No Reservations In Hong Kong

Here are some highlights from tonight's episode of No Reservations in Hong Kong:

• The city is absolutely gorgeous (in an urban way) and full of character. I really enjoyed seeing all the little corners and buildings and alleyways and lights and architecture of Hong Kong on my TV screen. It looks like a fabulous place to explore, and I'm sure Anthony Bourdain thoroughly enjoyed doing so.

• The cinematography of this episode was spectacular and really complimented the beauty of Hong Kong. I enjoyed the different camera angles and post-production work that made the episode seem like a wild dream.

• Tony and one of his guides went to visit someone really special - an old man making noodles the old-fashioned way in a small, high-rise apartment. There are apparently very few people doing it that way in Hong Kong. The man mixes the noodle dough by hand and works with it by using a big bamboo stick. He jumps up and down on the stick to knead and shape the dough! That was something very, and I mean very few people get to see.

• Tony made a trip to the horse track and lost quite a lot of money. However, he still managed to eat well on a budget in a crazy, full room full of hungry Hong Kong citizens eating very well.

• Jackie Chan's stunt team helped Tony fulfill a lifelong fantasy - making a kung-fu fight scene! In between filming the stunts, which Tony needed much time to master, the stunt team sat around a pot full of food and compared injuries. There were many outtakes shown of Tony screwing up the stunts - he's not a professional!

• Tony headed to the harbor to indulge in an interesting treat - typhoon-shelter spicy crab. Crab, as we learn, was a favorite meal during times when boats needed to be tied up during those huge Pacific storms. The ingredients were so spicy that Tony, his crew and even the chef were wiping away tears.

• We meet a very interesting-looking chef with tattoos, long hair, shades and an ever-present cigar in his mouth. He served Tony a large variety of cutting-edge cuisine, but I'll remember him the most. He's what you'd call a character.

• Lastly, Anthony and a few Hong Kong friends visit a tea shop. There's an interesting musical quality about those places when you get all the pottery clanging together with all the tea being made. Even more interesting is the rush among the customers to get to the dim sum items being served. People will fight over this stuff! Anthony just takes it all in, happy to be there and making new memories.