Restaurant News: Flirt Sushi, PopStroke Golf, Sri Lankan Food Fest, Manatee Candy Shop

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Here's the latest restaurant and bar news in Sarasota and Manatee counties:

Sushi Lounge Opens In Downtown Sarasota

Flirt Sushi Lounge has opened in downtown Sarasota. It’s located in the historic I.R. Burns & H.H. Bell Building at 1296 First Street which was built in 1925.

It’s the latest in a long line of restaurants to call that space home, including Umbrellas 1296, Roast and First Street Chop House, according to the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

The Flirt Sushi concept was initially created by co-owners Marko Radisic, a race car drive and co-founder of SRQ Motorsports, and Rick Uhler for previous restaurants they owned in New York, New Jersey and Miami Beach.

Tiger Woods' PopStroke Golf, Dining Venue To Open Soon In Sarasota

PopStroke, co-owned by golfer Tiger Woods' TGR Ventures and Greg Bartoli, will open its new Sarasota location April 28. The golfing, dining and entertainment venue opening at 195 University Town Center Drive features two 18-hole putting courses, an outdoor dining area with a full bar and menu.

Taste Of Sri Lanka Event Planned

The Blue Lotus Buddhist Meditation Center is hosting its annual fundraiser, Taste of Sri Lanka, Sunday, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Jewish Congregation of Venice at 600 North Auburn Road.

All food will be made by Buddhist monks and Sri Lankan cooks. The menu includes Fried rice, Kottu, fried potato, lentil curry, lotus root curry, green beans curry, vegetable chop suey, coconut sambola, batu moju, salad and egg rolls. Tickets are $29.

Suitcase Sweets Sells Candy From Around The World In Lakewood Ranch

Candy lovers will be excited to learn that there's a new shop selling their unique sweets from around the world. Months after moving their family from Ohio to the Bradenton area, Justin and Holly Fyffe opened Suitcase Sweets, which sells international, historic and artisan candy, along Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

New Shopping Center To Welcome Several Eateries

A new shopping center being built at the intersection of Pope Road and State Road 64 includes several eateries, including Culver’s and Tropical Smoothie.

The strip mall, being developed by North American Properties, is anchored by Publix and will feature other restaurants that haven’t been announced yet, as well, according to the Observer Media Group.

Village Of The Arts Bluegrass Festival Set

Two restaurants in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts – Birdrock Taco Shack and Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen – are hosting the Village Bluegrass Festival Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.

The festival is free and bands performing include Jack, The Stillhouse Shakers, Wandering Hours, Sycamore Shade, Passerine, Applebutter Express and Bluegrass Jam.