Favorite Cookbooks

The New Food Lover's Companion (Sharon Tyler Herbst/Ron Herbst)

It's like Google. But in paperback. And exclusively for food and drink.

Keys to Good Cooking: A Guide to Making the Best of Foods and Recipes (Harold McGee)

The best reference guide for how to cook any food.

Simple French Food (Richard Olney)

Lovely writing style. Reliable French cooking tips.

Restaurants I Recommend

The Spice Table (Los Angeles, CA)

Wonderfully unique. Wildly original.

Bar/Kitchen (Los Angeles, CA)

The Shrimp & Grits will change your life.

E' Tutto Qua (San Francisco, CA)

Authentic Italian and reasonably priced. The Squid Ink Pasta is truly amazing.

The Boiling Crab (Alhambra, CA)

Deliciously messy fun. Opt to wear the bib.

Lazy Ox Canteen (Los Angeles, CA)

Not cheap but worth it. Fried Pig Ears!