, a multifaceted shop which also happens to be the best cookbook bookstore in Philadelphia.
Inspired by the culinary atmosphere of the store’s location in the Italian Market, Russakoff decided to build up the gastronomic collection, devoting the entire back space of the shop to cookbooks and food writing. I don’t speak Italian but I know the word for such a space:The cookbook selection is both comprehensive and full of surprises.
In developing the cookbook offerings, Russakoff prizes global diversity, seeking to explore different cuisines and “represent them as authentically as I can.” The store has shelves devoted to Pennsylvania Dutch, African American, Native American, Jewish, Scandinavian, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisines, among others. At the same time, Russakoff acknowledges that in every genre, from cookbooks to kids’ lit, there are certain perennial favorites that people will always want.
. Funnily enough, the vegetarian shelf abuts the meat and game section, like two judgmental strangers seated together at a dinner party. There are shelves for booze, home brewing and winemaking, tea, coffee, and herbs, a shelf garnished with some witchy titles. Food writing is here defined broadly: that section includes biographies and memoirs, essay collections by writers like MFK Fisher, and reference works. Harold McGee’s groundbreaking.