Rating: 
Summary: Cooking to Love and Respect
Review: A man who is disappointed with a version of roast chicken because it is "merely succulent" could be mistaken for a snob. However, there's no danger with Jeffrey Steingarten; he is one. If a dish is less than "transporting", he moves on to find a version that is.
This leads to using infrared thermometers to measure the tempratures of pizza ovens at the best pizzerias then burning entire bags of charcoal in his grill to simulate the results. It leads to braving the chilly Atlantic Coast of North Carolina to fish for bluefin tuna in search of the small strip of toro meat on the fish. It leads to days of effort spent stuffing chicken into duck into turkey while stuffing specialized bread and sausage stuffings betwen the layers of bird to create the legendary Turducken.
I revel in this snobbery because it forced him to travel the world, eat fabulous food, meet interesting people then write this book to finance it all. After all, one may be a snob, but one must also pay the bills.
Rating:
Summary: Yet again another success
Review: For anyone who has read Jeffrey Steingarten's food writings in Vogue magazine, his first book "The Man Who Ate Everything", or simply loves food, this book is for you. Filled with witty stories, the book explores everything from Toro (the fatty belly in tuna served in Japanese restaurants) to MSG (aka "Chinese Restaurant syndrome") to chocolate. I definitely recommend this book to anyone - it's better than any dessert!
Rating:
Summary: Yet again another success
Review: For anyone who has read Jeffrey Steingarten's food writings in Vogue magazine, his first book "The Man Who Ate Everything", or simply loves food, this book is for you. Filled with witty stories, the book explores everything from Toro (the fatty belly in tuna served in Japanese restaurants) to MSG (aka "Chinese Restaurant syndrome") to chocolate. I definitely recommend this book to anyone - it's better than any dessert!
Rating:
Summary: this guy is awesome!
Review: he's my hero! I'm obsessed with food and after my mom wouldn't let me constantly talk about my new fromage d'affinois, is looked for consolation elsewhere, and just in time for the first one to come out. IM ADDICTED!!! someone tell me where to find his schedule of readings!
Rating:
Summary: this guy is awesome!
Review: he's my hero! I'm obsessed with food and after my mom wouldn't let me constantly talk about my new fromage d'affinois, is looked for consolation elsewhere, and just in time for the first one to come out. IM ADDICTED!!! someone tell me where to find his schedule of readings!
Rating:
Summary: It must have been something I read and loved!
Review: I feel I was lucky enough, first of all, to meet Mr. Steingarten at a book signing at DiPalo's Fine Italian Foods in Little Italy. While waiting to buy my usual selection of the best Italian cheeses, meats, etc. and talking to the usual shoppers with whom we've become such friends over the years, I started glancing through the book. I couldn't stop so it had to be one of my Christmas presents to myself. Others also felt the same way and Mr. Steingarten couldn't sign fast enough. And how wonderful to find a whole chapter about DiPalo's and Luigi DiPalo who has carried on his father's tradition, not only as the store owner but as a walking encyclopedia of everything Italian from every different olive oil and it's characteristics to the four-months seasonal Parmegianno Reggiano (he once had a tasting of all four seasons and explained the reasons why each season had it's clear differences). Mr. Steingarten wrote such a beautiful chapter on Luigi, his vast knowledge, his vast supply of the best of Italy that it took me back to the many years I have spent every Saturday morning there. Mr. Steingarten tells story after story in such superb style and panache and he is a man with such humility and joy talking to people that he is an icon in the food world. How lucky we are to be able to read this talented writer yet again. If you enjoy food and Jeffrey Steingarten (how could you not) you HAVE TO OWN THIS BOOK because you will read and reread it always.
Rating:
Summary: Just as good the second time around...
Review: I loved Jeffrey Steingarten's first book of essays and was thrilled he'd released a second. I find his writing to be warm, witty and lovely. His affection for food is infectious, and I appreciated the inclusion of several recipes and where-to-buy suggestions (I will be making Pierre Herme's version of hot chocolate, NOT Laura Bush's!). It is rare to find a writer who combines erudition with humor and manages to remain accessible along the way....
Rating: 
Summary: good, but slightly disapointing sequel
Review: I loved Jeffrey Steingarten's first book; his chapters on ketchup, horse fat, and olestra were probably the funniest things ever written about food. His travel writings on Japan, Tuscany, and Paris made me wish that I too could spend weeks eating my way around the world.I thought that this book was entertaining. I was amused that he shared my dislike of Tomoe Sushi (he calls it "Super Sushi"), a mediocre sushi place in the village that inexplicably gets a food rating in the high 20's from Zagat. I also hold him directly responsible for the pound of Mont D'Or sitting in my fridge right now. Unfortunately, these essays are just not of the same caliber as the first book. Somewhere along the way, Steingarten picked up a habit of name dropping (I really don't care what chefs he is friends with) that gets in the way of the story telling. And some of the creativity of the first book is missing; there is nothing as nuts as "Salad the Silent Killer" in this set of essays. If you loved "The Man Who Ate Everything," you will probably like this book. If you didn't, I'd recommend that you read that book first.
Rating:
Summary: Very well written
Review: If you are interested in food, this is a great read. It is very informative and very entertaining. I especially like the author's research in the best way to prepare some food - like tacos or expresso, pizza, etc. I will get his first book as soon as I can find it!
Rating:
Summary: Witty, humourous - delicious!
Review: In an age where everyone who has ever had a meal anywhere seems to think they can write about food (just as anyone who travels to the south of Europe thinks that the public wants to read a book about it) Steingarten's writing stands out. He may be obsessive beyond what is considered normal - the measures he takes to fulfill notions about what he wants can take him to different continents or result in him cooking way too many batches of dog food - but you can't help but cheer him on as he writes about it in such a wry, acerbic style. His chapter on people who claim they have food allergies should be required reading for everyone for a start. Yes, he can be snobbish, demeaning, and plain rude, but the fact is he knows what he is writing about, and in the comfort of our own home, over a well prepared snack or a good drink, we can laugh along, partly due to the humour, and partly glad we are not the intended target. In neat little self-contained chapters, each story in this book is witty and entertaining, and educational. This is a book that no food lover should deny themselves.
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