Anthony Bourdain: World Traveler

edited by Laurie Woolever

There was no middle ground for the late Anthony Bourdain. He lived life at 279 RPM, and his death, a mere three-plus years ago, was just as filled with drama. Fans around the world (and that would include me) still mourn his passing. 

Two things he was especially passionate about were food and travel. And by piecing together Tony’s quotes from “No Reservations” and “Parts Unknown,” Laurie Woolever has created what amounts to a “little black book” of where you should go and what you should eat. 

Of course, at 488 pages, this guide

is anything but little. Woolever has arranged the book alphabetically by country, starting with Australia and ending with Vietnam, where he famously dined with President Obama at a noodle shop in Hanoi (which I photographed while vacationing there two years ago).

It soon becomes clear that Tony defines the word hyperbole. New Jersey (his home state) offers the “BEST!” breakfast he ever had. The BBQ in Austin is beyond compare. This chef or that little hole-in-the-wall is “legendary.” And so on.

This culinary journey is buttressed by Woolever’s own suggestions of what to see at these places once you deplane. Especially if you don’t travel with your own entourage, you’re not staying at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia (“that’s how I roll,” as Tony says defiantly) or taking the swankiest safari through Africa. 

I am happy to see that like me, Tony (and Woolever) share my passions for less mainstream destinations such as San Sebastián, Taiwan, and Singapore. Should I return to these climes, I will be happy to follow the very detailed recommendations provided in this wonderful book.

But I will also be sure to have the lightweight  paperback edition handy.