A1 Diner: Real Food, Recipes, and Recollections (Paperback)

~ Sarah Rolph (Author), Jeff Giberson (Photographer)
Key Phrases: spatula works, boiled dinner, Maurice Wakefield, New England, Bob Newell (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a keeper of the first order...It makes you at one and the same time hungry, chuckly, and nostalgic." -- The Courier-Gazette, September 14, 2006

"...captures the food, the people, and history ...One reviewer advises, 'Read it for the anecdotes,but keep it for the recipes'". -- The Maine Event, November 2006

"...stories of the people...are as delicious and nourishing as the food...warms my heart and gives me faith in small town America." -- COPIA/ Director of Culinary Programs, 3/4/07

"...weaves together...history of diner...tales of lives of its owners and employees...and a collection of recipes." -- Down East Magazine, September 2006

"Recipe for a good read...you don't have to be a regular at A1...to enjoy the book." -- Capital Weekly, September 21, 2006

"Thiry recipes drawn from the diner's delicious history make the book more of a kitchen keeper than a coffee-table curiosity." -- Kennebec Journal, August 27, 2006

Product Description

In 1946 Worcester Diner #790 arrived by truck and was installed at 3 Bridge Street in Gardiner, Maine. Under the name of Heald's Diner, it served employees of Gardiner's mills and factories with an emphasis on ample portions served quickly. The diner is still at 3 Bridge Street, still a marvel of efficiency and art moderne design, still a local gathering place, still serving the same warm, flaky biscuits. But under the ownership of Mike Giberson and Neil Anderson since 1988, the little A1 Diner (as it is now known) draws customers (and restaurant reviews) from far and wide with its wonderfully eclectic menu (you can order Bouillabaisse or meatloaf), its emphasis on fresh, local food, and its upscale deli and specialty food store next door, A1 To Go. This is a small business success story, filled with characters from either side of the counter, packed with recipes and kitchen notes, enjoyable down to the last bite.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884482774
• ISBN-13: 978-0884482772
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #652,172 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 An excellent cookbook of authentic diner delicacies, September 8, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

A1 Diner: Real Food, Recipes, & Recollections isn't just a straightforward cookbook; it gathers memories of the people who owned and worked for the A1 Diner, from which these time-tested favorite tastes have been gathered. Numerous anecdotes and recollections pepper such long-beloved A1 Diner recipes as Individual Cheese Souffles, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce, Mike's Shrimp Scampi, Lime Avocado Salad with Pistachios, and a great deal more. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this excellent cookbook of authentic diner delicacies.

5.0 out of 5 stars A1 DINER :REAL FOOD,RECIPIES,AND RECOLLECTIONS, October 8, 2008

By	Harris Stein (OTTAWA,ONT.CANADA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

GREAT TO HAVE A BOOK THAT PAYS HOMMAGE TO THE DINER, LOVE THE FACT THAT IT IS STILL HEALTHY AND PROSPERING IN MAINE, THE HISTORY AND LINEAGE OF THIS DINER IS ONE THAT IS VERY COMPELLING AND SHOWS THAT IN THE END PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE AND ,GOOD FOOD IS A UNIVERSAL APPEASER. I HAVE PUT THE A1 ON MY WEEKEND LIST OF THINGS TO DO. MY 8 HOUR DRIVE IM SURE WILL BE WELL WORTH IT, IVE BEEN DREAMING OF BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER. TOO BAD THERE IS NOT MORE RECIPIES,I'LL JUST HAVE TO GO AND ASK.

5.0 out of 5 stars A-1 Diner, November 11, 2006

By	Paula M. Gaudet "pinepoint" (Winthrop, ME, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has lots of local color as well as great recipies. We have tried many of the Maine favorites and shared with others. Having frequented the diner is the way my interest was peaked. It's a great place for breakfast and lunch in Gardiner, ME.
pinepoint