Ep 26. The Caribbean Files - Volume 2

In season 9 episode 26 of No Reservations, titled The Caribbean Files - Volume 2, host Anthony Bourdain takes viewers on a culinary journey through the Caribbean islands. This episode is a continuation of the previous volume, in which Bourdain explored the cuisine and culture of the region.

Bourdain begins in Trinidad, where he meets up with chef Jason Peru to sample local street food. They try doubles, a popular Trinidadian snack made with fried bread and chickpeas, and gyros, a Greek-inspired sandwich that has become a staple in Trinidadian cuisine. Bourdain also visits a market to see the abundance of fresh seafood available in the Caribbean, and he samples some inventive cocktails made with local ingredients.

Next, Bourdain heads to Tobago, where he visits a fishing village to learn about the island's traditional fishing methods. He then heads to a local restaurant to try some Tobagonian classics, including crab and dumplings and callaloo, a stew made with leafy greens and coconut milk.

The episode then takes viewers to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where Bourdain visits a local rum distillery and tries some of the island's signature cocktails. He also learns about the unique cuisine of the Garifuna people, who are of African and indigenous Caribbean descent, and tries their traditional dish of cassava bread and fish.

Bourdain then heads to Puerto Rico, where he embarks on a bar crawl in the town of Old San Juan. He tries the local drink of choice, the piña colada, and samples some innovative cocktails made with locally-sourced ingredients. He also visits a local restaurant to try some traditional Puerto Rican dishes, including mofongo, a dish made with mashed plantains and pork.

Finally, Bourdain heads to the island of Vieques, where he visits a farm that is growing organic produce using sustainable methods. He learns about the challenges facing local farmers in the wake of Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island in 2017. He then joins a group of locals for a beach barbecue, where he tries some of the island's best seafood and shares stories around the fire.

Overall, The Caribbean Files - Volume 2 offers a vibrant and diverse look at the cuisine and culture of the Caribbean islands, as seen through the lens of Anthony Bourdain's intrepid travels. From traditional dishes to creative cocktails, this episode celebrates the culinary richness of the region and the resilience of its people.