Weekly A to Z, December 23rd. 🎄

The Merry Christmas one.

A life admin week, but necessary. With brilliant weather and limited traffic, it was a wonderful week to get around Dubai to get things done. However, on Wednesday, I snuck over to Luxe Medical Clinic for some necessary Botox and a mesotherapy treatment (needles, I still don’t like them). #invited

On Thursday, I was happy to accept an invitation to Tresind Studio for their last collab of the year, which felt like a wonderful way to close out dining in 2023. #invited

Finally, it was an amazing week for deliveries, including one from Varak (the Benedict bars!!), a lovely holiday cake from LPM, and some swag from Rare. #gifted

Links, please.

• My year by numbers, if you’d like to see. Weekly A to Z

• I had to miss contributing to this, but Liam and James rounded up 2023 in all things culinary. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or watch on YouTube.

• Very excited for this Birch Bakery x Tiffany Eslick collab! Instagram

• It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The 2023 Hater’s Guide to the William’s Sonoma Calendar is here! Defector

• Presents for Palestine. The Ethicalist

• Alternative advent calendars. House & Garden

• How a food market cuts back on food waste. NPR

• UAE resident’s love of takeaway is creating a food waste problem. The National

• The joy of underperforming. The Atlantic

• Does Gen Z really have too much anxiety to order at restaurants? Business Insider

• Loved this article: cleaning the kitchen is saving my soul. Shondaland

• The ultimate Christmas cookie wine pairing guide. VinePair

• What to say when you’re not okay. Wondermind

• Why do we love food-themed clothing? Salon

• My perfect pillow. Maisonette

• How much can fancy ice add to the price of your cocktail? SMH

• A new foodie podcast for me to enjoy from the team at the Ringer. Spotify

• Stanley Tucci has found a new home at NatGeo. Hollywood Reporter

• Why does everything taste worse than it used to? The Takeout

• AI identifying specific terroir. Not sure how I feel about that. Wine Spectator

• Some breakfast ideas for Christmas morning, should you need them. Bon Appetit

• The real reason caviar is so expensive. The Kitchn

• All restaurants deserve time off, and I’d love to see the European model over here in Dubai. Washingtonian

• Turns out, holly is the worst. HCN

• Let’s save ketchup. WSJ

• Don’t call it vegan. Washington Post

This weekend? Don’t laugh; we’re going to IKEA and Ace and hopefully Global Village.

Next week? Celebrating Christmas and fostering a dog. I’m also sneaking out for a very belated lunch visit to L’Amo — I’ve only heard incredible things.

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C.