Feeding Frenzy

Rating:
Summary: Too Frenzied For My Blood
Review: Stuart Stevens had an incredible idea and has executed his story very poorly. The book starts with the promise of a spectacular gastronomic adventure and deteriorates into a frienzied, unrewarding tale. The parallel chronicle of his Mustang auto troubles is the biggest obstacle to enjoying the book. I know automobiles and Michelin traditionally go together but NOT in this case; Stevens serves up VERY lukewarm Bill Bryson-like plot points and other leftovers. The last chapter, which races at light speed to the end of the three star eating odyssey, is an example of an author (like his broken-down car) out of gas. Like the fabled Michelin inspectors, I am strongly tempted to remove a third star from this review...

Rating:
Summary: Feeding Frenzy..
Review: The mark of many great travel books is the identification of a quest and then the author's weaving of a great story to hang on that base structure. Here Stevens has dreamed up the quest and sets himself up for another Malaria Dreams-style home run, but somehow that isn't what he ended up with. I saw vestiges of the humor from his earlier books and situation set-ups, so I know he is still capable of it, but overall this one failed to deliver the success of his other adventures. He never says exactly why he hates Germans so much. He didn't develop the dog and the Mustang troubles into a great comic device. And he definitely got sick of writing at the end because the last chapters fall off without any memorable lines. After Malaria Dreams this was a bit disappointing, but at least it did occupy a cross-country plane ride.

Rating:
Summary: Feeding Frenzy..
Review: The mark of many great travel books is the identification of a quest and then the author's weaving of a great story to hang on that base structure. Here Stevens has dreamed up the quest and sets himself up for another Malaria Dreams-style home run, but somehow that isn't what he ended up with. I saw vestiges of the humor from his earlier books and situation set-ups, so I know he is still capable of it, but overall this one failed to deliver the success of his other adventures. He never says exactly why he hates Germans so much. He didn't develop the dog and the Mustang troubles into a great comic device. And he definitely got sick of writing at the end because the last chapters fall off without any memorable lines. After Malaria Dreams this was a bit disappointing, but at least it did occupy a cross-country plane ride.

Rating:
Summary: not for public reading
Review: Unlike many other reviewers I liked this book immensely. I doubt that many of us have eaten at many (or any) of these gourmet palaces described in the book, but we can still dream. I enjoyed the whole setup - the decision to go, the pair that traveled, the 65 Mustang, the sheer gall of the adventure...but most of all, the food.

The descriptions of both the land, the people, the buildings and all the internal machinations of running and thriving in the ruthless business were enlightening and enjoyable. Especially good were the many conversations with the various chef-owners and their differing philosophies. Some of the places are no longer in business - so what? At least they once were and they served food on the order not found in America. Did I consider the author opinionated? Sure, that's why I bought the book. I wanted to hear from someone NOT paid to hype these places.

If I go to Europe I plan to take this book and try out some of these places. Buy the book.

Rating:
Summary: Delicious, humorous, nice yarn
Review: Unlike many other reviewers I liked this book immensely. I doubt that many of us have eaten at many (or any) of these gourmet palaces described in the book, but we can still dream. I enjoyed the whole setup - the decision to go, the pair that traveled, the 65 Mustang, the sheer gall of the adventure...but most of all, the food.

The descriptions of both the land, the people, the buildings and all the internal machinations of running and thriving in the ruthless business were enlightening and enjoyable. Especially good were the many conversations with the various chef-owners and their differing philosophies. Some of the places are no longer in business - so what? At least they once were and they served food on the order not found in America. Did I consider the author opinionated? Sure, that's why I bought the book. I wanted to hear from someone NOT paid to hype these places.

If I go to Europe I plan to take this book and try out some of these places. Buy the book.

Rating:
Summary: The perfect holiday read for 'foodies' and Europhiles.
Review: While it's not in the Bill Bryson league, as far as belly-laughs go, it's amusing , light, and rightly debunks the nonsense perpetrated by the Guide Michelin. There are maybe half-a-dozen places you'll want to try...and many more that you'll avoid assiduously! If you're a food-lover and bound for Europe, this is a must-read. M.F.K. Fisher is the doyen of food-writers, and Stevens isn't in her league and doesn't pretend to be; but he's the kind of person you'd like to travel with. That's high praise. I reckon.

Rating:
Summary: (Almost) A Screwball Eating Classic!
Review: You have to love food and restaurants and the energy that goes into the rituals that bind the two to really love this book. I almost really loved, but didn't fall completely because I wanted to know about more restaurants and more about the restaurants themselves. Still, a great read, especially for anyone needing a refresher course int he differences between American and European approaches to eating. Plus, occasioanlly laugh-out-loud funny.