Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Sex, drugs, and rock & roll? More like sex, drugs, and restaurants.
Some parts of this book were interesting, but it wasn't quite what I expected. I wanted more commitment to memoir (thoughts/self-reflection on events, how the author managed to get married and have a family despite his restaurant life, etc) or more commitment to fleshing out the details of the industry; the inconsistent blend of the two left gaps. I also found it tricky to keep track of timelines with unclearly signaled shifts in time. The parts about Cecchi's childhood were the most interesting to me. This was an entertaining read, but it's not a writer's memoir.
Some parts of this book were interesting, but it wasn't quite what I expected. I wanted more commitment to memoir (thoughts/self-reflection on events, how the author managed to get married and have a family despite his restaurant life, etc) or more commitment to fleshing out the details of the industry; the inconsistent blend of the two left gaps. I also found it tricky to keep track of timelines with unclearly signaled shifts in time. The parts about Cecchi's childhood were the most interesting to me. This was an entertaining read, but it's not a writer's memoir.
2.5 stars. Very egotistical. The author goes in-depth into the personal side of the restaurant industry (drugs, sex, alcoholism), but doesn’t share at all about his own personal life. His wife and kids are mentioned only in passing. That was probably strategic, and a choice I respect, just made it harder to relate to the author as a person.
So much name dropping. Hard to relate to without being part of the NYC restaurant scene.
So much name dropping. Hard to relate to without being part of the NYC restaurant scene.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
This was a fascinating look at the restaurant industry. I found the start very slow as I just didn't care about the author's early years, I almost Dnfed but kept going. But once he began working in the industry is when it really picked up. As it takes place in NYC he comes into contact with many celebrities and other well known business types (Dustin Hoffman as Tootsie, Billy Joel 10% tipper, interview with Ivana Trump, con artist Anna Sorkin). Many of the stories were hilarious and some quite sad. He touches on how many friends and coworkers were lost to the AIDs epidemic. But if his book is to believed, your servers are either drunk or high (or both) throughout your service and quite possibly having sex in the bathroom or outside in between tables.
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced