Whatever they're calling it, what starts airing Monday is the 2nd part of Season 5 of NO RESERVATIONS. That means we finished filming the episodes a little while back and they've been in post-production since (Editing, Voice Over writing and recording, color correction, sound, graphics and all sorts of really important but mostly incomprehensible- to- me technical stuff). You'll find the list of episodes somewhere on this site.

Already filmed for Season SIX, are episodes in Brittany and Provence. And sometime in August, our intrepid crew will head out once again to destinations which may or may not include Prague, the Central Highlands of Viet Nam, Iran, Rome, Ecuador, Cuba, Kerala India, China, Maine,Turkey, the Congo ... and a return to Beirut (among others).

Continue reading:  Antonio/Antonia » Posted by: Anthony Bourdain

Thank you for the lovely fruit basket. My family and I arrived home very late last night to an empty refrigerator, with a jet-lagged, restive and hungry child agitating for food -- only  to find a festive and delicious assortment of fruit (from the very pricey Agata and Valentina no less).

My daughter quickly tore into the grapes, saving me from the humiliating business of doing an impromptu "Dancy Dance" from Yo Gabba Gabba (a strategy that has been known to work in situations of similar extremis). I thank you for your kindness to someone who has shown you no good reason for such a thing, your good humor -- and for appreciating the New York Dolls.

I will honor the sentiments of your note and promise to see to it that no puppies are hurt, killed or otherwise inconvenienced during my remaining time on television. Given my frequent trips to countries where the line between "pets" and "food" can become somewhat ...confusing, this is easier said than done -- and might well lead to some socially awkward moments. But one good turn, I think, deserves another.

Best,

Anthony Bourdain

New York to LA to Palm Springs. Palm Springs to LA, car to Santa Barbara. Back again. LA to New York. Back to Palm Springs via Chicago. Palm Springs to San Franciso to New York. New York to Santiago, Chile ... One week in the life.

There's a heartbreaking bit of business in "The Wrestler" (one of many small, sad and all-too-real touches). Mickey Rourke, playing broken down, way-past-his-prime wrestler, Randy "the Ram" Robinson, finishes up a bout, changes out of his tights and packs them away -- then toddles out of the locker room dragging a wheeled carry-on suitcase behind him. That tiny, minor note hit me hard, watching it on pay-per-view somewhere between New York and some where else, a spongy hotel bed with the climate control churning out a jet engine roar, a shaky, trilling sound as the mini-bar's compressor kicked in. That damn suitcase -- looking particularly tragic trailing behind Rourke's freakish, giant, action-figure bulk reminded me of well ...me.

Continue reading:  How Can I Miss You, When You Won't Go Away? » Posted by: Anthony Bourdain

We're calling Monday night's show "DISAPPEARING MANHATTAN,, but this is not to suggest that Katz's Deli, or Keen's, or Russ & Daughters are going to fade away anytime soon (if ever). What I am saying with this "Special" episode is that these are exactly the kind of old school, hometown places I love; uniquely New York institutions who have survived the brutal caprices of style and changing tastes -- and are still worth going out of your way to patronize. Let me make this clear: "Old" does not necessarily mean "good." Just cause it's a "New York institution" doesn't mean you want to eat there. If it did, New Yorkers might actually eat at Tavern On The Green -- and Luchows would still be open.

Continue reading:  Not Fade Away » Posted by: Anthony Bourdain