I happen to be a major Bourdain fan; he has attitude, yes, but I've worked with chefs with half the talent and charisma and twice the vitriol. He reminds me of all my favorite chefs: unwavering desire to taste the authentic and local; the will to try anything once; and an unapologetic need for the best food around, whether it be foie gras or fried chicken.
Spain is one of those amazing places in the world where the entire country serves as a culinary mecca, and has been doing so for ages. Chefs have always flocked there for the varied cuisine across the small country, and it is Spain that Bourdain chooses for his next round of culinary adventures.
I personally have not had the pleasure of exploring a large majority of this fascinating country and its storied food, but I did get the opportunity to jet in and out of Barcelona last year. A group of jet-setting girlfriends decided Barcelona would be the perfect backdrop for a 30th birthday party. Quimet Quimet was on my short list of must stops, and I dragged my sleepy friends there one afternoon for an amazing tapas experience.
I mention this because my culinary hero hits up Quimet Quimet while in Barcelona, and his coverage of the city is said to make foodies drool in their living rooms.
So call me a nerd, but I know exactly where I'll be on Monday afternoon: in my living room, munching up Manchego and roasted red pepper toasts and sipping a Spanish rose, devouring Spain through Mr. Bourdain. The re-run of "Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations: Spain" is on the Travel Channel at 4pm.
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