Valuable for the tour of Italian gastronomic regions
347711
Mrs. Esposito focuses on the regional cooking of Italy, with an emphasis on ingredients indigenous to each section. And the recipes are not the standard Chicken Cacciatore, Spaghetti Bolognese and lasagna. These are recipes garnered from individuals and they are authentic but unusual, like Rabbit in Balsamic Vinegar, Halibut with Mustard greens, plus plenty of breads like foccacia and sweets like pizzelle cookies. It's interesting reading, and definitely not your run-of-the-mill pasta and tomato cookbook.
299316
Few areas of the world have engendered as many guidebooks as Provence. Marion Deschamps has produced one that is centered around a 2-week itinerary. For each day, there is a map which has been sketched of the trip. For example, for Day 1, the journey is around 100 miles , starting in Orange, and ending in Avignon. Along the way, there is Vaison-la-Romaine, Seguret, Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise, Carpentras, Pernes-les -Fontaines, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Fontaine-de-Vacluse, Gordes, Senanque, and finally Avignon. Your feet won't necessarily get a work-out, but your liver will!  In choosing such an itinerary for Day 1, it clearly shows that she knows her subject well. It is one essential part that could be called the "heart of Provence," though others could also claim the title. The other 11 days are equally well covered.

And along with all that wine, some food is essential. Deschamps provides some excellent choices in restaurants along the way, even with possible menus. And for those who know Provence well, it seems inevitable that one spends most of the time talking about food, that which one is consuming now, as well as the next meal. She provides additional recipes in the back, and an epicure's guide in the beginning, along with a few "handy tips."

Light on history, delightfully heavy on the food. The book simply has a "good feel" to it, in terms of the drawings, maps, and design, and the cover is great. My copy dates from 1988, though I see that there is a "new" edition from 1996.  A good guide that could still be useful. 4-stars.
3043661
If you had to purchase one book on Calabria, this would be the one. Calabria has many small towns, each one explored and described in loving detail by the author. Sights and especially foods are carefully detailed, so that one could almost taste the special dish. But it is not just a guide book but a personal journal of the author's coming to love this relatively unknown part of Italy.
4152213
Excelent reference and information if you are planning a trip to Italy especially if you plan to live there. Well written humorous  dialog you actuall feel you are there. Insight into "red tape" bureaucracy hilarious. The recipes and food experiences vividly demonstrate the joy of life that the Italian people live by.  If you cant afford the trip this book is best way to experiance the Tuscany Umbria life style.
1901736
I used this book extensively for a family trip to Rome and the Veneto region(Venice, Padua and Verona). The attraction write-ups were accurate and well-done and the "Italy in Context" section was a nice bonus. My only recommendation would be that there be more moderate and inexpensive restaurant recommendations throughout.
786716
A long, long time ago, my ancestors were Sheriffs on the hills of Rome. I visited Rome as a teenager, and loved the food. The pasta. The pizza. The gelato. Italian food is most everyone's favorite, but Roman food has it's own culture that few people have really experienced. Much of the Italian food in this country has been Americanized to the point of being hardly recognizable to it's true origins.

Tasting Rome, a cookbook by Katie Parla and Kristina Gill, is part cookbook, part culture lesson, and part history book.

The recipes are not what you would expect from an Italian cookbook, because it's not an *Italian* cookbook per se...it's a Roman cookbook. Romans use fresh, seasonal produce, and don't waste any part of the animal, so you will find recipes using beef tongue, chicken innards, and veal cartilage. There are also many different cultures living in the Eternal City, so there is an entire chapter dedicated to the recipes originating from the Jewish ghettoes.

There are eight chapters:
-Snacks, Starters, and Street Food
which include recipes for things such as three variations of Rice Croquettes, Torta Rustica (savory pie), and Fried Mozzarella with 'Nduja. ('Nduja is a spicy spreadable Italian salami.)

-Classics and Variations
recipes include Spaghetti alla Gricia, Amatriciana Estiva (Summer Amatriciana), and Gnocchi

-Cucina Ebaica (this is the cuisine of the Roman Jews)
recipe examples are Concia (fried and marinated zucchini), Anchovy and Frisee Casserole, and Honey Soaked Matzo Fritters

-Quinto Quarto (this is the most "out there" of the chapters, recipes using the often-discarded parts of the animal)
some of the recipes included are Grilled Pig's Liver, Sweetbreads with Marsala Wine, and Tripe with Tomato Sauce, Mint and Pecorino.

-Verdure (vegetables)
featuring recipes for Microgreen Salad with Hazelnuts and Pecorino, Baked Tomatoes Stuffed with Rice (Pomodori con Riso), and a Shaved Artichoke Salad.

-Bread and Pizza
including such dishes as Pizza Bianca e Pizza Rossa, Pizza Romana (which is a thin crust Roman-style pizza), and a Ciabattini bread, as well as instructions on making a "biga" or starter.

-Sweets
recipes include Castagnole (fried dough balls with sugar--who doesn't love that!?), Panna Cotta, and several varieties of Roman cookies.

-Drinks
make cocktails using vodka, bourbon, and various flavored liqueurs.

In addition to the recipes, there is an informative section in the beginning that defines all the ingredients and gives recommendations for the best cook's tools and types of ingredients to use. There is also a good deal of background information about the history and culture of Rome spread throughout the pages.

This is an interesting book for learning about how the culture of Rome has impacted it's cuisine-and vice versa-and has many authentic recipes (both traditional and updated) to help give you a taste of the Eternal City without needing to find your passport.

On the other hand, if you're just looking for a family-friendly update to your typical Spaghetti and Meatballs or Lasagna Italian night, this book probably isn't for you.

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
3640189
The title "Guide to the Essential Foods of Italy" says it all. This is a great view of Italys food history and culture.  The stories and explanations of key Italian ingredients like sea salt and olive oil is great foundational knowledge for the home or professional chef.
3063401
I'm planning a trip to Italy - my first time in the Genoa area - and a friend recommended "Food, Wine, The Italian Riviera & Genoa". I'm going to use it as my "Bible". It's full of the kind of insider tips that make all the difference between an OK trip and the trip of a lifetime.

What I love about this book is that it's so well written. Never a dull moment and teeming with insight and wisdom.

I'm leaving for Italy in October for a full month. If the weather is good, I know I'm going to have a great experience, thanks to David Downie. This book is like having an Italian friend at your side!
48193
What a fabulous book!  We just returned from a trip to Calabria and Campania and I only wish that Carla had done for Calabria what she has for Campania!  Her book provided us with actual maps for eating our way through the countryside and for understanding the uniqueness of the foods that we were tasting.  We glanced at her book at our small hotel, Palazzo Torre Barbara, in Vico Equense.  It mentioned La Tradizione, a spectacular alimentari just down the street, but which we had missed entirely.  We're just happy that La Tradizione had copies for sale next to the fresh pecorino ricotta, wines, salumi, bread and much more. Carla's writing enticed us to explore lots more of Campania than we had planned.  She led us to places way off our own map.  Grazie, Carla.
947072
This book on Naples and the Amalfi Coast has been the best and most valuable guide book to the region.  This Eyewitness guide, as is the case with the entire series, is very nicely laid out.  The map of Naples under the front cover is color coded and provides highlights in each.  The colors of the map relate to the sections in the book relating to the main areas of the city.  The book nicely covers the history of Naples, art and architecture and culture, the environment and items of local interest.

Each section of the book that covers an area of Naples beings with a map numbered for the locations of items of interest.  Each of the numbered locations is then described with a picture proving relevant information (sometimes in a colored box labeled "Visitor Checklist") such as opening times, how to get there and the main items to see.  Important buildings, such as the Duomo, are illustrated with a colored cutaway drawing, showing a bit of the exterior and the interior plan, with the location of art work and places of special interest.  Each page is full of information and often the photograph of the site brings something of interest to my attention that I may not pay any attention to in an un-illustrated book.  The Amalfi Coast follows the chapters on Naples and is described in the same fashion.  A map of the coast with number sights begins this section. Places, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, are given a good overview with descriptions of the main sights and photographs.  For surrounding areas like Capri and Ischia (covered on only 2 pages) there is not a lot of information which makes an additional book necessary.  There is good information on how to get to destinations in the Naples area.

The descriptions are succinct and well-written, the aim being not to waste words or space.  The Traveler Needs section provides good information on hotels, restaurants and shopping.  Although I used additional guide books to discover information about hotels and restaurants I also referred to this book.  The final section, Survival Guide, is a wealth of information about getting around Naples and the Amalfi coast.  For example, this book is the only one I saw that had a map of the Metro stops in Naples, and you can tie this map to the detailed maps of the city to determine how the stops are connected.  The several pages of maps are the best that I have seen in a guidebook: you can find any location on Naples using these maps.  The maps are easy to access and follow from page to page and have detailed information like where pharmacies are located.

This guidebook is the kind that always finds a place in my luggage.  It is easy to become familiar with an unfamiliar place and is a storehouse of practical information.
978176
Filled with helpful information for traveling, this guide offers numerous places for lodging and dining for the many points of interest in Italy. Advice on how to save and get the most for your money are added pluses in this book.

If you are planning a trip to Italy, you will find it useful for exploring each stop along the way. Find out about local museums and interesting cultural stops--places to see off the beaten track--in this easy to understand guide. My only "wish" would be for it to include some photographs.
3074507
Great gift for Italian cooks and Italian food lovers. Describes and defines foods by regions. Foodies and eaters rejoice. Yeah!
2241009
This is a really fun book!  It provides more indepth information than the usual guide book.  Not only tells you about the local food and wine selection, but also information about the local crafts, events, and  specialty items.  Recommends local stores for cookware, best markets, linen  & houseware shops.  Provides Menu specialty selections for each  province, tells hours/days of operation for local markets.  Provides words  and phrases to use when ordering in markets and restaurants.  Gives some  hotel information and realistic cost ratings on restaurants, cafes,  trattorias, etc.  Excellent book!
1750440
Great book! Tell you in detail about pasta, shapes and regions in Italy.
Good recipes!
1281091
This guide is both informational and easy to read. It includes details about well known attractions and goes even further into their history than common knowledge. There's insight on everyone's favorite Italian specialty...food and information on the cultural aspect. I liked the input on different places to eat and stay when visiting. A few statements left me wondering though, like what's going on with the gypsies? I would love to visit Italy and find out! This ebook was received in return for my unbiased opinion.
4417436
With this book, we will no longer have to go out for Italian cuisine. It is chocked full of recipes to many of the classic dishes and others I did not know about. The descriptions sound delicious and seem simple to make in spite of my limited cooking skills. I am looking forward to trying them out on my family.

The recipes are well organized and cover every course from appetizers to desserts with everything in between. They are presented well with some ingredient substitutions. There is a good bit of helpful information for storing food that I was unaware of.
4772528
Things that are cool and Italian: Ferraris, Dean Martin, Italian Cooking and wristbands.

You cannot really buy a Ferrari on Amazon and you can't be Dean Martin as far as I know. Yes, I realize wristbands aren't Italian but you CAN buy them on Amazon however they will be nothing without this cookbook.

I have had the pleasure of dining at this little gem in San Francisco. The food there is great, the wine list is impressive and the experience is better than good. What I like about this cookbook is you learn to make delicious meals with a few simple ingredients.

People are impressed when I bring out the salt rock fish and break open the salt to pull out a perfectly cooked fish. They rave about my mussels and even my salad gets thumbs up from every primate with opposable thumbs.

If you like cooking and you enjoy Italian food then I recommend this to you. If you don't like either of those things then I recommend you get with the program, buddy.