This is by far, my favorite cookbook of the year so far. It is a vacation. The photography, the wording, all of it. This might be my favorite building blocks ingredients section in a cookbook yet. I enjoyed the highlights about the different purveyors they source ingredients from. This is a title I will come back to again and again to revisit. The earl grey icebox pie was divine. The herby buttermilk ranch dip is good on everything. I'm excited to make the pre-surf fire cider(and also a little anxious because I'm a wuss with heat). Can't wait to make more of these recipes. Thank you to the publisher and author for an early review copy.

The first part of this book is sort of a biography of the author, who owns a roadside luncheonette along the California coast. It's a bit rambling, but gives you a good idea of his personality. The next section has recipes for "building blocks": ingredients for other recipes, such as stocks, seasoning mixes, homemade yogurt. The recipes in the remainder of the cookbook are so unique you'll never find them in any other cookbook. Some examples: Brussels Sprout Latkes, Shredded Potato Salad, Smoked Mussel Custard, Chicken-Fried Morels with Red-Eye Gravy. Scattered among the recipes are some great photos of the coast, making you want to do a road trip! There are also photo profiles of some of the farmers, fishers, gatherers and hunters who provide ingredients for the eatery. Given this was written by a real-life chef, be prepared to have a well-stocked set of kitchen tools and a sense of adventure.

Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

I love this book! It's beautiful, which is pretty essential for a cookbook if I'm being honest. And the recipes and profile are authentic and unique to what else is out there. I can't wait to try these recipes.

Amazing photos and book! I'm from California and it made me miss home. I look forward to getting this book when it comes out and trying some of the recipes.

Absolutely loved this book. I found it to be informative, inspiring and authentic. This would be perfect as a gift.

I don’t know Dad’s Luncheonette but I sure wish that I could go there and also that I could meet Scott Clark. He has put together a cookbook that showcases his state of California and there is much to enjoy in these pages.

In eleven sections are found loads of recipes. To name some: Pear Butter, Mac n Cheese with Puffed Rice topping, Shredded Potato Salad, Bacon Gouda Dutch Baby, Fried Artichoke with Artichoke Dip, Dungeness Crab Rice, Kumquat and Kale, Seasoned Herb Salad, Hard Cider Clam Bake, Kimchi Mary and Matcha Mochi Waffles. Are you hungry yet? There are 130 recipes in all.

In addition to the recipes, there are many sections filled with information. There are also photos.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Coastal , by Scott Clark, is a great example of armchair tourism, with a side of delicious local cuisine. It is truly a lovely book, a great gift for friends or for yourself. The photos are stunning and the recipes sound delicious. The author is a good raconteur, which makes the book so much more than just a cookbook. It is an adventure book.
Thank yous to NetGalley and Chronicle books for this ARC of Coastal. It was just the perfect roadtrip for me.

I love the font, it's happy and carefree, and makes me think of a boardwalk, and the contents page looks fantastic! Rule number two makes me take note - I always forget! The recipies are well written, and earing how he rund his caboose is very interesting - the choices of food, working with space constraints, serving mostly vegetables, but the best burgers - it sounds fantastic. Our first testing recipe will be the Earl Grey Pie, but this book, as a stand alone read, is perfect. It took me to the beach, and I could feel the salt in my hair. Thank you for access to this ARC, I greatly appreciate it.

Coastal
Author: Scott Clark
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Coastal is a stunning book! The photos are beautiful, the recipes are delicious and simple to follow, and the book does a wonderful job capturing California coastal cuisine. I will definitely be purchasing a hard copies of this book as soon as its released for myself and as gifts. Highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to add something fresh to their bookshelf!

Thanks to NetGalley, Chronicle Books and Scott Clark for an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Coastal is a cookbook filled with recipes that include ingredients from California's coast. With flavors derived from all the different cultures that have settled in California, it has varied recipes ranging from kimchi, furikake and even horchata paletas. It's a flavor-filled depiction of California.

𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭 is a collection of over 100 recipes inspired by trips along the central California coastline from Scott Clark and Betsy Andrews. Clark is the head chef and co-owner of Dad’s Luncheonette, a Bay Area seaside diner on Highway 1 dedicated to serving roadside classics with a local, seasonal, farm-to-table focus. The cookbook has a similar flair.

After an introduction in which Clark explains his background and how Dad’s Luncheonette was born and then sections featuring cooking tips and gear, appliance, and basic ingredient recommendations, the book goes into recipes organized into 11 sections.
* The Go-Tos (building blocks for later recipes, like ghee and mayonnaise)
* Afternoon at Dad’s (dishes from or in the spirit of Dad’s Luncheonette)
* Road Trip Snacks (tasty snacks for long drives)
* Post-Break Breakfast (hearty and healthy foods to start the day)
* Visit to the Seaside Farmers (recipes featuring fruits and veggies from local farms)
* Fishing and Foraging on the Coast (dishes using elements that can be found in the wild)
* After the Hunting Trip with Pals (“meat and potatoes” plates that pay respect to hunting and its bounties)
* Lunch in the Vineyard (daintier and more elegant fare inspired by wine country and day drinking)
* Grilling on Pismo Beach (beach barbecue recipes)
* Sailing to the Channel Islands (seafood dishes and boat snacks)
* Back Home with the Kid (nourishing and hopefully stress-free foods)

I am excited to try the Hen of the Woods Hamburger Sandwich and Earl Grey Icebox Pie in particular. For the most part, the recipes might be too elevated for the typical home chef, but they are fun to peruse and draw inspiration from. I enjoyed the variety of dishes, the vibrant scenic imagery, and appetizing food photography. But I do wish a food picture accompanied each dish or drink and that the recipes had numbered steps instead of a paragraph layout.

Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love the photos and the recipes are creative and inspired. A lot of the recipes use very unusual ingredients, and some seem quite adventurous in terms of flavors. While I am not the most adventurous cook, there are still many recipes in here that I am excited to try!

Coastal is an essentially a love poem in the guise of a cookbook. Scott Clark was chef of an awarding-winning kitchen in San Francisco and decided to leave it and open a railcar diner off the Central Coast Highway. The pictures are beautiful and Clark's writing is open as if he is just chatting with friends. The recipes have a cool laidback vibe. And I loved the sidebar stories highlighting coastal farms and ranchers. Not all the recipes are to my taste, but I enjoyed reading about local coastal ingredients and am inspired to branch out a bit more. This is one of those rare cookbooks that can really be read cover to cover! Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

"Coastal" is a visual and culinary delight, showcasing the beauty of California's coastal landscape and the mouthwatering dishes inspired by the region's vibrant culinary traditions. Authors Scott Clark and Betsy Andrews, owners of the celebrated Big Sur Bakery, invite readers on a delectable journey that celebrates the spirit and flavors of the Golden State.

The book's stunning photography captures the essence of coastal California, transporting readers to the picturesque beaches and misty forests that define the region. With recipes that range from classic favorites like Cioppino and Fish Tacos to innovative dishes such as Avocado-Cucumber Gazpacho and Persimmon Pound Cake, "Coastal" offers a diverse array of dishes that showcase the rich bounty of California's local ingredients.

More than just a cookbook, "Coastal" is a love letter to the spirit of California and the power of good food to bring people together. Clark and Andrews share personal anecdotes and insights throughout the book, making it a captivating and engaging read that will inspire both novice and experienced cooks.

In short, "Coastal" is a must-have for anyone who appreciates the beauty and flavors of California's coastal cuisine. Its gorgeous photography, delectable recipes, and engaging storytelling make it a culinary gem that will surely ignite your wanderlust and inspire you to embark on your own California road trip.

As a California resident who loves to day trip and road trip on the coast, appreciates coastal photography, is a surf enthusiast, foodie, and lover of adventurous autobiography, I was IMMEDIATELY drawn to “Coastal California: 130 Recipes From a Road Trip” and it did not disappoint—it’s quite the compendium—it has everything:

Appeals to nostalgia for meals and trips I’ve had in the past, while inspiring me to future meals and trips.

Recipes easily accomplished, and recipes to whet the appetite, inspire, and aspire to.

Compelling autobiographical anecdotes resonate, as did the coastal coffee table book pictures.

“Coastal” should be sold at farmers markets, surf shops, REI, coastal B&B nooks and crannies, lighthouse gift shops, and my local Copperfield’s Books etc. It’s a gem.

If you've ever dreamed of capturing the laid-back magic of California’s coast in your kitchen, Coastal is the cookbook for you. Scott Clark combines his fine-dining expertise with his love for the Pacific Coast Highway to create a mouthwatering collection of 130 recipes that celebrate everything that makes California cooking so special.

This book is more than just recipes—it’s a road trip in cookbook form. From Furikake Popcorn for snacking to Dungeness Crab Rice and Matcha Mochi Waffles, the dishes reflect the coastal vibe: fresh, flavorful, and totally unpretentious. Organized by themes like “Fishing and Foraging on the Coast” and “Lunch in the Vineyard,” you’ll find plenty of inspiration whether you're hosting a dinner party or just looking for something fun to try on a weekend.

What sets Coastal apart is its storytelling. As you flip through the pages, you're transported to the fishing docks, vineyards, and roadside diners that define the West Coast. The stunning photos by Cheyenne Ellis make you want to pack up your car and head straight for the PCH (or at least pretend you’re there while making a plate of Lingcod Ceviche).

Clark’s recipes are approachable, full of bold flavors, and influenced by the incredible cultural diversity of California. From Portuguese to Korean-inspired dishes, it’s a celebration of the many communities that make California cuisine what it is today.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or just want to daydream about coastal sunsets while eating CA Muddy Buddies, Coastal brings a little piece of California into your kitchen. It’s the perfect blend of delicious, fun, and inspiring—just like the state itself.

Intense at times, endearing at others.

Burned out by the elite restaurant life, Chef Scott Clark finds peace on the remote central California coast. His stories center on his restaurant Dad’s Luncheonette (crafted from a caboose), his daughter Frost, and a host of interesting neighbors that have the same values as he does. The recipes range from simple upward. Photographs by Cheyenne Ellis give you a sense of place. If you have ever traveled that road, her photographs take you right back.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I loved the photographs in this book, and there were a few good recipes, but it's not a book that I need to purchase for myself.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. The book leans more towards Asian influences but there’s also a mix of vegetarian and seafood as well. The photos were gorgeous and I’ll definitely be trying several of these recipes.

Some very gorgeous photos in this book as well as interesting back story and recipes added of course. I love traveling the coast of California so I was excited to read this especially see lovely coastal Cali photos on top of it. The recipes have much more of an Asian influence than I expected, I thought would be have more Mexican influence on food but both make sense since both populations have lived there since official statehood and even predating that for some. Sadly the recipes weren't my palete but I'm sure they would work well for someone else. Thanks netgalley and publisher for this arc.