Russ & Daughters: 100 Years of Appetizing

A vivid, evocative salute to one of New York’s most iconic food institutions, this cookbook from Russ & Daughters celebrates more than 110 years of appetizing tradition.

Still family-run on the Lower East Side, Russ & Daughters is best known for its lox and herring, borscht and bagels—now served not just from the original shop, but also from its bakery and café.

The Russ family’s story threads through the book, grounding the recipes in generations of authority. That expertise comes through in practical guides to smoked and cured fish, caviars and roes, and even how to properly slice salmon.

There are occasional contemporary touches—like sardine toast with avocado mousse and olive tapenade—but it’s the proven classics that are likely to resonate most: matzo ball soup, chopped liver, gefilte fish, brisket, latkes, blintzes, babka, and more.

Where some books serve mostly as souvenirs of beloved restaurants, this one is clearly meant to be used.

Hardcover. Color photographs throughout.