Happy birthday, Mr. Wright! #YNWA
This week started with filming in International City with Peggy for our next episode of Dubai byFood, which was an absolute blast (and my first visit to this part of Dubai)! We visited three locations, including one that served the literal largest Alaskan King Crab I’ve ever seen (or consumed). You’ll definitely want to check out the episode once it’s live.
On Tuesday, the BonBons got together for the first time in months (!) at Row on 45, Chef Jason Atherton’s newest restaurant, located at Grovesnor House. It’s a fine dining space with memorable dishes (that chicken fat butter!!!) and one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a restaurant (really, it was track after track of bangers). Check out our visit here, Liam’s full review here, and the episode of Dubai byFood of the location is now live if you’d like an excellent preview and an extended interview between Chefs Nick and Jason. #invited
On Wednesday, the Bookers went to Sirali, a restaurant I’ve heard nothing but good things about. The team served up a literal feast, and we left with some generous gifts. Nothing is under my control, but I will say that traffic in Dubai has reached proper mental levels, making it difficult to want to leave the house at almost any time of day. #invited
Finally, I made a quick trip to the ARN studios on Friday to chat with Helen — always fun to talk about food and answer questions on air.
Deliveries? Atlantis the Royal — yes, the same one that is on the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels list — sent over a massive selection of pastries and chocolates from their Royal Tearoom, led by Christophe Devoille. The Barasti team also sent a little invite to their Oktoberfest. #gifted
Links, please.
My latest dish for Dubai Tourism, Chef Soleman’s grilled cheese. Instagram
Happy to be included in this article by Seven Rooms for the top foodie influencers in Dubai. Seven Rooms
ICYMI, my visit to Ossiano last weekend. Instagram
The full show with Helen (I’m on around the 42:00 mark). Spotify
Food critics vs. food influencers. (Thanks, Liam!) The Best Chef Awards
For my fellow dildos, not having children doesn’t mean you’re going to be lonely. Vogue
How to reconstruct your attention. LitHub
10/10 would attend. Twitter
The quest to save the world’s most coveted chocolate. Smithsonian Mag
How to choose the best seats on a plane (I am very specific about my EK economy seats). CNT
The most difficult vineyards to harvest from. VinePair
Releveant. Cup of Jo
Pringles + caviar. Dieline
Definitely counts. McSwinneys
Supermarket food waste is a big problem. Are strategic price cuts the solution? Civil Eats
One of the world’s strangest fisheries is in danger. Ambrook
Just for Eric. Saveur
I would legit take an Emily in Paris tour. Skift
I want to spend a night on a train (I used to work on a luxury train in my 20s). My Modern Met
For the title: Olive Garden might just be America’s utopia. The Takeout
Gimme. The Dieline
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This weekend? Turning my reactivity into proactivity. Hopefully, I will open my manuscript and lunch at Eugene Eugene.
Next week? Checking out what’s new at BOCA and STAY and doing my best to remain balanced. Let me know if you have any secrets as the season is only getting busier.
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C.
Thanks for the links and the shout out 🤸🏽