I’m Not Trying to Be Difficult

Stories from the Restaurant Trenches

De: Drew Nieporent

Narrado por: Drew Nieporent

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.

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.

Told in Drew’s unforgettable voice, I’m Not Trying to Be Difficult 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.

©2025 Drew Nieporent (P)2025 Grand Central Publishing

Reseñas de la Crítica

"I devoured Drew Nieporent’s delicious memoir, I’m Not Trying to Be Difficult, the page-turning story of a restaurateur’s restaurateur, whose insatiable appetites for food, hospitality, showmanship, and winning have fueled one of our industry’s most legendary characters and careers."—Danny Meyer, author of Setting the Table, the Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Great restaurant industry tale.

Really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes industry accounts, told with depth and color. Tough business!

A great story, poorly told

As a business consultant who has traveled constantly for 45+ years, I'm fascinated by the restaurant business. This is a good story, from a very talented restaurant owner. It provides a unique perspective from the 'front of the house'. I recommend "Your Table is Ready" as a companion piece.

But, his performance, runs between annoying and quirky. He has an uncanny ability to place the emPHAsis on the wrong word in a sentence. He would have done well to listen to old newscasts from Walter Cronkite (or Charles Kuralt. Et al).

It was great to hear all of the stories read by the author himself.

An amazing tour of the life of one of the greatest restaurateurs of the past fifty years. Thank you for everything, Drew!
A true tour de force.