Comments on: No Reservations: The Shwarma and Shrapnel Episode http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/ Food, Technology and the Mind of eGullet Founder Jason Perlow Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:27:45 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: No Reservations: Especial Líbano « Só Seriados de TV http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-77841 No Reservations: Especial Líbano « Só Seriados de TV Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:59:50 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-77841 [...] No Reservations: The Shwarma and Shrapnel Episode [...] [...] No Reservations: The Shwarma and Shrapnel Episode [...]

]]> By: Tom and Maria Brown http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-76134 Tom and Maria Brown Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:53:31 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-76134 Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your show is always a favorite, with intimate views from around our world, but the Lebanon episode we just saw was among the best television shows I have ever seen! (and I mean that). If it were not for the Byzantine web links I have fought through, I would have thanked you during "half time" while the show was still airing. Not much food, but you stayed true to your art and showed us a culture. This is among the most powerful view of the idiotic shelling of a good people that I have seen, particularly of this injustice meted on the people of Lebanon. I appreciate your reference to the indifference of America’s president, as he tried to act as casual as possible during the crisis, as if to indicate that he was not involved in planning this disaster. This was important and engaging television. I hope someday we can share a meal. I truly like you and your crew. Please feel free to hand this note to the networks airing your show. Love. Tom and Maria Brown. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Your show is always a favorite, with intimate views from around our world, but the Lebanon episode we just saw was among the best television shows I have ever seen! (and I mean that). If it were not for the Byzantine web links I have fought through, I would have thanked you during “half time” while the show was still airing. Not much food, but you stayed true to your art and showed us a culture. This is among the most powerful view of the idiotic shelling of a good people that I have seen, particularly of this injustice meted on the people of Lebanon. I appreciate your reference to the indifference of America’s president, as he tried to act as casual as possible during the crisis, as if to indicate that he was not involved in planning this disaster. This was important and engaging television. I hope someday we can share a meal. I truly like you and your crew. Please feel free to hand this note to the networks airing your show.

Love.
Tom and Maria Brown.

]]> By: Jennifer http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-63812 Jennifer Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:01:12 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-63812 I continue to be devastated by the "war"--events of July 2006 in Lebanon. As I travelled from the US w/ my 3 sons to see my in-laws we were filled with much anticipation and excitement. About 1 month into our trip our carefree way of life became unsettled. My 3 sons and I were blessedly evacuated home over the course of 3 days. I will neer forget and always be indebted to our great country, its government for our safe return and my fellow Americans for their kindness and gracious offerings. Flash forward to Christmas night 2006 and I see the No Reservations episode of Beruit. I am directly brought back to those anxious days and nights, only to be filled with anger that Anthony Bourdain and crew"got out" well before everyday citizens?? I will never be able to forget the fear that myself and my boys felt everyday my husband and family in the states wondering, close calls several times...It seems like adding insult to injury that there is an actual episode to recount all this ... I continue to be devastated by the “war”–events of July 2006 in Lebanon. As I travelled from the US w/ my 3 sons to see my in-laws we were filled with much anticipation and excitement. About 1 month into our trip our carefree way of life became unsettled. My 3 sons and I were blessedly evacuated home over the course of 3 days. I will neer forget and always be indebted to our great country, its government for our safe return and my fellow Americans for their kindness and gracious offerings. Flash forward to Christmas night 2006 and I see the No Reservations episode of Beruit. I am directly brought back to those anxious days and nights, only to be filled with anger that Anthony Bourdain and crew”got out” well before everyday citizens?? I will never be able to forget the fear that myself and my boys felt everyday my husband and family in the states wondering, close calls several times…It seems like adding insult to injury that there is an actual episode to recount all this …

]]> By: Anthony Bourdain Visits The Bay Area. Is A San Francisco Show In The Works? http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-61427 Anthony Bourdain Visits The Bay Area. Is A San Francisco Show In The Works? Wed, 12 Sep 2007 05:02:59 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-61427 [...] Off The Broiler: The Shwarma and Shrapnel Episode Super Chef: Anthony Bourdain’s Nasty Bits And the man himself: Anthony Bourdain Blogging over at Bravo [...] [...] Off The Broiler: The Shwarma and Shrapnel Episode Super Chef: Anthony Bourdain’s Nasty Bits And the man himself: Anthony Bourdain Blogging over at Bravo [...]

]]> By: Mike http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-25901 Mike Sun, 25 Feb 2007 20:19:40 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-25901 Stay safe, Tony! Stay safe, Tony!

]]> By: Wise http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-9949 Wise Fri, 17 Nov 2006 04:58:43 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-9949 Keep writing, Tony. An honest eyewitness is worth a lot. Keep writing, Tony. An honest eyewitness is worth a lot.

]]> By: links for 2006-11-06 « Second Verse http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-8130 links for 2006-11-06 « Second Verse Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:23:50 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-8130 [...] No Reservations: Shwarma & Shrapnel Off the Broiler blog provides complete (?) timeline of Bourdain’s time in (and getting out of) Lebanon during July’s war. (tags: bourdain cooking food Lebanon) [...] [...] No Reservations: Shwarma & Shrapnel Off the Broiler blog provides complete (?) timeline of Bourdain’s time in (and getting out of) Lebanon during July’s war. (tags: bourdain cooking food Lebanon) [...]

]]> By: Mak http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-7957 Mak Sun, 05 Nov 2006 15:14:49 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-7957 Let me preface this comment by saying that Tony is something of a hero to me. I love his books, I love his shows, and almost always appreciate and agree with his point of view. I think though that Tony got it all a bit wrong in Beirut though, which is entirely understandable based upon his own very limited experiences in the Country, which led him to jump to conclusions based upon a very narrow breadth of understanding. Repeated throughout the entire episode, and all of the interviews thereafter, is this concept of the "tolerance" of Lebanese society, and the "live and let live" attitude that he thinks prevails there. Firstly, I don't think that this view takes into account that whatever "tolerance" there is in Lebanon today, is the result of one side being entirely outgunned and subservient to the other. More importantly though, to me, this observation of supposed Beiruti tolerance is a bit like a comentator travelling to post-Nazi Germany immediately after World War II and observing how tolerant of other cultures the population is. Of course, both societies would seem to be tolerant at these points in time, because they have already wiped out all of the people and cultures with whom they were previously unable to tolerate. On this one point , I would like to let Tony know, that his perceptions of tolerance are simply incorrect. One need only ask any Lebanese Jew whether they feel welcome in Beirut today. Unfortunately, that conversation will probably need to take place in Brooklyn, Sao Paulo, Paris, Tel Aviv, etc., because although the Jews have a history in Lebanon going back as far as recorded history extends, they have been entirely purged from Lebanese society through either murder or expulsion. Contrary to Tony's perception of cultural and religous tolerance in Lebanese society today, these folks are not welcome to return to their lives in Lebanon, and remain in forced exile. Through no fault of his own, Tony's commentary is limited by his perspective, which itself was dictate by the very limited time he had in the Country. I hope though that in the fullness of time, he comes to understand that his experiences in Lebanon -- and indeed Lebanon itself -- is a much more complex subject, with problems the roots of which come from within -- and not outside -- of its borders. Perpetuating the myth of Lebanese "tolerance" does not further this understanding. Let me preface this comment by saying that Tony is something of a hero to me. I love his books, I love his shows, and almost always appreciate and agree with his point of view.

I think though that Tony got it all a bit wrong in Beirut though, which is entirely understandable based upon his own very limited experiences in the Country, which led him to jump to conclusions based upon a very narrow breadth of understanding.

Repeated throughout the entire episode, and all of the interviews thereafter, is this concept of the “tolerance” of Lebanese society, and the “live and let live” attitude that he thinks prevails there. Firstly, I don’t think that this view takes into account that whatever “tolerance” there is in Lebanon today, is the result of one side being entirely outgunned and subservient to the other. More importantly though, to me, this observation of supposed Beiruti tolerance is a bit like a comentator travelling to post-Nazi Germany immediately after World War II and observing how tolerant of other cultures the population is. Of course, both societies would seem to be tolerant at these points in time, because they have already wiped out all of the people and cultures with whom they were previously unable to tolerate.

On this one point , I would like to let Tony know, that his perceptions of tolerance are simply incorrect. One need only ask any Lebanese Jew whether they feel welcome in Beirut today. Unfortunately, that conversation will probably need to take place in Brooklyn, Sao Paulo, Paris, Tel Aviv, etc., because although the Jews have a history in Lebanon going back as far as recorded history extends, they have been entirely purged from Lebanese society through either murder or expulsion. Contrary to Tony’s perception of cultural and religous tolerance in Lebanese society today, these folks are not welcome to return to their lives in Lebanon, and remain in forced exile.

Through no fault of his own, Tony’s commentary is limited by his perspective, which itself was dictate by the very limited time he had in the Country. I hope though that in the fullness of time, he comes to understand that his experiences in Lebanon — and indeed Lebanon itself — is a much more complex subject, with problems the roots of which come from within — and not outside — of its borders. Perpetuating the myth of Lebanese “tolerance” does not further this understanding.

]]> By: Azzurra http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-7896 Azzurra Sun, 05 Nov 2006 02:28:23 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-7896 Buon luogo, congratulazioni, il mio amico! Buon luogo, congratulazioni, il mio amico!

]]> By: Smokinaphattie.com http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-6649 Smokinaphattie.com Fri, 27 Oct 2006 15:34:57 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-6649 we love the article you wrote that was seen today on MSN covering BBQ. Visit our social commuity at smokinaphattie.com Keep on Q'ng. we love the article you wrote that was seen today on MSN covering BBQ. Visit our social commuity at smokinaphattie.com

Keep on Q’ng.

]]> By: rikki http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-4708 rikki Mon, 09 Oct 2006 21:41:10 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-4708 I NEED DESPERATLy TO SPEAK TO YOU! ASAP! PLEASE!!! I NEED DESPERATLy TO SPEAK TO YOU! ASAP! PLEASE!!!

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]]> By: Julie http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2617 Julie Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:49:16 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2617 I love your books and your adventurous show and I highly respect your brutal honesty. I find it refreshing in todays crazy world. Tony, you are young at heart and an inspiration to many! Thank You & Regards, Julie I love your books and your adventurous show and I highly respect your brutal honesty. I find it refreshing in todays crazy world. Tony, you are young at heart and an inspiration to many!

Thank You & Regards,
Julie

]]> By: gina http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2499 gina Thu, 24 Aug 2006 05:01:03 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2499 Absolutely love your show! Looking forward to the new line-up in January 2007. I can't wait to come to New York to check out your restaurant. Keep up the great work. Also, bought your book; Kitchen Confidential. I couldn't put it down. Great book. Absolutely love your show! Looking forward to the new line-up in January 2007. I can’t wait to come to New York to check out your restaurant. Keep up the great work. Also, bought your book; Kitchen Confidential. I couldn’t put it down. Great book.

]]> By: AEM http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2494 AEM Wed, 23 Aug 2006 22:51:32 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2494 As you can see from the above comments, Cal's hateful ignorance is the exception to the norm. We love and appreciate your candor, impartiality and entertaining shows Tony. Keep up the great work, and thank you. As you can see from the above comments, Cal’s hateful ignorance is the exception to the norm. We love and appreciate your candor, impartiality and entertaining shows Tony. Keep up the great work, and thank you.

]]> By: AEM http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2493 AEM Wed, 23 Aug 2006 22:51:15 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2493 As you can see from the above comments, Cal's hateful ignorance is the exception to the norm. We love and appreciate your candor, honesty and entertaining shows Tony. Keep up the great work, and thank you. As you can see from the above comments, Cal’s hateful ignorance is the exception to the norm. We love and appreciate your candor, honesty and entertaining shows Tony. Keep up the great work, and thank you.

]]> By: J. Trussell http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2482 J. Trussell Wed, 23 Aug 2006 14:13:36 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2482 I just watched the "Bourdain in Beirut" show last night but was aware of the circumstances from the promos. I'm glad Tony and crew got to visit Le Chef and the Sky bar but all of Beirut was missed and hopefully left for another show. My wife and I lived and worked in Lebanon for 16 mos. in 1999-2000. We were fish out of water at first but learned to love and respect the country and the people. The food was incredible and we still cook and eat Lebanese dishes at home. The people were great. In my work I had 6 Lebanese nationals as supervisors on the project. One Maronite christian, one Druze, one Armenian E. Orthodox, two Shi'ites, and a Palestinian Sunni. They were a great bunch of guys and helped both my wife and I become comfortable and happy in Beirut. They all wanted what we want. To work and make a living to provide better for thier families. To get thier children a better education than they had. There are three standing rules in Beiruti society. 1) Don't discuss religion. 2) Don't discuss politics. 3) Don't bother talking about the civil war (it was horrible for everyone and everyone has the same horrible stories). We loved our time there and were planning to go back on vacation this spring and still may if everything settles a little. The Israelis bombed twice while we lived there but obviously not to the degree that occurred recently. The show broke my f*@!king heart. Just the look on Joe's face when the shooting started told it all. I have seen that look before. Tony, you and the crew got gipped out of one of the most diverse, beautiful, historic, tolerant, and culinarily complete countries in the world. I can tell from that you sensed it just by the experience of one day with the Beirutis when not under attack. Please go back when it's feasible. It may be your best show. Looks like when the boat did finally arrive that the Marines and Sailors took good care of everyone. Hats off to those guys. I just watched the “Bourdain in Beirut” show last night but was aware of the circumstances from the promos. I’m glad Tony and crew got to visit Le Chef and the Sky bar but all of Beirut was missed and hopefully left for another show.
My wife and I lived and worked in Lebanon for 16 mos. in 1999-2000. We were fish out of water at first but learned to love and respect the country and the people. The food was incredible and we still cook and eat Lebanese dishes at home. The people were great. In my work I had 6 Lebanese nationals as supervisors on the project. One Maronite christian, one Druze, one Armenian E. Orthodox, two Shi’ites, and a Palestinian Sunni. They were a great bunch of guys and helped both my wife and I become comfortable and happy in Beirut. They all wanted what we want. To work and make a living to provide better for thier families. To get thier children a better education than they had. There are three standing rules in Beiruti society. 1) Don’t discuss religion. 2) Don’t discuss politics. 3) Don’t bother talking about the civil war (it was horrible for everyone and everyone has the same horrible stories). We loved our time there and were planning to go back on vacation this spring and still may if everything settles a little. The Israelis bombed twice while we lived there but obviously not to the degree that occurred recently.
The show broke my f*@!king heart. Just the look on Joe’s face when the shooting started told it all. I have seen that look before. Tony, you and the crew got gipped out of one of the most diverse, beautiful, historic, tolerant, and culinarily complete countries in the world. I can tell from that you sensed it just by the experience of one day with the Beirutis when not under attack. Please go back when it’s feasible. It may be your best show.
Looks like when the boat did finally arrive that the Marines and Sailors took good care of everyone. Hats off to those guys.

]]> By: Jenn Vix http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2459 Jenn Vix Tue, 22 Aug 2006 10:56:42 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2459 I was quite speechless after watching tonight's episode. I'm so glad you guys got out of there alive. I really understand the sadness you felt watching it all crumble. Regards, J.V. I was quite speechless after watching tonight’s episode. I’m so glad you guys got out of there alive. I really understand the sadness you felt watching it all crumble.

Regards,
J.V.

]]> By: J Tatzen http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2458 J Tatzen Tue, 22 Aug 2006 06:55:13 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2458 according to ahmadinejad & cheney's friend bernard lewis, the world is ending sometime today, so, i'll hurry up & express great appreciation for the beirut show. love my navy boys! love my marines! and, yes, yes, ISABEL RODRIGO, g-dubya is YOUR president. according to ahmadinejad & cheney’s friend bernard lewis, the world is ending sometime today, so, i’ll hurry up & express great appreciation for the beirut show. love my navy boys! love my marines!

and, yes, yes, ISABEL RODRIGO, g-dubya is YOUR president.

]]> By: Isabel Rodrigo http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2456 Isabel Rodrigo Tue, 22 Aug 2006 03:51:12 +0000 http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/07/14/no-reservations-the-shwarma-and-shrapnel-episode/#comment-2456 I am in complete agreement with Cal. Bourdain is clueless of what is happening in the Middle East. Our President is doing a fantastic job in making sure Bourdain and the rest of us, have a home to go to at the end of the day. As a foreigner, I'm proud to live in America and proud to be American. I am in complete agreement with Cal. Bourdain is clueless of what is happening in the Middle East. Our President is doing a fantastic job in making sure Bourdain and the rest of us, have a home to go to at the end of the day. As a foreigner, I’m proud to live in America and proud to be American.

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