From the Pacific Northwest’s most influential chef comes a collection of recipes for ultra-simple sophistication inspired by the world’s most delicious cuisines

Acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and artist Renee Erickson invites you on a culinary journey via her favorite places in the world—Rome, Paris, Normandy, Baja California, London, and her hometown, Seattle. Equally aspirational travelogue and practical guide to cooking at home, the book offers 120 recipes and 60 cocktail recipes for simple meals that evoke the dreamiest places and cuisines. From not-too-intricate cocktails and snacks to effortless entrées, these are the recipes that inspire Erickson and make for relaxed, convivial evenings, whether at home or abroad. Showcasing Erickson’s appealing and high-style aesthetic and featuring gorgeous photography and hand-drawn illustrations, this book offers a richly visual survey of beautiful, easy ways to escape the everyday, with meals that you will want to eat every day.

Amazon * B&N * Abrams Books * BAM

My thoughts

If you are anything like me, you haven’t done any traveling in the last year thanks to the pandemic. I’ve dreamed of places to visit and seeing new things and trying new foods.

Imagine my surprise when I received this book as part of Abrams Dinner Party. Flipping through the pages was like taking a trip to various locations with the colorful images, the mouth watering recipes, and even the drinks that highlighted each country or location.

This book is more than just a cookbook, it is an adventure with the author and her experiences, thoughts about the food, and so much more. I had to chuckle when I read a section where she considered making the book all about chips because she loves them so much.

There are so many different dishes to make from appetizers to main courses. There is also an abundance of adult beverage recipes and I plan to whip out my supplies and create a few of these refreshing cocktails. The author weaves stories about her time in the various locales and her life and why every recipe or location is special to her.

This is definitely a book to savor and imagine yourself in Baja, London, Paris, or even Seattle.

We give it 5 paws up.

About the Author

Renee Erickson is the James Beard Award–winning chef and co-owner of numerous Seattle restaurants, including The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Whale Wins, and the Narwhal Oyster Truck. She is the author of A Boat, A Whale & A Walrus: Menus and Stories.

Website * Instagram * Twitter