Hannah is a twenty-something server working as a Cellar Rat, stocking bottles in a wine cellar, on her path to becoming a sommelier in NYC’s fine dining restaurants. Now a couple of decades later, she looks back at a career that was both a love affair and an addiction. Hannah is not afraid of naming names is this gossipy restaurant memoir.
For people fascinated by stories of food, wine and gossip, and fans of Vanderpump Rules, Cellar Rat will be another fun ride on the shoulder of a young naive server. It may also be another nail in the coffin of bossy and sexist male celebrity chefs if the author gets her wish. However, this road has already been well traveled in better, or maybe just published earlier, books like Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. However, this book is one woman’s compelling story that I stayed up late one night to finish. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for providing me with an advanced review copy.