When the first Blue Ribbon restaurant opened in 1992 in downtown Manhattan, it ushered in a new era in dining, one where reservations aren't taken and delicious food—dressed up or down—comes out of the same kitchen. On a menu suited to satisfy every craving, Herb Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Sage, a favorite with neighborhood regulars, shares equal billing with Beef Marrow Bones with Oxtail Marmalade, the late-night dish most often requested by the celebrity-chef crowd. After seventeen successful years, Bruce and Eric Bromberg, the brothers behind the now nine-restaurant Blue Ribbon phenomenon, share their secrets for exceptional American fare. Bruce and Eric draw heavily on their childhood in suburban New Jersey as well as time spent cooking in France after college, translating these culinary influences into incredibly satisfying American home cooking that's a cut above in every way: Braised Beef Short Ribs with Succotash; a Blue Reuben sandwich made with chorizo, cheddar, and coleslaw; collard greens cooked quickly in browned butter; addictively crispy Northern Fried Chicken that gets its crunch from an ingenious yet simple matzoh-meal coating. The brothers share insightful cooking tips in "Blue Ribbon Wisdom" boxes throughout the book. Learn when to use kosher salt versus regular table salt; how to make perfectly golden, crisp French fries at home; the secret behind truly creamy crème brûlée; even the neatest way possible to slice fresh corn kernels off the cob.