{"product_id":"im-not-trying-to-be-difficult-stories-from-the-restaurant-trenches-drew-nieporent-hardcover","title":"I'm Not Trying to Be Difficult: Stories from the Restaurant Trenches -- Drew Nieporent, Hardcover","description":"Drew Nieporent has been a staple of the New York dining scene for decades, establishing a host of iconic restaurants like Nobu, Tribeca Grill, and Montrachet. But his career started from much more humble beginnings--the grill at the local McDonald's. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e A middle class kid from New York's East Side, Drew spends his childhood tagging along with his father to help restaurants get their liquor license, igniting a lifelong obsession with food. His passion takes him on a winding, continent-spanning journey, crossing paths with legendary chefs, iconic athletes, and movie stars as he grows into one of the most influential names in the culinary world. From waiting tables on a cruise ship to getting his first three-star review; from squabbling with Cornell professors to partnering with Robert DeNiro; this is more than a story of one man's extraordinary life--it's a story of an evolving industry. As culinary trends come and go, and relationships blossom and combust, Nieporent navigates it all with a simple yet powerful philosophy: give the customer what they want. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Told in Drew's unforgettable voice, \u003ci\u003eI'm Not Trying To Be Difficult\u003c\/i\u003e is a rollicking memoir that feels like sitting across the dinner table from someone who has seen it all--one of the last great restaurateurs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Drew Nieporent\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Grand Central Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/23\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.25h x 6.25w x 0.97d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781538765579\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrew Nieporent, one of America's most respected and celebrated restaurateurs, is the founder and inspiration behind the Myriad Restaurant Group, which operates Tribeca Grill, Nobu New York City, Nobu Fifty Seven, Nobu London, Nobu Next Door, Bâtard, Porsche Grille at Citi Field, and Crush Wine \u0026amp; Spirits. Nieporent's first restaurant, the groundbreaking Montrachet (1985), earned three stars from The New York Times and kept that rating for 21 years. He has partnered with Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams, and Francis Ford Coppola, among others. He's won multiple James Beard Awards. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drew Nieporent","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46770298716388,"sku":"9781538765579","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/9587\/8628\/files\/9781538765579.jpg?v=1758732308","url":"https:\/\/bookandmortar.com\/products\/im-not-trying-to-be-difficult-stories-from-the-restaurant-trenches-drew-nieporent-hardcover","provider":"BookandMortar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}