Weekend links.

A busy week for me!  Feeling a bit behind on all the things I need to get done, how about you?

• In search of the perfect elastic waist pants (as much dining out as I do, stylish trousers with room to grow sound like a quality investment.
• A restaurant for 3 in Brooklyn.
• A gin advent calendar?  Sign me up (or, I know what I'm getting The Emireati for Christmas).
• With the state of the world as it is, yes, I would like this plush Shake Shack toy set.
• As someone who doesn't enjoy cooking (!) and never really learned much past the basics, this essay resonated with me.
• Who do you trust for rankings and awards?  I'll admit, I definitely consult Trip Advisor when it comes to choosing a restaurant.  I love the sheer democracy of it.  Not to mention, the World's 50 Best have struck out with me on a few occasions this year.  Here are the Top 25 restaurants as voted by Trip Advisor users.
• I had a lot of fun filming my latest for What's Cooking UAE last night (see below for our Facebook Live segment, haggis is involved).

While I have two invites to staycations/food in Abu Dhabi, I also have a potentially large freelance assignment and really just need to center myself, so I think it's basic and boring here! What are you up to?