Weekend Links.
Much as I thought January would do, we’ve more or less sprinted through it! Since the start of the year, we’ve said goodbye to two foster animals (another three-legged cat — adopted by a friend, and a cutie Shih Tsu puppy, also in her forever home), visited Oman for three nights, stopped in for a venue launch or two, and most importantly — moved house! Yes, it’s been a few months in the making, but I’m writing from my new office (instead of the landing, where I had been set up for four years). We don’t have anything up on the walls yet, but we’re working on lights and some other things (including washing and drying ALL everything I own, because I have a separate washer and dryer for the first time in 20 years). Here are some links, if you’re interested! Food and romance novels are at the intersection…
Weekend links.
Happy New Year, friends! I hope your 2020 is off to a great start. I’ve spent the last two weeks spending a lot less time on social media (specifically, Instagram) and it’s been great. I really needed a detox and getting away from posting every day and checking too often, has been wonderful. Shampoo packaged in bottles made of soap – genius! Top 100 restaurants in the US (according to Open Table, and I’ve been to a few of them!) I think this topic is so important. Even though I don’t have kids, I always wonder what children will one day think of when their parents used them as influencers. I know we’re in the ’20s, but here are some essential foods of the 10’s. Given I’m often out by myself at events, I’ve got small talk sorted. However, if you need advice, I loved this article. I love this…
Weekend links.
I wish I had more weeks like this one! A very festive book club, speaking at the closing AD Culinary Season event, and LOTS of deliveries. I’ve had a generous group of restaurants gift me plenty of yummy foodie presents this week — let’s just say that Hubs’ office has been getting non-stop confectionary. We also decided on taking on a foster cat for the holiday period. We’ve named her Lulu, and she’s had a tough life but she hasn’t let it slow her down. For when you want to cook weird stuff. Anything can be a champagne glass. A pasta that uses two bottles of wine? Sign me up! This list of the best ‘underground’ food spots just made me hungry. I’m all for more transparency between influencers and Instagram (among other platforms). Following above, want to become a celebrity food influencer? Follow these steps! Still looking for gifts? …
Weekend Links.
I didn’t mean for this week to be busy…but then it was. Fortunately, I managed to edit quite a bit, and get to a few new venues. Kind of interested in these Airbnb cooking experiences. The Saveur edible gift guide (feel free to order me anything on here). More thoughts on Instagram (and you can read my frustration with the platform here). A guide to gift guides? (But really, why do I love them so much?) My latest for Dining and Nightlife Middle East. What is your must-pack travel item? I couldn’t live without my Trtl, as well as noise-canceling headphones. Google’s most top searched food terms in 2019. Can you really trust TripAdvisor? This weekend is mostly about chilling. We’re trying our best to get rid of things as we prepare to move late January next year, so it’s about going room by room and getting rid of stuff. …
Weekend links.
A week of (almost) pure productivity! Back from Paris on Friday morning, I allowed myself a day of laundry and sleep, before trying (and succeeding) to get back onto a somewhat regular schedule, including running, fasting, and just generally being a productive member of society — including visiting 3 restaurants. I also started editing a book (I’m more than 40 pages in!) and reading a good book (it’s been a while). December will be steady, but I’m ready for it. Here are some links to keep you busy this weekend. Some gift ideas for the foodie in your life (wink, wink). The world needs more Bon Jovi. It’s all in the title: “I am the Trader Joe’s parking lot, and I am here to destroy you.” Would you eat Twinkies cereal? A bit late, but since it’s still the ‘holidays,’ family Thanksgiving traditions. Just how sustainable are our food systems?…
Weekend links.
Bonjour from Paris! It’s been a busy week in France, seeing the country and eating lots of pastry. I sort of missed Thanksgiving (thank you, McDonald’s airport dinner), but it really didn’t bother me all that much. Weekend links, you asked? Is ‘badass’ a good term to describe female chefs? (Or, as I call them, ‘chefs’). What does food look like in 2029? Decoding the world’s oldest known recipes. How different are Indian and Western vegetarians? Maine’s population is white and old, but the state has a lot of great food going on (I know this from personal experience). Need some offbeat recipes for Thanksgiving? Look no further! This weekend is about RELAXING and getting my head on straight. December is going to be a busy month and there are some projects I’ve been putting off. It’s time to get started and finish off 2019 on a high note. How…
Weekend links.
Wow, it’s been a busy couple of weeks! I did A TON of traveling, and still have some more to go. I’m off to Paris this Sunday, and trying to hit a few deadlines before I leave. Extra tini, please? Oprah’s Favorite things 2019 (food edition). Making cookies in space. Yes, you can be a Trader Joe’s influencer. Is Trader Vic’s making a comeback? (I hope so – I only have fond memories.) Are you ready for a modern Thanksgiving menu? This weekend is about maximum chill….while still getting some exercise, and maybe going to brunch. And repacking. Again.
Weekend links.
A week centered mainly around writing (and planning and writing some more). We did manage to go for a quick stay at Melia Desert Palm. It’s 2019, women should be seeing prices on menus. Have you noticed a lack of dressers in your hotel room? Whole Foods makes their predictions for 2020 food trends. Feeding Google NYC. The case for sparkling wine at any time (and not just special occasions). Want to know where your food comes from? Now, you can. What happens when a legendary restaurant gets a bad review? Seriously, why is steak ‘manly’ and salad ‘feminine?’ Me, on Dubai Eye. I’m finally (!) off to the States on Tuesday. It does not look like the airline gods will look kindly on me (ask me about how I almost got a free upgrade with Emirates), so pray for an easy trip in economy on one of the longest…
Weekend links.
Goodness, October seems to want to get done in a hurry. Last week saw me at GRIF, I was a ‘model’ of sorts at Caesars, and went out too much. Hubs and I got our flu shots on Friday (after a super sweaty run) and my system has been adjusting ever since. I was busy this week acting as a moderator and emcee at an event with Women in Pastry, and then met up with a few famous chefs for a few delicious courses at the Gather event at the JW Marriott Marquis. If you’ve noticed I’m doing fewer reviews, it’s a good thing! Basically, I’m now getting paid to write, often for different outlets, and as much as I love A to Za’atar, writing about the same place three different times is a bit overkill. I should have new content coming out of my trip to the States next…