Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly

It's possible I love this book because a small (perhaps larger than small?) part of me loves the restaurant industry. I might gripe, but it's fast-paced, sometimes scandalous, and always a sure-fire way to meet interesting people. Bourdain's book is a testament to that, and more. He's had quite a life, and is quite a writer. It's a quick, dirty, and entertaining read, plus I have a feeling if you're in New York and can figure out his thinly-veiled references, super-juicy biz gossip as well.