For over thirty years, the Beach House restaurant had been a dining destination for locals and visitors in Bradenton Beach. Beachside Hospitality Group took on ownership and operation of the local landmark in August of 2024, and has been committed to preserving what people love while always looking for ways to tantalize tastebuds in new ways. In pursuit of that, they have recently hired a new executive chef, Cherry Carreon.

Originally from the Philippines, Carreon worked in baking and culinary arts in Washington before relocating to Southwest Florida. She worked at Anna Maria Bake House before transitioning to the Beach House as a sous chef, where she had the opportunity to work with the fresh ingredients, proteins and seafood the restaurant is known for. In her new role as executive chef, she has designed a menu that is true to the spirit of the Beach House while incorporating her own point of view.

“I was looking to source local flavors and incorporate them into menu items so that people really have a taste of what Southwest Florida is all about,” Carreon says. “At the same time, my goal was to create a menu that blends international influences with those local flavors, offering a dining experience that feels familiar and adventurous. “

One of the standout items on the new menu is the stuffed combo, a delectable seafood dish featuring a duo of grouper and shrimp filled with a rich seafood stuffing with a zesty lemon beurre blanc drizzle served alongside flavorful coconut rice and asparagus. And for dessert, you can treat your taste buds to a delightful fusion of citrus and sweetness with our new lemon curd cheesecake, perfectly paired with a sweet and tangy blueberry sauce. It’s the kind of light, bright and lively meal that’s perfect for a day by the beach. 

Pictured: The fresh and zesty stuffed combo is one of the exciting new menu items designed by the Beach House's new executive chef Cherry Carreon. Provided photo.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota invites you to experience a luxurious Easter Brunch in their grand ballroom. Indulge in a lavish brunch featuring gourmet culinary stations, a spectacular dessert display, and a dedicated children’s buffet. Guests will enjoy live entertainment while dining in style, featuring a dedicated Mimosa, Bellini, and Bloody Mary display. Limited seatings remain at 2, 2:30 and 3 p.m. 

For reservations click here.

Café on St. Armands blends warm hospitality and Mediterranean flavor to create an Easter celebration that is both relaxed and refined. With festive limited-time features and a hip space, it is the ideal place to enjoy brunch or an early dinner with friends and family. The restaurant is now accepting Easter Sunday reservations for April 20, 2025. Featured offerings include: pistachio-crusted rack of lamb, country ham with dark cherry glaze, chicken al limone with smoked rosemary and spanakorizo, plus a few daytime menu surprises for brunch guests. The full menu of signature small plates, features, and handcrafted cocktails will also be available.

Easter Sunday, April 20, 10am-9pm, reservations encouraged, Café on St. Armands, 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. Reserve your table now at CafeOnStArmands.com 

It’s showtime…and suppertime! The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has teamed up with Hamlet’s Eatery at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime for a screamingly delicious dish ahead of the North American Tour of BEETLEJUICE, playing in Sarasota from April 22-27, 2025. Chef Mitch has created a Netherworld-inspired dish called “Sandworm Pasta,” featuring black bean pasta with roasted garlic cream sauce and wild red shrimp finished with beet-le juice. Stop by Hamlet’s Eatery April 17-19 and April 24-26 to order this ghoulish meal and receive a coupon for discounted tickets to BEETLEJUICE at the Van Wezel. 

To learn more, visit.

Sarasota Film Festival announces the award winners for the 27th annual event, which concluded this weekend and ran April 4-13. Ricardo de Montreuil's Mistura was this year's Narrative Feature Jury prize winner. Kim A. Snyder's The Librarians took home this year's Documentary Feature Jury prize. SFF also awarded My Guardian Angel, directed by Nya Chambless, Best Narrative Short; and Tigers of the Sky, directed by Ian Edward Meir, Best Documentary Short. Festival patrons awarded Jessica Palud's Being Maria with the Narrative Audience Award; and Miles Larsen’s The Light They Cast, with the Documentary Audience Award. 

To learn more, visit

Students from 15 elementary, 5 middle, and 6 high schools and 3 combination schools throughout Sarasota County will show off their creative talents at the North County K-12 Spring Art Show, April 29-May 10, at Art Center Sarasota. Nearly 50 teachers are part of the effort. Debra Markley, Sarasota High School’s art department chairperson, and Angela Hartvigsen, the fine arts program specialist for Sarasota County Schools, are leading the coordination. The North County Art show is presented in conjunction with the South County Art Show at the Venice Art Center (May 6 – May 15) to comprise the Sarasota County Schools’ Spring Art Show, serving all the county’s public schools. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For information, visit www.artsarasota.org or call 941-365-2032. 

The School District of Manatee County announces two job fairs, where a variety of positions in operations and education will be available for candidates looking to make a difference in our community. Join us and discover how to inspire the next generation of learners! An Operations Job Fair is taking place this Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Wakeland Support Center, located at 1812 27th Street East in Bradenton. Open positions include bus drivers, bus aides, custodians, food service workers, maintenance workers, HVAC technicians, electricians, and more.  

Click here to register.

A beloved fixture in the Sarasota beauty community is entering an exciting new chapter. Fresh Salon & Spa, originally founded in 2009 in Southside Village, is now officially Fresh Salon Company, under the new ownership of longtime team members and master stylists Catherine Hillyard and Taylor Brewster. To celebrate the salon’s transformation, the all-new Fresh Salon Co. invites the community to a Grand Reopening Celebration on Monday, April 15, 2025, at 1819 Main Street, Suite 118, in downtown Sarasota. The celebration kicks off with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 4:00 PM, followed by a party from 4:30 to 8:00 PM, complete with hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, and a tour of the newly refreshed space. 

To learn more, visit

Senior Friendship Centers announces the continuation of its popular authors series, “Joyful Journeys.” This engaging, free program celebrates the art of storytelling and highlights local authors. Each month, a featured author shares their unique insights, captivating stories, and personal experiences. Attendees can enjoy lively discussions, participate in Q&A sessions, and connect with fellow literature enthusiasts. The sessions are on Thursdays, 5-6:30 p.m., at Senior Friendship Centers, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota. Generous support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County makes the Joyful Journeys series possible. Joyful Journeys events are free, but registration is required at https://friendshipcenters.org/category/events/. For more information about Joyful Journeys, call 941-556-3269 or visit friendshipcenters.org. 

Nominate your peers for SRQ Magazine’s 2025 Elite Top Attorneys! Help us spotlight outstanding legal professionals across the region. Your nomination supports a trusted guide to the area’s top attorneys. One week left to submit—don’t miss the chance to recognize excellence in the legal field. Nominate HERE!