The recipes in the book are really something of a revelation to me. I live in Seattle and have dined at Cafý Flora dozens of times. Still I didn't really expect what I found in the cookbook. In addition to signature recipes the book presents a very well thought out structured approach to vegetarian gourmet cooking. So not only do you have recipes, but you are given a pretty good idea of what sorts of things you should make in batches on weekends and save. That for me was really the key to being able to make something other than bland vegetarian fare.
I've not generally been fond of the Moosewood or Laurel's Kitchen sort of recipes. They generally seem unelegant, a bit off, and mostly dull. The recipes in this book are in fact quite elegant, well honed, and exciting. Combinations like balsamic-fig reduction and gorgonzola will have you planning week of dining around the book.

I wonder: what am I doing writing a review for a cookbook? I rarely write Amazon reviews and the few reviews I have written are related to a completely different genre of book. Plus, I've only recently taken a renewed interest in being in the kitchen - I don't suppose that makes me an "expert" by any stretch of the imagination.

But I wanted to share my opinion of this book with other readers. It's fantastic and the recipes are delicious.

Never before have I enjoyed a cookbook so much. Reading through the table of contents was enough to get my palate fired up. At the time of this writing, I've created over a dozen of the recipes in this book, and each one is a sure winner, not one is a reject. I might have tried more recipes by now, but the temptation to go back to a dish I've already tried is just too great. (We've done the Coconut Tofu with Sweet Chili Dipping sauce four times, now.)

How about a really wonderful Portobello Wellington with Madeira Sauce? Now THAT was a Thanksgiving dinner! Yam and Mushroom Enchiladas with Smoky Tomato Sauce? Spinach, Mushroom, and Gorgonzola in Puff Pastry with Red Pepper Coulis? Despite what I - a carnivore - have always thought, vegetarian cooking can be great. That's a claim I've never been able to make regarding any other vegetarian or vegan cookbook.

The book is extremely well laid out with timing suggestions, "prepare ahead" ideas, and handy tips for getting through the process without any unexpected surprises. Each recipe is preceded by a good description that makes you want to try it immediately. If a recipe has multiple components, each is presented as a logical and timed subsection of the overall plate.

I only wish I knew about this restaurant when I visited Seattle last year. Next time... next time.

Five Stars for the book that got me back into the kitchen after a long hiatus. Feel free to contact me with any questions, but I'll be busy cooking up the next Flora meal.

~R~