This year's best cookbook--the one people are still likely to be talking about, and cooking from, 20 years down the line.... Just opening this book up is like plunking down the needle on one of those old LP's that tells you, on first listen, that you've made a friend you're going to keep for the rest of your life.
Authenticity, roots, craft; recipes deft as short stories. If you're buying only one, this is it.
Better than the cuisine, though, is the writing--and how many restaurant cookbooks can you say that about? Even the recipes are a joy to read.--Russ Parsons
This marriage of seasoned European sensibility and California café culture is the best of both worlds, and it's the reason why you should rush out and buy this book.--Christopher Kimball
The Zuni Café Cookbook was the best reviewed in 2002. The critics love Rodgers's writing, some claiming that the introductory section alone should be required reading for anyone who ever wants to cook.... Rodgers has helped define California cuisine, and this cookbook captures it well.