Ep 7. Cleveland

In season 1 episode 7 of Best of Bourdain, our beloved host, the late Anthony Bourdain, explores the gritty yet charming city of Cleveland, Ohio. Bourdain sets out to discover the real Cleveland, one that is often overlooked but deserves attention for its rich history, diverse cultures, and interesting characters.

Bourdain begins his journey by observing the city's vast industrial landscape, once the heart of Cleveland's economy. He then heads to the historic West Side Market, where he finds fresh produce, meats, and spices from different ethnic backgrounds. Here, he meets several vendors who share their stories and reflect on the market's importance to the city's culinary scene.

Moving on, Bourdain visits Sokolowski's University Inn, a restaurant that has been in business since 1923. It is a hub of family-owned eateries that serve traditional Polish cuisine. Bourdain indulges in classic dishes such as pierogies, kielbasa, and sauerkraut, and learns about the restaurant's significance to the community.

In an effort to understand Cleveland's diverse ethnic communities, Bourdain makes a stop at Little Italy. Here, he experiences the warmth and hospitality of the Italian-American culture by touring the streets and tasting traditional dishes like pasta and pizza. In this neighbourhood, Bourdain sits down with a few local residents and talks about the Italian heritage and the ways in which it has evolved in today's Cleveland.

Another highlight of this episode is Bourdain's visit to Johnny's Bar, an old-school establishment that serves up delicious burgers. Bourdain converses with local patrons while sipping on a beer and, of course, digs into one of Johnny's famous burgers.

Bourdain's exploration of Cleveland continues its focus on the city's rich culture by visiting the Art Museum. Here, he marvels at the vast collections of both contemporary and classical arts and becomes acquainted with the political and social issues that the city has faced over the years.

Bourdain's last stop on his Cleveland adventure is Lola, Chef Michael Symon's restaurant, where he witnesses how impressive Cleveland's culinary scene has become in recent years. Bourdain joins Symon in the kitchen, helping prepare dishes like pork belly and bone marrow.

Throughout the episode, Bourdain meets different people from the city's various subcultures, including a group of punk rockers who discuss the city's music scene, a local bowling alley owner who shares the history of Cleveland's pinfall culture, and a group of Ukrainian dancers who show off their cultural traditions.

Overall, this episode of Best of Bourdain is insightful and illuminating, showcasing the hidden gems of Cleveland's culture that form an integral part of the city's identity. Bourdain's genuine interest in the people, their traditions, and culinary customs make this episode unique, and even those who have visited Cleveland before will walk away with a newfound appreciation for this unique and diverse city.