Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl. Arrow Books.
Finally read a book I have long heard about. It lived up to its solid reputation, every page of it.
Ruth Reichl`s Garlic and Sapphires (Arrow Books) is a look back at the five years that she was arguably the woman with the last word regarding restaurants in NYC. As restaurant critic for the New York Times, Reichl made or ruined many an eatery, fledgling and seasoned alike. Soon after starting her job, Reichl realised that once she was recognised, she was given the kind of right royal treatment that the average diner was not likely to be accorded. So, Reichl starts to don guises. One thing leads to another and soon, she`s making up a persona, accent, mannerisms et al, to fit all the different aliases she eats out under: frumpy, fun-loving Molly, fiery red-head Brenda, Betty one step away from a Bag Lady; Miriam as who Reichl channels her own mother, one formidable opinionated lady; Chloe the soignee interior decorator with no luck in love; and Emily who is one nasty piece of work.
Don`t be misled by all the people gimmickry, though; in the end, it`s all about food and whether a place is cooking, presenting, serving it the right way.She knows her food and what`s more, does not review a place unless she has eaten there at least three times.
Interspersed with a set of very followable recipes, Garlic and Sapphires is a delicious read. Forgive me but i just couldn`t resist that last line. :-)