Weekly A to Z, February 4th.

What a week! I’m feeling much more confident about the results of this year’s MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants. I am so proud to see so much representation — not only of women but also of Dubai-based restaurants (check out the complete 2023 list here). While there’s been plenty of chat offline (maybe let the #2 restaurant have their own moment and then allow everyone to properly celebrate #1?), I am already looking forward to the global event in June and what next year’s MENA list will look like. Personally, I was happy with the majority of the list, and perhaps next year, from Dubai, we might see Avatara and Teible, both of whom I think are personally list-worthy. Who did you want to see on the list?

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While in Abu Dhabi, I had the absolute pleasure of staying at the?Four Seasons, which was the perfect sanctuary and a friendly property at all times of day (even at 4:30 AM). Furthermore, I highly recommend getting any of the signature treatments at the Pearl Spa when in the capital. While in town, I had the chance to dine at?Cafe Milano?and?99 Sushi*. You can check out?my visit with Four Seasons here?and?my lunch at 99 Sushi here.?All of these Abu Dhabi locations generously invited me to their venues.

Some deliveries??StroopKing?sent through some highly delicious Stroopwafels, and the team at?Hudson Tavern?sent across mixers for a 0%?Lyre’s?maple coffee. Did the?Carnistore?team send me a massive wagyu ribeye (and lamb bones for Poppy)? They did, and I love them for it. #gifted

In case my life couldn’t be more surreal in these past few weeks, I was over the moon to attend a dinner at?Torno Subito, with none other than?Massimo Bottura in attendance, who was lovely and very generous with his time. #invited

Links, please.

• Loved reading Pallavi’s?excellent take on the Dubai culinary scene on The Local Tongue. Bookmark it for later, trust me.
• My latest for The Ethicalist?(featuring UAE Farms).
• My latest with?The Tasting Class and Jacob’s Creek. We had a blast filming with Chef Gabriella of?Girl and the Goose!?Instagram
• Do we all need a?pasta water candle??DS and Durga
• Where?food and fashion meet.?Elle
• Go ahead,?order the room service French fries.?Washington Post
• Ultra premium chocolates?(just in time for Valentine’s Day).?Robb Report
• Reviewing old menus.?Taste
• Do we talk enough about?pregnancy in the service industry??VinePair
• Going to need to?make these?soon.?Simply Delicious Food
• And this?gochujang pasta?has my attention.?Doobydobap
• The best?e-mail unsubscribe service?(please keep me on your safe sender’s list).?NYT
• Talk to me about?vodka butter.?The Kitchn
• Need for my office.?Etsy
• Does the world need a?Super Mario Brothers cafe??Eater
• If you can’t worry less,?worry smarter.?Washington Post
• Talking about?corporate cafeterias.?NYT
• Fake shack, Shake Shack recipe.?Serious Eats

This weekend? Finally, back to hiking.

Next week? A very low profile. I’m filming a series with Dubai Tourism in the next few weeks, and I’m trying my best to be camera ready (which is difficult when constantly quaffing degustations from some of the world’s best chefs). More on the series soon, but I literally cannot wait — this is exactly how I want to showcase some of my favorite restaurants in the city. (And if you represent a clothing brand, I would love to collaborate on wardrobe for filming.) Might I also be shooting a small segment with Chad from?Sidehustle? Let’s see!

If you enjoy this newsletter and want to support me,?consider sharing this newsletter on social media,?ordering from these restaurants,?purchasing my books?(or these novels?— all free to read on Kindle Unlimited), or?buying me coffee. Archives of the Weekly A to Z?can be found here.

C.