Rating: 4 stars
Cover Synopsis: In this New York Times bestseller, beloved food writer Reichl, an unlikely master of disguise, presents her adventures in restaurant reviewing for The New York Times.
After the deep emotional experience that was The Count of Monte Cristo, I needed something lighter. So I picked up this non-fiction book about an undercover restaurant critic. Reichl's writing is delicious and I found myself laughing out loud at some of the antics she and her accomplices go through to pull off the deception. Wigs, body padding, make-up artists... Plus she intersperses her tale with food reviews and personal recipes, and I found myself salivating over some of her descriptions (and clenching my stomach over others).
But this isn't all food and fluff. I appreciated Reichl's insights on the effect her disguises had on her actions. How certain costumes could turn her into the best version of her personality -- and vice versa. Interesting thought that we have several versions of ourselves inside, and it's up to us who we let out for the world to see.
Funny, fascinating and flavorful. Loved it.
