On the Rocks was born out of a family history project that Maria Palmer  felt had commercial appeal. The book is about her father Joseph Costanzo, Jr., former owner and operator of The Primadonna Restaurant. He was one of the most decorated restaurateurs in the United States, winning multiple awards both locally and nationally. He hosted a radio show called “Fine Dining in Pittsburgh and Around the World” and wrote a weekly newspaper column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about food and the local restaurant scene. On the Rocks by Maria Palmer and Ruthie Robbins is this week's featured book on Rick's Reading List.