The Restaurant of Lost Recipes
Books | Fiction / Literary
4.5
Hisashi Kashiwai
The Restaurant of Lost Recipes, translated from Japanese by Jesse Kirkwood, is the second book in the bestselling, mouth-watering Japanese sleuthing series for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, and follows on from The Kamogawa Food Detectives.Tucked away down a Kyoto backstreet lies the extraordinary Kamogawa Diner. Running this unique establishment are a father-daughter duo who serve more than just mouth-watering feasts.The pair have reinvented themselves as 'food detectives', offering a service that goes beyond traditional dining. Through their culinary sleuthing, they reconstruct beloved dishes from the memories of their customers, creating a connection to cherished moments from the past.Among those who seek an appointment is a one-hit wonder pop star, finally ready to leave Tokyo and give up on her singing career. She wants to try the tempura that she once ate to celebrate her only successful record. Another diner is a budding Olympic swimmer, who desires the bento lunch box that his estranged father used to make him.The Kamogawa Diner doesn't just serve meals – it revives lost recipes and rekindles forgotten memories. It's a doorway to the past through the miracle of delicious food.'Feelgood and foodie themes collide in this follow-up to The Kamogawa Food Detectives' – The TimesReaders are saying:'The book opens a window on a different view of Japan , it has a touch of mystery and magic . It is a gentle and heartwarming read' – 5 stars'A delightful, wholesome book with a wonderful setting and distinct characters. The descriptions of the food are so creative and I found i really wanted to try them, they sounded delicious!' – 5 stars'A captivating, heart-warming novel, recommended for lovers of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series.' – 5 stars
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More Details:
Author
Hisashi Kashiwai
Pages
224
Publisher
Pan Macmillan
Published Date
2024-10-03
ISBN
103500965X 9781035009657
Community ReviewsSee all
"3.75 stars rounded up<br/><br/>The Restaurant of Lost Recipes by Hisashi Kashiwai (translated by Jesse Kirkwood) is about a father-daughter duo who operate a restaurant/detective agency that seeks to help customers find… you guessed it: lost recipes. Each recipe is tied to a specific memory and time in their lives that is meant to inform their decisions in the present.<br/><br/>This book is a collection of short stories rather than a single story, which can be expected for a book about a detective agency (think Adventures of Sherlock Holmes). It is told in third person omniscient POV, which is pretty different from most books that I’ve read.<br/><br/>The concept and the characters are charming. The father is quite lovable and seemingly can do no wrong.<br/><br/>However, after the first couple stories, the plot can feel repetitive and almost formulaic. Perhaps that’s the vibe this series is meant to have, but at times I find myself wanting to skim past all the parts that I know are pretty much the same in every story, just to get to the part where the story’s unique.<br/><br/>Regardless, this is a cute and touching read, and lovers of Japanese culture will definitely want to pick it up because of all the unique food and location references.<br/><br/>Special thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.<br/><br/>The Restaurant of Lost Recipes is available now."
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Amber Smith