Cook, Eat, Cha Cha Cha: Festive New World Recipes

by Philip Bellber

Book Overview

New World cooking is hot, hot, hot -- and very cool. At San Francisco's famous Cha Cha Cha restaurant, located in the heart of Haight-Ashbury, the big flavors of Cuba and Puerto Rico come together and dance in vibrant dishes served against a backdrop of laughter, a loud Latin beat, and fabulous altars to the voodoo saint-gods of Santeria. As colorful as the restaurant itself, this unique, festive cookbook offers sixty terrific recipes for Cha Cha...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811811468
• ISBN13: 9780811811460
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Item=great, shipping=terrible

I got this item on "Christmas Eve", JUST before Christmas! I cannot believe any seller would ship "media rate"... media rate="if there is room to shove it in, else leave it for another day". Send it 1st Class, or let buyer know!

Great recipes but need experience

This book contains the recipes for some of your favorite dishes fron CHA CHA CHA on Haight street in San Francisco. It would make a great basis for a tapas party! While nothing can beat the real thing, this book does a great job of giving you a headstart on creating your own home version of CHA CHA CHA. However, while these recipes are awesome, most are not for the novice cook. They work best for individual who have experience with the unique caribbean ingredients and experience with the cooking technigues (quick sauteeing with cream!)Overall...I would say that 1/3 of the recipes can be made by anyone...1/3 with a little experience and 1/3 by the dedicated gourment.

My Favorite Cookbook!

I moved away from SF last year and am quite happy to get a taste of Cha Cha Cha through this cookbook! No, it's not a perfect substitute for the restaurant, but with a little practice the recipes aren't difficult. And the sangria recipe is the best I've ever tasted!

Delicious, Impressive Food Made Easy

Cha Cha Cha is one of my favorite San Francisco restaurants, so I was excited to find this cookbook and even more pleased to find that the recipes are very well written and easy to prepare. The results are fabulous - just like the food from the restaurant! Very interesting history of the food and everything you need to know to recreate the Cha Cha Cha experience at home.

<br>Great source for entertainment ideas

I live a couple of blocks from the restaurant, but the place is so popular I rarely go anymore. I picked up the book on a whim for a gift, and I liked it so much I've got to buy another one to give away! Within you'll find easy to follow recipes for small plates with a Cuban flair and an exciting layout with luscious photos. There is a nice narrative about the practice of santeria and interesting stories about the history of the restaurant and the recipes. At the back are musical suggestions for adding the festive touch to your dinner. The recipes must be authentic, since there's an abundance of sherry and cream. My favorites in the restaurant are the plantains and black beans and the mushrooms. So far I've only made the sangria from the book. Was it good! My party lasted until it was all gone, and everyone made me promise to make it again.