It's his and Jess' first date and she's asking the general 'first date' questions to try to ease awkwardness.
Sam's fiddling with his paper napkin-- neither have the funds to go much further than the cafeteria-- after dodging a question about his family when the frown around her eyes dissipates and she relaxes a little, deciding to let it go for now. He relaxes too, taking the cues from her, and sips from his water.
Unfortunately she chooses that moment to ask "Do you like to travel?" and as soon as he stops choking, the date comes to an end.