• Gin. Gin seems to be having a moment, with many different flavors becoming available. When I recently purchased Bombay Sapphire Gin, it came with a small bottle of Bombay Bramble flavored gin. There are also gins flavored with strawberry, cucumber, Rose wine and Earl Grey Tea. Some of these are good for G & T’s, others for martinis. There’s also a Miami gin called Tempt launched by Wayne Eldred, the former owner of Tarpon Bend. It is billed as a Tropical Gin with simple elegance and a citrusy taste, available at select eateries in Miami.

• Lapsong Souchong Tea. This type of tea, a smoked tea of the Camellia sinensis leaf, was mentioned in two NYT Food articles recently, one for a mocktail and one as a flavor popping up in new products, so it must be trending. This tea can be used and infused in cocktails, main dishes and ice cream.
• Wellness Waters. Also known as “functional beverages”, these waters (both sparkling and still) are supplemented with every thing from Magnesium, B-Vitamins and more. They promise everything from anti-inflammatory properties, to stress relief, sharpening focus and beyond. Do they work or is this the new snake-oil of our day? Wellness and stress relief is obviously on the forefront of everyone’s mind with the Pandemic, so it makes sense these products are trending.
• Collagen supplements. This isn’t exactly a food, but I have seen this popping up ALL over Instagram, so it must be trending hard. Celebrities, from Jennifer Aniston, Elle McPherson to Jillian Michaels (of Biggest Loser fame) are hawking these collagen supplements you stir into beverages. Ingesting collagen is supposed to improve your skin, hair and nails. Does it work? I don’t know- ask your dermatologist.
• Korean Food. Ok, so Thai and Vietnamese cuisine have had their day (and I love both so I hope their day never ends), but it’s time to broaden our horizons and try other Asian cuisines. The front page of the NYT featured Korean Essentials, with recommended dishes to try cooking. Korean food uses rice, veggies, seafood and meat, with very little dairy. Bibimbap, a rice dish that’s popular right now is an example of this cuisine. Also seasoned, roasted seaweed called gim and the spicy condiment gochujang, a red chili paste, are also trending. Luckily we have a Korean market in Miami called Kimchi Mart in Palmetto Bay, should you wish to try your hand at Korean cooking. Or just eat out.

• Bourbon flavored… everything. Bourbon, long a favorite in Kentucky, home to the Bourbon Trail, is trending and showing up in products as diverse as coffee, cheeses and candies. Bourbon Ball anyone?
• Plant-based Alternative Proteins. Is a trend that shows no sign of stopping, if anything, it’s getting bigger as the products being developed improve in quality and taste. Health, always important, has become the ultimate luxury pre, post and mid Pandemic. Hungry Girl just put out a newsletter with 16 plant-based Food Finds, so those pesky plants are sneaking into our everyday snacks and treats as well.
• Upscale Steak and Seafood Restaurants. Maybe it was the pent-up desire built from not being able to dine out in the Pandemic, but consumers realize what a luxury it is to eat out and eat well. The restaurant industry has responded in kind with top-of-the-market Meats (think Wagyu and Kobe) and Seafood in new restaurants opening Post-Pandemic.

• Upscale Japanese/Sushi Restaurants. In the same vein, people who love sushi are ready to kick it up a notch with expensive, Omakase meals where the chef decides which dishes to serve diners, based on the freshest ingredients that day. Sushi’s never been cheap, but people are now willing to shell out big bucks to experience premium seafood and sushi dinners. Naoe, on Brickell, is one restaurant that serves the Omakase menu. Your mouth will thank you; your pocketbook will not.

• Tasting Menus & Prix Fixe Menus. This may also be a result of the Pandemic and restaurants wanting to control food costs with selecting exactly what will be served instead of trying to field a huge menu. It also appeals to diners ready to have a special experience at restaurants, instead of same-old, same-old. I’ve seen this trend cropping up in New York and Miami, two good predictors of Dining Trends. Zits Sum, the Asian-inspired restaurant in Coral Gables helmed by chef Pablo Zitsmann, is now doing a six-course tasting menu for $85 per person, with an optional sake/wine pairing for $35 more. Personally, I love tasting menus, as they let you have a little taste of everything. My husband, who can be a cheapo, does not.
• Pizza restaurants. Pizza is perhaps the ultimate comfort food and it’s also affordable, making it a win-win. New pizza restaurants seem to be popping up on a regular basis. Whether it’s a restaurant that serves your basic pies, or a fancy wood-fired pizza with creative ingredients, pizza is a trend that keeps on rolling out. The Miami Herald recently named three Miami spots- O ‘Munaciello, La Leggenda Pizzeria and Stanzione– as finalists in the 50 Top Pizza places, by an Italian pizza guide, so go get yourself a slice!

• Artisinal Ice Cream. First it was Azucar, then Sweet Melody and then Portland original, Salt and Straw. Another comfort food treat that won’t break the bank, ice cream is loved by virtually all. With wild and delicious flavors like Orange Zest with Olive Oil and Dark Chocolate (Azucar) and Goat Cheese Marionberry with Habanero (Salt & Straw), this isn’t your typical Whip and Dip experience. Sweet Melody has a Zodiac flavor that changes with the sun signs. This month’s Gemini features Whipped Coffee Ice Cream with Biscoff Cookie Butter. Sounds delicious! They also give you a free cone on your birthday if you register to get their e-mails.

• Global Condiments. Remember when we only had the basic Heinz Ketchup, Yellow Mustard and Hellmans Mayo on the condiment aisle? Condiments have gone crazy these days and taken their inspo from all over the world! Curry Ketchup, Japanese BBQ Sauce, Kimchi Mayo, Hot Honey Dijon Mustard are just the beginning. Visiting the condiment aisle at Publix is now like taking a trip to different countries, with a dizzying array of choices.

Up Next: Hawaii.

Chinese

Oh, how I miss you New Chinatown! That was my go-to for Chinese Food, but it’s long gone. No Name was in South Miami for a while, but that was a twist on Chinese and pricey. It’s also now gone, replaced with Cracked, Chef Adrianne’s restaurant. So where do I go to get Chinese? The plus to both of these spots, is they serve Dim Sum! In fact, that is what I usually order there. Disclaimer: I haven’t been to Canton Palace in a while, but just went to Kon Chau.

Kon Chau Chinese 8376 S,W, 40 Street, Miami 33155

This place is in a strip mall where a Lucky Asian market is also located. They have the traditional Chinese Favorites- Egg Foo Young, Lo Mein, Happy Family, Mongolian Beef, Moo Goo Gai Pan and General’s Chicken. The dim sum I’ve tried were: Steamed Shrimp & Pork Dumplings, Chive Dumplings, Steamed Roast Pork Bun, Green Tea Duck Dumpling, Roast Pork Noodle Crepe, Deep Fried Taro Dumpling and Soup Dumplings. Yum yum! By the way, their website announces No Delivery! so plan to eat in or take out.

Canton Palace 7980 S.W. 8th Street, Miami 33144

This spot is also located in a strip mall, right off the Palmetto Expressway. Although I haven’t been in a while, we always came for the Dim Sum, which you check off on a sheet by the piece. Favorites on Yelp include: Steamed Shrimp Dumplings, Fried Rice and Salt and Pepper Squid. This place is totally no frills, but they do take out and delivery.

Japanese

Matsuri 5759 Bird Road, Miami 33155

Hands-down, my favorite Sushi Spot, especially for lunch, where they have great lunch specials. It’s in a strip mall in the Red Bird Shopping Center and parking tends to fill up quickly. I almost always get the same thing for lunch- Bento Box Lunch Special C. Chicken Teriyaki. It comes with Miso Soup, House Salad, California roll and an orange for only $9! That’s the best deal in town. Zeke usually gets A- Sashimi and Tempura. There are also dinner specials. Matsuri has super fresh sushi and my meals here have always been good.

Runner Up: Su Shin Izakaya

When I used to meet Zeke for lunch, we would often come to this spot in Coral Gables. The owner greets you with “Hello!” and says “See you tonight!” when you leave. An Izakaya is a Japanese restaurant where businessmen/women stop on their way home from work. When we go, it’s usually packed with people on their lunch breaks. They have lunch specials, but are a little pricier than Matsuri ($12.95) and fair warning, their ginger salad dressing is rather tasteless. Lunch Specials comes with Miso Soup, Salad, Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura, California Roll and entree of your choice.

Thai

Atchana’s Homegrown Thai 3194 Commodore Plaza 33133

Atchana’s restaurant was in a hotel in Coconut Grove, but now has found a permanent home on the corner of Commodore Plaza. My husband and I went there for lunch, pre-covid, but have since ordered food to-go from there. I would recommend the Mee Grob ($14) or Steamed Asian Dumplings ($9) to start, with Pad Thai as an entree and Thai Doughnuts ($10) to end. Just like the old days. There are many other dishes, plus a Thai Trio with salad, summer rolls and soup for $13 which sounds like a great, light lunch idea. There’s also a neat Sriracha menu with a wide array of Thai hot sauces. And I thought there was only the one with the Rooster!

Moon Thai & Sushi 1118 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, 33146

This place, right across from U.M., is fun because you can get Thai or Sushi, depending on your mood. Honestly, we usually get the sushi rolls- Sloppy J and Spicy Lover’s Rolls are two favorites, but there’s also a full selection of Thai, which according to the menu is a blend of Chinese and Indian, based on Rice and Noodles.

Vietnamese

Miss Saigon Bistro 148 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables, 33134

The only Vietnamese restaurant I know of in Miami, now that Hy Vong is closed, is Miss Saigon Bistro in Coral Gables. They used to have an outpost in Pinecrest, but that has changed to a Pho restaurant. I love coming here and seeing the servers in their beautiful Thai gowns. I always get the same thing- the Miss Saigon Rice Noodle Bowl ($13.95), because it’s so delicious. Rice noodles are tossed with herbs and include pork, chicken, shrimp and chopped up crispy spring rolls, which are then tossed, table side with chopsticks, with hot sauce. It’s a big serving, but I usually seem to finish it. When I don’t, it makes good leftovers. I’ve tried to replicate this dish at home, without success.

Asian Fusion

Lan Pan Asian Cafe 8332 South Dixie Highway, Miami, 33143

This restaurant in Dadeland Station, is part of the same restaurant group as Su Shin Izakaya, the Japanese restaurant above. Bright, light and usually crowded, I love to stop here for lunch while shopping. Lunch Specials are a great deal with Soup, Salad, California Roll included with your entree. I always used to get the Chicken Dumplings ($11.95), but have branched out to try Tamarind Shrimp, Thai Basil Chicken and Grilled Salmon. Please note, this is the ONLY place I’ve had cooked salmon that I like, but my friend Tami wasn’t a fan.

Noodle Restaurants

OHHO Noodles Market 1100 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables 33146

This restaurant, near Ponce Middle School, is usually filled with U.M. students. You order at the counter, get a number and wait in the funky, grafitti-decorated interior. They have other menu items besides noodles- buns, dumplings, chicken dishes and Bibimbop. The most popular noodle dish, and my favorite, is the Singaporean Laksa Lemak ($18) with rice noodles, spicy coconut broth, chicken, shrimp, bean sprouts, tofu and egg. There are a variety of hot sauces on the counter to be added to your dishes, if desired. They offer Pick-up and Delivery.

InRamen 5829 S.W. 73 Street, South Miami, 33143

This restaurant, in South Miami, is super casual with the doors open and indoor and outdoor dining. It was the first place I saw the (now ubiquitous) QR code, as they wish you to open it on your phone, order and even pay contactlessly. Genius! (They do have paper menus for the technologically-challenged.) They have other menu items than noodles- buns, dumplings, bibimbop and chicken dishes- but the noodles are hand made right in front of you, so that’s always what I get. It’s pricier than Ohho, with the Ramen Beef Short Rib Ramen my daughter recently got costing $26. I’ve gotten the most popular dish- Chashu Ramen with pork belly, tonkotsu broth, noodles, egg, corn, mushrooms and bamboo shoots. The Spicy Chicken ($18) sounds good and I like the music they play in here, which is a sometimes overlooked feature in restaurants.

Sea Siam 12735 S. Dixie Highway, Pinecrest, 33156

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Sea Siam, in a strip mall in Pinecrest and where we used to meet our friends Brooks and Sharon. We would sit at the bar and all always got the same appetizer- Steamed Shrimp Dumplings with Spicy Mayo and extra scallions (off menu). For entrees, we were all over the place. The Crispy Duck ($26) is delicious, and was my favorite, Brooks liked the Ginger Fish ($26), which is a whole fried snapper and Sharon usually got a sushi roll, like SuSa ($20) with tuna and avocado.

So there is a by-no-means complete list, but some of my favorite places to eat Asian food in Miami. I’m also dying to try Zitzsum in Coral Gables, with the chef from No Name Chinese. It has been nominated for a James Beard award Best New Restaurant.

In a Good News/Bad News situation the principal plays with Hy Vong restaurant were doing Pop-Ups and Pick-ups of some of their food during the Pandemic. They participated in the South Beach Food and Wine Festival this year and, since Hy Vong closed, had been doing Pop Ups and pick-ups of their food in South Miami. Their last pickup was March 12 and they announced they’ve officially hung up their aprons and will no longer be offering their delicious food. The Good News is they will be doing Cooking Videos on how to make some of their dishes. I will definitely sign up for that!

Up Next: The Villages

When we talked about getting a boat (after we got bored looking at each other in our condo in Key Largo) my husband said he wanted to get one with a little cabin so I could make blender drinks in it. I’m not sure why this thought occurred to him, since I rarely make blender drinks at home, on dry land. I do like margaritas, but take them over the rocks, not frozen.

At any rate, we got an Open Fisherman (even though we’ve yet to fish on it), so it has fishing rod holders, but no cabin. We took ‘Bout Time out once to watch the sunset; I brought a simple charcuterie plate to go with our bottle of wine. After trekking out to Alligator Reef recently to swim, I really wished we would’ve packed a picnic lunch, since I became famished.

This all got me started thinking about Boat Food, and what meals are ideal for dining on the boat. Some boats have cabins in which to prepare a simple feast. We do not, so I wanted all the meals to be: easy to prepare at home, simple to transport into a cooler on the boat and easy to eat out on the water. Here are my suggestions.

• Deviled Eggs, Cold Chicken (either grilled, baked or fried) & Watermelon Slices. All of these items are relatively easy to make, can be made the day ahead and are perfect served chilled. Use chicken thighs, legs or wings for easier eating.

• Sandwiches, Chips & Apples. Another “no brainer” of a Boat Meal, the easiest option is to buy a Publix Sub. They are known for their Chicken Tender Subs and Italian is always a good option, but you can order whatever custom sub you want. But, if you want to go all out, make the Muffaletta sandwich (from the New York Times Food Section) Kelley prepared for our outing to Alligator Reef. The best thing about it? It gets better with age, as the seasonings and olive tapenade soak into the meat and bread. I like Cape Cod Chips (there’s even a lighthouse on the bag) and small Honeycrisp apples to finish the meal.

• Sushi. When out and about in the deep, blue sea, it’s nice to eat some fish. Make it cold fish, surrounded by seaweed, chilled rice, with wasabi and ginger on the side, even better. Publix sells sushi (Sushi Maki) but I prefer buying it elsewhere, like Num Thai in Key Largo. This is something you want to buy the same day you eat it, as one-day old sushi is no bueno. To go with it, I would serve Edamame. You could make the Edamame ahead, toss with soy sauce and sesame oil and put it in a heat proof container or, serve it cold.

• Jerk Shrimp. This recipe comes from my Mom’s friend Roxy Karnes and was in the Serve It Up! Tennis cookbook. It uses shrimp (Florida Key West Pinks would be great) and features tropical flavors like Jerk seasoning and mangoes. After you prepare it, it sits for a couple hours to let the flavors blend, so if you make it in the morning, it should be perfect for lunchtime. Serve with Tortilla Chips or over lettuce.
• Ceviche. Ceviche is a no-brainer when it comes to Boat Food and, in fact, while passing the Sandbar last time, we saw a boat selling Ceviche. Serve in bowls with plantain or tortilla chips, with hot sauce on the side. I offered a Ceviche recipe in a previous Foodie in Miami post- Easy Shrimp Ceviche– on July 1, 2021.

• Lobster Roll. A lobster roll is essentially lobster salad stuffed into a hot dog roll, making it a perfect, summer-time treat. Pack the lobster and rolls separately and serve with chips and pickles. Read my This is How we (Lobster) Roll, June 8, 2021, for more info.

• Crab-stuffed Avocados. I love Crab-stuffed Avocados, a very indulgent and Country-Clubby kind of treat. I would pack the crab salad in the cooler and halve the ripe avocados separately. Bring a small cutting board to slice in half and assemble. The salad pictures is from Riviera, where they served it on butter lettuce, with candied pecans on the side. Fruit salad and grilled pita bread would make perfect side dishes.

• Orzo with Roasted Vegetables. My friend Martha serves this Ina dish as a side with Roast Meat or Chicken for dinner, but it would make a perfectly acceptable Main Dish, especially for vegetarians. If you want to make it more Main Course, add shrimp, grilled chicken or sliced meat to it.
• Mezze Platter. My go-to Airplane Meal, this is an easy feast to throw together. Hummus, Pita Chips, Veggie Sticks, Cherry tomatoes, Olives, Grape Leaves and Tabouleh make for a varied and healthy Mediterranean Spread. Read more at A Moveable Feast, previous FIM post.

• Charcuterie Plate. Back to my original Boat Meal, if you have cured meat (like salami or prosciutto), a hard cheese (like Toscano or Parmesan), some crackers or a loaf of good bread, fig jam or honey, nuts and olives you are good to go! If you want to get fancy, you can add homemade Camponata or Pickled Eggplant (both featured in the Serve It Up! cookbook) that would be wonderful, but not necessary. A bottle of wine goes well with this meal.

Now, to drink on the boat we take water, Beer and La Croix (Key Lime Flavor) to which vodka can be added, making it kind of like a White Claw (which I find awful). You could also bring Iced Tea and Lemonade, to make it more festive and make an Arnold Palmer, if desired. At sunset, I enjoy a glass of wine, sparkling or otherwise, to drink.

Other add-ons to the Boat Food scene are Banana Bread, Muffins of any kind, or Cookies for dessert. Fruit Salad is always a welcome side, or dessert and can be purchased, pre-made, at most grocery stores. Tupperware, or some other reusable plastic container, is a good idea to pack the food in. And a picnic basket, or other bag, can be used to house the dry goods.

I usually use paper plates on the boat- I like the Chinet with dividers, so the varying components don’t blend together- but Melamine plates are a great idea and prettier than paper. And although I usually use plastic silverware, cheap stainless (like from the Dollar Store) or Bamboo re-usuable is a better idea.

Paper napkins are the norm, but cloth are better for the earth (and sea) and are less likely to blow away. If we have wine, I take plastic wine glasses aboard. Definitely avoid anything breakable (except the wine bottle) and screw-off tops make life easier, which is all about what life in the Keys is about!

Don’t forget a little garbage bag and some wipes, while packing your Boat Food. It does take time and energy to prepare to dine “a la sea”, but (kind of like camping) it just seems like everything tastes better when eaten outside. Turn on a little Jimmy Buffet, relax and enjoy your Boat Food!

My Mom’s Deviled Eggs

Recipe by Lyla Lee RiceCourse: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

24

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

100

kcal

My Mom’s recipe for her famous Deviled Eggs (shown here at Courtney’s Baby Shower). It’s a perfect app for the boat, but I would rejoin the two halves for easier transport; you can even take them in the egg container they came in.

Ingredients

• 12 Hardboiled Eggs (put 2 tsp baking soda in water for easier peeling

• 1/2 cup mayo (Hellmans preferred)

• 1/4 cup Miracle Whip

• 1 teaspoon grated onion

• 1 1/2 teaspoons hot dog mustard
  

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 3 Tablespoons sweet pickle relish

Directions

• Peel eggs.
• Slice in half and remove yolks.
• Mash yolks, add other ingredients and combine thoroughly.
• Fill mixture in egg white halves. Use pastry bag to fill for nicer presentation.
• Decorate with paprika, parsley or pimento.

Notes

• This recipe is in the Serve It Up! Cookbook, as are the Jerk Shrimp and Orzo recipes. A lot of tennis recipes work for Boat Food because they’re prepared ahead and last at room temp.

Up Next: Book Club

This posed a dilemma for my husband, who was the picker-up. First we ordered sushi from Moon Thai and Sushi, a combo of tuna, California and JB rolls and a salad with ginger dressing. That wasn’t too crowded, so Zeke felt ok. Still, following Dr. Oz’s protocol, we removed food from the bag, transferred it to our containers, left the packaging outside and came in and washed our hands before eating. I even threw the chopsticks away, I’m getting so paranoid.

The other place we ordered from was Miami’s Best, since they were having a “buy one, get one free” on large pizzas on Tuesday. We ordered a California Dreaming (really yummy with goat cheese and artichoke hearts) and a plain cheese and Zeke and Lauren went to pick it up. The promotion must have worked, because the place was PACKED. Good for business, not good for social distancing. Even though they didn’t give us the free pie, we took the pizza and ran out of there and dealt with the refund the next day.

Since all Miami-Dade restaurants have closed for dining in, and so many people have lost their jobs, I feel the need to do my part and support the local restaurants that are still open. I called my friend, take-out queen Tami, and asked her where she’d been getting take-out for her and her son, home from college. She’s been ordering from Deli Lane, Sushi Maki and Lan Pan Asian. She recommended the Tortellini Alfredo, Chicken Francais, California Dreaming quesadilla, Salad with Salmon and Chicken Chili at Deli Lane. I got an email from Lan Pan (in Dadeland Station) for free delivery of orders $35 and more with the promo code DELIVERY.

Tami also noted that it seemed Taco Craft, Town and Casa Cuba are open for business. HoneyBee donuts, Whisk and Sports Grill are also open. HoneyBee is doing curbside service with credit cards only and Sports Grill (love their wings!) is doing call-in and online orders with pick-up outside the restaurant. Zeke and I passed a newly opened restaurant, Wood Label Bistro on Sunset, in the old Healthy Fresh location handing out menus for lunch and dinner. I felt so bad for the owner, opening a new restaurant under these dire circumstances.

Shula’s 347, Root & Bone and Mi’talia, all part of the Grove Bay Hospitality Group, are offering free delivery within a 4 more radius of their restaurants. Old Lisbon, the Portuguese restaurant on Sunset Drive, is doing delivery through UberEats. Three Fold Cafe in Coral Gables (home of the famous avocado toast) is selling groceries, like almond milk and coffee, as well as hot and cold dishes and ready-to-cook meals (like lasagna). Check their website for details and to order.

Fiola’s restaurant, the fancy Italian restaurant in South Miami with an outpost in Washington D.C., is also offering deals. Premium wines are 50% off and they are offering cocktail and menu items for curbside pick-up. I figured it would be way too expensive, but when I looked at the menu, it really wasn’t too bad. Eggplant Parmesan is $22, Fiola’s Meatballs $24, Whole Wheat Rigatoni with Bolognese and Mushrooms is $34. There’s also Grilled Octopus ($24), Roast Chicken ($34) and Branzino ($36), as well as sides, desserts and bread. If you wish white glove delivery by one of the managers, there is a 10% charge, but it is donated to the Relief Fund for their furloughed employees. Call 305 912-2639 for more information.

Cecile’s Bakery and Cafe, a new restaurant on Sunset Drive, is offering online ordering, curbside pickup and delivery. They make it very easy to order off the website and pay, so no touching of a germy credit card machine. I just ordered a smoked salmon and ricotta sandwich on multigrain bread for $14. Zeke dropped me off, I hopped in, picked up the paper bag and left. Easy peasy, non-diseasy. Cecile’s also has salads, soups, smoothies, delicious baked goods, their famous macarons and homemade gelato and sorbet. They’re open 8- 3 p.m. Call 305 397-8206, or visit their website.

When I walked down Sunset Drive (a ghost town), I noticed Spris pizza on the corner is also offering pick up and deliveries, with 15% off deliveries. Yumbrella, the food hall in Sunset Place with different eateries is also open for take-out during COVID-19. My incognito reporter Tami is just back from South Miami with an update. Middle Eastern restaurants Marhaba and Khoury’s are open for ordering food, as well as The Boiling Crab, Pura Pizza and Italian joint Macalusa. Newly-opened BBQ restaurant The Flying Pig (near CVS) is also open 1-9 pm with free delivery, take-out and curbside pickup. And if anyone feels like eating healthy, Earth serves healthy food like smoothies, juices and bowls with no delivery fees.

While I’ve been trying to avoid grocery stores, Whole Foods seemed very clean and well organized when we visited; they have senior hours for 60 and over. A friend who went to Costco during Senior Hours (early) said it was crazy busy, with a line around the store, so I would avoid Cotsco at all costs. This is what Instacart was made for. Wayside Market on Red Road is open (the girls have been biking there) if you need produce and Bee Heaven Farms in the Redlands is having a Pop-Up Farmer’s Market from 2 to 6 p.m. on Fridays.

Bee Heaven is selling loose items such as cherry tomatoes, beans, salads and radishes, eggs and honey. They ask shoppers to wash their hands, use social distancing, point to items they want and employees will place them in the basket. They also ask that you bring your own bags. While I always try to use my own reusable bags at the grocery store (and everywhere I shop) the recommendations these days is to use plastic bags and throw them away.

So, how else can we help our local restaurants besides ordering take-out and picking it up ourselves?

You can buy a Gift Card for future use, either for yourself or as a gift. The James Beard Foundation has set up a charity to help restaurants and their employees- the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund. The Coral Gables Community Foundation, which I’m on the Board of, is partnering with Three Fold Cafe to provide meals to local workers and their families who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. You can donate online or by writing a check. Visit info@Gablesfoundation.org for more information.

And Chef Jose Andres is doing it again, with his World Central Kitchen providing meals to coronavirus patients, as well as launching feeding efforts around the world, including Miami. With his new America Eats Now campaign, he is partnering with restaurants to feed the elderly, schoolchildren and marginalized communities around the world.

Hot shot chef Brad Kilgore has changed his Uber-cool Wynwood Alter restaurant into AlterQ, offering take-out and delivery of Bar-B-Q and more casual eats. He’s also offering other pantry staples, like white bread, rice and even gloves, as a way to stay afloat and help out the community. From the original 100 employees he had for his different restaurants, he’s down to 15. He’s also started the Miami Restaurant Employee Relief Fund to assist laid off Miami Hospitality workers.

So, while we don’t know how long this Global Pandemic will last, let’s try to help out our local restaurants as much as possible. We enjoy them so much under normal circumstances- they feed us when we’re hungry, boost our spirits with their food, drinks, atmosphere and staff. I certainly hope they weather this storm and will be around for us when everything is calmed down.

Newsflash: Sushi Maki in South Miami giving out toilet paper (a valuable commodity these days) with take-out orders.

Up next week: Choosing Fresh Food that lasts a while (reducing trips to grocery store) and Foods to eat to Fight Viruses.

Right after my tennis match, the season was cancelled for my South Florida Women’s doubles league, quickly followed by suspending play on my USTA league. School was cancelled for all Miami-Date Public schools, as well as my Grandson’s preschool. Publix is somewhere you now want to avoid at all costs and good luck finding toilet paper, hand sanitizer, wipes, alcohol (the rubbing kind), bleach, or any kind of cleaning product. Salons are closed, as are all non-essential retail stores and all the Miami-Dade Public Libraries. And, as of Tuesday, all restaurants are closed for business, except for order out and take away.

Even while I enjoyed the simple pleasures of life we take for granted last week, there were clues of the eventual avalanche. At tennis, we elbow bumped, instead of shaking hands and my partner didn’t even want to do that so we air high-fived. At my grandson’s school, everyone appeared on high-alert, with hand sanitizer positioned at every opening. As I went to sign him out for the day, the Dad in front of me said “I believe that pen’s been sanitized.”

Even weirder was the library, where the lady at the checkout desk poured straight alcohol onto her hands as I got Wyatt some books. My Blo Dry salon was crowded, but there was a nervous energy to the place, the way it feels before a hurricane, where everyone’s terrified of what might happen, but hoping for the best. And, as we were leaving Sea Siam after dinner Saturday night, we peeked in the dining room and it was totally empty- an eery sight. It had the same effect on me as when my dog Bandit came inside the house before Hurricane Andrew and threw up on the kitchen floor. Although I hadn’t been worried before, this was an ominous sign that something was not right.

Today is Lauren’s birthday. While she originally thought about going out to Hillstones for dinner, we decided against it due to the need to socially distance. This was even before there was no option of eating out. Now we are going to get take-out from Moon and eat at home. I am making the girls favorite cake- a yellow cake with delicious chocolate frosting (from Joy of Cooking), topped with Reese’s pieces. I’m giving Lauren some TP, a mask, gloves and wipes as gifts, as a joke- kind of. I’d already given her one of my last two hand sanitizers, which is like liquid gold these days. We will celebrate her birthday, our small little family (Wyatt and AJ are gone) and try to make the best out of a very strange and unprecedented situation.

I am remaining calm and trying not to eat 24/7. Obviously, I ‘ve been cooking a lot. Also, working in my garden, taking walks around the block (six feet apart from others), meditating and doing yoga from You Tube videos. My husband Zeke’s decided to close his office, since no one is working anymore, so I will be getting a peek at what life will be like when he retires. (Insert terrified face emoji here. )And giving thanks for the fact that my family (as of now) is healthy, including my 83-year-old mother and her boyfriend Bob.

I’m giving thanks for the small things, like finding a cucumber at Publix yesterday. I was craving smashed cucumber salad, but unsure if I could find a cucumber. There is so much we take for granted. And remembering just a week ago, when life seemed much more normal and knowing that eventually, life will return to normal again. Hopefully, with a deeper appreciation of all the services, food, supplies and freedoms we normally are blessed with. Just not now.

It made me think of Hillstone where Lauren wanted to eat for her birthday. It’s not a place I eat a lot, but I do remember their Spinach Artichoke Dip being good. I found a recipe for a Knock-off of it on a website called cdKitchen. If you have canned artichokes and frozen Spinach, plus a few other essentials, you can make this. It’s creamy, cheesy and satisfying- comfort food to the max. Also fattening, but according to my stepdaughter Emma “calories don’t count in a pandemic.”

“Like” Hillstone’s Spinach Artichoke Dip from cdKitchen

• 1 jar (6.25 oz) marinated artichokes, drained
• 1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup Romano cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup 1/2 and 1/2
• 1/2 cup sour cream

In food processor, blend artichokes, Romano, garlic and Parmesan cheese for 1 1/2 minutes. In a mixing bowl, add drained spinach, half and half, sour cream and mozzarella. Stir well. Spoon into artichoke mixture and blend all ingredients.

Butter an oven-proof shallow serving dish. Pour mixture into dish and baked 20-25 minutes at 350 until mixture is bubbly and cheese is melted. Remove from oven and serve with tortilla, sour cream and salsa.

Serves 16 (or 6 in a pandemic)

How bizarre indeed.