American Taste

In this book I purport to portray the multifaceted, ever-evolving hedonistic lifestyle of one hungry American for whom all wanderings are measured in terms of the next meal. This is not a cookbook, although recipes are included when-and only when-they serve to illustrate or reinforce a particular topic. Rather, it reflects an approach to gustatory adventure in America, a suggested means whereby those who, like me, love to nourish themselves well can begin to really develop and improve their own taste in all things pertaining to food and drink. Some cookbooks are important as basic tools, to be sure, but the time has come for Americans to devote their attention to aspects of our gastronomy other than how to prepare flounder, chicken breasts, and chocolate cake a hundred different ways.-James Villas, from his Introduction