Provisions for a Pandemic: Banh Mi and Some Trash Bags, Please

The Restaurant/Market: Really, Really Farm to Table

One of the first to sell produce to customers picking up their to-go food was Ghee Indian Kitchen in Downtown Dadeland. Niven Patel, who grows the fruits and veggies used in his restaurants at his own farm, brought in lettuce, eggplant, greens, tomatoes and cut flowers. Not only did the bins brighten up his curbside service, customers appreciated the convenience.

“It went really well,” says Patel. They’re not offering their produce every day, but they will offer it when they’re able. And customers will see their a sprig of their beautiful flowers and a thank-you note stapled to each to-go bag.
Ghee Indian Kitchen

Chug’s Diner in Coconut Grove

To pivot to takeout-only, Michael Beltran’s Cuban diner started off serving family meals – pollo a la plancha, mojo roast pork, chicken fricassee, served with black beans, rice and salad. Then they decided to sell organic produce from Bee Heaven Farm, the organic Redland farm that supplies his other restaurant, Ariete.
Chug’s Diner

Smoked Porchetta Sandwich, Sack of Flour at AlterQ in Wynwood

It took a week to roll out AlterQ, chef Brad Kilgore’s BBQ-focused menu and more for curbside takeout and delivery. Customers can order down-home dishes like his boneless smoked ribs with shaved onion on a potato roll, or a deviled egg salad sandwich with pickled cherry peppers on toast. They can also pick up necessities like cooking oil, trash bags and foie gras butter.
AlterQ

Threefold Cafe in Coral Gables

This friendly restaurant offers family meals and makings – a quart of pancake batter, a smashed avocado kit – and has now added grocery items. Threefold’s Nick Sharp says the move will be handled as a co-op, with profits split between their workers. Shoppers can order produce, staples like butter, milk, rice and Lake Meadow eggs, and artisan foods like Cao Chocolates and Frice Cream.
Threefold Cafe

The Milkman’s Coming (Adults Only)

Thankfully, beer, wine and liquor stores have been deemed essential and can stay open for business, featuring curbside service and online or phone orders. But Jeffrey Wolfe of Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe (and our Sharp Tongue columnist) took matters a few steps farther. He came up with topical wine pairings for takeout meals – a San Angelo Negro Angelin Nebbiolo Langhe 2017 to accompany Neapolitan pizza from Stanzione 87, to name one example – and donned his milkman’s cap to take to the road and deliver the goods.

On Fri., Mar. 27 at 8pm, Wolfe – who admits he misses everyone stopping by the shop to talk about what’s up with their lives – is hosting a virtual wine tasting via Instagram. He’ll start delivering the bottles all week leading up to the party.
wolfeswineshoppe

Bonus Takeout Deal: Cobaya to-go! 

Now you can shelter in place and participate in a Cobaya dinner in the comfort of your home – and help restaurant industry workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Cobaya, the underground dining club, has announced Cobaya at Home, a dinner for two that includes a main course, two sides and dessert for pickup between 6 and 8pm Thurs., Mar. 26 in Coconut Grove. The price is $100 for two, and you can ask about wine options from $20-60. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to an in-house employee relief fund. First come, first served.
Cobaya at Home Experience on 3.26.2020 via PayPal