Plus his can’t-live-without travel essentials
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In the newest season of the series, which is now streaming on Netflix, Rosenthal travels to Mumbai, Washington, Kyoto, Iceland, Dubai, The “Real” Orlando, Taipei and Scotland as he uncovers hidden gems and showcases the heart and soul of each city with every bite.
Ahead of his trip to Toronto, we caught up with Rosenthal to discuss season 7, his love of food and travel and his must-have travel essentials.
Q&A with Phil Rosenthal
Q: This season, you take viewers from Mumbai to Dubai and Kyoto. Culturally, what surprised you the most in terms of your expectations versus reality?
A: A couple of places. First of all, I was not prepared for the kind of emotional wallop that Kyoto is. I mean, Japan was terribly bombed during World War II, except for Kyoto, they left it alone because it was kind of the historic and cultural center of Japan. It wasn’t of any war value to them. So when you go now, there are over 2000 ancient temples and shrines and it’s the most serenely beautiful place I’ve ever been. It’s magical. I got sad the first day that I was there because I knew I only had a week. That’s how gorgeous it is. It’s just spectacular and I can’t wait to go back.
Q: One of the things you say on the show is that every time you go out of your comfort zone, it’s the most memorable thing. In season seven, what was that for you?
A: Ah, I jumped in the coldest water on Earth in Iceland. My brother makes me do these things. I can’t say that was pleasant either, but I’m glad that I did it because I lived. There are other things I’ve done like ziplining that I was a little afraid of but by the second or third zipline I was kind of used to it and it was fun. I jumped in water that was not quite as cold as Iceland in Dublin with all these crazy nice, beautiful people. I’ll tell you something, it’s such a shock to the system. Since then — that was about five years ago — every time I take a shower, at the end of the shower I turn the water to cold for 30 seconds and it’s fantastic. It wakes you up and takes you out of your head. You forget any troubles you might have and it’s a little bit of a shock, but it’s also invigorating. And that’s something I got from travel; I wouldn’t have known to do that.
Q: What other places would you like to visit for the show?
A: There are still so many places I haven’t been yet. I haven’t been to Australia on the show yet. Or New Zealand. I haven’t been to Shanghai, I haven’t been to Greece in my life. I’ve never been to Turkey. I haven’t been to San Sebastian, which is like the food capital of the world. There are still so many places. I’ve never been to Prague — I’d love to see it. I haven’t been to Amsterdam on the show yet. It’s a big world. Somebody’s gotta eat it.
Q: Who is your dream dinner guest that you’d like to have on the show?
A: Oh, I’d love Mel Brooks. I’d love Bruce Springsteen. I’m so jealous that Larry David got Bruce Springsteen to do his show.
