I am very disappointed in CNN's broadcast of Anthony Bourdain's, Parts Unknown featuring the Bronx that aired Sunday on CNN. Personally that is one of the few programs that I like watching on television. Other than sports and some educational programs, and of course House of Cards, Scandal, and Sons of Anarchy when they are aired on Netflix. The broadcast of this particular episode on my home, the Bronx and in particular, the South Bronx left a lot to be desired.
I don't know who advised the producers, but it was obvious that they did not do their due diligence on the Borough. The total lack of the Latino, particularly the Puerto Rican influence of the borough was disappointing. Showing Mr. Bourdain having Cuchifritos on the Grand Concourse, eating a variety of dishes with the boroughs Honduran Garifuna community in the park and the old timers on bikes (they had their Puerto Rican flags on their jackets) was not a real representation of the Latino cultural contributions that have been ingrained into the very fabric of our borough.
Anyone watching the program with little understanding of the borough would think that the Bronx was all about the African-American communities contribution to Hip Hop. Where were the Puerto Rican contributions to Salsa which is why our borough is also known as, "El Condado De La Salsa?" Don't get me wrong; I'm proud of the fact that Hip Hop was developed in the Bronx. However, I am equally proud that Eddie Palmieri (12 time Grammy award winner), his brother, Charlie Palmieri, Willie Colón (Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award), Dave Valentin (Grammy Award in Latin Jazz), Machito (Grammy for best Latin recording) and many musicians from the Tito Rodriguez and golden Big Band era made the Bronx the Mecca of Latin Music. There was not one mention of this incredible musical genre in the Bronx.
In addition, Mr. Bourdain missed out on some of the best of our Puerto Rican/Caribbean restaurants, Like Joe's and Willie's Steak House on White Plains, La Lechonera Criolla on Webster Avenue (the best lechón period), Don Coquí on City Island (where he actually sat to eat next to when he visited City Island) and others like, Havana Café.
I have always enjoyed all of the programs I have seen on Mr. Bourdain's Parts Unknown, however, this episode on my borough was the worst. I trust that other people from his other shows in other countries don't feel the same.
CNN's Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown definitely doesn't Know The Bronx