Clash of the titans - Ruhlman vs. Bourdain Round 206

Bourdain cracks me up. It's almost obnoxious how he exudes so much wit and charm so effortlessly. I have to admit I do have quite a crush on the dear old bugger but it's hard not to like someone so blatantly candid about all their flaws and so happy about taking on new things, new experiences and all sorts of silliness at any time and any day.

A hysterical recent exchange he had with Michael Ruhlman (food writer extraordinaire, arch-nemesis and his good friend all in one package):
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Ruhlman's challenge:
Travel Network, in this repeat-packed season of the year, is running an episode of Bourdain’s No Reservations in which he invites an unsuspecting Midwesterner to not my favorite city on earth. (I’m pretty sure it was his only way of getting a reservation at Bouchon.) FYI.

I’ve repeatedly invited him and his crew to Cleveland, preferably in one of our colder, grimmer months, when the wind whips off the lakes and the smoke from the steel mill stacks is identical to the sky. You know where he is now? Tahiti. You leave the kitchen, you get soft. It’s a law of nature. Come to Cleveland, Mr. Soft Palms. We gotch ya cultcha right heah, pal.

Bourdain's Response:
Okay, Ruhlman. As you well know, I am taking you up on your challenge. There WILL be a Cleveland episode of NO RESERVATIONS. It WILL begin shooting almost immediately upon my return from Tahiti. And you will have the opportunity to show me that there are signs of life in Ohio--beyond cow-tipping and the World's Largest Rubber Stamp.. Oh...and you are aware of the drag racing scene? Me in a rented Vette--and you in the ol' wood panelled station wagon, public road? Loser has to eat three orders of Skyline 3-Way Cincinatti Chilli. No joke.

And the Chomsky-quoting fascist is coming along for a couple a days...so you are in DEEP shit, my friend. Can you spell S.L.A.U.G.H.T.E.R.F.E.S.T?

Ruhlman's counter-attack:
...so, bourdain rises from his poolside lounge chair...we await your arrival, and your big mouth, and your challenge, old man. the only thing I truly fear, besides Skyline Chili, is the fascist....
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Too funny - I'm SO looking forward to the start of the next season (1/1/07) and to see what kind of quips the two of them come up with on the Cleveland episode.

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