Followup to G&S, or… Part 2?

and guess what I just did…   I loaned my copy of Garlic & Sapphires to LV who I think just might LOVE it.   She enjoyed Eat,Love,Pray so much after I suggested it, that I fear she may put a lot/too much?  stock in my recommendations!

and, so, my brave idea to create some discussion questions for this enjoyable piece of Non-Fiction follows.    Remember – -  I do not have my book in hand to refer to, so…   heck, maybe that will make the questions even better!

I’ll start with an obvious:  OH!   and I should add a disclaimer that spoilers may pop up in my questions…    OH #2!     Do you read those discussion questions often included in books these days 1. ever?  2. after finishing the book? or 3. BEFORE you read the book?   

1.   Have you ever eaten truffles?   Did you like it?   Black or white?    Thank you to Lisa at Books on the Brain for finding an excellent reference for our (my) education on this delicacy.

2.   Do you plan on trying any of the recipes and if yes, which ones appeal to you the most? 

3.   Which restaurant reviewed would you most like to visit?

4.   Which personality of Ruth’s was your favorite?

5.  Have you ever dressed up and disguised yourself so much that others didn’t recognize you?    Would you or did you enjoy the process?    Do you or did you think that your personality would also change with your character?     Did Ruth’s personalities while at dinner match the image in your head of whichever costume she had on?

6.   How does this book alter your approach and attention to the food you might order in the next restaurant you go to?     Do you agree that the restaurant experience is more than the food?      or do you think that only certain restaurants, ie, ‘expensive’ restaurants qualify for the type of review Ruth writes?   Why or why not?

7.  Describe the best service in a restaurant you have ever experienced.    Do you think it is subjective?   Do you have any restaurant that is a favorite even if the service is often predictably terrible?    Do you put up with poor service or poor food quality?    Do you agree that you deserve a poor experience if you don’t demand it?   (there was a quote like that, wasn’t there?)

8.    When poor Betty had lunch with the snob actress lady who didn’t know she was in disguise, do you think she risked discovery when she gave the lesson on foie gras?   Were you surprised?   Was she out of character and/or teasing?   or could she not help it…

9.  WARNING!!!  ***SPOILER***    Would you forgive your spouse for leaving you at a restaurant if you were in Ruth’s shoes for the Window to the World charity dinner with wierd snob with too quiet wife?    and what was your reaction to why he left?    Do you agree?

10.   Do you think Ruth was destined for a job writing about food considering her childhood?    

How’s that?    This was fun!   (I think I will reward myself with a slice of the delicious Nicky’s Vanilla Cake.)