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Liked It “What could be more fun than food and disguises? Well-written. Never have I coveted a job so much as Ruth Reichl. I'm sure she worked hard but I would love her job. A delightful read.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “If this book hadn't been recommended to me by a friend I wouldn't have finished it. When the author finishes a chapter telling the story of her research done on a specific restaurant she follows with the actual review that was published in the New York Times. It occurred to me about halfway...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“What could be more fun than food and disguises? Well-written. Never have I coveted a job so much as Ruth Reichl. I'm sure she worked hard but I would love her job. A delightful read.”
Marg R wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Not as good as her first 2 memoirs, but I've still read it twice. ”
Susan B wrote this review Tuesday, November 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I tried to listen to this and found it boring. Food critic moves to NYC, disguises herself, and goes out to eat. Big whoop. I didn't get past the second disk.”
Carol S wrote this review Monday, November 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Loved this book! The inclusion of the actual dining reviews, recipes, and Ruth's insights on the experience of being in disguise.”
DanaW wrote this review Thursday, October 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I'm not much of a foodie, but as a "conoisseur of human folly" (to quote Jane Austen, actually) it was irresistable. ”
Elizabeth G wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“An account of Ruth Reichl’s tenure as the disguise wearing New York Times restaurant critic. The book starts when Ms Reichl was recruited to The New York Times only to discover that prior to her arrival, the word was out. Her picture was posted in the kitchens of every New York restaurant, and she hadn’t even found an apartment yet. Her background and family members were discussed and well known as the establishments awaited her visit.
Marilyn L wrote this review Tuesday, October 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The question became, how to get a true picture of the restaurants, being able to visit without getting special treatment. A disguise was in order, and it had to be more than a big hat or dark glasses. That would fool no one. Ruth called in a friend with experience in the theater. Her disguises worked, maybe too well. In a series of inventive disguises, Ruth finds herself taking on the personality of the persons she pretended to be.
This book is written with great humor, and gives an interesting picture of this job. The descriptions of food are vivid. She has a great sensitivity to the fact that going out to a great restaurant is not just eating, it’s an experience to be savored, and everyone deserves a great experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and plan to try a couple of the recipes included.”“If this book hadn't been recommended to me by a friend I wouldn't have finished it. When the author finishes a chapter telling the story of her research done on a specific restaurant she follows with the actual review that was published in the New York Times. It occurred to me about halfway through the book that her writing style hardly changes from story telling to reviewing. I don't suppose this is necessarily bad but I found it annoying. The best parts of the book, in my opinion, are the recipes found here and there. They are simple to follow and appealing. ”
PPC wrote this review Thursday, October 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“More interesting for its social commentary - how does your presentation affect others' treatment of you? than its food, hey... read it at work, didn't get in trouble. Not even with Jackie.”
Ed G wrote this review Tuesday, September 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Interesting story of the life of a high profile food critic.”
Margie M wrote this review Friday, September 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
