INTRODUCTION: DECLARATIONS OF A HUNGRY SLEUTH.

PART ONE: REBEL SCOUT.

SOUTHERN PIG.

KING OF DIXIE STEWS.

THE SLIME FACTOR.

TRUE GRITS.

PC AND PROUD OF IT.

DEBUNKING FRUITCAKE.

A FEW CRUCIAL WORDS ABOUT ICE’ TEA.

PART TWO: STAR-SPANGLED ADVENTURES.

CHEAPSKATE SHOPPING.

PRIMAL STEAK.

THE MYSTERY OF LACTOBACILLUS SANFRANCISCO.

PUMPKIN POWER.

CHOWDER CHOW DOWN.

WILD IN THE WOODS.

CHICKEN SALAD CHIC.

PART THREE: COMFORT ME WITH MEAT LOAF.

MEAT LOAF MANIA.

GASTRONOMIC GOO.

ODE ON A CAN OF TUNA.

ICEBERG AHEAD.

JOIN THE CLUB.

REDRESSING THE SPUD.

PART FOUR: FOREIGN FORAGING.

THE GRATE ONE.

IN SILENCE, IN COOLNESS, AND IN SHADOW.

SEXY SOUP.

RIVIERA SALAD.

SAVORY PIE.

ITALY’S SWEET “PICK-ME-UP”.

SEVICHE AND OTHER COMPOSITIONS FROM THE SEA.

PART FIVE: POTABLE PURSUITS.

STALKING THE GREEN FAIRY.

DEAR LITTLE WATER.

BUBBLY I: PINK EXTRAVAGANCE.

BUBBLY II: GRAND SHAM-PAGNES.

LIQUID GOLD.

SUPER SUDS.

BYOB REVISITED.

PART SIX: DISPATCH FROM THE RESTAURANT ARENA.

DINING IN THE PLAYPEN.

THE FRUGAL GOURMAND.

RESPECT MOTHER NATURE.

WINE SAVVY.

THE RESERVATIONS WAR.

A SHAMELESS UPDATE ON GREASING PALMS.

HOGWASH.

THE QUESTION OF CIVILITY.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

INDEX.