Last weekend was absolutely lovely — Suave (up the stairs and inside Basko) is your new post-brunch spot, and relaxing at St. Regis the Palm with their Summer Sanctuary offer was much needed. #invited
On Monday, I got together with the Bookers for a leisurely meal at the recently opened Amelia. Have a look at our visit here. FYI — the menu is currently in its soft launch phase. #invited
Otherwise, I’m just over here ticking through my to-do list like a boss. Car? Serviced. House? Decluttered. Dog? Allergy tested. Air conditioning? Cooling and not dripping. Exercise rings? Closed. US trip in September? Scheduled. National Day weekend trip booked? Lapland. Pitches? Sent. Manuscript? First draft, complete. Next challenge? Getting through the backlog of MasterChef Australia, which haunts us every summer.
Links, please.
Loved this chat with Ahmad Al Marri, the founder of Canvas Gelato. Amaeya
All about eggs. Bon Appetit
Is the minimalist restaurant menu over? Eater
Becoming a wine person. The Cut
When was the beach read invented? JSTOR
Living a hotel life. Slate
I learned something: the most valuable spirits brands. VinePair
Noooooooo. People
This explains a lot. Self
Faux 🥑? The Dieline
We need emo Wendy’s. The Takeout
I have no reason to want this (but I do). Food52
The rising costs of being a woman. Shondaland
What causes freckles? Allure
For the title: we can’t upgrade our lives; we can only live them. WP
How to make anything a crudo. Bon Appetit
The Vegas guide to indulgence. YouTube
What the cinnamon toast f**k is this? The Dieline
This weekend? Off to the Dhabs! Hubs and I are heading out on a mini-staycation at Emirates Palace and looking forward to a meal at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, which I last visited in 2015 (!). Follow my stories to check our experience out.
Next week? Alaya, and potentially stopping in for a drink at Tides after. It’s been almost 2 weeks since I’ve been to DIFC. I don’t even know myself.
Finally, we somehow find ourselves at the end of July. What were my favorite dishes? I had a lot to choose from! In no particular order: Hibiscus/Mango sorbet from Canvas Gelato, Panzanella tortelli with burrata cream, and basil from Il Ristorante — Niko Romito**, and the duck salad at Mayabay. I’d love to know what resonated for you this month.
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C.