Customer Reviews

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

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Imagine if you will, having the chance to sample some of the freshest and best cuisine from all over the world; a French Fondue Savoyarde, some Mexican Chilaquiles Verdes, Singapore's Mee Goreng, or some Korean Kalbi. The passport and travel tickets alone might be enough to break the bank. Unless, of course, you live in Los Angeles and want to `meet me at 3rd and Fairfax' where for 76 years this month, culinary patrons from the world over have gathered at the dozens of homegrown eateries that comprise L.A.'s Farmers Market.

Now, through the efforts of author and Food TV producer, JoAnn Cianciulli (and Bay Area food photographer Karl Petzke), Chronicle Books has assembled some of the best recipes from the legendary vendors into one book of international and domestic delights called "L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook."

Unlike most cookbooks that rely on one particularly style or a single chef's output, the Farmers Market Cookbook combines dishes for every meal - including snacks and desserts - from a veritable cornucopia of chefs, genres, styles and nationalities - all blended together to replicate what a visit through the aisles of the legendary marketplace are like in real life.

In addition to the recipes, there are the storied histories of each of the featured vendors, some of which date back to the origin of the market that now resides on the old Gilmore Oil fields and is one of L.A.'s official Historical and Cultural Landmarks (second only to Hollywood itself.) While the book serves as a great cookbook for those seeking a wide variety of casual comestibles, it also aptly describes the history of the famed location, from its origin as dairy land to its hangout status for famous names like Sinatra, James Dean, Garbo and more, to its current day adjacency to both CBS's Television City and the high-profile shopping plaza, The Grove.

If you can't make it around the world, or even out to L.A., the Farmers Market Cookbook is the next best thing to being there. Otherwise, `meet us at 3rd and Fairfax' soon. See you there!

Wow this is a history of the LA farmers market place. It is fun to know what to expect and where to find wonderful food. A must read book before visiting the city. I would recomend this read to everyone.

Having visited The Market 5 years ago from the east coast, I immediately fell in love with the place. There's no other like it! This book brought me back again, but in a more exciting way. The recipes are terrific. Visually, it's a treat for the eyes. More than anything though, Cianciulli captures the flavor, history & significance of LA's original farmers market. Expect great things from this author! At this price, not only a feast; it's a steal. Brava!

We loved the book! The way this beautiful book is written and presented, it captures the experience of being at The Farmers Market! Our family used to live in LA, and often my kids and I would go to The Farmers Market for a quick lunch. The perfect spot for different appetites. Our whole family enjoyed pouring over this book, reminiscing with the vendors' stories, pictures and recipes. It made us feel like we were there again!

It has been many years since I have been to Farmers Market but it will be my first stop on my next trip to Los Angeles thanks to this beautiful book. It has evocative photos and informative text. The recipes are clear and really well written. Can't wait to make the Chilaquiles Verdes. And the Leg of Lamb - my mouth is watering!

Really love this book. Great history on the market -- perfect reading material for hardcore foodies -- and some gorgeous recipes.

This book is awesome! It's very comprehensive from the history of the LA Farmers market to the recipes. And the stories in here are really terrific. This place is such an institution and the vendors have such passion-- it's finally nice to have a real understanding of this landmark, it's people and food. It's truly a great read with great photos and a must get!

I absolutely love this book! This author writes beautiful stories making me feel as I now have a personal relationship with each of the vendors in the stalls at Farmers Market. The stories make me want to go there and hang out with these people. But, most of all, this book shares amazing recipes. I will be trying them one by one! For anyone who loves food, this book is a must have in your collection!

A friend gave me this book because they know I liked going to the Farmers Market when I lived in LA, and I absolutely loved this book! It is more than terrific recipes - it tells about traditions and an iconic part of Los Angeles. The writing and the pictures are wonderful! If you love great food and great stories, this book is for you...it actually makes me miss LA (and as a jaded New Yorker who couldn't wait to move back home, that's saying a lot).

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

An adventure in a book - I love the behind the scene stories and photos of the Farmers Market vendors and of course the recipes from my favorite stalls!! You can tell JoAnn the author has a personal relationship with each of the stall owners and an all-encompassing understanding of food history and preparation. I cannot wait to make the Cabernet Sauvignon Sorbet. Happy reading / cooking.