Restaurant Books

Roy Gilligan has created a likeable private eye in Patrick J. Riordan who has moved his office from San Francisco to Monterey and taken up residence in Carmel. He has a spunky sidekick in Reiko Masuda. The ending of this story is reminiscent of THE MALTESE FALCON although Riordan is more like Columbo than Sam Spade.

I got this book on a whim for my two neices in Canada. They often asked what I liked to do, so I tried to find something to help explain my love of cooking - and this one did the trick. One girl is three, and loved the colorful pictures (and got very hungry afterwards). The other girl, seven, loved to look at the detailed borders with me, which describe the different ingredients in the dishes. We all made a pizza together afterwards, and her Mom was happy to have found a book that would occupy their minds for hours...even without her around.

This book is a must for anyone who lives or spends any amount of time in San Francisco. Locals and visitors alike will find it indespensible if they love to eat out but don't always want to do it on a champagne budget. This book reveals not only where the great food is in the City by the Bay (and surrounding areas,) but also addresses the pocketbook, too. It's based on the premise that the meals must not come to more than a [certain amount of money.] It covers the gamut from fine dining to taquerias to everything in between. I find the reviews to be comprehensive, realistic and often mirror exactly my impression of the dining establishment. (So it MUST be good!) ;^) The index is divided by both neighborhood and food type and is very easy to use, as the restaurants are then listed alphabetically. I keep mine in the car so that it's always easily available. I use it often. I'm also buying 10 of them as Christmas gifts. My only complaint is that the book falls apart easily.

Featuring impressive dishes contributed by the chefs and head cooks of some of Oregon's finest restaurants and lodges, "Savor Oregon Cookbook" is an enthusiastically recommended compendium of regional recipes collaboratively compiled by the husband and wife team of Chuck and Blanche Johnson. Very nicely illustrated throughout with period photography, the recipes in this celebration of Oregonian cuisine ranges from Molasses and Caraway Seared Elk Loin with Black Barley Risotto and Honey-Mead Demi-Glace (Salishan Lodge); to Hazelnut Encrusted Halibut Florentine with Champagne Oyster Cream (Silver Salmon Grille); to Alder Smoked Duck Breast with Raspberry Anjous (Morton's Bistro); to Gungeness Crab Cakes with Artichoke Tapenade, Garlic Coulis, and Caper Berries Appetizer (Hood River Hotel). Four other regional and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' collections by the team of Chuck and Blanche Johnson include: Savor Colorado Cookbook: Mountains and Western Slope; Savor Idaho Cookbook; Savor Greater Seattle Cookbook; and Savor Montana II Cookbook.

Betsy and I enjoyed creating this book because it gave us an opportunity to introduce visitors and residents to places that make Indianapolis special. Strolling, shopping, or sightseeing, visitors will be guided to those places that gave them the richest flavors the city has to offer.

The book is divided into thirteen chapters, including Where To Stay, Shopping, and Nightlife, making it easy for readers to pinpoint the topic they are searching for. Entries are short and fact-packed, and the book includes plenty of pictures and fun facts about the city.

We are particularly pleased that a portion of the books profits go to the Indianapolis Parks Foundation. Helen O'Guinn

This is my favorite San Francisco Guide. It includes all the essentials, as well as lists of favorites from seasoned SF locals. I liken it to a San Francisco Through the Back Door kind of guide.

It is difficult to find worthwhile books for young kids to read these days and James Duffy has certainly succeeded in writing one that is positively engaging. I reccomend it.

This book is great. I never knew there were this many dining choices in Cleveland. Laura adds just enough detail about each establishment that you can enjoy the history as well. New to this edition is an expansion beyond Cleveland to include other cities in Ohio.

'Grand adventures await those who are willing to turn the corner.' So read my fortune cookie at lunch last month at Pearl of the Orient, a recent eating-as-adventure experience inspired by the 2003 edition of Taxel's marvelous guidebook. Amidst her detailed narrative about Cleveland's flavorful places I've penciled my own annotations to those we've tried: Mughal (Indian); Niko's (Greek); Trattoria Roman Gardens (Italian); Balaton (Hungarian); Phil the Fire (African-American/Southern);Johnny Mango (international)...and more! What a great low-cost way to 'travel'! We're definitely looking forward to new discoveries in the 2005 edition. As a retired librarian, I'm very enthused about how the information is organized especially Taxel's indexes. Restaurants and ethnic markets are not only indexed by name, location, and country but also by idea (different fun suggestions such as 'Al Fresco' and 'Desserts to Die For'). I also enjoy reading Taxel in the Cleveland newspaper and in Northern Ohio Live and other regional magazines.
Also recommended: Best Eats in Town on $40 a Day by Rachael Ray and No Reservations Required by Bev and John Shaffer

This book can assist any catering department in planning successful and profitable banquets and events. It has been the most comprehensive book I have found on the subject.