Feeding Frenzy

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining must-read for lighthearted foodies
Review: "Feeding Frenzy" was a delight. The author didn't take himself or the ultimate self-indulgence of his trip's quest seriously, and it was quite witty and amusing. It would actually be a marathon of self-indulgence to actually dine in all 29 3-star restaurants, but someone had to do it, and I thought he was quite fair in his assessments. And, it's a good education in the European approach to the art of fine cuisine (better keep your French dictionary handy for the menu translations). I recommend the book to anyone interested in fine cooking and traveling in Europe.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: As a mother with two young children, I haven't finished many books in the past few years--but this book I finished within a few days! The only problem was the drool I had to wipe off the pages as I salivated over the meals the author describes.... All in all a fun book, with a perfect balance of "technical" descriptions of the meals and restaurants, along with enough personal anecdotes to keep the story going.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: As a mother with two young children, I haven't finished many books in the past few years--but this book I finished within a few days! The only problem was the drool I had to wipe off the pages as I salivated over the meals the author describes.... All in all a fun book, with a perfect balance of "technical" descriptions of the meals and restaurants, along with enough personal anecdotes to keep the story going.

Rating:
Summary: A hilarious romp, perfect summer reading
Review: Grab a lemonade (or a glass of wine) and sit out in the back yard with this delightful book. A bit thin in spots, and I would have appreciated translations of some of the dish names, but all in all a near perfect summer read. What could have become a boring recitation of mindbogglingly good meals is instead a witty commentary on the fine dining scene. Just don't read this when you're hungry.

Rating:
Summary: The Ugly American Eats Out
Review: I haven't been as repelled by a piece of light entertainment in years. If the writing had been any shallower, the type would have sunk into the page. Allegedly the memoirs of a wacky, food-filled trek across Europe, this roast turkey doesn't even ring true as fiction. It comes across more as a middle-aged male's mid-life-crisis fantasy. Was this serialized in Esquire by any chance? To pull off this kind of narcissistic, "look at me, aren't I wonderful?" sort of writing--ala Peter Mayle--requires a certain style, which this book has in negative numbers. In fact, if you add up the primary elements--pseudo-alpha male lead; attractive, eccentric female lead; overbearing dog; and a beloved car with a mind of its own--what you really have is the making of a 60's Disney Love Bug movie, "Herbie Goes to Europe." Except with less depth and humor.

Rating:
Summary: Very creative, very unique adventure
Review: I picked up this book by accident in Central London. By the time I had made it out to the airport and by shuttle flight to Amsterdam, I was done reading it! It is a terrific, engaging, fast moving adventure across Europe. Very well written and outside the mold. Highly recommended to anyone who is getting bored of the same old thing in travel narratives. Congratulations to Stuart Stevens on his sense of humor.

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Summary: Hi Stuart - I KNOW you'll be reading this
Review: If there ever was an author sure to check the reader's comments on this site, Mr. Stevens should be the one. The original idea and some witty and downright funny comments make this an enjoyable read - the question of some of the author's minor flaws (discussed by some others already here) and most of all of some overly general generalizations (see his downright stupid comments on Belgium)hamper the enjoyment a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Stu is a jerk, but the book is fun
Review: If you like travel and food writing, but aren't a stickler for accuracy, then you'll enjoy this book. It's a fun, mindless tale. I liked reading about the various menus, meals and restaurants (although some were defunct or stripped of their third star by the time the book came out). Some of the anecdotes were quite funny. Unfortunately, the author comes across as a jerk of the first order. Early on he attaches himself to a model. He then spends many, many pages telling us how great she looks, that she is a model, what sexy clothes she wears, that she is a model, how much attention she gets, that she is a model. He also spends many, many pages writing about his problems with his car, an old Mustang that everyone in Europe apparently covets. Beyond that, there are also the many, many pages devoted to the distractingly large dog he has in tow. While this book is somewhat about traveling around Europe eating in Michelin three-stars, it's REALLY about the kind of guy who would attach himself to a model, ship a vintage Ford Mustang all the way over to Europe, and adopt a large golden retriever, so he can create an attention-getting, wacky-but-chic presence while traveling around Europe eating in Michelin three-stars. If you are dying to read a food-and-travel book and are forgiving of irritating personalities, then this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Reading Frenzy
Review: Instead of "Feeding Frenzy," I think "Reading Frenzy" would be a more appropriate title. I couldn't finish this book even though I avidly read every foodie-type book I can get my hands on. I think Mr. Stevens is capable of writing a very good book, but this one seems to have been written while he was on some sort of "high" because it's so disjointed. I read for pleasure, not to feel frenzied.

Rating:
Summary: not for public reading
Review: Laugh out loud funny! You don't have to be a gourmet to enjoy reading about this parade through so-called "fancy restaurants"!