Dinner After Dark: Sexy, Sumptuous Supper Soirees

I love this book. Each chapter and recipe makes me feel as if I am at the party with Colin. After trying most of these recipes, I now can easily make these myself as if I had created them myself. Colin recently came out with a new book, CC Chic, which is a compliment to this book. He offers fresh tips and insights to ensuring your life goes as smoothly as possible. The master himself gives insight to what's what.

So you've been to France, Japan, Italy, Cuba and Russia and whatever hot international destination, or do you just want to eat and entertain like you have? This book let's you do this. Its really thorough- from making cocktails to setting the table, to making theme based dinners. The recipes are thorough too - you can have a country type garlic chicken (inexpensive) but you'll also reach for this book when you want to treat yourself to caviar (expensive). This is not the Joy of Cooking. My only complaint is some of the dishes are "heavy" and this is not a cookbook for the sake of a cookbook (some recipes are hit or miss)- there are better ones - and do take MUCH MORE THAN AN HOUR. My husband complains that its too rich. Maybe his model thin guests actually don't eat what he prepares? Also, I have his other Cookbook. Between these two, I am ready to entertain for any event. That one is more "practical" since it has non dinner recipes. If you are going to entertain to the Jet Set crowd you should get this one. For production & style & menu ideas , it lets you dream.

I was delightfully enchanted with Colin's newest book. Having read his previous publications, I was very pleased with Colin's creativity and design style. I am always pleased with the calibre of design in all his books, but I find I am always left wanting more. Everyone has a favourite, some old hat, some new and hip to contemporary fads, but Colin is timeless, creative, and mindful of your budget. He's a Creative genius and I truly enjoyed this book. It sits on my desk at work where people come by to borrow it and have a hard time returning it!

I have to be upfront and say that basically, I don't like this guy. More's the pity for me because he has style in spades. The menus are at times great, at times bs, but it is the setting in which he casts them that sets him apart. There is much to admire in how the entire look of this book comes off. I'm in the catering business and so I recognize why it is important to light and display the dishes as he does. I also know that, at least in Philadelphia, there are maybe 4 people who can afford this stuff. Still, it's fun to dream. I fully expect that some self-satisfied gourmand of an SUV-driven horse farm owning young republican wag will be waving this tome in front of me insisting I recreate the magic herein for $30 a head.But I'll try my best not to blame Cowie. I still can't tell if he actually does perform these parties (note I did not say 'cater'), or whether it is all MS photo shoots. They might be real, not everyone in these photos looks that great. Or maybe they just don't stand a chance next to the food, the linens, the candles, the china, etc......