OP: Between Bites

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002. Hardcover. Fine. First printing.

“Elitist, proudly. Hedonist, assuredly. Both describe not only my wanton, unbridled approach to gastronomy in general but the way I’ve cultivated lasting relationships only with those whom I consider to be extraordinary people,” begins James Villas’ (1938–2018) memoir.

The longtime food and wine editor at Town & Country magazine—prolific, award-winning, and highly opinionated—details here his life in food media. However embellished with name drops (Craig Claiborne, Paul Wolfert, Paul Bocuse, etc.) and gossip, Between Bites (2002) does not read like the aggrieved airing of dirty laundry but rather like the honest remembrances of an unrestrained storyteller, many of whose experiences might be colored by a strong drink or two.

Our copy is a Fine, unused, first printing. Engaging reading of a fading era.