On the eve of the Olympic games in Sochi, Bourdain takes his first trip in nearly 10 years to Russia, accompanied by his longtime traveling partner Zamir Gotta. Looking through the lens of a now Putin-controlled Russia, Bourdain confers with prominent locals, visits Moscow's historic Metropol Hotel, takes the Grand Express train to St. Petersburg, and explores the drinking and dining scene.

Bourdain and his crew head to the Chiang Mai province of Northern Thailand along with celebrated chef and Thai food specialist Andy Ricker of Pok Pok restaurants to explore the country's distinctive eating and drinking scene that varies by region and season.