Grant Achatz’s cookbook has been released, and even if you never attempt a recipe, this is an amazing work of art. It contains more than a hundred recipes from Alinea in Chicago, along with stunning photography, and when you buy the book, you get access to an accompanying web site with more recipes and how-to videos (I got a sneak peek at the site a few months ago, and it’s exceptional).

This won’t replace the experience of dining at Alinea, but it comes close, and if you’ve eaten there, it’s a nice way to remember the experience.

For a six-pound coffee table book (oh yeah, it’s also a cookbook, right?), the price is surprising – $50 (far less than that if you order at Amazon). Your foodie friend will love this.