Looking back, many of our trips to Vegas in the 90s and early 2000s were in December, to join my family for a few days. We almost always stayed downtown, since it was my Mom's preference, and the rooms were comped or very inexpensive. We met up every morning for breakfast, then went our separate ways, to gamble, play golf, or go to a show. Then, we would all meet up for dinner. My Mom would always claim to have won a jackpot and bought dinner. I don't think she won that often? Here is the story: We are having a great time here in Vegas. The best parts are seeing our dear friends here and sharing the time with our family. My Mom enjoys gambling here so much, as does one of my Uncles, who ... read more

Hopefully, I will be at the BIG game on Sunday. If not, I plan to have dim sum for "brunch" that morning, then hang out in a sports bar somewhere in Vegas. But I think you should have an idea what the rest of the country will be eating on Super Sunday. This is the second biggest food holiday, exceeded only by Thanksgiving. Pizza reigns supreme as the top snack for the Super Bowl. It’s the reason behind the enormous number of delivery orders on this Sunday. Approximately one out of every seven people orders in on Super Bowl Sunday, and the majority of those orders include at least one sausage pizza (with sausage being the third most popular pizza topping overall). Chicken wings take the second spot. According to the National Chicken Council (yes, that’s ... read more

Mastika (also spelled as mastiha) is one of the most unique Greek liqueurs. It is made from mastic tree resin from the island of Chios, the only place where the trees grow. Chios Mastiha has European PDO status. Mastika has a slight piney flavor, making it an intriguing cocktail ingredient. It must be at least 15% ABV. My Greek brothers make their own, and offer it at the end of dinner (usually not lunch). Mastika can also be purchased at most grocery and liquor stores in Greece. In fact, on one of my first trips to Athens, I was having dinner, and enjoying a conversation with some Americans at the next table. After we were served the mastika, they decided to buy some at the store around the corner. They brought back TWO, one for them ... read more

What is Paris Syndrome? (From the Independent (Natalie Wilson) Paris syndrome is often defined as a “state of severe culture shock”. Physical and psychological symptoms when Paris fails to live up to expectations have been known to include hallucinations, a rapid heart rate, dizziness and nausea. The late 20th-century disorder was named by a psychiatrist, Hiroaki Ota, in the 1980s. It is thought a combination of factors explains why victims of the syndrome are almost exclusively Japanese. These are the Parisian picture of perfection in Japanese pop culture, a tricky language barrier and harsh cultural contrasts, to name just a few. Several Japanese tourists have been admitted to psychiatric clinics for treatment in extreme cases since the early 2000s. Yes – although it is rare. Around 20 Japanese tourists are afflicted by the ailment each year. ... read more

From Mashed: The muffuletta is another stellar example of Italian immigrants bringing culinary traditions to a new world of flavor. The sandwich is named after the bread used in its making, a traditional Sicilian round loaf topped with sesame seeds. A muffuletta is built on Italian bread, incorporates Italian meats and cheeses, and was even created by Sicilian immigrants -- yet the same style of sandwich does not exist in Italy. The muffuletta has international origins, but it was born, bred, and schmeared on the streets of New Orleans, one of the country's best sandwich stops. The story goes like this: Italian laborers would stop in Central Grocery for lunch, enjoying a loaf of bread, meats, cheeses, and an olive salad, perhaps with a few sips of a full-bodied red. Grocery store proprietor Salvatore Lupo ... read more