Weekly A to Z, July 30th.

The one with all the packing.

A busy (last) week in the States! After a relaxed weekend in Portland (shout out to High Roller and Bird & Co. for two delicious at-home meals, including drinks), we flew back to Atlanta (no thanks to the hour we waited in line, Avis).

When home, we try and spend solo time with our niece and nephew, and took them out to the Deer and the Dove, in Decatur (one of our favorite local neighborhoods for non-chain/non-strip mall food). I really enjoyed our meal (even if it rained heavily for the 17th day in a row). Here’s a quick video if you’d like to see.

On Wednesday, for my Dad’s birthday (how great is it to celebrate in person?), we tried Falling Rabbit, in downtown Duluth, which is super adorable. Plating, service, and atmosphere were all a plus (even if most of the dishes we had were heavily salted). Our favorite plates were the watermelon salad (the parmesan!) and the Brussels sprouts, and we all agreed that we would be happy to return. I’ve got a Reel, if you’re interested.

Links, please.

• Who gets to call themselves a food writer? The Counter

• Rival food truck owners find love. The Takeout

• Some other ways to reuse plastic grocery bags. The Kitchn

• Does anyone remember the Arch Deluxe? Eater

• Redefining fine dining. Eater

• The ethics of using Anthony Bourdain’s voice. New Yorker

• Seriously, why am I so tired? Real Simple

• I don’t disagree with this take on a charcuterie board. Twitter

• How television adaptations are impacting fiction. The Atlantic

• Newsletters are introducing a new literary style. The Cut

• Say it with me, the great American ham wave. Taste

• Why IS Peloton so popular? Marie Claire

• People make strange fashion choices at airports (and I’m still thinking about the ‘this is my airport shirt’ guy over a week later). OMAAT

• Watching the Olympics? Here are some Japanese snacks to enjoy! Eater

• The best fake bacon. The Kitchn

• Don’t ask me for book recommendations. Book Riot

• I didn’t realize there was such a thing as Dominican spaghetti. Eater

• Thinking about making a similar list for Dubai. Infatuation

• Looking at these candles. Nordstrom

On Friday night, we’re back in the Q-Suites on our way back to Dubai (and PRAYING for the earlier connection from Doha), and next week, I am so looking forward to my bed, my treadmill, and my dog. While I’ve enjoyed traveling and seeing family, I do like my villa and my office.

As we arrive at the end of July, while I had plenty of delicious dishes (France! USA!), these three were the ones that resonated the most: the beautiful Tartare, featuring Bear Creek Farms beef from Deer and the Dove, the biscuit and black cherry butter from Lazy Betty, and the beautiful tomatoes from Les 110.

What were some of your faves?

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C.