A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles

Removing the silver dome from the serving plate, the actress revealed one of Emile’s signature dishes: whole bass roasted with black olives, fennel, and lemon.

“Lovely,” she said.

And the Count could not agree more. For by setting his oven to 450°, Emile ensured that the flesh of the fish was tender, the fennel aromatic, and the lemon slices blackened and crisp.