No Reservations, part 4

"I'm here. What's keeping you?" -- Anthony Bourdain in front of Domilise's

More love for Tony's New Orleans episode of No Reservations.

Unlike many shows that have come to New Orleans for "a very special episode", Tony came here, pretty much told it exactly like it is, and did what most of us would have done in his shoes. He showed how we're down, but not out; we're fighting like nobody else in the US has ever had to fight before; we feel abandoned; and we'll make it, with or without anybody's help.

Sinn Fein, baby.

Exactly the message that needed to be sent. Now, I'm a mook and the first thing I always do is tell people "It wasn't the hurricane, it was the criminally designed, constructed and maintained levees and floodwalls". Tony didn't do that, but I really don't think he needed to. That would have probably come across as a bit heavy handed. He got the point across well enough by showing the picture of the rebuilt floodwall that was spray painted "HINDSIGHT", and the next day, the Corps painted over it.

Classic.

Although, Chris Rose's faux accent kind of made me want to take a shower.

If you're like me, and been kinda negligent with the Wellbutrin, then you were probably tearing up several times. As much as he plays the lofty stereotypical New York curmudgeon, things like the cheesecloth on the lemon and the curly parsley at Antoine's made him as sentimental as a Dan Fogelberg fan on New Year's Eve.

That was beautiful.

Like Tony, I truly appreciate the idea that you can have, in this day and age, a professional waiter. Not some wannabe actor, not a student who doesn't even know the menu, but a professional who has been doing this job for years, and knows everything on the menu, everything in the bar, and every way to prepare the menu. I pray those days are not coming to a close. I pray that there will still be a place for Antoine's and their staff.

He exposed Emeril for what he really is: a chef and restauranteur. Forget the facade you see on the food network -- Emeril belongs in the kitchen. I'm sure that Emeril's people reserved the right to see the final cut of the Emeril segment. You know it. He had to be cussing like a rollergirl, and you know he was talking about as much shit about the food network as Tony does. I bet he's a hell of a hardass in the kitchen, and I'd hate to even wash dishes under him, but he's good at what he does.

Speaking of Rollergirls, you can get the same Big Easy Rollergirls shirt that Tony was wearing here, off the internets.

Tony's right. Emeril, more than anybody else, made the food network. Unfortunately, the food network is more about Poochie and Gatemouth than about cooking nowadays, and that's a shame for people like Emeril and Batali, people who actually know their way around a kitchen.

The Emeril segment had to last a good two hours, and boy, would I like to see an extended director's cut version of the entire episode. For example, the segments with Jacques Leonardi were axed completely. All you saw was the staff in front at the end.

The segment with George the fisherman made me well up as well. Like he said "It's in your blood". It is, or it isn't. I can't live anywhere else -- I've tried. The swamp calls my ass back here, and that swampwater flows through my veins. Tony recognizes that in those of us that stay. We stay because, despite the odds, there is a calling to stay. It's our destiny.

I love how once the boat got underway, George didn't have any nerves in front of the camera. He was at home, on the water. I grew up going out on a boat about every other weekend, and I know that feeling. I hope that there is a world where the solo commercial fisherman can survive.

I pay $16 a pound for Louisiana crawfish tails instead of $4 a pound for Chinese, because they're more than 4 times better. How many people do you know actually read labels in a market? Since the federal flood, I read them all the time. Don't get McCormick's when you can get Rex or Zatarain's. Don't get Emeril's sausage when you can get Savoie's. And don't get Sierra Nevada when you can get Abita. (Yes friends, that's the very definition of self sacrifice for me.)

George is still here, the only one on his block. Robert Green is still here, fighting against all odds. These are my heroes. His nephew sweeps the sidewalk. George mows his neighbors' yards. The guy in the riding mower in No Reservations mows his yard. Even though there's nobody around, the yards get mowed, the sidewalks get swept, and our little corner of New Orleans stays neat and tidy.

That's what we do. That's who we are.

That's what Anthony Bourdain captured.

Thanks, Tony.

Part 1; Part 2; Part 3.

Comments

[Nike Frees]

generally a consideration when buying soccer sneakers. Likewise if the vehicle

[mbt shoes]

Instead, he became a lack of competitiveness by thousands of pianguan and corruption union (not to mention the government), end up abandoned P people nothing, he endures pension fund money were factory and union rape, stolen. Old woman can only rely on social lowest living costs.
http://www.mbtusafootwear.com/

[mbt shoes]

and I have (after all, the bread and jam. When she chun chun taught me to eat cat (she eat of thing) more than eat jam and bread, I hear health was stunned. I finally can't make up my mind to live,
http://www.mbtshoestrainers.co.uk/

[authenticjerseys]

wow....i dont what i say!!

[Nike Air Max]

I just read about this in the paper! It contains wonderful and helpful posts. How I wish I'd known about this blog before. I would have loved to have worked on this project! What a great accomplishment. Beautiful. Congratulations to you.

[mbt shoes]

i like your article

[Pellet Maker]

Finally, I will tell you, Ashley, that Habitat, and I, want to make sure that you receive your donation back. You should only support organizations that you believe in, and you've stated that you feel wronged, lied to, etc. There are other excellent organizations out there where you should direct your resources. While we will endeavor to show you and others that we're not at all about deception, in the meantime, we need to get your money back to you -- when did you make your donation, and how? Check? Online? (The reason I ask this is that N.O. Habitat, despite best efforts made at my request today, does not have a record of a donation coming from you, and I want to make sure that we get it back to you asap.) Thanks, guys.

[Pellet Mill]

. Its something I do believe we need to talk about more. Thankyou.do you like music ?

[coach outlet online]

This is a good essay.Amazing talent. I find her designs to be extraordinary!I agree this point.
http://www.christianlouboutineonsale.com
http://www.coachoutlethandbagsonline.com

[coach outlet online]

Thank you for your blog, you write well, let me know this content, I used to like to read this blog, I suppose we have a common interest in it, really, I think so, I will always be concerned about your hair Blog. Thank you!

[クレジットカード現金化]

That's great

[Red Bottom Shoes]

thank you for sharing with us, i really like the way you show to us, nice work , keeping it up

[canada goose coat]

Tomorrow is another day , should have new features.

[juicy couture outlet]

thank you for sharing with us, i really like the way you show to us, nice work , keeping it up

[Belstaff Jacken]

the fresh Affordable Guidance subsequently goes on to fight highly regarding neighborhood discussion especially on Belstaff Tasche pricing matters in difficult moments.

[North Face Sale]

Well it was a pleasure to read such a wonderful story.I must say Great story and epic journey.

[beats studio]

Wise man have their mouths in their hearts, fools have their hearts in their mouths.

[outlooksoft consulting]

Moments like these are tough. But still possible to overcome.

[Minnesota Vikings Jerseys]

It is a great blog, I agree with most of the issues you said and i am waiting for the new posts.

[Cheap Vikings Jerseys]

Thanks very much, the blogs' content are very useful for me.

[Vikings Jerseys]

Thanks for writing such a great post. It is really good and attractive blog.

[Minnesota Vikings Shop]

This blog is wonderful. There are many nice article. Thanks!

[Cheap Minnesota Vikings Jerseys]

Perfect! I am sure that this post will be very much helpful for people.

[Vikings Jerseys Sale]

Thanks! I love this article very much.

[Cheap Minnesota Vikings Jerseys]

Very good article, thanks for posting it.