“Western Cuisine Nekoya” has acquired a peculiar new employee in the form of a young demon girl named Aletta, a denizen of the other world. But this restaurant to another world doesn’t interrupt service for anything, and so, as the regular customers–and some new ones–start streaming in, Aletta’s just going to have to learn on the job!
After the first volume, I said I'd be using this series as a palate cleanser between other reads, and just do a couple chapters at a time... Welp, I'd put the book down to start something else, and kept picking it right back up. It remains super cute and fun, and I particularly like the stories with Aletta. I just wish they'd feature her just a wee bit more. Also, I'm hungry again... >_>
Another relaxing read that continues off its first volume. This time, the author tries his hand at covering the non-human customers of the restaurant, with some fascinating world development of the "other world".
I love that some of the regulars are also featured with continuing stories that aren't necessarily set in the restaurant itself, but of their adventures in their world after coming in touch with the exquisite cuisine.
What's interesting is that the issue of dine-dashers are summarily covered in this volume, which was something that I did wonder about since the series has firmly established the "other world" to be much less civilized place. In any case, it does firmly cover some plot-holes so I appreciate the author's effort.
That said, the tendency of the book to go on long, gushing explanations on the wonders of Japanese cuisine do tend to get a bit tiring, especially as the book devotes as much as 60% of the page count to describing food. I'd say this is a relaxing read when done in short sittings, but for longer periods it may not be conducive at keeping one's attention, which is the only minus I'd give this series so far.
For the Satur customers, my favorite chapter involves halflings. These are the antithesis of the Tolkien hobbits. Tolkien's characters are snooty cottage gore gourmands. These guys are more like Appalachian farmers. I'm going to assume in the original Japanese they're given rural accents. In the translation those rural accents are rendered as if they're from the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Another interesting chapter involves a person trying to get into the restaurant. They have to recruit someone else to go with them to open the door. Do a runner on paying once, and the door will never open for you again.
Just as with part 1 we get various short stories cantered around the restaurant in another world about mostly new customers and their first visit. In the process we also get to read more on the restaurant itself and how it works including its ability to punish those who break the rules. If you like part 1, you like part 2. Entertaining characters, funny stories without over the top behaviour except for their enjoyment of the food and surprise of the restaurant and its guests.
3.5ish/5 stars. So, it was as entertaining as the first book in the series. To be honest, I have to take back my earlier statement of this being for most ages because of some "language" peppered into the story here and there. But I feel that I like the first book more. I may be a bit biased in that regard because my physical copy of the second book is a first print edition, and boy was I cross with whoever was in charge of editing. I've found multiple grammatical and spelling errors in separate chapters that threw me out of the loop. So, I'm hoping there was a second (or third) printing of this book out there with a better handle on said issues. Otherwise, I don't think I have any more complaints. Here's to the third book that I also hope can live up to the first.
Just like vol 1, vol 2 is a joy to read. Aleta is now serving as the witness in nekoya. The flying puppy and leonhart where mentioned and introduced as establishments that shares the same building as nekoya and supplies nekoya bread, pastries and booze. :)
Vol 2, introduced some new characters and also brought back some characters from vol 1. New set of food where mentioned. Nevertheless, it all boils back to how much food can bring comfort and joy to anyone who needs it.
Volume 2 is finally here in English and it was just what I needed :D
Just like volume 1, this book had a mix of characters and stories exceedingly familiar to anyone who has enjoyed the anime - but also a whole host of new and returning (from vol 1) characters.
I love this series so much.
So much in fact that I went to a Japanese restaurant for dinner halfway through reading it!
Really enjoyable book. I could honestly read a long series of books where we not only enjoy food vicariously, but we get world building and some peace between nations and even races of beings in this alternative fantasy world all because of Nekoya.
Novel is so much better than the Anime version. I think they dumb down the novels in order to create the anime, so the characters end up being caricatures of their true self. Maybe it helps with capturing a bigger audience, but it really losses the original intent. Very laid back and entertaining, it makes me hungry though! Onto my net adventure, Happy Readings!!!
Well even by adding a new recurring character, it's more of the same... yet we can finally feel a bit of progression as the little stories go. Let's continue!
Love the book. Great continuation of the series. New characters and food introduced and old favorite characters are back with more development. If you loved the first book , you will live this one.
Once again the culinary series appeases my appetite. There still isn't some big over arching plotline that I can see, but there are a lot of little stories that are told about various characters that mix, match, mingle, and interact in their world and in the Restaurant to Another World. You do get some additional world building on both sides of the door and one again a number of fabulous foods.
I thought I'd take my time with this one, read a couple of chapters every day while reading some other light novels. Didn't happen. Once again I was inexplicably hooked and just had to read this one.
Verdict: if you're reading reviews ahead -- go give it a shot. If you've already read volume 1 you will know what to expect. If that appeals to you, get on it! For me -- worth the time.
Not as good as the First one, but still pretty good. The Descriptions of the food was amazing. Don't read on an empty Stomach. But I found Myself wondering certain characters were in the first book and having to look back