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betsyrisen's review
5.0
Let me start by saying I have never worked in a restaurant (thank god, I know myself well enough to know I am not built for it). But I thought this book would be interesting for a number of reasons. New York restaurants are in a universe of their own, if this guy is writing a book that means he's probably been in the business a long time, and has a lot of interesting stories.
I must say, I almost gave up on it immediately. But when you consider the book opens with tales of sex, drugs and booze in NYC in the 70s/80s, it shouldn't come as a shock that my prim sensibilities were insulted.
I can acquiesce a bit to the fact that we're talking about a different plane of reality, and that plenty of things that flew back then certainly don't fly now, and the author was, while not necessarily apologetic, at least realistic in his admittance that times have changed and plenty of what happened then was inappropriate.
All in all, it was an interesting read, and I'm glad I didn't give up on it.
I must say, I almost gave up on it immediately. But when you consider the book opens with tales of sex, drugs and booze in NYC in the 70s/80s, it shouldn't come as a shock that my prim sensibilities were insulted.
I can acquiesce a bit to the fact that we're talking about a different plane of reality, and that plenty of things that flew back then certainly don't fly now, and the author was, while not necessarily apologetic, at least realistic in his admittance that times have changed and plenty of what happened then was inappropriate.
All in all, it was an interesting read, and I'm glad I didn't give up on it.
lynnthelibrarian's review
I don’t rate memoirs. This was entertaining and did learn more about the staff but wanted to know some more.
anjalikrishnakumar's review
4.0
Suffice it to say I would not have survived the restaurant business in the 80s.
tracie_mcd's review
4.0
Michael is a great and very entertaining storyteller!!! And while at times they seem far fetched, I believe all of them. As someone that had a very short-lived yet extremely interesting restaurant career, I believe the addition of big money/big ego/big city/big personalities make all of this probable. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, his story telling is gritty and dirty, but if that doesn’t bother you, ENJOY! You’re in for a fun ride.
cassiewalek's review
3.0
. This was interesting and entertaining but extremely vulgar so don’t pick it up if that’s not your thing!