No Reservations: Rust Belt

Anyone see Bourdain this week?

Started in Baltimore, then headed to Detroit. I couldn't help but think of this den of iniquity and wit. Then he headed up to Buffalo to hang out with a crazed fan that may have been one of Steve Perry's numerous love children.

I really enjoy Bourdain but I don't find that Zamir character interesting at all. Bourdain must like him because he gives him way too much run.

As much as I like when Bourdain goes to exotic locales I really like his take on various parts of this great country.

I love No Res and Bourdain, but I thought this episode was totally lame. No one place got their props. And all three places are deserving of a full episode, certainly.

I personally think his best episodes are the ones in Asia. The Sao Paulo episode was pretty wonderful, too.

I'm with POW. I think some of Tony's best work is when he's in some truly rough areas and still finds the humanity through the connections he makes with food traditions. Eating out of styrofoam containers at a lake trout joint in Baltimore, or on a roof top in Columbia. He pulls it off as well, or better than the high end sushi episodes.

Although I kind of like Zamir.

I am Zamir.

and thanks LSC, for the kind words.

clothier wrote:I am Zamir.

and thanks LSC, for the kind words.

?

Senator, I know Zamir................and you are no Zamir.

Is Zamir the master of the pan flute?

The Goddess wrote:I love No Res and Bourdain, but I thought this episode was totally lame. No one place got their props. And all three places are deserving of a full episode, certainly.

I personally think his best episodes are the ones in Asia. The Sao Paulo episode was pretty wonderful, too.

I hear you re: each of those locales being worthy of its own show but since his main shtick is international travel he tends to do the US in chunks (Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Rust Belt). His most disappointing US show to me was Hawaii. I know I'm this site's official Hawaii-phile but "scratching the surface" would be an understatement in describing the episode.

On the other hand, his Vietnam stuff has been revelatory and his recent visit to Patagonia was amazing. I first started watching Bourdain for the food angle (which I still love) but it's the cultural/local color aspect of the show that really keeps me coming back.

Agent 13 wrote:Is Zamir the master of the pan flute?

ZamFir 'tard.

Agent 13 wrote:Is Zamir the master of the pan flute?

I think that our Zamir would more likely be the master of the SKIN flute.

Independent George wrote:

Agent 13 wrote:Is Zamir the master of the pan flute?

I think that our Zamir would more likely be the master of the SKIN flute.

I think Bourdain gave short shrift to each of the locations. Every place he goes deserves its own episode if you ask me. I also thought his DC episode was lame. I think he has some good episode producers, and some lame ones. Obviously, Shemp McStooge was running the show at this one.

Pool Boy wrote:Obviously, Shemp McStooge was running the show at this one.

Everybody knows that Curly was better.

pastrami-on-wry wrote:

Pool Boy wrote:Obviously, Shemp McStooge was running the show at this one.

Everybody knows that Curly was better.

Curly or Curly Joe?