Fun, Funky and Fabulous: New Orleans' Casual Restaurant Recipes (Restaurant Cookbooks)

This cookbook starts with some art work that advises, "Be Nice Or Leave". So I’ll be nice and say this cookbook is fabulous. The photos are gorgeous, the recipes are innovative, and the stories accompanying each recipe are fun and informative.Did I mention that the photos are amazing? The lightening, the composition, the food. They are drool worthy and realistic enough to make you want to lick the pages.The book is divided into 4 sections: Starts, Land & Air, Sea, and Sweet.“Starts” includes noteworthy dishes like: Butter Bean Hummus with Rustic Roasted Garlic Bread, Crawtator-Crusted Gulf Oysters with Red Bean Gravy, Andouille Tots with Ranch Dipping Sauce.“Land & Air” has dishes like: Grilled Stuffed Quail with Pancetta, Scottie’s CNN Blackberry and Jalapeno Ribs, Bad Bart’s Black Jambalaya, Mac’N on Magazine, Tina Dunbar’s Kitchen Sink Gumbo.“Sea” has some dishes that had me composing my shopping list: Cream of Blue Crab and Wild Mushroom Bisque, BBQ Shrimp Gaufe, Trout Baquet (trout with crab meat topping; what could be better).And “Sweet” has things like: Banana Bread Pudding with Extra-Boozy Rum Sauce, Ooey Gooey Cake (a family favorite), and Celestine’s Honey-Peach Pound Cake (yumm).I can’t wait to start cooking. I will update with my progress….

Jyl Benson has a great little book here! It's new (only had it a few days, but I've read all of the anecdotal bits and have marked the recipes we'll try soon) but have already done the andouille tots, though, and they were loved. I will be buying a few more copies as gifts, and a "Show-off" copy, since the one in my possession already has a few battle marks from the kitchen. Her personal notes distinguish this effort as a book to enjoy and use, not to be tossed in with all of those other cookbooks you have used once or twice and forgotten. Plus, what guest isn't impressed with a New Orleans inspired dish? Well, okay, John Folse, Donald Link, John Besh and a few others might be a little harder to impress, but even they appreciate good food that is well-prepared and nicely presented! All of the choices in Fun, Funky, and Fabulous... provide you with the opportunity to do just that! Enjoy!

The title says it all! What a delicious and most beautiful compilation of New Orleans most exciting casual restaurants. The recipes reflect what the dynamic young chefs are creating in this most culinary of cities. The photography is superb, an appetite stimulating view of the best there is to offer. The Ooey Gooey Cake recipe is on my counter for my next excursion. The book is a perfect birthday, anniversary, wedding, shower, housewarming and hostess gift. I bought two, just so I'd always have one handy for me. It now has a place of honor on my kitchen must-have bookshelf.

great book

Fun cook book!

Great recipes for New Orleans meals.

This is my new favorite cookbook. Jyl Benson is one of the best food writers around. Sam Hanna has a magician's eye for food photography. I don't know of a city that has more marvelous restaurants than New Orleans. And Ms. Benson seems to have teased the secrets from the chefs at some of the best of the best. Lots of classics, like Bad Bart's black jambalaya, BBQ Shrimp Gaufre and Bananas Foster French Toast. There is not a recipe in this book that I am not aching to try. There are even some tantalizing entries I can't wait to stir up for my favorite vegan.

I'm so excited about this cookbook! I have many New Orleans cookbooks that I've collected over the years, including hand-me-downs from my parents, but this one stands out among the crowd. Jyl knows New Orleans food and culture like no one else, and she keeps up with all of the new restaurants and flavors, while keeping a pulse on the best versions of our classics.This delightful new cookbook has some of both, and I can't wait to try them. But I have to admit, picking the first is challenging...they all look and sound delicious! The photography and layout are unique and beautiful, and make me that much more eager to begin my culinary adventure with my new cookbook!