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Arts + Entertainment | Eat + Drink

Sarasota resident Jordan Wenck created Beanie Bites.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 1, 2025
Sarasota resident creates bean-based dessert mixes

Jordan Wenck will be bringing her Beanie Bites products, which are gluten and dairy free, to the Sarasota Farmers Market on Oct. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Achilles Kouskoutis
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 30, 2025
New Greek restaurant to open in Sarasota's Gulf Gate

Nikki's Greek Café, located just south of Stickney Point Road, is targeting an early October opening.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch's Katelyn Diaz, 19, is studying business and learning through hands-on experience with Sip n Brew.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 27, 2025
New business owners connect with Lakewood Ranch through coffee

Sip n Brew, a new coffee trailer owned and operated by a Lakewood Ranch family, will be at various locations throughout each week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Kilwins Sarasota is located at 312 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 25, 2025
Kilwins makes sweet return to St. Armands Circle

Following a nearly yearlong closure from hurricane damage, the fudge and ice cream shop is reopening this weekend.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Breakfast Company has four locations — two in Sarasota and two in Bradenton.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • September 22, 2025
Celebrate National Breakfast Month with these egg-cellent dishes

These five eateries in Sarasota and Bradenton form my own personal Breakfast Club.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Columbia Restaurant’s fourth-generation owner Casey Gonzmart Sr., believes that passion and fun are essential in running a restaurant empire.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 14, 2025
Family legacy at Columbia Restaurant carries to next generation

Casey Gonzmart Sr. is passing the torch to family members as he steps down as chairman of the board of the 1905 Family of Restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Simone Salustri and Amber Mayner started a new food truck, Buonissimo Mobile Italian Kitchen, to keep the family legacy of serving up Italian food to the community while they work to rebuild the former Le Colonne.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 29, 2025
A single food truck helps rebuild a St. Armands Italian family tradition

Le Colonne, a longstanding Italian restaurant on St. Armands Circle, plans to reopen as Nōnnō Umberto later this year.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Rita Lewis, owner of Linger Lodge, has worked nearly every role in the house. Today, she's the heart and soul of the operation.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 20, 2025
Linger Lodge serves up a heaping portion of Old Florida

Rita Lewis shares the magic behind one of Florida's most storied and beloved riverfront restaurants.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Amy Blair, the manager at the Old Salty Dog on City Island, said visitors often enjoy seeing dolphins, sharks, seabirds and other wildlife from the waterfront seating.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 12, 2025
Old Salty Dog celebrates post-recovery recognition

Not long after reopening from a five-month closure caused by hurricane damage, the longstanding Sarasota bar is celebrating a new national commendation.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ventura’s Italian Kitchen's menu ranges from a Margherita Pizza to Chicken Piccata.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 12, 2025
Longboat Italian eatery to open second Manatee County location

The owner says Ventura’s Italian Kitchen "promises a warm, welcoming atmosphere."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Peppercorns Steak and Seafood opens on State Road 70
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 9, 2025
Peppercorns Steak and Seafood opens on State Road 70

Owner Justin Boudreau is eager to perfect the menu at the Bradenton restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Huey Magoo's On the Fly is located in Terminal B, next to Jimmy John's, at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 23, 2025
Chicken tender restaurant makes airport debut at SRQ

A new fast-casual dining option is now open at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch residents Chris and Megan Matras are eager to open Jeff's Bagel Run in Lakewood Ranch. They will serve bagels, cream cheese, coffee and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 22, 2025
Jeff's Bagel Run to open in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents Chris and Megan Matras are eager to bring the Jeff's Bagel Run franchise to Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Here's hoping my newly engaged sister can join me on my birthday at Kojo for some cured salmon and caviar nigiri ($15) and cocktails!
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • July 20, 2025
A Sarasota foodie bestows her birthday honors on National Culinarians Day

To celebrate her special day, Emma reveals her favorite dishes in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Scooby Doo, a dog who belongs to Mike and Victoria Collins, who came from St. Pete to support the location, loves playing in the foam.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 20, 2025
Sarasota celebrates reopening of beloved dog bar

Dog Bar Sarasota, originally Boo’s Ice House and Dog Bar, had closed in January but now has reopened as a sister location to Dog Bar St. Pete.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
2
Class participant Michael Hartman begins to put on the AED pads to the CPR mannequin.
  • June 18, 2026
Learn a life-saving skill this summer
3
Most of the action in Asolo Repertory Theatre's "Lady Disdain" takes place in a studio where romantasy audiobooks are recorded.
  • June 17, 2026
Asolo Rep's 'Lady Disdain' brings the Bard into age of romantasy, revenge porn
4
Waves of red, white and blue flooded Bay Isles Road for the 2024 Freedom Fest parade. While the patriotic display was impressive, organizers of the upcoming Fourth of July festivities believe the activities planned for this special 250th edition will be bigger and better than ever.
  • June 17, 2026
Get ready for a special edition of Longboat's 'shortest parade in America'
5
JP Soars and the Red Hots will perform a free Father's Day concert at The Bay on Sunday, June 21.
  • June 16, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 18-24

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