Aperitivo: from the Latin aperire, to open, as in open the door to friends, open conversation around the table, and open the appetite. Aperitivo is about coming together over drinks and snacks before dinner. It's a quintessentially Italian concept, and one that's worth emulating. Originating in the bars and cafes of northern cities such as Venice, Milan, and Turin, the custom has spread all over the country. Aperitivo takes the reader on a spirited ride through this cocktail culture, stopping at all the chicest and most classic bars and restaurants that have elevated this ritual to an art form. Many of the drinks are structured around vermouths and citrus- and botanical infused liqueurs, which offer a new world of complex flavours. They yield enticingly simple cocktails that refresh-without stunning the palate (thanks to a lighter alcohol content). But Aperitivo is just as much about the food because in Italy, you can't drink without eating. Recipes feature peppers stuffed with tuna, the legendary croquettes from Harry's Bar, and polenta squares with baccala, as well as endless variations of crostini and focaccia. Whether planning a party or just having a friend over, Aperitivo brings a whole new spirit of conviviality and lets you host in true Italian style.

You don't have to be a professional chef to make a gorgeous gourmet meal MasterChef contestants' dishes, exquisitely turned out under pressure, prove that any amateur cook can achieve excellence. Let "MasterChef: The Ultimate Cookbook" help you make the leap from kitchen amateur to culinary master with tips and recipes from the show's most creative contestants and award-winning judges. Not only will you master the basics--how to season a pan, sharpen your knives, or make the perfect steak rub--but you'll also learn how to expand your own horizons, whether it's with an exotic new dish or a fresh take on the perfect filet. Enjoy more than 100 delectable recipes and 50 gorgeous photographs. From tender venison medallions to over-the-top seared lobster with bourbon and shallots, from perfectly crisp pan-fried potatoes to a decadent apple caramel spice cake, these recipes will help broaden your food landscape and perfect your home-cooked classics.

With expert wine pairings from restaurateur and "New York Times "bestselling author Joe Bastianich and a foreword from Graham Elliot, an award-winning chef and Lollapalooza Culinary Director, "MasterChef: The Ultimate Cookbook "is all you need to take the next step in your own culinary journey.

"The best, funniest, most revealing inside look at the restaurant biz since Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential."" --Jay McInerney
"With a new foreword by Mario Batali"
Joe Bastianich is unquestionably one of the most successful restaurateurs in America--if not the world. So how did a nice Italian boy from Queens turn his passion for food and wine into an empire? In "Restaurant Man," Joe charts a remarkable journey that first began in his parents' neighborhood eatery. Along the way, he shares fascinating stories about his establishments and his superstar chef par tners--his mother, Lidia Bastianich, and Mario Batali.
Ever since Anthony Bourdain whet literary palates with "Kitchen Confidential," restaurant memoirs have been mainstays of the bestseller lists. Serving up equal parts rock 'n' roll and hard-ass business reality, "Restaurant Man" is a compelling ragu-to-riches chronicle that foodies, businessmen, and aspiring restauranteurs alike will be hankering to read.