Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
7 journalers for this copy...
From the back cover:
Ruth Reichl, world-renowned food critic and editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, knows a thing or two about food. She also knows that as the most important food critic in the country, you need to be anonymous when reviewing some of the most high-profile establishments in the biggest restaurant town in the world—a charge she took very seriously, taking on the guise of a series of eccentric personalities. In Garlic and Sapphires, Reichl reveals the comic absurdity, artifice, and excellence to be found in the sumptuously appointed stages of the epicurean world and gives us—along with some of her favorite recipes and reviews—her remarkable reflections on how one’s outer appearance can influence one’s inner character, expectations, and appetites, not to mention the quality of service one receives.
Ruth Reichl, world-renowned food critic and editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, knows a thing or two about food. She also knows that as the most important food critic in the country, you need to be anonymous when reviewing some of the most high-profile establishments in the biggest restaurant town in the world—a charge she took very seriously, taking on the guise of a series of eccentric personalities. In Garlic and Sapphires, Reichl reveals the comic absurdity, artifice, and excellence to be found in the sumptuously appointed stages of the epicurean world and gives us—along with some of her favorite recipes and reviews—her remarkable reflections on how one’s outer appearance can influence one’s inner character, expectations, and appetites, not to mention the quality of service one receives.
I enjoyed this book even more than I'd expected. It's about so much more than food and fancy restaurants and the New York Times. It was fascinating to read how much the author learned about herself and the people around her with each new disguise she constructed.
I am finally passing this along to Potok-fan, who won it ages and ages ago in what I believe was a non-fiction swap.
I am finally passing this along to Potok-fan, who won it ages and ages ago in what I believe was a non-fiction swap.
Journal Entry 3 by potok-fan at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Friday, August 20, 2010
Came in the post - Thank You!! :)
Journal Entry 4 by potok-fan at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Saturday, September 4, 2010
As I recall, before grabbing this in the swap, I had a look at some reviews on amazon. They were mixed. Some folks really didn't like Reichl's barbed criticisms and brash New York bravado. I, on the other hand, knew what to expect (from having read the bad reviews), and wound up enjoying the book.
I read it a little too fast - should have stopped to enjoy the recipes, too, but like scarfing down food which is delicious but not earth-stopping so I gobbled down this book. I've met Ray Sokolov, so enjoyed seeing him cross the pages. I suspect it's a book I'll think of when dining out for some time to come.
I read it a little too fast - should have stopped to enjoy the recipes, too, but like scarfing down food which is delicious but not earth-stopping so I gobbled down this book. I've met Ray Sokolov, so enjoyed seeing him cross the pages. I suspect it's a book I'll think of when dining out for some time to come.
Journal Entry 5 by potok-fan at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Saturday, September 4, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (9/4/2010 UTC) at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland
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Savotar hosted local bookcrossers today (and we'd hoped to meet a visiting Swiss bookcrosser, too, but she never showed up). It was a nice afternoon, with good food (was it up to Reichl's standards?) and lots of laughter and conversation.
Journal Entry 6 by Savotar at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Monday, September 6, 2010
Thank you Potok-fan, this book looks good. It was really nice to see you too. I'm glad so many bookcrossers made it on Saturday. If I had been waiting for the Swiss all alone, it would have spoiled my whole weekend! Now we just had good time. :)
Journal Entry 7 by Savotar at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I finished reading this book last night. Some parts of it were enjoyable and even funny, for example Ruth's night out with Mr. Shapiro. :) But to be totally honest, I didn't find everything so interesting and I just skimmed some chapters. It was interesting to read how Ruth's friendships and other relationships developed during the story. This book also inspires me to try making pasta carbonara at home. I've found my old hobby, cooking, again. :)
Journal Entry 8 by Savotar at Kortteliravintola Kerttu in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Friday, October 7, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (10/7/2011 UTC) at Kortteliravintola Kerttu in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I brought this to the October meetup on a stormy night. Happy reading!
Journal Entry 9 by 
pippis
at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, August 19, 2012
pippis at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, August 19, 2012
This book has been waiting for a reader for ages on a local BC shelf, so as I was doing a bit of summer cleaning I took it home with me. Perhaps I'll give it a go, since it is about food and someone being passionate about it... Btw, I just made a batch of pesto for the first time in my life (won't be the last!) and have water boiling, so I might take a peak while enjoying my pasta in a few minutes :)
Journal Entry 10 by pippis at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, December 29, 2013
pippis at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, December 29, 2013
Once again I came across with this book sitting on my shelf, so I had a look at wishlists and decided it was time to let it travel forward!
Journal Entry 11 by pippis at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, December 29, 2013
pippis at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, December 29, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (12/30/2013 UTC) at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off she goes as a wishlist surprise! Happy and tasty reading, Chania!
Journal Entry 12 by 
Chania
at Kokkola, Keski-Pohjanmaa / Mellersta Österbotten Finland on Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Chania at Kokkola, Keski-Pohjanmaa / Mellersta Österbotten Finland on Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Thank you so much - looks very interesting, I love these kind of books!
Journal Entry 13 by Chania at Kokkola, Keski-Pohjanmaa / Mellersta Österbotten Finland on Sunday, May 25, 2014
Chania at Kokkola, Keski-Pohjanmaa / Mellersta Österbotten Finland on Sunday, May 25, 2014
I liked this a lot - I like to cook (well, not every day..) and reading about all the fabulous food that I probably never gonna eat made my mouth watering! And maybe gave me some ideas too.
Ruth's personal life, dressing up for different person, and discovering things about herself, was very interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes sad.
Very entertaining and captivating book!
Now I'm saving it for Annimanni, and sending it at the beginning of June.
Ruth's personal life, dressing up for different person, and discovering things about herself, was very interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes sad.
Very entertaining and captivating book!
Now I'm saving it for Annimanni, and sending it at the beginning of June.
Journal Entry 14 by Chania at Kokkola, Keski-Pohjanmaa / Mellersta Österbotten Finland on Sunday, June 1, 2014
Chania at Kokkola, Keski-Pohjanmaa / Mellersta Österbotten Finland on Sunday, June 1, 2014
Sending forward now, enjoy, Annimanni!
Apologies Chania! This book arrived more than a week ago, but I haven't gotten round to journaling it before. Can't wait to start reading though :) Thanks very much for passing it on to me!
Journal Entry 16 by Annimanni at Valkeakoski, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Thursday, June 25, 2015
Released 8 yrs ago (7/25/2015 UTC) at Valkeakoski, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland
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Wishlist surprise. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 17 by Piiku at Parainen, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, July 26, 2015
Piiku at Parainen, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, July 26, 2015
Thank you Annimanni for this wishlist book!
Journal Entry 18 by Piiku at Parainen, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Piiku at Parainen, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Wednesday, February 17, 2016
This was a very entertaining book even though I didn't know any of the restaurants and Rocco DiSpirito was the only chef I recognized. Nice mix with recipes and amusing (+ some not-so-amusing) stories. One day I will try the simple way to cook carbonara.
Journal Entry 19 by Piiku at Ravintola 3. linja in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Thursday, February 18, 2016
Piiku at Ravintola 3. linja in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Thursday, February 18, 2016
Released 8 yrs ago (2/18/2016 UTC) at Ravintola 3. linja in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Congratulations, you have found a BookCrossing book :)
