Remember last spring, when your intrepid foodies at the City Paper spent almost a week tracking the footsteps of Anthony Bourdain as he toured Charleston?
Well, it ended in an interview with the famous chef/author/TV host at the Pavilion Bar and resulted in a piece about his visit to town and the upcoming season of his show, No Reservations. He spent the week here eating at places like FIG and Cru Cafe, and filming various activities, including a trip out to Edisto with the Lee Brothers (Matt and Ted, that is), a Civil War reenactment, a fox hunt at Middleton Place, and visits to Sweatman’s BBQ, Hominy Grill, Gullah Grub, and St. Helena Island. It should be fascinating to see our rich cultural heritage given the Bourdain treatment. The episode airs Mon. Sept. 17 at 10 p.m. on the Travel Channel.
Recently, I’ve been devouring Bourdain’s blog over at Bravo, where he’s been writing hilariously astute commentaries on the shenanigans of the Top Chef “cheftestants.” Just compare his stuff to Rocco DiSpirito’s child-like observations (yes, they’ve given him a blog too), and you’ll be howling with the rest of us. First Tim Gunn, and now Anthony Bourdain. Those Bravo people really know how to distract me from my work!
8 Comments
Stephanie
Childlike…PLS!
what have you been reading? Rocco’s comments are on fire and spot on!
Anthonys are a funny snark fest and if you love the show, there are few if any insights. I think the last one by Anthony was phoned in. Everyone is on the Rocco blogwagon. Maybe in Charlotte (while eating at FIG) you guys have missed the latest news from NY.. Rocco is this seasons black!
HELLO?
Stephanie,
While I find Chef Bordain amusing, your comment about Chef Dispirito is misinformed. His blog is well written, personable and informative without being aserbic in the least. I enjoy his take on things without making anyone feel badly about themselves.
I found your comment sycophantic.
Frankly, why did you even write it? Makes you sound like you didn’t do your homework, literally.
Who the hell uses the word “sycophantic” in a comments post? Rocco is a joke. “Celebrity chefs” aren’t real chefs, most can’t cook, and he can’t write either…
Oh heavens, even Bourdain and Rocco acknowledge that they’re engaging in good-natured ribbing, yet the posters here are acting like it’s a duel at dawn!
FWIW, both Rocco and Bourdain CAN cook. And cook well. Rocco can’t apparently run a restaurant that well - putting him in very good company, considering how many go under. And Tony’s having the time of his life jaunting all over the world - who can blame him?
If you think his blogs are funny and insightful, listen to this interview he gave last year while in San Fran. It’s hilarious and moving at the same time!
http://www.commonwealthclub.org/archive/06/06-06bourdain-audio.html
My hubby loves No Reservations,, and I’ll even watch the Charleston installment with him.
I hope Bourdain goes beyond the usual Lowcountry tourist fare–shrimp and grits, Civil War, etc, and gets off the beaten path to something a bit under the surface.
No Reservations is one of my few, no maybe it’s the only, must see TV show for me, every Monday night.
The blog comments suggest he won’t be traveling too far off the beaten path in the Charleston episode. I would’ve suggested Bowen’s Island (he could’ve done great ring from the ashes story) and better BBQ than Sweatman’s. Hominy Grill is a tourist trap with food that was only ever good, never great, a pale shadow of Crook’s Corner in it’s heyday. Seewee cafe would’ve been a better spot. I feel sorry for him that he was taken to the Pavillion bar, the man belongs in AC’s or Big John’s.
And don’t get me started on the Lee brothers….
Sorry, I’m just pissed at the demise of 96 wave. I’m sure it’ll be a great episode.
I love “No Reservations” and can’t wait to see this episode about Charleston!