Food journalist, cookbook author, and former caterer Peggy Knickerbocker lives in two of the greatest food cities in the world - Paris and San Francisco, and she loves to give simple soirees, or dinner parties, wherever she is. This book is a collection of her favourite menus for the best of the many parties she has given over the years. Whether the event is a romantic dinner party for two, a birthday party for a special friend, or a cocktail fund raiser, Peggy's menus are always interesting, stylish, and utterly delicious. She loves to include dishes that will surprise and delight her guests - and readers will welcome these fresh ideas to their own repertoires. Since advance preparation is essential for relaxed entertaining, Peggy includes shopping tips, games plans, and time-saving advice. With a foreword by acclaimed novelist Diane Johnson and evocative location photographs by Christopher Hirsheimer, the book will appeal to everyone who loves good food and good parties.