Welcome to Michael's: Great Food, Great People, Great Party!

Chef/owner McCarty (Michael's Cookbook) has served celebrities, media executives and foodies at his self-named Santa Monica and New York City restaurants for more than 25 years. In this attractive, chatty volume, he proudly presents a distinctly bicoastal collection of 85 of his favorite dishes. Employing quality ingredients, McCarty uses relies on simple preparation and last-minute garnishing with fresh herbs. Classic examples of California cuisine include a simple goat cheese and beet salad artfully dressed in a white wine-Dijon vinaigrette and a dash of fresh chives, and dungeness crab served with a Meyer lemon butter. His east coast roots shine through in dishes like Baked Clams Casino and Soft Shell Steamers, as well as a trio of dishes featuring ramps sauteed with peas and morels, fiddlehead ferns and spring onions, and a assorted spring vegetables. Enthusiastic and patient, McCarty frequently takes time to extrapolate on topics such as charcuterie, lobster and mushrooms; his passage on choosing and opening oysters will prove a Godsend for frustrated fans of the bivalves. Liberally peppered accolades from famous friends and customers, on the other hand, prove little more than distracting. Those looking for a handy and accessible guide to creating elegant seasonal dishes will find a lot to like. Full-color photos throughout.