Between two thick, golden slices of airy sourdough oozed mild, aged cheddar. It was simple and needed nothing else. No mustard. No nothing. I ate outside and I ate it fast, not because it was cold, but because it was that good.

In this notebook about dining options during Covid-19: Healthy tofu to go from Bon Me, House of Chang and The Smoke Shop.

A third community fridge has come to Cambridge: A “Fridge in the Square” that lets the hungry stop by to take what they need, installed in front of The Sinclair nightclub in Harvard Square.

Sugidama is a hidden gem among Davis Square’s Asian eateries that stands out for its specialty in soba – the classic Japanese buckwheat noodle, made fresh and in-house.

In this notebook about dining options during Covid-19: Vegetarian fare, including The Abbey’s Brussels sprouts and cauliflower with capers; Season to Taste’s kombucha squash hummus and crispy spinach cigar; and Saloniki Greek’s Yia-Yia’s Soup.

The relationship between a food establishment and a neighborhood can be complex. This weekend you can taste it in three places through Jason Bond’s special croissant from squid ink, a unique sake-flavored sesame paste and some salmon.

The Cambridge Community Foundation has awarded $40,000 in surprise, need-inspired grants to 11 neighborhood food pantries and programs.

Two more residents have died of Covid-19, bringing the total during the pandemic to 102 deaths, the city reported Wednesday. It was the first increase in deaths since Sept. 25, when the toll rose to 100 from 99.

When most folks think about smoked salmon it’s of lox atop a bagel. You haven’t fully appreciated the oily, rich goodness of the fish until you try Whole Foods’ “hothouse salmon” or Urban Hearth’s 8-ounce smoked fillets.

A luxury apartment complex in Cambridge Crossing filed eviction cases against 28 tenants in November, at least some alleging violations in Covid-19 restrictions. But business owners are also facing evictions, and the numbers are expected to rise in January.