This week’s newsletter was brought to you by lemon mint, Liquid IV, and Soule Soup broth.
Unfortunately, Eric and I were (sadly) ahead of the usual “everyone flies back and gets sick” trend in the UAE. Both of us caught a nasty bug (not COVID)—high fevers, aches, and exhaustion. In a weird way, this was the perfect week to be unwell. With a loaded month ahead, I felt lucky (?) I could take the time to look after myself. However, the liminal quality of the week was strange, as I’ve not had a forced “time out” from work/life in years. Stay safe out there, friends!
Links, please.
How did I miss this coverage of Pitfire Pizza? YouTube
You know my 36 Questions, get ready for more conversation starters. Prevention
A viral pancake increases sales by 50%. Plate
How can brands align with consumers’ mental energy around food? Food Navigator
Similarly, get out of your food rut. Self
All you need to know about the pop up promo poster. Taste
What’s the deal with beans on toast? The Takeout
Middle East tourism surges, hotel construction sees an all time high. Skift
Highly interested in this Aperol merch. Food Beast
And this Cider Donut Daquiri. Wine Enthusiast
And this frozen Negroni. Robb Report
I also want to stay at this Polly Pocket Airbnb. My Modern Net
It’s true, we all love picky tea. Daily Mail
Very into this Jello packaging. Dieline
At a stage in my life where I just want fancy, expensive soap. Hotel Lobby
Here’s what happens when you eat spicy food. Delish
Why Irish bar names must include a name. Food & Wine
How much cheese is actually good for you? WSJ
Who approved this? Instagram
Doritos…in space? Delicious
Very interested in corn stock. Taste
Yes, I want to try an everything seasoning crouton. NYT
Will we ever shut up about Caesar salad? Probably not. Taste
Here for this social media trend. Rolling Stone
How well do you know global food delivery? Rest of World
What you need to know about osmolality certification and hydration. Food Navigator
Hotels making money off the non-paying guest. Hotels Mag
Please do not try these TikTok food trends at home. Food & Wine
Now ready to travel to the other Portland (the airport looks incredible). Sunset
Favorite dishes in August? Some tough decisions! Chef Himanshu’s new scallop dish at the Gucci Osteria collab definitely gets a mention, as does the incredible pimento cheese and bacon sandwich from Fred’s Meat and Bread, and I’ll finish with the double-decker devilled egg from Crown Jewel. An honorable mention goes to the always fabulous Crown Jewel punch and the caramel cake from Caroline’s Cakes (I’m still thinking about it). What were some of your favorite plates this month?
This weekend? A final bit of resting while I pack for Bodrum. Then, flying to Bodrum! It’s my first time in the city (and I welcome any recommendations).
Next week? Catch me at Maçakızı and the Bodrum Edition. There are some Michelin stars and excellent meals in my future. Best of all? I’m joined by some of my very favorite foodies on this adventure. Follow me on my socials for all the events.
If you enjoy this newsletter, consider working with me, purchasing my books (including these novels), or buying me a Cosmo. Also, a reminder is that a subscription to support this newsletter is only $30 per year—or $2.50 monthly. If you open the Weekly A to Z every week, please consider subscribing.
C.
❤️ 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.
💬 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.
Hope you’re now better Courtney ❤️