Claire’s Corner Copia is a New Haven, Connecticut, institution, and a local vegetarian landmark with a national reputation and following. In 2010 it was listed by msn.com in the Top 10 Heart-Healthy Restaurants in the United States. Thirty-five years after the doors first opened, the restaurant--and its staff--is as beloved as ever.

With this book, the ebullient Claire Criscuolo shares the stories behind some 300 recipes--from Spicy Thai Sunflower Noodles to Quinoa and Pecan Stuffed Acorn Squash to her signature Lithuanian Coffee Cake--organized by course and enlivened by evocative essays as well as quotes from longtime staff and customers, helpful tips, and location shots to make you feel right at home.

Claire Criscuolo co-founded Claire’s Corner Copia, a New Haven, Connecticut, landmark vegetarian restaurant, in 1975 with her husband, Frank Criscuolo. A certified culinary professional, Claire is also a registered nurse and the author of three cookbooks, including Claire’s Corner Copia Cookbook, Claire’s Italian Feast, and Claire’s Classic American Vegetarian Cooking. She has been featured in Vegetarian Life, Vegetarian Times, and Bon Appetit, as well as the Food Network and numerous other TV and radio stations across America. She lives in New Haven. Visit her at clairescornercopia.com.