I'm Not Trying to Be Difficult: Stories from the Restaurant Trenches

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.

Author: Drew Nieporent
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 09/23/2025
Pages: 288
Size: 9.25h x 6.25w x 0.97d
ISBN: 9781538765579


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2025

About the Author
Drew Nieporent, one of America's most respected and celebrated restaurateurs, is the founder and inspiration behind the Myriad Restaurant Group, which opened and operated Nobu New York, Nobu London, Tribeca Grill, Rubicon, Corton, Bâtard, Daily Burger at Madison Square Garden, and many more. Nieporent's groundbreaking first restaurant, Montrachet, earned three stars from The New York Times and kept that rating for twenty-one years. He has partnered with Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams, and Francis Ford Coppola, among others. He has also won multiple James Beard Awards.