Rating: 
Summary: Delightful, Discerning Food Writing
Review: I too had long clipped out Ms. Hesser's articles in the New York Times Magazine, so imagine my delight at finding a brand new book of hers on amazon.com! (her first, The Cook and The Gardener, is a stunning repertoire of recipes and food writing, mandatory for anyone who loves a good read and a good meal!)Ms. Hesser is a talented, witty writer who laces the book with details of her developing relationship with fellow writer Tad Friend (digression: his articles for the New Yorker are also uniformly excellent- what a talented pair!) and plenty of entertaining anecdotes and snippets of her charmed life. The recipes range from quite simple (pasta with lemon and creme fraiche) to quite impressive & complex. All reveal Ms. Hesser's sophisticated palate, even a mouthwatering grilled cheese sandwich that she makes for Tad. The dozen or so recipes that I've prepared have been tasty and precise. How rare to find a book so intelligent, original and entertaining!
Rating:
Summary: Everybody Needs to Relax
Review: I am shocked that people are so resentful of what they bitterly refer to as Amanda Hesser's "fabulous" life! Yes, she is an accomplished young woman who happens to be food writer for the New York Times, and the book is about here life- get over it! The negative reviews show a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose and tone of the book- for example, she was not "condescending" to her grandmother in the chapter about Italy, she was describing her feelings and the generational clash, the way it happened, and the way it made her feel- as you would to a friend.
Rating: 
Summary: Sparkling writing, interesting culinary insights
Review: Amanda Hesser's lively writing style makes this a very fast and entertaining read. The recipes are an added read, and no, you don't have to live in New York if you have an interest in reading about good food, interesting relationships, and in catching inside glimpses of certain food luminaries such as Jeffrey Steingarten. And, if you ever aspire to visit New York City, there are plenty of helpful "reviews" of great restaurants that can be gleaned from the stories, although that is not the focus. Kind of reminded me of A Year in Provence written by a 30-year old urban woman. I have no idea what the previous poster meant by "making oneself look good for a man" as there was absolutely nothing in here about external or cosmetic issues, it was all about working out a new relationship while exploring food.
Rating:
Summary: Everybody Needs to Relax
Review: I am shocked that people are so resentful of what they bitterly refer to as Amanda Hesser's "fabulous" life! Yes, she is an accomplished young woman who happens to be food writer for the New York Times, and the book is about here life- get over it! The negative reviews show a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose and tone of the book- for example, she was not "condescending" to her grandmother in the chapter about Italy, she was describing her feelings and the generational clash, the way it happened, and the way it made her feel- as you would to a friend.
Rating: 
Summary: snobbery at its ugliest
Review: I am a food editor and write a cookbook review column for a major metropolitan daily newspaper. I thought the description of this book sounded fun -- I date a welder-fitter who eats spaghetti out of the can -- so I bought it. I could not believe the condescending attitude of the author -- and why her boyfriend, who must be a masochist, put up with her. What cruel thoughts she had about him. I could even visualize the eye rolling and cringing that went on as she got to know him "better."
Now I see that this book won an IACP award. Thank goodness the James Beard folks had much more sense.
Amanda, my dear, I hope you don't fall out of your ivory tower -- you're in for a big bounce. But, then, what do you expect from someone associated with the New York Times, which got brought down more than a few rungs lately for reporters with big attitude problems?
I never reviewed this book. And I'm reluctant to give it to someone else. It'll be among the book discards at our next office $1-a-title sale, with proceeds going to needy children.
P.S. Maybe Amanda ought to spend some time working in a soup kitchen to bring her down to earth. Or, perhaps it's a matter of just keeping her opinion to herself. In Proverbs, it says: "Even a fool seems wise when he keeps his mouth shut."
Rating:
Summary: Don't read this book when you're hungry!
Review: I am so glad I bought this book in spite of the negative reviews I read. I loved every page of it. The story was fun, honest, and engaging, the descriptions of the food were sumptuous, and the recipes look incredible - I can't wait to try them. I will definielty recommend this to all my "foodie" friends.
Rating:
Summary: Charming story
Review: My fiance bought this book for me, and it was an absolute delight from cover to cover. A charming story about food and love and how they often go hand in hand.
Rating:
Summary: Intl Assoc of Culinary Professionals WINNER
Review: When I saw Amanda Hesser at the awards ceremony sitting at the table next to mine, I told her I had loved her book, and to 'break a leg.' She very courteously smiled and remarked that she was up against a book by Jacques Pepin, so it was nice to be nominated. She was absolutely astounded when they called her name, but those of us who had read it, cheered. Her honesty and straightforward style, and above all, her ability to recognize her human-ness with errors and mistakes we all make, made this a delightful read. (And admittedly scrumptous with the recipes!) An additional note, she did a talk at the IACP conference and was billed as being a modern day MFK Fisher. Interesting comparison, indeed! "Timeless writing about food and the impression it leaves on our lives. "
Rating:
Summary: If you are a romantic food lover, you must read this!!!
Review: It's the most charming and yummy food book I've ever read. And the recipes are great!!! I've tried 3 so far (in one week), and can't wait to try more!!!!! Her writing makes me smile, laugh, and hungry. It's a must read!
Rating:
Summary: Fun Foodie Diary + Great Recipes
Review: I read Amanda Hesser's COOKING FOR MR. LATTE while recovering from surgery. What a delight! I could hardly wait to get into the kitchen and try her recipes. The recipes are written in a casual, conversational style, probably much like those family recipes scribbled on the old 3x5 cards you probably still have in your kitchen along with your online digests and fancy cookbooks. Her recipes are like those on the cards, delicious, reliable and homey -- the ones you return to when you want comfort in the kitchen, not a "project". (Try the Meyer Lemon Linguine w/Creme Fraiche, the chocolate 'Dump-It Cake', Oven Fried Chicken, and the Beets, Apples and Ginger with Clementine Vinaigrette.) Amanda Hesser shares with us her friendly, foodie persona and delivers recipes that transport us into her Grandmother's kitchen on the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay, a friend's place in Boston, and back to her apartment in NYC. Amanda Hesser highlights the joys of sharing good food with good company, even when that company is yourself (e.g. "single girl salmon"). I applaud Amanda Hesser for following her passion and making a career out of her love and interest in food. Rather than seeing her as pretentious, I see her as an inspiration.
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