Product Description

Michael McCarty has played a major role in defining a uniquely modern American attitude to cooking, dining, and entertaining since 1979, when he opened his first acclaimed Michael"s restaurant in Santa Monica, California. McCarty"s approach, now enjoyed on both coasts with the opening of Michael's New York in 1989, has always been refreshingly simple: start with the best ingredients, cook them in simple ways that highlight their natural qualities, pair them with great wines, and serve them in a relaxed yet stylish setting. The result, in Michael's own words, should be a "great party," which this book makes possible for any home cook. Adding to the lively spirit of Welcome to Michael's are the voices of dozens of luminaries from the worlds of entertainment, the arts, the media, business, politics, and cooking who share their own insightful, sometimes irreverent opinions about the Michael's experience. The result is a book to be savored on many levels: as a guide to cooking for yourself, your family, and your friends and to entertaining with style; as a primer on the rewarding relationship between food and wine; and as an experience that comes as close as words and pictures possibly can to enjoying a meal at one of Michael's restaurants, surrounded by the luminous personalities who dine there.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #994625 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-08
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 10.25" h x 1.25" w x 8.50" l, 2.56 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Chef/owner McCarty (Michael's Cookbook) has served celebrities, media executives and foodies at his self-named Santa Monica and New York City restaurants for more than 25 years. In this attractive, chatty volume, he proudly presents a distinctly bicoastal collection of 85 of his favorite dishes. Employing quality ingredients, McCarty uses relies on simple preparation and last-minute garnishing with fresh herbs. Classic examples of California cuisine include a simple goat cheese and beet salad artfully dressed in a white wine-Dijon vinaigrette and a dash of fresh chives, and dungeness crab served with a Meyer lemon butter. His east coast roots shine through in dishes like Baked Clams Casino and Soft Shell Steamers, as well as a trio of dishes featuring ramps sautéed with peas and morels, fiddlehead ferns and spring onions, and a assorted spring vegetables. Enthusiastic and patient, McCarty frequently takes time to extrapolate on topics such as charcuterie, lobster and mushrooms; his passage on choosing and opening oysters will prove a Godsend for frustrated fans of the bivalves. Liberally peppered accolades from famous friends and customers, on the other hand, prove little more than distracting. Those looking for a handy and accessible guide to creating elegant seasonal dishes will find a lot to like. Full-color photos throughout.
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About the Author
In 1979, at the age of 25, Michael McCarty founded Michael's, a restaurant in Santa Monica, California. An instant success, it remains one of the most acclaimed and popular restaurants in the United States. Both McCarty, who is the chef and owner, and Michael's have been written about in countless national and international newspaper articles and in numerous magazine features. McCarty currently operates Michael's in New York City and Santa Monica, and lives in Malibu, California with his wife, painter Kim McCarty, and their two children. Liz Smith's famous gossip column is syndicated in more than seventy newspapers. For eleven years, she served as the entertainment editor of Cosmopolitan magazine. A correspondent for The New York Post's Page Six and the author of NATURAL BLONDE and DISHING, Smith lives in New York City.