The London Lounge

I am tired of ugly cookbooks that look like they were written for a teenager. I don't mind pictures but nowadays everything is just so... Vulgar! Many books are presented in a magazine format with caricatural drawings, purple text and all that strange stuff... I'm a grown man and I don't want that 12 year old stuff in my books. That doesn't mean that it should be black and white either, I just want 'nice' old fashioned books so to speak.

I have always been one for hardback books. If I wouldn't be proud to have it stand next to my grandmother's old books I simply don't buy it.

I recently purchased two books, 'The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking' and 'The Craft of the Cocktail' which came highly recommended. I am teaching myself how to cook since I am moving into my own place now and as I don't wish to limit myself to Italian food I was wondering what else is out there. I'd love your recommendations!

I am also very interested in learning more about wines, perhaps a good book on that subject would also be a good read. I don't know my Chateau Margaux' from my Rose de Vitrac's.

Thanks once again!

Mrs Beeton's books still take some beating; anything by Elizabeth David on grub, and Hugh Johnson on wine. I just wish that someone would write one called: "Delia Smiff and Jymie Olivah: Go 'ang".
NJS

NJS wrote:Mrs Beeton's books still take some beating; anything by Elizabeth David on grub, and Hugh Johnson on wine. I just wish that someone would write one called: "Delia Smiff and Jymie Olivah: Go 'ang".
NJS

Any in particular for the wine books?

Phaidon has very nice cook books, I have several: http://www.phaidon.co.uk/agenda/food/

One exception though, El Bulli molecular cooking is a "no go" for me

On wine, I agree with NJS. Johnson is the bible and the koran

cheers, david

Any in particular?

I'll only be buying one book per topic. I'm not too wealthy.

Another vote for Hugh Johnson. I can't remember the title but I bought one of his books about forty years ago, he is very knowledgeable and writes extremely well. I found I enjoyed wine more after learning about the subject (I also drank more wine!).

All over the world wrote:Any in particular?

I'll only be buying one book per topic. I'm not too wealthy.

If you buy one, pre-order the Silver Spoon: http://www.phaidon.co.uk/the-silver-spo ... 714862453/

This is an amazing book, and a classic. If you like Italian food, this book is all you need

Other good ones I can recommend:
- the India Cookbook, http://www.phaidon.co.uk/store/food-coo ... 714859026/
- the Spanish one, http://www.phaidon.co.uk/store/food-coo ... 714847832/

Well I already have an Italian cookbook but I sure will look up the Spanish and Indian one.

What about Shepherds Pie, Hashbrown and stuff? An american cookbook? Or is that stuff British?

All over the world wrote:I am tired of ugly cookbooks
If I wouldn't be proud to have it stand next to my grandmother's old books I simply don't buy it.

You may be missing out on a few good things on account of your love of beauty. Italians have a desert called "brutto ma buono" - good but ugly...

That goes for a good many tasty things.
And then there's the aesthetics of the ugly - the broken up crust of good bread not only is the tastiest part of a loaf, but actually makes it apetizing.

Oh I don't mind the food being ugly. However I do not like buying ugly books.

OK, so you like it spelled out in uppercase :
UGLY BOOKS MAY HIDE DELICIOUS RECIPES
(or great wisdom...)
There it is!

Elegant doesn't have to be pretty.

Costi wrote:OK, so you like it spelled out in uppercase :
UGLY BOOKS MAY HIDE DELICIOUS RECIPES
(or great wisdom...)
There it is!

Elegant doesn't have to be pretty.

Appearances Costi! My plans for the future don't include a super modern home with glass and aluminium everywhere, multicoloured books and magazines with a huge television on the wall. That's why I buy hardcover books whenever I can. I want everything I own to be as elegant as possible. I know that the cover isn't like the recipes. I just wish to combine a nice cover with a good book.

All over the world wrote:That's why I buy hardcover books whenever I can.

Unless you are a bibliophile (in which case you should look much beyond "hardbacks"), the elegance of a book is in its content. And only after it has been read.
Pretty books with uncut pages make terribly sad shelf decoration...

I just like plain hardcover books.

... and paintings with golden frames? Or do you prefer the ones in shades of blue, to go with the curtains?