Customer Reviews

The Mere Mortal's Guide to Fine Dining: From Salad Forks to Sommeliers, How to Eat and Drink in Style Without Fear of Faux Pas

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I eat out frequently, on a lot of business dinners. I read about this book in a magazine and ordered it. A fun, fast read with easy-to-digest information about tipping, wine, becoming a "regular" at a restaurant (how to score perks), and... table manners.

This is where my doofus-ness comes in. My napkin is supposed to be folded to the left of my plate (not on my chair) if I get up to pee? Utensils can never touch the table (not even the handles) once you pick them up?? I was wincing over and over as I learned all the little habits I had wrong.

On the upside, I've got it pretty much straight now. In fact, fun fact: I went to dinner after reading just the intro/first chapter, and scored a FREE glass of fancy wine... Already recouped the cost of the book!

This book made me feel more comfortable with all of the in's and out's of preparing, dining, and not looking like a schmuck in front of my friends. Having not tried hummus or even guacamole until I entered college, my culinary knowledge and skills were at a very basic level. Ms. Rush clearly explains "what to do" and "how to do it" without making me feel intimidated. In particular the wine section was extremely helpful when buying a bottle of wine either at a restaurant or for home entertainment. It expanded my knowledge of regions, tastes, and most importantly names of wines that I liked. In fact, friends now come to me for recommendations and I confidently share my knowledge. I would recommend the "Mere Mortals Guide to Fine Dining" to anyone and has made a great gift on many occasions.

When I got my copy of Mere Mortal's Guide I found myself flipping through this book on and off all evening as I thought of questions about corked wine, aged beef and the like. Without exception I came to quick, clear (and at times hilarious) answers. I think I fell in love with the book when I used the break down in the table of contents to find every bit of info I sought right off the bat. I'm buying it for every fellow food lover I know. And some others whom I think may benefit from a robust and irreverant resource detailing the rules of civility in dining. Especially the ones who place their forearm on the table just north of the plate in the 'I'm guarding this' pose.

I expected more from this book. The author provides some generic information and some of what I would call "fillers" (useless information to fill the pages) such as how to say something in different languages. In addition some information she provided especially about wine was not correct. In general the information was somewhat shallow and not anything new. It also appears that she underestimates the readers. I did not learn anything reading this book.
I would not recommend this book.

Great for preparing for high-end business meetings. Pleany of practical information and suggestions. Buy it now and enjoy reading it!

this book was very insightful and helpful. gave a lot of information without being overwhelming. helpful for both the diner and the staff side of restaurants

As a business skill trainer, I found this book an exceptional resource since it provided reservation to exit information on enjoying an elegant dining experience. Colleen Rush researched dining history and added in helpful facts about why we eat our bread in pieces, why the meal comes in several independent courses down to understanding the traditions of food preparation and wines across Europe as well as trendy questions about the quality or best catch when it comes to meats.

I used this book to prepare for a Business Etiquette presentation yet Rush's writing was fun and exciting to follow and honestly, I will be enjoying this before any fine dinner to be on my best behavior and to keep refreshing what would make my dining experience more enriched. This book can help one establish a better relationships with their clients because this book teaches you how to create allies with the dining staff and better understand the menus and what it means to be a 'foody' without entering with a bib and smug complaints. Since my research and preparation visited the perspective written from the restaurant staff as well, I found this book very fair to both the guest and the restaurant. Again, better etiquette does not give one the right to be more judgmental but to show more class and appreciation when the service is done right and the food and wine is good.

This book is one of my favorites and her book is a great gateway to the books she referenced to further study the history of fine dining. She truly made the topic accessible and useful for any audience. I highly recommend this book.

My mother gave me this book after I had gone to dinner at Gibson's Steak House in Chicago, IL. I had felt like a fish out of water, and quite unworthy of the experience. After reading this book, I agree with Colleen's statement in the opening chapters--it will not make you a snob, but will certainly put you at ease! My viewing of menus have changed completely since reading this book, and I'm noticing small nuisances while dining that make the experience far more enjoyable, and far less uncomfortable! Even in my home cooking, when I go to the grocery store, I'm looking for the freshest and most seasonal ingredients, and branching out and trying things I never thought I'd like (which isn't much, being a foodie and all...) I lent this book to my boyfriend, who could burn toast by looking at it, and he too is experiencing food and dining on an entirely new level! This book is an absolute MUST across the board! Give it to a friend, keep a copy for yourself, it doesn't matter, just spread this book!