How does Anthony Bourdain decide to end the first half of this season of No Reservations? With a trip to Vietnam, of course. I’m not as big on visiting far eastern countries as some people, although I do love asian cuisine. But for some reason Vietnam always intrigues me. What exactly do they have there, and would I like it? It’s easy to find American influenced versions of dishes from Thailand, Japan or China wherever you are in the US. Vietnam remains a mystery, and is still a place of heavy interest.
In the season 5A “finale” Tony wanders through Saigon and its throngs of food stands, sidewalk cafes and people. He’ll also reconnect with his old haunt Les Halles, when he joins current owner Phillippe Lajaunie for an explorationof French and Vietnamese cuisine. And it wouldn’t be No Reservations if Bourdain didn’t make a local friend in a water taxi driver who invites the pair to a family meal back home.
No Reservations Vietnam airs on the Travel Channel tonight at 10pm EST.
