Phil Rosenthal, the creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and host of “Somebody Feed Phil,” brings his Netflix travel show to Boston in the latest season. In an episode shot several months ago, Rosenthal explores the city’s food scene and visits some of its tourist attractions. “One of the few vacations my family ever took was to Cape Cod, but I never made it to Boston,” Rosenthal shared from his home in LA.
During his time in the city, he visited innovative chefs and local personalities, including stops at Neptune Oyster in the North End, Comfort Kitchen in Uphams Corner, and Sarma in Somerville. Rosenthal also took a stroll through Quincy Market and met with Gus Rancatore, co-founder of Toscanini’s in Cambridge, and North End culinary bigwig Frank DePasquale. “I’m anxious that we got it right,” says Rosenthal, who has announced a return visit to Boston for a live appearance at the Wilbur Theatre on September 10.
In a memorable segment, Rosenthal expressed his nerves but was met with heartfelt moments, like eating cannoli in the North End or preparing to devour a lamb shank at La Royal. His anxieties are often overshadowed by his genuine curiosity and excitement, which have become hallmarks of the show. The episode included a detour to Rhode Island, where Rosenthal visited Sherry Pocknett, the first Indigenous woman to receive a James Beard Award.
Phil Rosenthal explores Boston’s cuisine
Her restaurant, Sly Fox Den Too, offers dishes like corn chowder topped with smoked mussels that Rosenthal described as “kinda genius.”
Over its seven-year run, “Somebody Feed Phil” has boosted the businesses of numerous restaurants featured on the show. Rosenthal recalls trying to revisit a seafood café in Lisbon, only to find it fully booked thanks to the show’s influence.
The episode concludes with a Zoom visit from his friend Jane Fonda, who praises the show for its lighthearted and culturally engaging content. “To be embracing of other cultures is somehow political. Which is really stupid.
To me, it’s only human,” Rosenthal says. Rosenthal’s interaction with Pocknett ended with a poignant reminder from history. Discussing the Wampanoag tribe’s first encounter with the pilgrims at Plymouth, Pocknett emphasized, “We were human.
We helped them.”
“Somebody Feed Phil” continues to be a celebration of food and cultural diversity, bringing viewers a sense of global connection and joy.
