Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

In this DVD-style SPECIAL EDITION, host Anthony Bourdain and producer Chris Collins recount their tales of adventure in Iceland. Watch the episode with Bourdain and Collins as they provide scene-by-scene insight and commentary and describe what really happened when the cameras were not rolling.

A look behind the scenes of "No Reservations."

Bourdain travels to Spain and visits the research laboratory of Ferran Adria, renowned chef of el Bulli.

Tony's debut episode of this new series has him visiting Paris. He explores the city's famous catacombs, tries some absinthe, checks out one of the city's major meat markets, and spends the night in the room where Oscar Wilde died.

This week Anthony travels to Iceland, where in winter the volcanic islands see only about four hours of sunlight a day. Anthony finds the darkness comforting and learns how the Icelanders contend with the dark days - eating, drinking, and pumping iron!

Tony visits the state of New Jersey. He takes us on a trip through his birthplace trying to dispel some common misconceptions of the garden state. We learn about the Sopranos and other NJ landmarks as Tony reminisces.

In this special two-hour season two premiere, Tony's culinary journey takes him to the main hubs of Asian cuisine: Japan and China. In Japan, he visits Osaka, where he learns all about the Hanshin Tigers-Yomiuri Giants baseball rivalry; to Japan's version of vaudeville, manzai; and to kuidaore (eating oneself to ruin) where he samples takoyaki, okonomiyaki and later sushi. From there, Tony meets up with an old friend, Michiko, and they travel to Kisoji for a water purification ritual; learn the exchange of meishi and help celebrate Obon. Later, Tony attends a Hanshin Tigers game. In China, a country Tony has never visited, he attempts to tackle as much of its cuisine and culture as he can in a short period of time. Beijing is Tony's first stop, where he samples Peking duck, the nasty bits of a sheep, and a variety of noodles at a noodle house. Tony gets a lesson in Chinese calligraphy and visits a doctor for some traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture, fire cupping, and electroacupuncture. From there, Tony is off to Sichuan province, where he receives an unorthodox ear cleaning, visits the Jianfu Temple, center of Taoism during the Tang Dynasty, and samples Szechuan hotpot. He ends his visit in a village outside of Chengdu for a family dinner that uses the old methods of Chinese cooking.

Tony begins his exploration of outer Miami in the vibrant Creole enclave of Little Haiti. Later, he heads out to the vast subtropical preserves of the Everglades. And in South Beach he visits a dive bar, Club Deuce.

Tony meets famous Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, tries Peruvian Ceviche and goes sightseeing in the capital city, Lima. Then he travels to a village in Tambopata, the Peruvian jungle, and tries piranhas and goes through unique experiences. Finally he visits the city of Cusco to try new stuff in a local market and Machu Picchu, where he tries to find peace of mind.

Ireland is steeped in history and traditions, both oral and written. It is also steeped in the myth that it has the worst food on the planet. New York chef and travel television host Anthony Bourdain is traveling to Ireland to dispel those myths.

Tony Bourdain heads to the African nation of Ghana. While there, he sees the startling contrast of old Ghana to modern Ghana. The old ways include slavery, forts and the military. Modern Ghana celebrates with interesting food and music.

The Pacific Northwest is filled with everything - history, coffee, fresh produce, trees and obsession. Chef Anthony Bourdain is setting off to visit the land introduced to us by Lewis and Clark, to rediscover it.

The country of Singapore is serious about food. The cuisine of Singapore borrows from Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Indonesian traditions. Along the way, it uses the cheap and plentiful ingredients of the the country to make the food available everywhere.

Tony explores the contrasting sides of Berlin. He is both repulsed and and attracted to the good and the evil in the city.

Vancouver (in British Columbia) has a flourishing film industry, beautiful landscapes, and a progressive food scene.

Anthony Bourdain discovers the beauty behind the street food of Mexico.

Tony's mission, on this trip, is to step away from the Venice of tourists and into the Venice of Venetians. Venice is an extraordinary city filled with ancient monuments, sprawling palazzos, quaint cafes, and vibrant markets.

Tony Bourdain is in Washington D.C. to explore this city of contrasts - democrat vs. republican, affluent vs. poor, visible vs. invisible, black vs. white.

Tony travels to Panama, which is rumored to have originated from an Amerindian word meaning "an abundance of fish." One of Tony's stops includes the Mercado de Mariscos, a swank new fish market to sample the national go-to dish: ceviche.

As the largest city in Turkey, Istanbul is home to vibrant and diverse cultures and cuisine. Tony explores this massive city, meeting new friends and tasting world-class food along the way.

Brittany's reputation as one of France's most alluring culinary corners has lured Anthony Bourdain here to uncover its succulent secrets.

Tony visits Haiti, a country dealing with a cholera epidemic and an impending hurricane. During his trip, Tony meets with Sean Penn in the tent city built by his relief group. At the end of his trip, Tony is unsure of what the future will hold for Haiti.

Tony visited Cambodia 10 years ago with what he now views as a narrow perspective of the world. Now he sees the parallel between Cambodia's development since then and his own maturation and seeks to reconnect with this historically rich country.

Most Americans know Nicaragua best for the Iran-Contra affair of the 1980s, but what is this country like now, over 20 years later? Tony visits locals young and old to find out what it means to live in Nicaragua today.

Tony travels to Mozambique and finds himself in a mysterious, post-colonial Africa. From Portuguese ruins on Mozambique Island, to the vibrant metropolis of Maputo, Mozambique doesn't look like anyplace Tony has been so far.

Tony Bourdain travels to Kansas City, MO, the BBQ capitol of the world with pal Zamir Gotta in search of the best barbeque. While there, Tony meets up with musicians, Dan and Patrick of The Black Keys for some serious finger licking meat.

Croatia's Istria and Dalmatia regions are toured. Included: swimming with bluefin tuna; truffle hunting.

The recipe for the perfect form of transportation: a nice car, or maybe a scooter, or boat, and if possible bring a chef along. Any way you measure it, transportation is a huge part of traveling, so why not make it memorable. In Laos, Tony finds himself in Wang Prabang, a spiritual hillside community known for its beautiful monuments and places of worship. Elephants are revered in this community, so what better way to show his respect than to ride an elephant through the jungles? In Tony's words, "it feels like your riding on top of a giant scrotum." In Medellin, Colombia, buses are a highly regarded expression of individuality and pride. Here it's a pimp my bus moment, all the time. He takes a ride with chef Andres to the Plaza Minorista for a small breakfast. Little does he know that the Colombian tradition is to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. After devouring nearly all of the fried eggs, rice, empanadas, beans, arepas, and various meats on his plate, he's ready for the day. In Malaysia, Tony meets up with an old friend, David, who has previously shown him around Kuala Lumpur and Borneo. David takes Tony on a fancy gardenia-covered carriage ride through the streets of Panang. Tony feels like he's in Liberace's wedding in the carriage. He is not thrilled, even with a beer in his hand.

Strange, unusual and out-right weird. Tony's appetite is as big as the ocean, and he loves the sea. In Queens, NY, chef David Chang joins Tony at Sik Gaek, home to traditional Korean dishes. They tear through wriggling chopped octopus, piles of steaming seafood, and glasses of Korean beer. In Japan, Tony loses all sense of time in the small town of Noboribetsu Onsen, where he unwinds at a ryokan, a Japanese style bed-and-breakfast. Here, Tony is treated to a robatayaki feast, a fisherman's barbecue of red snapper, scallops, sardines, and crab. He enjoys the comfortable laid-back Hokkaido dining pace as he fills up on fresh seafood and sake. Then Tony travels to Italy's serene Amalfi coast. Local chef Rocco Iannone dives into the sea in the middle of a rainstorm and retrieves a bucketful of fresh sea urchin. After cracking a few open, Tony heads to Rocco's restaurant, Pappacarbone, for another taste of the sea. He dines on two types of local clams cooked in olive oil and parsley, served with spaghetti. Rocco also serves a whole octopus, battered in flour and fried, with a pizzaiola sauce made with red oregano and caciocavallo cheese.

There's nothing like good old-fashioned, heart-pumping action as Tony lives out his adrenaline junkie fantasies. In China, Tony visits the mega-lux Yabuli Ski Resort in the Changbai Mountain Range. Here, he meets Graham Kwan and Patrick Fournier, two executive partners of the resort. Not only does Tony relish the mostly empty slopes, but he also enjoys some Iranian caviar and beer on the gondola ride up the mountain. Luxurious, indeed! On his last run, fortified by alcohol, he takes an exhilarating ride down a luge run on a sled in a blizzard - and comedy, of course, ensues. In Mexico, Tony and Carlos, head chef at Les Halles in NYC, make their way to Carlos' hometown outside Mexico City. Carlos introduces Tony to the traditions surrounding bullfights: parades, street food, liquor, and fans. Then, joined by Carlos' extended family, Tony and Carlos watch as toreros taunt a bull into submission, not exactly Tony's cup of tea. In Australia, Tony finds himself fully suited in scuba gear and inside an aquatic tank, surrounded by 11-foot-long grey nurse sharks. Luckily, Tony's guide and shark expert, Brendan Kelly says these 350-pound beasts with razor sharp teeth are as gentle as little lambs. Sea turtles and stingrays also swim by, but the sharks seem to be the creatures that love to get right in Tony's face.