What better escape from 2020 and COVID-19 than sitting down at a diner in the 1950's, the kind with naugahyde booths, photos of big-finned cars on the wall and cheeseburgers from paradise, with a side of fries, a coke, or a milkshake. 

Executive chef Ioannis Kotstos, who created the Meraki Greek Bistro in Miami, is expanding his talents in a classic retro-style eatery called the Miami Diner that looks like you went back in time but instead of the authentic Greek cuisine Kotsos specializes items like eggs Benedict platters, omelets, daily potato soufflés, jalapeño poppers and fried mushrooms; burgers; sub sandwiches from the classic pastrami and Italian to crab and Philly cheesesteak; salads like the Cypriot-style halloumi cheese green salad and entrees like salmon filet skewers and meat lasagna, said Miami Eater. 

It's a long way from Greece where Kotsos operated restaurants before coming to the United States, taking a chance on opening a place during the pandemic that has seen so many shut down and gone. 

Maybe it's just the thought of a Greek chef making classic American dishes in the 1950's to bring some blessed relief.