There was the chance those filing into the University of Pennsylvania book store Tuesday night would learn the ending to one of the city's more gripping mysteries: What does Craig Laban look like?
Laban was coming to read from his book of Inquirer restaurant reviews. His looks have been the subject of myriad profiles and blog posts - he visits restaurants anonymously - and a few unfavorably reviewed chefs have schemed to post photographs of him during his career here and in New Orleans. Laban takes great pains to obscure his identity - having friends make reservations for him, mumbling into hidden microphones when reviewing a meal, even changing his facial topiary and body type, although this later stunt might be due to the vast quantities of delicious food he is required by his work to sample, and then work off.
But product must be moved, and so Laban agreed to speak at the book store in support of The Philadelphia Inquirer Restaurant Guide. What's an anonymous critic to do?
Come in disguise.
He donned a gray fright wig, a druid's cloak and a Zorro mask for his performance. He entered the room with several baguettes obscuring his face.
Arthur Etchells, author of the Foobooz blog, didn't seem to think Laban had blown his cover.
"I didn't notice any maitre d's in attendance," he wrote by e-mail.
(Inquirer photo by David Swanson)
