As we look ahead to romantic date night plans this February at some of the best restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton — whether on Valentine’s Day itself or, pro tip, right before or after the holiday — let's take a moment to reflect on a wildly busy past month for our local dining scene.

While one beloved Sarasota restaurant closed for good this month, seven others opened in the area. Additionally, an iconic bar is now serving a full food menu, and another local legend was recognized as one of the best historic dining destinations in Florida.

Presented in no particular order, here are the biggest restaurant openings, closings, and honors we reported on during January in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

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Boo's Ice House & Dog Bar in Sarasota permanently closes

Boo's Ice House & Dog Bar, which debuted in 2022, occupied the historic Ice House building on 10th Street in downtown Sarasota's Rosemary District, and was named one of the Top 10 dog bars in the country by USA TODAY readers , permanently closed on Jan. 12.

It billed itself as "Sarasota’s newest place to dine, drink, and paw-ty with your pup" and specialized in outstanding wood-fired pizza that could be paired with craft cocktails.

The Peach Cobbler Factory opened in Bradenton by former NFL player

Bradenton resident and former NFL player Michael Lehan, who played for the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns and was signed to the New Orleans Saints, began a new professional venture in January when he opened The Peach Cobbler Factory in Bradenton at 629 Cortez Road W. Lehan, who was adopted and spent time in foster care, said he was inspired to open the business by his late biological father, who he met after his freshman year of college and would always have a peach cobbler waiting for Lehan when he visited.

Trattoria Bella Napoli opens in downtown Sarasota

The newly opened Trattoria Bella Napoli — located in the heart of downtown Sarasota at 1551 Main St. —is owned by Cesare Di Iorio and Maria Filomena Perrini, with Di Iorio's résumé including his most recent role as pizza chef, or pizzaiolo, at Osteria 500. The waterfront Lakewood Ranch dining destination landed on my 2023 list of best new restaurants of the year, an honor Bella Napoli will likely be in contention for at the end of 2025.

Lago Tacos opens in Downtown Wellen's The Yard

Sarasota County master-planned community Wellen Park's downtown and The Yard, a collection of restaurants housed in repurposed shipping containers, recently got a new dining option when Lago Tacos opened there at 19777 Wellen Park Blvd. The Mexican eatery offers tacos and empanadas as well as dishes such as chicken tortilla soup, street corn, cinnamon-sprinkled churros, guava cheesecake, and chips served with a trio of guacamole, salsa and queso blanco.

The Toasted Yolk Cafe opens new location in Lakewood Ranch

After opening locations in Sarasota and Bradenton , brunch restaurant The Toasted Yolk Cafe debuted its third area establishment in January at 6562 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch's Center Point at Waterside development. Though the restaurant is based in Houston and has locations across several states, its ownership has ties to the Sarasota area, with Toasted Yolk Cafe co-founder/CEO Chris Milton born and raised in Bradenton.

The Beach Club in Siesta Key Village adds new food menu

Walk into the iconic 77-year-old Beach Club in Siesta Key Village and where you were once greeted by a pool table, you’ll now find high-top tables adorned with food menus. These sit under the watchful gaze of the massive shark overlooking what is now both a dance floor and dining area. There are also new tables for dining customers outside. Fear not, though, party people — The Beach Club will still live up to its name at night, featuring DJs, dancing, and plenty of potent beverages.

Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar opens in Sarasota

Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar — located in the former home of Mandeville Beer Garden at 428 N. Lemon Ave., just a five-minute walk from Main Street — made its public debut on Jan. 27. It's the latest venture by locally based Watershed Hospitality Concepts, whose popular dining and drinking destinations include the nearby Cask & Ale and Pie on Main (both on Main Street), as well as Pi Pizza 3.14 and Blasé Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village.

The Café on St. Armands opens in Sarasota

The St. Armands Circle icon Café L’Europe, long celebrated as an upscale restaurant with indoor and sidewalk seating and known for its classic Continental cuisine including signature dishes like roast duck, has been "reimagined as The Café on St. Armands , a Mediterranean-inspired dining destination." The brand change, which features more casual dishes such as sliders on the menu alongside fresh takes on Café L’Europe classics like roasted duck and French onion soup, followed what the owners described as the café sustaining " catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene " in September.

Origin Craft Beer & Pizza Cafe opens new location in Rosemary District

The popular, locally based restaurant Origin Craft Beer & Pizza Cafe — which originally opened in Sarasota's Southside Village in 2016 before expanding to Palmer Ranch , University Town Center and The Landings — added a fifth location to its roster when it opened in the Rosemary District at 1371 Boulevard of the Arts in January.

Fleming’s opening Sarasota UTC location on Feb. 10

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has announced its grand opening at Sarasota’s University Town Center will take place just in time for Valentine’s Day — on Monday, Feb. 10. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., the new Fleming’s is currently accepting reservations via OpenTable . Part of Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands, which also includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s is billed as "a contemporary interpretation of the classic American steakhouse — boasting culinary mastery, signature style and unrivaled attentive service."

Walt's Fish Market Restaurant & Tiki Bar in Sarasota named among Florida legendary restaurants

Walt's Fish Market Restaurant & Tiki Bar, at 4144 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, was recently recognized as one of Florida's most legendary dining spots by the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Dining and Entertainment Team.

The article notes that Walt's is owned and operated by fourth-generation commercial fisherman Brett Wallin, boasts more than a century of history in Sarasota, and lives by the saying: "The fish we sell today slept in the Gulf last night."