Eat, Read, Go: Sungold Spaghetti alla Chitarra, “Loved One,” and Lyon

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. I’m not even a Swiftie in the legal sense — but the album, the podcast, and anything related to the two accounted for 99% of my feeds this week. (I’m still thinking about Travis Kelce’s wildly unexpected animal obsession.) That said, some other noteworthy things did manage to get through, including:

• While I’ve been against all Devil Wears Prada 2 spoilers, an exception must be made for Emily Blunt’s dramatic new hair color, which is indeed groundbreaking.

• Forget, fancy silk scarves — the ultimate Y2K hair accessory is back, in all its cottony, paisley glory.

• No, you’re not imagining things — “toddler-style clothes” have become a staple of the Chic Mom Wardrobe™.

• It appears that Kate Moss’s Birkin walked, so Jenna Ortega’s very chaotic, very Hot Topic-inspired beach outfit could run. Celebs, what did the ocean do to you?

• If you were proud of yourself for running on the beach (*raises hand*), wait until you see Dua Lipa’s ridiculously difficult “Ibiza Party Trick” — something I will not be trying this weekend.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

We Wait All Year to Make This Simple and Satisfying Sungold Tomato Pasta

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Time for a bold declaration: Sungold tomatoes are the only tomatoes that matter. Hands down. Full stop. The vibrant orange-yellow color instantly boosts your dopamine. The satisfying crunch is unrivaled. And what they lack in size, they make up for in sweet, tropical-fruitlike flavor. Now, while you could (and should) eat them like candy, allow us to introduce what is perhaps their highest calling: The Pasta Table’s Sungold Spaghetti alla Chitarra. In the dead-simple recipe, an ungodly number of tomatoes are roasted alongside shallots and garlic, then blended until silky smooth. Add in butter, Parmesan, and strands of spaghetti — and you’ll have the best pasta you’ve ever made. Really.

The Time Commitment: About an hour. But at least half of that is for roasting the tomatoes, so they burst and release their sweet juices — which, we promise, is worth the wait.

Key Tips: Can’t find Sungolds? Our hearts go out to you. In that case, Jessica Slomberg (aka The Pasta Table) says to use regular cherry tomatoes. Also, while we generally believe in-season produce is a nice-to-have, rather than a must-have, we’ll concede: This dish is best when tomatoes are at their peak. So make an extra batch of the sauce and freeze it after blending — a great way to feel not so sad in four months.

Other Takes: If you’re hoarding Sungolds like there’s no tomorrow, you’re (a) doing it right, and (b) probably in need of more recipes. In which case, try…

• Sungold Tomato Farro with Basil & Feta — a half-hour hero that is creamy, comforting, and just as good served cold for lunch the next day.

• Sungold Tomato Caprese with Burrata. Smothered with crispy breadcrumbs and served with crusty bread, this is the most crowd-pleasing appetizer in town. Or be like us, and call it dinner.

• Sungold Tomato Pasta with Pistachio Gremolata. Because you can never have enough pasta, this one has a crunchy, zesty topping that one fan says “totally takes this over the edge.”

Loved One by Aisha Muharrar

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Even if you don’t know writer Aisha Muharrar by name, there’s a good chance you’ve seen her work on shows like Hacks, The Good Place, and Parks and Recreation. So it should come as no surprise that her new novel, Loved One, seems equally fit for TV. The debut follows Julia, a 30-year-old whose first love turned close friend, Gabe, unexpectedly dies. At the request of Gabe’s grieving mother, Julia travels to London to retrieve some of the indie musician’s belongings. There, she encounters Gabe’s now-ex — and what follows, according to Muharrar, is a “relationship postmortem” that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking as the women come to terms with their messy emotions and their connection. We asked Muharrar a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s one thing you never leave the house without?

Muharrar: [My] library card. I’ve left it before and regretted it.

Q: What’s one recipe everyone should make?

Muharrar: Tamar Adler’s Empty Jar Nut Butter Noodles.

Q: What’s your most prized possession?

Muharrar: The copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass that my mom gave to me when I was a kid. During the LA wildfires, I had to make that call of what you’d grab if you could only take a few things from your home. That book is the possession I grabbed.

Think Paris Is the Pièce de Résistance? This French City Will Make You Think Twice

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If The Hills taught us anything, it’s that you never want to be “the girl who didn’t go to Paris.” True — especially if Paris is still on your bucket list — but we’d argue France has more than one showstopper. Enter: Lyon, the country’s third-largest city and its undisputed gastronomic capital. In addition to the buzzy food scene, Lyon also has splendid museums, expansive green spaces, vibrant neighborhoods, exceptional boutique hotels (stay at Hôtel de l’Abbaye), and that same je ne sais quoi — without the overwhelming crowds and exorbitant prices. Plus, with easy day trips to the Beaujolais wine region and even Switzerland, Lyon is the kind of city that turns “just a weekend” into “how can I move here?”

👟 No visit to Lyon is complete without wandering around Vieux-Lyon — the historic old town. Among the maze of Renaissance-era cobblestone streets, you’ll discover 15th- and 16th-century buildings, storied hidden passageways, and the ornate Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste. From there, take a funicular ride to the top of Fourvière hill, where the main attraction is Notre-Dame de Fourvière, a 19th-century basilica with Byzantine-style mosaics, stained glass windows, and the city’s best panoramic views. As you make your way back down, be sure to stop at the Lugdunum Museum, which includes three archeological sites and a 10,000-seat Roman amphitheatre that now hosts music, opera, and dance performances.

🏛️ Soak up Lyon’s culture with a tour of its standout museums: The Musée des Beaux-Arts — housed in a former Benedictine abbey — spans 5,000 years of history, from Egyptian antiquities to works by Rodin and Picasso. The Musée des Confluences blends anthropology, science, and natural history to tackle life’s biggest questions. Film buffs will love Musée Lumière, the family home of brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière, inventors of the cinematograph and pioneers who put Lyon on the map as the birthplace of cinema. Finally, Maison des Canuts chronicles the city’s silk industry and is located in the trendy Croix-Rousse neighborhood (essentially, the Lyonnaise equivalent of Montmartre), so leave time for browsing the small boutiques, vintage stores, and Lyon’s best outdoor market.

🍴 Come hungry, because food is a main attraction in Lyon. Start at Boulangerie Saint Paul, where the minimum order should include a croissant and a pink praline brioche (a Lyon specialty). For lunch, head to L’Établi to enjoy a surprisingly affordable set menu featuring seasonal dishes, mind-blowing bread, and some surprises along the way. And while you should absolutely indulge at Lyon’s Michelin-starred restaurants (we recommend Japanese-inspired Takao Takano), dining at one of its famous bouchons (a bistrolike establishment serving Lyonnais specialities) is a must. So make a reservation at Le Café Comptoir Abel and order the pike quenelle, chicken with morels, and pâté en croûte.

When you’re in a new city, best not to rely on an iffy Uber situation or impossible-to-read bus schedule and risk getting stranded. Do yourself a favor and rent a car, instead. With Booking.com, you can easily compare prices and find the right vehicle for your adventure, with options from all the major rental companies. Who’s up for a Eurotrip?

Still trying to decode what your student actually needs this school year? Apple Gift Card lets them make the call — whether it’s productivity tools for the overachiever, entertainment apps for the procrastinator, or an Apple Music subscription for the music lover. Whether you're shopping for a night owl who’s famous for 3 am library visits or a social butterfly who manages the group project — this is smart gifting at its finest.*

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Q: I was hanging out with a friend, and she casually mentioned she made plans to try a new restaurant with our mutual friends. Of course, I feel excluded, so is there a way to invite myself? Or is that just awkward?

“The awkwardness you’re anticipating often comes from a fear of rejection or a worry that you’ll be imposing. However, there’s a significant difference between demanding an invitation and simply expressing an interest in joining. Don’t say ‘Why wasn’t I invited?’ or ‘You guys are going without me?’ These can put people on the defensive and make them feel cornered. Instead, do this:

A direct approach: ‘That new restaurant sounds amazing — I’ve been wanting to try it. You mentioned you’re going with [insert friends’ names], but is there any chance there’s room for one more? Or, if it’s a small group, would you let me know when you plan to go again? I’d love to join.’

Less direct: ‘Oh, that new restaurant — I’ve seen that place, and it looks really good. I’ve been meaning to try it.’ After that, wait to see if she picks up the cue and invites you. 

And even less direct: ‘That sounds like fun. Let me know how it is. We should plan something soon, either just us or a bigger group outing to [insert restaurant or activity].’

Now, it’s time to manage expectations. If it’s a yes, that’s great. But be prepared for a no, whatever the reason. They may say something like, ‘It’s just a small group this time,’ or ‘We can’t change the reservation.’ Try not to immediately personalize it — sometimes plans are genuinely limited by capacity. This isn’t a reflection of your worth or their friendship with you. Then, accept their answer gracefully: ‘No worries, just wanted to throw it out there. Have a great time!’”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.