Customer Reviews

A Treasury of Great Recipes: Famous Specialties of the World's Foremost Restaurants Adapted for the American Kitchen

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Was ever a cook book as lavishly illustrated? Even the redoubtable Martha Stewart would envy the magnificent photography and sumptuous recipes. It's all made better by the first person recitation of Mr. and Mrs. Price who wrote about what they'd eaten and where they'd enjoyed it. And enjoy it they certainly did as will the reader. Not all the recipes are simple, but time and a careful following of the explicit instructions will yield the delights portrayed. Far from his more famous persona as the villain deluxe, Vincent Price is revealed as a food critic and traveller who skipped the souvenir stands and brought home, you'll excuse this, the bacon. I was the on-air cook for a television station for many years and used this collection often. Attempting to reproduce the lush settings wasn't possible but the strength of the recipes is that they could be served on Melmac and be just as good. Like reading catalogs for summer flowers in December, this volume will take you to the table in anticipation of wonderful food. One note, you may be tempted to lick the photos of the food: Don't. But on a cold night after a bowl of luke warm chicken noodle.....

One of the reasons this book has become a classic is not merely the recipes. This book captures an entire lifestyle -- the Kennedy-era, globe-trotting, Pan Am, waiters in bow ties, gourmet lifestyle.

This is a Mad Men book.

Everything about this book screams "gracious dining." The Prices in their kitchen with gleaming copper pots. The reproductions of pages from vintage menus. The word "Luncheon." The two-color pen and ink illustrations. The padded leatherette binding with two silk bookmarks.

This is not to say that the Prices are snobbish. They're cultured. The scope and level of detail in this book is loving and extraordinary.

If you are the type of person who loves to read recipes, as well as cook with them, this book will be a real treat. In addition to being an actor, Vincent Price was a first rate gourmet cook. Recipes are taken from the menus of some of the world's greatest restaurants circa the 1960's, before anyone had heard of cholesterol or low carb...they are a celebration of taste! This is a must-have for any cookbook collector or serious "foodie". Although prices vary depending upon condition etc., this volume is worth every penny, both for the recipes and for the pure enjoyment of this 1960's food time capsule.

I have bought this cookbook 3 times! Not only is every recipe in this book fabulous but it is a beautiful book in itself. The recipes are at various levels of cooking ability. One of the recipes "Fettuccine Alla Buranella" was one of the first I cooked from this wonderful book and to this day is my ultimate dish to prepare for company that I want to impress. It is a true labor of love but worth every bite. I once had a guest and when it was time for dessert, he asked if he could skip dessert and have another but larger serving of this dish! The book covers the years of travel for the Prices and the chapters are grouped by country. The beginninng of each chapter starts with the actual menu from some fabulous restaurant in each country, which I have tried to visit over the years in my own travels. The pictures in this book are both inspirational in their beauty both for travel or for cooking. About half of the pictures are of their own home. Another dish that has become a staple for special occassions is "Haricots Verts a la Lyonnaise" which is both simple and delicious. One friend who comes regularly for dinner will almost make her entire meal on this dish...I have to almost figure a pound of the fresh green beans for her portion alone! This is a cookbook worth looking for. If cooking has become boring or you simply want to expand your menus with fabuous foods this is the cookbook to find. I can't think of another recipe book that I would replace 3 times other than this one. So buy and enjoy!

One of the reasons this has become a classic is not merely the recipes. This book captures an entire lifestyle -- the Kennedy-era, globe-trotting, Pan Am, waiters in bow ties, gourmet lifestyle.

This is a Mad Men book.

Everything about this book screams "gracious dining." The Prices in their kitchen with gleaming copper pots. The reproductions of pages from vintage menus. The word "Luncheon." The two-color pen and ink illustrations. The padded leatherette binding with two silk bookmarks.

This is not to say that the Prices are snobbish. They're cultured. The scope and level of detail in this book is loving and extraordinary.

I've been captivated by this iconic book since my neighbor shared with me her autographed copy of it. She actually brought her book to where Vincent Price was appearing in the 1970's and got it signed!

I can't say enough about this book. It is extremely high quality from the front cover to the content contained within. The Price's take you on a trip around the world -- to the finest restaurants who share their recipes for all of us to enjoy. There are many full page color photos of Vincent and Mary Price at the various restaurants -- always showing the beautifully prepared food.

This is much much more than a cook book!It is a classic. My copy (a Christmas gift for a very special lady)was purchased through Powell's Books in Portland, Or. I was very lucky. The book is in perfect condition. It was very well treated over the years. I was extremely impressed with the care that Powell's used in handling and packaging the book. I received the book within 10 days of ordering -- well before Christmas.

This book is out of print. The copy we received was in better condition than the one we have had from new 40 years ago. Great cook book.

One of the reasons this has become a classic is not merely the recipes. This book captures an entire lifestyle -- the Kennedy-era, globe-trotting, Pan Am, waiters in bow ties, gourmet lifestyle.

This is a Mad Men book.

Everything about this book screams "gracious dining." The Prices in their kitchen with gleaming copper pots. The reproductions of pages from vintage menus. The word "Luncheon." The two-color pen and ink illustrations. The padded leatherette binding with two silk bookmarks.

This is not to say that the Prices are snobbish. They're cultured. The scope and level of detail in this book is loving and extraordinary.

One of the reasons this has become a classic is not merely the recipes. This book captures an entire lifestyle -- the Kennedy-era, globe-trotting, Pan Am, waiters in bow ties, gourmet lifestyle.

This is a Mad Men book.

Everything about this book screams "gracious dining." The Prices in their kitchen with gleaming copper pots. The reproductions of pages from vintage menus. The word "Luncheon." The two-color pen and ink illustrations. The padded leatherette binding with two silk bookmarks.

This was the first purchase that I made on Amazon. I bought a fabulous book from chuckshalfoffbooks. They kept me updated on when the book was shipped, their description of the book was perfect and they said 'thank you'! If you are searching for a special book, do check out chuckshalfoffbooks first. They were wonderful to work with!