heyjude

It seems high even to me, but the decision is made by the restaurant and Cooks and Books. However, for that $200, you get the $50 book and a multi-course dinner with wines prepared by Ethan. This promises to be a fabulous evening with Thomas Keller and Bouchon chef Jeff Cerciello. The dates will be announced soon along with those for Bittman and others.

Despite the lack of space to expand my collection, I've added 24 new titles. There are about 40 more that I want and then I'll be out of room. What will I do for the rest of my life? Most of the culling has already been done. I hope this is the worst problem I ever have. The new ones include: All About Braising by Molly Stevens The Gourmet Cookbook Big Fat Cookies by Elinor klivans More From Magnolia by Alyssa Torey The Weekend Baker by Abigail Dodge Best Food Writing 2004 (with mamster's eGullet piece) Cover and Bake by Cook's Illustrated Baking at Home with The Culinary Institute of America David Rosengarten Entertains Schott's Food and Drink Miscellany Chocolate Bar by Lewis and Nelson Gratins by Tina Salter Best American Recipes 2004-2005 Feast by Nigella Lawson The King Arthur Cookie Companion Cooking New American by Editors of Fine Cooking A Baker's Field Guide to Chocolate Chip Cookies by Dede Wilson and several more that are at Matthew and Laurie's or otherwise on loan All in all, a good season and most of these will stay.

I'll make Ferran Adria's Potato Chip Tortilla or the Rotisserie Chicken with Dried Fruit and Pine Nuts. Do we need an appetizer or a main more? Or both?

I've been too lazy to log on, but have been following the thread from day one. We'll be there and will eat standing up, if necessary. I don't have the magazine, but I'll get it and pick something or take an assignment. It will be lovely to see you all.

Please, make it one more with Matthew and Laurie. I'll send Richard and stay with the baby. What a fabulous crowd of PNW eGulleteers. I wish Neil was here to mix the drinks.

My sister had 9 waiting for me when I got to NYC, including the original 2 volume boxed set of Mastering the Art of French Cooking and a 1st edition of Flo Braker's Simple Art of Perfect Baking.

We will post the upcoming events as soon as we get commitments from publishers. I promise there will be some exciting matches. In the meantime, here is the info on the photos taken for us by Andrea Walker. Go to www.dotphoto.com and log on as AJW Photo. No password is necessary. Once there, choose which dinner to view and then click on the pix to enlarge. You can order copies from that site. She is doing a fabulous job for us. Enjoy.

For those of you meeting Amir for the 1st time through this Blog, he really is as serious about what he does as he sounds, but he's also a delight to be with. It was great to share lunch at Salumi.

Though I don't have room for all my books, I continue to add new ones. The latest are by 3 chef/authors we hosted for Cooks and Books Dinners; Andrea Immer's newest about matching wine with foods, Michael Lomonaco's Nightly Specials and Joyce Goldstein's Italian Slow and Savory. All are keepers.

Linda Saunto is the very enthusiastic and lovely curator of the library's culinary collection (and a friend of mine). If you ask for her when you go in, she will happily give you a tour, answer questions and help you find what you need. She'll also take requests for books you think the library should have. Tell her I sent you.

There are still seats available for what promises to be a lovely evening with Michael Lomonaco at Union Bay Cafe On Wednesday the 1st. I just got off the phone with him. He says he looks forward to socializing with everyone. Remember Joyce Goldstein is at Serafina the next night. Our local chefs are planning to wow these authors. Call the restaurants for reservations. I hope to see you there.

Hello, all. We are now semi-settled in our new apartment, but 40 boxes of cookbooks are in storage. The beautiful shelves I had built for them don't fit here, so I have to make some difficult decisions. We are putting bookcases on all available walls. Maggie, I hope your calculator won't blow up at the thought of subtracting from the total. I will make sure they go to good homes. Of course, I'm leaving a little space for new purchases. Snowangel, I went to the Slow Foods event for Grace Young here in Seattle. She is as lovely as her book. I also got The les Halles book, of course. So, add one before you start docking me.

The response to these dinners by eGulleteers has been terrific. The Bourdain event should be an eGala. There has been less attention paid to the Anne Willan party at Kaspar's. Give it some thought. It's next Monday, the 18th. The new book, The Good Cook, looks gorgeous and this is only a $95 dinner. Willan inspires great devotion from her students. Her La Varenne Practique is used as a textbook at many culinary schools and the new title is meant as a "course for home cooks". So, call Kaspar's at 206 298-0123. I'm delighted I'll be seeing you, soon.

It's been a while and I've really been good, but another Friends of the Library sale called to me. Even being very selective, I came away with 35 cookbooks, 19 of which were from the Time-Life Good Cooks series at $1 each. The latest Jessica's Biscuit catalog came in the mail last week and I've starred 68 titles to get after we move. No, not all at once. What have you all been getting?

judiu, I am so sorry. I share your loss and your relief that no one was badly hurt (I too include the dog). Please, let me know if I can give you some books to rebuild the collection. I certainly have some to spare.

The prices vary and are set by the restaurant based on their costs plus the price of the book. The upcoming events will range from $95 on up. When you think about it, you are getting a 4 or 5 course dinner inspired by an author you like, generous wine pours matched to each course, a signed 1st edition and some face time with the author. So far, all of the authors have been charming, sociable and easy for our local chefs to work with. All of the local chefs have outdone themselves. I have had a terrific time being roadie and chief shmoozer. We assume the Portland events will be as successful. I hope to see you repeatedly. We are trying to figure out gift certificates and season tickets and how to get signed copies of the books to those who can't make a dinner. Let us know what else would please you.

I had the tasting lunch yesterday which was similar to what Laurie posted, but I had rare muscovy duck for an appetizer and the corn with the scallops was fresh(and splendid). Union is not nearly as crowded as it deserves to be. I'd love to go back if anyone wants to make a plan.

The full schedule for fall events is now on the website.Cooks and Books The restaurants take the reservations for each dinner. If you'd like to sit at an eGullet table let them know when you make the res. We are also hosting Anne Willan at Kasper's on Oct. 18th. Not only are these fun, but the food has been fabulous. The previous authors including Judy Rodgers, Paula Wolfert and Patricia Wells have all been very pleased. This is also an easy way to do some holiday shopping. The authors will sign books to a giftee. We always bring extra copies and books from the backlist when possible. PM me if you have any questions or we can discuss them on this thread. The date for Thomas Keller is TBA, but the dinner will be held at Union (Thank you, Ethan) and I'll let you know when it's set.

Thank you to both of you for mentioning one of my favorite Seattle Italian restaurants. We have 2 book events coming up there in the fall. On Nov. 15th, Serafina will host Andrea Immer, the wine master and on Dec. 3rd, Joyce Goldstein. I will post the whole list on a new thread, but in the meantime you could call Serafina for reservations. John put on a fabulous feast for Carol Field in June and we are excited about these.

I had a great week and have 21 new(used)books including books to read and books to cook from. The former category includes a 1945 first edition of The Egg and I and the latter 2 soup books, Terence Janericco's Fabulous Fruit Desserts, 2 Donna Hay titles, the Cook's Illustrated Restaurant Recipes and a Mark Bittman. How to Taste by Jancis Robinson is alone in a category in which I am very weak. I also got a bread book, a cookie book and a pristine copy of Glorious French Food by James Peterson. I should stop until we move, but apparently I can't.

Don't forget that in Seattle you will get the book when you spend the evening with Bourdain at a Cooks and Books Dinner in the fall. He will sign the book for you while you dine with him at Brasa. He'll dedicate books for you to give as gifts, too. Chef Tamara Murphy will prepare a meal from Tony's recipes. I'll post more on the Pacific Northwest board soon.

Abra, I wish you had been at the Cooks and Books dinner on Monday, here in Seattle. The guest was Janie Hibler author of The Berry Bible. The meal was five courses all using local berries and it was fabulous. First course was a cold Raspberry and Melon Soup garnished with berries, cucumber and sweet onion. Next came a salad of Arugula, Almond and Blueberries with Gorgonzola. Third course was my favorite, Grilled Quinalt River sturgeon with Red Currant Buerre Blanc and mild tomatillo salsa. Then Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast with fresh plum and blackberry sauce leading up to dessert of a Mission Fig stuffed with White Chocolate Mousse witha basil infused Raspberry puree. It was inspiring. I will post reminders about the upcoming events on the PNW board.

A Swirkle is a lot like a Moolatte.

9 for me this week, including the oddly named Chocolate French, The Artful Cookie, Souffles,the Cindy Mushet Desserts book which has been discussed on the pastry board and a very kitschy Junior Jewish Cook Book by Aunt Fanny.

20 more, new and old. I got Beth Hensperger's Bread Bible to compare to RLB's and a Donna Hay. And some food lit like Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton, a Southern Living cookie book and a pristine first edition of Vongerichten's Simple Cuisine. I'm happy for now.