I remain an optimist despite this challenging time of the coronavirus pandemic and being a longtime member of a profession with a reputation for sarcastic, hardened and bitter reporters and editors.

One of the highlights of my first year at The Spokesman-Review is the recent interaction with dozens of restaurant and bar owners and employees since we posted “A list of online menus: Spokane and area restaurants and bars focus on takeout amid quarantine” on March 15. (For print-only readers, go to spokesman.com/ae and scroll down.)

You have expressed your gratitude for supporting local and national businesses, and your emails are a reminder of the importance of public service and discourse and being good to each other and lending a helping hand in a time of need.

The list is by no means exhaustive, and it is primarily made up of restaurants who have reached out to me via email and a scan of Facebook by my diligent sister, math interventionist Michelle Harmon of Audubon Elementary.

The list is a continually updated resource. It is a list that will still be useful after life returns to the new normal post-coronavirus pandemic.

For yours truly, this has been a time of cooking at home and ordering takeout.

Recent meals have been ordered from, among others, Pete’s Pizza, the Boiler Room, the Wave Island Sports Grill & Sushi Bar, Lost Boys’ Garage Bar & Grill, Hong Kong Express, Popeyes and Pizza Hut (a sentimental favorite since my childhood in Helena).

Here are some takeout menu updates since posting in mid-March (and please continue to email me with updates at donc@spokesman.com):

Bridge Press Cellars: Three bottles of the not-yet-released rose and one bottle of cabernet sauvignon for $75, through Sunday for Mother’s Day. And while they’re in stock, one case of 2014 merlot for $180 (normally $425), and one case of 2013 cabernet sauvignon for $275 (normally $575). Check out the website for other deals. 39 W. Pacific Ave., (509) 838-7815 and bridgepresscellars.com.

First Avenue Coffee: Bottled and to-go drinks and doughnuts and other pastries are available for curbside pick-up, and don’t forget about Deborah di Bernardo’s first spot Roast House Coffee. 1011 W. First Ave. (509) 863-9442 and 1stavecoffee.com; and 423 E. Cleveland Ave., (509) 995-6500 and roasthousecoffee.com.

Hunt: Check back weekly for one of the more inventive menus in town. Recent items have included pad Thai and banh mi kits, kim chi fried rice, roasted chicken and pesto macaroni and cheese dinners, growlers of local beer and more. 225 W. Riverside Ave., (509) 919-3748 and huntspokane.com.

Luna: Recent curbside food specials have included pan seared duck, retail bread, coconut prawns, wood-fired pizzas and pints of gelato. Plus, the Asian pear trees are in full bloom. 5620 S. Perry St., (509) 448-2383 and lunaspokane.com.

The Scoop: Jennifer Davis, owner of the popular ice cream shop, recently opened a second location in Kendall Yards. Orders can be picked up there on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Pick up is at the South Hill location Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. South Hill: 1001 W. 25th Ave., (509) 535-7171; Kendall Yards: 1238 W. Summit Parkway, (509) 703-7042; thescoopspokane.com.

Candle in the Woods: Experience this fine-dining adventure at home with three menu options: Candle on the Go, Candle at Home and Candle Family Style. Candle in the Woods also is a nice excuse to get out of the house for the drive to Athol. 5751 ID-54, Athol, (208) 664-0135 and candleinthewoods.com (the restaurant’s Facebook page is updated more often).

New to the to-go list: 509 Dine, Halletts Market & Café, Illinois Ave. Bar & Grill, Little Euro, Mac Daddy’s Pub & Grill, Millwood Brewery, P.F. Chang’s and Rocket Bakery

And newly reopened for pick-up: Frank’s Diner, Gander & Ryegrass, the Old Spaghetti Factory, the Onion and Rut.

National Barbecue Month

May is National Barbecue Month – hooray! – and while social distancing and well, the mild spring weather, are delaying backyard and patio get-togethers over grilled meats, seafood and vegetables and assorted sides, there are takeout options available from many Spokane barbecue joints.

I’m stunned my favorite barbecue in town – TT’s Old Iron Brewery and BBQ in Spokane Valley – isn’t even in the top 20! Chad White’s barbecue joint is exceptional. Meanwhile, I’ve heard great things about Austin’s Live Fire Barbecue, so it is on the must-try list.

Happy Cinco de Mayo, and please be safe and well.