LABOR DAY MUSINGS

One of the first campaigns I ever handled was a 20-city tour for BARBECUE! BIBLE (Workman) by Steven Raichlen, the country's leading barbecue and grilling guru (yes, there is a difference between barbecue and grilling).

Steven's recipes always receive fabulous reviews as he's a grillmeister like no other. He's been featured on Oprah, The Today Show and Good Morning America, demonstrating his spectacular sizzling steaks, beer can chicken, grilled dill tomatoes and corn on the cob (check out Steven's website at www.barbecuebible.com). Being an apartment dweller, I've always regretted that I haven't been able to sample Steven's fare (except on those occasions when I've vacationed at beach houses with a grill).

The good news for all you apartment dwellers out there, is that this Labor Day you can enjoy the most scrumptious barbecue recipes from Steven's latest book, INDOOR GRILLING (Workman). And I can personally attest that the recipes are delicious and easy. For you lazy cooks, try Steven's compound butter, a combination of a stick of butter blended in a food processor with 4 fresh sage leaves, 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper and salt to taste. Spoon over grilled swordfish, salmon or almost any other grilled fish, chicken or veal chops.

What could be easier?

Foodies who live near Connecticut and are looking for a quick weekend getaway, it's worth a trip to Simsbury, Connecticut (2 hours from NYC), to try Metro Bis. Chef and co-owner Chris Prosperi prepares memorable dishes that whet your appetite for more. His slow-roasted Neiman Ranch pork just melts off the bone and is the best I've ever had. Gilbert, my partner, and I, stayed at a wonderful B&B, and worked off the three spectacular meals we had hiking up Talcott Mountain, the highest point in Connecticut that has breathtaking views of three states.

Chris's wife, Courtney Febbroriello, who is co-owner of Metro Bis, wrote a charming memoir, WIFE OF THE CHEF (Three Rivers Press), that I promoted a year and a half ago. If you've ever fantasized about opening a restaurant, WIFE OF THE CHEF is a must read. It is also a great behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in the restaurant biz. As Anthony Bourdain, author of KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL says, “WIFE OF THE CHEF is the other side of the story. Anyone who thinks it would be ‘marvelous’ to be married to a chef…should read this nuts and bolts, stinkfoot–and–all account of love and biz in the restaurant business.”

Happy Labor Day, whatever you do.

September 6th is back to school, and the end of those luxurious lazy days of summer. Post Labor Day begins with a frenzied pace that has no let up until Thanksgiving for most book publicists, since fall is the busiest season of the year in the book biz. Stay tuned for a line-up of my ecclective fall list.