My fine dining book is out! (Signing December 17th)

I've lurked a lot and posted occasionally, so I'm not just here to shill.

My new book, "The Mere Mortal's Guide to Fine Dining: From Salad Forks to Sommeliers, How to Eat and Drink in Style Without Fear of Faux Pas", hit bookstores on Tuesday.

No, it's not just about which fork to use or where to put your napkin...it covers a pretty wide range (if I do say so myself), like the difference between a porterhouse and a T-bone, how cheese is made and classified, how to send back funky bottles of wine, how to achieve 'regular' status in restaurants, Japanese dining etiquette, the basics of molecular gastronomy and, of course, what to do when you've got a mouthful of GUFO (gross, unidentifiable food object) you can't bear to swallow.

I realize many of the pros and hardcores on the board have little need for such a book, but if you've got friends or family who are befuddled by your food obsession and a wee bit overwhelmed when dining out with you, it's a handy little primer on how to feel comfortable and savvy in high-end dining.

-crrush

Congratulates, Crrush, I look forward to checking it out.

crrush wrote:My new book, "The Mere Mortal's Guide to Fine Dining: From Salad Forks to Sommeliers, How to Eat and Drink in Style Without Fear of Faux Pas", hit bookstores on Tuesday.

Crrush,

Congratulations! Looks quite interesting, I'll be sure to pick up a copy.

Enjoy,
Gary

You know, I've got a younger cousin that's about to graduate high school. I only wish I'd had a book like this at his age. I'm thinking it'll be a Christmas gift for him. (After I flip through it myself, you know - to see if I'm not as sophisticated as I'd like to think.)

Crrush, this book looks like it's full of way worthwhile info -- some of which goes "beyond" fine dining to address food-related issues all up and down the chain. I'll look for it at my local Barbara's -- and I'll keep my eye on the NY Best Sellers List to see how it's moving.

Hammond

Congratulations!

So, will you be at the holiday party, so we can get our copies autographed?

Thanks! I am excited about the book, and I agree that the info. goes far beyond 'fine dining'. That's why I'm all about getting the book into the right hands...I think if I can convince people that it's a very approachable book, and not all about fussy etiquette and propriety, more people will pick it up.

So far, I'm getting good feedback and press...a mention in Every Day with Rachael Ray, I was interviewed for a piece and wrote a little sidebar in the December issue of O Magazine. All good juju.

I will definitely be at the holiday party, and I can't tell you how happy or flattered I'll be to sign copies of the book. This forum has been a little haven for me to get my food freak on, and I look forward to finally putting some faces to names.

(In case anyone is interested, I've been stalking bookstores around the city and in the 'burbs to see who's got it...it's in stock at Barnes and Noble, Borders, Barbara's, the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square, Unabridged on Broadway, 57th St. Books in Hyde Park and after-words on Hubbard/State downtown.)

I'm also working out some kind of swanky book release party/signing/dinner around town. I'll post details when it happens.