“A thorough, lively work of on-the-ground reportage. ... Friedman shares a remarkable story. ... In the restaurant, Mr. Friedman observes scrupulously. He provides enough robust detail that a person with a fair bit of kitchen knowledge could, I suspect, get very close to cooking that week’s tasting menu from Wherewithall. ... Knowing that Wherewithall was not long for this world, like knowing that the ship is going to hit an iceberg, or that Romeo is going to drink the poison, only heightens the satisfactions of Mr. Friedman’s book. We can, after all, still visit its pages.” — Wall Street Journal
“Andrew Friedman’s deep dive into The Dish gives us a great appreciation and understanding of the people who play a part in the meals we order in restaurants. This book should be required reading for all of us who enjoy going out to eat!” — Marcus Samuelsson, James Beard Award-winning author, chef, and restauranter
“Andrew Friedman has achieved a long overdue thing: shown just how much skill, connectivity, personal touch, and professional grace exists in our restaurant culture. It is a real gift to have an archivist like Andrew who cares so much about cooks, producers and service workers document this work with such a loving and truthful eye.” — Lisa Donovan, James Beard Award-winning author of Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger Perpetual Hunger
“Tail to nose and root to stem, Andrew Friedman serves the life story of a single plate of food at a single restaurant and somehow conjures an entire world of blue-collar work.” — Amanda Cohen, Chef/Owner of Dirt Candy
“Who is really behind the food we eat at a restaurant? Andrew Friedman, in The Dish, perfectly orchestrates what it takes to go from farm…and ranch…and vineyard…to mouth.” — Tom Colicchio, Chef/Owner of Crafted Hospitality
"Masterful. ... Friedman excels at bringing the dining room to boisterous life with vivid, telling details. ... This will sate gastronomes and casual foodies alike." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An entertaining, eye-opening investigation...a lively look into what goes into the production of one meal, on one day, in one restaurant." — Kirkus Reviews
“Readers intrigued by the fine-dining industry will not only enjoy this work, but will be reminded to think more deeply about those serving them and working behind the kitchen door the next time they go out to eat.”
— Booklist