I'll Have What Phil's Having

Saw this title on Netflix, and since I love watching food shows I decided to give it a go. I feel that this is one of the best food documentaries I have ever seen. It made me put down my laptop and my husband and I spent several hours binge watching it tonight. Phil is extremely like-able and truly feels genuine. He made us both laugh, numerous times, and even made us care for him on more than one occasion. I don't know why there aren't more reviews for this clever show. I only hope PBS does a second season and Netflix airs it. This show reminds me of what Bizarre Foods was when it first started. However, Phil has a comedic timing that is enjoyable to watch.

I have watched Anthony Bourdain for years now. His travels, centered around food, have had my interest since this genre started I thought it couldn't get any better...Until I saw this show pop up on my Netflix feed.

Where Anthony Bourdain is cynical, crass, and sometimes under-expressive, Phil is kind, genuine, and really respects the food. I love cooking and I love food, and I see the same passion in Phil's eyes when he tries anything. He has a real respect for the art of cooking, and even a greater respect for the artists who create these meals. You feel like you're right next to him when he eats something, and his eyes just light up. This is now my favorite food-centered travel program, and Phil is my favorite host. Truly a man who loves and respects food like none other.

This is the best show about traveling and eating around the world I have ever seen. And trust me I watch a lot of those things.

It's far better than any Jamie's, Antoine's, and others' productions. Cool venues, good food, great humour, and Phil's just awesome. And the Skype conversations he has with his parents - hilarious! I wish he could adopt me ;) In the first series I liked the Hong Kong and Tokyo episodes best. And I'm definitely gonna check out the places recommended in Barcelona episode as it happens to be my favorite holiday destination (I'm from Poland).

I can only hope they'll make more episodes. Good job!

"Somebody Feed Phil" is a terrific travel and culinary show on Netflix which stars Phil Rosenthal, the guy who was the executive producer of "Everybody Loves Raymond". This show has brought him lots of fame and now Rosenthal is traveling the country with a live show due to the Netflix series' popularity. However, before this, in 2015, he made a six episode mini-series for PBS, "I'll Have What Phil's Having" and it's very similar to this later Netflix series. In both, he travels to various places around the world...making new friends, reacquainting himself with old ones and tasting lots of delicious looking food. The main difference is that the PBS series is a tad rougher...and Phil's lovable personality is there...just not as fully. In the later series, he seems to love everything and everyone. In the PBS series he's a bit more picky about food and even says he dislikes some items after he tastes them...something you really did not see in the later series. It makes the Netflix version a tad more positive...and a bit more polished and enjoyable. My advice is to do what I did...see the newer (and slightly better) series first and then this shorter PBS incarnation.

This is a winner at multiple levels. It does a wonderful job showing off highlights of the cities visited. It gives you a reasonably intimate glimpse at the restaurants, chefs, and other fine food purveyors Phil interviews. Everyone's love of food and respect for process, ingredients, and the people they serve comes through loud and clear. Most of all it gives you an extended look at what makes Phil tick in his crazy, quirky way, and he turns out to be amazingly entertaining and personable. The show is almost worth watching solely for the boyish glee that rushes over him when he tastes something truly delicious.

WARNING: do not watch if you're hungry or susceptible to the travel bug--it will only aggravate your condition(s).