Sarasota’s University Town Center is continuing to add to its restaurant roster. Remember when What Now reported on the opening of Florence and the Spice Boys’ second location? That time has finally come: an opening is expected Monday, according to coverage by Business Observer.
That’s not all that’s in store for the area. Chef Chris Ponte is at work on a new restaurant, Olivia, along with a new location for his On Swann concept—the wait has already been long for Olivia, but there’s a bit more of a delay still ahead: Business Observer says the opening will be in 2026.
Opening a little sooner (although unfortunately no opening date is available yet) is Zoto, a new Japanese restaurant from award-winning restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung of Bento Restaurant Group.
Coverage in the Bradenton Herald says Zoto will be “a Japanese izakaya—or pub/tavern—that features sushi, small Japanese plates, premium sake and craft cocktails with a Japanese twist.” The Herald says a Summer 2025 opening is expected.
What now contacted Johnny Tung on Friday in hopes of shedding a little more light on the concept. Tung said it’s still too soon to comment, however, so we’ll have to keep our eyes peeled for more details.
