Weekly A to Z, January 21st.

The previous weekend kicked off in style as the Cocktail Maestro, aka?Salvatore Calabrese?— the gentleman who invented the Breakfast Martini — decided to personally offer me one at the?Alici?pop-up (it’s delicious, BTW). I followed that event and went to?Attiko?and enjoyed dinner with a view (and fireworks, because this is Dubai, after all). On Sunday, I *highly* recommend a visit to the Weekend Rituals menu at?Jun’s, which is the perfect chilled-out, delicious experience you want it to be. In the best possible way, it’s an anti-brunch (complete with an Usher-heavy soundtrack, to the delight of this elder millennial).

Recovering from the weekend, it was a very steady week! On Wednesday, I made my way to?Coya?after six years (oops), which was a lovely experience.?Check out our lunch here. #invited

Thursday saw me at?Spinneys?HQ for the Warburton Toastie challenge, full of talented local teams, and such a fun evening seeing friends from all over the F&B scene. #invited

And Friday was packed, starting with a trip to the?Dubai One studio, then over to?Atlantis the Royal?(!!!) to meet?Jose Andres?(!!!!) at?Jaleo. I then dialed in for my latest Dubai Eye update.

Links, please.

• I was on?Dubai One! One of my first memories when moving to Dubai in 2007 was watching this channel, so I was super excited to join the team in the studio to chat about all things food.?Link coming soon.
• Ready for?this lineup?at BOCA!?Instagram
• My latest with?The Tasting Class x Jacob’s Creek. More projects with?Stasha, please — she’s amazing!?Instagram
• Please consider registering your restaurant or culinarily related experience with?Dubai byFood.
• You okay, Michelin? ???Michelin
• Don’t worry; Liam?sorted them out.?FACT
• That burger?from The Menu.?People
• Valentine’s Day Friends-themed?conversation hearts.?Tasting Table
• It’s always okay?not to drink.?HuffPost
• Create amazing (free) content and designs?quickly with Canva. I use the platform for everything from invoices to headers.?#sponsored
• In the mood for these.?Target
• 15 things you should know?about Bollinger.?VinePair
• Upgraded Rice Krispy treats. ???Instagram
• Fairly certain I need this?Bailey’s puffer.?The Kitchn
• Liking this?Sunday routine.?Camille Styles
• I’d love to get super domestic and?make these.?Food & Wine
• These hotels want you to?sleep better.?Afar
• What does a hobby?feel like? Pocket
• Where is the?oldest grapevine?in the world??Tasting Table
• Winemaking?at-home kits??VinePair
• Upcycling McDonald’s bags.?Dieline
• The pizza box?needs a design upgrade.?Atlantic

This weekend? Meeting?Chef Nobu Matsuhisa?(!) for a sushi-making masterclass, followed by a cocktail class, all in the newly opened bridge suite at Atlantis. I’m also popping to my closest MMI. Now that the 30% municipality tax on all alcoholic beverages across town, I’m curious to see how the prices translate. (Transparently, I’ve received a gift certificate for my visit).

Next week? With a lot on in the coming weeks, I had to do my best to choose what was right for me, which meant turning down some fabulous opportunities. What did I decide on? I’ll be checking out the new new at?Josette, the latest collab at?Tresind Studio, and a meal with?Chef Mauro?at Celebrities.

Looking ahead — I can’t believe we’re just over a week from the MENA’s World’s 50 Best Awards! I’m so looking forward to setting up at the luxurious?Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi?(#invited) and attending some of the talks and attending the big event on the 30th. I can’t wait to see many of you in the capital!

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.