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Journal Entry 1 by Ri from Cincinnati, Ohio USA on Monday, June 29, 2009
 From Publishers Weekly
Though Bauer's introduction invokes M.F.K. Fisher—in the early 1970s he escorted her for a magazine story on New Orleans restaurants—this collection of 20 essays concentrates more on nostalgia than on the actual pleasures of the table. From such writers as Amy Bloom, Claire Messud, Andre Dubus III, Richard Russo and Peter Mayle, Bauer gathers pieces about meals that were "unforgettable by occasion"—if not savoriness. Sue Miller's contemplative opener touches on the stupendous appetite of her teenage son, memories of her mother's dreadful cooking and the first meal her husband made for her. The reliable Jane and Michael Stern, here writing separately, provide the most humorous essays. In "Stir Gently and Serve," Jane details the first—and only—Thanksgiving she hosted, after which even the bulldog wouldn't eat the leftovers. Michael recalls a "night of a thousand embarrassments" in "My Dinner with Andy Warhol's Friends," when the Sterns took a Swiss art dealer to a fish house in Hoboken, N.J. Steve Almond's gem of a title story serves as one of the more appetizing tales, a funny, wonderfully descriptive account of a sensational homemade pad thai involving fresh Maine lobster. "Words are inadequate," Almond writes, but the reader will be salivating.
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Journal Entry 2 by Ri from Cincinnati, Ohio USA on Tuesday, May 04, 2010
This mostly enjoyable collection of essays was not a good one to read in bed at night - it made my tummy rumble and wish I were downstairs devouring a snack! I particularly enjoyed "My Dinner with Andy Warhol's Friends" by Michael Stern. It had the same horrifying draw that The Office or Ben Stiller movies have. I just felt so badly for them, but couldn't stop reading about the train wreck! A few of the essays were snoozers, but overall, it was a yummy read.
This is on its way to Dancing-dog for the Yummy Yummy VBB. Enjoy!
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Journal Entry 4 by dancing-dog at Cordova, Tennessee USA on Friday, March 11, 2011
I agree completely with Ri's assessment of these stories and my favorite was also "My Dinner with Andy Warhol's Friends" by Michael Stern which I found pretty funny. A nice book to read if you know your reading will be interrupted since the stories are short.
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Journal Entry 5 by dancing-dog at Bookbox - controlled release in Cordova, Tennessee USA on Friday, January 20, 2012
Released 4 mos ago (1/20/2012 UTC) at Bookbox - controlled release in Cordova, Tennessee USA WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Put this book in the ABC bookbox - hope it looks good to someone!
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Death by Pad Thai: And Other Unforgettable Meals
