Enter, Spring. This small neighborhood restaurant, led by Chef Brian So and Sommelier Daniel Crawford (we saw neither in our visit), received a Michelin star in 2024, becoming the first restaurant outside Atlanta’s perimeter to earn the distinction. That accolade inevitably raises expectations, but (unlike, ahem, some restaurants I know), Spring doesn’t feel like a restaurant constructed around collecting stars or specific awards.

Located just off the wonderfully charming Marietta Square, Spring’s dining room is intimate and understated. I…

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Additionally, in light of the terrible event in the Himalayas, please consider donating to WCK.

This week feels like Dubai slowly remembering it has somewhere to be. My inbox is getting busier, calendars are filling up again, and after the usual August/summer lull, there’s a definite sense that everyone is gearing up for September. For me, that also means settling into a new work routine and getting into a manuscript which arrived back from my editor (yeek). Even with a few pleasant(ish) weather days this week, I’m not quite ready to declare summer over, but there’s something reassuring about getting back into a rhythm (even if that means queuing at the petrol station — I never thought I would be grateful for traffic). Consider this week the soft launch of autumn: same heat, considerably more emails.

On Thursday evening, let it be known that sometimes I like to call an audible, so when the lovely Panchali called me and asked if I would like to try the new menu at 11 Woodfire. While classic dishes remain, we tried Chef Brando’s new Fire & Ash tasting menu. Spoiler alert: my favorite dish was the grilled oyster mushroom — it’s a must-order! Also, I was delighted to see the dining room very busy during our visit. #invited

Finally, I would like to take a moment for a quick poll:

Links, please.

• We’re all going to be tuning in to watch Chef Kelvin, right? Instagram

• Tennis-themed tea at the US Open. 🎾 T&L

• Talk to me about fancy Italian rail journeys. CNT

• This is a gross story about abandoned fish sauce: you’ve been warned. Defector

• Does Gen Z have the patience for fine dining? Cultured

• I agree with many of the world’s best chefs (earlier is better). Instagram

• Yes, I would try a spicy celery margarita. BonAppetit

• What do wine experts drink on flights? T&L

• When to eat lunch to support your metabolism. Health.com

• The strange new rules of restaurant names. Bloomberg

• Pizza Hut’s Book It! program for kids is officially back this summer. Slate

• GPS and the lost art of getting lost. New Yorker

• A two-pound bear claw pretzel?! Food Beast

• This abalone bar set. *swoons* Dixon Rye

• Also eyeing this bougie tomato lotion from Loewe. Instagram

• We love a fancy ‘tini. Punch

• Whatever happened to the McBarge? The Takeout

• Could I wear this on my next night out? Madewell

• Why is the food industry obsessed with gimmicky flavors? Bloomberg

• I probably need more NFC tags in my life. Make Use Of

• Some productive things to do after work. The Every Girl

• How Gen Z and Millennials are driving beverage-only restaurant visits. Restaurant Dive

• I love this concept. A Little Jar of Stars

• Why do we call unwanted e-mail, spam? Mental Floss

• Yes to banana pudding cookies. The Kitchn

• Chat with me about the best little treats. Bon Appetit

• What is the world’s most expensive sandwich? Food Republic

• Is a restaurant’s vibe just as important as the food? Delicious

• The fruit and vegetables found in your jewelry box. CNN

Favorite dishes of the month? August had plenty to talk about! Given I don’t want to have any repeats, if I had to narrow it down, I would say the deuces from Lobsterboys, the Parfait from Spring, and the Jalapeno Popper cornbread from Two Birds. What about you? Did you have any stand-out dishes? Let me know in the comments!

This weekend? Seeing friends at TOMD, maybe car shopping…?

Next week? New job, ahoy! Like many of you, I think we all hope that September brings new budgets, energy, and fewer complications. For all the parents with kids back in school — good luck!

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link (we both get $50 until the end of September), ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, finding business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

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Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.

૮･ﻌ･ა

🐶ྀི Dog of the Week 🐶ྀི Cocoa!

JA Resort

Taken on the evening before the region went to shit (literally, 16 hours after I snapped this, our world changed forever), I almost posted this because the sunset was beautiful, but good-looking isn’t always enough. Even if I had taken the time to edit, I’m happy to admit that the eye doesn’t know where to land. The dark overhang takes up too much of the frame, the sofa is awkwardly cut off, and the hedge blocks what should have been the star of the image (ahem), the view. The sun is also sitting in that awkward in-between stage where it’s too bright to expos…

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Overall, I came off the trip feeling (mostly) rested and ready to get back to work. You’ll have to wait a little longer for my new job talk (September 1st, I promise). Jet lag threw a bit of wonkiness my way, but I’m now fully adjusted (or, at least that’s what I’m telling myself).

As for other spanners, Tuesday evening’s alert was enough to get my group chats chatting, but I honestly still feel very safe living in the UAE.

Finally, I missed Helen, so I went to the studio on Friday. Did I say, “Hey man, it’s Sunny D!” on air? I did. Did we also try KFC flavored jelly beans? We did! I got the full hour to chat: link shared below!

Links, please.

• 37 minutes of unhinged (and sometimes hinged) chat with Helen and me. Dubai Eye

• A massive congrats to ! She’s officially started Morris Communications, Qatar’s first bespoke F&B and hospitality communications agency. While I believe there is a lot of noise/faff out there in the F&B PR/Marketing space, Rachel is the real deal. Please feel free to reach out to her directly for any inquiries: rachel@morriscommunications.qa 🇶🇦

• Best international trip for first-timers. T&L

• For the title: An anatomy of the creator brand trip’s midlife crisis. Digiday

• Here’s how much retirement income you need for six lifestyles. Money

• Cities where couples are least likely to break up. Forbes

• Why you are more productive working in a coffee shop (personally, I am not). Globe & Mail

• Facebook Marketplace hosts a vibrant underground food economy. Maison Neuve

• Am I…Gen Z? Bar Magazine

• No one needs another restaurant app. Salon

• Which demographic has the highest food emissions? Sentient Media

• You had me at: six Bloody Mary recipes. Punch

• Can rerouting planes cut aviation’s climate impact? Skift

• This Moët can is cool (but can’t be recycled). Dieline

• I probably need this chicken charm. CS Goods

• KFC is opening a wine bar. Drink Digest

• Why does hosting stress us out so much? Wine Enthusiast

• How does BA develop recipes? Bon Appetit

• I would absolutely try pumpkin pie spice butter. Sporked

• Also true: pumpkin spice season is kicking off earlier than ever. Food Institute

• Feeling very back-to-school with these index cards. Amazon

• Would you try a white wine martini? Food & Wine

• What to say to a friend going through a hard time (spoiler alert: it’s not, how can I help?) CNBC

• If the World Cup couldn’t fix US tourism, what will? Skift

• I would definitely go to the Skywalker-inspired restaurant. Food Beast

• I always enjoy Eater’s guide to college football towns. Eater

• Yes, I want to book a ticket on the Star Train. T&L

• I always want another tote (I already have too many). Abbode

• And finally, here are 100 interesting facts. Mental Floss

This weekend? Meal prep. Seeing friends. And, who am I kidding? Watching the last season of Outer Banks.

Next week? Back to K9, and prepping for — what I hope is — a busy season ahead. Also, will Poppy be on air soon? Watch this space.

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link (we both get $50 until the end of September), ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, finding business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

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❤️ If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button — it helps others discover my content!

🔁 Similarly, feel free to share or repost this if you think others in your network might enjoy this post.

🙌 Consider upgrading your subscription if your budget permits.

💬 And finally, I always love a comment! What was your favorite link this week?

Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.

Window, brought to you by the same team behind Kokoro (inexplicably #15 - !?! - in MENA’s 50 Best 2026), is also located in Al Serkal, and has been on my list for a hot second. Moving from hand rolls to flame-grilled/modern fire cuisine, Window presents a relatively straightforward menu. Tucked on a corner across from Nappa Dori, the space is naturally lit, relaxed, and effortlessly stylish. Additionally, for my visit in mid-July, I’m happy to announce that the aircon is working spectacularly.

The menu is concise with enough creativity to keep things interesting without becoming overly complicated. Throughout the meal, there wasn’t a dish I actively disliked; however, I will mention the saltiness was fairly intense across the board. A lighter hand would have allowed some of the more delicate flavors to come through and made the menu feel even more balanced. I’m not super hungry, nor is my dining partner, so we ordered lightly (skipping over the mains). The team is well-intention…

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The Northeast leg of our trip included plenty of old favorites, both people and places to eat, along with a few new experiences. We finally managed a proper beach day and met Poppy’s very cute cousin, Ivy (who was full of huggies). In Portland, we returned to several of our all-time favorite restaurants, including Après, The Honey Paw, Central Provisions, Terlingua, and Woodford Food & Beverage, while also making room for a few new-to-us spots: ISF Trading Co. (a very IYKYK place to buy a lot of uni in one shot) and Allagash Brewing Company (perfect for all generations to enjoy). Portland remains one of my favorite places to properly disconnect, and I always look forward to returning (especially to Three of Strong because I live for their popcorn — especially on days when their tasting room isn’t open).

We finished the trip with one night in Boston, before heading back to Dubai. Boston continues to grow on me, and enjoying the city with friends was the perfect end of our trip. Drinks at Capri, dinner at Extra Dirty (tucked into Red Fox), and bonus pizza because we’re living our best lives. With a later flight, we also took advantage of the incredible weather to get our steps in around the city before taking off — lunch at Bib Gourmand reviewed Mahaniyom was a special treat.

A few very welcome gifts also made their way to me this week. Slice Soda sent over its Shirley Temple and Root Beer varieties, which delivered an immediate hit of nostalgia (also, ALL points to a Dirty Shirley with fancy cherries). Hornitos Tequila generously gifted us a bottle of tequila (complete with Jarritos to make a fun summer set), while Lobsterboys rounded things out with two deuces. The lobsters were super fresh and made a perfect ‘last night in Portland’ dinner (we rounded out our meal with fresh corn on the cob and new potatoes). I would happily order these again — the lobsters would also make a lovely hostess or thank-you gift (just be sure to plan in advance, as no one likes surprise lobsters). A slightly eclectic haul, perhaps, but certainly no complaints from this household. #gifted

Links, please.

• What’s the price of a good first date? WSJ

• When is a line worth it? Bon Appetit

• You can go ahead and get me this for Christmas. Paynes Gray

  • And this is also acceptable (while we’re on the subject).

• Different chef approaches to Caesar salads. Food & Wine

• Take me to the Hotel Hubertus. My Modern Met

• A suite offer for the US Open. The Mark Hotel

• And actually, a hotel that has a caviar hotline. Park Lane

• This better come to the UAE. Instagram

• Is women-only travel better/safer, or just more expensive? BBC

• The downside of feeding veggies to salmon. Ambrook

• All these new Oreo flavors look amazing. The Kitchn

• Looks like a 10/10 breakfast sandwich. The Takeout

• Cookie Queens: a documentary about selling Girl Scout cookies. Bon Appetit

• AI conquered coding. Is fast food next? Wired

• Seven types of rest every person needs. Ted

• No one asked for this. Crumbl

• Is butter the new caviar? Falstaff

• When is the best time of day to fly with kids? CNT

• Hamsters can use Strava to track their running. Runners World

• Heinz creates a ‘love lid.’ Dieline

• Reading up on some adult cheat codes. Real Simple

• Dirty martini mini mozzarella balls. Food & Wine

• Looks like legit queso. Legit Queso

This weekend? Unpacking and collecting Poppy. 🐶❤️

Next week? Starting a new job! Will tell you more in the next installment.

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link, ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, ordering business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

Subscribe now

❤️ If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button — it helps others discover my content!

🔁 Similarly, feel free to share or repost this if you think others in your network might enjoy this post.

🙌 Consider upgrading your subscription if your budget permits.

💬 And finally, I always love a comment! What was your favorite link this week?

Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.

Until then, here are a few foodie questions:

• If money weren’t an issue, where would you eat tonight?

• What’s the first meal you learned to cook?

• What dish will you defend forever?

Leave a comment

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On Friday, we took an internal flight (which served Shake Shack!) and landed in Portland for the northern half of our stay. Time is flying, but I suppose that’s how vacations go. I hope you’re enjoying your summer.

Links, please.

• How to eat and drink to minimize jet lag. AP

• Can a buffet ever be gourmet? Elite Traveler

• Who doesn’t love vintage GAP perfumes? Bustle

• What’s behind the vegetable fragrance trend? Allure

• How TikTok food trends are fueling a new queue economy. Food Chain Magazine

• Apparently, we’re all getting into Grandma hobbies. NYT

• When friendship is the real love story. Electric Literature

• Have you tried boozy soft serve? FT

• Why Chef’s Table still matters. Salon

• Are you up for a grilled martini? Punch

• Singapore Airlines is trialing a first-class personal concierge service. OMAAT

• I don’t need more glasses, but these coupes are adorable! CB2

• Countries where tourists outnumber locals. Mental Floss

• This chickpea and burrata dish looks incredible. NYT

• In love with these Christmas cactus cards. MoMA

• Who made kids kings of the elevator? Salon

• It’s the summer of the merch food drops. Modern Retail

• 10 outside-of-the-box benefits for hospitality workers. Punch

• Are toys in cereal boxes coming back? Food Dive

• Cognac makers are uprooting vines. Bloomberg

• Cost per wear: the sustainability metric more people should be using. The Ethicalist

• 6 restaurants explain the stories behind their beloved artworks. Eater

• Why can’t TV finales stick the landing? GQ

• Talk to me about animal narrators. The Atlantic

This weekend? Portland and helping a special niece celebrate her birthday.

Next week? Portland/Boston. Hope you’re enjoying your summer!

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link, ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, ordering business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

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I’ve eaten a lot of kushiyaki. Really good stuff, too. The founding client of my own company is a renowned kushiyaki restaurant. Good kushiyaki should be nothing but soft-mouthfeel cooking, producing meats and vegetables that glide off the skewer and into your mouth. The sort of restaurant that makes the Brodericks travel. The essence of Michelin at its finest, flattered further by the 2022 words of Jay Rayner, and a fellow foodie recommendation, we got in the car and drove almost an hour to sample some great food.

Nottingham itself looks beaten and battered. What used to be a treat of a trip is less so with old buildings and shops, coddling some questionable characters between the overgrown …

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Overall, it’s been a week of pizza, promising opportunities, digital housekeeping, and finally starting our summer holiday! Next year, we’re definitely not going to wait as long. I’m not sure if it’s the conflict or what, but I was practically crawling the walls before we left.

Links, please.

• We can always see a little more BTS at Tresind Studio. Instagram

• And on the subject, if you stop by the restaurant, you’ll be able to purchase a signed copy of our book. Instagram

• Way to go, Dubai Municipality! I’m sure there will be some issues at the start, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. 🐶🐱 Gulf News

• Salty, buttery, astonishingly lucrative: The $100 Million Market of Popcorn Buckets. NYT

• I ask myself this every day: are you being demanding enough? Elite Traveler

• Finally, a headline I can get behind: Feeling stuck? Try ‘productivity snacking.’ The Guardian

• Me, this week. Reddit

• Sure, capitalism, let’s make Pepsi bodywash. Dieline

• Do these words belong together: Smirnoff Ice hot dog bag? Instagram

• What the World Cup could have been. Skift

• Moderately interested in this YSL cool box. T&L

• Are crows really our friends? Audubon

• Can chilled reds be a premium move? Drinks Business

• LinkedIn orders food. Instagram

• Happy to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Frose. Wine Enthusiast

• How the Egg McMuffin changed breakfast. Mashed

• Yes to a key lime margarita. The Kitchn

• A test of 99 unusual ice cream flavors. The Gaurdian

• BRB, ordering fake food for the dopamine. QAZ

• ‘Pasta windows’: a charming Italian restaurant tradition, or the sign of a terrible tourist trap? The Guardian

• What Boomers don’t like at the grocery store. The Takeout

• No one asked for this. Sporked

Favorites of the month? July felt like forever (just me?), and quite honestly, I’m not mad to see it go. Lucky for me, we started the month at Marsa Al Arab, which was home to a number of memorable dishes, including the lamb from Bombay Club and the eggs and soldiers with caviar at Fore. Rounding out the month, the hot honey flatbread from Window is something I’d happily order again. Shouts outs to the Roe Code caviar, garlic knots from Pitfire, and my all-time favorite blueberry panakces from Izu at Time Out Market. As always, I’d love to hear your favorites — did you enjoy anything excellent on holiday? Try a new restaurant in town? Let me know!

Leave a comment

This weekend? Relaxing at home!

Next week? Helping the US economy, and hopefully heading for a meal at one-star Spring. Like any trip home, time moves fast, and we’ll be on our way to Portland on Friday. US air travel doesn’t fill me with excitement, so here’s hoping we’re on time and safely landed in Maine.

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link, ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, ordering business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

Subscribe now

❤️ If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button — it helps others discover my content!

🔁 Similarly, feel free to share or repost this if you think others in your network might enjoy this post.

🙌 Consider upgrading your subscription if your budget permits.

💬 And finally, I always love a comment! What was your favorite link this week?

Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.

As the name suggests, VNTG places considerable emphasis on its win…

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What is one to do amidst all these alerts? Get organized! I finally finished updating a very old manuscript that I last worked on in 2009 (?).1 Once finished, it felt like a good time to organize my Google Drive (?). I think anyone can recognize that sometimes we just need to exert control over what we can control, and in that case, it’s digital organization. In being my own assistant, I was able to pull together some short-term and way overdue documents, along with some minor forward planning.

Finally, the Roe Code (catchy name, that!) sent through a wonderful sample of their caviar. I loved the packaging and the taste. Honestly, it’s never a bad day when fresh caviar shows up at your door. #gifted

And finally, if you have a chance, go see The Odyssey in a theater. It’s an incredible undertaking, and like Project Hail Mary, one to see on a larger screen with full Dolby surround. Also, as much as I like Matt Damon’s titular performance, I was more moved by Ryan Gosling’s Dr. Ryland Grace — fight me in the comments!

Leave a comment

Links, please.

• Taste is priceless. Wine Enthusiast

• Sparkling tomato lemonade? From My Bowl

• A fabulous and bedazzled blood orange. Instagram

• Similarly, this tomato is an actual work of art. Instagram

• Are tomatoes the lab rat of fruits? Ambrook

• Should you want to experience the Odyssey in real life. Elite Traveler

• Does anyone really NEED an olive jelly tabletop lighter? 🫒 Anthropolgie

• Maybe don’t respond to every single work message. Big Think

• Yes, to a French fry butler. Instagram

• What are the meltiest cheeses for burgers? Food & Wine

• You had me at ‘pancake flight.’ 🥞 Snack & Bakery

• A wine label you can draw on. Dieline

• Feels timely: digital fatigue and burnout. Incogni

• Using a mini single-can cooler as a bag (yes). Abstruse Like

• Yes, to margarita ice cream. The Takeout

• Native American vintners are weaving Indigenous tradition into modern winemaking. Wine Enthusiast

• Going straight into my cart. Trader Joes

• More hotels should have a martini suite. 🍸 Instagram

• A fully stocked bar (for crows). Laughing Squid

• This croissant reed diffuser. 🥐 Cotton & Crete

• The world is falling apart, but these sandals are super cute. Nordstrom

• Stop using ageist language. Time

• Is fruit too sweet? The Atlantic

• What’s a fun lunch I can make for my book club? Bon Appétit

• This chocolate cashew date recipe. Kathleen Ashmore

• Just a very gorgeous ring. CatBird

• You had me at deviled egg macaroni salad. The Kitchn

• I wonder how much the shipping would be. T&L

• I really had too much time this week.2

This weekend? Catching up with friends before we travel.

Next week? Packing, I hope. A Booker returns to town from shores abroad. This time next week, we’ll be in Atlanta (inshallah).

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link, ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, ordering business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

Subscribe now

❤️ If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button — it helps others discover my content!

🔁 Similarly, feel free to share or repost this if you think others in your network might enjoy this post.

🙌 Consider upgrading your subscription if your budget permits.

💬 And finally, I always love a comment! What was your favorite link this week?

Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.

2

A Poppy emoji, for anyone who cares.

As a comp in the market (both in terms of F&B and rooms), Atlantis The Royal just… doesn’t do it for me. Dinner* was probably the exception (RIP), and I do have a place in my heart for Nobu at the Beach, although one would argue that both a…

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This week, I spent time volunteering at K9 Friends (check the links below for a super-cute Pomski we have for adoption), squeezed in lunch at Window (with notes to follow — paid subscribers, thoughts will be coming your way in the following weeks), and returned to Mythos for one of Dubai’s reliably comforting dinners and yet another successful industry nights. Fay and team, thank you for an incredibly generous experience.

Behind the scenes, there was the less glamorous work as well: sorting out Google Search Console (do I know any experts here?), the usual tinkering with the newsletter, plus the typical stream of emails, edits, and admin that keep everything moving. Not the flashiest week on paper, perhaps, but the kind that quietly lays the groundwork for the stories still to come. I’ve got some professional news to announce next month, and thus, I’m optimistic for August and beyond. Also, I’ve got my fingers crossed for an incredible property visit/press trip in late August.

Finally, my booth is up at Showcase through the end of the month. If you’re in DIP, I highly recommend a visit (not only for my stuff but also for plenty of amazing options).

Links, please.

• Is food the greatest relationship challenge of our time? Bustle

• Why are berries everywhere, in every season? NYT

• Someone, please adopt this cutie so I can come see her. Facebook

• For my word nerds. Language Log

• Pop Rocks, but make them RANCH? Instagram

• Some backlash against the Michelin Guide’s inaugural winery ratings. The Drinks Business

• The case against travel. New Yorker

• Play-Doh, for adults? Amazon

• Are food allergies reshaping the restaurant industry? Elite Traveler

• Heinz’s penalty packets. The Dieline

• For the sake of a cute mister. Ban.do

• This will not stop me from drinking Diet Coke in the sky. T&L

• How to have deeper conversations. Time

• Is scent the most powerful tool in luxury hospitality? Elite Traveler

• You had me at ‘mini cocktails.’ Punch

• And this mini-cake is next level. Instagram

• I don’t need another sling bag, or do I? 🍅 Wolf & Badger

• I genuinely think restaurants need more merch. W50B

• Women aren’t better at multitasking: they can just keep talking. The Times

• The best AED5 I spent this week. IKEA

• Already thinking ahead to cooler days to enjoy outside, and these coupes are so cute! Wayfair

• What’s your favorite way to eat potatoes? 🥔 Cup of Jo

• Every party should have more fancy crackers. Salon

• McDonald’s x Wimbledon. The Dieline

• Consumers aren’t cutting back on fast food, even as other costs climb. NYT

• Why Smucker’s $5 billion bet on the Twinkie flopped. WSJ

• When hospitality fails, the problem might be the guest. Skift

• Toppings better than Everything but the Bagel. NY Mag

• Even staying home is getting more expensive. Morning Brew

This weekend? Going to Ancient Greece for a bit — Nolan, don’t let us down!

Next week? Shifting towards pre-vacation mode. I’ll start getting everything together in advance of leaving at the end of July. The countdown is on!

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link, ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, ordering business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

Subscribe now

❤️ If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button — it helps others discover my content!

🔁 Similarly, feel free to share or repost this if you think others in your network might enjoy this post.

🙌 Consider upgrading your subscription if your budget permits.

💬 And finally, I always love a comment! What was your favorite link this week?

Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.

The rooms (we were placed in an Ocean Deluxe Suite) are generously sized and filled with thoughtful details. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the Arabian Gulf into focus, while the interiors blend contemporary elegance with subtle nautical references. It’s the kind of room where you find yourself lingering longer than planned, reluctant to leave for dinner or the beach.

Original things in our suite that…

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The team at Imperial Avocado recently switched up their business model, and instead of just B2B, they are now B2B as well. Cut to: me receiving 18 avocados (4kg!), almost perfectly ripe and ready for some recipes this weekend. #gifted

Also, ahead of this weekend, I’m dropping off some pre-loved clothing at Showcase. If you’re around this month, go ahead and check out my booth! I’ve got a collection of dresses, trousers, shirts, and other items, all priced to sell. Sustainability takes many forms, and consignment shopping is one of my favorites.

Links, please.

• The World’s 50 Best is trading the desert for the Andes. Instagram

• Looking for something local and a new skill? Piehaus is now offering an ‘Art of Phyllo’ class at Al Serkal. 21 Grams

• Another new in the city is Breadwinner, the love child of Chef Nouel Catis & Chef JP Anglo (say less). Instagram

• Local faves Laura C and take you on a Dubai food tour. Instagram

• This restaurant stopped charging for food. And profits are up. NYT

• Iran conflict: the food sector’s 8 biggest casualties. Food Navigator

• Michelin unveils its first-ever Burgundy wine rankings. Drinks Business

• The resurrection of the Cosmopolitan. Elite Traveler

  • I covered this topic near and dear to my heart earlier in the year. Substack

• Yes, ranch dressing is (apparently) causing quite the stir (however, if you want my opinion, the winner should be French onion). The Atlantic

• Dress, meet table. GFY

• 10/10 would travel to Tennessee just for this travel stop (I love you, Dolly!). Instagram

• Move over s’mores, there’s a new kid in town. Instagram

• To put my tiny things in. Amazon

• Take a fun minute to play this hamster game. Point Zero

• The history and spiritual meaning of matcha. Mental Floss

• To support everyone, I clearly need this shirt. Saks 5th Avenue

• You had me at fig & tomato candle. Rewined

• Posh pantry stores around the world. Elite Traveler

• For my fellow short nail girlies. Allure

• Let’s all go visit the Dracula theme park. Instagram

• For my perio-friends, what causes insomnia in women? The Good Trade

• California bans ‘sell by’ food labels to cut food waste. AP

This weekend? Dropping off clothes. Making a lot of guacamole.

Next week? The next industry event at Mythos, and a visit to Window!

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link, ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, ordering business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

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For those who haven’t visited, SK was created by the Beirut-born hospitality collective Factory People. Soul Kitchen is built around the story of migration, specifically the movement of Arab communities to Latin America and the culinary exchange that followed. That narrative could easily feel contrived (or, simply, not good) in less capable hands. Instead, the Levantine and Latin American influences c…

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Nearly 20 years of living abroad have made that certainty considerably fuzzier. Distance has a funny way of sharpening both affection and criticism. I still feel an almost Pavlovian pull when I hear the national anthem (again, marching band), and I still instinctively describe myself as American before many other adjectives (even if it’s immediately followed by, “but I don’t agree with the current administration”). Yet it’s difficult to ignore the country’s contradictions, particularly from afar, where every headline seems louder and every political fracture more pronounced. Two hundred and fifty years is an extraordinary milestone (simmer down, Europeans), but anniversaries aren’t just invitations to celebrate; they’re opportunities to take stock. Perhaps that’s what makes this one feel so complicated. Loving a place doesn’t require pretending it’s perfect. Sometimes it simply means hoping it can still become the version of itself that it has always promised to be.

Fortunately, on other anniversaries, I’m happily married to the same man I married on July 4th, 2003.

This week had some back-and-forth, but I was delighted when The Bookers met up for ad hoc drinks and very random chat at the buzzing CQ Brasserie Barsha (no, Barefoot was not on the menu, but the Ladies Night deal is truly fantastic). On Friday, I also dialed in to speak on Dubai Eye. I realized this week that I’ve been regularly contributing for 8 years — that’s a lot of food chat!

Otherwise, I was packing for our upcoming stay at Jumeirah Al Marsa! Last anniversary weekend saw us at the Burj Al Arab, so I’m delighted to keep things in the family.

Links, please.

• Our publisher, Phaidon, did a wonderful interview with Chef Himanshu. Phaidon

• has a thoughtful look at what lies ahead for Dubai’s F&B industry this summer. Substack

• The Dubai Cookie Haul is BACK! Instagram

• Cannabis, at every age. WP

• In honor of America’s 250th, the all-time best American foods (ranked). The Takeout

  • On the topic, what is the definitive film about the US? NYT

• Does your martini need jewelry? Instagram

• Is the future of luxury travel invite-only? Elite Traveler

• Would you eat farmed octopus? Ambrook

• Lunchables were designed to be addictive. KQED

• Tobelrone…by Swarovski? YouTube

• Why does the cookbook endure?1 Taste

• Sodastream. Scrambled eggs. The Takeout

• EK reveals its next generation of lounges. OMAAT

• What chefs think of the last season of The Bear. Eater

• To the surprise of no one, I love these matchbooks. Elite Traveler

• The drinks industry reacts to GLP-1 (in pill form). Drinks Digest

• How to show up as the person you want to be. The Good Trade

• How the martini glass became more than the martini. Spirits Business

• Would you say yes to a hot dog in first class? OMAAT

• What do you choose: food or gas? MPR

• What is the difference between cheap and expensive grills? NY Mag

• Yes, to quiet hours in stores. Retail Dive

• For olive fans. Bon Appetit

Best of the month? Looking back to June, it was a great month for dining. June 1st was a long time ago, but the tabbouleh ceviche at Soul Kitchen still resonates (as does their corn brulee), the simple, straightforward, but very delicious steak and eggs at 21 Grams, and the Chef’s Selection at Takahisa round out my faves. (Also, I’m a bit biased, but the brunch at Tresind Studio yielded quite a few excellent dishes). Have you had anything in the past month that is worth mentioning? Give your faves a shout!

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This weekend? Checking into the Marsa Al Arab for our anniversary!

Next week? Once again, keeping close to home.

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link, ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, ordering business cards like mine, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

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❤️ If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button — it helps others discover my content!

🔁 Similarly, feel free to share or repost this if you think others in your network might enjoy this post.

🙌 Consider upgrading your subscription if your budget permits.

💬 And finally, I always love a comment! What was your favorite link this week?

Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.

It is no secret that I’m a (massive) fan of Takahisa. Thus, when I was invited to another collab, I (of course) said yes, even if it was at the new-to-me downtown location and beyond my preferred Bluewaters spot. The most recent lineup included Chef Takuya Watanabe (who was among the first to collaborate with the restaurant several years ago).

What made the collaboration work wasn’t the professionalism or the luxury ingredients (they were, of course, present and didn’t hurt): it was the cohesion. Every course felt deeply considered, restrained in the best possible way, and quietly confident enough not to oversell itself. Every collaboration is a bit unique, but in this case, rather than the ‘your course/my course’ philosophy, the team shared responsibility for each course, and the meal was better because of it. Overall, each course was delicate, beautifully plated, and perfectly portioned. With the number of plates served, one might think there could be a miss or decline…

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Perhaps it’s the weather, but I’m enjoying staying at home. As mentioned, I’ve been pulling out old manuscripts and getting back into them. It’s different work, but the process hasn’t changed. Additionally, we celebrated our 6th ‘Gotcha Day’ with Poppy this week. She remains the best thing to come out of lockdown.

Otherwise, I was only tempted out of the house by a much-needed cut and color and the need to show around a visiting foodie. One thing I love about F&B is how global it is. You can establish online relationships and follow through with them — in this instance, a diner who has already been to a number of our city’s best outlets hadn’t been to Takahisa, so I had to right that wrong. As you are well aware, the standards hold, and it’s a privilege to dine there. Also, for those who are still trying to track down the AP x Swatch collab, I might have spied a few for sale at the shop across from Takahisa at the Banyan Tree… #invited

Finally, everyone liked my worm salt PR headline last week, so here is another random tidbit/insight into my week. I always look at companies that search for me on LinkedIn.1 Tell me why someone from OnlyFans (the company) was creeping on my profile. 🤔

Links, please.

• Loved seeing Tresind Studio featured in this article about N/A programs. W50B

• For those voting on Google Maps locally, just know Dua Lipa is also a fan. Instagram

• Saved for Thanksgiving 2026 (also related). The Takeout

• Your hotel doesn’t love you. World Travel Magazine

• An excellent question: when everything is a snack, is anything a snack? B&S

• A champagne with notes of climate change. Yale Climate

• BRB, ordering this for our yard. T&L

• Scripted dramas are coming to your…supermarket? WSJ

• Can chicken nuggets grow up? Taste

• The 2026 James Beard Awards weren’t really about food. FT

• Sign me up for a root beer float cookie. Sporked

• How top chefs are reinventing butter. W50B

• Charismatic phrases to become more memorable. CNBC

• Similarly, how to compliment someone without mentioning their looks. Wit and Delight

• Parents, are you going broke buying berries? 🫐 WP

• I’ve never seen Mountain Dew like this. AL

• Ten of the world’s largest wine collections. Wine Enthusiast

• Just excited for my old airport (the best airport in LA). Elevate Burbank

• Zero functionality, and yet the perfect purse. 🍇 JW Pei

• Pasta…cupcakes? The Takeout

• The world’s most expensive golden visas. Elite Traveler

• You had me at: watermelon wine slushie. 🍉 A Classic Twist

• Why do we like garage sales so much? The Atlantic

• Why do we blow out birthday candles? Mental Floss

• How the crossword conquered America. Slate

This weekend? Low key.

Next week? Things are going on at work, K9 moves to Tuesdays, and I’m prepping for an exciting hotel stay next weekend! Additionally, sources tell me that next week is somehow JULY, which I refuse to believe.

If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), joining Rakuten via my affiliate link, ordering my restaurant’s cookbook, or buying me a Cosmo. 🍸 Also, a reminder: a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 per month. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.

C. 💚

Subscribe now

❤️ If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button — it helps others discover my content!

🔁 Similarly, feel free to share or repost this if you think others in your network might enjoy this post.

🙌 Consider upgrading your subscription if your budget permits.

💬 And finally, I always love a comment! What was your favorite link this week?

Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.