It rained.
I was on TV (the episode airs Monday evening).
I was on the radio (I’ll let you know when the episode is live). As the show was broadcasting from Banyan Tree, I was able to sneak in for a quick bowl of ramen at Takahisa.
I hosted an event for Wonderful Pistachios at Aura Skylounge (seriously, an amazing location for any product). As always, professionally coordinated by the Sopexa team, there was plenty to learn and share.
But mostly, the “I” in my INTJ needed recovery after a two-week press trip, so I stayed home and focused on writing and editing. I might have overcorrected, but here we are.
Some deliveries? MMI sent through a collection of wine in time for Valentine’s Day and ahead of their second annual Wine Awards in collaboration with Cosmopolitan. Bliss Bites also sent through a bag of gluten-free goodies. #gifted
Links, please.
MENA’s World’s 50 Best List 2024 is out! We love to see a Dubai domination. W50B
Some familiar faces (and dishes) in this trailer for Somebody Feed Phil. 👀 YouTube
Bring your own takeout containers to reduce single-use plastics. Eater
How to send food back at restaurants. BonAppetit
How to turn stale bread into pasta. The Guardian
How to dine out now (from dress codes to dogs). The Guardian
What makes a great waiter? *cough* left hand switch *cough* Instagram
Chefs tell us what to wear on a night out. Esquire
And Massimo’s got a good-looking sneaker. Food & Wine
Wine Paris and VineExpo Paris trends to watch. The Drinks Business
Most food on set isn’t real food, but on the set of The Taste of Things, it’s the real deal. NPR
What chefs eat on their night off. The Guardian
How many guest shifts are too many shifts? VinePair
Bombay Sapphire x Christian Siriano. The Drinks Business
A very good use of space at an airport. Food & Wine
Stinge-watching is the new binge-watching. Kottke
For a certain, ahem, generation. McSweeney’s
What’s saving your life right now? Modern Mrs. Darcy
Here for a personalized Ruinart experience. The Drinks Business
How to stop assuming the worst. Vox
The eight celebrity lobsters of Biddeford, Maine. Defector
11 things you should know about Louis Roederer. VinePair
How alcohol affects your gut health. The Drinks Business
I want this chair for my dining room. Target
This weekend? Calling a very late audible and heading to the Nobu x Handshake Speakeasy collab, and rehearsing for Gulfood.
Next week? Gulfood! Catch me on the Top Table interviewing some of the best chefs in the world. If you’re going to be around, I would love to say hello — please plan on stopping by and wish me luck against the traffic.
If you enjoy this newsletter and want to support me, consider working with me, sharing this newsletter with your network, purchasing my books (or these novels), or buying me coffee. Archives of the Weekly A to Z can be found here.
C.