Official 'Anthony Bourdain Food Trail' Proposed By NJ Lawmaker

Anthony Bourdain loved New Jersey. Before his death, he gave everybody a great gift: telling us of 10 great places to eat in his home state. Now his recommendations could become essentially a new state landmark, giving out-of-staters another reason to celebrate Bourdain and visit the state.

Democratic Assemblyman Paul Moriarty has introduced legislation that would call on the Division of Travel and Tourism to establish the “Anthony Bourdain Food Trail” in New Jersey.

Bourdain was born in Leonia and spent his professional career in the restaurant industry. He worked his way up from being a dishwasher at a clam shack in Provincetown, Mass. to being head chef in some of the country’s best restaurants, including the Rainbow Room and Les Halles in New York City, according to Moriarty.

A designated trail of his favorite dining spots is a fitting way to honor the memory of one of New Jersey’s best known chefs, Moriarty said.

“There’s no question that Anthony’s road to fame was not an easy one,” said Moriarty. “Even after international fame, he never forgot his Jersey roots. Each episode, Bourdain brought his homegrown wit, charm and sense of humanity to his viewers. He became a New Jersey food icon. It was heartbreaking for his fans and for those who knew him in Leonia to find out of his passing.

Bourdain celebrated the food and culture of his native state in a 2015 episode of “Parts Unknown” where he visited 10 of his favorite eateries in different parts of the state and recalled his childhood spent on the beaches and restaurants of Long Beach Island (see video below).

The Assembly resolution specifies that the tour would include the 10 eateries Mr. Bourdain visited in 2015 for “Parts Unknown.”

The eateries featured in that episode include:

• Kubel’s in Barnegat Light;
• Hiram’s Roadstand in Fort Lee;
• Knife and Fork in Atlantic City;
• Dock’s Oyster House in Atlantic City;
• Tony’s Baltimore Grill in Atlantic City;
• Tony and Ruth Steaks in Camden;
• Donkey’s Place in Camden;
• Lucille’s Country Cooking in Barnegat;
• Frank’s Deli in Asbury Park
• James’ Salt Water Taffy in Atlantic City.

Bourdain wrote best-selling books describing the high-pressure life of a chef in famous restaurants, including “Kitchen Confidential,” and later in life traveled the world experiencing, explaining, and enjoying local cuisine and culture in the popular television programs “No Reservation” and “Parts Unknown.

The measure was introduced on Monday, June 18.

Here is the video:

Photo: Anthony Bourdain attends 'WASTED! The Story of Food Waste' Premiere during 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 22, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images)