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.
Don’t think I missed the LV branded snacks in the lounge and when’s the group getting together for the degustation in transit to somewhere? Hopefully, it includes junk food.