Weekly A to Z, June 3rd.

The one from RAK.

Our weekend at Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palaces was simply wonderful, and the addition of the recently opened EP Club made for a fabulous stay. You can check out our fantastic meal at Hakkasan here, Talea here, and property highlights here. If you’re looking for a leisurely weekend in the UAE, look no further. #invited

On Monday — my third night out in four (!) — I was delighted to accept an invitation to the Ossiano collab with Chef Eric from Restaurant Jordnær. Check out our delicious meal here. Was it my best Monday night of 2023? Signs point to yes, and I’m still thinking about the grilled langoustine. #invited

Otherwise, thanks to an incredibly sore throat (not strep!), I stayed home to get organized and edit (and hopefully not infect others). Ali, burger king of SLAW, sent over some (delicious) swag for the upcoming launch of his Abu Dhabi project, Slaw and More, which I will definitely have to try the next time I’m in the capital. #gifted

Links, please.

• The secret to mastering your cocktail order. NYT

• Are you ready to eat your martini? Eater

• Kind of into these salts. The Kitchn

• A history of the Birkenstock Arizona. Vanity Fair

• Which fruits and vegetables last the longest. Real Simple

• Multivitamin benefits against memory loss. Washington Post

• For my elder millennials, the hardest video game levels. Vulture

• This article is my life. Esquire

• Is it time to stop saying junk food? Bon Appetit

• 11 of the best fictional chefs. The Takeout

• Are we into savory cheesecakes? LA Times

• Tell me about fairy butter. Atlas Obscura

• How daily naps can help your creativity. Stylist

• What is the drink of the summer for 2023? Delish

• Are you going to visit the Louis Vuitton lounge in Doha? OMAAT

• Don’t let people live rent-free in your mind. Better Humans

• Might need a bed rot day soon. Bustle

• This Intercon in Thailand looks gorgeous. My Modern Met

This weekend? Well, I was supposed to be in Delhi visiting Inja with several of my favorite foodies… However, due to some idiocy on my part, I was unable to get a visa. Instead, I’m taking Hubs and Pops to the Hilton RAK, which offers dog-friendly rooms.

Next week? Heading to two of my all-time favorite Italian restaurants: Alici and The Artisan. I’m also scheduled for an overdue visit to Lila Taqueria, which I have only heard excellent things about. Finally, I will be discussing the Michelin guide on Dubai One; stay tuned on Wednesday night.

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C.