Book Review: bread&cup (beyond simple food and drink) by Kevin Shinn

bread&cup (beyond simple food and drink)
by Kevin Shinn (Biography Shinn)

Though filled with recipes that will make fans of this late, lamented Haymarket restaurant pleased, this “cookbook” is not cataloged in the libraries’ culinary section (the 640s), but is rather classified as a biography.

This is wholly appropriate, as it is more a look back at the experiences of establishing and running a restaurant, told from Kevin Shinn’s point-of-view, than it is merely a collection of recipes. Shinn shares multiple entries directly from the “foodie” blog that he maintained over more than a decade, and supplements those blog posts with all-new essays. The book is filled with absolutely gorgeous photos of the foods served at bread&cup over its ten-year existence, as well as of the people who made it the memorable restaurant that it was.

And the section looking back at the cancer battle that Shinn’s wife Karen fought and ultimately lost, is heartbreaking.

Beautiful book. Beautiful writing. Beautiful memories. Captivating recipes. Read this for the personal story. Refer back to it for all the unforgettable dishes the Shinns served over the years!

[ Lincoln Journal Star newspaper article about this book’s release ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

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Food Lover's Guide to Kansas City

The Food Lover's Guide to Kansas City: The Best Restaurants, Markets and Local Culinary Offerings
by Sylvia Hogg Murphy [917.784 Mur]

I'll admit, what first grabbed my attention with this book was the gorgeous cover illustration of barbeque ribs, and the words "Kansas City" in big bold print. BBQ has a lot of regional variations, but the Kansas City style is the one I gravitate towards without question. My wife and I try to visit KC somewhat regularly, and whenever we're there, we definitely like to try out 'cue from one or more of the local joints. But...this book is about a lot more than just KC barbeque. Breaking the greater Kansas City area into 10 regions, the book dedicates a section for each region to Foodie Faves, Old Guard K.C., Occasions (places you'd go to for special occasions), and "Specialty Stores, Markets and Producers". Admittedly, I tend to hang out in the Plaza, Westport or Downtown areas of K.C. when I visit, and the restaurants and specialty shops this book recommends are all places I've either visited or at least am aware of. But there is a treasure trove of additional " foodie" locations just waiting to be tapped into. If you are an occasional visitor to Kansas City, and love great food -- I highly recommend this book to you to get dining and shopping suggestions you might not be aware of! And don't forget to stop at Oklahoma Joe's for the best BBQ in the city! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Scott's Reviewer Profile and more of his reviews ]

[ official Sylvie Hogg Murphy on Twitter ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
by Guy Fieri [641.5 Fie]

This volume, and the follow-up (More Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives) feature abbreviated looks at the joints that Guy visits in his Food Network series of the same name. Each brief (3-4 page) chapter features an introduction to a quirky little restaurant, its history, and the people who run it. Each entry them includes the recipes and instructions for fixing one of that restaurant's/chef's signature dishes. Most entries also have black & white photos accompanying the text, and many feature Guy's own personal recollections about the food and the people he met at each restaurant. Although the first volume doesn't include anything from Nebraska, volume 2 does have three Omaha diners in it -- Amato's Cafe, California Tacos & More, and Dixie Quick's Magnolia Room. When will he get to Lincoln?? [Obviously, if you like these books, you'll really like the episodes they were based on, which get regular rotation on The Food Network. I'm hoping the libraries will buy the DVD sets as well!] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library


[ official Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives web site ] | [ official Guy Fieri web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip

Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter
by Steve Dublanica [647.95 Dub]

A waiter's look at life as a server in upscale New York restaurants. Fast-paced, some language, but overall a very enjoyable read. Learn why you should avoid restaurants on a holiday, read some of the sad stories of customers (who knew the waiters really noticed us?); feel elated when he gets back at rude ones. Based on the blog he began while waiting tables. A very well-written, witty tale that sucks in the reader and makes you sorry when the story ends. (And yes, he's at work on a sequel.) [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Devil in the Kitchen: Sex, Pain, Madness, and the Making of a Great Chef by Marco Pierre White; or Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.] -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable audio format.]

[ official Waiter Rant web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Waiter Rant

Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter
by Steve Dublanica [647.95 Dub]

In this hilarious book (that originated as a blog), Dublanica takes us with him from his journey beginning as a waiter in u pscale restaurants. From learning the lingo to dealing with big wigs and their clientele, Dublanica will have you clutching your sides as he works the floor (and his co-workers) with quick wit. -- recommended by Sarah J. - South Branch Library

[ official Waiter Rang blog ]

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Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.