A trio of new happy hours, cheap and delicious Chinese restaurant find,  great pick for cheese and charcuterie boards,  yet another offering from David Grutman of Komodo and Swan fame, a new choice among restaurants with live entertainment in Miami,  another outpost for the decadent Sugar Factory, and  Gray Whale Gin, all in Eating News for April ’22.

If you’re looking for a cheese and charcuterie board, ideal for a  lunch, cocktail party or picnic, and not  the same old, same old , read on. Plus you can get it delivered to Miami. Carving and Craving does cheese and charcuterie boards with an artistic eye. We ordered one of their boards for a light lunch with another couple, having seen their work on Instagram. The verdict? It was artistically presented,  and had an uncommon mixture with three cheeses, salami and prosciutto, plus everything from decadent honey goat cheese stuffed dates and fruit sculptures to colorful, crunchy peppers with cream cheese and chives, tasty crackers, nuts,  olives, grapes, strawberries and dried apricots. Also part of the package was a fig and strawberry jam, honey and a box of crackers. Everything was super fresh and delicious.  The price? $69 for our board, $12.99 for the dates plus $20 delivery charge. We teamed up the board with a glass of wine, finishing off with an espresso and piece of dark chocolate. Perfecto!

They’ll also customize boards with other cheeses and meats, more vegetables or fruits. They have a vegetarian board (without the meats), a chocolate covered strawberry add on,  and a carb lover’s option that’s a box of breadsticks, bread and crackers. And then there’s their fun Christmas tree that comes in 12 inch and 18 inch heights ($90 and $50 respectively). Prices start at $25 for a single box up to $290 for La Fiesta that’s for 12-14 people.

Carving and Craving is based in Fort Lauderdale and Salt Lake City, Utah. They’re two relatives who started the business last year and are lovely people besides. To order call 954.800.0220 or @carvingandcraving .Twenty four hours advance notice is required.

 The food is delicious, the menu large, and prices hard to beat at Canton Palace. I thought I was at a restaurant in New York’s Chinatown. We had large steamed pork dumplings (3), eggplant in garlic sauce, chicken with loads of vegetables in garlic sauce, super fresh dark greens, white rice and a glass of wine. The price? $50 plus tip and we had enough for another meal! The place is very simple, the menu has just about every dish you could want,  the service friendly and quick. And while you’re in the strip mall, walk a few doors down to Chinese grocery store TK (7992 SW 8th Street) to pick up some fabulously fresh Asian vegetables — baby bok choy, leafy greens, Japanese eggplant, scallions, and amazing ginger. Don’t miss Amay’s almond cookies, either. And check out the aisles overflowing with condiments, spices, and all the ingredients needed for cooking Chinese dishes. Canton Palace, 7980 SW 8th Street.

New Happy Hours for Your List:

Sushi Garage ( Sunset Harbour, Las Olas, CocoWalk)

Sushi Garage’s Happiest Hour is available everyday at its three locations from 5:30-8 p.m. and is always offered on its cozy outdoor patios, where diners can feast on favorites such as the Korean beef leaf taco ($5), fried tofu with black garlic honey ($7), sashimi or sushi ($3-$5.50) and chili shrimp dumplings ($7). Guests can also take advantage of the drink specials with sake starting at $11.50, beers starting at $3, wines starting at $4.50, and all specialty cocktails at $5. 1784 West Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | 500 E Las Olas Blvd Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | 3015 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Miami Beach:Stiltsville Fish Bar

Located in South Beach’s sunny Sunset Harbour, Happy Hour at Stiltsville Fish Bar offers Key West-inspired cocktails and fresh seafood in a breezy, laid-back atmosphere, Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 PM.  Specials include $5 draft beers, $6 select wines and $8 cocktails, like the Landmark Highball, Dark & Stormy with a Chance of Snow and the Calypso. Guests can also indulge in bites to eat at a discounted price like the Smoked Fish Dip, Peel & Eat Shrimp, their famous Fried Chicken and more! 1787 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Brickell: ADDiKT at W Miami

  W Miami now offers guests exclusive happy hour specials at their signature rooftop restaurant, ADDiKT Modern Kitchen, located 15 floors above Brickell Avenue. Specials include bites such as croquetas ($10), blistered shishito peppers ($9), guacamole ($11), warm olives ($9) chicharron ($12), pomme frites ($6 for crispy, $9 for truffle and $7 for yucca); and drinks such as canned beer ($5), draft beer ($7) and the sommelier’s daily selection of wine by the glass ($10). Guests can enjoy the delicious deals and immaculate views every Wednesday through Saturday from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. On Fridays, happy hour goers will enjoy lively music by local DJ’s from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. 485 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131

The California-made, Gray Whale Gin was an unexpected surprise and welcome find for my fellow gin loving friend from the U.K., which is known for many of the finest gins. It’s smoothe yet with a welcome kick, and goes down especially well, either straight up or in a martini. The spirit is said to be inspired by the migratory path of the Gray Whale. It’s made with six botanicals that are sustainably sourced along the majestic creatures’ 12,000 mile journey from Baja all the way to the Arctic. With every purchase, Gray Whale Gin  supports Ocean conservation through a partnership with Oceana, the world’s largest organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the world’s oceans. You can buy it in Miami at Chandi Wine and spirits, Total Wine and Publix ($40 a bottle). It is also available at many restaurants/ bars in Miami. The full list is available HERE.

You can enjoy a really entertaining, edgy themed show five nights week in an attractive setting of high ceilings, petal pink walls with frescoes of colorful butterflies painted by artist Punkmetender at The Moon Miami. It’s from the owner of Wynwood rooftop lounge and restaurant Astra and happens to be below it, in the same building. Themes include the Dream Show on Wednesday; Burlesque Musical Show ,Thursday; the Doll House Show, Friday; the dinner party by Matilda on Saturday; and Drag Me to the Moon, Sunday.   Each show is just under two hours, starting at 9:30 p.m. (9 p.m. Sunday). Before hand, from 7 to 9 p.m. enjoy a combo of DJ and piano singer. The food is Mediterranean with an emphasis on Greek cuisine. There’s no cover charge but a minimum spend on food and beverage of $50 per person is required. No minimum at the bar. 2103 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Wynwood.  Open every night but Monday from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Light Bites:

The Key Club, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant, comes to Coconut Grove in high profile spot, Cocowalk. It’s the latest from David Grutman, well known for Swan, Komodo and the Goodtime Hotel. The 300 seat restaurant is said to have a nightlife “clubstaurant” feel, not surprising given that this is Grutman. It’s open for dinner only daily except Monday. On the way will be brunch with live jazz.

The decadent Sugar Factory featured in an earlier post has come to Bayside and it’s larger than its Ocean Drive outpost. Bwsides the main dining room and full service bar there are plans for a retail and confectionary shop. Expect the same seriously and I mean seriously excessive milkshakes, sundaes, and more. Oh and yes, there’s the King Kong Sundae that feeds 12 and includes 24 scoops of ice cream and everything you can think of that’s sweet. Cost? $99. It reminds me of the Kitchen Sink sundae I used to have when I was growing up. Won’t tell you how much that cost. 401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. Open daily except Monday from 11 a.m. For my earlier review on Sugar Factory, click here.