Miscellaneous

🍴 Sticks’n’Sushi, a Danish-Japanese restaurant group, reported £104.8 million in revenue for 2025, a 6% increase, while achieving £8.2 million in adjusted EBITDA. The company opened its first Scottish restaurant in Glasgow, marking its 31st location. Expansion continues in 2026 with a new restaurant in Manchester, totaling 32 locations, and plans to open in Prague, Birmingham, and Leeds. UK B2B and catering grew by 21%. The team comprises 1,400 employees across Denmark, Germany, and the UK.

🍴 Chef Stuart Ralston opened Lyla in Edinburgh, a Michelin-starred venue, in 2014. Since April 2026, Lyla includes four coastal plant-themed bedrooms. Located on Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, it highlights Scottish seafood through its 10-course tasting menu. Guests experience dishes like squid ramen and sorrel sorbet. Dinner costs £185 per person, and overnight stays with dinner start at £715. Room-only rates begin at £345, including breakfast. The Georgian townhouse setting enhances the luxurious yet intimate atmosphere.

🎡 Architect Anne Fourcade conceived Mirapolis in 1980, opening on May 20, 1987, in Courdimanche, France. Despite initial expectations of 2.5 million visitors annually, only 600,000 visited in the first year, leading to a 20 million franc deficit. The park closed on October 20, 1991, after 5 seasons, with losses of 300 million francs. Future projects, including Uxco Group's 2023 proposal, face environmental reviews and community relocation challenges. The Île-de-France authority flagged issues in July 2024.

🎤 Grammy-winning pianist Yuja Wang and DJ Charlotte de Witte headline Mandarin Oriental's new Fan Campaign, launched globally on August 4, 2026. Filmed in London and Bodrum, it highlights their preparation rituals. The campaign offers guest experiences: "In-Room Dining: At Full Volume" at select hotels like Dubai and New York, and "Intelligent Movement: At Full Volume" worldwide. For over 25 years, the campaign has celebrated excellence, reflecting the brand's emphasis on personalized service and care.

🍴 In Atlanta's Westside, Füm restaurant merges dining with performance through an open wood-fired kitchen, inspired by Italian piazzas. Designed with Arcturis | square feet studio, HAND, and Grassfed Culture Hospitality, the interior features zones like a pasta-making room and cocktail bar. Curved architectural elements by Grant Blakeslee enhance intimacy. A palette of paprika red and pistachio green emphasizes culinary themes, while local artistry and craftsmanship underline a dedication to craft and sensory experience.

🍓 From ages 14 to 18, the author participated in farmers' markets in Moscow, Idaho, held weekly from May through October. They sold brie, camembert, and yogurt from their first Jersey cow, Bluebell, and later expanded to Gruyère and Orchard Blue cheese. The author also started ventures with popsicles and homemade sodas. Despite moving to Waco, Texas, 7 years ago, the author fondly remembers these market days, which provided an education in entrepreneurship.

🌍 Hvar Town, often called the Adriatic's crown jewel, boasts the largest square in Dalmatia, St. Stephen's Square, featuring a 16th-century Cathedral. The Arsenal, from the 16th century, hosts events, while the 1612-built theater reveals its cultural history. Explore the Franciscan Monastery’s museum and panoramic bell tower views. Avoid crowded eateries; instead, try local konobas. Best times to visit are before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m., avoiding peak tourist hours.

🌲 Westminster City Council faces challenges similar to the worlds in "The Magic Faraway Tree." Like children in the book, the council navigates ever-changing environments, some not ideal, prompting swift transitions. While the classic tale offers adventurous escapism, the council's real-world adjustments reflect the need for adaptability in governance. The narrative draws parallels between fictional exploration and political realities, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and readiness for change.

🚰 John Michael Kohler emigrated from Austria to the U.S. Midwest in the mid-19th century, settling in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He transformed a water trough into a bathtub in 1883, shifting his company towards plumbing products. Kohler Co. later expanded under Herb Kohler (CEO in 1972) into a $7 billion diversified brand with hotels and golf courses, including Whistling Straits, host of the 2021 Ryder Cup. The Carriage House reopened in 2026 after a renovation.

🚧 Italy's Autogrill motorway restaurants, designed by architects like Angelo Bianchetti, were iconic structures in the 1960s, symbolizing modern Italy along the Autostrada del Sole, connecting Milan and Naples. The famed Montepulciano bridge Autogrill was demolished in 2021. These structures, straddling highways, showcased Italian elegance, contrasting with American models, but many now face demolition or need restoration. They represent Italy's optimistic past and potential for rediscovery and elegance amidst modern infrastructure challenges.