East End Market is planning to convert the large upstairs space that has hitherto been used as an event space into a place for aspiring restaurateurs. EEM’s developer, John Rife, described the concept as being for chefs who are ready to move beyond popups but who aren’t quite ready for a brick-and-mortar restaurant. I hope they’ll consider calling it Purgatory. No timeline has been announced.

• Congratulations to Orlando Brewing, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this week. OB was one of the area’s first microbrewers, and its only certified organic beer maker, and was well established before the floodgate of small breweries we’ve been seeing for the past several years. Orlando Brewing should be commemorating its 17th year in business. However, just a few months after it opened, in October 2004, the owners were notified that its original location would be taken through eminent domain by the Florida Department of Transportation. You’re driving over where the first brewing facility was if you use the South Street exit off Interstate-4. To show that founder John Cheek has a sense of humor, Orlando Brewing includes I-4 IPA in its portfolio of beers. Specials at the brewery this week.

A while back the actor Stanley Tucci caused a sensation when he posted a video of himself making his wife a negroni.

I’m a fan of the Tooch, but he got some things wrong about my beloved negroni, so I decided to set things straight with this video.

In it, I tell you which gin and which sweet vermouth is best – Campari is a constant.

Take a look, then get out your cocktail glass – not a shaker – and mix yourself or your loved one the Perfect Negroni.

Right about this time a year ago, I had plans to host a reception and plaque presentation ceremony for the winners of the 2019 Foodster Awards for Independent Restaurants.

That, of course, never happened. And with closings, openings, readjusting of schedules and everything else that occurred with local restaurants, the plaques sat waiting for an opportunity to be delivered to the recipients.

So I’ve been making the delivery rounds lately. And last week I dropped off the platinum award for Best Pizza to Vinzo’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria in Casselberry. And since I hadn’t been before, I decided to stop in for a quick lunch to see why the readers voted it their favorite.

Happy Area Code Day!

Well, it’s Area Code Day for some of us. Those of you stuck with the 321 prefix, sorry, your day was March 21 and it passed with no fanfare. And those of you with the new 689 area code, I’m afraid your day will never come. (Seriously, when did we get a 689 area code? Why wasn’t I informed?)

This is the second annual commemoration of April 7, April being the fourth month and the seventh being, um, the seventh day of the fourth month. So, 4/07. Yes, it should properly be written as 04/07 but work with us here.

The promotion was concocted last year when we were all still reeling from the initial shutdown as a way to boost patronage at local restaurants.

What’s supposed to happen on #407Day? Well, according to the folks at Orange County and Visit Orlando, the entities who came up with the idea, we’re supposed to visit restaurants – in person or by ordering takeout or delivery – then post a photo or comment on your favorite social media platform with the #407Day hashtag.

No, you’re not getting anything free or at a reduced price, though it’s possible that some restaurants might be offering a special promotion (and if you know of any, tell us in the comments below). It’s just a way of showing support to the more than 100,000 workers employed by restaurants.

So it’s a good thing. But why stop when tomorrow comes? I’m declaring tomorrow #408Day and I encourage everyone to visit a restaurant accessible via the East-West Expressway.

And on Saturday we’re revering the month and day like they do in Europe and we’ll celebrate #10-4Day with recommendations of restaurants you think are A-OK.

We could come up with all sorts of excuses to support our local restaurants (though April 20 is already taken) but you shouldn’t really need one.