The Layover Season 1 Episode 9 London

In The Layover's season 1 episode 9, titled "London," viewers are taken on an adventure through the city of London with host Anthony Bourdain. The show's premise is based on Bourdain's philosophy that layovers in cities can be more than just stressful time wasted between flights—they can be opportunities to explore new places and cultures.

The episode kicks off with Bourdain arriving in London's Heathrow Airport. He wastes no time diving into the city's vibrant food scene by stopping at restaurant St. John Bread and Wine for a breakfast of bacon sandwiches and strong coffee. From there, he heads to the East End to explore Brick Lane, a street filled with curry houses and international food stalls. Bourdain raves about the multiculturalism of the area and the quality of the food, declaring that it's some of the best he's had anywhere in the world.

Next, Bourdain visits a traditional British pub called The Warrington in the Maida Vale neighborhood. He sits down with a group of locals and learns about the pub's rich history, which includes being a favorite hangout spot for famed writer George Orwell. Bourdain also gets a taste of some classic pub food, like fish and chips and bangers and mash.

Throughout the episode, Bourdain takes in the iconic sites of London, like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. He also visits the famous Borough Market and indulges in some of the city's best street food, like oysters and salt beef sandwiches.

One of the highlights of the episode is when Bourdain visits a food stall called Kappacasein in the trendy neighborhood of Bermondsey. There, he samples a dish called "raclette," which consists of a melted cheese wheel scraped onto potatoes and served with pickles and cured meats. Bourdain is blown away by the dish and declares it to be one of the best things he's ever eaten.

In addition to the food, Bourdain also explores London's diverse music scene. He visits Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho and the legendary 100 Club, a venue famous for hosting punk and rock shows in the '70s. Bourdain even gets up on stage and sings a few lines with the house band, much to the delight of the audience.

The episode wraps up with Bourdain reflecting on his time in London and sighing, "It's too short." He notes that even though he packed a lot into just a few days, there's still so much left to see and do in the city. His parting words to viewers are to make the most of their layovers and explore as much as they can.

Overall, "London" is a fun and informative episode of The Layover that showcases the best of what the city has to offer. Bourdain's enthusiasm for the food and culture is infectious, and viewers will be left feeling inspired to book a trip to London themselves.