Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations - Season 5

First aired: 1/5/2009 20 episodes

In Season 5 of his Emmy-nominated series, No Reservations, Bourdain goes local once again, practicing the martial artistry of kendo in Tokyo, perfecting the not-so-subtle art of chasing lizards in Saudi Arabia, and finding unexpected genealogical connections in Uruguay.

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Episodes

1. Mexico

Aired: 1/5/2009

Anthony Bourdain discovers the beauty behind the street food of Mexico.

2. Venice

Aired: 1/12/2009

Tony's mission, on this trip, is to step away from the Venice of tourists and into the Venice of Venetians. Venice is an extraordinary city filled with ancient monuments, sprawling palazzos, quaint cafes, and vibrant markets.

3. Washington, D.C.

Aired: 1/19/2009

Tony Bourdain is in Washington D.C. to explore this city of contrasts - democrat vs. republican, affluent vs. poor, visible vs. invisible, black vs. white.

4. Azores

Aired: 1/26/2009

Having worked in kitchens alongside many generations of Azorean Portuguese immigrants, Tony decides it’s time to find out more about their motherland and explore the culture that molded so much of New England’s heritage. He hops from one island to the next while on the archipelago, dining on potatoes, pork, sausage, cabbage, shellfish, Portuguese soup and washing it all down with Gin and Tonics. From the hot springs in Furnas on Sao Miguel to one of the most remote locations in the world on Sao Jorge, and onto the beautiful wine making region of Pico, Tony experiences the best of Azores.

5. Chicago

Aired: 2/2/2009

Anthony heads to Chicago where he examines the cuisine and culture which the windy city has to offer.

6. Food Porn

Aired: 2/6/2009

Tony presents a XXX selection of all that's lip-smacking and luscious in the world. For hardcore viewers only.

7. Philippines

Aired: 2/16/2009

Anthony Bourdain visits Manila, the second-largest and most well-known city in the Philippines. He'll meet up with travel author and foodie Claude Tayag for some traditional Pampangan seafood. Later on, Tony pairs up with Augusto, runner-up for the "No Reservations" FAN-atic Special casting call, in Cebu City.

8. Disappearing Manhattan

Aired: 2/23/2009

Tony teams up with some notable guests and visits some of the oldest, most classic, and undoubtedly-NYC restaurants. Unfortunately, these cornerstones rich with culture and diversity struggle against the changing landscape of the new Manhattan.

9. Sri Lanka

Aired: 3/2/2009

Sri Lankan cuisine has been influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch, British, Indian, Arab, Malay and Moors. Tony experiences this cuisine in Colombo and the surrounding area.

10. Vietnam: There's No Place Like Home

Aired: 3/9/2009

Anthony decides to move to the country for a year to write the perfect Vietnam book. Along with a local chef and realtor we explore the country and what Anthony can expect as a full time resident.

11. Chile

Aired: 7/13/2009

Inspired by its natural diversity, Chile's cuisine consists of beef, pork, seafood, fruits and vegetables. While in Chile, Tony visits Santiago; a small town in the Curico Valley; Patagonia; and the Chilean coast.

12. Australia

Aired: 7/20/2009

Melbourne is Australia's second-most populated city and its cultural capital. It's a real melting pot, and Tony is off to discover what makes the Melbourne area so special. Luckily, many of Tony's friends live in Melbourne, and they take him to sample the city's many different cuisines.

13. Rust Belt

Aired: 7/27/2009

In the bleak, cold winter, Tony meets up with his good friend Zamir and the two travel to the heart of America's Rust Belt with stops in Baltimore, Detroit and Buffalo. After visiting this misunderstood region, Tony realizes that it's not just home to auto factories and cold weather, but it's also full of kind people and delicious food.

14. Down on the Street

Aired: 8/3/2009

This behind-the-scenes look at No Reservations reveals a common thread throughout all No Reservations episodes – street food. Oftentimes, Tony says the most enjoyable and authentic food in a country or village is sold by merchants from carts in outdoor markets or roadside stands. From local variations on the hot dog to unidentifiable fried meats, from sautéed insects to steaming bowls of noodles, these culinary treats are what keep Tony going on the road.

15. San Francisco

Aired: 8/10/2009

San Francisco is a city of districts, each one with its own quirks and flavors. Chinatown is a bustling neighborhood with delicious restaurants around every turn. The Fisherman’s Wharf area houses a popular farmer’s market filled with fresh produce, beautiful flowers and organic foods. One of Tony’s stops is Red’s Java House, where the cheeseburgers are hot, the chili cheese fries are even hotter and the beer is cold. Tony can’t go wrong in a city so interesting, dynamic and complex.

16. Thailand

Aired: 8/17/2009

Blending influences from India, China, Cambodia and the rest of Southeast Asia, Thai cuisine uses 5 fundamental flavors: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. In an effort to experience each of these tastes, Tony explores bustling Bangkok and its local street foods. As soon as the crew arrives in Bangkok, they find themselves in the center of a political upheaval. Amid the protests, violence and uncertainty, Tony and the crew make a point of discovering the elements that make Thailand magical.

17. Montana

Aired: 8/24/2009

The Rocky Mountains are an outdoorsman’s paradise, and ranchers are a large part of Montana’s culture. Tony visits the Metcalf family, fourth-generation ranchers, to gain some insight into what it means to call Montana home. Tony goes fly-fishing with local and jack-of-all trades, Dan Lahren. Later in the evening, Tony joins a manly conversation about meats, old-time tough guys like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, and right vs. wrong. Good all-American food, all-American men and America’s beautiful land.

18. Burning Questions

Aired: 8/31/2009

Based on the results of an online poll, Tony answers the Top 10 viewer queries in Burning Questions. You’ll be surprised, terrified, disgusted and thoroughly entertained!

19. NYC: Outer Boroughs

Aired: 9/7/2009

Tony Bourdain knows the jungles of Malaysia and the streets of London better than he knows what's just outside his hometown of Manhattan, so he enlists the help of some locals to explore New York’s other 4 boroughs. Tony will travel to Queens with chefs Chris Cheung and David Chang; he’ll explore Staten Island with David Johansen, lead singer of the New York Dolls; and check Brooklyn and the Bronx with his friend Famous Fat Dave.

20. Sardinia

Aired: 9/14/2009

Tony visits Sardinia, his wife's homeland, and learns what it means to be Sardinian as he gives himself over to the Busia family for a week. From the craggy mountainous landscape to the exotic cuisine and age-old traditions, Tony learns that Sardinia really is it's own country with a strong island mentality and an even stronger personality.