Anthony Bourdain’s Hawaii Show Airs March 3

Back in December, I was thrilled and terrified to learn that “bad boy” chef and writer Anthony Bourdain was filming an episode of his globetrotting food show, “No Reservations,” here in the Aloha State. Thrilled because Bourdain is sharp, funny, and brutally honest. Terrified because there was a local PR agency involved. Mocking local “handlers” is a hallmark of Bourdain’s city tours, so I was worried he’d push back just for the heck of it, or be steered toward umbrella drinks and cheesy luaus rather than genuine holes-in-the-wall and “real” island eateries.

Well, we’ll soon see how Hawaii fared in Tony’s jaded (though somewhat softened) gaze. The “Hawaii” episode of “No Reservations” will be broadcast next week Monday, March 3. And the official Travel Channel synopsis gives me hope:

Arguably the most exotic of “The States”, Hawaii sits nearly 2500 miles from the continental United States. But is it all just leis and luaus? Or does this archipelago in the middle of the Pacific offer something more?

And Nathan G. Kam, who works with McNeil Wilson and knows first-hand how Bourdain came to Hawaii and how his trip went, is very optimistic. Hopeful that Hawaii at least fares better than Cleveland (to which Bourdain was “brutal”), Kam admits some nervousness but quotes Bourdain as saying, “Hawaii exceeded my expectations in every way.”

I’ll be interested to see which local eateries make the final show. Bourdain, who was traveling with his family, apparently skipped some scheduled stops (Hank’s Haute Dogs, Elmer Guzman’s Poke Stop, and Nalo Farms among them) for some quality time here in paradise. He did at least manage to live it up with his fellow chefs at Side Street Inn.

And one thing is almost certain (courtesy New Uptown Fountain) to get some airtime: Spam!

8 Responses

  1. I enjoy his show and am looking forward to Monday (I’ll watch in via DVR on Tues.)

  2. It was interesting. The food did make me hungry.

  3. Mike says:

    So…what did you think of the Hawaii episode? Check out my blog for more details on the production. http://mikeni.wordpress.com

  4. golfnutn8 says:

    Aloha Ryan…glad to you enjoyed the episode overall. I thought Bourdain did a great job exploring “off-the-beaten-track” places that locals know about, but perhaps visitors to Hawaii may not have. It really offered up a different perspective on our state which I think was great. Looking forward to seeing the season finale of No Reservations next week.

  5. KM says:

    I was really offended when Colin Nishida equated plantation workers with slavery. Talk about an ignorance of history.

  1. February 27, 2008

    […] According to the Hawaii Blog, the episode will air on March 3, much to the delight and perhaps dismay of Hawaiian residents. Bourdain is known for seeking out the most unique local cuisine he can find, from the fanciest of bistros to the cheapest of street vendors. He’s eaten everything from foie gras at The French Laundry to a still-beating cobra heart in Vietnam. He’s respected for his honesty and his own culinary talent, but is also known for his scathing reviews. […]

  2. March 3, 2008

    […] a number of others, I’m anxiously counting down the hours until Anthony Bourdain’s Hawaii experience airs […]

  3. October 12, 2010

    […] According to the Hawaii Blog, the episode will air on March 3, much to the delight and perhaps dismay of Hawaiian residents. Bourdain is known for seeking out the most unique local cuisine he can find, from the fanciest of bistros to the cheapest of street vendors. He’s eaten everything from foie gras at The French Laundry to a still-beating cobra heart in Vietnam. He’s respected for his honesty and his own culinary talent, but is also known for his scathing reviews. […]

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