We\’re calling Monday night\’s show \”DISAPPEARING MANHATTAN,, but this is not to suggest that Katz\’s Deli, or Keen\’s, or Russ & Daughters are going to fade away anytime soon (if ever). What I am saying with this \”Special\” episode is that these are exactly the kind of old school, hometown places I love; uniquely New York institutions who have survived the brutal caprices of style and changing tastes — and are still worth going out of your way to patronize. Let me make this clear: \”Old\” does not necessarily mean \”good.\” Just cause it\’s a \”New York institution\” doesn\’t mean you want to eat there. If it did, New Yorkers might actually eat at Tavern On The Green — and Luchows would still be open.
Anthony Bourdain
February, 2009 Archive
Not Fade Away
Not Fade Away
We\’re calling Monday night\’s show \”DISAPPEARING MANHATTAN,, but this is not to suggest that Katz\’s Deli, or Keen\’s, or Russ & Daughters are going to fade away anytime soon (if ever). What I am saying with this \”Special\” episode is that these are exactly the kind of old school, hometown places I love; uniquely New York institutions who have survived the brutal caprices of style and changing tastes — and are still worth going out of your way to patronize. Let me make this clear: \”Old\” does not necessarily mean \”good.\” Just cause it\’s a \”New York institution\” doesn\’t mean you want to eat there. If it did, New Yorkers might actually eat at Tavern On The Green — and Luchows would still be open.
Hierarchy of Pork
I\’m very nervous about tonight\’s Philippines show.
I\’m all too aware of the fact that the country is made up of over seven THOUSAND islands and that I visited exactly two of them. The food is intensely regional … I mean, even the difference between the food in Manila and Pampanga — only a couple of hours away –is striking. So I missed … a lot.
Hierarchy of Pork
I\’m very nervous about tonight\’s Philippines show.
I\’m all too aware of the fact that the country is made up of over seven THOUSAND islands and that I visited exactly two of them. The food is intensely regional … I mean, even the difference between the food in Manila and Pampanga — only a couple of hours away –is striking. So I missed … a lot.
The Money
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word \”prurient\” as \”having a mental itching or an uneasy or morbid craving.\” Secondarily, as \”having or characterized by an unhealthy concern with sexual matters\” or \”encouraging such a concern.\”
With Monday night\’s special, FOOD PORN, \”encouraging such a concern\” is exactly what we were going for. Just swap the word \”food\” for \”sexual.\”
The Money
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word \”prurient\” as \”having a mental itching or an uneasy or morbid craving.\” Secondarily, as \”having or characterized by an unhealthy concern with sexual matters\” or \”encouraging such a concern.\”
With Monday night\’s special, FOOD PORN, \”encouraging such a concern\” is exactly what we were going for. Just swap the word \”food\” for \”sexual.\”
Tube City
\”There are no two finer words than \’encased meats,\’ my friend.\”
–T-shirt for sale at \”Hot Doug\’s\”, Chicago
In the bad old days of the culture wars, when the \”Forces of Darkness\” had aligned against the \”Forces of Goodness and Light,\” Chicago was a key battleground and an early, crucial loss for the good guys. Foie gras had been declared illegal and the ensuing ripples of fear spread cross country. Gutless, craven punks everywhere deserted their comrades like Vichy shopkeepers while animal \”activists\” terrorized chefs\’ families and children, vandalized businesses, and strong-armed retailers. But even though chefs like Wolfgang Puck — for instance — suddenly discovered their preference for fluffy cute ducks over their fellow chefs or their traditions and headed for the lifeboats, a few lone heroes stood tall, proudly extending a stiff middle finger at the advancing horde.
Continue reading: Tube City »
Tube City
\”There are no two finer words than \’encased meats,\’ my friend.\”
–T-shirt for sale at \”Hot Doug\’s\”, Chicago
In the bad old days of the culture wars, when the \”Forces of Darkness\” had aligned against the \”Forces of Goodness and Light,\” Chicago was a key battleground and an early, crucial loss for the good guys. Foie gras had been declared illegal and the ensuing ripples of fear spread cross country. Gutless, craven punks everywhere deserted their comrades like Vichy shopkeepers while animal \”activists\” terrorized chefs\’ families and children, vandalized businesses, and strong-armed retailers. But even though chefs like Wolfgang Puck — for instance — suddenly discovered their preference for fluffy cute ducks over their fellow chefs or their traditions and headed for the lifeboats, a few lone heroes stood tall, proudly extending a stiff middle finger at the advancing horde.
Continue reading: Tube City »
