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daumari's review
4.0
Continuing my pattern of reading cookbooks without actually cooking from them (and unofficially reading quite a bit out of Anthony Bourdain's Harper Collins/ecco imprint), Appetites is a great piece if you're a Bourdain fan. This cookbook features his 'home' recipes, his comfort foods, etc. told in his distinctive voice (I doubt there are audiobook versions of cookbooks, but I imagine this one would be delightful). My favorite chapter (besides the brief bit on dessert) is probably Thanksgiving- it never occurred to me to have both a stunt turkey & a business turkey, but it's a clever bit of display for all those guests visiting while feeding them.
Photography leans on the artsy side- they might be thematically related to the dish, or mid prep, or mostly eaten off to the side, so not necessarily great for visual learners. The Ralph Steadman cover is glorious, and in hardcover form the book is quite sturdy.
I also think it very wise of Bourdain to not show his daughter (8 years old as of publication)'s face- while he's chosen to live in the public eye, she has not and can make that decision for herself as an adult. She's present, but with a bit of privacy.
Photography leans on the artsy side- they might be thematically related to the dish, or mid prep, or mostly eaten off to the side, so not necessarily great for visual learners. The Ralph Steadman cover is glorious, and in hardcover form the book is quite sturdy.
I also think it very wise of Bourdain to not show his daughter (8 years old as of publication)'s face- while he's chosen to live in the public eye, she has not and can make that decision for herself as an adult. She's present, but with a bit of privacy.
dimples0508's review
5.0
Precious photos, wish there were more photos of the recipes because they sound too good to visualize.
alexandrabree's review
3.0
Jump right to the pasta section. Breakfast is pretty standard, I am not a sandwich person so I am not putting my two bits in on that. And while the party stuff had a couple gems, it was more than I have any interest in attempting.
Chicken pot pie and meatloaf recipes look equally amazing.
No dessert section but the sides are the best collection I think I have seen. Just did a super quick flip through the rest of the meat, stocks and prep.
I did read the foreword as I am a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain’s TV series.
Chicken pot pie and meatloaf recipes look equally amazing.
No dessert section but the sides are the best collection I think I have seen. Just did a super quick flip through the rest of the meat, stocks and prep.
I did read the foreword as I am a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain’s TV series.
duparker's review
4.0
I checked this out because I enjoy Bourdain's TV shows. I was surprised how realistic the recipes are. There are a bunch of meals that can be made. I am going to try at least 10 over the next few weeks.
bouncingsquirrel's review
3.5
I know it’s a cookbook, but it started like a memoir with recipes, but by the chicken chapter the memoir aspect vanished.
ajreader's review
3.0
Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.
It's a good cookbook. It's got some flaws, but I definitely plan to make about a dozen things from it. That's a pretty good ratio for me. Plus, the photography is as outrageous and intense as Bourdain's writing.
It's a good cookbook. It's got some flaws, but I definitely plan to make about a dozen things from it. That's a pretty good ratio for me. Plus, the photography is as outrageous and intense as Bourdain's writing.
pixie_d's review
4.0
4.5 stars. Bourdain writes with his signature snarky, high energy, highly opinionated style. If you like him on TV or in any of his other books, you'll like this too. Not just laugh out loud, but read out loud. You'll want to find someone to share the funny stories with.