Delancey, Molly Wizenberg
Delancey, Molly Wizenberg
List: $16.95 | Sale: $11.87
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Delancey
A Man, a Woman, a Restaurant, a Marriage

Author: Molly Wizenberg

Narrator: Caroline Shaffer

Unabridged: 6 hr 21 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/30/2014


Synopsis

In this funny, frank, and tender memoir, the author of the New York Times bestseller A Homemade Life and the blog Orangette recounts how opening a restaurant sparked the first crisis of her young marriage.When Molly Wizenberg married Brandon Pettit, he was a trained composer with a handful of offbeat interests: espresso machines, wooden boats, violin-building, and ice cream–making. So when Brandon decided to open a pizza restaurant, Molly was supportive—not because she wanted him to do it but because the idea was so far-fetched she didn't think he would. Before she knew it, he'd signed a lease on a space. The restaurant, Delancey, was going to be a reality, and all of Molly's assumptions about her marriage were about to change.Together they built Delancey: gutting and renovating the space on a cobbled-together budget, developing a menu, hiring staff, and passing inspections. Delancey became a success, and Molly tried to convince herself that she was happy in their new life until—in the heat and pressure of the restaurant kitchen—she realized that she hadn't been honest with herself or Brandon.With evocative photos by Molly and twenty new recipes for the kind of simple, delicious food that chefs eat at home, Delancey is a moving and honest account of two young people learning to give in and let go in order to grow together.

About Molly Wizenberg

Molly Wizenberg is the voice behind Orangette, named the best food blog in the world by the London Times. Her first book, A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table, was a New York Times bestseller. Her work has appeared in Bon Appétit and the Washington Post. She lives in Seattle with her husband Brandon and their daughter June.

About Caroline Shaffer

Caroline Shaffer is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. A former company member at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for nineteen years, she received an MFA from the American Conservatory Theater.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Diana on September 09, 2014

When my husband and I are not dreaming about living off the land on some kind of homestead, we're dreaming about having our own restaurant. As I dawdle around my kitchen on a Saturday morning, I'll think, "If we had a restaurant that served brunch, people would get totally addicted to my savory corn......more

Goodreads review by Maryam on June 18, 2024

What is the best pizza place in your city? that is the question that came to mind and also what is the story behind that place. Their story doesn't end with this book, maybe better said their story takes a different turn in a couple of years after this book was published. I enjoyed the memoir nonthel......more

Goodreads review by Cher 'N Books on August 18, 2016

3 stars - It was good. Interesting memoir with some very yummy recipes included that I intend to try. ------------------------------------------- Favorite Quote: I knew what it was like to be staring down a future that you don’t want and to decide to veer hard away from it, even if you’re not entirely......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on May 19, 2014

I absolutely loved My Korean Deli: Risking It All for a Convenience Store by Ben Ryder Howe. So I was looking forward to this read that promised a similar, riveting story about a young couple whose marriage is stretched (almost to the breaking point) when they decide to open a pizzeria. But, sadly, t......more


Quotes

“A crave-worthy memoir that is part love story, part restaurant industry tale. Scrumptious.” People

“When I sit down with Molly Wizenberg’s writing, it feels as though she’s just across the counter, coffee cup in hand, sharing an intimate truth…Inspiring, entertaining, and informative… A satisfying read.” Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Charming…humorous, intimate, and honest.” Library Journal (starred review)

“Fun and engaging.” Publishers Weekly

“One challenge of performing memoir is maintaining the authenticity of the author’s voice. Narrator Caroline Shaffer meets the challenge with an informal, conversational tone that allows listeners easy access to this personal story…Shaffer handles the occasional foreign word with aplomb, and her minimalist approach to characterizations works well.” AudioFile

Delancey is so riveting, well-written, and interesting, I found myself wishing it were twice as long. Molly Wizenberg writes as well about life as she does about food. Her voice is so charming and funny and poignant, it made me want to invite myself over to her place for dinner, where I would certainly overstay. I loved this book.” Kate Christensen, New York Times bestselling author of Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of My Appetites

“You might think making pizza is a piece of cake (or pie!) But Molly Wizenberg’s tale of triumph as she and her husband learn to make the perfect pie, and construct the restaurant to serve it in, make for delicious—and dramatic—reading. Told with humility and humor, Delancey shows that with hard work and determination, dreams can come true…no matter what obstacles lie in your way.” David Lebovitz, New York Times bestselling author of My Paris Kitchen

“Molly Wizenberg writes with the sweet candor of Laurie Colwin and the sly amusement of M.F.K. Fisher. Delancey is the perfect restaurant tale—gripping, nutty, and yet somehow meant to be.” Amanda Hesser, cofounder of Food52 and author of The Essential New York Times Cookbook

“Molly Wizenberg’s Delancey is so much more than a memoir about opening a highly regarded pizza restaurant. It is a story about building a marriage and a beloved community through grit, thrift, and self-determination in the pursuit of excellence. Ultimately this is a story about wholeheartedly embracing the one you love without trying to smooth away the rough edges or edit out the hard parts. It is also a most delicious read that sent me to the kitchen as soon as I turned the final page.” Susan Rebecca White, author of A Place at the Table

Delancey is the extraordinary tale of what it means to build a life with the person you love and the professional roller coaster ride that is opening and running a wildly successful restaurant together. Molly Wizenberg has, in her inimitable way, written a modern love story that marries razor-edged wit to warmth, and passion to flavor; Delancey is an utterly delicious read.” Elissa Altman, author of Poor Man’s Feast


Awards

  • LibraryReads Pick