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BOOK LIST:

L.A. Stories: Food, Cooking, Restaurants

Updated: May 31, 2024

A selected list of culinary books owned by the Los Angeles Public Library. The Science, Technology & Patents Department at Central Library is well known for its extensive food and cookbook collection. The Culinary Historians of Southern California is an affiliate of the Los Angeles Public Library. Here is a link to the extensive Menu Collection, which is part of Tessa.


Book cover for An affair to remember : recipes, menus, and home-entertaining tips from Hollywood's leading caterers
An affair to remember : recipes, menus, and home-entertaining tips from Hollywood's leading caterers
Kessler, Judy, 1947-
Call Number: 642.41 K42

From days gone by, some of Hollywood's leading caterers offer menus, recipes and entertaining ideas to try at home.


Book cover for Bäco : vivid recipes from the heart of Los Angeles
Bäco : vivid recipes from the heart of Los Angeles
Centeno, Josef
Call Number: 641.59 C397

130 recipes from chef and owner Josef Centeno: main dishes, sauces, soups, salads, desserts and more.


Book cover for The Brown Derby Restaurant : a Hollywood legend
The Brown Derby Restaurant : a Hollywood legend
Cobb, Sally Wright.
Call Number: 641.597941 C653

History, nostalgia, memoir and recipes provide a look back at what was an iconic L.A. restaurant.


Book cover for LA by Mouth: The Essential Guide to Eating in Los Angeles
LA by Mouth: The Essential Guide to Eating in Los Angeles
Postalakis, Mike
Call Number: 647.9509794 P857

Over 8,000 restaurants that are in the greater Los Angeles area will give you lots of choices where to eat, nibble, drink and meet. From some of the most classic vintage eateries to mom-and-pop eateries.


Book cover for California soul : an American epic of cooking and survival
California Soul: An American Epic of Cooking and Survival
Corbin, Keith
Call Number: 641.092 C791

Angeleno chef Keith Corbin dishes up great recipes and a memoir about his hard-won road to success as a restaurateur.


Book cover for Compliments of the chef : great recipes from great restaurants : Los Angeles
Compliments of the chef : great recipes from great restaurants : Los Angeles
Call Number: 641.59794 C7377

Recipes from some of Los Angeles' top chefs, plus anecdotes and inside tips on how to make it all work for you.


Book cover for Counter Intelligence: Where to Eat in the Real Los Angeles
Counter Intelligence: Where to Eat in the Real Los Angeles
Gold, Jonathan
Call Number: 979.41T L881Gol 2000

First Pulitzer Prize winner for food and restaurant criticism, LA Weekly's Jonathan Gold, has collected over 200 of his best LA eatery discoveries.


Book cover for Dear SOS : favorite restaurant recipes from the Los Angeles Times
Dear SOS : favorite restaurant recipes from the Los Angeles Times
Dosti, Rose.
Call Number: 641.59794 D724-2

Rose Dosti wrote the SOS column in The Los Angeles Times. This is a selection of those recipes from more than 25 years of her work.


Book cover for Delicious Disney : Walt Disney World : recipes & stories from the most magical place on Earth
Delicious Disney : Walt Disney World : recipes & stories from the most magical place on Earth
Brandon, Pam
Call Number: 641.59759 B819-1

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, there are anecdotes, photographs and recipes that cover everything from appetizers to desserts. No, Disneyland is not in Los Angeles, but its creator's studios were in Hollywood.


Book cover for El Cholo cookbook : recipes and lore from California's best-loved Mexican kitchen
El Cholo cookbook : recipes and lore from California's best-loved Mexican kitchen
Shindler, Merrill.
Call Number: 641.5972 S556

El Cholo Cafe is a Los Angeles institution dating back to 1922, where there are fourth and fifth generations working at the restaurant. This book combines history, memories and some of the old time recipes.


Book cover for The Grand Central Market Cookbook: Cuisine and Culture From Downtown Los Angeles
The Grand Central Market Cookbook: Cuisine and Culture From Downtown Los Angeles
Yellin, Adele
Call Number: 641.59794 Y437

History and recipes will make you want to visit this legendary food market in DTLA.  


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