I love holidays. I don’t really care about the cultural origins or time of year, a special day is a special day and I readily take any excuse for a culinary adventure. I’ve made matza ball soup for Passover, roasted a whole leg of lamb for a sundown feast during Ramadan and most recently chowed on zongzi for Dragon Boat Festival. Of course, the holidays I celebrate with the most gusto are American. Though I’ve spend several years abroad, I always look forward to 4th of July (American Independence Day) festivities as a reminder of the dog days of summer. If I were in the States, the day would revolve around watermelon, burnt dogs on the grill and balancing the lethal combination of beer and fireworks.

Lacking a backyard and a secret stash of colorful explosives, this year I’ll be putting a greater emphasis on food and less on ambiance. Local favorites like Chef Too, American Steak and Eggs, or One East all offer a taste of Americana, but I suggest a trip to Nola for some down home Creole fare. Chef Brandon has created an Independence Day menu (RMB135 per person) that will put a tear in any Yank’s eye. The set meal includes three kabobs (choose from pepper marinated pork with peach and shallot, ribeye steak with potato and mushrooms, shrimp with lime and corn, and/or chicken with tomato, olive, and panzanella), three sides (baked beans, coleslaw, red beans, sweet potato salad, green bean salad, cucumber and tomato salad, green bean casserole, and/or corn maque choux) and dessert (red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, German chocolate cake, lemon poppy cake, or cupcakes). Chef Brandon is still considering adding a couple sides to the massive list of choices, but frankly, green bean casserole and red velvet cake are enough to draw me from the far reaches of the city.

If you are a foodie like me, don’t miss out on a perfect opportunity to nosh on American cuisine, regardless of where you call home.