THE SHORT HAUL AKL

WEIGHT FLIGHT NO. PASSENGER NAME

Dinner for one

Want to go out to dinner but can’t be bothered making conversation? Japanese restaurant Ichiran may be for you. The Japanese restaurant chain, which recently opened an outlet in New York’s Brooklyn, thinks that eating solo helps customers to concentrate on their food. The eateries’ dedicated “flavour concentration booths” are small tables with blinders on either side — sort of like study booths at university libraries — and a hole in the wall, covered by a blind, with a direct view of the kitchen if they desire. There is barely any human interaction, with diners able to select their own seat upon entry and their meals from an interactive menu. There’s even a button to press for a water refill. Kampai! facebook.com/ichiranny

Object of Desire

Not only is it a wearable work of art, but this Bird and Knoll cashmere and modal scarf is handy in all situations. Wear it as a sarong on the beach, around your neck in a cool breeze, or over your nose as you push through a busy bazaar. This Fiji: Bula Paradise design is a digitally printed photograph featuring a scene of palm trees and water, with the different variations on pristine blue bringing to mind long, lazy days on perfect golden sands. It’s luxurious, hard wearing, and we think it looks pretty cool. Plus it’s on sale, down from $325 to $235. birdandknoll.com