Anthony Bourdain - Eine Frage des Geschmacks

I'll make this short. 'No Reservations' is and was a better show than Bourdain's final show on CNN, before his death called, 'Parts Unknown.' No Reservations doesn't have the same quality in production as 'Parts Unknown,' which was more cinematic and breathtaking, but 'No Reservations' was lighter, more comedic, still informative, but better serving audiences. It was Bourdain at his best. 'Parts Unkown' get's heavy and depressing, 'No Reservations' is the perfect balance of investigative journalism and history lesson with comedy and playfulness.

No reservations is essentially the same as parts unknown, but it feels much more authentic with a lower budget and a smaller camera crew that's much less experienced. If you're looking for Anthony Bourdain genuinely going somewhere and experiencing food and life there, then this is it. It focuses much more on food than parts unknown. However, it's less fun overall than its newer counterpart.

1. He's got the gig you always wanted.

2. He won the Lou Reed look-alike contest and you only took second place.

3. Two words: "Free oysters".

4. No one has the right to be in that kinda shape with a 3-pack-a-day habit and a well-documented history of substance abuse...I mean NO ONE!! You eat organic bean sprouts and never bought a carton of Marlboros in your life, and you still look like Sydney Greenstreet anyway.

5. Anyone who can properly pronounce the word "geoduck" probably also knows how to correctly enunciate the word "nuclear" and, as such, deserves your immediate enmity. (NOTE-- If you are currently serving as President of the United States, move this reason to #1 on your list).

6. He gets to say words like f**k and m**herf***er and s**t on national TV and has his mouth washed out with primo vodka, 30-year old single malt scotch and absinthe. Your mom used Lava soap on you.

7. His advance team finds the coolest underground joints in the world while you're Mapquesting the local Applebee's.

8. He gets to do the funniest show on TV and doesn't have to worry about the "Seinfeld curse" since Jason Alexander still has not appeared as a guest on the show.

9. His new movie stinks...Oh..I'm sorry...that's the other "No Reservations".

10. Three words: "More free oysters".

Easily the coolest travel and/or food show you'll ever see. And for all the badass showmanship, the gooey caramel center of "No Reservations" is Bourdain's subliminal message that our world ain't a sandwich...it's a banquet.

Don't get me wrong- I love this series. I loved cooks tour too. The raw talent of Bourdain, the way he reacts, his absolute mantra to be a traveler not a tourist is not just some press B.S.. If you never read another book in your life, read Kitchen confidential-there is no way you'll be disappointed. The language is tough-but- better yet buy the book and get it on CD as well-Bourdain on CD is almost as good as watching "no Reservations" only with out the censors. He does have a potty mouth- but then so does the entire restaurant business.I have the first season of No Reservations on DVD and as usual, Bourdain does not let you down.. Can't wait for the season 2 DVD's to get done.. Enjoy!

With Bourdain's whit and sarcasm this show is never boring. He much like the world's most sarcastic tourist that travels off the beaten path and goes to more rural areas. His interest in the bizare and the more common food of each country he visit is amazing to see. But not only does he take you to see the food sights but also introduces you to the culture and history of that country he is in at the time. His shows funny, entertaining and educational.

He will take you to deep fried snake skins in Vietnam to scramble eggs bushmen style in Nambia and also normal foods like beer and sausages in Germany.