The Japan Restaurant Reservation Game Is Brutal—Here’s How to Win It
Great tips for navigating Japan’s dining scene like a pro—from reservation hacks to local-approved apps and underrated food spots worth veering off course for.
🗞️ Your Bi-Weekly Trends + Scoops Briefing
….We also cover the most interesting recent brand arrivals on Substack, why VR raves might be the next frontier in altered-state travel, and how Gen Z’s Pinterest-powered shopping habits could reshape travel retail.
Plus White Elephant’s Rocky Mountain debut, Esther Perel’s rare IRL retreat, the mechanics behind Usher’s meticulously curated Met Gala table, Chef’s Table’s storytelling secret, and the cocktail menu trend redefining what makes a “50’s Best Bar.”
The branding for Zamalek, a Montreal-based beverage company
The new restaurant at Hotel Corazón, Mallorca
Film photos of Barry Diller and DVF in the ’70s — inspired me to buy a film camera for a Portugal trip I’m currently on. You can follow along here if interested.
Pedro Pascal’s airport arrival look for Cannes [that collar]
I ordered a few things for my husband from Alex Mill last week, and a few days later got an email that was simple but felt surprisingly thoughtful. It wasn’t trying too hard—just a note with a couple of follow-up suggestions that made sense based on what I bought (even if they accidentally sent me the same link twice). The business takeaway: personalization doesn’t have to be perfect, just relevant—and timely enough to feel like someone’s paying attention
