When Reichl took over from the formidable and aloof Bryan Miller as the New York Times' restaurant reviewer, she promised to shake things up. And so she did. Gone were the days when only posh restaurants with European chefs were reviewed. Reichl, with a highly developed knowledge and love of Asian cuisine from her years as a West Coast food critic, began to review the small simple establishments that abound in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Many loved it, the Establishment hated it, but her influence was significant.
She brought a fresh writing style to her reviews and adopted a radical way of getting them. Amassing a wardrobe of wigs and costumes, she deliberately disguised herself so that she would not receive special treatment. As a result, she had a totally different dining experience as say, Miriam the Jewish mother than she did as Ruth Reichl the reviewer, and she wasn't afraid to write about it. The resulting reviews were hilarious and sobering, full of fascinating insights and delicious gossip.
Garlic and Sapphires is a wildly entertaining chronicle of Reichl's New York Times years.
By:
Ruth Reichl Imprint: Allen & Unwin Country of Publication: Australia Dimensions:
Height: 230mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 26mm
Weight: 534g ISBN:9781741146448 ISBN 10: 1741146445 Pages: 352 Publication Date:01 May 2005 Recommended Age: From Audience:
General/trade
,
College/higher education
,
ELT Advanced
,
Primary
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active