Travel, write, and eat with Jordan

Hi all! I’m on my third night in Vienna, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite cities.

The city itself is beautiful, the food scene is awesome, public transportation is great, and there are countless museums.

The main topic of today’s post is going to be about everyone’s favorite chef turned author turned TV host, Anthony Bourdain.

Everywhere city I visit, I make it a point to eat or have a drink somewhere that was featured on one of his shows. Obviously,  I’m a huge fan.

He was such a big star and so many people felt a connection to him and his shows/books, that I actually think this is pretty common. Which leads me to my adventure today in Vienna.

Many of the places he went to in Vienna have since closed  (the episode aired almost a decade ago), but one place, Urbanek, still stands today in Vienna’s Nachtsmarkt. The Nachtsmarkt is a cool little outdoor market with various food stands and other shops.

I went straight to Urbanek, a small and unassuming little cured meat shop with two small tables outside. The owner greeted me as I walked in and noted that he saw me looking at my phone as if I were following directions.  I told him that this place was one of the main places on my list and he asked if I found out about them because of Anthony Bourdain.

When you arrive at Urbanek, you can let them know what charcuterie and cheeses you want on your plate, or you can just ask them to make a spread for you.

I requested head cheese and blood sausage for sure and then told him everything else I would trust his judgement. He offered me a glass of red wine and I took a seat and waited for my plate. It was everything I hoped for and more.

In addition to my two requests, he included an absolutely incredible variety of other cuts. The additional meats were organic ham, wild boar, cured beef, pork belly, and herbed mountain cheese and pickles. He added a some freshly grated horseradish over everything.

I am not exaggerating when I say this was my favorite charcuterie board ever. It was an intimidating amount of meat, but there was nothing left except a couple bread crusts. With that, lunch, and another Bourdain spot was done.

Anthony Bourdain and his shows remain a big inspiration for me. They inspired me to make travel a priority in my life. The way he approaches a city and it’s culinary scene has influenced how I search for my next meal abroad and how I explore a neighborhood.

Because of Tony Bourdain, I approach each meal abroad as a full experience. Experiencing the ingredients, the ambience of the restaurant, understanding any cultural or historical significance each place has.

Food has always been one of the best ways to experience and learn about a culture. Tony and so many others have preached this.

Because of Tony, I think about each bite of a dish when I’m traveling. I make sure to soak up the vibe of my surroundings. And I sit back and am grateful that I have the opportunity to experience this.

Whether it’s a plate of cured meats in a market, a 500 year old bar in Amsterdam, or fine dining establishment, I make sure I’m present and in the moment. It may sound silly, but those moments are often my “I made it” moments.

That’s the impact Tony Bourdain has had on me and countless others.