Bourdain and his travel companion, chef Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin), visit France's oldest city to experience its stew of cultures and cuisines, indulging in chef Gerald Passedat's famous bouillabaisse, the classic pied et paquets, Algerian couscous and as much salumi and Corsican cheeses as they can handle. The pair also meet crime novelist Cedric Fabre, esteemed chef Georgiana Viou, and journalist Gilles Rof.

Bourdain visits the Bay Areas of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose to take a personal journey – in martial arts training with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor Kurt Osiander, and healing through food, featuring dinner at the original Trader Vic's with author Sean Wilsey (Oh the Glory of it All) and at soul food restaurant Real Miss Ollie's with Bobby Seale (Black Panthers founding member).