Coi: Stories and Recipes

Chef and restaurateur Patterson presents a variety of well-crafted stories along with some complicated recipes that use simple, fresh, and inventive ingredients. Patterson has been involved with the California food scene since 1989, when he moved to San Francisco. Although it took him years to find a connection to his adoptive state, he ultimately embraced his spouse's familial connection to the land. Patterson opened his restaurant Coi and blended the warmth of home cooking with modern cuisine. Readers will be grateful for the equipment list in the "Coi Kitchen" section, as many items, such as a Cryovac, may be unfamiliar. The recipes themselves at first appear incredibly simple, such as the poached and grilled lamb; however, readers will soon realize that these dishes actually require great passion and effort. The ingredients are simple, the development of the recipes is intense, and the gorgeous images depict folksy, down-to-earth-looking dishes.