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

GARLIC AND SAPPHIRES is Ruth Reichls 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 Reichls 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 ones outer appearance can very much influence ones inner character, expectations, and appetites.As she writes, Every restaurant is a theater .