Super-Sensitive Musical Strings

What better way to compliment that Stradivarius you've got laying around?

02/28/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Goat Meal

Now Open: Screaming Goat Taqueria

The outstanding pick of condiments elevates the food at this new Gulf Gate eatery.

02/27/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Cold Chillin'

The Hyppo Keeps it Pretty Chill on St. Armands Circle

It's popsicle season.

02/23/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurants

Two New Metro Diners Opening Next Month

The two new restaurants are the chain's 50th and 51st locations.

02/21/2018 By Staff

Meat and Three, Coming This Fall

Builders Break Ground on New Nonprofit Newtown Restaurant

'This is the exact opposite of gentrification,' said Terrill Salem, whose company, T. Salem Construction, LLC, will be building Miss Susie's Newtown Kitchen.

02/20/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

French Twist

10 Bucks Or Less: Brasserie Honoré

Find tasty sandwiches and salads at the café inside the new Whole Foods Market.

02/14/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Living on the Edge

Do Rising Car Loan Defaults Signal a Precarious Economy?

Last year, the rate of delinquencies on subprime auto loans rose to 9.7 percent for auto lenders not affiliated with banks or credit unions, up from just 5.8 percent in 2012.

02/02/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Al Fresco Favorites

The Best Outdoor Dining in Sarasota-Manatee

The best place to eat in Southwest Florida? Outside, of course.

01/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Roadside Attractions

Watch the World Stroll by at These Sidewalk Dining Destinations

Great food and great people watching? Count us in.

01/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Plein Air Plenty

The Best Farmers Market Eats

Along with ready-to-eat options, our region's bustling farmers markets offer some appealing places to enjoy a quick lunch or snack, from outdoor tables to the Phillippi market’s beautiful park with water views.

01/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker