While he’s yet to bring his show to T.O., celebrity chef, author and television star Anthony Bourdain is in town promoting his new book, Medium Raw. When we spoke to Bourdain earlier this month, the 54-year-old said nobody’s made a compelling enough case as to why our fair city deserves to be featured on his hit show No Reservations.
If anyone can change his mind, it’s Scott Vivian, chef and co-owner of Beast restaurant and the man tasked with catering the VIP event 
Wednesday night after Bourdain’s show at Massey Hall. We caught up with Vivian and asked him the top five Toronto restaurants he’d take Bourdain if given the chance:
"That’s my favourite place to go and it’s a good representation of what Chinatown has to offer."
421 Spadina Ave.
“I’d order the charcuterie board for sure. We were just there the other night and we had an amazing tripe and merguez soup.”
928 Dundas St. W.
Local Kitchen & Wine Bar and Buca
"He likes Italian restaurants so we could show him what Italian food we have here on that level."
1710 Queen St. W. and 604 King St. W.
"I think he’s been to Pho Hung before… I’d probably take him to the Golden Turtle and get him the regular."
125 Ossington Ave.
As for tonight, Chef Vivian will be serving up mainly cold cocktail items, including:
- Duck and pork terrine
- Mustard with Mill Street coffee porter
- Veal sweetbread and Foie Gras sausage
- Mortadella
- Calf’s brain ravioli with red spice pasta
- Beast’s take on a reuben sandwich — a little rye bread crostinis, cabbage and beef tongue
- Smoked rainbow trout, served like little fish tacos
- Dirty rice fritters
Vivian says he’s not nervous to serve Bourdain, just honoured.
"When you get to do it for somebody that really appreciates food and has a big name like he does it’s very exciting."
