Without doubt the most beautifully photographed shows to date! The entire production, from the video to the cutting, the sound beds, the dialog, is pure Emmy material! Good luck! Wish Tony could have visited with the Yoshikin/Global knife people, seeing as he uses their blades. I'm visiting Tokyo in September and can't wait to follow in Tony's exact wake, except for XEX. Been there. Done that. Over rated in my humble opinion.

JNA

Yeah, I totally agree on the photography. Reminds me of the slow and thoughtful style of Masaki Kobayashi (Director of classics like "Kwaidan" and "Samurai Uprising") They celebrated stillness rather than frantic style... also hints of Ron Fricke's contemplative time-lapse masterpiece, Baraka, my favorite non-verbal movie.

As someone who appreciates that No Reservations is without question the most cinematic show on cable, I've got nothing to complain about!

Oh, and this episode reminds me of why its so awesome to work in the food industry OUTSIDE of the USA.

Raw Chicken? Delicious for the dinner? Yes! Delicious for the attorneys representing the class action law suit? Yes!

In America they make me take the egg whites out of my whiskey sours and cook everything until it is grey! No open flames at the table, nothing too hot, too sharp, too raw or too exciting.

If Japan, an uptight law-and-order country by by anyone's standards, can relax a little bit and let consenting adults eat at their own informed risk, then why can't America?

Of all the shows in recent memory, this stands out as perhaps Tony's finest hour. The care, the nuances, the details were amazing. Did you hear the music, see the unfocused cutaways, the various camera angles, and marvel at the access that Tony got into Morimoto-san's restaurant and the Kendo Dojo? I did and for someone who has traveled a lot and seen a lot, I was not only fascinated, I found myself a little jealous. You are a lucky man, Tony, to have eaten that Monkfish meal.

I grew up in an Asian household, studied Kendo, and I rarely find things that I can read, hear, feel our touch that reflect an earnest and uncomplicated view of things that are Japan. Tony got to that special place where appreciation, knowledge and sharing of experience seem to converge. I found myself pausing and replaying certain segments, savoring the writing as if I was enjoying a really nice glass of wine.

For all you folks who have seen all these episodes, you know what I'm taking about. Tony has hit some high notes in this series and in A Cook's Life. The only other show I think this compares to are the French Laundry episode and the episode where Tony went back to France with his brother. He leaves his emotions there for you to reflect with him about this strange and wonderful journey life has taken.

It's funny how the insights into flower arranging could almost apply to this whole show. A little height here, these parts make you happy, the open space shows motion, and an appreciation of what's there. So much more to say. But, I'll leave it with a thanks for this terrific episode. Well done!

I liked this episode, but it wasn't one of my favorites. From a traveler's perspective Tony didn't really show alot of what Tokyo had to offer. It seemed more or less that he used this episode to explore Tokyo from a more spiritual standpoint as opposed to Osaka when he did more fun activities.

I also thought that he spent more time in Kyoto than in Tokyo itself. I believe Kyoto is a 2 hour train ride outside of Tokyo, so it's a little deceiving to strictly call this a Tokyo episode when he really didn't do anything there.

The episode was nicely shot and there were alot of nice tib bits about the flower arranging and some of the lesser known areas of Tokyo/Kyoto. But as a traveler, I wanted to see more and I felt the pacing was a little slow.

Overall, a decent episode, but not one of my favorite episodes.

Well, I agree with you Djariya, but...

I'm glad he did Japan differently this time. Although I loved the Osaka episode, I don't want to see Tony just repeat it. Although some people complain about it, I like that No Reservations hasn't become formulaic.

Tony said you don't need an excuse to go there, but on the other hand, you probably do need an excuse to make another TV program about it. Showing realistically the average Japanese life (beer, baseball and oban) was great, but (I think purposefully) left out the more reknowned elements of Japanese culture.

I love how he managed to make two shows about very similar places, without having them overlap. The fact that he can do two major Japanese cities but show them in completely different ways really shows a deep understanding of the local culture. On the other hand, most Travel Channel shows make every place look pretty much the same, no matter how different they are.

Anyone remember what Anthony had during the segment of the show where he was eating with Morimoto and there were geisha's there?

He said something about what they were having as not possible to be served here (but he's seen it in Europe) and said something about it having to be renamed as fish eggs or something like that if it were served here in the US?

I rewound it several times but Anthony was kind of mumbling when he said it so it was hard to make out.

Anyone know which portion I'm referring to? What was he having?

Thank you in advance.

This show just made me want to go back to Japan even more. *dreamy sigh*

Anyway, do you guys know where I could get an electric grill here in the US? I'm looking for one very similar to what was used at the restaurant that Anthony Bourdain went to in Shibuya- the one that just served chicken.

I wish the show could go to other parts of Japan, too. There's just so much to see there.

they keep repeating this episode today-- cracks! I'm mighty jealous!! the look of ambrosia on his face.quite endearing.

Great episode! I was wondering if about INOTADA, Knife productions: telephone number or website. I googled it but nothing!! My wife is loves cooking and I would like to have a chef's knive made for her. If someone could let me know how I go about having a knife made that would be great. Tony keep doin what your doin: we are all envious.

I love this episode. This season, in fact, is the best so far, I think. It's like a tasting menu - I like not knowing what I'll get each week - could be snark, could be kitsch, could be controversy, could be quiet reflection. But it's always interesting.

My family lived in Japan for a short time in 2000, and it was fun to go back vicariously. It was also interesting how many of the observations in this episode resonated with our own experiences. Makes me think I can also trust AB's take on other places.

If anybody's ever in Kyoto, I have to recommend the Seikoro Inn: http://www.kiwicollection.com/property/seikoro-inn
It was great in 2000 - probably still is. We had the most phenomenal keiseki experience there one night. It is just one of the most restful and aesthetically rich places I've ever been - warm and inviting and homey and so serene. We were clumsy Americans (with a toddler in tow, no less...) and recieved nothing but kindness and generosity.

And the knives in Japan...argh. Japan = food porn, and also knife porn! AB must have gone nuts. We got a nice one over there but I confess that I use the Global a lot more. Ultimately, I guess I feel I'm not worthy of the blade, or able to care for it adequately. So it sits in a dusty place of honor.

Anyway - that's my 2 cents on the Samurai knife quest, for those of you lusting after them. I know my limits. Me with that knife is like giving a Maserati to a soccer mom for carpooling. I should send it to AB.

However, since I'm from the Pacific Northwest, he'd probably take it as a threat to his personal safety...

Hey, horray for knife porn! it is what makes those long rainy winters in Seattle seem a little warmer!

As a heavily armed Seattle native, I can guarantee that Tony has nothing to worry about, and he should know it! He's one of us, after all!

I went to Toriki. It's actually far south of Shinagawa and I had to have the help of my friends to find it. We made a reservation to make sure there was room. We had chicken breast prepared in yaki style as well as shashimi. It's as good as he said it was. But Tony, be a little more acurate about where these places are.
photo of toriki

quote:

Originally posted by raniro:
What did you think? Tell us.

Can anyone tell me what Anthony was eating on the train in Japan? IT looked like maybe Japanese sweets but I wasn't sure...and I wanted to try whatever it was rolled in rice

Loved the episode, as I do most, but I felt like Tony was being so... nice. Little to no snark. I'm sure he was enjoying himself, and was trying to show respect to his guests, but still. SOMETHING always gets to him. Did he start smoking again or something? Take up Xanax? Sign a waiver of niceness with the government? Is a pod person involved? I just found it interesting. It was a Happy Tony episode to be sure

As usual, loved the show. One comment, did I hear Anthony pronounce Morimoto as Masamaru Morimoto? Isn't it Masaharu Morimoto?

quote:

Originally posted by lancer:
Anyone remember what Anthony had during the segment of the show where he was eating with Morimoto and there were geisha's there?

He said something about what they were having as not possible to be served here (but he's seen it in Europe) and said something about it having to be renamed as fish eggs or something like that if it were served here in the US?

I rewound it several times but Anthony was kind of mumbling when he said it so it was hard to make out.

Anyone know which portion I'm referring to? What was he having?

Thank you in advance.

Carp sperm.

quote:

Originally posted by vanisher_reserve:

quote:

Originally posted by lancer:
Anyone remember what Anthony had during the segment of the show where he was eating with Morimoto and there were geisha's there?

He said something about what they were having as not possible to be served here (but he's seen it in Europe) and said something about it having to be renamed as fish eggs or something like that if it were served here in the US?

I rewound it several times but Anthony was kind of mumbling when he said it so it was hard to make out.

Anyone know which portion I'm referring to? What was he having?

Thank you in advance.

Carp sperm.

Look for it on US menus as "male fish eggs" (thanks for the CC TC).

So I'm curious, what would a meal like the one at Sukiyabashi Jiro cost? Man that uni looked good!

I think the part on automatic toilet service was hilarious!!!!! [/color]

quote:

Originally posted by ouyangwulong:
Yeah, I totally agree on the photography. Reminds me of the slow and thoughtful style of Masaki Kobayashi (Director of classics like "Kwaidan" and "Samurai Uprising") They celebrated stillness rather than frantic style... also hints of Ron Fricke's contemplative time-lapse masterpiece, Baraka, my favorite non-verbal movie.

As someone who appreciates that No Reservations is without question the most cinematic show on cable, I've got nothing to complain about!

I'm not familiar with the directors you have mentioned but do agree it reminded me a bit of "Baraka". The photography and editing were perfect for the subject matter while also being kind of surreal and contemplative. It definitely kept me riveted to the screen...and drooling.