Weekly A to Z, June 28th.
The one with champagne, a cold, and coping.
After safe travels back to Dubai (lucky me), I was able to visit Dubai Duty Free on arrival, because don’t most of us do exactly that? Given our upcoming anniversary, I was drawn to the collection of champagnes and sparkling wines, and chose a gorgeous Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut that we will be enjoying next weekend. Also, I know you know that it’s bad manners to show up to your summer travels without something in hand. After checking in and before the lounge, trust DDF with the process and arrive at your destination with something to share inside the iconic white, red, and black bag. #gifted
After doing laundry and trying to sort through photos, I did my best to stave off a small summer cold and stayed away from others for most of the week (not a big ask, as my inner introvert needed some recharging after last week).
Of course, there’s no way to write anything that will make sense about this week. But one thing that I did that helped me (of all things) was baking. Those who know me know I don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but there was something very productive about making…something. Perhaps you have your own way of dealing with stress (global or otherwise), and I hope it’s bringing you peace. Another glimmer? The cutest family of Bustards (mom, dad, and four chicks) has taken up residence near our villa, and I love seeing them every evening.
On Friday, we accepted an invitation to Cutfish, located on the marina next to Marsa Al Arab (which was a first-time visit for me). With a slew of signature cocktails, we enjoyed a made-to-order omakase, with plenty of fresh nigiri and a memorable wagyu fried rice. #invited
Links, please.
AI isn’t just impacting how we write —1 it’s changing how we speak and interact with others. The Verge
Boomers are a restaurant’s reliable friend. Food Institute
Lambrusco v. Mosacto. (I think we all know who the winner is). Wine Enthusiast
You can drink more. Reuters
For me: how to be more patient. Self
Why the 4th of July is a time for activism. Teen Vogue
Everything The Bear gets wrong about Michelin. The Takeout
Are you living two hours in the future? The Imperfectionist
Dreamy wineries in Provence. Wine Enthusiast
For the title: the grocery store is the food system. The Spoon
A question for our times: What makes some people self-censor while others speak out? The Conversation
I want to go to here. JellyCat
Yes, I want to find these Star Wars Coke products. Eat This, Not That
Jaws-themed wines hit the shelves to mark the film’s 50th anniversary. Drinks Business
How transparent should food tech companies be? Food Navigator
Tomato scents, past and present. 🍅 Perfume Professor
10/10 would attend a cheese rave. Instagram
Justice for The Little Chef. Twitter
Philadelphia cream cheese makes maritni olive dreams come true. (Thanks,
). Food & WineStanley Tucci’s recipe for perfect batch martinis. Drinks Digest
Is there a least bad alcohol? NYT
Is moderate drinking bad, really? Vox
Would our house be complete with this fancy toilet? Kohler
The Spoon Theory. Be More With Less
This weekend? Our last chill weekend for a month or so, but sneaking over to Birch at DIFC — I’ve been hearing amazing things and I’m overdue for a visit.
Next week? For our 22nd (?!) anniversary, we’ll be checking into Jumeirah Al Naseem. It’s been a while since I last visited as a guest, so I’m very much looking forward to the experience.
Best of the month? June showed up in style! (Also, unrelated, how is it the end of June already?). I hope you had as many delicious dishes as I did. The BBQ spaghetti cooked in ham extraction at BBQ from La Rei Natura was fab, as was the caviar/lobster dish by Mauro Colegreco at the World’s 50 Best farewell brunch (I might have had three), and more locally, the off-menu shiso/scallop dish from Chef Omar and the Baoli team. A special shoutout to the service (and bread) at the Pedro Pascal (cutout) attended lunch at Studio Franzen. Similarly, the wagyu nirigi from the wagyu omakase at Netsu was truly memorable. What did you enjoy in June? I’d love to know!
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