Turning Tables

From the first page I was hooked. It's very well written. It's funny, embarrassing, and realistic. I work in a pretty classy restaurant and everything rings true to life. Cato is my Tony, Ron is my Michael, and Alain is my Brad. If you have worked is a restaurant the you should read this book.

This is a fun read, especially if you have a nodding acquaintance with Manhattan's tonier restaurants. The usual heroine beginning (I think I saw this plot in The Devil Wears Prada and The Nanny Diaries: overqualified ingenue ends up in a job where snobs rule.) This time it's the restaurant business, and although I'm no expert, I did watch that TV reality show about Rocky whatshisname and saw how he interviewed the wait staff. So the ambience is right on the money. The story line's not bad: girl learns how to handle clients, memorize "specials", and not spill the soup over the customers. Your standard supporting characters are around: gay guy confidante, handsome sex guy, handsome TV producer, rival restaurant owners, flamboyant chef, plain-spoken middle-class parents. But it's the menu items that shine. You're not going to learn a lot about the plight of underpaid waiters--most of this crowd makes good money from their tips. Read "Nickel and Dimed" if you want a gander at the lives of menial food workers in chain restaurants. This one is about glamourous boites where every chef aspires to be the next star of the Food Channel and the wait staff are minor players in the drama of great presentation. One inside secret I learned: Don't be afraid to ask the price when the waiters rattle off those specials such as walnut-glazed steak tartare served with a reduction of raspberry puree. The specials are usually a dollar or two more than similar menu items and most customers are too intimidated to ask the obvious question: "How much is that?" The most hilarious section is the restaurant review written by the dreaded "Manhattan Magazine" diva (read New York magazine). The two authors have gotten that woman's tone--pitch perfect. All in all, a satisfying read, especially for ladies who lunch.

We read Turning Tables for my book club and we all had a great time reading it. It was a nice break after Water for Elephants and the writing was just as good as more "literary" style books, but funny. It was nice to laugh for a change! Recommended, especially for spring/summer or vacation.

I was lucky to get an advance copy of this book, which is a terrific behind-the-scenes view of high-end restaurants. The characters are real and engaging. Biting humor, social satire, and a fun story.

I really enjoyed this book. I received it as an advance reading copy, and I just couldn't put it down. There was just enough romance to make the book fun and on the lighter side. The bulk of the plot, though, was really about the main character's uncertainty about herself. I really enjoyed seeing her progress and gain confidence. I will definitely be looking for more by these authors!