[Claudia Greco]

ludja, on Jul 17 2006, 10:45 AM, said:

Verjuice, on Jul 17 2006, 06:29 AM, said:

I didn't find out that Tony Bourdain was stranded until a minute ago- I just got out of Beirut two days ago while the bombs destroying the road to Syria were being dropped in our wake... was fortunate to get a seat on a plane out of Damascus. 

I wish I'd known he was there, I'd have smuggled him onto the bus.

Glad to hear of your safe return, Verjuice.

Indeed, "Verjus" - welcome back home! But, conversely, if you knew Tony and the crew were hold up at the Moevenpick, maybe camping out at the bar or pool wouldn't have been a bad alternative (!) Seriously, though - glad you got out. I read today that the U.S., Italy, etc., were trying to evacuate their citizens to Cyprus, but the sick, elderly, etc., first. So I'm guessing Tony might have a bit of a wait - unless the Travel Channel can wrangle a charter flight out for ZeroPointZero (!)

[foodie_mike]

FYI: No Reservations DVD's:

The New Zealand/Malaysia and Sicily/Las Vegas Episode dvds are on sale at $4.99 each.

Check it out at: http://shopping.sear...s&go.x=0&go.y=0



Also, Tony and the crew, our thoughts are with you. Please stay safe.

foodie_mike

[tabasco cat]

This is my first post, and I just wanted to wish Tony and crew all the best!

I've been a huge fan for years, and I just found this wonderful site. I'm sure I'll learn a lot from all of you, and hope I can add a little humor and help to those who need it!

I'll keep reading... THANKS!

[Eden]

zoe b, on Jul 16 2006, 06:15 AM, said:

Best wishes on getting out safely and quickly to Anthony and crew--before the blender drinks run out, preferably!

Just saw on TV this AM that there are 25,000 Americans in Lebanon--this is going to be some airlift!

Per this article from MSNBC about 24000 of those folks are dual citizens, so "only" 5000 or so are likely to want evacuate.

Hopefully they'll put Bourdain & crew on that first cruise ship out. Good luck to everyone over there!

[=Mark]

Claudia Greco, on Jul 17 2006, 10:06 AM, said:

So I'm guessing Tony might have a bit of a wait - unless the Travel Channel can wrangle a  charter flight out for ZeroPointZero (!)

Of course since the Isrealis blew all the airports apart a chartered plane would be of dubious iuse...

[Jaymes]

=Mark, on Jul 17 2006, 02:04 PM, said:

Claudia Greco, on Jul 17 2006, 10:06 AM, said:

So I'm guessing Tony might have a bit of a wait - unless the Travel Channel can wrangle a  charter flight out for ZeroPointZero (!)

Of course since the Isrealis blew all the airports apart a chartered plane would be of dubious use...

Perhaps we could take up a collection to send in a Harrier jumpjet.

[jsmeeker]

I hope that somehow, some way, this makes it into a show. The show could end with Tony and crew being evacuated from Beirut bye the U.S. Marines on a big helicopter. Maybe he could snack on an MRE on the flight out. :)

(Is that too morbid for me to think of? )

Anyway, stay safe, Tony and crew.

[=Mark]

I've bugged him for years, during both the shows, to offer an uncensored directors cut of them for the real fans. There's got to be a DVDs worth of great stuff on the cutting room floor...

[ludja]

From the Page Six in the NY Post a few days ago:
click

Quote

"Our network, our friends and our families just want us out of here as soon as possible," Bourdain told Page Six yesterday afternoon, as Israeli shells exploded in the distance. "We're not getting a show out of this . . . I just wanna hang out and drink at the bar. The mojitos here are great.
"They're bombing right now in southern Beirut. I can hear the explosions. The thing is, the people here are really, really nice and totally embarrassed by Hezbollah and horrified by the bombings."
After spending Monday and Tuesday eating his way through Beirut and befriending locals, Bourdain and his crew partied at local nightclubs into the wee hours. "This is a party town," he explained. "Everyone in this city is [bleeping] gorgeous. It's like L.A. It's a totally international, sophisticated city. Everyone speaks English and throws dollars around."
…
But many Lebanese who fear Israeli reprisals will get worse were streaming out of Beirut yesterday. "The roads to Damascus are packed with every Lebanese with a Rolodex," said Bourdain, who is the chef-at-large at Park Avenue South bistro Les Halles. "They're all heading toward Damascus."

[Claudia Greco]

=Mark, on Jul 17 2006, 03:04 PM, said:

Claudia Greco, on Jul 17 2006, 10:06 AM, said:

So I'm guessing Tony might have a bit of a wait - unless the Travel Channel can wrangle a  charter flight out for ZeroPointZero (!)

Of course since the Isrealis blew all the airports apart a chartered plane would be of dubious iuse...

I meant a charter flight out of Cyprus or wherever they evacuate them to.

[Claudia Greco]

jsmeeker, on Jul 17 2006, 03:08 PM, said:

I hope that somehow, some way, this makes it into a show.    The show could end with Tony and crew being evacuated from Beirut bye the U.S. Marines on a big helicopter.  Maybe he could snack on an MRE on the flight out.  :)

(Is that too morbid for me to think of? )

Anyway, stay safe, Tony and crew.

Hardly. I, for one, could certainly see a Fall of Saigon/Apocalypse Now kind of feel to a Beirut - The Show That Wasn't episode. Including, of course, how people might have had to cope trying to get food and water in a war zone, or how people tried to go on as normal (the Page Six articxle says he talked to Lebanese in the streets). Then, of course, Tony and the crew WOULD be just the very bunch of people who could manage to party all night at a local club while the city they're in was being shelled. As Jason succintly put it - "Shwarma and Shrapnel" (!)

[Swisskaese]

I realise that most of you sitting in your comfortable homes are finding all of this a bit like a movie, but some of us are sitting near the line of fire and don't find this the least bit humerous. Some of us have family in the countries involved, soldiers in harms way and family sitting in bomb shelters or homeless or even dead. Have a little respect.

This post has been edited by Swisskaese: 17 July 2006 - 03:51 PM

[bourdain]

I'm very aware of how flip my response to the Post was (made last Wednesday, very early in the crisis)as I sought to reassure family and friends that we were safe and okayand in good cheer. . It was--at the time--very representative of the (outward) attitude of Beirutis themselves, who pride themselves on their resilience and their determination to "keep the party going." Initially, many Beirutis were still going strong at nightclubs as jets flew low and menacingly overhead. Even that proud, famously world-weary attitude quickly changed, however, as circumstances here became even more appalling. I can certainly understand how offensive it might be to those on the ground here--or those with family and friends here--to read some of what's been posted on the other NR thread--and understand why it's been closed for now.
It is indeed heartbreaking and horrifying what has happened to this lovely country--to spanking new, lovingly restored,resurgent Beirut in particular, in only a few days of sustained and seemingly senseless destruction. A few days ago, this was a place where people were bursting with pride for the relative tolerance, progressive attitudes, and lack of conflict between groups. I was standing with a group: a Sunni, a Christian, and a Shiite--by the Hariri memorial when the gunfire started and the Hezbollah people appeared driving through city center and honking their horns in "celebration" for the capture/kidnappings. The look of dismay and embarrasment on all three faces...and the grim look of resignation as they all-- instantly-- recognized what would inevitably come next...it's something I will never forget. Of the three, our Shiite security guy, a tall, taciturn man, was the last to leave us, insisiting on staying by our side though he and his family lived in the much more perilous Southern part of Beirut. After witnessing many quick telephone exchanges between him and his family, and as more bombs and shells began to fall, seeing him nervously fingering his prayer beads, we finally convinced him to leave. His house was later flattened..We were soon relocated to a safer part of town.The sense of regret and ...shame we feel at being relatively safe yet witness to the carnage...and that we never got to show the world how beautiful this country and its people are--how much "like us" (yet uniquely and wonderfully not), how international, muti-lingual, multi-faith..how fantastic the food and hospitality is...will gnaw at us forever. WE will make it home. WE--unlike most Lebanese, have been (relatively) safe and secure during this. Trapped, yes--but trapped by a freaking swimming pool-not under the rubble of our homes. We may be only a few thousand yards or a few miles from the falling bombs-but we have an eventual way out. What hasn't been talked about much in the press, is how many young returnees there are/were here: young, educated Lebanese who'd emigrated abroad or been born aboad and only recenly returned..how filled with hope they were, how much they loved their country, how hopeful and enthusiastic they were that they could make a difference (and they WERE making a difference). That is all ashes now..
We (the NR crew) are indeed well--and well looked after. It's indeed frightening here, it's enraging, it's horrifying,and its frustrating..the classic "long hours of boredom interspersed with moments of terror" phenom they always use when talking about life during wartime. But we are relatively safe. And sooner or later we will no doubt be heading home.
We will never forget the Beirut that could have been-and will hopefully be again. Or what we saw here.

I fully hope and expect that the administrators/mods will allow this post--and immediately close it to further comment. The crew and I greatly appreciate all the previous comments and expressions of concern here and thank you all.

[Jason Perlow]

From the Travel Channel website:

http://community.dis...4911901438/p/12

Friends and fans,

We’re delighted to inform you that Tony and the entire crew left Beirut this morning on the USS Nashville en route to Larnaca, Cyprus. We have arranged special air travel to have them back in the USA as soon as possible. On behalf of Tony, the crew, Travel Channel, and Discovery Communications, we’d like to thank you for your concern and support during this difficult time. We look forward to sharing Tony’s experience from Beirut with you soon, stay tuned for more information on a possible special episode of “No Reservations.”

[Jason Perlow]

More from Reuters:

http://www.alertnet....k/L20701101.htm

[foodie_mike]

Tony is quoted at DNA - World:

"The embassy didn't answer the phone for a week. At the checkpoints, it was like a Metallica concert gone terribly wrong. It was a mob scene."
US television chef Anthony Bourdain, aboard the USS Nashville.

Find it here, about 2/3 the way down:

http://www.dnaindia....?NewsID=1042914


Mike

[Chris Amirault]

[Moderator's Note: I've just received this email from Anthony Bourdain -- CA]

Me, Jerry, Todd, Tracey and Diane are all safely home .. I should tell you that expressions of concern here at eGullet were a comfort to us while we hunkered down in Beirut..and that we're enormously grateful to the Travel Channel, who took extreme measures to see we were as safe as possible while in Beirut--and then went to extraordinary lengths to get us safely and quickly back. Main Man at Travel, Patrick Younge, even met us at the airport with a pack of my very-hard-to-find cigarette of choice in hand. I can't say enough nice things about the Beirut (and the Beirutis) we saw and met in the short time before everything went to hell. And I can't begin to describe how regretful we are that we won't be able to show the world how beautiful a place, how good the food, how nice the people we experienced in the two short days we had of unrestrained filming . Freshly back--and ahead of so many others-- it would seem ungrateful to share my dim view of how the US embassy and State dept. appeared to be going about their business. BUT: My admiration for the sailors and marines of the Nashville and the way in which they--at short notice, last minute, steamed from Jordan to perform an incredible difficult job (for which they had had little if any experience) is boundless. The minute we became charges of the navy and marines, we (and everyone else aboard--from beachhead to Cyprus) were treated with breathtaking kindness,generosity and sensitivity. The minute we passed into their care, every aspect of exfiltration was performed with incredible efficiency and care. I will never forget the impromptu refugee camp set up on the Nashville's flight deck: EVERY group of huddled evacuees, families, children, old people--had at least one or two marines sitting with them, talking to them, seeing to their needs. Most of these young men and women knew nothing of Beirut. Many who I spent time with on the smoking deck (Yes! a smoking deck!), had never even been to New York--much less been trained to handle (in many cases) psychologically shattered refugees. They treated everyone, EVERYONE with patience, courtesy and kindness. The logistical challenges alone were enormous--that they managed to perform them so flawlessly AND keep the kids amused, feed any and all tuna noodle casserole, macaroni and cheese, corn dogs and key lime pie...give up their own blankets and sheets...give tours and every other imaginable measure of hospitality was..well..awesome. To my mind, they put every other branch of govt involved in this horror show to shame. It is always a joy and a relief to find oneself in the hands of professionals.
You have all likely seen the photo of the young marine, Sanchez, holding two infants, kissing one of the cheek as he carried them across the water onto the landing craft. It was quite another thing to meet him and talk with him (him still holding a freshly printed copy of tomorrow's wire service cover photo)...an ordinary young man, getting ribbed by his buddies for being thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Bashful, proud, emotional and inspiringly..human.
We are very aware--painfully aware--that we are among the fortunate. Our hearts and best wishes go out to all those we left behind. We will never forget what we saw.

[MinhD]

Tony (Bourdain) was on Larry King Live last night, speaking about his trip to Lebanon, specially about Beirut. Unfortunately I only caught the last minute or two of it , but I think he was filming there for his No Reservations show when all hell broke loose.

Anybody watch it, was the interview any good?

[ZenKimchi]

Here's a link to the transcript.

[johnnyd]

Damn.

Helluva story, Tony. You're always where the action is! I hope you can get those three back on camera at some future date when this blows over, that would make for quite a show segment. Then go have dinner somewhere in the new Beirut.

[jsmeeker]

I wish I knew this was going to be on. I would have TiVo'ed it. Any idea if/when it will re-air?

[Darren72]

jsmeeker, on Jul 24 2006, 09:28 AM, said:

I wish I knew this was going to be on. I would have TiVo'ed it.  Any idea if/when it will re-air?

Honestly, if you read his posts on eGullet, you pretty much got the gist of the short Larry King segment (as you can also see from the transcript above). There were a few nice stills from the Marine ship and a few from Lebannon, though. It was a very short segment, though fun to watch.

I loved that Larry introduced him as a "celebrity chief".

[Chris Amirault]

We're reopening the topic, once again, to discussion about "No Reservations," the shows and production both. As we all surely wish Tony well upon his return stateside, let's keep those kind thoughts out of this topic. Thanks!

[jsmeeker]

when is the next NEW episode scheduled to air?

[rose_ayn]

jsmeeker, on Jul 25 2006, 08:17 PM, said:

when is the next NEW episode scheduled to air?

January.

[lancastermike]

For all you Tony groupies, Mr. Bourdain will be doing a live chat on the Washington Post web site today at 11am. Just remember it's all about him.

[ThatGrrl]

lancastermike, on Jul 26 2006, 08:41 AM, said:

For all you Tony groupies, Mr. Bourdain will be doing a live chat on the Washington Post web site today at 11am.  Just remember it's all about him.

Here is the page they are going to use for the discussion. I think The Post probably requires registration, as do most major papers, these days. They are already accepting questions, if you have a one, but can't take time to attend the discussion. They will leave the full transcript posted, after the discussion.

[phlox]

ThatGrrl, on Jul 26 2006, 06:40 AM, said:

lancastermike, on Jul 26 2006, 08:41 AM, said:

For all you Tony groupies, Mr. Bourdain will be doing a live chat on the Washington Post web site today at 11am.  Just remember it's all about him.

Here is the page they are going to use for the discussion. I think The Post probably requires registration, as do most major papers, these days. They are already accepting questions, if you have a one, but can't take time to attend the discussion. They will leave the full transcript posted, after the discussion.

I don't see where the chat is going to actually appear.

[Shalmanese]

Reload the page. Tony's comments appear on the bottom. I asked a question, lets see if it gets picked.

[Soup]

I just saw this weeks episode (repeat but new for me) on montreal. The scene where the family is dining on raw seal has to be one of the most facinating food related TV I've ever seen. I got the sense of a sunday dinner meal except the meal was eaten on the kitchen floor (reminded me of steam crab meals at my house growing up) and that the meal was not only eaten raw but butchered right in front of everyone.

Love it.