Month: October 2025

The new restaurant’s owner also operates a Japanese eatery in Sarasota and University Town Center, and a Korean barbecue spot in Lakewood Ranch.

A new restaurant serving sushi, skewers and small plates — sharing the same owner as three other popular Sarasota area Asian eateries — is debuting on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street.

Kuro Sushi will officially open to the public Nov. 1, following a dinner hours and reservation-only soft opening through Saturday, Oct. 25 and a Forty Carrots Family Center fundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The new restaurant is at 8126 Lakewood Main St. #102 in the former space of Hana Sushi Lounge.

Daniel Dokko owns Kuro Sushi, along with JPAN Sushi & Grill in Sarasota’s Shops at Siesta Row and University Town Center and Korean barbecue spot Korê Steakhouse in Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place, all under Umami Hospitality Group. Dokko said the restaurant will offer a variety of flavors, both due to the team’s different backgrounds — Dokko is Korean, chef Brian Briones is Filipino, and partner Anderyas Putranto is Indonesian — and by spotlighting shareable small dishes.

What kind of food and drink will Kuro Sushi serve?

“You and a guest, instead of ordering one appetizer, two entrées, here you can order six different dishes and try things,” Dokko said.

Menu item examples Dokko offered include a pork spring roll (from Briones’ grandmother’s recipe), crudos, sushi, sashimi and nigiri. Skewer dishes will be a big focus, including Korean soy garlic beef rib, Thai chicken, and pork belly skewers.

Kuro will also have a full-liquor drink menu, with Pangea Alchemy Lab founder Brad Coburn serving as a bar consultant. Cocktails will include a take on an espresso martini also called “Kuro,” which is Japanese for “black.”

The restaurant, designed by David Morrison, will seat around 120, with tables both inside and outside and a bar that seats about 12 people. Starting Nov. 24, Dokko said the restaurant also plans to offer omakase (Japanese for “I’ll leave it up to you,” as in the customer leaving their order up to the chef) at a seven-seat sushi bar.

If you go

Kuro Sushi is at 8126 Lakewood Main St. #102, Bradenton. Starting Nov. 1, hours will be 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for lunch and 4:30-9:30 p.m. for dinner Monday through Saturday, with plans to later open on Sunday, Dokko said. For more information, call 941-422-5876 or visit kurosushi.bar.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

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Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport ranked among the best in the nation in a recent USA TODAY poll.

Vacation begins at the airport. That’s why Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was voted the best resort airport by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. 

With less than 20 gates and a number of bars, restaurants and shops, it’s no surprise SRQ was a top choice among those searching for the pristine beaches, incredible sunsets and the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

If travelers need a pre-security snack or drink, Dunkin’ is there for service, or if they’re looking for something a bit stronger, Suncoast Trading & Bar. After security, vacationers can choose from Beach Market Cafe, Dunkin’ Express, Jimmy Johns, Tap & Pour, Liquid Provisions, Salt & Tide and Starbucks.  

What makes Sarasota airport special?

Travelers can also shop. The airport offers Gulf Coast Travelmart, where they can buy snacks, drinks, the local Sarasota Herald-Tribune newspaper, books or Florida apparel. CNBC Sarasota Bradenton, located after the security checkpoint, carries a similar selection of goods to meet the needs of every traveler. SRQ also has a PGA Tour Shop, if any visitors need a last-minute golf setup or a random beach necessity.

SRQ’s origins date back to the 1930s, with commercial services beginning as early as the 1940s. It wasn’t until 1961 that Eastern Airlines began commercial services out of SRQ.  

The airport got its “international” badge in 1992 when United States Customs Service granted it “Port of Entry” status. Today, the airport has one seasonal flight to Toronto, Canada – it’s only international destination, according to its website. 

The airport has 69 nonstop destinations connected to the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and Texas through budget airlines like Breeze Airways, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and Avelo Airlines. The airport also runs flights with major carriers like Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines and Air Canada.  

SRQ also offers nine rental car companies, making the transition from the airport to the beach easy and smooth. President and CEO Rick Piccolo tried to make the area convenient and easy to get in and out of so visitors can enjoy Sarasota’s amenities, he said.

“We are very pleased that people think the airport – because they voted on it – is wonderful,” Piccolo said. “We do our best to make it as clean, wonderful and beautiful as the area is.”

Piccolo is predicting SRQ will bring in around 4.5 million passengers in 2025, with more growth coming in the future as the airports expands. He thinks growth will be an outcome of the airport generating billions of dollars of economic benefits for the local community, as well as thousands of jobs, he said.

Tampa International Airport also awarded

A little further up the road, Tampa International Airport won quite a few awards of its own through the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.  

Those awards include best airport for art, with Tampa’s iconic giant flamingo statue; best airport for dining, with Bavaro’s Pizza and Napoletana & Pastaria coming in at seventh for best grab-and-go food and Cigar City Brewing named No.5 for best airport sit down restaurant.  

Tampa also took home the trophy for the best large airport, beating out two home state competitors: Orlando International Airport at No. 4 and Miami International Airport at No. 9.  

Ella Thompson covers growth and development for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Contact her atethompson@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing today.  

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M/I Homes Raises $141,000 for Cancer Research Through Sweetwater at Lakewood Ranch Benefit Home

SARASOTA, FL — In a powerful demonstration of community collaboration and corporate philanthropy, M/I Homes has announced a $141,000 donation to Pelotonia, a nonprofit organization committed to funding life-saving cancer research. The funds were raised through the sale of a specially designated Benefit Home in the Sweetwater at Lakewood Ranch community.

This year’s initiative brought together builders, vendors, and developers in a shared mission to support groundbreaking cancer research. A key contributor was Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc., developer of Lakewood Ranch, which donated more than $15,000 toward the effort.

“We’re honored to be part of a cause that touches so many lives,” said Sandy Shahinian Levins, VP of Marketing for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. “Cancer research is a cause close to our hearts, and we’re proud to join M/I Homes in making a difference.”

The donation was formally presented at a recognition event held on October 6, where Erika Walker, Pelotonia’s Philanthropy & Stewardship Manager, 

accepted the check on behalf of the organization. “This generous contribution from M/I Homes and its partners continues to fuel our mission to end cancer,” said Walker. “Their commitment not only provides critical funding but also raises awareness and inspires others to get involved.”

Greg Crawford, president of M/I Homes Sarasota division, emphasized the collective nature of the achievement: “This donation represents the heart of our community. It’s the result of countless hours, generous contributions, and a shared belief that together, we can make a difference.”

The benefit home program is part of M/I Homes’ broader national partnership with Pelotonia, reinforcing the company’s dedication to causes that improve lives and strengthen communities.

To learn more about M/I Homes’ partnership with Pelotonia, visit www.mihomes.com/pelotonia/overview.