An exerpt from "Off the Menu" by Hugh Robert

Restaurant industry looks to a brighter New Year

If you're looking for a great winter "read," Florence resident Carol Colitti Levine has written a book that's sure to be of interest to anyone who's familiar with the region's restaurant scene.

"Table's Edge" is billed as "anecdotal history" of Northampton's rise to prominence as a dining destination. To that end about half the book is given over to a series of character sketches describing those who've established, owned, or run restaurants in the Meadow City.

In putting "Table's Edge" together, Levine interviewed people like Gail and Dan Yacuzzo of Eastside Grill, Claudio Guerra of Spoleto and Del Raye, and Martin Carrera of La Veracruzana. The book also lays some historical groundwork, describing the influence of men like Lewis Wiggins, Jim Wolff (of Beardsley's fame), and Roger Kirkwood, who opened Fitzwilly's, one of the region's earliest "fern bars."

Originally conceptualized as a collection of recipes from the city's best restaurants, the book morphed into a "Who's Who" of Northampton dining as Levine pursued her research.

Kitchen secrets nonetheless remain a part of what makes the book special, and readers will discover that Levine has procured the secrets of area favorites like John Sielski's Chocolate Pots de Creme (Green Street Cafe) and the Ginger Chicken Kadai served at India House. In all, the book incorporates over 50 recipes contributed by various Northampton landmarks.

The book itself is a high quality production, attractively illustrated and handsomely bound. It's a volume with a purpose, too, since Levine's donating a portion of the proceeds to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Table's Edge, by Carol Colitti Levine, has been privately published and is available at a number of local bookstores. It can also be ordered at www.tablesedge.com

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College's hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 30 years of restaurant and educational experience. Please send items of interest to Off the Menu at the Republican, P.O. Box 2350, Springfield, MA 01102; Robert can also be reached at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.

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