Rating: 
Summary: the magic of chef chiarello
Review: some of us are lucky enough to live only several blocks away from this amazing restaurant, sit and gaze at the stars while dining in the magnificent courtyard... and be continually spoiled by chefs like Michael Chiarello and the wonderful food & wines of napa valley. If you can't be here... then this cookbook is one way of bringing the Napa Valley to your home with the incredible Italian recipes found inside. Michael is a great story teller, and a great chef. his ideas are as important as his food, and his style really comes across on each page.
Rating:
Summary: the magic of chef chiarello
Review: some of us are lucky enough to live only several blocks away from this amazing restaurant, sit and gaze at the stars while dining in the magnificent courtyard... and be continually spoiled by chefs like Michael Chiarello and the wonderful food & wines of napa valley. If you can't be here... then this cookbook is one way of bringing the Napa Valley to your home with the incredible Italian recipes found inside. Michael is a great story teller, and a great chef. his ideas are as important as his food, and his style really comes across on each page.
Rating:
Summary: give yourself a gift
Review: the tra vigne cookbook is going on the top shelf of my fairly extensive cookbook collection. It is definately one that I will use frequently.The photos and text are exceptionally well done,the book lies flat and the print is easy to read. the instructions are so clearly written and the information so extensive that I would not hesitate to recommend it even for novice cooks. The glossary and chef's notes are particularly helpful if you are unfamiliar with some of the methods or ingredients.I couldn't wait for spring to try the asparagus pesto....absolutely wonderful.This book is worth it's price and then some
Rating:
Summary: Ah, que bella!
Review: To those already in the know, would you expect anything less from such an incredible place?Of course not. To those considering, consider no further. This book is IT! Why? Well: Superb graphic design--almost worthy of the price of admission in itself. The recipes--Absolutely perfect for implementing your own Pavlovian experiments. One almost begins salivating just thinking about the contents of the book. The difficulty (of the above)--Minimally difficult. At times, the recipes can become a bit vexing for those who have only dabbled exclusively in (a) stir-fry; (b) deep-fried anything; (c) shake n' bake; or, (d) Stouffer's. Joking aside, some of the recipes are difficult. Most however, a very well suited to the novice chef. The dialogue--Excellent. I can close my eyes and be in the courtyard...having those wonderful smells waft to and fro...the feel of the crisp air...particularly when there is that ever-so-slight chill in the air. Michael's wonderful abilities are no longer limited to the kitchen. They never were, mind you, however now others can realize that. The book will bring to mind an array of images and memories in a strikingly Steinbeck-ian, Hemingway-ian, Calvino-ian, or [insert your favorite author here]-ian way. Get this book. It, in many very real ways, is more than a book of recipes. You will enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Ah, que bella!
Review: To those already in the know, would you expect anything less from such an incredible place? Of course not. To those considering, consider no further. This book is IT! Why? Well: Superb graphic design--almost worthy of the price of admission in itself. The recipes--Absolutely perfect for implementing your own Pavlovian experiments. One almost begins salivating just thinking about the contents of the book. The difficulty (of the above)--Minimally difficult. At times, the recipes can become a bit vexing for those who have only dabbled exclusively in (a) stir-fry; (b) deep-fried anything; (c) shake n' bake; or, (d) Stouffer's. Joking aside, some of the recipes are difficult. Most however, a very well suited to the novice chef. The dialogue--Excellent. I can close my eyes and be in the courtyard...having those wonderful smells waft to and fro...the feel of the crisp air...particularly when there is that ever-so-slight chill in the air. Michael's wonderful abilities are no longer limited to the kitchen. They never were, mind you, however now others can realize that. The book will bring to mind an array of images and memories in a strikingly Steinbeck-ian, Hemingway-ian, Calvino-ian, or [insert your favorite author here]-ian way. Get this book. It, in many very real ways, is more than a book of recipes. You will enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Bruchetta ?
Review: Tra Vigne is one of my all-time favorite restaurants, and Michael's Bruchetta is the best! I have unsuccessfully tried to guess at a recipe, so I was thrilled to see his cookbook on the shelves, but very disappointed that, while there is a recepie for Bruchetta, it is NOT the one he serves at Tra Vigne. That one does not look at all like traditioal toasts with toppings, but, rather a bread/vegetable pudding/stuffing effect. Would love to have that recipe!
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