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.

I really enjoy food travel shows and this one is a well done production. Your taken to interesting sites and restaurants. However the big downside is Phil's personality. Phil is one of the most saccharine and cloying people you will ever come across. I couldn't take him for more than a few shows.

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...

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.