Hasta la Vista… But Not Goodbye: What Erin Compton Is Doing Now

“Hasta la vista, baby.”

Those were the final words of our farewell to the Last Carrot, the Coconut Grove institution that nourished generations for more than 50 years before closing its doors on Grand Avenue.

But “hasta la vista” was never meant to be the end.

In the weeks since the restaurant’s closure, one question has echoed throughout the Grove: Will the Last Carrot return, and where?

The answer for now is simply, Erin doesn’t know.

After decades of dedicating herself to one of Coconut Grove’s most beloved eateries, Erin Compton isn’t rushing into another long-term lease or committing to a new location. Instead, she’s taking time to enjoy life, reconnect with family and friends, and thoughtfully consider what comes next. While many hope to see the Last Carrot reopen one day, Erin is embracing something she hasn’t had in years—the freedom to slow down and let the next chapter unfold naturally.

Instead, Erin has turned her attention to Coconut Grove Catering, where the same heart that defined the Last Carrot continues to guide every meal she prepares.

“Our vision is to create experiences where people feel seen, safe, and like they truly belong,” Erin says. “Whether it’s a quiet moment for themselves or a gathering with the people they love. Through simple, healthy food that’s beautiful, colorful, and thoughtfully made, I want people to feel nourished, comforted, and more like themselves again.”

Anyone who walked through the doors of the Last Carrot knows that philosophy isn’t new.

For decades, customers came for the fresh juices, vibrant salads, homemade soups, and wholesome meals, but they returned because they felt cared for. Erin has simply found a new way to deliver that same feeling.

Today, she specializes in intimate gatherings where every detail matters.

Rather than serving hundreds of guests each day, Erin now creates deeply personal dining experiences, believing that smaller gatherings allow for the strongest connections.

“Intimate gatherings are where connection lives,” she says. “I specialize in events where the guest list is small enough that every detail can be felt, the food, the presentation, the energy in the room. You focus on your people. I’ll take care of everything else.”

Her work also extends into one of life’s most meaningful, and often overlooked chapters: catering for new mothers.

Inspired by the Korean tradition of postpartum nourishment, Erin prepares warm, healing meals designed to support women during the first weeks after childbirth, helping families through one of the most demanding transitions in life with thoughtful, restorative food.

For others, she brings the restaurant directly into their homes.

As a private chef, Erin creates customized menus based on each family’s tastes, routines, and lifestyle—whether it’s weekly meal preparation to simplify busy schedules or an elegant dinner shared around a dining table.

“Your kitchen. Your schedule. Your preferences,” she says. “Whether you’re looking for weekly meal prep that keeps your family nourished through a busy season, or a special dinner designed just for you, I work closely with you to build menus around the way you actually want to eat and live.”

It’s a natural evolution for someone who has always believed food is about much more than eating.

“I’ve always led with kindness, and for me, food has never just been about what’s on the table, it’s about the people around it,” Erin says. “My love for cooking began alongside my dad in our family business, where I learned how deeply food can connect and bring people together. After more than 25 years of building meaningful relationships through that work, I now bring that same care into Coconut Grove Catering, creating fresh, vibrant, and thoughtful meals that allow hosts to be present and guests to truly enjoy the moment.”

Whether the Last Carrot returns someday remains an open question. Erin isn’t closing the door on the possibility, but she isn’t forcing the answer either.

For now, she’s exactly where she wants to be: creating meaningful experiences and embracing a much needed break.

Because while the Last Carrot’s address may be part of Coconut Grove’s history, the heart behind it never disappeared. Visit Erin’s new venture here www.coconutgrovecatering.com