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Arts + Entertainment | Eat + Drink

Lakewood Ranch's Elle Plotkin is a new employee at the Lakewood Main Street location.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 7, 2026
Popular Sarasota bakery opens on Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Bread Bandits combines a century-old sourdough starter with modern convenience at its new Lakewood Ranch store.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Can you eat both halves of a corned beef sandwich? You can test your skills when Wolfie's Hand Cut opens at UTC late this year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 23, 2026
Can new concept earn the bread for Wolfie's at University Town Center?

Wolfie's Hand Cut will use a Chipotle Mexican Grill-style fast-casual concept to streamline operations.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Logan Shaw, Wolfe Shaw, Michael Garey and Calvin Shaw, the team behind the new M & W Sweet Spot frozen treat shop on Longboat Key, showcase a variety of their offerings, including frozen custard sandwiches and drinks.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 15, 2026
From frozen custard to soft serve, Longboat's treats help locals stay cool

Those seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth have plenty of options with shops including the newly opened M & W Sweet Spot on Longboat Key's north end.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Whitney’s Restaurant on the north end of Longboat Key is planning to expand to the office building next door, pictured to the right.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
Whitney's restaurant plans expansion

The Longboat Key restaurant owners paid $1.2 million for the property next door last October.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Co-owners Tory Delany and Kevin O'Hanlon say every aspect of Delany's Public House on Lakewood Main Street is genuine Irish.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 15, 2026
Delany's Public House ready to open on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The owners went to great lengths to present the public with a genuine Irish Public House.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jason Starkman, the director of operations for The Original Wolfie's and Rascal House restaurants, shows off a corned beef sandwich. Wolfie's 21 Hand Cut is coming to UTC in late November or early December.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 10, 2026
Wolfie's Hand Cut headed to University Town Center

The new restaurant will offer 21st-century versions of the Original Wolfie's and Rascal House menu items.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The lunch and dinner buffet at Der Dutchman is available from 11:45 a.m. to close. The breakfast buffet is offered from 7 to 11:15 a.m.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 27, 2026
Sarasota Amish eatery ranks as No. 2 buffet restaurant in US

Der Dutchman is on the USA Today’s 10 Best list for best buffet restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chophouse285, located at 285 West Dearborn Street in Englewood, was among the 68 restaurants participating in the 2026 Savor Sarasota campaign.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 23, 2026
Nearly $1.02M in sales generated during Sarasota restaurant weeks

Visit Sarasota County spearheaded the initiative to promote dining out during the summer.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The pizzeria offers mostly 13-inch and a handful of 8-inch pies.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 23, 2026
Michelin-recommended pizzeria opens at University Town Center

Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza is known for its artisanal star-shaped pizzas.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Harry's Continental Kitchens has been a local favorite for decades.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 16, 2026
Savor Sarasota deals extended through June

Fifty-five restaurants will continue to offer special pricing for lunches and dinners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jonathan Ith, who has run Chick-fil-A Creekwood for the last 25 years, is preparing to open a new location in Heritage Harbour to keep up with the local demand.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 16, 2026
Chick-fil-A expands in Bradenton with a new store in Heritage Harbour

Owner Jonathan Ith has run Chick-fil-A Creekwood for the past 25 years and is excited to open a larger store.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Peculiar Pub takes the place of Twisted Pit BBQ on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 12, 2026
Peculiar Pub crawls across Main Street in Lakewood Ranch

Peculiar Pub is offering extended hours, an elevated menu and a full bar at the new location.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center

Restaurants and retailers are among the new businesses coming to the UTC area.

  • East County
  • Business
Arts and Central, the Rosemary District restaurant opened in 2024 by father-and-son team Dan Henson Jr. and Dan Henson, is one of more than 50 restaurants participating in the 21st annual Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2026
Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week kicks off its 21st edition June 1-14

More than 60 area eateries are offering two-course lunches for $25 and three-course dinners for $45.

  • Arts + Culture
In addition to delicious brisket, Stottlemyer's offers live music daily under an open-air tiki bar.
  • By Emma Burke
  • May 26, 2026
Holy smoke! Don't let May pass you by without celebrating National Brisket Day

Gather around the table with people you care about and savor life in the slow lane.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Lakewood Ranch's Elle Plotkin is a new employee at the Lakewood Main Street location.
  • August 7, 2026
Popular Sarasota bakery opens on Lakewood Ranch Main Street
2
Rise Above Performing Arts Artistic Director Jacob Ruscoe stands in front of the theater company's new space.
  • August 5, 2026
Rise Above Performing Arts finds a new home
3
Duo Transcend, made up of "America's Got Talent" finalists Mary Wolfe-Nielsen and Tyce Nielsen, bring their roller-skating and trapeze artistry to the Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling.
  • August 4, 2026
The best things to do this weekend in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat
4
Grae Productions founder Stephanie Grae (center) is flanked by dancers who are part of her entourage of artists that create ArtLab parties.
  • August 3, 2026
ArtLab toasts its fourth anniversary in new venue
5
Herrig Center for the Arts, formerly ArtCenter Manatee, opened its new building in April.
  • July 29, 2026
The Herrig Center for the Arts is worth a trip to Bradenton

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