We were very fortunate a couple of weeks ago to dine with former New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni at Eve. He was here promoting his new book, Born Round, the Secret History of a Full-Time Eater. He was very down to earth and extremely likable, as is his book! The restaurant was not told who he was as he was not here to critique but as expected delivered a wonderful experience for all.

Some of our favorite insights from the dinner -

- As much as he loves to eat he doesn't cook. Even when he was eating out almost every night (sometimes twice a night) as the New York Times food critic he still ate out or got take-out.

- He talked alot about his mother cooking for him and I got the impression that cooking for him was more about someone loving him enough to want to do that for him and share with him as opposed to the actual art of preparing the food.

- He loved the Corn chowder! Of course this time of year the corn is the freshest and sweetest. He remarked after one sip "Oh my god, I love this soup!" Those who ordered it commented they wished they had just ordered a whole big vat of it.

- He isn't sure what he will do next. Perhaps a move out west? Who knows.

Born Round is a memoir of family and food and was a real pleasure to read. He wrote wonderful stories about his mother and grandmother all centered around food and cooking. His openess about over-eating, his inability to control his weight and the emotional pain he went through will touch anyone who has ever felt inadequate in their life. I highly recommend it.

If you like food narratives a couple of others our buyer recommends are Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg. This is both a narrative and a cookbook. She beautifully intertwines simple recipes with touching memories about her family and finding her place in life after her father passes away. She is a very talened writer whose stories of friends, food and family make for a very satisfying read.

She also likes The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz, a celebrated pastry chef. He wrote a very funny memoir of his life as an expatriate in Paris. His love/hate relationship with all things French is incredibly witty. Wonderful recipes conclude every chapter. Our buyer's favorite- the macaroons- so far.

Check in next week as we will be making some great fall book club recommendations!