Francesco's Kitchen

As with his earlier work, it is the evocation of his country and lifestyle that makes this such a dream book for non-Italian readers (and, one imagines, for Italian readers who don't possess da Mosto's elegant lifestyle). Within these strikingly illustrated pages, Francesco matches the appeal of his personal tours of Venice and Italy with an idiosyncratic guide to the authentic food and flavours of Venice. As he points out, Venetian cuisine (much like the city itself) is a remarkable synthesis of elements which coalesced over the years as traders and travellers moved across the Mediterranean. Reflecting all the atmosphere of this glorious city, the book presents us with an astonishing variety of dishes based on fish, seafood, poultry, game and Mediterranean vegetables. Needless to say, the essentials of Italian cookery such as pastas and risotto are here alongside more exotic fare. There are, of course, some mouth-watering deserts -- but this is book for those who are watching their calories. But for anyone seeking a culinary tour of Venice and its surrounding countryside, this evocation of the traditional food of the region will be very hard to beat. Readers will be looking forward to the next region of Italy that Francesco da Mosto turns his attention to. --Barry Forshaw