'Tales of the Table' is a book for foodies, a book for those of us with an 'ardent or refined interest in food and alcoholic beverages', a book that take syou on a delightful and entertaining tour of gastronomic and literary miscellany over the years. It is better described as a not-quite-random collection of bits and pieces that please and delight; or, a shameless wallow in descriptions of sensual gratification!