Jim Leff at Cody's, May 23
Chowhound founder Jim Leff will speak at Cody's Books on May 23. He's on tour for the Chowhound's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area. Jim Leff has created his fair share of controversy and enemies over the years, but many foodies still consider Chowhound a good source for information and few deny the impact of the site. I rarely look at it, mostly because the interface annoys me and the squabbling, politicking and cliquishness of online forums remind me of The Lord of the Flies, but many of my favorite bloggers are past and present members, which speaks in the site's favor.
I don't know how useful the book will be. I prefer something like the personal and opinionated San Francisco Food Lover's Guide, where I can gauge what I think of that one reviewer and tailor my expectations appropriately. I don't necessarily agree with all nine zillion SF Chowhound members, and I worry this could just be another Zagat Guide. I'd love to hear what you all think of the Chowhound guide to New York.
Here's the official blurb from Cody's.
MONDAY, MAY 23 JIM LEFF brings on THE CHOWHOUND'S GUIDE TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. Jonesing for jook in the East Bay? Looking for the perfect martini in the heart of SF? Look no further Chowhound's here with the essential field guide to culinary treasure for those who make every bite count. Comprised of the collected wisdom of thousands of food-obsessed experts from the wildly popular website chowhound.com, and featuring an introduction of Chowhound founder and über-hound Jim Leff, THE CHOWHOUND'S GUIDE will sate every imaginable craving with tips spanning the full universe of edibility, from burritos to caviar. As Leff explains, "[It's] an eye-opening plunge into the world of adventure dining, spotlighting places currently exciting the discerning iconoclast diners known as chowhounds." A chowhound would rather go weak from hunger than eat less than deliciously, and hordes of them have covered the chowscape, ferreting out over a thousand venues cooking with look and pride. Indexed by neighborhood, food type, and restaurant name, and including great profiles of hound reporters, this is a treasure to read and to refer to. Be here! 7:30 PM at Telegraph Avenue
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