Virgil’s 30th anniversary, happy hour at Mermaid Inn and Christmas decorations at Pete’s Tavern [Video]

Chef Chris Curren operates Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles, Illinois, with wife Megan Curren. | Photo courtesy of Graceful Ordinary.

On this week’s podcast, Pat Cobe, senior menu editor of Restaurant Business, and Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, discuss recent tasting adventures as the holidays approach. 

Pat went to Pete’s Tavern near Union Square in Manhattan, which decks itself out in Christmas regalia every year. She went early with friends to beat the crowds and enjoyed well-made fish & chips while her friends had burgers and nachos. The festive décor and negronis made up for the pouring rain.

On another day, Pat and her friends went to Mermaid Inn’s Times Square location, which has an “amazing” happy hour from 4-5:30 p.m. every day. That includes $12 cocktails and a bunch of appetizers, highlighted by particularly good oysters. 

Bret went to the …