Weekly A to Z, December 14th.

The one from paradise. 🏝️🥥😎

If last week was recovery, then this week was full steam ahead. On Sunday, we were lucky enough to enjoy the lunch degustation at Avatara*; a must-visit if you haven’t done so already. Chef Rahul is truly coming into his own in the kitchen, and the Rasas menu is a beautiful experience. #invited

On Monday afternoon, I visited a windy Lana for the Star Wine List Dubai awards. The entire list of winners can be found here. Overall, it was great to see so much of the Dubai wine community in one place, and crowd favorite BOCA came home with a few certificates. 

Tuesday evening saw me at Tasca*, as Chef Jose Avillez was in town, and given my trip to Portugal/Casa Nossa at the start of the year, this felt like a great way to cap 2024. There is always so much to like here; having it served by Chef Jose himself was a special treat. There were several new items since my last visit in September, and I won’t lie — the Mandarin Orange might be my new favorite dessert. #invited

Otherwise, a few behind-the-scenes things were happening at Tresind Studio (I’m not quite ready to share yet), but mostly, I was packing and trying to get organized for the second half of the month (aka extreme hostess edition).

On Friday, Eric and I took off for the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, where we’ll stay until early next week. I look forward to trying Chef Hari Nair’s food and experiencing outstanding Maldivian hospitality. For the record, our villa, in the very recently renovated room category, is simply heaven and would be perfect for a family.

Finally, the Conrad was kind enough to send over a lovely Christmas pastry. #gifted

The week that was (5).

Links, please.

• Michelin hits Doha. Follow

  Rachel Morris
  for all essential thoughts on the list. Michelin

• Talk to me about Christmas mimosas. A Couple of Cooks

• Okay, but I think I need this KFC record. Dieline

• What was the most Googled cocktail recipe of 2024? Drinks Digest

• Okay, but why does every restaurant have the same desserts? Vox

• Coloring is apparently very good for you. HuffPost

• You can get a custom gingerbread house of YOUR HOUSE. Etsy

• We all need this product for our wine. Gohar

• For those who need a Smeg x Dolce Gabbana product for their kitchen. Nordstrom

• How much is too much for a pineapple? GoldBelly

• You had me at “edible smores shot.” The Takeout

• Chefs chat about their “nightmare before Christmas” meals (and how they dealt with them). The Guardian

• The BEST White Elephant gift I’ve ever seen. TikTok

• Always want to know about new air fryer products. Yahoo

• Talk to me about V8 RTD Bloody Marys. Food Dive

• Fairly certain I need this bespoke snacky plate. Frank Ceramics

• Okay, but I wouldn’t unwrap this. Parchment Paper

• This is an act of evil against hummus. Food Beast

• Massimo is doing the best kind of pop up. Eater

• How Michelin-starred brands are infiltrating the grocery store. Food Dive

• A Christmas movie matrix you need to see. WTCWYDFLC

• Very interested in these butter chicken meatballs. Platings and Pairings

• Does my tree need this little Cosmo ornament? Hudson Grace SF

  • Or this caviar one?

• How could anyone think reading wasn’t important? The Atlantic

• Don’t we all need a tea towel subscription? Eat Drink Lucky

• Let’s chat about edible glitter. Bon Appetit

• Great gift for the pasta lover in your life. Rubirosa

• What are the best business-class features? OMAAT

• Also, who has the worst business-class seats? OMAAT

• Making the sandbars bloom. Roads & Kingdoms

This weekend? Follow me here, as I’ll enjoy all that the Four Seasons Maldives has to offer.

Next week? Finishing up our trip to paradise and welcoming my parents back to the UAE! There’s plenty to share with them and a lot of restaurants I need to get to.

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C.

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