✨YOUR TABLE IS READY — MICHAEL CECCHI-AZZOLINA✨

Overall 📚: NR
Genre: Culinary Memoir/Biography
Medium: Audiobook
TW: Extreme vulgarity & Crude language

Posting this on pub day! Congratulations @cecchinyc

📖💭 My summary - WHEW what a life! Cecchi-Azzolina has a wildly entertaining story to share. His life story begins as a teen trying to make it somewhere, anywhere in NYC. He falls in love with the hustle, passion, and absolute insanity of the service industry, and shares the craziest stories he has ever experienced from his time as a server, and finally, as a maître d’hotel.

I chose not to rate this story because I don’t feel I have the right to assign a grade to someone’s life and experience. This was super entertaining, and such a fun audiobook to listen to. Definitely NOT for the faint of heart, Cecchi-Azzolina rips into every curse word and creative insult imaginable with his thick NY accent, making this story continuously interesting and dynamic.

💭Did you enjoy this book?

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You know when you get an audiobook and then realize you can’t be listening to it sitting at the park with the windows down in the car?? Yeah. That’s this book.

Now don’t get me wrong, this book was incredibly interesting and very enjoyable - but the content and language within is not something that is appropriate for all settings - easily fixable with headphones or earbuds!

If you’ve ever been curious about the inner workings or even “restaurant politics” that go on in the service industry then you’ll really enjoy this. If you’ve ever worked in the service industry, you’ll find yourself laughing along (and I definitely never worked in NYC, this is hella relatable!) and feeling the pain alongside the author.

I will say that there were plenty of times I was thinking “wait a minute, what?” and I realize the author would be giving us a story from his childhood to draw comparisons to working for tips. It was an interesting way to make connections between the service industry and pretty much anything else.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audio copy!

I liked this - definitely recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this insight into the world of New York City restaurants. I've worked for several years in the hospitality industry, so I felt drawn to this book. The stories were quite interesting and while I already appreciate service industry workers, I feel for them so much more.

I was completely enthralled while listening to Your Table Is Ready. The blurb of this tell-all book describes it as the front of house version of Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential. If you’re a fan of fine dining (especially in NYC), a healthy amount of celebrity name-dropping, and anecdotes that sound almost too farfetched to be true, I think you’ll enjoy this one. I highly recommend the audiobook, as it's read by the author whose acting experience enhances his performance.
Man, the 80’s sound really crazy! I can’t really imagine all the drinking and drugs and sex, even though it’s described in great detail. In general, I’m impressed by restaurant staff, both back and front of house - they are on their feet and working HARD the whole time! I am even more impressed that the staff of The River Cafe (among others) in the 80s was able to maintain their restaurants’ reputation throughout all their “side activities” 🤣
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion. It will be available tomorrow! The language and content can be raunchy at times (which I think you’d expect based on what I’ve said!) - in case that’s something that doesn’t appeal to you.

"Whoa whoa whoa. When you get a dick, you can order." -- male diner to his female dinner date; customer of Michael Cecchi-Azzolina

This is one of many startling quotes and pieces of information that truly make Your Table Is Ready a wild ride. Thank you so much to Net Galley, St. Martin's Press, and Mr. Cecchi-Azzolina (I feel like he's about to seat me, so I'm calling him Mr. -- the book wholly ushered me into the world of restaurant work!) for an audio ARC of this book.

Cecchi's debut is an impressive montage of both life in the restaurant business and life growing up in a mob-influenced, Brooklyn-based Italian household. After reading, it's quite clear how one influenced the other. Cecchi grew up in a household where you didn't ask questions -- you listened. You didn't make a fuss -- you swallowed your pride, and you continued to listen. He didn't know it at the time, but this upbringing permeated into his success in the restaurant business, where there is quite the hierarchy of which I was not aware. Many of Cecchi's experiences involved shutting the hell up and taking orders.

While Cecchi clearly explained that restaurant work indeed has a negative effect on various relationships, it would have been enlightening to learn more about how his restaurant work caused his relationships to go sour. Was it the long nights? The "shmoozing?" How did Cecchi end up with a wife and kids as he navigated the throes of restaurant work? It seems this information has a place, considering Cecchi combined remarkable, food-service storytelling with his honest memoir.

The overall theme in Cecchi's book is that restaurant work isn't simply "a job." Those who trudge knee-deep through 10-12 hour shifts and take customers' shit all day don't do it because there's nothing else to do; they keep coming back to feel the adrenaline. At the end of his debut, Cecchi takes a step that solidifies the truth in that statement.

The narration absolutely helped me life inside the book! Cecchi narrated, and the passion in his voice -- and that Brooklyn style accent -- helps transport listeners into a world where they seat and serve guests.

For fans of Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential comes this phenomenal debut about the "front of house," and it couldn't be better. Get your copy on #pubday: 12/6/22!

This was a fascinating look into the restaurant culture. I especially liked the background into the author's childhood because his early life really influenced so much of who he became, and I'm glad he was able to get into a good place in life. If you enjoy dining out, or if you've worked in the field (previous dishwasher here), you'll get something out of Your Table Is Ready. I enjoyed listening to the book as the pace is just right, and the narration is easy on the ears. Recommend for adult collections.

Michael Cecchi-Azzolina writes and narrates the audio of his career as a New York City Maitre D. I devour books about food, chefs, and the industry. This was a unique approach from someone at the front of the house rather than the chaos of a kitchen. The scenarios and people he encounters are well worth the time invested. He describes his childhood and his run in with the mob and how that shaped his outlook on life and developed a surliness to get ahead. As the book continues with his first job at a fine dining restaurant, it becomes a bit tiresome with the repetitive mention of dicks and the abundance of drugs, but as a person new to this line of work I'm sure it would make an impression and worth a mention at what really goes on behind the scenes. Of course, that was decades ago. Following the ups and downs of his career path was entertaining and enlightening to what the duties of a Maitre d entail. The ending was surprising and perfect. I felt like I really got to know the author.

Thank you to the author and MacMillan audio.

This was such an interesting listen for me. As someone who loves food, has worked in the food service industry, it was intriguing to hear the inside scoop on restaurants!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan Audio and Michael Cecchi-Azzolina for an audio ARC of this book. This is an insider’s look at the New York City restaurant scene (and it was very much THE scene) over the last several decades. Like many young actors, the author worked in the hospitality industry to support himself between auditions and acting roles. As is so often the case with career plans, his temporary waiter jobs became a life long career as one of the most sought after and well known maitre d’hotels in New York City. This is an in depth look at the “front of house” restaurant world when the places to be seen were ever changing and included Raoul’s, the River Cafe and Le Coucou. This is a thoroughly entertaining, sometimes bawdy account of a heady time in the restaurant world. The stories of the famous as well as infamous are a glimpse into a secret world most people are not privy to. This book also looks back at a very different and rapidly evolving city filled with social changes which included the devastating impact of HIV. Your Table Is Ready is well written, descriptive and keeps the reader’s attention. The author is the narrator and does an outstanding job, he is easy to listen to, the narration flows smoothly and is well paced. This is definitely a book that is enhanced by listening to. Also, one that would be an excellent big or small screen adaptation. Highly recommended for foodies as well as those who would enjoy learning about the restaurant world.

This review could have been four stars, but the way the author depicted and wrote about women both inside and outside the restaurant industry was offensive.

Aside from that, this book was fine. I requested it thinking it would be more like a series of humorous essays of his time working in restaurants in New York. Instead, it is most definitely a memoir. I do think to truly enjoy this book, you either have to have been a server, lived in NYC, or both. I lived in NYC for over a decade, so I appreciated many of the stories that took place in very popular NYC restaurants. I think that if I wasn’t familiar with them, or with the neighborhoods in and culture of the city, I would have lost interest.

I didn’t find it as offensive as others- a little sex talk isn’t going to bother me, but if it bothers you then maybe pass over some of the chapters.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who has worked in the industry for over a decade I thought I must read this book. I couldn’t get past all the repetition, humble bragging and celebrity name dropping.

The man mentioned blow jobs more than once in the first 5%. Because that’s what you want a blowie and a full bodied cab recommendation within one mouthful.

I 10/10 know I wouldn’t like working with the author. Like he’d be tolerable but I would not want to associate outside of the restaurant.

Thank you, next.

Felt a bit like <i>Sweetbitter</i> but real life and by a man.

This book was <i>UNHINGED</i>. I understand that this is a factual representation of the food service industry, especially in NYC and especially a few decades ago but oh my. The oversaturation of drugs and sexualness was honestly repulsive. I may work in the food industry, but I could truly never work in <i>this</i> food industry.

A great read if you are at all curious what goes on behind the scenes in the front-of-house at restaurants. Also a great read for anyone who lacks empathy and could stand to gain some respect for service workers. Makes me want to go to the city and eat all the good food.

Thank you for the ARC!!!!!!!! This is one of the best books I have read this year. I find it disappointing that other reviews feel the need to include their personal opinions in their reviews however, I will admit this is a gritty (and accurate) view of the restaurant scene. As a big foodie (at home and going out) I found this book to be fascinating and a waiter version of "kitchen confidential". I listened to this and the authors narration is excellent. I will be buying this for people as Christmas gifts!

Your Table is Ready was a treat to listen to! Descriptive writing with fabulous characters and fun stories sprinkled throughout. Made for an easy listen while doing home chores on a snowy weekend.
Thanks for letting me have an early listen - my library has it on order :)

Thank you to NetGalley for the Audio ARC of this book!
One place I have always wanted to visit is New York City. I don’t know why exactly but it has always fascinated me and I feel like there is so much to see and do. One thing I have always been told is that there is so much amazing food to check out and that the restaurant scene is huge. I was fascinated to read the premise of this book and it was interesting right from the synopsis.
This story is about the many restaurants of New York, run by author Michael Cecchi-Azzolina. It has stories of how the restaurants are really run, the economics of the restaurants and the overworked staff.
Overall, I enjoyed listening to this one. I feel like if you live in NYC or enjoy that scene a bit more then you may connect with this book better than I did. I felt like some parts were interesting to me while many I felt disconnected from. It was interesting though to learn about what is expected of restaurant patrons and some of the behind-the-scenes things that go on.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress and @netgalley for a copy of this book and audio in exchange for my honest opinion.

The stories of a Maître D’hôtel in some of New York City’s most popular establishments are captivating and wild. Cecchi has stories of mob ties, sex, drugs, and celebrities. You’ll recognize some of names from the book, but it’s not a book of gossip. It’s about Cecchi’s experiences and what he learned as he looks back on the wild ride of his career in the restaurant business.

The book is narrated by the author which makes the story telling more appealing and personal as you listen.

4 Stars

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I received an ARC of the audiobook, narrated by the author. This book started out really strong - I loved hearing about Michael's background, mob ties, and how he got into the restaurant business. The stories were entertaining and not what I expected. I especially loved the story with Fat Anthony. However, the second half of the book did not catch my attention as much. I'm not sure if it was that the stories about drugs, sex, and partying were throughout the entire book and more stories just weren't that entertaining.

I will say that this was a book topic that really caught my attention and it was a good listen. The author narrates, which makes these stories sound more personal and like you're there listening to him tell them.

I felt that the writer was trying to lean into being the next Kitchen Confidential a little too much, so it came across as heavy-handed and disingenuous. That being said, the narration was well-done and I laughed out loud several times.

Cecchi doesn’t hold back about his time as a Maitre D’ Hotel in some of NYC’s hottest and most influential restaurants. Littered throughout the pages are names you’ll recognize and their behavior but this isn’t a celebrity gossip tell-all. This is about Cecchi and what he experienced, what he learned and how he feels looking back on it all.

I’ve never worked in a restaurant so I appreciated that Cecchi wrote this in a manner everyone can understand. The stories are wild and thoroughly entertaining.

Thank you Macmillian and NetGalley for an audiobook ARC to review.

3.5 stars

An enlightening and eye-opening look at the restaurant world in New York City over the past 30+ years. This memoir, with an audiobook narrated by the author, gives an insider's peek into the wild world of front-of-house restaurant work.

I connected more with this book when he told particular anecdotes and gave examples of the more entitled, strange, and nerve-wracking requests he has seen over the years. The final few chapters, set at Le Coucou, were the more entertaining and interesting chapters for me. There were some sections in the middle that got a bit tedious as he was pursuing an acting career, and when he was jumping from job to job. There's also a lot of name dropping--some I recognized, many I didn't. I think if a person is more familiar with NYC and the world he is describing, they might connect more with the book than I did.

I am just SO glad this is not my life, I just cannot comprehend how difficult and thankless these jobs would be. I did also learn quite a bit about what is expected from me as a restaurant patron, and I'll do my best in the future to be more aware, particularly if I'm overstaying my time and they need to turn the table for the next set of reservations.

Overall, this is an intriguing, occasionally jaw-dropping memoir. The audiobook is engagingly performed and kept me interested throughout.