Synopsis
James Villas, the food and wine editor at Town and Country magazine, writes about food of all kinds, from the grits and barbecue he grew up with in North Carolina to his quest for the forbidden "green fairy"--absinthe--that gives the book its title. Unpretentious and sometimes alarmingly eclectic in his tastes (pig snouts? pink champagne?), Villas's main characteristic--aside for his gift from writing lucid, humorous prose--is his enthusiasm. As he samples Parmigiano-Reggiano in Italy, tracks down the best Chateau d'Yquem, extols the virtues of real San Francisco sourdough bread, fondly recalls lunchbox treats of his childhood, and dines on meatloaf, canned tuna, and peanut butter sandwiches in the privacy of his own home, Villas never fails to communicate his zest for food, drink, and people--preferably all three at once.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 2004-05-07 |
| Size | | Length: | 310 pages | | Height: | 9.5 in | | Width: | 6.5 in | | Thickness: | 1.2 in | | Weight: | 20.8 oz |
Publisher's Note
The Food Writer of the Year (Bon Appét**, 2003) Takes You on His Quest for the Ultimate Culinary Experiences . . .
"[This book reveals] . . . the positively Sherlockian discipline and brilliance of Mr. Villas on the scent of any culinary mystery he feels possessed to unravel."
—From the Foreword by Jeremiah Tower
Praise for James Villas:
"One of America’s greatest journalists."
—Emeril Lagasse
"There are not many writers around who are as much fun to read as James Villas. In his intensely personal style, he is elegant, quirky, opinionated, precise, and lyrical."
—Paula Wolfert
"James Villas is a man of stature. He travels widely, he has a keen eye, and a keener palate, he knows the arts and times, and has many interests, which makes him all the sharper when he writes about food."
—James Beard
Industry Reviews
"[A] lively collection of essays on topics ranging from the pleasures of commercial peanut butter to the wonders of home-cured gravlax....Villas will delight foodies as well as his loyal fans."
Publishers Weekly (04/12/2004)
"Last October, James Villas was named best food writer at <i>Bon Appèt**</i>'s sixth annual American Food & Entertaining Awards. After reading <i>Stalking the Green Fairy</i>, a collection of his essays, you'll see why. The anthology contains some of his finest musings on food and drink, including stories he wrote for <i>Bon Appèt**</i> on the joys of canned tuna and the importance of pork in southern cooking" (<i>Bon Appèt**</i>, June 2004)
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With this lively collection of essays on topics ranging from the pleasures of commercial peanut butter to the wonders of home-cured gravlax, former <i>Town and Country</i> food and wine editor Villas is in top form, displaying the humor, intelligence and strong-mindedness that have made him the South's proud answer to Jeffrey Steingarten. Whether defending Southern regional dishes beloved by "rebs," such as grits, fruitcake and pimento cheese, or attacking the pretensions of foodie snobs and "rubes" who think raw tuna goes with everything, Villas refuses to be pushed around by fashion. Instead, he is a man on a mission to understand and celebrate what is authentic about his greatest epicurean passions, from canned tuna to vintage champagne rose. Though eloquent in his forays overseas as he seeks out the perfect salade niçoise or the illicit history of absinthe (the green fairy of the title), North Carolina-born Villas truly shines when he's on American soil. His odes to such American staples as the Club sandwich, chicken salad, meatloaf, iceberg lettuce and chowder are classic, combining personal anecdote, his tory and the author's own enticing recipes. The book loses a bit of steam in the final section, where Villas's contrarian take on everything from lemongrass to sharing food in restaurants descends into crankiness. But at his best, in the grip of an enthusiasm, whether it's buying Château d'Yquem sauterne at auction or rhapsodizing about bulk shopping at Costco, Villas will delight foodies as well as his loyal fans. (<i>Publishers Weekly</i>, April 12, 2004)
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