Weekly A to Z, October 12th.

The 4th anniversary one.

Where does the time go? The calendar tells me I officially started the Weekly A to Z in early October 2020, and here we are, four years later — going strong. And while we’re celebrating, I’m delighted to have passed 6,500 subscribers (!) this week as well. If you haven’t already, I’d love your support as a paid subscriber. Have no fear; the Weekly will always remain a free publication, but your support is always appreciated.

The weekend was a blur of delicious food—a long, leisurely lunch at Le Du* and a memorable dinner at Potong*. Highlights included the signature River Prawn (Le Du) and the best duck of my life (Potong). Chef Tonn and Chef Pam have plenty to be proud of, respectively.

On Sunday, our group visited Sühring** for lunch in the winter garden. If you find yourself in the city, it’s a can’t-miss experience, and having been previously, I might actually prefer the lunch seating. On Sunday evening, we went a bit more casual and joined all of the aforementioned-chefs for dinner at Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh, one of the latest restaurants from Chef Gaggan. It’s clear this team genuinely loves working together and their jobs—the vibes were infectious, and the Mexican-Indian flavors were a hit (also, your favorite American got her fill of cheese dip).

On Monday, we drove to a multiple Bib Gourmand winner, Krua Apsorn, for a large table of Thai specialties. We then saved room for dinner at Gaggan, the eponymous venue, to experience a unique dinner and show that cannot be replicated. I’ll have a more in-depth review for paid subscribers in the coming weeks.

On Tuesday, Chef Gaggan had our group over for brunch, and then it was off to the airport. Overall, this was an incredibly successful press trip. I sincerely loved all of the outlets we visited and the amount of downtime (really, it’s important). It was an outstanding balance of cuisines, globally rated chefs, and exploring the chaos and beauty of BKK. Each of the restaurants we visited offers something different and is worth visiting should you find yourself in the Land of Smiles. Please find highlights of my trip here and here.

A few deliveries? The Savannah Bee Company sent over a pack of treats! I have hot honey for pizza, fun swag (including stickers!), and fancy beeswax candles to decorate our outdoor space. Also worth mentioning? The team at GoSili sent over a collection of their reusable silicone cups, which are PERFECT for the pool. I’m operating in a strictly no-glass zone by the pool, and these grippy, dishwasher-safe glasses are gorgeous. #gifted

Links, please.

• How Waffle House stays open in natural disasters. Business Insider

• I *need* this adult Happy Meal. Eat This, Not That

• About the rise in food allergies. The Guardian

• Jewelry designers try their hand at cutlery. Vogue

• Well, that’s one way to enjoy sushi. 👀 Twitter

• What dishes do chefs avoid in restaurants? Eat This, Not That

• Is everything a kid’s menu now? Grub Street

• Yes, I would try this martini loaf. Wine Enthusiast

• How a toxic mold became soy sauce. Knowable Magazine

• In search of palatable œuf. NYT

• The ethical drinker. Decanter

• Crisis in the Middle East, what does it mean for travel? Skift

• This Chinese grocery store only sells gigantic versions of food. Food Beast

• “Things that no one needs:” and ouch review by Jay Rayner. The Guardian

• The first KFC pop-up restaurant. Delicious

• The Nobu you don’t know. Grub Street

• Important food news as shared with the Bookers. The Times

• Dom Pérignon unveils Basquiat-inspired bottles. The Drinks Business

• I want to try these Buldak carbonara dumplings. Food & Wine

• Would you eat A1 Steakhouse butter? The Takeout

• Are these the 20 greatest American dishes? CNN

• A Dr. Pepper…margarita? The Takeout

• I love the concept of Uber safari. Connecting Travel

• Just impressed with these Lego structures. Rocco Buttliere

• The collapse of self-worth in the digital age. The Walrus

• It’s time to reconsider the concept of freshness in champagne. The Drinks Business

• No one likes this year’s Boo Buckets. Eat This, Not That

This weekend? My inner introvert needs some R&R. Also, pool time!

Next week? For now, I’m intentionally keeping things open, but I think the new menu at Ossiano might tempt me out. Catch me at K9 Friends every Monday.

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C.