Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler is a stunning new coming-of-age novel about a young woman who leaves her small hometown for NYC where she lands employment at one of the poshest restaurants in town. The author poetically describes food as an accompaniment to and metaphor for the story. The book begins:

“You will develop a palate. A palate is a spot on your tongue wher you remember. Where you assign words to the textures of taste. Eating becomes a discipline, language-obsesses. You will never simply eat food again.”

The characters are unique and memorable, the descriptions scrumptious, and the story one that will stay with you long after you close the book.