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.

Switcheroo

Avlí Mess Hall Has a New Name: 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails

The restaurant was forced to change its name because an Illinois company owns a trademark on the name Avlí.

09/04/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Groceries

Detwiler's Farm Market Adds Online Ordering System

Customers now have access to more than 5,000 different products that can be purchased with zero contact.

09/01/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

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New Five-O Donut Co. Opening This Fall

Five-O's third shop will be located in the strip mall previously known as Paradise Plaza.

08/31/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

A New Food Truck Brings Gourmet Grilled Cheese to the Streets of Sarasota

Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company is serving cheesy sandwiches at neighborhoods throughout Sarasota.

08/27/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Neighborhood guide

Where the Locals Eat in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch and University Town Center area offers a bevy of great dining options.

08/24/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

Sarasota's Antojitos Cuban Cuisine Serves a Crave-Worthy Cuban Sandwich

The restaurant makes big sandwiches with even bigger flavor.

08/21/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Crime

Sarasota Man With Ties to Steve Bannon Arrested

Andrew Badolato was arrested Thursday and charged with wire fraud and money laundering, along with Bannon and two others.

08/20/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Return to vendor

The Sarasota Farmers Market Is Back. Here's How Things Are Going.

Since the market reopened on Aug. 1, customers have flocked to downtown Sarasota to get their hands on food from local vendors.

08/20/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Grand reopening

Newtown Farmer's Market Reopens This Week

After being shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the market will return on Friday and Saturday with new social distancing rules in place.

08/17/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Open up

Manatee County Has the Chance to Create a New Land Conservation Program

If voters approve a new measure this fall, the county could acquire land to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, preserve environmentally sensitive land and create public parks.

08/14/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Green Energy

Our Favorite Salads in Sarasota-Manatee

Where to find the freshest, most flavorful salads right now.

08/13/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker Photography by Chad Spencer

Climate Change

State Grant Will Help Sarasota County Plan for Sea Level Rise

Florida says sea level around the state could rise by as much as 3 feet by 2060, and wants to help Sarasota get ready.

08/13/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Squad goals

Food Delivery Service Wants to Hire 200 New Drivers in Sarasota

As demand for delivery from restaurants rises, so has the need for more drivers.

08/11/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Hunger

Meals on Wheels Shifting Food Distribution for Manatee County Families

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee has seen need spike because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

08/10/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Nature

Sarasota County Buys 40 Acres for Environmental Conservation

The property links the existing Old Miakka Preserve to 120,000 acres of conserved land near the Myakka River and Tatum Sawgrass Marsh.

08/06/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

Smoqehouse Specializes in Tasty Sandwiches

The restaurant replaced The Oaks Open Pit B-B-Q on the South Trail earlier this year.

08/04/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Is It Safe to Eat Out?

How Local Restaurants Are Handling COVID-19 Safety Precautions

Restaurants have instituted a number of new safety measures, but dozens of complaints about a lack of social distancing have been filed with the state.

08/04/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Eat better, do better

Psychiatrist and Author Launches New Video Series on Nutrition and Brain Health

Dr. Uma Naidoo is the author of the new book This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods That Fight Depression, PTSD, ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, and More.

07/31/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Moments of Joy

Moment of Joy: Sipping That Nitro Cold Brew With Sweet Cream

Cooper Levey-Baker has been working from home since March, and since he doesn't have regular access to his favorite coffee shops, he's come to rely on Starbucks.

07/30/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

10 Bucks Or Less

Gyros & Seafood Express Gets Facelift, Adds Online Ordering System

The north U.S. 301 restaurant has something I'm hunting for more and more these days: a drive-through.

07/29/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker