FOOD & DRINK

HOLMES BEACH – Plans for a new restaurant received unanimous approval from city commissioners despite criticism from a city resident and local business owner. The new, ultra-modern Bohemian restaurant is slated to take the place of the closed Island Grill at 5910 Marina Drive. A concept by five-time James Beard semifinalist and Anna Maria Island native Chef Jeannie Pierola, the new restaurant will feature both indoor and outdoor dining with the outdoor bar and seating area covered. The restaurant will undergo extensive renovations to feature about 100 seats when it’s complete.

The Myakka River is one of three rivers in Florida with the “wild and scenic” designation. Myakka River State Park, just a few miles east of Sarasota, boasts 12 miles of the river within its borders. Florida’s state flower, tickseed, or Coreopsis leavenworthii, is in bloom now, putting...

The city of Sarasota is replacing the Allen Playground and Steigerwalt-Jockey Children’s Fountain at Bayfront Park with new structures. Unlike the previous children’s fountain, with a concrete stadium seating design, the new splash pad, playground and parent/guardian seating will be on the same level, in a combined space and will be ADA compatible. The new splash pad will have buttons children can press to turn on the water, reducing maintenance issues created by the constantly running water in the previous children’s fountain.

Downtown restaurants with sidewalk cafe permits will likely soon have to pay more to help keep sidewalks clean. At its May 15 meeting, the Sarasota City Commission voted 4-1, with Erik Arroyo opposed, to instruct staff to prepare an ordinance that increases the fee on restaurants with outdoor dining to pay to clean sidewalks more often.

Are you a coffee lover looking for an opportunity to socialize and connect with like-minded women? Look no further than the upcoming Coffee Club event at First Watch on Fruitville Road.

Greetings Sarasota residents! Are you ready for some fun in the sun? Join us this Sunday, May 28th at The Sarasota Modern for Sunday Funday, sponsored by Los Sundays Tequila, Wink Wink Modern Lounge and The Sarasota Modern. This pool party is the perfect way to kick off the unofficial start of summer.

The Sarasota Opera season has ended but audiences can get a glimpse of the future of the art form during the second national finals for the Schmidt Vocal Competition program. More than 30 young singers who emerged as winners in 14 regional competitions will take the Sarasota Opera House stage for the semi-final, and up to 16 will be in the final round during the two-day event on June 3 and 4. The competition, a masterclass and an awards presentation are open to the public.

Sprouts Farmers Market is opening a store in downtown Sarasota. The natural and organic food grocer has leased 23,000 square feet at the One Main Plaza development currently under construction. The developer, Belpointe REIT Inc. of Greenwich, Connecticut, says the store will be in Aster & Links, a two-building complex being built on Main Street and Links Avenue.

Attention Sarasota residents! Are you looking for something exciting to do this weekend? Look no further than Sip & Shop Saturdays! This weekly event offers visitors the opportunity to indulge in craft beer, wine, coffee, and tea while browsing through handcrafted heirloom-quality furniture pieces at the DutchCrafters Sarasota Showroom.

After my last column weighing the pros and cons of living in Sarasota – and a handful of email messages suggesting our fair city would be greatly improved if I would just “get the (expletive) out of town” – I’m stepping away from controversy to share a recent experience that will go down as one of my most cherished Florida memories.

Ruben Medina of Cape Coral uses resin covered with a brass or iron coating to create his art. Drew Allan, from Sarasota, is a self-taught artist who utilizes mixed mediums on wood. Ed Hendrix, from Palmdale, used to be a sea life artist until he switched to flamingoes. He utilizes...

One of the best restaurants in downtown Sarasota — a place that has been serving delightfully creative cuisine since its opening in 2007 — has been sold. Sad news, no doubt, but I believe there is a silver lining. Melange, with its hip, cozy interior and covered sidewalk...

Photo exhibit at Newtown library celebrates project on Black history. A photo exhibit celebrating a project on African American history is opening today at Newtown’s Betty J. Johnson Public Library. The project, called The Freedom School, was sponsored by the Manasota branch of the Association for the Study of...

Hey everyone! I'm excited to share with you about an upcoming event happening this Sunday at The Bay. It's called "Sundays at The Bay featuring R.A.D." and it's going to be a night to remember!

On Memorial Day in America, we the people are so thankful for the brave men and women who have served in the armed forces and died during all our wars. As we perpetuate the memory of the heroic dead, remember to honor them for their valor, service and sacrifice. Remind...

The popular Sarasota-based restaurant has finally opened the doors of its Lakewood Ranch location.

The architecture firms still in the running to design the new Sarasota Performing Center will make public presentations this week to the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation. “The Architect Selection Task Force assigned with the architect design selection process for a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center at The Bay will host live in-person interviews and presentations with the three finalist firms,” explained Samantha Dourney, a spokesperson for the foundation. “The forums are open to the public.”

Rich Greenberg, president of the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters at Del Webb, salutes during the Star Spangled Banner. Gill Ruderman, of Braden River VFW Post 12055, enjoys his ride as the Tribute to Heroes Parade grand marshal. The parade honored veterans such as School Board Member Richard Tatem...

A panel working to select an architectural firm to design the proposed new Sarasota Performing Arts Center has narrowed its list of candidates and invited the final three firms to make public presentations and answer questions on May 31. The Architect Selection Task Force, which started with 43 submissions from...