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Arts + Entertainment | Eat + Drink

Evan Percoco and Zach Zeller have ambitious plans for restaurants on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • November 16, 2024
Restaurateurs build a trifecta on Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Evan Percoco and Zach Zeller have already made a big impact on Lakewood Ranch's original downtown, with lots more good eating to come.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ophelia’s executive chef Nick Reddel is constantly reinventing the menu to offer guests new taste experiences. Here he shows off one of his signature dishes — Alaskan halibut.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 8, 2024
Executive chef at Ophelia’s on the Bay explores his culinary curiosity

This inventive executive chef is an explorer, not a settler. His culinary adventure never ends.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Outdoor seating at The Cottage, Siesta Key. The restaurant is back in operation after being heavily damaged by Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 4, 2024
Two Siesta Key restaurants reopen after Milton

The Cottage and The Hub Baja Grill welcomed customers back on Saturday, Nov. 2.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Grab your coffee from Mojo, steps from Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • November 2, 2024
These Sarasota and Siesta Key coffee shops define cool beans

Whether you're stressed, blessed or just coffee-obsessed, here's where to find a good cup of joe.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
1000 NORTH will be located in the BLVD Sarasota building at the corner of Boulevard of the Arts and North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 29, 2024
Exclusive restaurant, club coming to Sarasota

1000 NORTH, with a long list of celebrity partners, will bring its second private dining club concept to the BLVD Sarasota building.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Columbia Restaurant is seen boarded up, bracing for Hurricane Milton, just two weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded it with storm surge. The St. Armands landmark is set to reopen Oct. 26.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 25, 2024
Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands to reopen Oct. 26

Cha Cha Coconuts is also back after nearly a month of work to repair damage from hurricanes.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Atria Cafe is a bakery by day and pizzeria by evening.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • October 19, 2024
Celebrate National Pizza Month with a slice of heaven

A savory slice from one of these restaurants is guaranteed to steal a pizza your heart.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
We can live like Jack and Sally if we want with Pumpkin Stiltskin ale, at 8.9% ABV.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • October 6, 2024
Embrace the pumpkin flavors at these Sarasota eateries

Here's where to get into the fall spirit, even when it's 90 degrees outside.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar will open in the Center Point plaza off of University Parkway on Oct. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 5, 2024
Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar set to open in Lakewood Ranch

The bar will open on Oct. 9 in the Center Point plaza off University Parkway.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Brick veneer and metal touches are characteristic of Whataburger restaurants.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 27, 2024
Popular Texas burger chain Whataburger seeks approval for Sarasota debut

Developers are proposing putting a Whataburger on the former Café Baci location on U.S. 41 in Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The exterior mural at Guppy's Longboat Key was commissioned by local duo Foxxy Fine Art.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 24, 2024
Philly-based restaurant Guppy’s Good Times to open on Longboat

Owner Robin Gupta hopes the restaurant can bring a neighborhood sports bar feel to the island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Breakfast sandwich superlatives is the most egg-citing feature I've written yet — and 99 Bottles sandwiches are no yolk.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • September 22, 2024
Celebrate National Better Breakfast Month with egg-cellent sandwiches

Check out these breakfast bites found in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Customers can enjoy the poke bowls atop tables made from the colorful skimboards at Zap Skimboards in Venice.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2024
Siesta Pokè brings its specialty to Siesta Key

The restaurant, opened Aug. 30, differentiates itself with a range of house-made sauces.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mike Herley brings extensive restaurant management experience and a zeal for experimentation to Wheat + Water Italian Kitchen.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 23, 2024
Italian American cuisine offers the best of both culinary worlds in Wheat + Water

Wheat and water may be all it takes to make pasta, but the making of Mike and Kim Herley's welcoming restaurant took a lot more.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Gary Hagen makes donut sundaes at the new Donuts By Design.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 19, 2024
Longboat cheesecake parlor becomes donut shop

Gary Hagen plans to shift the focus of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor to serve up unique donut flavors on the island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
« 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 »
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
St. Petersburg's Bob Boguslaw has been in the music business for 50 years with 22 of them being an active member of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He said muscle memory comes into play and it brings back an array of memories.
  • January 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble hosts 2026 debut concert
2
Pura Vida Miami is at 4994 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 100, in Sarasota.
  • January 9, 2026
Healthy restaurant opens second Sarasota location
3
Angese Rudzite Kirillova works on "Playground" during the 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival.
  • January 8, 2026
Mark your calendars for these Sarasota events in 2026
4
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays
  • January 7, 2026
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays
5
Katie Weiss is board chair of The Sarasota Players board of trustees. Thayer Greenberg is managing artistic director of The Sarasota Players.
  • January 7, 2026
The Sarasota Players adds new board, cuts CEO position and promotes two

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