I'll Have What Phil's Having

1/13/18. Let me say that this is one of the best food and travel series you'll see. Rosenthal makes for a great tour guide because he knows the right people to be HIS tour guides, locals (who fortunately speaks English). You get to see him taste the creations of probably the best chefs in each location, sprinkled with mini-tours to local cultural places so you get a sense of the country. Really worth catching.

Recently aired in my part of the world, it has since become my favorite culinary show. However, it's far from being just about food or on how to cook fancy dishes. Firstly, Phil has a delightfully refreshing sense of humour, so naturally alternating ingenuity, goofy or greedy looks with witty remarks, all with a very deep human touch. Secondly, the show shines through the excellent choice of travel settings, locations, their variety, elegance, traditionalism and the way in which they appeal to our very inner dreams and aspirations of how our world should look like. An alternative title could have been "A Bite In Dreamland With Phil"... My personal favorite is the Italy episode, however the other five are also exceptional. Throughout the show, Phil's guests and hosts are warm and funny, yet very knowledgeable as regards local traditions, cuisine and food produce, hence highly inspiring and entertaining. I also loved Phil's conversations with his Mom and Dad in each episode, so simple yet humorous and heartwarming. I wasn't around when the "Raymond" series were being regularly aired, I was too busy with my own work. Now, having finally had a very eloquent introduction to Phil's excellent entertaining talents, I would gladly give it a try...

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).

I'll Have What Phil's Having is my very favorite food/travel show. I streamed it on Netflix. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is there were only 6 episodes, and I can't find out if there will be another season! Phil Rosenthal's enthusiasm for food is contagious, and made me laugh often. He is just as enthusiastic about family, friends and new acquaintances. Each of 6 episodes (nowhere near enough) takes place in a different city, with Phil exploring and sampling a variety of local wonderful food. There is the rare odd traditional food, but he braves them all. Everyone should live such a fun & enthusiastic life; and yes, I WILL have what Phil's having.

Philip Rosenthal is a neurotic Jew from Queens. He grew up without much of a taste pallet and is now an amateur foodie. His claim to fame is creating the popular and successful network TV show Everybody Loves Raymond which made him very, very rich. This is a food travel show. It has six episodes with each location from across the globe. The first is Tokyo which provides some exotic expensive fare. This is probably the most problematic of the show. I won't have what Phil's having since it probably will cost me an arm and a leg. The second is Italy which has his emotional reunion with his long lost friends and that's a great side dish. The third is Paris which has a romantic connection with his wife and that's why this episode needs his wife with him. The fourth is Phil's first time in Hong Kong. He learns Tai Chi and have many different Chinese foods. The fifth is Barcelona. Tapas. Tapas. Tapas. The sixth is Los Angeles where he finally gets to eat with some recognizable guests.

As far as I can tell, it'd be a real problem trying to have what Phil had in Japan and Barcelona. Japan is as expensive as hell and Barcelona is as exclusive as hell. I get Phil's idea but he's as rich as hell. Italy is probably the best episode because it has an emotional heart. Paris clarifies something about the show. He's alone and all talks about is food. It's fine but the show doesn't expand beyond that. Jerry Seinfeld is not simply talking about the car or the coffee. Phil needs a travel partner. I'd rather have The Trip than this. In Paris, he needs his wife. In the other episodes, he needs his parents. Instead of Skype, he should just pay for their tickets to join him. As for Los Angeles, he finally gets some partners but they don't really get too far off topic. Marty Short is one of the funniest people on the planet. Phil's talkative nature and his obsession with food takes over the conversation. Marty struggles to do much with the short segment. This is fine for what it is. It's a funny, food-obsessed, rich guy traveling the world eating the best stuff. There's nothing wrong with that.