Cooper Levey-Baker has written about food, politics, civic issues, the arts, and music in Southwest Florida for a decade. His work has won an honorable mention from the Julia Child Foundation and a Bronze Award for Best In-Depth Reporting from the Florida Magazine Association, and he was named a finalist for Best Public Service Reporting by the Florida Society of Professional Journalists. His fiction earned him a John Ringling Fund Individual Artist Fellowship from the Arts Council of Sarasota County and his rendition of "Drunk in Love" has left karaoke audiences throughout the region bewildered.

10 Bucks Or Less

Tamiami Tacos Offers Budget-Friendly Mexican Food Inside an Exxon Station

This tiny four-table restaurant serves both drivers cruising by on 41 and boaters puttering along on nearby Bowlees Creek.

08/23/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Bulgogi Bonanza

New Korean Barbecue Restaurant Opens

A popular food truck has pulled into the space that once housed La Dona Donuts.

08/17/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

R.I.P.

Longtime Restaurateur, Philanthropist Dies at 65

With the death of Steve Seidensticker, Sarasota has lost a giant.

08/16/2018 By Susan Burns

Rising

Five-O Donut Co Opening Second Location

Christine Nordstrom plans to open a second Five-O at 7119 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, in September.

08/12/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Eat Drink Jump

These Three Party Boats Offer the Ultimate Sarasota Summer Experience

Three more reasons to love the water.

07/26/2018 By Isaac Eger and Cooper Levey-Baker

Cheap Eats

Mirna's, a Tiny Eatery on the North Trail, Is a Winner

The menu, which largely follows Cuban tradition, keeps the place packed.

07/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

A Nutty Idea

A Pharmacist's Quest for Better Almond Milk Led Her to Start Her Own Company

Totally Nuts—whose base recipe includes only water, California almonds, salt and a probiotic—is the brainchild of Vicki Gregory.

07/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Review

Summer House Is the Best New Restaurant on Siesta Key

Summer House pays homage to a Siesta Key legend while charting a new course.

07/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Hello, Mellow

New Pizza Spot Mellow Mushroom Opens on the South Trail

Whether you’re stoned and starving or just starving, check it out.

07/18/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

At Your Service

Hungry for Dinner, But Too Lazy to Leave the House? There's an App for That.

Here's the lowdown on three popular restaurant delivery apps.

06/27/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Female Factor

Kelly Romanoff Wants to Help Babies Thrive During Their First 1,000 Days

A child's first two years are crucial to his or her development. First 1000 Days Sarasota County wants to help make them the healthiest they can be.

06/27/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Female Factor

With Her Emerge Sarasota, Samantha Gholar Wants to Bring Together Minority Young Professionals

Emerge Sarasota began with a handful of members but has grown to about 80 participants who attend the organization’s social mixers, arts outings and volunteer and charity events.

06/27/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Female Factor

Erinn Muller is in a Race to Save Florida’s—and the World’s—Coral

Muller—one of a small percentage of women to get an advanced marine science degree—won a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at Mote that gave her two years to build her own coral research program.

06/27/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Back in Business

Season Two of Claws Starts June 10

The popular TNT drama is set in a fictional nail salon in Manatee County.

06/05/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best Brews

The Beer-Obsessed Create Their Own Brews

The Homebrewers Association of Manatee & Sarasota boasts a thriving membership.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best Brews

The Local Craft Beer Scene Just Keeps Growing

The industry here has seen an explosion of interest, with 11 breweries right in Sarasota-Manatee.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best Brews

Our Craft Beer Scene Has Never Been Hotter

With 11 breweries, an active homebrewers club and thousands of beer fanatics, our region’s craft beer scene has never been better. Here's what's on tap.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

A Brewing Controversy

Are Women Welcome in the Craft Beer World?

While 29 percent of employees in American breweries are women, just 4 percent of active breweries have a female brewmaster, according to one survey.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Made in Manatee

General Pneumatics Airplane Escape Systems are Made in Manatee County

General Pneumatics’ products open emergency slides and rafts.

05/30/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Rising Star

Star Thai and Sushi Brings Izakaya Style to Siesta Key

The eatery serves a long list of Thai and Japanese classics, but you’ll also find less common noodle dishes like lad na, a more inventive than usual sushi menu and an impressive pick of Japanese whiskies.

05/29/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker