Miscellaneous

🍴 Niño Gordo, ranked #34 in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, opened in Buenos Aires in 2017 and debuted in Miami's Wynwood on May 19. The 74-seat Miami outpost features four themed rooms and Dekotora, a hidden sushi and cocktail bar. Co-creators Germán Sitz and Pedro Peña adapt the menu using local ingredients like Key West prawns. Christine Wiseman crafted Asian-inspired cocktails, including the Red Bean Old Fashioned and Neon Skyline. The menu includes katsu sando, hamachi, and Peking-style duck.

🏨 Michel Miserez was working in Amsterdam 30 years ago and began at Marriott in Paris. The first Marriott opened in Arlington, Virginia, in 1957. Marriott evolved with innovations like a decentralized reservation system and loyalty programs in the 1980s. Courtyard, now over 40 years old, is the largest brand with 1,300 locations globally. Marriott emphasized service quality and consistency as a "home away from home" since its early days.

📖 Edward Mady discusses working with Ritz Carlton founder Horst Schulze. He introduces his new book, "Honing the Human Edge." This content is part of a series featuring Schulze. Additional resources are available, including a subscription for daily episode summaries and insights.

🍴 July 2025, Ta’mini Lebanese Bakery opens its third site at 15 Kensington Church Street, London, founded by Ali and Nermin Khamosia. The first bakery opened in Fulham during the 2020 lockdown, followed by a second in Bloomsbury in 2023. The Kensington location offers 20 seats, serving traditional baked goods like Manakish and Lebanese salads. Their handmade oven ensures quality. Ali and Nermin manage operations, drawing on family recipes for a unique taste of Lebanon.

🏨 Jun 30, 2025: Hotels are increasingly catering to specific demographics, from partygoers to solitude seekers. Signs of a hotel's target audience include phrases like “creative playground” and “cocktails flow,” suggesting a party vibe, while family-focused resorts offer kids’ clubs and splash parks. Quiet luxury hotels may enforce adult-only policies. Research is crucial to ensure a suitable choice, and customer complaints can lead to accommodations if a mismatch occurs. Check social media for honest insights.

📈 Jun 30, 2025, McAfee's report highlights travel fraud targeting young Americans. 1 in 5 Americans reported scams while booking trips. 13% lost over $500; 5% lost over $1,000. 21% of 18-24-year-olds clicked fake links, while 10% of 25-34-year-olds fell for AI-altered photos. Men are more likely to lose money (29% vs. 18% women). Despite risks, 59% still trust third-party sites. Cost-saving travelers are more prone to scams, especially around major events.

📚 Edward discusses his experience in New York City, reflecting on Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." He emphasizes the value of a personal board of directors—trusted individuals who support decision-making. Key members include his parents, with 4-5 others, balancing growth and faith. He highlights the importance of a personal mission statement and maintaining one's name, suggesting regular updates to this board as relationships evolve and personal growth continues.

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016, oversees food trends in the U.S. He wrote for the New York Sun (2005-2008) and lived in Thailand for five years. A Tufts University graduate and Le Cordon Bleu alumnus, Thorn has authored entries in Oxford encyclopedias and won a Jesse H. Neal Award in 2006. He resides in Brooklyn, NY, and was inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014.

🚀 72.2 million people will travel 50+ miles for Independence Day from June 28 to July 6, 2025. AAA reports a 1.7 million increase from last year. 61.6 million to travel by car, marking a 2.2% rise. 5.84 million to fly, an 8% share of travelers. Other modes like bus, train, and cruise see a 7.4% uptick. Top U.S. destinations include Orlando and Seattle, while Vancouver leads international trips.

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