Arcachon, France Here, Bourdain first learned to love food as a child. Returning for a trip down memory lane, Tony enjoys childhood staples, including steak frites, gaufres (waffles), soupe de pecheur (fishermans soup) and fresh oysters.
Tony returns to his beloved Hanoi, Vietnam to visit his friend, Linh, for the Vietnamese lunar New Year holiday of Tet. Together they enjoy the holiday and indulge in all the exotic delicacies Vietnamese culture offers.
London, England - In London, Tony attempts to dispel the myth that all English food is disgusting and over-boiled. Tony tries Nose to Tail Eating, explores traditional fare at Pie and Mash Shoppes and then visits a predominantly Indian community.
Rural Japan: Tony decides to look for a more relaxing, traditional Japanese culinary experience in the countryside. Tony travels to an old-style Japanese inn that specializes in kaiseki cuisine, ancient tea ceremony, and local ingredients.
San Sebastian, Spain: Tony explores the food-crazed Basque culture. Tony's guide, Chef Luis Irizar, takes Tony into the underworld of Basque gastronomic societies. Later, Tony explores the citys tapas bars.
Napa, CA - Marooned in San Francisco, Tony tastes local shellfish and durian ice cream before embarking on a pilgrimage to experience the genius of Thomas Keller, chef, and owner of The French Laundry.
Puebla, Mexico - According to Tony, the best line cooks in N.Y.C. come from Mexico, so he travels to the Puebla, and enjoys mole sauces, toasted ant eggs, fried worms, and the legendary pulque (a slightly hallucinogenic drink made from cactus sap).
Tony sets out to find the real Singapore, with its multicultural restaurants and food markets. He samples prescription food dishes, explores the Geyland Serai Market, and rides the clean and efficient local subway.
Join Tony on his quest to characterize the perfect bar in New York City. Discover the importance of a maniacal bartender, the proper chemical makeup of drinks, the joys of seedy dive-bars, and the need for late-night snacks.