Restaurant Books

A few years ago I read another book about Paris cafés and bistros in which the author claimed that after reading his book (and solely on that basis), you should be able to pick out a Paris café to make your own. I don't think he quite pulled off that feat, but I have adopted that idea as one handy standard by which to measure the three or four other books about Paris cafés I've read since then. Of all of them, "Café Life Paris" comes, by a good stretch, closest to making me feel ready to call dibs on one or two cafés I'm ready to settle into.

Some of these Paris café/brasserie/bistro books focus on the distinctive food served in these establishments, while others are more interested in description through words or photography. "Café Life Paris" is of the second group, and Christine and Dennis Graf give us full and evocative depictions of several dozen cafés. They divide them into groups ("Great and glamorous places," "Neighborhood cafés," etc.) and explain not only the décor and type of people a given café serves, but also the general feel or élan of the café and the surrounding neighborhood. Given that each café is described in just a few paragraphs and maybe one or two photos by Juliana Spear, it's a remarkably concise and evocative job the three have done.

I've no idea when I'll get back to Paris, though I'm vaguely confident I will someday. When I do, I think I'll want to check out Café de Flore, Le Sélect, or Le Rouquet. Based on what I've read here, I think I'll feel pretty comfortable there.

Expertly researched and co-authored by Christine and Dennis Graf, Cafe Life Paris: A Guidebook To The Cafes And Bars Of The City Of Light is an insightful and engaging survey of the many wonderful cafes and bars to be found in and around in the beautiful city of Paris. Superbly illustrated throughout, Cafe Life Paris showcases each unique and tasteful stop, offering readers a descriptive introduction to what these cafes and bars have to offer, including a variety of entertainments ranging from music, to philosophical discussions, to cabaret performances. There are cafes which draw students, others which are undiscovered treasures known only to the locals, some famed and a "must" on ever tourist itinerary, and more. Cafe Life Paris is very strongly recommended as compendium of beautiful, romantic, entertaining, and colorful cafes and bars which is perfect for planning any visit from a weekend excursion to a month long holiday in this Parisian "City of Lights".

The cooperative work of Midwest folklorist Joanne Raetz Stuttgen and food columnist and cookbook author Terese Allen, "Cafe Wisconsin Cookbook" is a compilation of the history, anecdotes and recipes associated with some of Wisconsin's very best small town cafes ranging from Boscobel to Glennwood City, and from Stoughton to Sturgeon Bay. The recipes are organized around the categories of Breakfast, Baked Goods, Soups, Salads, Daily Specials, Sandwiches and Burgers, Sid Dishes and Extras, Pies and Other Desserts. Now any family cook can duplicate Wisconsin's Main Street eateries with respect to menu items ranging from pies, meatloaf and fish fries, to casseroles, burgers, and blue plate specials. "Cafe Wisconsin Cookbook" is an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library regional cookbook collections!

Many good recipes, now we know the secrets of the cafes. Sadly, some are no longer in business but fortunately live on in the book. The Snicker salad recipe is worth the price of the book.

borrowing from the other review, I'm biased as well. ok..he was my grandfather too. Anyway, this is a fantastic book that brings me back to when we grandchildren all tried to fit on the dumb-waiter to go from the first floor to the basement. I suppose that this is not particularly helpful to the objective peruser, but I can tell you that this book is filled with love and anecdotes that are not reserved to one family, but to a love of food and to a love of life. You can't go wrong. Drop a couple of bucks and get a look into a great man's life, family and mind.

I got this book as a gift from the first printing...you see, Lawson Aldrich was my grandfather. I re-read the book recently, however, and found that not only are the recipes sound, but the stories within are priceless as well; I believe that someone not of my family can enjoy the creation of good food contained in the book, and the exquisite tales too. (And darn if I didn't get some of those creative food skills from you grampa...we miss you)

This book is at the cutting-edge of today's modern Chinese interior design. The selection of the featured projects covers a wide range of style. Generally speaking, the majority of these projects are great works (except for one HK house). I have personally been to several of the places featured in this book. The text and the pictures captured the beauty of these places and provided rich information about the cultural values behind decoration and designing. Simply put, this is a high quality book. I can feel that the authors are really serious about the content and have done a lot of research. If you like Chinese style and modern decoration, this is definitely an excellent source.

written by obviously one of the region's foremost authorities on Chinese design and interiors having been in Hongkong with Elle Decor and other excellent publications for many years, Sharon Leece knows her way around the traditional feng shui and new leanings of the China elite as well as the western expat with a home and heart in Asia. Creative and informative text and fabulous photos take the reader on a trip into another world of China Decor uptil now unseen but sure to be come a trend worldwide. Check out her other China interior books for even more wonderful shots of lush and lavish spaces.

When I landed in LA, it took me a good 3 months to find a series of haunts, owing simply to the sheer size of the place. This book breaks it down by neighborhood, "scene," and type of venue, so that the only other guide you need is a Thomas guide (the ubiquitous, highly detailed road map that occupies the back seat of every car in Southern California). Great insider info, seedy backstories, and a dead-on dissection of the various scenes make this a great introduction to America's most puzzling megalopolis. Fodors would be hard pressed to top this.

Great book, especially for the young and young at heart. Unlike most other city guides I see this one really appears to be written by insiders who genuinely seem to know what they're talking about. Useful for both visitors to the city as well as people who are already in LA. The book is well structured with separate sections on eating out, nightlife, shopping, culture & arts, lodgings and many more. If you want to know where the current "in" places are and the real inside information on LA then this is the guide for you.

Terrific book that goes with me on every trip around Colorado. This will get you to most every historic/interesting bar in the State.

Terrific book that goes with me on every trip around Colorado. This will get you to most every historic/interesting bar in the State.

This book is a must-have gem. I've been acquainted with Kansas City, my mother's hometown, all my life, and never had any idea of the richness and diversity the city has to offer. This book is an extensively (one could even say obsessively) researched tool that has chapters on every conceivable topic, from the outdoors to religious organizations to fine cuisine. Volunteer opportunities and other ways to really engage in the community abound. Connect with Kansas City is a truly unique resource that will improve your experience in Kansas City whether you are a first time visitor, an infrequent visitor (like myself) or a lifetime resident. The author's insights about the value of "social capital" were clearly a guiding force in both the conception and the implementation of the book. Worth its weight in gold!

Order this book now! It is full of things to do and ways to engage in our community. Sandy James makes it easy for us to enjoy Kansas City and all our community provides. A must read for anyone new to our city but also for those of us who have been here for awhile and need some fresh ideas.

This cookbook provides a wonderful opportunity to recreate in your own home some of the delicious dishes you've enjoyed in the restaurant. I loved the "basics" features whether it be aioli, roasting garlic or making variations of marinara sauces. The recipes are very easy to follow and do not have exotic ingredients. They are reminiscent of being in Italy and enjoying wholesome, delicious foods. All you need is lots of wine and good friends to enjoy the food.

For anyone who has frequented Kuleto's restaurant on Union Square in San Francisco, this book is a MUST!! For those of you who haven't yet gotten there BUY THIS BOOK!! Full of excellent unique menues right out of the restaurant. Make their famous lamb sausage recipe and then follow their recipe to make the sausage with penne, chard and ricotta. The restaurant serves a fantastic appetiser of grilled radichio wrapped in pancetta (with a pesto ceasar dressing) that will knock your socks off - the recipe is in here and I actually drew applause at a dinner party after serving it! Try their unusual dishes like Roast Duck with Dried Cherries and Grappa, Grilled Chicken with Tuscan Bread Salad, or Salmon with Red Wine-Olive Butter...then try their standards like Eggplant Risotto or Braised Veal Shanks, or any of their great pastas.

If you love great food, you will love this book. The recipes are well written and, unlike so many other books from famous restaurants, it actually duplicates their original meals!

My daughter loves this cookbook. She was recently married and has enjoyed many of the recipes.

Having dined at The Old Post Office Restaurant on many occassions, I was thrilled to discover that Chef Philip Bardin has put some of his culinary creations to pen and paper for all of us to try at home. I'm blessed to live in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, near The Old Post Office Restaurant, and therefore I have access to some of the same sources of fresh produce, fresh seafood, and quality meats and poultry that the restaurant does. Chef Bardin emphasizes that you have to start with quality ingredients like they use in the restaurant to achieve the best results. With my already having access to quality ingredients, this book provides the final piece of the puzzle and allows me, and my friends, to create some of the same dishes we crave at The Old Post Office Restaurant. This book also provides a wonderful glimpse of our local culture on and around Edisto Island, South Carolina. Living near Edisto Island, I can say that the book gets it right when talking about the local culture, and if you're not from this area the book does an excellent job of introducing you to our wonderful, unique, paradise. If you don't think you'd enjoy the taste of "The Lowcountry" then you haven't tried our food or you haven't been able to try it done right. This book from Chef Bardin of The Old Post Office Restaurant will help you do do southern food right.

I have a whole collection of cookbooks, many of which have only given me one or two good recipes. This book, however is in a class by itself: I can honestly say I've never made anything from this book that wasn't a total success, earning rave reviews from my dinner guests. It has provided me with half a dozen menus that have become standbys in my repertoire for entertaining. I simply can't praise it enough to do it justice.

I received this cookbook as a gift when I was unable to attend Nora's restaurant due to illness. I may have missed one excellent meal, but I have been rewarded with countless fabulous meals prepared in my own kitchen using the well-formulated, easy-to-follow recipes in this book.

Nora's recipes, her suggestions for variations, and her insistence upon fine ingredients make this one of the most frequently utilized cookbooks on my shelf.

My only complaint is that the index and cross-references were improperly compiled by the publisher, sometimes causing a minor nusiance.

I hope that they come out with a new (corrected) edition, because I would love to give it as a gift, and hope that others can enjoy the delicious recipes.