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Arts + Entertainment | Eat + Drink

A colorful spread of kebabs, house-made sauces and sides showcases the restaurant’s bold, cross-cultural approach to Mediterranean cuisine.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 20, 2026
Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant gets its passion from surprising its customers

Florence & the Spice Boys Chef Collin Blakeman explains why Middle Eastern cuisine is the spice of life.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza

As the franchise contract reached expiration, owner Kenny Palin decided to personalize his two pizzerias with a family name.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Pastitsio ($25) made with Greek macaroni with ground beef, fresh herbs topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • May 11, 2026
Make it a Mediterranean (meal) May

These local dishes remind us that eating well doesn’t have to feel restrictive.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant

The pizza restaurant now has two locations on Main Street and one on Siesta Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

As the name of the KFC spinoff suggests, dipping sauces are front and center in the restaurant on Lena Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In is back at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 25, 2026
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In reopens in Sarasota

The open-air restaurant on Washington Boulevard has returned and has future plans to offer online ordering.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Kojo's incredibly delish truffled chicken wontons ($14).
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • April 20, 2026
Live large with a tiny taste of the best truffle dishes in town

We've rooted out some affordable ways to celebrate National Truffle Day.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Element Steak.Seafood.Pasta is at 1413 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 16, 2026
Sarasota restaurant closing on Main Street seeks new space

Element will shutter its current location downtown in late April.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill will open April 10 on Fourth Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The original Owen's Fish Camp in Burns Court defines the quintessential "cottage."
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • April 8, 2026
Local cottage-core cafes offer a cozy escape

Step away from the noise and enjoy the vintage charm of the Sarasota area's culinary cottages.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center

With a focus on fresh ingredients and making customers feel at home, Blu Kouzina hopes to win over East County patrons.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
These dishes have delighted Sarasota-area barrier islands for decades.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • April 2, 2026
These one-of-a-kind dishes are signatures of the keys

The plates locals return for, visitors remember and kitchens have perfected for decades.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Harry's Continental Kitchens has been a local favorite for decades.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 1, 2026
A staple of Longboat Key for over 40 years, Harry's Continental Kitchens keeps it fresh

This Longboat Key landmark blends Old World cuisine, family tradition and a commitment to hospitality.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Bravo's Pizzeria & Italian Eatery at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota has closed.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 31, 2026
Pizzeria closes on Main Street in Sarasota

Bravo’s Pizza & Italian Eatery has shuttered next to the Hollywood 11 movie theater.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
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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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