Share

Starred review from January 2, 2017
Santos, known for his communal approach to dining (evidenced by his N.Y.C. eateries, Stanton Social, Beauty & Essex, and Vandal), extends his philosophy to a broader readership, in this outstanding collection guaranteed to appeal to all palates and skill levels. Whether readers are aiming high (chicken liver focaccia with braised shallot-rioja marmalade) or low (crab corn dogs with Old Bay aioli), Santos has them covered in this inventive collection. The book is thoughtfully curated and hits all the right foodie notes (red velvet waffles with cream cheese sauce; sliders made up of three types of beef and bacon, topped with a riff on Russian dressing and cola-braised onions) without alienating newcomers or novices. Instructions are clear and to the point; the emphasis is on flavor rather than culinary showmanship and arcane ingredients. Santos is a master craftsman and has assembled one of the most solid compilations of approachable, inventive fare in recent memory. His work deserves space on any respecting foodie’s bookshelf.

February 15, 2017

Santos is a judge on Food Network's Chopped and the founder of New York restaurants Beauty & Essex, the Stanton Social, and Vandal. Writing with veteran author Rodgers (Kaffeehaus), Santos debuts bold recipes that can be mixed and matched for family-style dining. Cooks who love to entertain and throw parties can craft memorable communal meals from such dishes as crab corn dogs with Old Bay aioli, tuna sushi satays with jicama-peanut slaw, pasta with spicy veal and lamb bolognese, and red velvet Twinkies with creme fraiche filling. Indulgent, playful starters are the star of this cookbook, which also covers cocktails, brunches, sides, mains, and more. VERDICT A great source for surprising crowd-pleasers. Think French onion soup reimagined as soup dumplings.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.