I’m not usually a fan of prepared foods even if they’re made fresh, but I just found a notable exception, So Heavenly. It’s not surprising since the owner and chef comes from a family with roots in Egypt, Greece, Israel, Colombia, and Syria.  So you find everything from yucca arepas and brisket to lachmaghine (mini pizza with meat and tamarind) and  Moroccan spicy cigars with hummus dipping sauce. From the minute I walked in and smelled what was coming out of the kitchen and saw the glistening freshness of the salads, and house made soups with names like Kibbe Hamda and ajiaco I knew I was going to like So Heavenly.

Susie Lustgarten started cooking out of her house for friends and select events who wanted Kosher food. Her business grew through word of mouth until she knew she had to have a larger space, cooks, and a professional kitchen. She also made the decision at the same time to go for a wider audience, knowing that her varied dishes would appeal to all, not just her Kosher clients. Thus started So Heavenly.

Though there are a few tables outside, the bulk of her business is for takeout and delivery,  and non catered events. Find everything from not your usual salads like mango and jicama and roasted eggplant with brown rice to a fave — kale with shredded purple cabbage, cranberries, caramelized pecans, pumpkin seeds with house made poppy seed dressing .

It has been a long time since I had such a delicious brisket as the one here — tender and tasty. Another favorite is the artichoke bottoms stuffed with minced meat cooked  in a light tomato lemony sauce . Next time I’d like to try the whole rotisserie chicken.

In the soup category besides a solid chicken soup, find the Egyptian soup melehiya (special order). She also makes her own bottled salad dressings, the poppyseed vinaigrette a winner. The bottom line is that everything tastes home made.

Dessert also takes an international spin. Find guava biscotti, apple cake, combo brownies with cookie dough, and babka. Her kosher clients love her take on challah — made with everything from chocolate chips to guava.

Prices are fair. Salads are sold by the pound only — from $12 for Quinoa Mediterranean salad  to $15 for a kale salad quart (there’s also a delicious ceviche). Entrees range from $12 to $28, soups from $8 to $15 and desserts from a $5 for a slice of apple cake to $35 for an entire cake.

Note that dishes may change based on seasonal ingredients.

There are a few tables outside, but mostly this is about takeout and delivery and events.

So Heavenly, 2228 NE 123rd Street, T.786-999-8432.Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday by special request for events.  Important notes: they are closed on Jewish holidays and when you click on the menu it says Shabbat menu but it’s actually all of the dishes offered.