Fleming’s Steakhouse, Doctor’s Office, Del Taco: Restaurant News

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

Teen Drives Through Kacey’s Seafood Restaurant

An unlicensed 16-year-old girl drove through the front window of a Sarasota restaurant, injuring two diners, Friday afternoon, authorities said. The girl lost control of her car, driving into Kacey’s Seafood & More restaurant at 4904 Fruitville Road, around 3:30 p.m., according to a Florida Highway Patrol news release.

Two diners seated at an outdoor table — a 65-year-old woman and 64-year-old man from Minnesota — were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Fleming’s Opening in Bradenton Area

A new Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is coming to Manatee County.

It will be built at 8396 Tourist Center Drive, currently home to a closed Ruby Tuesday’s, the Bradenton Herald reported.

Wings-N-Weenies Closes After Nearly 40 Years

After nearly 40 years in business, the final Wings-N-Weenies location in the Sarasota Crossings has closed its doors, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

The restaurant got its start in the downtown Sarasota Food Court in 1985 before launching a second restaurant at the old Gulf Gate Mall, both now closed. Eventually, Wings-N-Weenies also later had locations on Clark Road and Bee Ridge Road.

Greek Restaurant Expands in University Town Center

A Greek restaurant in Sarasota is expanding with a new, second location opening in the University Town Center, according to the Business Observer.

The St. Armands restaurant Blu Kouzina will open its new eatery in the UTC’s West District. It will move into a 3,500-square-foot space with an outdoor patio.

Second Del Taco Planned in Bradenton

A second Del Taco restaurant is planned in Bradenton. The chain’s first location in the area opened in November.

Now the company is looking east in the region with plans to build a store in the White Eagle Shopping Center at 1708 Pope Road, south of State Road 64, in Lakewood Ranch, according to the Bradenton Herald.

Former Beach Bistro Owners Scrap Plans for Sarasota Eatery

Though Beach Bistro’s former owners initially said they would open a downtown Sarasota eatery, BLVD Bistro, in the Rosemary District, they’ve since scrapped their plans, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Sean Murphy and his wife, Susan Timmins, sold the restaurant in January 2022.

Murphy is now focusing on his Doctor’s Office craft cocktail bar and restaurant in Holmes Beach with plans to permission and plans to offer food and drink service in the outdoor space near the bar.