Wahlburgers, Blu Kouzina, Peachey’s, Bravo’s Pizzeria: Restaurant Openings, Closings

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Check out the latest restaurant and bar news in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Wahlburgers Opens at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

Massachusetts-based Wahlburgers, a chain founded by Chef Paul Wahlberg and his famous brothers, Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, has opened at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

The eatery is accessible to travelers passing through Concourse B, the airport posted to social media.

Last summer, Wahlburgers closed 79 locations in Midwestern grocery chain Hy-Vee stores, Entrepreneur magazine said.

There are more than 30 restaurants in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Five of these locations are in Florida: Melbourne, Rockledge, Sarasota, Stuart and Vero Beach.

Greek Restaurant Opens Second Location

Blu Kouzina on Armands Circle has opened a second location in Sarasota.

The new restaurant is in the busy University Town Center area, next to Ford’s Garage, at 295 N. Cattlemen Road, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune said.

"Obviously it's a growing area, and they’re doing a great job and there’s a lot of different attractions, with Mote Marine, with all this stuff,” owner John Atanassov said. "But it gave us an opportunity to do a great concept, inside-outside dining with a full bar, which we don’t have at St. Armands. We have about 200 seats here, so a much larger location in a great area.”

Sisters Open Bradenton Korean Restaurant

Sisters Katherine Kim and Mary Pierson have opened Sunny Seoul Korean Kitchen at 9750 State Road 64 in Bradenton.

The family-owned restaurant offers a traditional Korean dining experience.

“The flavors that we offer are very much like our family’s style,” Pierson told the Bradenton Herald. “There’s a Korean saying called hand flavor, it’s like your mom or how that is passed along generation to generation. And this is very much the flavor we grew up with.”

Downtown Sarasota Pizzeria Closes

Bravo’s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery, a Main Street mainstay, has closed after nearly 30 years in business, the Business Observer reported.

“It is time for me to enjoy my golden years,” according to a note on the door from owner Antonio Giacinto.

The family-owned restaurant, located next to the Hollywood 11 movie theater, opened in 1998.

Peachey’s Opens Second Location

Doughnut maker Peachey’s Baking Co. has opened its second brick-and-mortar location at 999 Cattlemen Road, Unit E, in Sarasota, the Business Observer reported.

Peachey’s has a location in The Landings at 4800 S. Tamiami Trail, as well as a food truck.

In addition to doughnuts, the family-owned business is known for its handcrafted pretzels.

Toasty’s Opens in North Port

Toasty’s, a restaurant specializing in comfort food, such as grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese, recently opened in North Port.

The eatery opened March 23 in North Port Commons at 14876 S. Tamiami Trail, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune said.

“At Toasty’s, we believe comfort food should do more than just fill your stomach, it should warm your soul. What started as a simple idea, taking the grilled cheese sandwich we all grew up loving and giving it a gourmet twist, has grown into a place where the community gathers to share laughs, stories, and meals that bring people together. Every sandwich we make carries a little nostalgia, a little creativity, and a whole lot of heart,” the restaurant’s owners wrote on Toasty’s website.