GARLIC AND SAPPHIRES is Ruth Reichl's riotous account of the many disguises she employs to dine anonymously. There is her stint as Molly Hollis, a frumpy blond with manicured nails and an off-beige Armani suit that Ruth takes on when reviewing Le Cirque. The result: her famous double review of the restaurant: first she ate there as Molly; and then as she was coddled and pampered on her visit there as Ruth, New York Times food critic. What is even more remarkable about Reichl's spy games is that as she takes on these ...
Read More
GARLIC AND SAPPHIRES is Ruth Reichl's riotous account of the many disguises she employs to dine anonymously. There is her stint as Molly Hollis, a frumpy blond with manicured nails and an off-beige Armani suit that Ruth takes on when reviewing Le Cirque. The result: her famous double review of the restaurant: first she ate there as Molly; and then as she was coddled and pampered on her visit there as Ruth, New York Times food critic. What is even more remarkable about Reichl's spy games is that as she takes on these various disguises, she finds herself changed not just superficially, but in character as well. She gives a remarkable account of how one's outer appearance can very much influence one's inner character, expectations, and appetites. As she writes, "Every restaurant is a theater . . . even the modest restaurants offer the opportunity to become someone else, at least for a little while." GARLIC AND SAPPHIRES is a reflection on personal identity and role playing in the decadent, epicurean theaters of the restaurant world.
Read Less
Loved this book! It's a unique blend of humor, creativity, food knowledge and years of dining in the best (and worst) restaurants in NYC. Reichl sees food as both a diner and reviewer and serves it tongue in cheek for our pleasure (pun intended). As a little old lady diner myself, I cheered as she skewered the restaurant that banished her to the worst table in the room and demanded she return the menu before she was finished. The success of her disguises put Sherlock Holmes to shame.
Don't be put off by the weird title. I'd never have picked it up if a reader friend hadn't clued me in.
cbbc
Jul 20, 2012
Great book
One of the best books I've read all year....Ruth Reichl is one of the best, her memoirs are interesting and funny, with enough heartbreak to know shes real
Bellinghamjan
Apr 1, 2007
A Delicious Book
Ruth Reichl wrote about her life as a food critic with humor and great insight. Her descriptions of the roles she played while she was researching restaurants were clear and humorous. The book had some wonderful food recipes scattered throughout and that added a tasty treat. Garlic and Sapphires gave an inside look at being a food critic. A very delightful book.
