In today’s issue:

• Weekly Wisdom - Popular aphorisms and quotes…

• Market Minute - Monetary policy is coming…

• Deep Dive - The hacks the wealthy use to get exclusive tables…

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WISDOM

BEST LINKS

The most interesting things happening today…

⚔️ TRADE WAR!

From Trade War to Hockey Brawl...

Now it’s serious… In a fiery USA vs. Canada hockey match, three fights erupted within nine seconds, after Canadian fans booed the U.S. anthem. This clash mirrors the escalating political tensions affecting trade and markets between the two nations after President Trump suggested Canada should be the 51st US state...

China's Currency Exodus...

As trade war fears escalate, Chinese citizens are converting their yuan into foreign currencies at an unprecedented rate. This massive shift reflects deepening concerns over the yuan's stability amid global economic tensions.

💰 WEALTH

Luxury Brands Lose Their Luster…

The ultra-rich are unplugging from flashy logos for exclusive experiences that money can't buy, leaving brands like Dior, Versace, and Burberry struggling. The greatest luxury is access and privacy…

🏭 ECONOMY

The Cost of America's Surging Economy...

The U.S. economy is tearing ahead while the rest of the world stumbles, but under the surface, cracks are forming. Productivity is soaring, but wages, infrastructure, and social stability? Not so much. When the music stops, who pays the bill?

₿ CRYPTO

Bitcoin at a Crossroads…

Bitcoin is stuck between $95,600 and $99,900, with a drop to $94,000 potentially creating a strong buy signal, while resistance sits at $108,000. But trouble is brewing—$580.2 million in Bitcoin ETF outflows last week suggests weakening institutional demand, which could fuel a deeper correction.

America’s Bitcoin Power Play…

The U.S. is making a big move—building a national Bitcoin reserve that could kick off a global crypto arms race. Reports suggest the Fed may issue debt or dump gold to fund the stack, while $20 billion in seized Bitcoin could be thrown into the mix.

🛢️ COMMODITIES

Invasion of the Super Pigs…

Canada's crossbred "super pigs"—a mix of wild boars and domestic pigs—are wreaking havoc on ecosystems and creeping toward the U.S. border. American farmers are on high alert as these destructive animals threaten to devastate crops and local wildlife.

🏠 REAL ESTATE

Spring Housing Market Rebounding...

After two tough years, the housing market is showing signs of life as spring approaches. But with mortgage rates still hovering above 6%, will buyers return or remain on the sidelines? The next few weeks are crucial in determining the market's direction.

DEEP DIVE

The Impossible Table

How to Snag Reservations at the World’s Most Exclusive Restaurants

You refresh the page. No luck.

You set an alarm for midnight. Still booked out.

You even called… and got laughed at.

The world’s best restaurants don’t want your money. They want exclusivity. And unless you’re an insider, you’re not getting in.

But here’s the thing: every restaurant has a way in.

If you understand how the game works, you can land reservations at the world’s hardest-to-book spots—without selling your soul or bribing a maître d’.

Let’s break down some of the toughest tables to get and the strategies to secure your seat at the table.

The World’s Toughest Reservations

These restaurants are the VIP rooms of the culinary world. If you’re not a somebody, you’ll need a plan.

🇺🇸 1. Rao’s (NYC)

This Italian institution in Harlem has only ten tables—and they’re all "owned" by regulars. Reservations? Not happening. The only way in is to get invited by someone who already has a table.

💡 Strategy:

✅ Network with a regular who has a table. (Seriously, this is the only way in.)

✅ Become friendly with the staff and build a relationship over time—though this could take years.

✅ Occasionally, tables get "loaned" to friends of friends. Find those friends.

🇯🇵 2. Sushi Saito (Tokyo)

With only eight seats, this three-Michelin-star sushi temple is impossible to book unless you’re a known regular. Even celebrities struggle to get in.

💡 Strategy:

✅ Book through a luxury hotel concierge in Tokyo—they sometimes have an allocation.

✅ Become a regular at another top sushi spot in Tokyo and have the chef introduce you.

✅ Use a private dining membership like TableAll, which specializes in high-end Tokyo reservations.

🇩🇰 3. Noma (Copenhagen)

René Redzepi’s legendary restaurant has been named the best in the world multiple times. It books out in minutes the moment reservations open.

💡 Strategy:

✅ Sign up for Noma’s newsletter—they announce last-minute openings and cancellations.

✅ Waitlist spots open up—keep checking and act fast.

✅ If all else fails, book a non-refundable room at a partner hotel that includes a table.

🇺🇸 4. The French Laundry (Napa)

Thomas Keller’s iconic Napa Valley restaurant releases reservations on a lottery system that sells out in seconds.

💡 Strategy:

✅ American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders get priority booking.

✅ Diners Club members occasionally get access.

✅ Call the restaurant directly in the afternoon—they sometimes have last-minute cancellations.

🇨🇳 5. Ultraviolet (Shanghai)

This multi-sensory dining experience has only ten seats and books out months in advance.

💡 Strategy:

✅ Luxury travel agencies like Black Tomato and Scott Dunn can book for you.

✅ Private dining groups occasionally hold exclusive events here.

✅ Follow social media for last-minute cancellations.

How to Beat the System (The Playbook…)

💳 1. Credit Card Concierge Services

Premium credit cards like Amex Platinum, Centurion, or Chase Sapphire Reserve offer concierge services that hold exclusive tables at top restaurants. If you have one, use it.

🍽️ 2. Private Dining Memberships

Services like TableAll (Japan), Resy Global Dining Access, and Club 33 (Disney) provide VIP access to top-tier dining experiences.

🛏️ 3. Book Through a Luxury Hotel

High-end hotels like the Four Seasons, Aman, or Peninsula have connections with top restaurants. Book a stay and let the concierge do the work.

🕰️ 4. Last-Minute Cancellations

Even impossible reservations sometimes fall through. Follow the restaurant on Instagram or Twitter—some announce openings there.

🤝 5. The Personal Connection

If you become a regular at a restaurant’s lower-tier venue or get to know the staff, you may get invited up the ladder.

Next time you want that impossible reservation, don’t leave it to chance.

Pick your strategy, work your angle, and get the seat everyone else is begging for.

The content provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as specific advice for any specific individual. The information is prepared by knowledgeable individuals and is not written by certified tax professionals or investment advisors. For personalized advice tailored to your unique financial situation, consult with a qualified tax professional, financial advisor, or attorney.

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