I received this book as a Christmas gift from the Predicate. Incredibly, she hadn’t even seen my post waxing nostalgic about my one and only visit to Shopsin’s General Store (i.e., restaurant) and my determination that the book was worth buying if only to get the recipe for the caramel pecan coconut bread pudding french toast. I guess that is just how tuned in to my taste!
Eat Me is sort of half-memoir, half-cookbook, and equal parts raunch and sweet nostalgia. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, even if you have never had the pleasure or endured the disdain (experience determined by whether Kenny Shopsin liked you on sight) of eating at Shopsins. He discusses the origins of the restaurant (it started as a general store, which explains the name of the place) in the colorful West Village, made even more colorful by the decade (the ’70s). He relates tales of his customers, his friends, and his family, who all play a large part in the running of his restaurant. He also talks about the evolution of his menu, which though enormous, is much smaller than it once was (it peaked at 900 or so items). He also explains his rules, such as no parties larger than four (and, if there are six of you, don’t even try to come in as an unrelated party of four and a party of two. He will catch on and he will kick you out), no copying other people’s orders (he believes everyone should be able to make up their own mind), and no cellphones (this should be a rule in all restaurants).
As to the recipes, I have tried one and it wasn’t terribly successful (more to come on that). But I am sure the fault is all my own, and not Kenny Shopsin’s. Or that is what I would tell him, in case he knew who I was or cared about my opinion, which I assure you he doesn’t. There are a bunch of great-looking egg recipes that I look forward to trying, though. (Alas, there is no recipe for the bread pudding french toast!)
All-in-all, if you are interested in food, in uniquely New York voices, or into hearing the stories and smart individuals who have lived unconventionally, Eat Me is worth buying.
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February 11th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Oh I have such a soft spot for Shopsin’s! I have the book as well, but have never dared try one of the recipes. Too scared.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
[...] I gave to the Predicate for Christmas and one that she gave to me. I have blogged previously about Eat Me, which was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Now I am writing specifically about the recipe from the [...]