Editor’s Note: Today is Valentine’s Day – a day of love that’s often intertwined with food. Our wonderful book guru of yesteryear, Jennifer Petty Hilger, wrote this review back in 2009.
We are republishing it today since it is the perfect book for Valentine’s Day. Set in Rome, this tangled love story entices us to “Pretend we’re going out to lunch,” so we can, “Forget New England in February” … an invitation we will not hesitate to accept!
Ah, Capella. Really, how could I resist?
Anthony Capella is either a very good cook or a very good storyteller.
Possibly both.
“The Food of Love” is a nice, light read about love and food.
It’s a modern day Cyrano de Bergerac set in Rome and Laura is an American art history student, who wants to be seduced by the city. Tomasso is an Italian waiter, who is happy to help. Bruno is the brilliant chef, who aids and abets.
Bruno cooks, Laura swoons and Tomasso gets the glory and the girl. Bruno cannot tell Laura how he really feels or that the food she loves is his.
Tomasso cannot stay faithful. The web of love and deceit is woven and they all must find their own ways out.
The fun of the book is in the escapist life in Italy and in the food.
Why sit here in the snow when we can pretend we are eating outstanding Frutti di Mare on the beach in Italy?
No reason at all.
The Food of Love is a quick read with some delightful interludes. Don’t worry that the story isn’t too deep or too original.
Focus on the Spaghetti all’Amatriciana, Fritto Misto, Oca in Potacchio and Pappardelle con Sugo de Lepre. Pretend we are going out to lunch and forget New England in February.