|
| 
 enlarge | Author: Steve Dublanica Aka The Waiter
Publisher: Ecco
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $12.99
You Save: $11.96 (48%)
New (59) Used (19) from $12.99
Rating:  150 reviews
Sales Rank: 3635
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.2
ISBN: 0061256684
Dewey Decimal Number: 647.95068
EAN: 9780061256684
ASIN: 0061256684
Publication Date: August 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 A great read! November 1, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I initially read this book because I am a "foodie" and love to hear what goes on behind the scenes of an up-scale restaurant. The book delivered even more than I expected. I found the writer to be very likable, funny and wise. I'm glad the waiter finally realized what he wanted to be when he grew up (a writer!) because he does is so well! Highly recommended.
An insightful view from a server's perspective October 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've been a fan of The Waiter's blog for quite a while and always thought his writing was superb and definitely worthy of more than "just a blog." So I was stoked when he struck a deal and the book finally came to its fruition. It's a fascinating read and really exposes the behind the scenes insanity of the restaurant world, particularly from the perspective of the waitstaff. Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential illustrated the horrors of life in the kitchen. In much the same way, Waiter Rant breaks down life in the front of the house. Anyone who dines in restaurants needs to read this book. And one more thing, To Hell with Fluvio- what a psycho!!!
Great First Effort October 30, 2008
Up to this point I had not been a reader of the Waiter Rant blog. Being in the publishing industry, I get a lot of information on upcoming and recently published books - and I happen to run across this one. I am a fan of all genres, but particularly enjoy non-fiction. Unlike some people, I enjoy reading about other people's experiences, accomplishments, thoughts and ideas - you never know when you'll learn something that can be applied to your own life or help to spark your own great idea. In this case, the book was something that I could relate to as a former bartender (and a short-term gig as a waitress), I figured this is a book that I could read for pure entertainment.
The book is written in a very clean, flowing, honest voice; although some of the dialog sounded a bit stodgy and he came off sounding more like an elderly butler. The author did an excellent job of summarizing his previous career endeavors, giving just enough information that we have a bit of insight, but not boring us with details or going off topic; allowing him to segue into his life as a waiter. Although it would have been interesting to find out specifics of the goings on inside the seminary, this wasn't the time or the place - maybe that will be the topic of his next book.
Interwoven into the story, the author discusses his disappointment of what his life, both professional and personal, had become and the fear of it not getting any better -- something many of us can relate to. I'm sure at one time in our lives we've all had a job(s) that other's perceived to be "below them" or well below their ability level. Rather than continue to accept the way things are, the author uses his fear and disappointment as a motivator to take a chance and make a change.
Overall I thought this was a very entertaining, well-written book. Having read some of the other reviews, it seems I'm in the majority; (except for three very angry people who seem to have bigger issues; which I can't imagine stem solely from reading this book). Hopefully the author's experience will show others in a similar situation that no matter how far off of the path you may have gotten, it's never too late to do something about it.
A well-written, often hilarious, account of life as a waiter. October 27, 2008
This book started out as a blog about the trials and tribulations of life as a waiter in a fairly upscale new York restaurant. At 300 pages, it's a little verbose at times, but the author is pretty engaging, so that it is fun to read.
Nothing particularly profound, but it provides a pretty good overview of the workings of the restaurant business. Dublanica writes well -- is often very funny, and manages to keep a reasonably healthy perspective, even in the face of some truly dysfunctional behavior from customers and co-workers. One expects this kind of book to include a large helping of entertaining horror stories, and Dublanica doesn't disappoint.
A worthy addition to books in the tradition of Debra Ginsberg's "Waiting", Louise Rafkin's "Other People's Dirt", or Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential".
It was interesting that Dublanica and Ginsberg each devote a section to Mother's Day and Valentine's Day as being particular contributors to waiters' hell.
Waiter Rant is Right On October 24, 2008
This book was as hilarious as it was informative. I always suspected things went on behind the scenes at restaurants, now I know. My son was a server so I have now passed this book on to him as he can relate to everything in it. I highly recommend reading this book.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
