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

By Colleen Rush

Book Overview

From aperitif to digestif, approach every meal with savvy and grace. We've all experienced Fancy-Pants Restaurant Jitters at some point - the fear that you will unknowingly commit some fine-dining crime, whether it's using the wrong fork, picking an amateur wine, mispronouncing foie gras , or gasping when your fish entr e arrives with its head still attached. Relax. The Mere Mortal's Guide to Fine Dining is the ultimate antidote to restaurant anxiety. Where does your napkin go when you leave the table? Should you sniff the wine cork? And why, pray tell, are there so many forks? This comprehensive and accessible primer answers these and dozens of other questions and offers the basics on every aspect of fine dining, including: * How to navigate a place setting * Speaking menu-ese and the language of fine food * A refresher on polite and polished table manners * 911 for wine novices * A carnivore's guide to beef, pork, lamb, and veal * What local, sustainable, and organic really mean * Japanese dining dos and don'ts * Who's who on a restaurant's staff * How to be a regular--or get the perks like one * Top restaurants across the country * What the food snobs know (and you should, too) * And much more... With a little help, any Mere Mortal can order wine with confidence, get great, attitude-free service, decipher menus, and finally, truly, savor any dining experience.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767922034
• ISBN13: 9780767922036
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A foodie's best friend!

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!

Great as a gift!

This book is a fun gift for friends and family who aren't perfectly comfortable when they eat anywhere "fancier" than the Olive Garden. It's also helpful for young adults who are new to dinner-party planning and aspire to greatness as a host/hostess.

"Mere Mortals Guide to (Knowing What to Do!)"

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.

Oh My God. Turns Out I'm a Total Doofus...

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!

Perfect. Really really perfect. The best refresher course in dining & civility out there.

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.