...and the baby octopus was moving! Even after it had been chopped up!

I thought about this for a moment and I see your point, Traveller1959.

The raw horsemeat was akin to a normal carpaccio, I suppose. So in that sense, not at all unusual. I think the off-putting part of the experience was that it was so streaked with fat, much like a raw Kobe steak..there was probably more white fat than red meat and that is the element that put me off. This took place not in a Korean but in a Japanese restaurant, by the way.

I have to admit this, but it was far from the oddest thing I have ever eaten! (I am not sure we want to go there!) And actually quite good once I got past the appearance.

When I was in Japan, I wondered why there was a big aquarium in the middle of the restaurant...

Greasy horse meat sounds strange. Usually horse meat is very lean, like venison. Here in Europe, most horse meat is from racing horses who have broken a leg and have to be killed. Excellent quality.

In the French pyrenees, we have seen horses in open range without horseshoes. When we asked the farmer about the horses he said "pour manger".

I saw the Tuscany show and I liked it. I love AB. Who cares if he smokes? I think a lot of chefs smoke. As long as he is not smoking in the food, who cares?

Well I did not say it was greasy! I would hardly call Kobe beef "greasy" either! It was served quite chilled, probably to keep the fat from liquifying. If you have traveled in Asia you might think that that is the least of the things that people eat that some may find weird!

Horsemeat is also popular in the Veneto around Verona.

And yes, who cares if AB smokes...from what he writes, he has used substances far stronger than tobacco in the past! I cannot understand why anyone would even mention the fact that he smokes...(???) Do you REALLY think that someone who smokes cannot taste food??? Come on now, be serious!

I thought I was so wierd as I felt the strange attraction for AB too...lean, dark,irreverant ...maybe it's the eyes...I rather watch him than Paula Deen....he's was more savory than saccharin... some shows are better than others...but I hate the chain smoking too...

His first and likely last (his words) holiday special is Monday.

Back to the question "How does a man who loves food that much still smoke cigarettes?"

To someone who never smoked I'm sure this is a valid question. As hard is it is to believe, as long as one is not smoking at the same time one is eating, it has very little if any effect on taste/smell. (However it has a BIG effect taste-wise on non-smokers to
smell even stale smoke on another person.)

I remember reading a report on professional wine tasters that proved that point. If I can find it again I'll post the link.

Bourdain himself addressed his vices while eating, drinking a lot and smoking with new friends in Brazil. "Every day I google Keith Richards. If he's still alive, I continue my lifestyle."

I love that last quote!

Bourdain is great. You should read is book "Kitchen Confidential." You will find out where Bourdain is coming from.

Mr Bourdain has now given up smoking.He has had a baby with his Italian wife and didn't want to endanger the health of his new child.

He gave a talk at the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco recently,which is hilarious to listen to.Esp for those of you for a dislike of Rachel Ray,and all pseudo TV Chefs on the Food Channel.

If you have iTunes you can download it as a Podcast,or you can follow this link to listen on the Commonwealth website

http://preview.tinyurl.com/3byqkg

Lovejoy: Thanks for posting the link..I am listening to it now. I tend to agree with his attitude toward eating and travel. At least what I have heard so far. Interesting point, too, about not having preconceived notions about what to eat when you go to a restaurant....

Now he is getting silly....

Ina Garten=good
Mario Batali= great
Emeril=good (the man, not the show)
Sandra Lee (and her "Squeaky Frome stare")=bad bad bad
RR=scary; cannot cook

I find Bourdain quite entertaining in a quirky way. kslanker if you liked Kitchen Confidential, try his new book "The Nasty Bits" It made me laugh out-loud alot!

Here's a link to info on the Bourdain holiday special mentioned above (Christmas in Connecticut, with his brother's family), airing on the Travel Channel tonight at 10 pm Eastern. Should be interesting.

http://travel.discovery.com/tv/bourd...n-holiday.html