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State of Siege
By Anthony Bourdain on August 16, 2009 10:42 AM | Permalink | 116 Comments
Thailand.
I think that of the shows being aired this summer, this is the best we've done so far. And it's gonna be hard to top.
What I see in this Thailand show is the best producing, best photography and best editing in a single episode in quite some time . All the things the shooters have been working at--all the new equipment innovations, strategies and tactics--everything we've learned seemed to come to fruition on this one. Add to this mix an editor who saw the footage and understood right away not just what the road team had hoped for and what we'd been inspired by while in Thailand, but the possibilities for some really innovative visual storytelling.
I'm guessing, too, that it'll be a fairly divisive show. But that comes with the territory. When we shoot in a place with as deep and as varied and as powerful a tradition of good cooking like Thailand, it's guaranteed that a very large number of fans (particularly those with Thai backgrounds) are going to feel like we criminally overlooked something absolutely essential.
"How could you go to Bangkok and not eat (fill in blank here)."
I also strongly suspect that Eric Rivera--the last of the finalists from last year's FAN-atic special competition to appear on the show--will come under fire--like Dania, Augusto and Nelson. Making TV with me has, apparently, a significant downside when you're talking about a subject as personal and as deeply felt as food.
Eric got us to re-visit Thailand (though we'd done shows there for the previous series). He introduced us to some really great people, made things happen for us that we otherwise couldn't have seen or done. He worked like a rented mule even when he wasn't in the scene--carrying equipment, acting as grip, helping to hang lights. And most significantly, he knowingly walked into a situation where he knew that he was going to get his ass seriously kicked by a guy half his size--in front of an eventual TV audience of millions of people. And by kicked--I mean literally kicked--repeatedly--like..in the head. In hundred degree heat.
All day long.
Dania, Augusto and Nelson got beat up on the Internet for what they did or didn't do on this show. But they didn't wake up with bruises and swelling the next day like Eric.
Some other heroic efforts I'd like to acknowledge here:
Cameramen Todd Liebler and Zach Zamboni who danced around in that boxing ring for hours and hours in the heat while holding cameras. Who shot in the rain, in mud, literally up to their groins, on leaking, pitching wooden boats in really bad weather. Beset by testicle-seeking monkeys. Best. Camera work. Ever.
Producer Tom Vitale, who snuck out and did some guerilla-style shooting during the height of the state of emergency in Thailand. These were, as you might imagine, moments of extreme uncertainty. Barricades of hijacked buses and trucks on fire, violent confrontations between heavily armed military and protesters. Actual shootings. Assassination attempts. Government ministers being dragged out of their cars and beaten by angry mobs. What looked at the time like it could be a coup, a revolution...or worse. It was a dumb-ass thing to do, go looking for a riot. But brilliantly and heroically dumb-ass. The kind of dumb-ass we like. Plus, he got the shots. I'm sure our local contacts will be unhappy with the fact that we show this aspect of what was going on when we were in their country. They clearly tried their best to keep us away from it. But I dearly hope that what people see on this episode will in no way discourage them from visiting.
There is no place like Thailand. It is one of the greatest of foodie destinations and in marked contrast to the violence of their national sport--and the occasional outbreak of political strife, one of the least dangerous, most gentle and tolerant places I've ever been. Thailand, in my experience, is a country where a visitor can pretty much wander at will without anything resembling a plan, eating everything in sight, relying completely on the kindness of strangers--and only good things will happen.
Back in New York, editor Eric Lasby, got to sink his teeth into some really sweet footage. And did so with relish. I think the work he did on this episode is a ****kin' masterpiece. I love getting happy, confident e-mails from editors early on in post production.
After this blog entry is done, I'm packing my Deet, my jungle boots and my rain poncho and heading for the airport for what I'm told is gonna be a fairly rough few nights in the Panamanian jungle. I'm guessing no mini-bar.
116 Comments
Anthony Bourdain
Meet Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain is a 28-year veteran of professional kitchens, having worked as a dishwasher, line cook and chef in places good, bad and horrible -- most of them in New York City. Read Anthony Bourdain's full biography.
About No Reservations
"No Reservations" dives headfirst into life's colorful and rich pageant. Join Anthony Bourdain as he circumnavigates the globe on his conquest to discover the cities, villages and countries that provide life's truest surprises. Learn more about the show.
- Alternate Universe
- I Told You I Smelled Emmy!
- …..I Shall Wear the Bottoms of My Trousers Rolled
- FOR PARENTS ONLY
- Big Sky ... Thick Jungle ... Zero Tolerance (and Diane Saves The Day)
- State of Siege
- I'm Not Angry
- A Drive by Shooting
- Tony 'n' Zamir's Excellent Adventure
- Swag Bags For All My Friends!
- Antonio/Antonia
- Dear Rachael
- How Can I Miss You, When You Won't Go Away?
- Not Fade Away
- Hierarchy of Pork
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- Marc Jacobs Sunglasses: I love the post. The information about Spain restaurants are really useful.
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- online games: Oh my. Tony, you rule. This is perfect. As the father of a three-year-old, this is so spot on...
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I have been looking forward to this episode since I started watching you. Thailand is my version of you Vietnam. If I could live anywhere it would be Thailand. I jokingly always say that its my "homeland". Cant wait, I know you wont disappoint.
Have fun in Panama. This time of year it's not going to be any picnic. Thanks for the udpate!
"this episode is a ****kin' masterpiece" CANNOT WAIT!
you have been to a lot of places in the middle east but I think you have missed ISRAEL! (Yeah i know but you got missed in 06) so that you show no BIAS come on over and i'll give you a tour!
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, (attempted) Lebanon, Thailand & Vietman twice, you profess your love for bagels and the New York deli, yet no visit to Israel?
Tony, I did notice, incredible food shots, more so than normal this season. I like it.
Tony-- I lived in Northern Thailand and on rural Lombok Island in Indonesia and loved the food and culture. You manage to travel and show a respect and curiousity for culture. Your piece on Laos and willingness to air the guy who stepped on the UXO was the best television I ever saw in its raw ugly honesty and your humility. Ever eat urap urap?
Look forward to tonight's show. This is one of the two favorite countries I have been to visit. I think the people are the most welcoming I have met. Will pull up my chair and enjoy I am sure.
I like the one Anthony did on Vietnam. It's refreshing to see a white man able to appreciate a good bowl of noodle almost as much as the native do.
still out of work and without cable TV, I find myself constantly a week (or two) behind on episodes - having to rely on the kindness of my GF and her dvr - the San Fran show was a dizzying display of sweet gluttony in a city I also find things to love/hate about. The Bay Area might be responsible for the Grateful Dead and all that hokum, but they also blessed us with RANCID and countless other punks with soul.
Can't wait to see the Thai episode.
Almost done reading Kitchen Confidential. LOVE it...but what is your deal with waitrons? The waitrons and cooks were buds back in my restaurant days. I bet we would have liked each other, you and me.
Can't wait to see the new show.
He
Hey Anthony these shows have been entertaining us tremendously here at Zion national park- and we think we saw you here. Have you been in Utah?
Tony,
Awesome shows, and I firmly believe you have one of the best jobs in the world. We live in CT and after watching the show on Melbourne when you got to eat at that szechuan restaurant, man, is there anyware in NY that I can get that same level of cooking in chinatown??? Any help you can offer would be appreciated.
The food scene at Thaland. The country has so much passion and life that a show would be divisive. Opinions cross when people care after all. When will this air in India? We still get reruns of old episodes. Not fair. Can't wait to get back to Thailand as I had a whale of a time there http://finelychopped-k.blogspot.com/2008/03/siamese-treats.html
I'm in the Netherlands so it'll probably take a while before we get to see this show (if I can contain myself and not download it from a torrent site), but I'm looking forward to it!
Also, I have to pay respect to the fact that you realise how great your crew and the editors are, and that you regularly praise them here! I know a little about editing, and I know how much time, effort and dedication goes into a great production, and how little "normal people" realise this.
Kudos for the AV nerds! You take this show even further!!
My Thai wife and I were on Surin Island of the west coast of Thailand when the yellow shirts took over the airport. We watched CNN at night when they briefly turned on the power so we could keep up to date. And then we walked down to the sea and listened to the waves. Best food in the world.
You are my hero! I have traveled all over the world and I have eaten foods from so many different places. I am a chef at home and have been in resturants in the past. I would love for you to experience some of the foods of some of the places I have been and grown up And I would love to be your guide.
No bar in a Panama? I think the jungle can still spit up some nectar!
Sounds killer man.Was wacthing shows last night laughing my ass off,you were killin me.The stink holes lol,said you felt like Tera Patrick mid show lol.Wife said whose that? lol.you need becareful in those wildass countrys man,something happens to you would really suck.Stay off the dam motorcycles and crap.Take care from knoxville tn cya man
On the edge of my seat! Was in Thailand March 2008 and cannot wait to go back. Love you Tony.
I've been a fan of the show for a long time, and have been amazed and impressed by the continued improvement of your photographers, editors, and post-shoot video wizards. Their skill advance your story-telling, and your story-telling makes me want to travel - and eat - more. Keep up the good work!
It's always nice to see a Thailand show.
But I'm more excited about Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World than I have been for at least the last two seasons of No Reservations. Cuba, Afghanistan, the townships of Johannesburg.....now that's a travel show!
Watching Tony make snarky comments from yet another dinner table at yet another restaurant just isn't doing it for me anymore. I'm sure it's fun for him to eat pork and watch the world go by but frankly I'm getting bored watching that week after week. Which is why I haven't watched the last 3 or 4 episodes of this season so far.
Can't wait for Bizarre World! Can definitely wait for the repeats of No Reservations.
Reading people's snarky comments from yet another computer just isn't doing it for me anymore (see above).
I'm looking forward to the Thailand episode.
Loved this blog entry. You can tell how much it impacted you and I can't wait to see it!
going to the panamanian jungle to capture Noriega, Tony?
no reservation thailand,i think i will enjoy'it,but tony will you visit morocco
I've been waiting for this episode, and here it is! We were on the same plane to Thailand! I'm so happy to see you in person! My whole family were in Thailand at the same time you were, and we all will refresh our memories with your show tonight!
My family is planning to visit Thailand in December. My husband and bro-in-law are huge food enthusiasts (like I'm not?) so I know their research will keep us eating well. I'm looking forward to seeing your take tonight.
Marissa, I agree with your post wholeheartedly.
Tony, I watch almost all of your episodes but sad to say. I never got chance that your any episodes about Nepal. Did you make any programs in Nepal? if not I strongly suggest you to travel Nepal. You can find lot of interesting things over there. Actually, I am suggesting you that I am originally from Nepal.
We are waiting for you in Dominican Republic. I am a young chef and would love to host your visit to this beautiful island. I do hope you get in touch with me. Love the show. Regards, Micaela
I use to live in Thailand, naturally I was so happy and excited to watch your show today. But you should have gone to Udon Thani, Thailand. The best esan food that I have ever had was in Udon Thani at a small open food shop, far behind the Udon Thani Airport.
I came in to comment about Thailand, and say that my personal favorite is an old guy in the Chiang Mai night market that has a stall in which he only makes papaya salad – the best papaya salad I’ve ever eaten.
However, reading some of the comments I too will take this opportunity to encourage you to go to Israel. It’s been my once thought since I heard you talking about pita and hummus in Egypt. I was out raged that nobody ever showed you how to wipe a plate of hummus with pita, so that you mostly eat hummus and use pita only as a utensil.
Yes – it’s not likely you’ll find strange parts of pork in Israel, but from a culinary perspective it’s Israel is interesting in two ways:
1. It’s a melting pot for Jews from so many countries, that there is a huge diversity in the food, and the flavors. This is in addition to the local, Arab cuisine that at times got interoperated and became mainstream, and in certain places, still was kept close to its origin.
2. Jewish cuisine is interesting on its own. And no, it’s not all matzo ball soup. It’s interesting to see how each Jewish culture, from each origin country – Poland, Persia, Morocco, dealt with the religious restrictions when it used the local flavors to create its own cuisine. How do you make a melt in your mouth Persian kabob without butter and yogurt? And in general – how do you cook a festive Sabbath meal when you need to stop cooking before Friday afternoon? Furthermore, it’s really interesting to see how contemporary chefs take the flavors they grew up on, and create “fusion cooking” – a modern, interpretation of the “classics” (and they do use pork and shrimp and cream and butter and all the other good stuff).
Convinced? I hope so… I would love to take you around, show you nooks and crannies and introduce you to all the wonderful and rather unknown food of Israel.
Thailand looks like a place that I would love to visit with its offerings that it can present. If you have another season under your belt I think Milwaukee would be a good place to go. Small working class city with a lot to offer. Its a beer drinking, meat eating, and more beer drinking city that I think would get along with you very well.
Come to Roseville, CA. We'll do an entire show eating out of strip malls. You won't believe how good the strip mall food is here.
Anthony- I just can back from thailand about a little less than a month ago. I love it there and one main reason I go is the food. After tonights show it just reminded me of how much I love my heritage and where I come from. I am so proud to be a Thai American. I cannot wait to go back and visit more places. I was not as afraid because I went in July, but the footage show was a little one sided. Not to say that your footage was bad it was great artistry. However, I guess you went at a time the red shirts were finally standing up for themselves after a long take over from the yellow shirts. Plus you were only there for a couple of days. Anyways I am glad you had fun and for showing people around the world the great Thai culture.
the episode was great, y'all did an amazing job. better than average, which is by nature above everyone else' average already. please come let us cook for you at holeman and finch in atlanta! testicles, brains, hearts, marrow, livers, sweetbreads... mmmm
Wow it was almost deja vu for Tony, but this time in Thailand. Loved the episode. Tony regressing back to his boyhood with the water gun fight, priceless.
When shopping in markets look out for passing trains LOL.
The Thai food looked amazing. Another country to add to my bucket list.
what d heck is a squeezle? was it a squirrel ?
amazing show- watching it for a 2nd time before bed...really captured it so well...so beautiful...Bali and Thailand are two places I crave....( it does remind me of your Laos episode...) thank you for taking us there...
Excellent work, Tony! This show was definitely awesome. It was everything a travel show should be - colorful, vibrant, fascinating, with surprises around every corner (and commercial break).
Tony, you've done a great show on Thailand!!! You've captured all essences of Thailand really well (at least to me); Songkran festival, Som tam & Gai Yang (Green papaya salad & Grilled chicken), Muay Thai, Floating market and so on. I do agree with you that this episode is one of the best one so far in ways of editing and storytelling. It's powerful, very organized and relevant to then-current situation in Thailand.
Your show has made me wanna go back to Thailand. IA is too boring for me. :( I'm a Thai native and a big fan of your show (even though "big" can be relative). Have fun in Panama anyway.
Hi Tony! I come from Poland. I always wondered: Have you ever been in Poland? We've got a lot of atypical food here, like oscypki's- smoked cheese made of sheep's milk , bryndza, cabbage soup, czernina- Polish soup based on duck or rabbit blood, bigos- dish made from sausage, mushrooms and sauerkraut, original gingerbread, soup based on sorrel. And... we have a lot of beer ;) What do you think about that?
PS. Sorry for my English ;)
Love your show! Do you think you will go to Kenya anytime? I have gone there and other parts of the east African coast and there are a few amazing local grills you should check out!!!! Take me with!
Tony,
Ya gotta good team, show rocks and ispires. New Jersey as you know got the international urban scene. The shore and backwood are there also....don't forget you roots man....save on airfare. Let's ride baby...
Saw the episode last night... LOVED IT!!! Any idea what the song was used in the background, while explaining the fighting styles? It sounds familiar, but not 100% and I wanted to find it!
Well done Anthony! I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of the Thailand episode. Made me miss the place something awful. Keep kicking ass. Best. Show. On Television.
Who was the man that had lived in Thailand for 17 years? What is the name of the book he had written? Would love to read it after seeing the show.
Monkey, Mud, Revolution & Food: Nobody does it better.
Beautiful episode.
Cheers, Anthony!
Have been in Thailand a few times and am looking forward to this. Thank you for the program it is great!
F*&% Sam B
A monkey named Ebola with nipples like buttplugs.
Without a doubt your finest work, Mr. Bourdain.
My sides are still aching from laughing after the Klaus Kinski reference. Watching the monkeys I was thinking exactly that! It was a great show
Well done Anthony! I enjoy your show very much. You showed the true side of Thailand the people.
I was there with my sister and her husband visting my wife and son at the same time as you.
You have a great show here and you make me want to travel the world and sample all its wonderful foods and cultures. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing this episode.
If you leave Thailand without a monkey story and without a "holy crap, Som Tum is freakin' hot!" story, you never went. Good job.
As someone who was born in Thailand, but has no memories due to leaving at an early age, I have to say thank you for the show. I am thrilled that you covered the floating markets and even the train ride. Those two factors make up quite a bit of the stories and pictures I have from my life before 5. You have solidified my resolve to see the country of my birth in person.
Another great episode, Tony. Thailand is one of the greatest food countries in the world, but the local Thai restaurants are as close as I can get (If you ever come back here to Vegas, check out Lotus of Siam, an awesome place in a dingy old strip mall). That, and your digs at Bill O'Reilley and Spencer Pratt were great, more proof that you haven't lost your edge.
Thailand episode was *amazing*...right up there with Spain and Laos in my book...ah Tony, keeps getting better! Actually, I'm surprised you even know who Spencer is!
Great job on the Thailand show. I absolutely loved it! I would really love to see you do a "No Reservations" episode on Cambodia. I read on the Washington Post that you didn't really enjoy it the last time you were there. But next time, I would suggest the provinces of Siem Riep besides the capital city Phnom Penh. Both are very beautiful places to visit. Being a Thai/Cambodian, I don't know which country I love more. Kudos on your love for durians.
I love when Tony does shows in Southeast Asia. Another great chapter.
Alright, I know you guys are big shots now, but where are my freaking comments I wrote yesterday? I might have used another name, but gosh, it's the same email address, for peace's sake!
Hi Tony - I'm Thai and I'm a big fan of your show.
I don't think you & your team "criminally overlooked something absolutely essential". In fact, I think you managed to capture the real essence of Thailand, the juxtapozing between the conflict & the celebrabtion, the random eating on the side street and the friendliness of Thai people. I particularly love the first few mintues of episode and the train shot!!
Great job to you and the team. Thank you for producing such a great show.
While I am not really a fan of adventurous,mysterious food from floating markets, I agree with you,Tony, that the Thailand episode was a definite leap in quality from a photographic and editing point of view. I remarked on that to a friend before I even read your comments. The shots were incredible.
Also enjoyed your Southwestern road trip, hope you will do more adventures in North America in the future. Your show just gets better and better, and it is your writing, your voiceovers, and the sardonic wit keeps me coming back "for more"!!
I thoroughly enjoyed your trip to Thailand. I, too, felt that it was one of the best episodes I have seen. Artistically, it had a different feel than other shows. The scene with the monkeys was absolutely terrifying and I give you credit for being able to sit there with out freaking out. Even better was when everyone was in the hut in the middle of the water. I don't think I had ever seen fear in your eyes (save for the episode in Russia and your "work out") prior to this. Overall, an excellent show. Congrats to all involved!
I saw the commercial for this episode and HAD to get my whole immediate family together in front of our television just to watch it, since we're Thai. We thought it was a great episode of Thailand. It made my dad miss Thailand dearly. You've probably gone to Thailand more times than they have in the past 20 years. It really does show everyday life. I love the part with a dramatic Songkran intro. I saw the powder on the face and immediately knew it was Songkran and not the actual protest. This indeed was the best episode by far and with Thailand's unlimited choices in food and tradition, I hope you get to go back again and again and have a great show each time. Kap Khun Kah!
we know how much u like asia and vietnam , thialand , we think u need to travel to philippines and visit " 100 islands park to share with your viewers , thanx
jt
This episode was fantastic, start to finish -- especially finish, with Eric and his buddy eating next to each other at the end of the (had to be a looooong) day. So nice. You all do great work. Thank you for it.
Judging from the shot out of the hotel window, looks like you were in the Mandarin Oriental looking south to the Saphan Thaksin bridge. I've been there six times (about to go for the 7th) in less than two years and narrowly missed the Red Shirts v. Govvies episode as well as the Yellow Shirts v. Anyone-who-wants-to-use-the-airport. Loved the show.
Now, you are going to Panama. Great! Of course, when I was there Noriega stopped liking us.
I am a devoted fan, I confess. I wonder if you have ever thought of writing (compiling) a cookbook with some of those amazing stews, braises and national dishes you've been able to sample. I'm sure you could talk someone into following you around and writing down some of these great family recipes. I'm sure you could come up with some of your own. A really great Laksa comes to mind. Also, are we ever going to see you as a judge on top chef again?? You really are one of only a handful of chefs I would trust to give an honest opinion. Now tell the truth, did you watch Top Chef Masters??? What did you think? I'd love to get your take on the contest.
Tony, the episode sounds epic, epicurean delights and civil strife guerilla-journalist style. You and your team deserve every accolade bestowed up you guys. Thanks for the quality and lack of pretention in your show. Bon Chance in the jungle!
The Thailand episode is probably the most beautifully shot one I've seen thus far. However, the San Francisco episode just became my favorite and it had to beat "Disappearing Manhattan" to get there, no mean feat. The way to handle a mecca of hippies and organic-worshipping yuppie vegans is to cross "Bullitt" with a Martini and beer-saturated carnivorous romp highlighted by a night of the best prepared offal I've ever seen.
Fried brains in Haight-Ashbury Land; that's what makes Tony's show superb. It's like a Ramones' song crossed with "A Moveable Feast."
I would like you have this show on Tv again please me and my friend been to Thailand before we love there please....please.... on TV again
Can't wait to see the Thailand show. Thai food is awsome and I hope you got some cute little Thai women in there as well. I live Cali, Colombia and we are a bit behind the states. Always love your show. If you ever think to come to Colombia I am your man. Great street food, open air resturants with nice athmosphire,service like you have never seen. Colombians go out of their way to make you happy.
My wife is Thai. She loved all your meals in Thailand except the rice porridge for breakfast and the frogs.Her favorite is Homok which is made with snakehead fish.Which you did not eat on this trip.
although my favorite show remains to be the Japanese no reservation, as far as aesthetics to the eye go, I will say Eric's story, was aesthetics to the heart...
Throw into the fact that Thailand remains in political upheaval most of the time, well it made me feel like I just read Bangkok 8 again..
Read your books, even gave them as gifts. Loved when your show started. Enjoyed your sarcasm. Loved how you made fun of inauthenticity. Especially laughed when you made fun of Emeril. Over time, it slowly occurred to me....you are Emeril. You're Emeril in a Ramones t-shirt. I'm not sure when my image of you went from "cool" to "caveman" but the frequent put-downs of eating a primarily plant-based diet (which most of the world does and has always eaten) and the constant glorification of machismo (bone marrow! ooh, you're badass!) had something to do with it. You're as inauthentic as the ones you mock. Eating the unwashed anus of a boar or warthog or whatever it was was "your worst 'meal'"? You call that a "meal"? Why not just roll over a bum in an alley, jam your tongue up his ass and call that your worst meal? Why not really commit to the hard core?
Where do I begin to tell you how much I love your zany and irrevant show??? Question,. where can I get a copy of the one from Ghana?...I DVR'd it when it aired...some _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ erased it. My daughter just married to a Ghanaian and I would like to make a gift of it to them...actually, would like a copy of it for myself...keep up the stellar work (and snarky comments...)
Uh-hem, that would be 'irreverent'
This show really did rock. Thank God for Tivo. Fast forward right through those commercials. No apologies to your advertisers. Downside to TIVO quite often is when someone just has to open their mouths about something and we have to stop whatever we're watching so we won't miss anything until whomever shuts their trap. Point here is that when we stopped the Thailand episode, your photographers got some incredible still shots. None of those weird, "would you like at that face" crap.
ISRAEL- adressing Tamar from 34--> Israel culinary has transformed during the last 10 years. Combination of the Middle East, Europe and Africa from the old bazzars of Jerusalem (the most amazing Hummus ever, even compared with Syria) to Tel Aviv....Please do come...
Hi Tony. I was just thinking what I needed to let you know the last time I wrote you the comments, that there is a French Chef, who's going to be on PBS, yeah, you knew him, I just can't think of his name right now, but what I'm trying to say is this; the guy looks more like you than the guy that you claimed to be your brother when you two were in Uruguay,(or was it Paraguay?) trying to trace to steps of your grandfather. Oh, yeah, and watching you and your "brother" eating meat and more meat, made me become a vegetarian for the whole week. LOL. Looking forward to "tag along with you" to Montana tonight. Thank goodness for a repeat, because sometimes I can't get home as early as I would like to. Rock on, Tony!!!
Ah really looking forward to the show - hope to see it before I go to Thailand myself this fall. Thai food is one of my favourites.
Hmm, having spent three years in Poland, Bartek's idea is a good one. The food in Warsaw is good but you would need to go to Krakow and check out Wierzynek, perhaps the oldest restaurant there. You would need to go to Lublin and eat pierogi in their old town. Yes, bigos is a must and so is Golanka (pigs knuckle). The Poles are great farmers and their pastries and jams are a must. Also breakfast on na les nieke (I butchered the spelling) Polish crepes. But most of all, you must sample the vodka. I'm crass, but I like Zubrowka (spelling?) vodka flavored with a single blade of tall grass from the primeval forest where bison grazed in the east. And of course kielbasa and parufki. Good for the food, but more importantly go for the vodka. The Poles are absolutely incredible people. Sorry Bartek, but the Poles I knew used beer for breakfast as, of course, a hangover curative. And, Bartek, how could you not mention Nalewka? I apologize for my poor spelling of Polish words. Been too long since I have been there.
the episode was great, y'all did an amazing job. better than average, which is by nature above everyone else' average already. please come let us cook for you at holeman and finch in atlanta! testicles, brains, hearts, marrow, livers, sweetbreads... mmmm
My wife is Thai. She loved all your meals in Thailand except the rice porridge for breakfast and the frogs.Her favorite is Homok which is made with snakehead fish.Which you did not eat on this trip.
A monkey named Ebola with nipples like buttplugs.
Without a doubt your finest work, Mr. Bourdain.
Thailand, is a country where visitors can wander pretty much at will without anything resembling a plan, eating everything in sight, and is covered by the jurnalist with rare episodes in addition to covering the story,
boxing, food, political strife, coups, revolutions, demonstrations of the people in government, the unique culture and others. After that assignment editor in completing a great impression as a beautiful masterpiece. Congratulations Anthony Bourdain!
Anthony Bourdain is one of a kind, and thanl God for him!
http://www.feelthemeal.blogspot.com/
Thailand show was suck, I am offended by your sloppiness and lazy.
Anthony,
it was very dissapointed at your Thailand show, it's seems like you didn't put any effort or thoughts into it maybe it was the political problems at the time but you should have explained that, anybody can have :jock--thick rice soup" outside their hotel rooms and then grilled chicken with your EXPATE AMERICAN.
Thailand is much deeper and the political problems are more complex, but you chose to ignore them both, no watching your show on Beirut Lebanon and how deep you could be it angered me.
I agree 100% that your Thailand episode was one of the best to date. It came at the perfect time too because I have to admit, I was getting a little exasperated with the nothing but food and eating shows of recent memory. As much as I love food, I like to see the travel aspect of your show more and I felt like I got that back by watching the Thailand episode.
Thailand was a great episode, Tony. However, I have high hopes for your outer-borough episodes. I find endless intrigue in the outer-boroughs and am disappointed that as a New Yorker, you claim to have never ventured into Brooklyn. Not that I don't love Manhattan, I LOVE Manhattan. But, the outer-boroughs are largely ignored and people don't realize how special they are. Queens has to be the most diverse place I've been to in my life with some of the best food (many of it being better than Manhattan food).
Tony, when you said that people will inevitably complain, you are probably right, but people have to be realistic and realize that it's not going to be possible to fully encompass a country's treasures in one episode. I went to the Philippines for 3 weeks and I still feel as though I barely have scratched surface. I like that your show is not a, as you put it, "comprehensive top ten show," but more of a brief look into the people, food, culture, and even hardships you endured while you were in a country. When I visit a place like Chicago and try the things you recommended, you always seem to be spot on in contrast to other hosts on the travel channel. I also see no reason why people would insult the fans that have been with you on the show. I found Eric to be a very interesting character and I greatly respected his love for Muay Thai.
Good job on the Thailand episode. You have a great ability to adapt to your surroundings. Maybe next time you will head up river. Even with the political strife, Thailand is still beautiful.
Just saw the Thailand edition. Your show is always great, entertaining, and you make me laugh about once every three minutes. Subtle stuff like "I will call you e-bola" just cracjs me up. I will keep watching as long as the asylum attendant let me.
I saw the Thailand show a few hours ago and told the hubby I thought it was your best show ever for the same reasons you described and of course your histerically-ironic-charming self!
I loved the episode. It aired here last night.
The humor of the butt plug mention was not lost. I was torn between shock (how does he know what that is) and thinking your SO was (probably) embarrassed.
I love that you tell it like it is.
I have a question for you, how come when you did the show about Detroit,MI you didn't visit any places inside Detroit? Hamtramck,and Dearborn,MI doesn't count. I asked myself what was that about, Detroit is 81% Black yet all I see is Arabic and Polish in that episode, these are the communities surrounding Detroit not the actual people who live here. I really didn't like that episode because you played Detroit on it, and being a fan of your show I didn't like that at all.
I am Thai and I happened to watch the show one night. It was truly AMAZING.. You have captured the true spirit of Thailand, especially when you said, "In Thailand, it's about the after-life anyway!" I also just finished watching the Japan episode. I could tell you really do appreciate the culture and its way of life... Well done!
I love your travel shows very much, any plans on visiting
Maryamar any time soon, God Bless,and take care.
You never fail to impress.... Your writing (as I guess your attitude towards life) always seems to raise my spirits. I, too am a social miscreiant reformed. You give me hope that one can not only get straightish, but keep the renegade, F-U attitude that makes my world go round... Long live the Ramones and The Cramps.... R.I.P.
Anthony, I love all of your creative, personalized, unique shows. You are a brilliant person-chef,writer,& great "host" for all of the world to see. I have learned how to see food in a variety of ways to cook thanks to you. I am more of a writer, ( was a reporter for college newspaper for SCC) here in 1995-1997. I can see food in a most colorful way and feed my children different foods now and they love that, thanks to you! Donna E.Sedgwick/Spokane, WA. There are a lot of Asian restaurants here in Spokane. Also, a lot of unique coffee and bistro places here are popular if you like "home-cooking" served fresh! Love all of your shows and you!Take care.
I have a question for you, how come when you did the show about Detroit,MI you didn't visit any places inside Detroit? Hamtramck,and Dearborn,MI doesn't count. I asked myself what was that about, Detroit is 81% Black yet all I see is Arabic and Polish in that episode, these are the communities surrounding Detroit not the actual people who live here. I really didn't like that episode because you played Detroit on it, and being a fan of your show I didn't like that at all.
I am a huge fan. I hope your Monday night specials are back and enjoyed the show with your beautiful wife and adorable little girl. Why are they putting movies on instead of all the travel chanel hosts?
Take care
Lura Perkins
The humor of the butt plug mention was not lost. I was torn between shock (how does he know what that is) and thinking your SO was (probably) embarrassed.
I love that you
I loved this episode. Thailand is one of my favorite places. Love the snarky humor and the behind the scenes look you got of the place. I was there when the airport was shut down in Nov last year, and you wouldn't have known anything was going on if it wasn't for the news.
I love Thailand! It is awesome! This episode is also one of my favorites!
Best Season YET!!!
CHEERS!
I love that you tell it like it is
anthony-take me away from this boredom and feed me some seafood, 49 years old not gorgeous but pleasant-I think my husband would trust you-but if not fight him for me or the lobster-LOL
Great description of Thailand, feel like i was there myself.
I have to pay respect to the fact that you realise how great your crew and the editors are, and that you regularly praise them here! I know a little about editing, and I know how much time, effort and dedication goes into a great production.
This show was definitely awesome. It was everything a travel show should be - colorful, vibrant, fascinating, with surprises around every corner...
That took me back to my gap year travels... ah the memories!
My Thai wife and I were on Surin Island of the west coast of Thailand when the yellow shirts took over the airport. We watched CNN at night when they briefly turned on the power so we could keep up to date. And then we walked down to the sea and listened to the waves. Best food in the world.