Neiman Marcus Cookbook

I am thrilled with my book, and will certainly be trying many recipes from this collection. My cookbooks are all well kept and treasured.

Once upon a time -- not all that long ago, really -- even cities nicknamed "backwater," located in states that the movers and shakers tend to fly over but seldom visit, had downtown department stores. Many of these stores had revolving front doors flanked by uniformed doormen. Men who shopped dressed in business suits, and the female clientele usually wore dresses. Some wore hats and gloves, too, and clutched handbags. Shopping back then did not seem to be a hobby, addiction, sport or pasttime about which people joked or swore they were "born" to do. Shopping in elegant department stores always seemed to be an experience, however. Lingerie was as apt to be called "unmentionables," and sales clerks kept inventory in slide-out drawers lined with sachets and tissue paper. Sweaters and robes and skirts, if bought, might be presented to the buyer in an enameled carboard box, in a string-tied package, or in a handled shopping bag made of expensive paper. In short, the experience was Gabor Sisters-fabulous. And, for the hungry, thirsty and weary, these department stores often had cafeterias, tea rooms or restaurants. In the days when lunch at our family's house might mean a grilled cheese sandwich or a bowl of vegetable soup, having a meal at a department store was indeed a treat. I'm thinking of the L.S. Ayres and Shillito's of my girlhood, both of which had a midwestern presence until the 1980s, at least. And both boasted restaurants with white tablecloths and mouth-watering strawberry pies and fabulous sandwiches. Dallas, home of Neiman Marcus, was too far from my home for me to have visited, but its restaurant was surely to what the department stores in my neck of the woods aspired, which is why the Neiman Marcus Cookbook was a must-have. At my state's largest shopping mall, located in Lexington, no flagship department store has a restaurant anymore. People wanting to grab lunch choose from the fast-food court. If the offerings, or anything close to the offerings on the Neiman Marcus restaurant menu are to be found, I have two choices: visit a higher-end restaurant, or create the dishes at home. Sadly, I can no longer have such an experience at a local department store. That does not mean I've said goodbye to the fare, though. I often choose to entertain company in my home, and I have the privilege of serving dishes from this cookbook. I am able to treat guests to something special, something not to be found anywhere else. Take this cookbook's Crab Louis Parfait, served in -- you guessed it -- a parfait glass. This is among several stand-out recipes, both by title and by the cookbook's glossy photo. I promise, guests will never forget when you serve them something from this book. Be careful not to pass over recipes for dishes with which you are already familiar. This happened when I romped through and saw Italian Cream Cake included. Upon closer examination, I noticed the addition of a pastry cream filling. Ya, ha! Other Italian Cream cakes are good; this pastry cream filling hits it out of the park, and if I'd not turned the pages slowly for a good look, I'd have missed out. Whether you're looking to treat friends and family, plan a baby or wedding shower, treat a mom on Mother's Day, delight your valetine or simply cook for the joy of doing so, you can't go wrong with this volume.

The book arrived on time and was in excellent condition.

The book I received was second-hand but in excellent condition. It contains loads of recipes that were served in the NM restaurants, particularly the Zodiac Room. The recipes cover most of my old favorites and brought back wonderful memories of getting a special treat - lunch with my grandmother around Easter and afterwards she bought us a new dress and an Easter pin. Over the years, friends and I have enjoyed a rare splurge to celebrate a wedding, birthday, divorce, etc. Honestly this was a completely random items that I purchased on impulse and am now so glad to own.

have a lot of cookbooks… about 150 actual irl books & probably another 30++ kindle books but will always prefer the physical book (btw am not a chef so there’s really no legitimate reason for this madness lol) & don’t particularly enjoy cooking although my skills have definitely improved since first getting this book! bought this in 2009 for close to retail which as someone who never pays retail… but boy am glad I did because the prices it’s currently going for is bonker bananas! actually never dined at Rotunda while living in SF as downtown SF crowd wasn’t my favorite & preferred SOMA, South Park…restaurants like 42 degrees & Slow Club when going out (food was affordable in the 90’s-2018 on a shop girl salary) so only went there when back visiting with my then bf now husband as we were staying in Nob Hill & it was really nice; it’s so sad what’s happened to restaurants in general & am really glad for my collecting/hoarding of menus & cookbooks over the decadee because tbh the prices for dining out is OUTRAGEOUS & insultingly subpar at that! this cookbook’s recipes & presentation reminds me of another former favorite breakfast/lunch restaurant at the Las Vegas Wynn that’s still in business called Tableau… but the prices have nearly doubled since 5 years ago & the recent food pictures look like a kindergartener poached the eggs & plated them; impressive for a toddler perhaps… an example of exorbitant pricing, their oatmeal is currently $20 vs $13 in 2020 & possible less prior to that. OATMEAL!!!! Pretty soon it will be actually $26.. again for OATMEAL! do not have the 2nd Neiman Marcus cookbook released after this one by the same authors so cannot compare, but suspect the first is the better of the two as can’t remember why, but passed on that one back in 2009. the vinaigrettes, sauces, sides & condiments are innovative (remember I have an exorbitant amount of cookbooks to compare this too) & the recipes are all doable as long as you aren’t trying to make your own stock. have only made the turkey meatloaf recipe in its entirety & it was years but recall it being lovely using this currently more for reference & plating ideas for home;) as pretty much cook everything these days from scratch, except stock. this book isn’t for vegans & many of the recipes have too much cheese or cream for my liking, but you could prob substitute a cashew cream recipe… am absolutely not remotely vegetarian but try to stay away from milk products generally & do not get me started on beef particularly from Argentina but problems have no borders these days so… despite my taste in food/diet having changed dramatically since 2009, this book is still what I would categorize as California cuisine x whiskey tango flair, which will always be in fashion!

I grew up in Dallas, Texas with my mother taking me to lunch at the famous Zodiac Room of Neiman Marcus in Downtown, Dallas. What wonderful memories. Even today when you go to the restaurant they always serve you a wonderful cup of there famous chicken broth and a fresh popover. Recently I had a friend with serious surgery and her rehab required her to eat little or no fiber. I ordered this beautiful book so I could get the broth recipe and made her containers of this famous broth along with homemade noodles, poached chicken and rice. She was in tears from the gift. The broth is time consuming but so worth it, and many of the recipes in the book start from the basic broth. It freezes well. I have all Helen Corbitt's cookbooks ( She was the creative genius behind all Neiman Marcus food from the beginning of the famous Zodiac Tearoom. This book is a wonderful addition to my collection. Sherry