Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise (Abridged)

by Ruth Reichl Narrated by Ruth Reichl

Overview

Includes an interview with the author and recipe cards!

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.

Editorial Reviews

AUG/SEP 05 - AudioFile

Reichl’s hilarious, heart-warming, mouth-watering gastronomic comedy is based on the former NEW YORK TIMES critic’s food and restaurant columns and experiences. Disguised as her own silver-haired mother or a Marilyn Monroe look-alike or a redhead, among others, Reichl differentiates the best from the pretenders among the restaurants of New York City. Best moments: little son, Nicky, learns the secret of the world-famous hash browns of The Palms, which he refuses to share with Mom, and Reichl's date (in disguise, of course) with a very sexy stranger. This is not a book for dieters; the food is simply too delectable. M.T.B. 2006 Audie Award Winner © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

AUG/SEP 05 - AudioFile

Reichl’s hilarious, heart-warming, mouth-watering gastronomic comedy is based on the former NEW YORK TIMES critic’s food and restaurant columns and experiences. Disguised as her own silver-haired mother or a Marilyn Monroe look-alike or a redhead, among others, Reichl differentiates the best from the pretenders among the restaurants of New York City. Best moments: little son, Nicky, learns the secret of the world-famous hash browns of The Palms, which he refuses to share with Mom, and Reichl's date (in disguise, of course) with a very sexy stranger. This is not a book for dieters; the food is simply too delectable. M.T.B. 2006 Audie Award Winner © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172075131
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	04/04/2005
Edition description:	Abridged

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