When I was in New York last fall, I made a point of eating at one of the Les Halles. It was the best meal I have ever had, and I've eaten at a lot of "upper" establishments. French bistro is my gastronomic soul.
Last weekend, I made several dishes from Anthony Bourdain's cookbook (including, and most importantly, steak tartar). Me and my friend Tobermory ate with carnal relish whilst watching Alabama's football triumph.
You have to be crazy, and know the right people, to make the recipes. It's not for amateurs. But even if you have no intentions of ever making the food, the read is worth the buy. And smoking a joint is required when properly preparing snails.
Watch his show, now on DVD, when you can. It's not all about gross-out, despite what you may preconceive.
