On Extreme Cuisine, Bourdain Notes: “Chewing some antibiotics is a small price to pay.”
From a recent FOX write-up on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations:
NEW YORK — Anthony Bourdain suffered quietly as he dined on wart hog – encrusted with sand, fur and fecal bacteria – in the African country of Namibia.
Bourdain, host of the Travel Channel’s “No Reservations,” finished the meal knowing he would become terribly ill. But who was he to complain as a VIP guest of the same arid landscape where Angelina Jolie delivered Brad Pitt’s baby?
Spitting out nasty bits of wart hog would be rude to the locals he was dining with.
“The chief is there in front of his whole tribe offering you his very best,” Bourdain said. “Show respect. I’m lucky to be there. I’m lucky to see that. I’m lucky to have that experience. Chewing some antibiotics is a small price to pay.”
Does that not sum up the best mentality towards food and life in general?
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59 Responses to “On Extreme Cuisine, Bourdain Notes: “Chewing some antibiotics is a small price to pay.””
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Bourdain's visit misses Detroit's heart As an Anthony Bourdain fan, I was so looking forward to his visit to Detroit. What was that? I have never seen a Bourdain episode that made me think, 'no reason to go there.' Why would he choose to make this that episode?
Bourdain’s layover travel guide AS a seasoned traveller, Anthony Bourdain has had plenty of time to kill in some of the world’s biggest airport hubs.
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About Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain is a celebrity chef, world traveler, bestselling author, and host of The Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.
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"My whole life, cooking has been about control. Traveling and eating are about letting things happen."
- Anthony Bourdain
Greetings: Anthony Bourdain is a brave compassionate and considerate person. But is not knowledgable we are no. 8 on the evolutionary scale and should not be eating Animal, sea creatures or winged creatures( and reptiles also not compatible with our containment. All Animals will evilve into man adn they are no.4. on the evolutionary scale of man Man is no. 6 to no. 9 highest as no. 9 refined and will not evolve any higher in no. as the elements of the Universe will not allow it A vegan intake is the most refined as to evolve into no. 9.as If Anthony Bourdain was knowledgable he may (As wishing he would) decline his intake of PARTS in his travels, he would be teaching the ignorant of The refinment of Man Earthed, as fruit and grain is most compatible for us presently evolved here,Earthed. His consideration of this message would be greatly appreciated by me…..Goddess Irena 1 p.s Anthony Bourdain is the Best!
Dear Mr. Bourdain,
This is stupid. I just want to say that up front so that you don’t think I am stupid to write to you in a forum like this and actually think you will read it. I think of myself as a pretty aware person, and that in itself is indicative of how obviously obtuse I really am, but I am aware enough to know that you will most likely never see this. However, hope springs eternal.
I saw you respectfully eating poop filled but hole on TV the other night, and I lift my hand like the African American Olympians in Mexico City in solidarity. Now, I have never eaten poop. But I really want to tell you about my experience similar in spirit to yours. I grew up in Minnesota, close to the Canadian and North Dakota border. I continue to discover urban areas the same way you discover rural areas. As you might imagine, my home area is mostly populated with white people, mostly of Scandinavian descent. My home area’s major crop is sugar beets. Migrant workers from Texas used to come up every summer and hoe beets. Some farmers treated them well, but most not so much.
My mother taught migrant school in the summer, and in the evenings she would call on some of the families. As her baby, she often took me along. On one of these visits, we were served sheep head soup. I remember looking in the bowl and seeing the eyes; I was probably 7 years old.
I have told this story for years, in homage to my mother, and how proud I always am of her kindness towards others. Last year I told that story in her company. And she turned it around on me. She said “You know, Anna, I was so proud of you. You picked up your spoon and ate it, and you never said a word.”
I remember a lot about visiting that family that night, I learned a lot about social status not really meaning squat. But I didn’t remember that I had eaten the soup, and I had done it respectfully. And I am proud of you for doing the same, and I am proud of me.
My mother died November 12, 2007. And the church was full, because she treated people kindly and with respect no matter their position in the society. Her legacy to me is that I will continue to do the same, and my son will as well. He just will. Obviously, someone taught you the same lesson, and you carry it on, as well your descendants. That is a mark of a life worth the breath we take.
Sincerely, Anna
Hello to Anthony Bourdain (And others as Anna. written above) None of you had to have this horrible experience. “The Voice of God is a voice of Guidence” and it is dirived from mortal beings of the highest order No.9.)of evolution of man in the Universe. W e have been guided for centuries and have been told the Creature is sacred as we. WE do not require the flesh of other creatures for survival. There is and abundance of fruits and vegetables as graines of many colors(and protein contained.(beans and lentils etc.) Our Planet earth being are out of control with this procedure of intake of other Creatures. We need much refinment as to begin over Gradually (is requested by The Gods of Today) our Voiced of Guidence) This is the Age of Aquarius,time for new concepts.and revisionfor 2,000 years.I have been mission assigned as to begin teaching the Refinement of Man Earthed as to procede Evolution to no. 9. Highest. We are presently no. 8 .. All animals are no. 4. When you consume this creature you are mixing your containment with theirs.(Which is not required for sustainment).If possible the animals are to be kept in smaller groups to exit and evolve to Man peacably.(As controled)We are to respect all Creatures of the Earth,as the Ordainment of the Universe Ordained by a Mystery.does not speak to us. As The Highest Evolved (No. 9.)are the Voiced of Experience as Guidence to to the lower in number. As Mission assigned .I am Goddess Irena 1.-Informer1. today for Tri-Systems Universdt. http://www.opm.bz/portal
Stop showing the animal before and during death. It’s enough to put me off my meat! Knock it off.
Hey Irena. Ummmmm…. WHAT??? Sorry. I have read your post about 10 times, and it is still completely incoherent.
Your brain is lacking protein. Better have some red meat. Oh and hey, like it or not, our teeth EVOLVED canines in order to rip and tear into flesh. Not to eat some freakin seeds and berries.
No Reservations kicks ass! It’s great – and I have 100% respect for some of the shit you have eaten in due course….
I’m also filled with envy, I couldn’t imagine doing anything better with the fame you’ve aquired. Seems like a million time more fun than Ramseys “reality” shows.
You have an honest, down to earth attitude that comes across easily and makes me crave just a fraction of what you must have tasted and expereinced along the way.
Keep up the non-PC attitude, enjoy those tasty animals, booze and nictoine and fuck the rest of the world – you do a great job.
PT – UK
I don’t understand anything Irena said. English much? Love your show Anthony!
Hey goddess Irena, I think you are confused. Anthony was required to eat number 2 to keep his 3rd World hosts happy. Clear enough? Not sure where that falls on your scale………
If you’re a goddess, or recruiting for one, please spell correctly.
While there are perhaps other reasons not to embrace the vegan rant, we don’t have canines like true carnivores. Dude, your cat could totally take you.
And if you can’t handle seeing an animal die and be butchered, you shouldn’t eat it.
Love the show, and your acceptance of other culture’s foods that isn’t ‘this is gross and aren’t I a badass for eating it’- or at least not too much.
Greetings…..In reference to my spelling I am communicating simultaneously telepathically with the Gods of Tri-Systems Universdt Jupiter 1. based.Please excuse the misspelled words. Anthony Bourdain gets himself into situations but he accomodates,smiles and continues his research. Thank you Anthony Bourdain for all your presentations! Peace to all.from Goddess Irena 1 http://www.Goddess Irena1.ws
Anthony, I LOVE watching your show. It’s great, informative and awesome. Now to mention your comments lighten it up.
Keep it up!
Andrea
Um, Irena demons are talking to you or you’re just crazy one. Whichever comes first. If they are “gods” they should know how to spell. There is only one God. Your rants have nothing to do with the show.
With that put aside, I found it admirable of Bourdain to respect the culture.
I think Anthony Bourdain is one of the sexiest men on television. I love his attitude and delivery. I watch the show all the time and not just for the food. He’s great…
Anthony Bourdain’s respect for food and its’ representative force and impact of a particular culture is unmatched.
Not to mention how good his ass looks in a pair of Levi’s…
My only advice: Try to stay away from the Botox
hello
I absolutely adore you!! I love the passion the swearing,the “not taking myself so seriously part”, so rare in this country. Why don’t you get with Samantha Brown and dirty her a bit!!!
E
Mr Bourdain, My name is Jorge I live in Laredo TX I was raised in Arkansas so my passion is of course BBQ.But I also bring alot of my own style of cooking I am a chef by passion. I would like to invite you to Laredo to show you how we here do it. From deep fried cow intestents, pig tails and slow cooked whole goats. This would be done here at a local wharehouse after a hard day of work. Then for the weekend we could travel to Lampasos NL, Candela coah, while bathing in the hot springs Then we would travel to Bustamante NL, where tequila is made. If you are interested to first scout it out first let me know. Did I mention lots of cooking and lots of (SOL) beer….. Look forward to hearing from you and these three towns in MX are only two hours from the border.
Anthony the shows are awesome, I love the combination of food and locale that the show has had. Takes you right to the heart of the places where the food we eat in metropolitan cities comes from… I mean the inspiration for it. Great show, keep it up!
Anthony,
I write this as I watch your show, the episode where you and your brother visit Uruguay. I love how you respect every culture you visit and embrace what it has to offer. I’m very squeamish about meat but I sure do appreciate and admire your respectful approach to life. Keep it up and do not change a thing!!
Best regards from Canada
I watch your show alot and i went to peru. So i tried the coy that you ate on your show. Dude that was the worst tasting thing that i every had ate. Maybe you have diverten’t taste buds but it was terrrible, now the beer was hot and hard to drink but the pisco was excellent. I have to give you one on that. The best thing i ate thier was alpaca grilled itwas better than beef. I suguste that you go try that it was more comforting. Or maybe I was just starving from not eating a good american meal. I also ate cevica that was not the best taysting thing i ate in my life , also the raw shrimp but i was very hungry. I warn people not to eat rats because they are very terriable. Thnaks Yor friend Brian From Gonzales, Texas
Hey Anthony,
Man you do a great job and we watch or(tivo), all your shows and we’re really enjoying the country’s sites that you visit and the food eaten and prepared by the locals. Keep having fun and we’ll keep watching.
D’Lo, Mississippi
Anthony presidente degli Stati Uniti potrebbe essere la soluzione ai problemi del mondo!!!!!!!
Tony:
I’d be gratified if you shared more travel tips. Your schedule of forays into third world countries would slay a less-prepared traveler.
Maybe Tony could get one of his travel writer friends to do a book about American ghost towns, such as Detroit, Scranton, Baltimore…
New Orleans?
Tony,
Your show never ceases to entertain us–your edgy humor is the best.
Anyway, I was wondering how many times you’ve gotten food poisoning? I was thinking you probably take a cipro everyday.
To all the silly Vegans and vegetarians here is my vow.
For every animal you don’t eat, I’ll eat two.
Yummy!!
So lucky to experience these things… indeed, chewing antibiotics is a small price to pay for an experience of a lifetime! People should understand we only live once!
Stay out of Fenway, Fanieul Hall and Quincy Market-PLEASE come and explore Boston. I’ve lived in Asia, explored Europe, grew up frequenting NYC, I understand it’s not the culinary capitol of the world but it’s also not just clam chowder and bakes beans!!
Gitlo Dim Sum in Alston
The Cellar, Cambridge MA. The Chef there is using all organic/fresh ingredients. Soups are amazing. focuses on herbs. Will Gilson is the chef of Garden at the Cellar in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the consulting chef at The Herb Lyceum in Groton, Massachusetts. http://www.gardenatthecellar.com
Alchemist Restaurant, Jamaica Plain-mixing JP licks ice cream and Boston Brewery brew and blues. http://www.alchemistlounge.com
Dok Bua-kitshy Thai-former food mart now housing the best Thai in Brookline, MA
Hungry Mother for the best fried cat fish http://www.hungrymothercambridge.com/
No9park
http://www.no9park.com/ in Boston-showcasing a great female chef
Mulligans in Boston for the best carved sandwiches
James Hook & Co Shell Fish
http://www.jameshooklobster.com
BEST LOBSTER ROLL
Plow and Star for the best southern american and Irish influenced brunch in Cambridge, celebrating the characters of Central Square and rated one of the best bars in the country-live music or go for Sunday chicken and fish fry
The North End in Boston for dessert-rivalry b/w Modern Pastry and Mikes Pastry…But it turns out the best pastry is at Marie’s and Marie is a good story-lots of history homemade everything-amazing bread.
Bakerys:
Sweet ‘N Nasty in Boston
Rosie’s Bakery in Somerville, MA
Explore portuguese food and brazilian neighborhoods in Somerville-there are tons of brazilian bbq places-MEAT, MEAT, MEAT. How can you go wrong:
Churrasco in Somerville
‘becca, if Tony comes to Boston he absolutely must go to (btw, it’s spelled:) fanueil hall to the union oyster house. it’s only the oldest restaurant in the US, not to some overpriced yuppy hangout.
also, if he does come to BOSTON, neither Cambridge, Allston nor Somerville are even in the same county just metro suburbs outside the city. plenty of culture and better food to be found in our area.
Interested in a small, expat, fishing village in Mexico with a history of hippies, druggies, good food of all sorts, mountains, waterfalls, jungle, eccentrics that has no cars or roads, only got electricity 5 years ago and is home to artists and musicians from all over.
A place where locals will eat tahone stew, catch wild boars, host rodeos, make some of the best tacos and live in simple palapas.
Oh, and the only way to get there is still by panga/boat.
And an annual croquet tournament and monthly full moon fires are the backdrop for a food feast.
Tony Bourdain…Good Tony? Bad Tony? SEXY Tony…..
Dearest Tony,
I live right around the corner from the Hominy Grill in Charleston, Sc. I am sorry I did not have a chance to stop in and greet you. I know you loved the big and Nasty….but right across the street from the Hominy is my favorite restaurant, LANA, a mediterainean place. Maybe you can stop in again 2 Charleston. We have many places here, not just Jestine’s and the Hominy… and honestly, if you want real Charleston soul food, you need 2 hit Dave’s….It’s Pig’s feet and ox tail for sure!
Tony,
I’ve been hooked on your show for years now!
I’m a former US Marina, Business Owner and world traveler. Have been in many of the places you’ve eaten. You are refreshing and are the best ambassador we have to date! You and your friends can travel to any other country and show them that we Americans are fun and real!
I truly look forward to seeing you in Florida or perhaps when you need a spanish speaking translator. I will continue to watch and look forward to meating with you someday!
Best Regards,
Jorge E. Olazabal
Sarasota, FL
Love the show until you decide to make stupid liberal comments. When you made a dumb comment about Hannity I thought, you pussy think like that girly Alan Colms, and lost a lot of respect. Keep your comments on food dumb ass.
A great episode and a great example of respect, something our culture seems to have lost. Love the show, we DRV all the time!
I would like to know if i can request ( thru mail) a picture with your signature. My husband loves your show and he is retiring next year in the Army. It will be a great surprise for him!!! thank you and hope hear from you! ( email)
Man…..Would you cook something already…You never cook anymore…kinda Sell outish
I have nothing but utter disdain for Bourdain. His Hunter S. Thompsonesque schlock sickens me. I would love to punch him in his pompous, egomaniacal face! There are only two other voices that grate on me worse: Garrison Keillor & Sarah Palin.
Online book discussion of Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential here, share your thoughts.
http://www.nypl.org/blog/2010/11/01/november-readers-den-kitchen-confidential
I LOVE No Reservations and find myself making travel plans based on those crazy shows! I often travel 150 miles to have drinks at Les Halles downtown and then mid-town to have dinner at Les Halles! Having a ball watching N.R. in Iceland…why would anyone go there????? I can usually find something tastey in the foods highlighted, but not there!!
Short, dark cold days…not for me!
Am a fan of Mr Bourdain and do enjoy his cynicism. I find the parallel to Hunters Thompson interesting but not necessarily an insult. I do notice a change in his attitude,not bad , mind you. He seems more open to rural adventure. Where he would shun the cold snow now seems to relish the challenge
The connection with Sara Palin [shudder, shudder] ex capes me.
How can a smoker truly be called a food critic his taste buds will be shot from all the nicotine
TONY: I had been a fan from the beginning but I started reading “Medium Raw” and I have a question: Where you a wuss when you wrote KC or did you turn into one after the FN? What a slippy slope!….You have become Emeril and Rachel R!! and play a stooge for the travel Channel…..What happened to your edge? Is it limited to some four letter words bleeped out of an ocean of pablum.
Why do not battle bobby flay or mario batali on iron chef!!! That would be awesome or too old anthony!!!!!
Dear Tony,
The wife and I were in Santiago two days ago, and tried two of the restaraunts you featured, El Hoyo and Fuente Alemenda. Both were incredible experiences, thank you!!! It was absolutely incrdible being jet lagged and stopping by Fuente Alemenda at 1030 in the morning after our hotel wasn´t ready after flying from atlanta all night and getting a lomito and a cerveza. It was amazing!!! thanks so much again, my wife enjoy your humor, your books and your show.
salude!
mike & kathy barfield
Dear Tony,
Thank you so much for the NO RESERVATIONS in CUBA I loved it .I left when I was 9 years old and never been back so it was SUPER nice to be abel to see what I left 50years ago again THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I use to like the show and admire Tony…..but this killing thing has gotten disgusting……especially the latest with killing the pregnant mother and also cookin-up her unborn babies. producers, get a grip and stop this ‘shock-value’ pandering!
think I’ll switch channels for awhile, thank you very much
Have you ever visited the Dominican Republic?
Why do you have to be a dick to people with whom you have culinary disagreements? Your shows are informative and fun. Why make the argument personal? Come on Tony, grow up.
Anthony, I read your comment about Paula Deen and her “affiliations” with the bad companies you speak of. When was the last time YOU helped AMERICAN soup kitchens and brought food to all these people the the USA. My parents taught me that charity starts at home. You need to get a reality check about the needs here or leave the USA. We need to help our own people here! Paula is doing the best she can and I don’t see you doing ANYTHING! Get a grip A@##HOLE!
love your show tony i like killing animals for food!i told my son i want a tee shirt that says,i want to be like tony
I am wondering why you are avoiding Bulgaria. I believe that you will be nicelly surprised by the bulgarien kitchen and by the bulgarien people.Thank you
[...] is the vitriol and abuse being heaped upon Ms. Deen by folks like Anthony Bourdain (who himself is not known for promoting a healthy lifestyle). It reeks of schadenfreude — a German word that [...]
So, I came home for lunch and while eating a couple of burgers I started surfing through the channels. Hey look, there’s Tony in a parka traveling on a small boat in the Arctic with some eskimos. To my sudden dismay we see Tony bearing witness to killing a poor little seal. I look down at my burger and with a waning resolve I take another bite and continue watching. Now we watch Tony in an eskimo kitchen (not an igloo) with the ill gotten seal bounty spread out on a plastic drop cloth with everyone gathered around. With all heads bowed they pray for the gift the waylaid seal has given them. I figure, hey maybe these people aren’t so bad. They gave thanks. Ok. But it got worse. Let the horror movie begin. With everyone in the family including Granma and the kids gathered around, they begin to carve the seal. Ok yea its gross. I look at my burger again with distain. Now the horror truely begins. Its lunch time and the menu is raw bloody seal parts eaten on the kitchen floor with the family gathered around as if they were about to sing Kumbaya! With bloody hands and lips the family goes at it retrieving raw ribs and bloody parts that would have made Charles Manson heave. And what does our hero do? Why he starts gobbling down offered seal parts (thanks for the eyeball visual ) at a scene that would have had homicide forensic techs leaving the room for air. Tony, our hero, what the @!!?* are you doing? Are you channeling Zimmerman? My lunch ended up on the floor. If Tony was there and I told him my upchucking was a cultural meal for an honored guest would he partake in a shared comradery with my innards? Tune in to next weeks show folks. Thanks Tony. You owe me lunch buddy.
after watching the entire set of videos from my local library…I want to live my life the way tony does…with passion and spunk j
[...] attached to bones or having a face. I don’t mean to say that we are proponents for the extreme exotic fare seen in the early episodes of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” with Andrew [...]
AFTER CATCHING SOME OF YOUR NR EPISODES I AM COMPELLED TO WONDER IF A PROPERLY SEASONED TURD WOULD STILL ELICIT THE SAME SUPERLATIVES YOU SPOUT ABOUT SOME OF THE OFFAL YOU ARE RECORDED SHOVELING DOWN YOUR GULLET.
Hi, I’d like to see you on Iron Chef. That would be awesome!!!
Come to Bulgaria and try our spices! You are the best !!