Customer Reviews

Mustards Grill Napa Valley Cookbook

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When you visit the Napa wine region you must eat at Mustard's Grill. If that is not possible then you should buy Cindy Pawlcyn and Brigid Callinan's cookbook. The recipes for fantastic grilled food, unique side dishes, and incredible desserts found in this book will make you plan your next vacation to northern California. If you like pork you will love her Mongolian pork chops with chinese mustard sauce. Serve it with her mashed potatoes and braised red cabbage for a winning meal reminiscent of the friendly restaurant nestled among Napa's vineyards. Buy this cookbook and you will immediately understand why it won a James Beard award. And I hear that another cookbook is in the works ...

I would recommend this cookbook to those with some experience - this is not a recipe guide, but rather an inspiration source from a chef with well-grounded tastes. The recipes are easy to follow, are not difficult or overly time consuming in preparation, and show culinary flair and wisdom without being trendy for trend's sake. I would describe the dishes as simple food for gourmets. The book's design and photographs are tasteful.
With this praise in mind, I am disappointed in the book's production - unforgivable oversights such as: three prominent photographs throughout the book of what appears to be plates of crispy fried onion rings... but no mention or recipe. Or the recipe for a Salmon Roulade accompanied by eight very clear how-to photos - the photos show skinless salmon, butterflied and pounded, but the recipe calls for fillets with skin on, and no mention of pounding. An edit for future releases would be welcome. My opinion is this would be a logical cookbook for those who appreciate Jaques Pépin's series of books aimed at the aspiring novice, as well as for more experienced cooks who would like some inspiration for higher-end simple food. I'm keeping this one in my library.

This book is the example of what a cookbook should be. Beautifully written and photographed it deserves to be on display in your home. And if that is not enough the recipies will knock your socks off. This is why Cindy Pawlcyn is one of this countrys greatest chefs. Mustards grill is the bringing together of seasonality, diversity and the best of what California has to offer. I spent some time at Mustards eating and I can tell you this book stays true to the restaurant. Congratulations Chef on a great writing effort.

I received this on Christmas Eve, spent all day 25th on the sofa w/ it, cooked the pork chop last night, and purchased two today!!
One for my sister-in-law, one for our! chef!!
We love the restaurant, & the book is true to the Mustard's experience!!

Excellent! We had just visited the restaurant and had a great experieince. Recipes are easy to follow and prepare!

Before The French Laundry, Terra, Tra Vigna there was Mustards. Mustards bridged the gap in dining in the Valley. The restaurant was and still is a great place for locals (winemakers, vineyard owners and residents) and the tourist to go to taste some the country's best food. Great book with great recipes that bring back some great memories.