Switching the Gear

By No Reservations Crew on July 27, 2009 11:46 AM | Permalink | 13 Comments

By Zamir

I was really surprised to learn that Tony invites me to accompany him on Rust Belt journey. "What for?" I started thinking, "there is no need for me to arrange anything there." Then Chris Collins, the show's executive producer explained, "This time you will not have to do anything. Just relax." "OK, why not?" I thought, but then I remembered that "there is never free lunch." It is always good to feel again like a part of Dream Team, as I jokingly call ZPZ Creative Associates, with whom I was involved in making three Travel Channel shows and one Food Network program over the last eight years.

First stop: Baltimore, an interesting city with aquarium and harbor right in front of our hotel. First real character: rank-and-file investigative officer at local police homicide department, Jay Landsman. When he started to spell out his professional stories on counterfeiting and drug trafficking operations, the way he pronounced the name of his hometown -- "Balma" -- added spice. I felt like I was reading again my favorite book by Mario Puzo, Godfather. Tony explained that Jay was depicted in many successful TV shows -- The Wire, Corner and Homicide. "Well, this is real America," was my first thought during that informal bite at great food outlet Pit Beef.

Next stop: Detroit. We hardly had time off after exhausting travel and shoot but my dream plan was to ATTEND LOCAL HOCKEY TEAM Detroit Red Wings' game at its home arena with great Russian player Datsuk. No tickets, sold out!!! Bad luck -- but even economic crisis does not prevent Americans from watching the game live on TV, so I watched it in local bar with my local friends Diane and Stephen, which happened to be even more fun with people reacting to Red Wings' 6-1 victory vs. Dallas team.

The biggest distraction for me personally was to "visit or not to visit" local casino right next to our breakfast room at the hotel. On our last night there Tony asked, "will you play Spanish 21 with me?" I thought for a moment. "Yes, why not," I said, though I never had luck before in any of casinos around the world. The result -- Tony was $200 down while I made $125. So next day I treated him to real Buffalo wings to celebrate my first victory!!!

Buffalo: Definitely the climax of the trip. Nelson Starr, a local musician, was our key host, an amazing individual, a bohemian, Paul McCartney-looking man in his early 30s. The moment we loaded our gear into local van, the driver gave me a gift from Nelson, a Moskovskaya vodka bottle -- with the inscription, "Do not let Zamir touch it." Later, on the way to the hotel Mansion, I thought, "WOW. Home away from home. My kind of place" -- and it was a real mansion, where "ghosts" allegedly appear during the night. I did not meet any, though ...

Little did I know that Tony had two surprises for me at the end of the trip. The first was giving me a free ride at 90 miles/hour on snowmobile as I swore like hell at not having a chance to enjoy the views of beautiful Lake Erie or fog coming from Niagara Falls! Luckily for Tony he did not hear a damn curse at that speed. The second surprise came late in the evening as Nelson and his band performed live at local club and I saw a mini-crowd chanting "Zamir, we love you!" And asking me to sign an autograph on their jeans, crutches, etc., after the show! For first time did I realize that apart from Tony's huge fan clubs around U.S., I had fans here as well. Well, the trip was definitely worth it!

"Show must go on," and we are back into the van to return to NYC ... Eight days trip passed like a flash with great impressions and my new notion of real of America --"the further away you travel from NYC, the warmer and nicer people are!"

Tags: zamir , no reservations , rust belt , baltimore , detroit , buffalo

13 Comments

1

Rachel - July 28 2009 @ 6:01 pm
Zamir I was so happy to see you on the show. Being from Detroit, if people can't get to the Joe to see the Wings the local bars are full of adoring fans who love their team and their city. Also Pavel Datsyuk is my favorite. I really don't think the 15 minutes if Detroit that was shown gave it justice, you and Anthony should go back and experience the awesome food in Greek Town. But none the less it was nice to see you two in my hometown!
2

Camusman - July 29 2009 @ 12:59 pm
crutches or crotches?
3

Pat McC - July 29 2009 @ 1:13 pm
Welcome back, Zamir! Of course you have fans! I think it's safe to say that for most of us, you are riding shotgun with the ultimate travel/GOOD EATS guide, and yours are shoes we'd love to fill! It's a blast to watch you guys! I hope you fulfill your entrepreneurial dreams someday, but in the meantime, keep on hitting the road with Tony!
4

Shannon - July 30 2009 @ 12:32 am
Zamir-
My husband and I think you are a great addition to the show! We absolutely LOVED the Romania episode, what a riot! And you are so right about the further you get from NYC.... America is really a pretty friendly place.
5

Alexei - July 31 2009 @ 12:37 am
Zamir, when you're going to take the dream team to Tbilisi and rest of Georgia? Colorful people, great surroundings, culture, rich history and troubled present, amazing food and vine - wouldn't it make a good show? Never been in Tbilisi myself, would love to see it trough your lenses.
6

june-baby - August 01 2009 @ 2:07 am
Zamir, You Rock man. Loved the rust belt show you were in with Tony. glad to see you back with Tony again hope you do another episode of NR with him.
7

Rhi - August 04 2009 @ 1:11 pm
I loved this episode b/c it hit near my home which is about 45 minutes to an hour away from Buffalo in Rochester. Its also one of the places going down hill,but for some odd reason I want to stay and raise my family here. Rochester has a specialty as well.... You all should try a garbage plate..... they are great and the creator is Nick Tahou's great place good food even better with a few beers. It is popular with the college kids. I have been eating them for years and it is definitely something you should try..... www.garbageplate.com Well I know Rochester is nothing to fantastic, but we are eaters!
8

tratamente - August 06 2009 @ 12:17 am
the Romania episode was great, congrats !
9

Steve - August 30 2009 @ 11:46 pm
Travel Channel, bring back Zamir! That guy adds so much to the episodes with Tony. A great addition. Really hope to see him again. Him and Tony are the perfect compliment to each other.
10

Jerry - September 07 2009 @ 8:52 pm
The Baltimore episode was great, but I gotta take you guys to the real spots in Bmore. Lake Trout was a good stop for you guys. But you missed some of the best most quite kept food spots. Snoop was a nice host though. Peace.
11

Valory - September 18 2009 @ 11:54 am
I thought Tony had done a show including Tbilisi, Georgia, but haven't found it. I am currently working in Tbilisi and was hoping to get some travel info. Tony could visit Batumi( resort town on the Black Sea), and Meskheta(historical city) and Tbilisi. Lots of good georgian vodka but watch out for the chacha.
12

John - November 02 2009 @ 11:50 am
I am always happy to see Zamir on the show. I would like to see you guys go to Ukraine sometime, but since you are not at this moment, I will go myself! However, I hope you have the opportunity to be on the show again maybe you, Tony and Niri(SP) would make a good team, two old guys and a cute girl.
13

Online trading - November 07 2009 @ 4:06 pm
do they really want to take everything from us!? dedicated server

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