Customer Reviews

2nd Avenue Deli Cookbook: Recipes and Memories from Abe Lebewohl's Legendary Kitchen

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

All those years I naively ate my soup and sandwich at the counter, or got takeout, and I never knew about the famous clientele. This is a magnificent cookbook that combines recipes and stories that prove that one person, even a restauranteur, can make a difference in the big city. The 2nd Avenue Deli makes 1,000 pounds of cole slaw a day. That's alot of cabbage even for the East Village. It serves 400,000 meals per year, and touches the lives of those fressers in a big way. Of the 166 recipes, the following are worth the price of the book alone...the chopped liver, the challah-apple stuffing, Paul Reiser's egg cream, and Morley Safer's memories.

This is the first cookbook that I found to be a pleasure to read. It was entertaining, touching, and filled with recipes that really work. This book is a wonderfully delicious tribute to a great man and his legacy to Second Avenue.

This is a wonderful cookbook for any kitchen. The recipes are delicious and easy to follow. So far, I've made the macaroni salad, cholent, lemon bars, chicken soup, chicken salad, hummus and the brownies. All these recipes got raves from my family -- especially the brownies (these were the best I've ever tasted). One word of caution - these recipes are made to feed a lot of people (they come from a deli, no wonder) so it's best to make them when you're planning to have at least 8-10 people to feed. Enjoy!

This book is fabulous. I originally saw it in the library and borrowed it. After borrowing it three times, I decided to buy it. I've made just about everything in the book and many of these foods are the same foods I remember my grandmother making. The gribbinis is one I remember very fondly. I still have memories of my jewish grandmother serving it to my dad at her kitchen table in Brooklyn, New York when I was about 10 years old.

I've introduced my sons who are 15 and 18 to many of these dishes and so far they have loved every single one of them. The recipes are easy to follow and best of all, they are just about fool-proof. I didn't have any problem with any of the recipes. Just when I think one recipe can't be outdone, I try another and it is just as good.

A MUST HAVE for anyone who wants to learn about jewish cooking and for jews who grew up in NYC and had eastern european family. These foods are the type of jewish cooking that can be appreciated by anyone, even if they are not jewish.

I've received this cookbook expecting recipes. What I got was really entertaining stories of a great man and his generousity to his many friends and total strangers. The food recipes are equally wonderful. I've tried the Roast beef and potato latkes fantastic! I live in Iowa and there isn't a deli within 150 miles. Sharon thank you for sharing your dad's story and recipes.

I recently bought this book when I found out the deli was closing.I have tried the noodle pudding,potato pancakes,macaroni salad,and matzo balls.All are out of this world!I love this book and plan to make many more of the recipes.

If you have any interest in comfort food (or just good food, period), this book is a must-have. Every recipe I have tried has gotten rave reviews; try the three-ingredient Pot Roast (you won't believe anything so good can be so ridiculously easy!). In addition to the great recipes, the memories of Abe Lebewohl are very touching.

Grew up eating at 2nd Ave Deli. Ordered book expecting to see specifics on how to feel the texture of food when ready, how to smell when the meat is done, the taste of the dishes when seasoned correctly, etc. I wanted to read simple recipes as chicken stock or pastrami sandwiches with what bread, which mustard etc. Instead, got some token personal info on owner and family but with significant portion of recipes from entertainment stars, etc. who had dined at the 2nd Ave Deli and had a recipe for some dish. A revised edition would sell extremely well at times when 1st and 2nd generations are trying to collect authentic recipes that survived Ellis Island and the era of New York City when immigrants were their foods and rituals. Diasappointed.

I found the book very interesting, informative and Wonderful!! I already tried the "Sour Cream Coffee Cake," "Barley Soup," "Bowtie Salad w/Sun-Dried Tomatoes" and "Red Cabbage and Apples." They all came out as if I were eating at the 2nd Ave Deli. Loved the pictures of the customers, also. What a Great Book! It should be in every cook's kitchen.

This book blows Molly Goldberg out of the water. The charm and wit of the writing would make the book worth owning even for a non-cook, it's that tasty! And the recipes are easy to use and come out yummy every time. Your friends will kvell and go all verklempt when you start producing kugels like Grandma used to make.