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The Strong Buzz becomes a "bestseller" on Substack.

Friends,

I have some fun news to share! Apparently when I send these newsletters and posts out to the ether, people are reading, sharing them, and enjoying them! Yesterday, I got an email from the Substack team declaring that The Strong Buzz is a bestseller! WOO HOO!

To be honest, it’s also about time. I’ve been writing the Strong Buzz since 2003, and moved it to Substack in October 2022, so you know, it’s been a while. The Strong Buzz is now read across 43 US states and 54 countries!

Seriously, friends, this is such an honor. I feel incredibly humbled by this milestone, and grateful to you all for reading, for becoming a wonderful community, some of whom have been with me here at The Strong Buzz for over 20 years, when I was single, living in an underpriced walk-up on 17th Street, just starting out as a freelancer, writing for The New York Times under Sam Sifton, Time Out NY under Salma Abdelnour and Maile Carpenter, and The New York Post first for Faye Penn, then Isaac Guzman and then Sara Lieberman, who has two amazing Substacks — Word Doc (an editorial service for Substack writers) and Overthinking It to read as well. Such fantastic editors who I am lucky to still call friends.

Now, I’m single again, but living in Carroll Gardens in an overpriced apartment, with one wonderful former husband and two ridiculous and amazing kids, and still, yes, freelancing, though the pickings are far slimmer than before. I’m lucky enough to still be writing and for terrific outlets like Eater under Melissa McCart, Fast Company for Jill Bernstein, and Bloomberg for Kate Krader, all fantastic editors who help make my stories so much better, for which I am quite indebted.

My goal in writing the Strong Buzz has been the same since day one — to bring life to the people who make our food industry so special – the chefs, makers, farmers, fishers, creatives, and hospitality professionals, all the folks who make this complex and challending world of hospitality work so beautifully.

Looking back on the past couple of years here on Substack, I was the first to write about the fantastic chili crisp Onino, and the Persian beer, Back Home. I’ve spotlighted under-the-radar food stories like Dayboat Blue Scallops' new CSF, Japanese knives forged by women, the pastry chef making the best ice cream cakes in New York City, and Rockaway Beach’s cult favorite bakery.

I’ve spotted trends from beautiful bowls of butter to cocktails that feed you and splash programs. I’ve broken news of so many openings – from Lore and Gus’s to Meson, 6, Hildur, and Folk, and I will soon break the story on an exciting new restaurant coming to Brooklyn Heights; stay tuned!. Your favorite posts were What Really Happened at Ample Hills, Carroll Gardens is the Best Restaurant Neighborhood in NYC, Goodbye Gotham, Saying Bye to Dry and a story of dating gone bad called A Ghost Story.

To honor this Substack Bestseller milestone, I’m offering a discount for paid memberships – if you subscribe now (or anytime through the end of the month of April) you’ll get 20% off an annual subscription, down to $60 a year (that’s like pennies a week folks and it truly make a difference to me).

Use this special link to redeem your offer!

I’m offering some unique and amazing (if I do say so myself) perks for paid subscribers:

• an exclusive Restaurant Help Line for all your reservation questions,

• and The Strong Buzz Salon, a series of intimate IRL events (open to paid readers only) hosted by some my favorite restaurants

• The Weekend Buzz, a guide to all the best ways to eat through your weekend

The first Strong Buzz Salon is April 22nd at Cafe Spaghetti with managing partner Giovanna Cucola and chef Sal Lambroglia. It will be an intimate evening Apero from 5-7pm, with wine and food and a chance to connect in real life. I hope to see you there so we raise a glass in person. The link for tickets arrives in your welcome email.

Thank you, everyone, sincerely, for being here and reading my words every week.

Thank you!!