Weekly A to Z, July 12th.

The one where Summer 2025 officially starts. 🌞

Picture me last Saturday… Let’s just say getting picked up by a pristine Rolls-Royce Phantom is the *only* way to start a hotel stay. Having moved to Dubai in 2007, checking into the Burj Al Arab had been on my bucket list for literally ever. Every time I visited since our move to the city, I always thought, “One day…”

Walking in, I’m greeted with a gorgeous bouquet on arrival, then whisked straight to our suite. Although 24/7 butler service is available via WhatsApp or phone, I appreciate the personal touch at the Burj. Whenever we left the suite, a butler, located conveniently on every floor, was always available to assist us with anything. This extra investment in hospitality is truly lovely, and I appreciated the genuine approach. Even though I had done extensive research over the years, the suite was (much) bigger than anticipated, and the amenities were even more enjoyable. (Yes, to all the Hermes products!).

After a leisurely lunch at SAL, we found it difficult to do anything but relax in the ultra cozy bed, and enjoyed sundowners and drinks service in our suite before dinner at Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara and drinks at Gilt. After an immense breakfast in our room, we enjoyed a 90-minute couples massage and swam in the indoor 18th-floor pool (!). Time seemed to move too fast, and the Rolls-Royce was on hand to pick me up and return me to Emaar South.

You can catch all the highlights of our experience here. And, if you’re a resident, I hope you’ll consider the current offer. #invited

The remainder of the week was spent with a head down, working on a thorough cleaning of the villa and packing (and ALL the laundry), and trying not to forget anything ahead of our departure.

Links, please.

• My first for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants: chefs share some of their favorite locations and culinary destinations in their cities. W50B

• What does fine dining look like without plastic? Bloomberg

• Kodak gets a second life (in Seoul). NYT

• Set up your martini cart like a pro. Instagram

• In the zeitgeist: a Florida store is now selling Dubai chocolate Labubu items. Twitter

• When it comes to obesity in Americans vs. Italians, (portion) size matters. Washington Post

• Absolutely loved this article about the restaurant postcard. Taste

• I have a mighty need. Lego

• Where are the darkest skies near you? Mental Floss

• What makes someone ‘cool?’ NYT

• Are you experiencing posting ennui? New Yorker

• The Bookers would never. The Guardian

• Could you do a no-meeting week? (I could, easily). Fast Company

• The most expensive caviar in the world probably costs more than your car. The Takeout

• Doesn’t everyone need a large tomato serving plate? One & Only Paper

• Why does chocolate taste so different around the world? DW

• Fresh Del Monte’s Zero pineapple shows how fruitful sustainability can be. Food Navigator

• I don’t NOT need this. Fridge Fridge

• Yes. The best summer hang DOES start at 4:30PM. The Cut

• On my wish list — such a fancy salt cellar. Diasporaco

• How much ice should you use in a cocktail shaker? The Takeout

• How I learned to stop worrying and love uncool restaurants. FT

• What in the Cinnamon Toast Crunch f**k is this? People

• America has a hot garbage problem. Bloomberg

• Very into this ‘listening suite’ at Lake Como. Wallpaper

• Unhealthiest drinks, ranked by sugar. Eat This, Not That

• How to throw a hot dog party. Eater

• How to make a tomato flight. The Takeout

• Would you try a banana bread latte? (I would). Food & Wine

• Michelin-starred chef's lobster bisque and foie gras heading to space. BBC

• Very into this adult Happy Meal. Instagram

This weekend? Dropping off Poppy and heading to the airport with DXB - DOH - BOS in our immediate future. It’s the return of the Quad Suite with the besties on Qatar, and I am off the charts excited. We’re also crashing for a few hours at Hamad Airport between flights; I’m super curious to see what the experience is like. Like, should we go swimming?

Next week? Boston + Portland, seeing some of my favorite people in the world. If you’re going to be at the Taste of Boston, let me know!

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