Rating: 
Summary: My favorite cookbook
Review: I loved this book, i rented it from the library and now i just purchased it. I love that the whole menu is planned, less thinking for me to do. I have tried about 10 recipes from this book already and am pleased with the simplicity and results.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific--divine recipes, with only some teensy flaws
Review: This cookbook offers easy-to-follow, easy-to-prepare recipes that nonetheless produce delicious and elegant results. It offers tips for planning parties and creating menus aimed at getting the cook out of the kitchen and into the living room to spend more time with guests. Most of the recipes use ingredients that can be found in any supermarket, which is a big plus, and many of the recipes can either be prepared quickly or in advance. The recipes are broken down by season and then by occasion, which enhances the usefulness of the book, and the recipes are printed in a large font that's easy to read. Plenty of sumptuous photographs, too. This cookbook will be of use not only to anyone who enjoys entertaining, but to those of us who enjoy creating great meals even in the absence of a special occasion. There are some flaws, however. First, there's way too much name-dropping. Who cares if the author parties with the rich and famous? Do we really need to know this? Secondly, the menus often call for dishes or components which the reader is directed to locate in the author's other cookbook, "The Barefoot Contessa". There's no reason that those recipes couldn't have been reprinted here to save the reader the bother of hunting down and purchasing another book. I couldn't help but cynically wonder whether this wasn't a bald-faced attempt to boost sales. Thirdly, the oven temperature is missing from the recipe for "Rori's Potato Chips"--a minor error which will no doubt be corrected in subsequent editions. Apart from these flaws, I nonetheless recommend this cookbook wholeheartedly. After checking it out of my local library and taking it for a test-drive, I decided that it was well worth purchasing.
Rating:
Summary: A Party Planner's Must Have!
Review: This is the most amazing book from my favorite party planner in the world! Great recipes and ideas with the utmost detail and elegance. If you like throwing parties for any reason at all, this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring and delicious
Review: I was given this book for my 40th birthday, and it has turned out to be one of my favorite gifts. Every recipe I've tried so far has worked, been delicious, and required little last-minute preparation to make them perfect for entertaining. The chicken chili for a crowd was a big hit. The popovers worked beautifully; my children loved them. The briscuit was a touch salty, but was easy to prepare and I'll reduce the salt next time. Ina Garten's instructions are very clear and just looking through the book gives me ideas and inspiration for entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: The anti-fancy dinner party book
Review: I was very disappointed with this cookbook. I read all the rave reviews and somehow expected the book to help me plan and pull off elegant dinner parties with recipes for those. Instead it has tips and recipes for doing everything but (i.e. a make your own pizza party, a new years day brunch, a tea party). The ideas, recipes and strategies for creating a relaxed atmosphere are good, but the book's philosophy is that those fancy Saturday night dinner parties should be avoided. If you agree, then this may be the book for you-- but it wasn't what I wanted.
Rating:
Summary: Good ideas.
Review: This is a lovely book with many good ideas for planning parties and entertaining. There are many individually good recipes and complete menus in here but I was surprised to find about a third of the menus were top heavy with starches or meat or overloaded with vegetables. For the most part though, the laid-back approach to entertaining and how to achieve that is what makes this book most worthwhile. And no strange theme parties or elaborate cocktail parties in this book - each one of these menu events (Birthday, fireside dinner, brunch) is one you can see yourself doing.
Rating:
Summary: Usable, delicious and very readable
Review: I must admit, I collect cookbooks like coffee table books. This one works well as a coffee table book (lovely pictures of food looking gorgeous, and readable text). But not to belittle the book, it is also a terrific cookbook. I've tried 3 recipes so far and they turned out fabulous! (the grilled prawns were my favourite). The recipes were easy to follow and this book is definitely moving from the coffee table to my kitchen. Why not 5 stars then? The self-advertising is a bit too obvious.
Rating:
Summary: Love the look , love the photographs, but ...
Review: This book is, sadly, for me (living in Australia), and a caterer, largely a coffee table book. I had to order the book through Amazon as it was not available locally. Many of the ingredients (as stated in the book) are not available in Oz, though I know they (or similar) are available here (and, I guess, elsewhere) under other names. However, those names are not forthcoming. I find this a source of extreme frustration, especially in this so-called world of globilization. I feel the author(s) should pay some heed to the so-called dreaded "globilization" trend in order to peddle their "wares" book. The book was a vision-splendour. Martha Stewart's fingerprints were all over it (not that that's a "bad thing".) I've been a "Martha friend" since her "Fast Menus" series, the "Martha's Christmas" (wow, has *that* saved my tail for 10 years or more) and other "Martha books". However this is not meant to be a "Martha book." This book is good, don't get me wrong, but, in my humble opionion, it is centred too much on the foods available on the US East Coast (without giving alternative suggestions for use elewhere, especially Internationally). My suggestion, for what it's worth, re-edit the book and give alternatives for some of the foods (especially seafood/ vegetables and meat/poultry to some extent) and you'll have an International best seller on your hands. Happy Eating!
Rating:
Summary: Made me look like a million dollars!
Review: This is my NEW favorite cookbook. I've referred to the Barefoot Contessa Parties cookbook for everything from a birthday dinner for 4 to a Housewarming party for 40! It's all covered. Recipes are easy to follow and just enough outside of the everyday comfort level to get a sense of accomplishment and learning something new. Most recipes use good basic ingredients--fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon juice, kosher salt..e.t. Cooking is very fun with Ina...try it!
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Summary: The Best Menu Cookbook in 30 Years!
Review: For years I've looked for a menu cookbook to replace "The Southern Living Party Cookbook" that I have relied on since my early married days. In "The Barefoot Contessa Parties," Ina Garten offers simple, delicious dinners with fresh ingredients that are easy to find and dishes that are fun and easy to prepare and that work well together. After I brought the book home, I made a different menu for three consecutive weekends, and haven't been disappointed yet. All my friends are getting this cookbook for Christmas.
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