Weekly A to Z, December 7th.

The what day is it one. 🤔

🍷 This week’s newsletter is generously sponsored by the Graft Collab Store. If you’re searching for a perfect wine gift for the oenophile in your life, Graft stocks Coravin, wine glasses, and other wine tools — start here. Use my code CB12 for 12% off your purchase. 🍾

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Shouldn’t every week be a 3-day week, especially this time of year? We were in recovery after a brilliant Thanksgiving party and an additional night out during the long weekend that wasn’t meant to be a night out (but was totally worth it).

On Wednesday, Lindsay from the Tasting Class and I went to The Bottle Store to look for holiday items and do some booze shopping. The video is here! And with the 30% tax on alcoholic drinks returning to Dubai, a reminder is that The Bottle Store Al Ghadeer is technically in Abu Dhabi. 👀 #justsaying

Some deliveries? Jack Daniels sent over a bottle and a lovely t-shirt in honor of Team McClaren and the race this weekend. Also, a final shout-out to all of my (amazing) Thanksgiving sponsors: MMI for providing a lovely array of wines for everyone to enjoy, Drink Dry with both a non-alcoholic sparkling and beer, Antipodes for elevating my water game, the Westin Minda Seyahi for their over-the-top generosity (please considering ordering your bird or other holiday goodies here), and First Crust for keeping everyone happy with their perfect festive flavors. #gifted

Finally, as my Christmas wish, I would love for you to consider becoming a paid subscriber to the Weekly A to Z. It’s not (that) expensive and gives me a bit more support in doing what I love most (this newsletter). Try it for a month, maybe?

The week that was (4), with plenty of Thanksgiving highlights.

Links, please.

• From Graft, I’ve had my eye on a Coravin system for a long time (and now it comes in Forest Green). 😍 Graft Collab Store

• The UAE airwaves will miss Mark Lloyd (I had the privilege of producing his show for 3 weeks in 2021, and you could not ask for a more professional individual). What a legend! The National

• Right up my alley — the Hallmark holiday movie drinking game. The Takeout

• Where does the name “Dunkin’” come from? The Takeout

• Seeds, but make them pretty. Hudson Valley Seed

• The triumph of the post-Thanksgiving sandwich (or, in our case, curry). New Yorker

• How to make a butter sculpture. Bon Appetit

• Inside the world of… competitive tablescaping. NYT

• There is no reason to want this insanely expensive tree, but I do. The Green Vase

• If you’re on the search for conscious cocktails... The Ethicalist

• My body is ready for brie/burrata ice cream. Food Beast

• Popular dishes that have disappeared from menus. Buzzfeed

• The mad cheese scientists fighting to save the dairy industry. Bloomberg

• Climate change is causing food to spoil faster. Yale Climate Connections

• Just bring condiments. Cup of Jo

• Nobody asked for this, Papa Johns. Business Wire

• So, is Noma closing in 2024? Grub Street

• How do we feel about the Color of the Year 2025? Pantone

• My birthday 🤝 Chappell Roan lyrics. Resinrina

• Interested in joining the mile-high club? Some thoughts here. OMAAT

• Talk to me about freezer door cocktails. Food 52

• Where there’s a will, there’s deep-fried Coca-cola. The Takeout

• Lab-grown meat in luxury products. Undark

• How the chefs from Chef’s Table are selected. Taste

• Why being a restaurant reviewer is a horrible gig. Wine Anorak

• Is a good N/A martini possible? Taste

• I think our house is missing these tomatoes. Uncommon Goods

• And maybe some “man” forks? Amazon

• Why is it so difficult to get ketchup out of the bottle? The Takeout

• And this sauce spoon. JB Prince

• Some restaurant predictions for 2025. Eat This, Not That

• I need these Ritz crackers in my life. The Kitchn

• Why do we like survival TV so much? Orion Magazine

• Why does McDonald’s ketchup taste different than others? The Takeout

• What to know when buying a wine fridge. Wine Enthusiast

• Not sure I’m ready to add booze to mayo. The Takeout

• Okay, but how cute is this butter bookmark? Etsy

• Doing good is good for you. Washington Post

This weekend? Still putting the house back together and going to Avatara* for the new menu (I love that they offer a lunch degustation on the weekends).

Next week? A chaotic end as we approach the end of the year! The Star Wine list event, lots of filming, seeing Chef Jose Avillez at Tasca, and a surprise press trip to the Four Seasons Maldives.

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C.

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