“Come, for I am drinking stars!"
– Dom Pérignon, allegedly after tasting his first champagne

As travel expert Rick Steves can tell you, each country the world over has its own special Christmas traditions, which includes what foods you find on the Christmas dinner table. Here in America, many of the holiday mainstays we enjoy were brought over by our ancestors when they emigrated, and standard fare can vary by U.S. region, and even by state. But whether you dine on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, some are universal. Here are the origins of a few of them:

Say the word “fondue,” and most Americans are instantly transported back to an age of leisure suits, pet rocks, and disco. But today, as communal dining has become increasingly popular, it’s only natural that fondue has returned to the restaurant (and party) scene.

You certainly don’t have to be British to like the idea of afternoon tea. What’s not to like about an afternoon snack of finger sandwiches, scones with jam or lemon curd and Devonshire cream, small cakes and cookies, and a pot of freshly brewed tea?

Japanese whiskey at Arami

Hello! This week on the show we take you to sample Japanese and Nepalese cuisine and even stop by one of POTUS’s favorite spots (Valois) when he’s in town! Our stops are Arami in West Town, Chicago Curry House in South Loop, and Valois in Hyde Park. I spoke with Ty Fujimura who is the owner of Arami, as well as a certified sake professional. He gives some guidance on how to have a fantastic dining experience at Arami, choose sake for you meal, and gives his advice on sake bombs. 

“A fair is a veritable schmorgasbord, orgasbord, orgasbord” – Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)

Buttered chicken at Wicker Park's Pub Royale

Hello! I’m just back from London, and pub and Indian food are still fresh on my mind! So this week I spoke with chef Nate Tano and beverage director Michael McAvena of Pub Royale, the anglo-indian pub in Wicker Park that was named one of Bon Appetit’s 50 best new restaurants across the country.

When it comes to disparate cultures coming together, it’s safe to say that fusion in our country has probably been a thing ever since the first Thanksgiving dinner in Plymouth, when the Wampanoag Indians arrived at the Pilgrims’ inaugural autumn potluck with their regional contributions to the meal.

Matthias Merges, Chef & Owner of Hyde Park's A10 in Chicago

Hello! We visit A10 in Hyde Park, JAM in Logan Square, and Taste of Thai Town in Albany Park, and I was excited to talk with Chef Matthias Merges, who gained recognition as former executive chef at Charlie Trotter’s and has since become an award-winning restauranteur in his own right. Matthias adhered to and promoted farm-to-table principles long before they became ubiquitous in the industry. We chatted about opening his first restaurant on Chicago’s South Side and he shared recipes that are sure to take your Thanksgiving entertaining from simple to spectacular. 

Malted Custard French Toast at Lincoln Square's JAM restaurant in Chicago

If there was ever a word that could make you forget that Monday morning is lurking right around the corner, it’s brunch. Yes, that convivial, starch-and-protein-laden repast that allows you to sit back, indulge, enjoy the company of friends and family in a cozy atmosphere, and recharge for the week ahead. And just maybe, dull the aftereffects of the night before.