L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook: Meet Me at 3rd and Fairfax (Paperback)

~ JoAnn Cianciulli (Author)
Key Phrases: gumbo pot, tahini sauce, frijoles negros, Farmers Market, Los Angeles, Puritan Poultry (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the L.A. Farmers Market, shoppers can select from the best farm-fresh goods representative of Southern California's bounty, but the market, a favorite among tourists and locals almost since its 1934 founding, also hosts dozens of small restaurants, bakeries and stalls selling prepared food. In time for the market's 75th anniversary Cianciulli, a food writer and Food Network producer, collects recipes from 48 of these eateries, some that have been around since the market's beginning or close to it, others more recent and reflective of L.A.'s diverse, ever-changing population. Cianciulli divides the book into four categories (breakfast, sandwiches and light bites, main meals and desserts), with such dishes as La Korea's Korean-style short ribs, a Middle Eastern falafel sandwich at Moishe's and Breadworks' toothsome Hungarian cinnamon loaf. Cianciulli prefaces recipes from each place with a brief history, an introduction to the lively owners and an evocative description of the atmosphere it generates, so reading feels like a walk down the bustling market aisles. Though most of the recipes use ingredients available from the farm stands, the farmers and the ideal of sourcing food locally are not the book's focal point, which may disappoint some readers. Most, however, will be thrilled to have access to such a wide array of favorite recipes and to help celebrate the long life of this vibrant institution. (May)
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Review

At the L.A. Farmers Market, shoppers can select from the best farm-fresh goods representative of Southern California's bounty, but the market, a favorite among tourists and locals almost since its 1934 founding, also hosts dozens of small restaurants, bakeries and stalls selling prepared food. In time for the market's 75th anniversary Cianciulli, a food writer and Food Network producer, collects recipes from 48 of these eateries, some that have been around since the market's beginning or close to it, others more recent and reflective of L.A.'s diverse, ever-changing population. Cianciulli divides the book into four categories (breakfast, sandwiches and light bites, main meals and desserts), with such dishes as La Korea's Korean-style short ribs, a Middle Eastern falafel sandwich at Moishe's and Breadworks' toothsome Hungarian cinnamon loaf. Cianciulli prefaces recipes from each place with a brief history, an introduction to the lively owners and an evocative description of the atmosphere it generates, so reading feels like a walk down the bustling market aisles. Though most of the recipes use ingredients available from the farm stands, the farmers and the ideal of sourcing food locally are not the book's focal point, which may disappoint some readers. Most, however, will be thrilled to have access to such a wide array of favorite recipes and to help celebrate the long life of this vibrant institution. --Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811855686
• ISBN-13: 978-0811855686
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #189,829 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LA's Original Farmers Market Cookbook, November 1, 2009

By	Ms. Russell "CalArtGal" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

What a great cookbook. It takes me back to the late '40's and early '50's when my parents would take me there. It's still one of my favorite places to visit when I'm out there and I've shared it with my daughter who also loves it. My daughter has shared it with her young sons and so it's a family tradition.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Tasty Bit of Los Angeles History, July 26, 2009

By	Sacramento Book Review "SacramentoBookReview.com" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

Perusing the pages of //L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook// will provide a trip down memory lane for some people and a lesson in history for others. The book's recent release coincides with the Farmers Market's 75th Anniversary and speaks to the vast history and diversity that defines this legendary Los Angeles landmark. //L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook// includes stories and recipes from the restaurants, grocers, and individual stalls housed in the Market (many of which have been there since its inception in the 1930s) and offers the reader an authentic sampling of this unique and renowned attraction.

The wonderful black and white photographs and entertaining anecdotes truly capture the essence of the era when the Market first opened. At the same time, the modern color photos and multitude of ethnic recipes are representative of the more diverse Los Angeles of today.

The book is conveniently divided into four chapters: "Breakfast," "Sandwiches and Light Bites," "Main Meals," and "Sweet Things," with each chapter highlighting different vendors and providing easy to follow recipes. The multitude of food stalls, restaurants, and grocers featured in this book guarantees that there is no shortage of variety, with recipes ranging from mango smoothies to potato piroshki, chicken pot pie to Korean short ribs, and even brownies and cookies for dogs. This book surely offers something for everyone--even the family pet!

Reviewed by
Andrea Rappaport

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delicious Adventure, July 14, 2009

By	Kim + Troy "Kim + Troy" (marina del rey, ca) - See all my reviews

A delicious adventure into the history of one of Los Angeles' most cherished places and packed with recipes we can't wait to try, We've been going to the Farmer's Market for over ten years, and each time we find something new to try. Our favorite counter is Loteria Grill, and we feel like lottery winners every time we eat there.