Latest news with #AnthonyBourdain
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Meet the Hong Kong tour guide offering visitors an Anthony Bourdain-style trip
For most visitors to Hong Kong, no trip would be complete without a stop at The Peak to take in the city's sweeping vistas or a walk along the Avenue of Stars to witness the skyline lit up at night. With such glitzy attractions having become synonymous with the city, few people would ever consider visiting a wet market in one of the city's poorest neighbourhoods or a public housing estate slated for demolition. But for Hong Kong tour guide Angel Lau Tsz-tung, these lesser-known locations reveal the true essence of the city. The 35-year-old Hongkonger, who goes by Dearesthongkong, has built a reputation for showcasing many of the city's hidden and vanishing gems to foreign visitors. 'I am a big Anthony Bourdain fan,' Lau said, referring to the late chef and television personality known for taking viewers off the beaten path as he explored countries around the world. 'I want my guests to feel like they are Anthony Bourdain when they book a tour with me. I can show them not the fanciest place, but the most authentic place.'
CNA
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
Must-see sights, street food tours and fine dining: How to spend 72 hours in Da Nang, Vietnam
The late, great chef, traveller and raconteur Anthony Bourdain loved Vietnam like few other destinations. He filmed eight programmes there and memorably said of the country: 'Vietnam. It grabs you and doesn't let go. Once you love it, you love it forever.' It's impossible to disagree with his much-missed wisdom and a 72-hour hop to the central coastal city of Da Nang, the country's third largest just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Singapore, showcases how Vietnam blends food, culture, landscapes and history to such dazzling effect. WHERE TO STAY During the Vietnam War – or the American War, as locals understandably call it – Son Tra Mountain was known as Monkey Mountain thanks to residents including red-shanked douc langurs. Today these beautiful primates, who look like they're wearing knee-high red socks, enjoy the peaceful surrounds of their mountainside nature reserve that is also home to one of southeast Asia's most spectacular resorts, Intercontinental DaNang Sun Peninsula Resort. It's the only resort in Vietnam with its own funicular tram. The Nam Tram lets guests glide effortlessly from the perfect curving arc of a private beach up to the elegant, expansive main building with all the hallmarks of starchitect Bill Bensley's quirky design motifs blending Vietnamese and French colonial era influences. If the resort has shades of the most recent series of White Lotus, that's because Bensley also designed the hillside Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which features in the show, along very similar lines. Heaven, Sky, Earth and Sea are the four levels across 39 hectares, home to 189 expansive rooms, villas and suites with gorgeous sea views and colourful interiors. There are several large infinity pools, including one which is adults-only, a sublime spa, nature walks and other experiences to keep guests of all ages entertained. STREET FOOD A brilliant way to get a real feel for Da Nang comes with a small group guided food tour led by bilingual young Vietnamese who are thrilled to share their region's dishes with international visitors. The excellent Helen from @danangcuisine led ours, taking us to four spots serving up local classics, starting with the iconic Da Nang noodle dish, mi quang. The genius comes in the layers of textures and flavours as fresh greens, banana blossom, herbs, rice noodles and shrimp all vie for your palate's attention in a slow-boiled broth made of pork, beef, fish and chicken bones, finished with turmeric. You're not done yet, however, as a squeeze of lime for acidity, the optional zing of coriander and crunchy peanuts and rice crackers complete the sensory journey. Banh xeo was the other standout in the two-and-a-half-hour tour, enjoyed at what many consider the city's best, Banh Xeo Ba Duong. Savoury crispy pancakes – the Vietnamese name comes from the sizzle or "xeo" as they cook – are layered in rice paper with options including smoky grilled pork skewers and fresh herbs. Then dunk them in an addictive brown sauce made from pig liver, peanuts, chili, garlic, shrimp paste and more. There are, naturally, countless other places to choose from for local dishes at scarcely believable prices, so the tried and trusted mantra of simply looking where there are plenty of customers invariably does the trick. EXPERIENCES AND EXCURSIONS Da Nang is a large port city with an impressive tree lined boulevard along its substantial main beach, My Khe, which offers dozens of places to kick back, chill, or eat and drink. As with so many destinations, simply getting lost amongst the maze of streets is a huge draw, watching daily life and the quirks of local culture play out. Dragon Bridge in the centre of the city is unmissable, especially when illuminated at night, and also allows for a visit to Son Tra Da Nang Night Market which features street food and trinket vendors. Another bridge, Golden Bridge, has also become a hugely popular draw, thanks to a 500m span seemingly held aloft by two vast stone hands. Sitting west of Da Nang, it's a slightly surreal experience as it lies within an amusement park called Ba Na Hills which also features the world's longest cable car, amongst many other attractions. Above all, no visit to Da Nang is complete without heading 35 minutes down the coast to the ancient merchant town of Hoi An. It's rightly one of central Vietnam's most iconic sights and well worth a day of your time to explore its beguiling lantern-filled laneways, waterways, seventeenth century Japanese bridge, pagodas and French colonial mansions. SHOPPING Hoi An is where you'll want to indulge in retail therapy as it's especially well known for dozens of tailors offering off-the-rail or bespoke garments which are usually turned around and ready to pick up in less than 24 hours. They're happy to make copies of your favourite designs, or let you craft your own from seemingly endless swathes of materials. I avoided the main tourist heart of Hoi An, instead choosing a random shop called Simon the Tailor a couple of doors down from one of the town's most famous banh mi vendors, The Banh Mi Queen. The young team helped me choose a cut, fabric and finishes, and less than 24 hours later I had a beautifully tailored blazer delivered to my hotel, all for under US$70 (S$90). Galleries also abound, offering works of vastly differing quality, but there's sure to be something for every taste and price point. Lanterns and lights are another very popular draw, while for foodies a jar of Tuong Ot sticky chilli jam, unique to Hoi An, is a must. It's the perfect addition to the beloved local noodle dish, cao lau, of smoky pork and noodles, fresh herbs and bean sprouts. FINE DINING Dining in Vietnam simply doesn't get any finer than at the one-starred Maison 1888 at Intercontinental DaNang Sun Peninsula Resort. That's the case now more than ever as culinary legend Christian le Squer, from the three Michelin-starred Le Cinq in Paris, oversees the tasting menus which are beautifully crafted by Chef Florian Stein and his team. Stunning French dishes with Vietnamese accents included Japanese turbot cooked in brown butter, with grated pear. Gnocchi with saffron, black olives and basil broth was also sublime, especially paired with a Laurent Perrier Grande Cuvee from one of the country's finest wine cellars, awarded by Wine Spectator and led by a seriously impressive young Vietnamese sommelier, Toan Nguyen. Other high-end dining options include classic French with a seafood emphasis at Cabanon Palace, Cantonese at The Golden Dragon and Italian with Vietnamese twists at Si Dining. Then for those seeking Japanese, the brand new Tingara from Japanese chef Junichi Yoshida features a circular dining space overlooking the ocean, home to flawless teppanyaki and sushi omakase, paired with an enviable sake collection. GENERAL ADVICE Da Nang's climate ranges from a low of around 18 degrees Celsius in January to highs of 35 degrees Celsius in the peak of a sweltering summer. The dry season runs from January to August, while the wet season extends from September to December, with heaviest rainfall typically in October and November. Getting around is easiest via Grab which offers very reasonable fares, but if you're feeling more adventurous, rent a moped from a reputable company – and ensure you have good insurance.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Meat That Anthony Bourdain Called 'Slimy And Tasteless'
Anthony Bourdain was well known for enjoying all kinds of meat with gusto, from the popular fast food burger chain he truly loved to his favorite cuts of steak. Throughout his globetrotting career, Bourdain ate many outrageous animal products, always with his signature blend of respect, curiosity, and humor. However, the celebrity chef was also known for his strong opinions, and he publicly and fervently expressed his distaste for one particular variety of meat: chicken. Of course, Bourdain didn't eschew all chicken -- poultry is the world's second most popular meat and an essential element in cuisines across the globe. His specific gripe was with American-raised chicken. In an iconic 1999 piece for The New Yorker, "Don't Eat Before Reading This," Bourdain asserted that most chefs think American-raised chicken is "slimy and tasteless" compared to European birds. To add insult to injury, he added that, in his experience, American chicken spoils easily, and, worst of all, it's boring. "Chicken always tastes like chicken," Bourdain lamented. Read more: 7 Costco Meats You Should Buy And 5 You Should Avoid Americans consume nearly 70 pounds of chicken per capita annually, making it the most popular meat in the United States. Bourdain acknowledged as much before going on to list all of the reasons not to eat it. So is American-raised chicken really that different from chicken in other parts of the world? The short answer is yes -- in fact, American chicken legally cannot be sold in most of Europe. This is because U.S.-raised poultry typically undergoes an antimicrobial chemical rinse, which is banned in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Although these chemical rinses have generally been shown to be safe, some say they can negatively impact the taste of the bird and believe they are used to compensate for a low-quality, unhygienic product. Another key factor is the chilling method. Most European chicken is air-chilled, while U.S. chicken is largely water-chilled. Air-chilled poultry is generally considered superior in quality and shelf life compared to water-chilled varieties. Although taste is subjective, most people would probably agree with Bourdain that American-raised chicken tends to be subpar to European varieties in both texture and flavor -- at least when it comes to large-scale, factory-farmed poultry. Bourdain argued that Americans should be eating more of the world's most consumed meat, pork, instead of bland chicken. However, all hope is not lost for American chicken lovers because even U.S. customers can avoid picking out bad chicken at the grocery store. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dominic Sessa transforms into tragic young Anthony Bourdain in biopic
Dominic Sessa has transformed into Anthony Bourdain while filming scenes for the upcoming biopic Tony earlier this week in Massachusetts. The actor, 22, could be seen stepping into the shoes of a younger version of the late celebrity chef while on the set of the A24 project in Provincetown on Thursday. Bourdain was known for starring in shows including the Travel Channel's No Reservations and CNN 's Parts Unknown before his tragic death by suicide in 2018 at the age of 61. Dominic wore a pair of black flared pants and a red button-up, which was layered with a black leather jacket, befitting of Seventies style. The actor also sported brown curly hair as he shot scenes on a ferry. Dominic was seen holding a conversation with another person while leaning against a railing as the ferry slowly moved along the water. While the official synopsis has remained under wraps, the biopic is set to follow Bourdain's summer in 1976 in Provincetown, where he had his first introduction to the restaurant industry. In April, it was revealed that Antonio Banderas has also joined the cast, although his role is not yet known. The movie will be directed by Matt Johnson, with a screenplay by Todd Bartels and Lou Howe. Bourdain began his career in the food industry while studying at Vassar College and took on jobs at seafood restaurants in Provincetown. In an interview with Boston Magazine in 2017, the TV personality reflected on his time in the seaside town. He said: 'It's a very emotional place for me. I came of age there in the early Seventies in a very magical, golden, naive time that I don't think we'll see the likes of again.' 'And I will say being in Provincetown when I was 17… it was predominantly gay, as it still is. It was a time in history of boundless optimism when we really thought anything was possible. 'I think of the people I lived with and worked with and who befriended me then… whatever value system I learned then informed what came later.' Bourdain further reflected: 'That's where it all started for me. Those were the kitchens that formed my expectations. I thought it was going to be like that forever.' And while talking to The Guardian that same year, the author talked about his first job as a dishwasher in the Massachusetts town. He said: 'I only became happy - in fact, intensely satisfied - as a dishwasher at a restaurant in Provincetown in Cape Cod, my first job.' The late star added that he had been 'a shy, goofy, awkward teenager. But in this blue collar, factory-like environment, there was no blurred line, no grey area, no philosophical question to fret over. He said: 'Dishes had to go in the washer and come out taintless and doing this swiftly and competently meant I was acknowledged as a human being by colleagues I wanted to be like. The day they promoted me to dunking fries I was overjoyed.' Anthony had also been candid about his past drug use during his youth, and he later quit heroin in the Eighties. He had told The Guardian: 'I was an unhappy soul, with a huge heroin and then crack problem. 'I hurt, disappointed and offended many, many, many people and I regret a lot. It's a shame I have to live with.' He later dropped out of university and graduated for the Culinary Institute Of America in 1978. The star notably worked as a chef in restaurants in New York City throughout the Eighties and Nineties. He had also been the executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles, beginning in 1998. Anthony penned a number of books during his career, including as Kitchen Confidential: Adventures In The Culinary Underbelly (2000), which became a New York Times bestseller. The chef had also written articles for publications such as The New Yorker - which published a popular excerpt of Kitchen Confidential before its publication - The Los Angeles Times, Esquire, and The Independent. He gained wider recognition due to his television appearances after hosting shows including Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (2005–2012) on the Travel Channel. The digital series Explore Parts Unknown (2017) garnered the star an Emmy win for Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction Or Reality Series. Bourdain tragically died by suicide in France at the age of 61 while filming Parts Unknown.
Metro
21-06-2025
- Metro
The 'Rome of the Caucasus' should be your next city break
'I've cooked for men I should have poisoned,' reads the neon green scrawl on one of Tbilisi's graffiti-covered buildings. Gutsy, ambitious and colourful at every turn, my first glimpse of Georgia's ancient capital is a sign of things to come. Founded over 1,500 years ago, this hidden gem in the South Caucasus is the perfect antidote to Europe's crowded cities, with world-leading wine, a spunky underground scene and a dark but fascinating history. In a 2016 episode of Parts Unknown, the late Anthony Bourdain observed that few people can place Georgia on a map. Almost ten years later, as I explore Tbilisi's enchanting Old Town and the dramatic valley that cradles it, there are moments when I still get the sense of going where no tourist has gone before. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Tbilisi has never been a popular city break for UK travellers, largely because getting there was, historically, a headache — up to 10 hours of flying time and an irritating stop in Istanbul or Kyiv, before the Ukraine war. But reaching the Georgian capital is now a breeze, after easyJet and British Airways launched direct flights earlier this year. Non-stop routes from London, which take around five hours, run Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. In July, return fares start at £465. From Tbilisi airport, the city centre is about 20 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic. Leaving my digs at the Wyndham Grand near Freedom Square on the first morning of my four-day visit, it's immediately clear that Tbilisi is many things at once. Brownstone buildings have been allowed to dilapidate, but they are still used as everything from pharmacies to second-hand clothing boutiques. Inside derelict warehouses with crumbling balconies are trendy restaurants and hipster wine bars. Under wide tiled domes are historic (and reputedly healing) sulfur baths. Hidden in overgrown courtyards are aesthetic cafes full of remote workers, a nod to Georgia's rising star as a top choice for digital nomads. Lonely Planet recently ranked it 8th in the world. It's affordable, by Western standards, and people from over 90 countries can stay visa-free for up to a year. The city feels both small and large; the best way to explore is on foot, weaving in and out of 10 main districts, all with distinct personalities. Like the people who come here to work remotely, I feel I could easily live here. Lela, a local guide with BTL Travel, shows me the best Tbilisi has to offer,starting with a short hike to Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia, a monument erected in 1958 that watches over the city, holding a bowl of wine for friends and a sword for her enemies. The Georgian belief in 'Motherland' is strong. We take photos in the Old Town, of the leaning clock tower and tiny puppet theatre, and rummage through antiques at the Drybridge market. We marvel at the Holy Trinity Church that towers over the city, and scrub our skin soft at the mosque-like Orbeliani Baths. We drink amber wine at the Instagrammable Stamba Hotel and the unparalleled Dadi Wine Bar, and chat over classic Georgian favourites like khinkali (Georgia's giant dumplings) and khachapuri (cheese-filled boats of bread) at Shavi Lomi. English is widely spoken in hotels and restaurants, particularly in the Kala, Mtatsminda, Vera and Chughureti districts. But if you're looking for a locals' only haunt, head to Abastumani Street for the Dezerter Bazaar. The market, named after the Czar's military deserters who sold their belongings there, is a time-warp to years gone by. Raw and teeming with life, I imagine this was what Berlin was like just as the Wall came down. Size-wise, Georgia is comparable to Ireland, but it is astonishingly diverse: a land of lakes, vineyards, mountains and monasteries, where you can be lounging on the tropical Black Sea shore and skiing atop snowcapped peaks in the same two hours. Tbilisi has enough to keep you overstimulated in the best way possible for a solid three days. After that, it's time to explore the regions around it. Whizzing past verdant valleys and remote monasteries, we reach Mtskheta, a Silk Road outpost that was once Georgia's holy capital. Today, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site, with three impressive churches and riverside restaurants that serve excellent lobio (kidney bean and walnut stew). Further along the road to Tbilisi, we branch off down a dirt road to Château Mukhrani, a vineyard and former royal estate that once hosted the Romanov family. In the cobbled halls of the vaulted cellar, we are guided through the ancient art of Qvevri wine-making, where clay vessels of grapes are planted in the 'belly of the earth'. This is world-first stuff — no other country can trace its wine-making history so far into the past. I've never tried Georgian wine before. Why do people know so little about it? 'We drink it all, that's how the saying goes,' sommelier Mariam says. Sipping qvevri-aged red beneath the glittering chandeliers of the orangerie, it's hard to believe such a place exists at the end of an unpaved track. As the sun edges near golden hour, we head for the city with a detour to the Tbilisi Sea (really, a large reservoir) and the Chronicle of Georgia, a bizarre monument open 24 hours that commemorates key figures from the country's 3,000-year history. From its perch on a hillside overlooking Tbilisi, I see sprawling estates of Soviet apartment blocks and snowcapped peaks in the distance. The scale of Georgia's mountains makes me feel like a molecule. On my way down Rustaveli Avenue, a leafy boulevard that is the city's main thoroughfare, I walk past cultural institutions like the Tbilisi Opera and National Ballet Theatre and the imposing high-arched parliament. Its golden walls have seen many momentous events, including the deaths of 19 Georgian hunger strikers at the hands of Soviet troops as the USSR started to disintegrate in 1989. Since November, it has been the site of nightly protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party's decision to suspend talks aimed at joining the European Union until 2028. I chat to demonstrators who are unequivocal about their views: they want EU membership, and ties cut with Russia. Sandwiched between Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, this is a place where east meets west in the truest sense. Georgia has been ruled by almost every empire you can think of, from Arabs and Persians to Ottomans and Soviets, but its people have never forgotten who they are — or who they want to be. In the capital of Sakartvelo , the Georgian name for Georgia, there is a more full-throated embrace of the EU than I have seen in any EU country. Along Rustaveli Avenue, there are blue flags with golden stars and street art declaring 'we are Europe'. Down alleyways, but still in plain view, are tags that read 'f**k Putin' and 'Ruzkis go home'. After Putin's 'partial mobilisation' order in September 2022, many Russians fled to Georgia to dodge the draft. While organisations such as Idite Lesom (Go by the Forest) have helped young Russians to escape, the people I spoke to in Tbilisi were unimpressed with their presence, largely due to the impact it has had on the cost of living. 'They came all at once, 10 kilometres of people lining up at the border, it was so long you couldn't believe it,' a barman, who asks not to be named, tells me. 'Rent is much more expensive now. We live like water and oil, we are rarely mixing.' The world is waking up to the treasure that Georgia has to offer. The country welcomed a record number of tourists in 2024, and insiders are already predicting that 2025 will be its biggest year yet, with millions expected to visit Tbilisi and support acts like Batumi and Kutaisi. Tourist spending helps to build much-needed infrastructure and community spaces. But the further I veer off Tbilisi's main track, the more I worry that this is not a place equipped for anything remotely approaching large-scale tourism. On one occasion, my taxi driver mutters profanities after we almost plough into a giant hole spanning the width of a side street next to the Holy Trinity Cathedral. On another, we are forced to reverse half a mile up a dual carriageway to make way for a convoy of trucks coming from Armenia. I ask Lela if she thinks they are ready for an influx of visitors. More Trending 'Absolutely not,' she laughs without hesitation. 'We are vulnerable. We're not like Turkey, they have resorts. We can't deal with huge numbers.' A 10-year development plan aims to help travellers navigate the country solo, without joining a tour group, by improving public transport, international sign-posting and building new roads. Georgia wants tourists, but Lela is adamant that it only suits a specific type. 'This country is for seasoned travellers. People come here after they've been everywhere else. 'It has so much to tell, but it reveals itself slowly. If you don't have the patience or the attitude to receive it, then it's a waste of time.' Day 1 Walk or take a cable car to the Mother of Georgia and Narikala Fortress Expore the Old Town, stopping for photos at the Meidan Bazaar, the clock tower and puppet theatre Have lunch at Prospero Bookshop cafe, and grab a second hit from Kvarts Coffee (if you're willing to queue, they'll draw your face on the cup) Stroll down Rustaveli Avenue, stopping at the parliament (not open to the public) and the Georgian National Museum Grab dinner at Craft followed by a glass of wine on the balcony at Snob's Wine Bar Day 2 Grab a coffee at BNKR and rummage through antiques at the Drybridge market Take a taxi to the Holy Trinity Cathedral followed by the Dezerter market, for a taste of authentic Tbilisi Have lunch at the Stamba Hotel and relax in the courtyard Unwind at the Orbeliani Baths (sulfur hot springs) Dinner and drinks at Dadi Wine Bar (make sure to grab a table outside) Day 3 Go on a day-trip to Mtskheta, taking in the Jvari Monastery and a wine-tasting at Château Mukhrani Have dinner at Lasamani and an early night Day 4 Take a taxi to the Chronicle of Georgia and swim in the Tbilisi Sea Explore the trendy Vera and Chugureti neighbourhoods, stopping at Vintage Hub (for second-hand designer clothes) Eat at Shavi Lomi followed by sunset drinks in the courtyard behind Fabrika hostel and Zevit-Kvevit, a speakeasy and gastro bar MORE: Historic 'hidden gem' Turkish destinations get new UK flight routes MORE: The 'enchanting' UK town with five beaches that's only 58 minutes from London MORE: World's 'most liveable city' for 2025 revealed — knocking Vienna off the top spot
