News you need to know about our drinking water, wine based activities in the Design District, a new Korean find in the Wynwood area, first look at Le Sirenuse Miami at the Four Seasons and more in Eating News for May, Part 1.

You may want to pay more attention to  your drinking water based on recent Florida news. “More Floridians are exposed to unsafe drinking water than just about anywhere in the country, according to a new study of violations” reported in the Miami Herald. Violations center on the lack of enforcement of drinking water laws and aging infrastructure. When I was recently researching buying a new  water pitcher on fave consumer review site www.sweethome.com , I was ready to opt for the new Brita “Stream” model which is said to enable you to filter the water as you pour, and has a faster pour. In reading about it, and more in tune with water safety after the Flint debacle, I found that the key with filtering pitchers is getting the new Longlast filter. It filters out 99% of the lead as well as other contaminants, and lasts three times as long as standard filters.  The Stream doesn’t accommodate those filters, so it only filters out chlorine and odors. I ended up with the Grand model which does take the Longlast filter. So take note.

On the food front, some new finds.…..My friend and colleague Eleanor Hoh, the Wok Star, who knows her Asian food, put me on to Fuchai, 2506 N.E. 2nd Avenue (T.786-655-0888) Chinese and Korean restaurant. Leave it up to her to find these places off the radar screen. There are only five tables and the owners, a married couple,  are both the chefs (one is Chinese and Korean). Like dumplings? Be sure to ask for pan fried ones,  though be prepared to wait 20 minutes while they make them. (Otherwise they’re deep fried). I took home the pan fried  pork, shrimp and vegetable ones and they were tasty and fresh — from $6.50  for 6 pieces. Also recommended is the Japchae, Korean beef , a good size dish with tender slices of beef, to die for cellophane sweet potato noodles and vegetables ($10.95). Delish. It’s open for lunch and dinner. You can also get everything delivered with Yelp EAT24.

Interested in learning more about wine and enjoying wine based activities? Abaco Wines & Wine Bar in the Design District, 140 N.E. 39th Street, second floor, has a lot that could interest you. Activities vary from pairings featuring local restaurants to wine trivia nights (with lite bites and wine, of course) to blind tasting classes. And don’t miss Wednesdays– every Wednesday their sommeliers walk through the local Farmer’s Market at the Miami Design district, choosing some of the local produce and specialty foods to feature at the store for a wine pairing.  All events are hosted by certified sommeliers. Tickets are $25 but if you spend $50 in the store that night Abaco will waive the price of the tasting.And BTW, we will soon be launching a monthly blogpost on wine so stay tuned!