I'm 2/3 of the way through Perdido Street Station - if he doesn't want the grittiness of AsoIF, then he doesn't want that book.
Feist's books are some of the best D&D books written (though he'd say his alternate rules were much cooler). Seriously, good books.
Brust's books are just well written and entertaining - the whole series is good. All of his books are good (to Reign in Hell and Brokedown Castle are good).
The Coldfire Trilogy by CS Friedman - always recommend that.
Guy Gavriel Kay is the best fantasy writer out there, but there is very little of the fantastic in his books, but a great, great writer with great stories and dialogue.
So ends my usual post on "what books should I read".