An Omelette and a Glass of Wine

Book excerpt: A classic collection of articles, book reviews, and travel essays from “the best food writer of her time” (Jane Grigson, The Times Literary Supplement). An Omelette and a Glass of Wine offers sixty-two articles originally written by Elizabeth David between 1955 and 1984 for numerous publications including the Spectator, Gourmet magazine, Vogue, and the Sunday Times. This revered classic volume contains delightful explorations of food and cooking, among which are the collection’s namesake essay and other such gems as “Syllabubs and Fruit Fools,” “Sweet Vegetables, Soft Wines,” “Pleasing Cheeses,” and “Whisky in the Kitchen.” Elizabeth David’s subjects range from the story of how her own cooking writing began to accounts of restaurants in provincial France, of white truffles in Piedmont, wild risottos on the islands of the Venetian lagoon, and odd happenings during rain-drenched seaside holidays in the British Isles. Here we can share her appreciation of books, people who influenced her, places she loved, and the delicious meals she enjoyed. Casually interspersed with charming black-and-white illustrations and some photographs, An Omelette and a Glass of Wine is sure to appeal to the ‘Elizabeth David’ book collector and readers coming to know Ms. David for the first time, who will marvel at her wisdom and grace. “Savor her book in a comfortable chair, with a glass of sherry.” —Bon Appétit “Elizabeth David has the intelligence, subtlety, sensuality, courage and creative force of the true artist.” —Wine and Food