Let me start by saying this cookbook is a joy to flip through. The full-page photos for every recipe had me drooling before I even reached for my mixing bowls. As someone who collects cookbooks (yes, I have a problem), the visual appeal here is top-notch.

The concept is brilliant - who doesn't want to recreate their favorite restaurant dishes at home? I particularly loved the Buffalo Wild Wings-inspired glazed chicken wings with their surprisingly simple 5-ingredient recipe. The substitution note about using wingettes was a thoughtful touch that shows the editors understand home cooking realities.

However, I need to address the elephant in the kitchen. These aren't exact copycat recipes - they're 'inspired by' versions that sometimes take creative liberties. The coffee-glazed donuts 'inspired by' Dunkin's classic glaze? Interesting twist, but not what I expected. The Wisconsin Butter-Basted Burgers adding mushrooms when Culver's original doesn't? That's a pretty significant deviation.

Where this book shines is in its practicality. The clear instructions, prep times, and calorie counts make these recipes actually doable on a weeknight. I've made six dishes in my first week with the book, and all turned out tasty - just don't expect identical replicas of your restaurant favorites.

The organization by course (breakfast, apps, entrees etc.) is brilliant for meal planning. My husband and I had a blast tagging recipes we want to try together - the sticky note session alone was worth the price!

Bottom line: If you want exact restaurant duplicates, look elsewhere. But if you enjoy restaurant-style dishes with some creative twists and beautiful presentation, this book will keep your kitchen busy and your family well-fed.