D.C. restaurant to make Florida debut in downtown Sarasota

A Mediterranean restaurant in Washington, D.C., has chosen Sarasota to open its first Florida location. Balos Restaurant is planning a 7,200-square-foot eatery in The Edge Sarasota, a luxury condominium under construction at 290 Cocoanut Ave.

Hospitality entrepreneurs and longtime friends Stefanos Vouvoudakis, Tom Tsiplakos and Joe Ragonese founded Balos Restaurant in 2023 in the nation's capital, according to a statement. 

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Balos Restaurant is inspired by the Balos Lagoon in Crete, combining Greek and Mediterranean cuisine through a menu that emphasizes seafood, seasonal ingredients and shareable dishes.

“Sarasota felt like a natural home for Balos — the coastal setting, energy and lifestyle align so well with who we are,”  Vouvoudakis says in the statement. “We look forward to bringing the spirit of the Greek islands to downtown Sarasota through fresh seafood, vibrant Mediterranean flavors and the lively, welcoming hospitality that defines the Balos experience.”

The restaurant will be located in the ground floor of The Edge Sarasota, a 10-story boutique condominium featuring 27 luxury residences starting at nearly $3 million. Built by Sarasota-based Ore Development and Jebco Ventures, the condo will open in late 2026. The projected opening for Balos Restaurant is spring 2027.

In addition to Balos Restaurant, Vouvoudakis and Tsiplakos started luxury coffee company For Five Coffee Roasters in 2010 in Queens, New York. That brand has grown to more than 30 cafés nationwide and over 3,500 wholesale accounts across the U.S., according to the statement.