One of the busiest weeks of 2022? More likely than you think.
We spent Sunday afternoon at Venus Ristorante & Beach Club — a super chill spot that is kid-free, which is a major selling point for me. We loved the wildly comfortable cabanas and proactive staff. Have a quick look at our lunch here. #invited
On Monday, the Bookers were out to Nonya for gorgeous views and lots of chat. Want to have a check out the experience? Click here. #invited
On Tuesday, I was over the moon to check out the new location of Tresind Studio at Nakheel Mall. You’ll want to add this to your list of places to dine, as Chef Himanshu is at the top of this game and the venue is a stunning space. I look forward to many more meals here. Want a sneak peek? (You do, trust me). Click here.
Early Thursday was our flight with Qatar to Boston. While I’ll never be over the bus on arrival (affectionately named the ‘suck wagon’ when we lived here), I’m willing to overlook this minor hassle for a much cheaper fare. FYI — we booked during the Qatar sale earlier in the year and then used miles to upgrade. While I wish we had Q-Suites, it’s still a nice way to spend 14 hours.
On arrival, we made our way to XV Beacon, No. 1 Hotel in Boston, No. 3 in the USA, and No. 13 in World by Condé Nast Traveler. This is my first non-invited trip in some time, and as we’re staying with friends and family for the bulk of the vacation, I decided to do something a bit extra for one night. The XV Beacon was kind enough to extend an upgrade to their Beacon Hill Studio, which was a treat. The downtown location and Lexus car service were lovely extras.
On Friday, it was a bus trip to Portland (car rental prices are nertz in the States right now), in time to see my nieces after daycare. Did we correctly pack for early April in the Northeast? We did not.
Some deliveries… Luma from Luma Cakes sent over a Ramadan treat, and Reform Grill is now delivering pizzas, and it was our perfect ‘right before vacation’ meal (and yes, they deliver pork, so you can have a real pepperoni pizza). #gifted
Links, please.
A deep dive into Michelin thoughts from local chefs. Connecting Travel
All about the history of water bottles. TikTok
Waffle House x Addidas collab is everything. Instagram
Cheetos…in your salad? Eater
Want a look at first-class seats? Click here. CNT
Some controversial food opinions. The Takeout
Marking this for my summer London trip. The Kitchn
The rise of bluefin tuna (originally used for…cat food?). Smithsonian
What is Arabesque food? Eater
KFC, but make it fine dining. TikTok (Thanks, Victoria!)
Is air fryer steak possible? Skinny Taste
Similarly, you can hard boil eggs in the air fryer. The Kitchn
A 3D look at food packaging. Scan of the Month
Bridgerton fans can check out the architectural plans of the sets and mansions. Architectural Digest
Tell me about pizza cupcakes. The Kitchn
Just really into this olive oil packaging. Dieline
How protein became a superfood. The Conversation
This weekend? Celebrating collective birthdays with Dr. Brandt after 20 — ??? — years apart on actual birthdays. Watch my stories for all the highlights.
Next week? Some excellent restaurants lined up in Boston, and a trip to the outlet mall, then back to Dubai.
If you enjoy this newsletter and want to support me, consider sharing this newsletter on social media, ordering from these restaurants, purchasing my books (or these novels), or buying me coffee. Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.
C.