No Reservations Season 4 Episode 5 New Orleans

In season four, episode five of No Reservations, host Anthony Bourdain travels to the vibrant city of New Orleans. Bourdain is immediately struck by the city's unique blend of cultures and its love of food.

To kick off his visit, Bourdain heads to a local hot spot, the Commander's Palace, where he meets with executive chef Tory McPhail. The two discuss McPhail's passion for cooking and his love for the city of New Orleans. They then sit down to a mouth-watering meal of turtle soup, shrimp and grits, and another quintessential dish of New Orleans, gumbo.

Next, Bourdain heads to the Gumbo Shop in the heart of the French Quarter. He meets with owner Richard Stewart, who shares the history of the restaurant and the traditional dishes served there. Bourdain samples a variety of dishes, including shrimp Creole, red beans, and rice, and, of course, gumbo.

Bourdain's next stop is to the home of local food blogger, Poppy Tooker. Tooker gives Bourdain a tour of the city's famous French Market, where they sample classic New Orleans cuisine such as jambalaya and muffuletta sandwiches. The two then head to her home kitchen where Tooker demonstrates how to cook a traditional New Orleans dish, crawfish etouffee.

Bourdain's visit to New Orleans would not be complete without experiencing one of the city's most popular traditions, Mardi Gras. He attends a private costume party with local Mardi Gras king, REX, and his queen. The party is complete with traditional Mardi Gras food such as king cake and jambalaya.

Bourdain also takes a sobering tour of the Lower Ninth Ward, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He meets with local residents and witnesses the ongoing rebuilding efforts.

Throughout the episode, Bourdain highlights the resilience of the people of New Orleans and their strong connection to food and tradition. He comes away with a deep appreciation for the city and its unique culture.