by Irene Daria ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 1993
Is Lutäce slipping? The steadfastly classic French restaurant, long considered to be Manhattan's top eatery, has been branded ``old hat'' by some upstart critics. Now—as detailed here by Daria (The Fashion Cycle, 1990)—restaurant critic Bryan Miller is revisiting for The New York Times and owner-chef AndrÇ Soltner has to wonder: Will Lutäce retain the Times' four-star rating? With this question posed at the book's opening to create some semblance of suspense, and answered at the end to close the bracket, Daria takes readers through a typical day at 249 East 50th St., from the 5:30 a.m. arrival of the three sous-chefs...through the ``dizzying'' and ``high-adrenaline'' hours of getting dinner cooked and served...to Soltner's 11:00 p.m. telephone orders for the next day's meat and fish. Lutäce's suppliers, waiters, pot washer, admirers, difficult customers, and professional critics are all given attention, and Daria goes on at fairly vacuous length about everything from the noon bartender's—or this or that sous- chef's or critic's—work history to how waiters keep track of who ordered what. But overall, the focus is on the dedicated Soltner, unfazed by fads, devoted to making his guests happy (favoring or scorning none), exacting about ingredients and preparations—and, yes, beaming with joy when the Times review comes out with all four stars intact. Daria approaches Soltner and Lutäce with less style or wit—or demonstrated background in food or hospitality—than sheer dogged reporting and gratitude at being admitted to the inner operations behind the venerable glamour. No doubt there are others who will appreciate the opportunity to go along.
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-394-58964-5
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1993
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by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
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by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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developed by Ludwig Bemelmans ; illustrated by Steven Salerno
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