Pepperoni Pizza Dreams: food whispers for sleep

If you've been listening for a while, you might know that I love sandwiches—and that this obsession inspired me to start an Italian hero popup a few years ago. So, it should come as no surprise that I'm devoting an entire episode to one of my favourite sandwiches: the classic tuna melt. Tonight, I'll be helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading the menus for restaurants known for making a delicious tuna melt: Edith's Counter (NYC), Clark Street (L.A.), and Agi's Counter (NYC).Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we spare no expense as we indulge in unforgettable meals at celebrated fine dining restaurants. In this episode, I'm helping you doze off by slowly and softly reading menus from Marilena in Victoria, British Columbia (which also happens to be one of my favourite restaurants for a special night out), and Le Bernardin in New York City.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, I'm helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading the Red Lobster menu during the restaurant's most shell-ebrated time of the year: Lobsterfest! The world's biggest seafood restaurant chain has launched a lineup of new lobster dishes alongside familiar favourites for its beloved annual event. And of course, those flaky, buttery Cheddar Bay Biscuits are on the menu too.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

This week, we're exploring campus dining at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It's one of the most highly ranked college dining programs in America, with food so good they even have their own cookbook. Served between lectures, after long afternoons, and late into the evening, these meals fuel more than 15,000 students a day. In this episode, I'm helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading the menus for January 21, 2026 at UCLA’s three main residential restaurants: Bruin Plate, Epicuria at Covel, and De Neve Dining.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

The nostalgic coziness of the American diner continues. In Part 2, I'm helping you doze off by slowly and softly reading menus from more classic diners across the US, featuring familiar comfort foods like pancakes, tuna melts, and milkshakes. In this episode, I read menus from Max & Helen's in Los Angeles, NYC's Golden Diner, and Dove's Luncheonette in Chicago.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we’re checking in for a very quiet stay at one of New York City’s most iconic luxury hotels. Past the revolving door and golden lobby, up the tiled elevators and down softly carpeted hallways, a service cart covered in a crisp white tablecloth glides quietly toward your room. Outside, the city is abuzz—but there’s no need to go anywhere at all because in this episode, I’m helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading the room service menu from The Plaza Hotel.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Happy New Year! I'm so happy to be back after an extended break. I hope the holidays were good to you, and that 2026 brings us all plenty of rest and restorative sleep. On that note: tonight, we’re rising high above the city streets, into the ambient dining rooms of some of the world’s tallest towers. Here, with breathtaking panoramas and twinkling city lights below, the sweeping views are just as unforgettable as the food on your plate. In this episode, I’ll help you drift off by slowly and softly reading menus from three sky-high restaurants: NYC’s One Dine at One World Observatory, the CN Tower’s 360 Restaurant in Toronto, and Paris’ Le Jules Verne inside the Eiffel Tower.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we’re wandering into the warm, wood‑panelled world of Dublin’s classic pubs. With perfectly poured pints and hearty plates like beef and Guinness stew and fish & chips, we’re settling in for a taste of Ireland’s beloved pub fare. In this episode, I’ll help you drift off by slowly and softly reading menus from three popular Dublin pubs: Devitt's of Camden Street, The Stag's Head, and Darkey Kelly's.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we’re pairing french fries with fishnets. Enter Portland, Oregon: where strip clubs are as eccentric as the city itself and the food they're dishing up is surprisingly good (yes, actually!). With dozens of strip clubs to choose from, you can find a perfectly grilled steak or vegan burrito served alongside a front-row seat to adult entertainment—any night of the week. In this episode, I'm helping you drift off by softly reading the menus of three iconic Portland strip clubs: Lucky Devil Lounge, Silverado, and Casa Diablo.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

This week's episode has no chill: I'm bringing the heat (and hopefully the sleeps) with Nashville hot chicken. Slathered in a cayenne pepper paste, the spicy bird burns so good it's been a staple in Tennessee's Music City for nearly 100 years. Tonight, I'm helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading menus from three of Nashville's best hot chicken restaurants: Prince's Hot Chicken, Hattie B's, and Pepperfire.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we’re blending beats and bites with Rifflandia's Supper Club. In this episode, I'm helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading menus from the Supper Club at Rifflandia Music Festival in Victoria, British Columbia.While the multi-day festival is best known for its incredible lineup, foodies will find heaps to feast on at Rifflandia, too. With unlimited bites and a menu that changes daily, there's plenty to tempt your tastebuds at the Supper Club: from mouthwatering BBQ and fresh oysters to street food and canapés.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we’re leaving behind the noise and crowds of the airport terminal and retreating into the quiet comfort of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges. With plush seating, complimentary food and drinks, and a relaxed vibe that feels worlds away from the gate, these lounges offer low-key luxury that elevates the pre-flight experience. In this episode, I'm helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading menus from Virgin's flagship Clubhouse in London's Heathrow airport as well as their lounge in New York's JFK airport.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

In this episode, we’re stepping into two of London's most iconic and luxurious shopping sanctuaries: Harrods and Selfridges. And with more than 40 restaurants, cafés, and bars between them, these department stores aren't just about shopping—they're where fashion meets fine dining. From elegant afternoon teas to carefully curated seasonal menus, the dining is every bit as refined as the retail. Tonight, I'm helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading menus from the Harrods Café and Selfridges Jackson Boxer at The Corner.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Summer's in full swing and I got that dog in me! Franks, links, weenies, red hots, wieners, glizzies—I love 'em all. Tonight, I'm helping you drift off by slowly and softly reading menus from two legendary hot dog institutions: Pink's (Los Angeles, California) and Superdawg (Chicago, Illinois). Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we're getting cozy with Kiwi café culture. I’ve been itching to record an episode about Auckland cafés for a while now—and this week I finally sat down to do it, with a strong flat white and a quiet afternoon to myself. In this episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from three of the city's most popular cafés: Bestie, Chuffed, and Blue.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

I've been thinking about doing a shopping mall episode for some time now and when it came down to choosing one, I decided to go big. Really big. The Mall of America is the largest mall in the United States: the massive complex is big enough to hold 32 Boeing 747s or seven Yankee Stadiums. In addition to housing several big attractions (an aquarium, a theme park!), the mall is home to hundreds of shops, dozens of fast food options (including three Starbucks locations!), and a few full-service restaurants. In this episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from two of the mall's restaurants: Twin City Grill and Bussin Birria Tacos.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep, consider rating or reviewing the show. You can also Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!). Every little bit helps!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

It's officially summer, and tonight we're cooling off with the season's sweetest treat: ice cream. In this episode, I'm helping you chill out (see what I did there?!) by slowly and softly reading menus from three popular scoop shops: Salt & Straw, Van Leeuwen, and Earnest Ice Cream.Support the showIf the podcast has been helping you sleep and you'd like to support the show, you can Buy Me a Pepperoni Pizza (or, coffee!).Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Mention Chicago pizza and most people think deep dish. But locals will tell you that the city's best pizza is actually the lesser-known tavern-style pie. The battle for top pizza, however, is a debate for a different show. Tonight, we're not playing favourites—in this episode, I'm helping you sleep by slowly and softly reading menus from three popular Chicago pizzerias: Milly's Pizza in the Pan (deep dish), Pizz'Amici (tavern style), and Spacca Napoli (Neapolitan style).If you've been enjoying the podcast and want to support the show, you can buy me a coffee (or pepperoni pizza!) at BuyMeACoffee.com/PepperoniPizzaDreams. Your support will help pay for the many costs of producing the podcast and keep the show going!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

In this episode, we’re exploring Seattle’s food scene—after dark. As you settle in and unwind, I’ll gently lull you to sleep by slowly and softly reading late-night menus for night owls. Together, we’ll burn the midnight oil at three of Seattle’s most beloved after-hours eateries: the iconic Beth’s Cafe, the purposefully-tacky Dino’s Tomato Pie (their website is a real trip!), and wallet-friendly Donna’s. If you've been enjoying the podcast and want to support the show, you can buy me a coffee (or pepperoni pizza!) at BuyMeACoffee.com/PepperoniPizzaDreams. Your support will help pay for the many costs of producing the podcast and keep the show going!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

If you've been enjoying the podcast and want to support the show, you can buy me a coffee (or pepperoni pizza!) at BuyMeACoffee.com/PepperoniPizzaDreams. Your support will help pay for the many costs of producing the podcast and keep the show going!National Barbecue Day was May 16th and no one does BBQ better than the Lone Star State. In tonight's episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from three Austin restaurants that are serving up Michelin-starred barbecue: Interstellar, La Barbecue, and LeRoy & Lewis. Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Donna: it was one of the most popular names for girls in the 1950s. These days, it's not often you meet a Donna IRL. Restaurant Donna's, though, are having a moment... and, it also happens to be one of my all-time favourite names. Tonight, I'm helping you drift off to sleep by slowly and softly reading menus from three Donna's: Toronto Donna's, L.A. Donna's, and Seattle Donna's. It's Donna's world; we're just living in it!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

I've been thinking about recording a Montreal episode for a while now: the city has a thriving Italian community—and by extension—a rich culinary scene with some of the best Italian food in the country. Tonight, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus (in English and French) from two popular Italian eateries: Bossa and Elena.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we're going off the rails! In this episode, I'm helping you snooze by slowly and softly reading menus from Amtrak's onboard dining service. We're getting cozy in first class from Chicago to San Francisco on the iconic California Zephyr—and tucking in to their traditional dining menu, complete with a 3-course dinner. Menu #2 is served onboard the Texas Eagle, a 1,300-mile trip from Chicago to San Antonio.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we're taking a moment to appreciate one of life's most underrated pleasures: dining alone. This small—sometimes daunting—act of independence and self-care can be deeply fulfilling and a reminder that sometimes, the best company is your own. And while you can eat alone pretty much anywhere, the NYC restaurants whose menus I'll be reading in this episode—Minetta Tavern, Ha's Snack Bar, and Gramercy Tavern—make a singular seat feel extra special.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we're visiting three Washington, D.C. museums—and their restaurants! In this episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from: Immigrant Food at Planet Word, Bread Furst Café at The Phillips Collection, and Mitsitam Cafe at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

In this episode, we're heading to Vancouver, British Columbia for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—because Charlotte asked for it! Charlotte is a listener who reached out to me a few months ago; she loves the podcast and kindly requested more BLD episodes. So tonight, I'm helping you (and hopefully Charlotte!) fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from four Vancouver restaurants: Their There, Hunnybee Bruncheonette, Caffè La Tana, and Bao Bei.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

I missed a week—oops! Life has really been life-ing lately. But I'm back, and I brought sandwiches with me. Not just any sandwiches, though: awesome Aussie sangas! Tonight, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from four of Sydney's most popular sandwich shops: Small's Deli, Cut Lunch Deli, Ol'Mates, and Self Raised Bread Shoppe.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

This episode is dedicated to friend-in-my-head and fellow sandwich lover, Matty Matheson. The man wears a lot of hats—literally and figuratively: when he's not playing the loveable handyman Neil Fak on FX's The Bear, or cooking up chaos on his YouTube channel, the husband and father of three is busy running a handful of restaurants. Tonight, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from four of Matty's restaurants: Rizzo's House of Parm, Prime Seafood Palace, Bar Clams, and Standby.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Tonight, we're heading to my hometown (and Canada's capital city!) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In this episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from four popular Ottawa restaurants: Drip House, SuzyQ Doughnuts, Fritomania, and Heartbreakers.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Join me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Edmonton, Alberta—Ben's way! Recently, I got an email from a listener named Benjamin. Ben was born and raised in Edmonton, but is now living with his husband in Melbourne, Australia. Ben really enjoyed the BLD format from November's Melbourne episode, and asked for the same for his hometown. So, in this episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from some of Ben's favourite Edmonton restaurants: Pip (breakfast), Farrow (lunch), and Bündok (dinner).Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Portland (yes, Portland) is a bonafide pizza city, and they've got a bunch of awards and accolades to prove it! The City of Roses is home to some pretty tasty pies—and in this episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from some of its best pizza shops: Apizza Scholls, Lovely's Fifty Fifty, and Scottie's Pizza Parlor.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

This very special episode is dedicated to my dear friend Tia. Tonight, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from some of her faves: Bar Cecil (Palm Springs, CA), Emmaline's (Victoria, B.C.), and Made by Marcus (Calgary, Alberta). Happy birthday, TST. I love you! xo JujuSend me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Join me and my besties as we celebrate my birthday (and chase away the blues!) at one of my favourite chain restaurants: Cactus Club Cafe. In tonight's episode, I slowly and softly read their menu to help you fall asleep. Cheers to another trip around the sun! Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Pack your bags because tonight we're flying 7,500 miles from Dubai to Sydney, Australia on the Emirates A380. Takeoff is at 10:20 a.m. and they're serving multi-course lunch and breakfast, as well as light bites on the non-stop 14-hour flight. In this episode, I help you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from the airline's four travel classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

In tonight's episode, we're celebrating Lunar New Year in the Golden City. San Francisco has the largest and oldest Chinatown in North America, and there is no shortage of delicious food to feast on—and fall asleep to—for China's most important holiday. Quietly usher in the Year of the Snake with me as I slowly and softly read menus from three popular San Francisco restaurants: China Live, Damansara, and b. patisserie.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Everything's bigger in Texas—and Houston is no exception. With more than 2.3 million people and over 13,000 restaurants, H-Town has one of the most diverse food scenes in the United States. In tonight's episode, I slowly and softly read menus from three of Houston's most popular restaurants: Winnie's, Tiny Champions, and Ema. There's no BBQ in this one, but don't worry... there'll be an upcoming episode for that!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

In this first of many episodes dedicated to the city I've called home for almost nine years, I slowly and softly read three Victoria restaurant menus to help you fall asleep: Wind Cries Mary, The Vicious Poodle, and Rabbit Rabbit. Also, I haven't posted to my Insta grid since November 2023 (oopsie!)... but that all changes now! I'll be posting weekly with the latest on the podcast and whatever the heck else I feel like, so follow me at hero.victoria.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

In this 11th episode, we're celebrating Eve's 11th birthday. Eve is my favourite 11-year-old—though as she astutely pointed out, she's also the only 11-year-old that I know. But for the record: even if I knew an entire classroom of them, she'd still be my favourite. Recently, we celebrated her birthday at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Victoria, British Columbia. Tonight, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading their menu. HBD Eve—I love you!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

This episode is dedicated to one of my favourite foods (pasta) in one of my favourite cities (Toronto). Tonight, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and softly reading menus from three of the city's best pastai: Famiglia Baldassarre, Porzia's, and Annabelle Pasta Bar. ***Holiday notice*** I'm taking a little holiday break and this is the last episode until the new year. Meet you back here on January 7th. Happy holidays! xoSend me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Fall is my favourite season. But it's been grey and rainy where I live in Victoria, British Columbia, and all I can think about is soaking up the sun somewhere balmy. Enter L.A., with its year-round sunny skies: so, how about lunch in La-La Land? In tonight's episode, I help you fall asleep by softly and slowly reading menus from three Los Angeles lunch spots: Café Telegrama, Belle's Delicatessen & Bar, and Sonoratown.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

NYC: it's the city that never sleeps. So of course, late-night food options abound! In this episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and quietly reading restaurant menus much-loved by hungry night owls: JG Melon on the Upper East Side, Mamoun's Falafel in Greenwich Village, and Chinatown's Scarr's Pizza.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Breadheads: this episode is for you! Tonight, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and quietly reading menus from four popular bagels shops: Montreal's St-Viateur, NYC's Tompkins Square Bagels and Apollo Bagels, and Tacoma's Howdy Bagel. Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Join me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, I'm helping you fall asleep by slowly and quietly reading menus from some of the capital city’s best restaurants: Good Measure Cafe, Lune Croissanterie, Hector’s Deli, and Osteria Renata.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

It's one of my favourite foods and also the theme for tonight's episode: the humble sandwich. But not just any sandwich... the classic Italian deli sandwich. In this episode, I slowly and quietly read restaurant menus from three popular sandwich spots: Angelo's Pizzeria in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Stefanino Panino in Melbourne, Australia; and J.P. Graziano in Chicago, Illinois.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

In this Halloween-themed episode, I slowly and quietly read menus from two haunted restaurants. New Orleans' historic French Quarter is home to Muriel's Jackson Square and a resident ghost so well loved that the staff keep a table reserved for the spooky spirit. At Kansas City's popular Succotash, the brunch spot's ghost makes himself known by lighting up—you'll smell him before you see him!Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

With more hours of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives under my belt than most, a tribute to the Mayor of Flavortown was inevitable. In this episode, I help you fall asleep by softly and slowly reading menus from three of the Food Network star’s many eateries: Downtown Flavortown in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Chicken Guy! in Disney Springs, Florida; and Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar in Las Vegas, Nevada.Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

While the heyday of the diner has long gone, you can still find a few gems to satisfy your craving for nostalgic comfort food like buttermilk pancakes, cheeseburgers, and milkshakes. In this episode, I slowly and quietly read menus from three popular American diners: Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine; Country Girl Diner in Chester, Vermont; and Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, New Jersey. Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show

Slice. Square. Pie. Pizza. 'Za. Whatever you call it (and hopefully it's not 'za), it's both delicious and the theme for our first episode. Tune in to hear me slowly and quietly read menus from Ken's Artisan Pizza in Portland, Oregon; Pizza Bouquet in Montreal, Quebec; and Sally's Apizza in New Haven, Connecticut. Send me a text or voicemail—I love hearing from you!Support the show