The best dinner party occurs in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Young Stephen is at the table when a viscous argument about Irish politics breaks out between his father and aunt. Even though I did not understand the context, that dining room table fight absolutely bolted me to the floor. And, really, Joyce is counting on you not precisely to get it, because that disorientation is part of the reader feeling Stephen's growing panic, allowing the politics to stand in for other, more simmering resentments.

"Best" is maybe an awkward descriptor for this dinner party. Certainly there are many other dinner parties I would rather attend, like Bilbo and the dwarves at the start of The Hobbit, or even Mrs Dalloway's tragically interrupted party at the end of her eponymous novel. But I don't know. Joyce's domestic battle was so raw, so complicated, packing in all of this subtext in a few nasty lines, and simultaneously casting the reader as Stephen whether you want to be or not. I've been at that table too. I've had those fights. 

My first instinct was to pick The Red Wedding from GRRM's Storm of Swords as the best dinner party, just for the lulz. But George Martin's got nothing on Joyce in terms of bloodbath and betrayal. Joyce has less literal bloodbath, but that doesn't mean you're not bleeding. Leaving the table with just a slit throat would be an improvement sometimes. Boo yah. Erin go bragh. 

Dinner parties always leave me stressed and panicked to the point of canceling plans. When I saw this I knew I needed to take a good look, and I was not disappointed. It is set up in an easy to navigate set up. the beginning explains their method of party set up and how you can make it work for you. The author thrilled me with “ Dinner is not the most important part of a dinner party, it’s the party” There are methods to put more POW into your party for over the top fun. There are directions on menu planning, seating plans, music, drinks… help with every step to make your party a success without the stress.
I tried a few recipes to see how the food tasted. From the section on plateless dinning I tried the Pea Samosas. I made a double batch for a few friends to try out and they disappeared before I even got one. I hear they were delicious, I will make them again. From the Small Plates section I made the Mushroom Bao, oh and it was heaven for my taste buds. From the soup and salad section I went for the Garlic Soup, not a favorite but tasty. Pasta, I went for the Soba Noodles with Edamame and Kumquats, because I have an endless supply of Kumquats and need to use them more. It was fabulous, I would love to serve that to my book girls party. Lastly I dipped into the Final Plates section, the desserts. The Olive Oil, Vin Santo cake, Espresso Chocolate Bunt Cake with Ginger Whisky Sauce, and the Strawberry Black Pepper Cake made it an all smiles event when I served them for Sunday afternoon tea for my book club.
This is not only an easy to follow how to book on dinner parties it is also filled with excellent recipes and suggestions. I plan on adding it to make cookbook shelf and purchasing it as gifts for a few friends.

By Mark Scarbrough, Bruce Weinstein

ISBN: 9781609615017

Publisher:

Publication Date:

Format:  Hardcover

My Rating:  3 Stars 

After reviewing two sensational other Vegan Cookbooks recently, found VEGETARIAN DINNER PARTIES to be lacking in comparison. “Presentation is everything”, when it comes to food and entertaining. 

First, and most important –food photography. As most can see by my website, my Pinterest, Clipzine, and Tumblr social media boards—top priority. If you are putting together a high-end cookbook, spend the money on high-resolution imagery. Due to the poor low res images and dark photography—a lower overall rating. Not appealing-if you can get past the images, for the recipes.

Since the book was about entertaining, would have been fitting for more table settings to set the mood, thereby enticing the reader. In addition, not a fan of some of the pages with dark background and white font, making it difficult to read.

The positives – the well laid out pages, the call outs, the vegan recipes (as I am an avid vegan), so always looking for ways to enhance my healthy eating lifestyle choice. The fonts, colors, columns are nicely displayed on the white background on the recipe pages. 

A great source for dinner parties and a good understanding and education of vegetables. The authors demonstrate how to build dinner parties starting with flavors, seasonality and availability, and even time and skill.

The recipes are divided into seven types which go along with the order of a dinner party: cocktails and nibbles to go with them, small plates, salads, soups, pastas, large plates, and desserts. Between each chapter are helpful tips on what to serve and how to move along during a party.

The introductions, ingredients, and preparation steps were helpful with a menu of which plates to with certain recipes, etc. A wide variety of recipes; however, since I am a vegan need to substitute the milk, cheese, and dairy products. 

All in all, full of wonderful ways to entertain vegetarian style, and will use the book for reference and try many of the recipes; however, disappointed in the food styling and photography, which would have made this a 5 star instead of a 3. 

A special thank you to Rodale Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.