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 include: a one-hit wonder pop star, finally ready to leave Tokyo and give up on her singing career, wants to try the tempura that she ate to celebrate her only successful record and 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.
About the Author
Hisashi Kashiwai, the author of The Restaurant of Lost Recipes, was born in 1952 and was raised in Kyoto. He graduated from Osaka Dental University. After graduating, he returned to Kyoto and worked as a dentist. He has written extensively about his native city and has collaborated on TV programmes and magazines. The first book in the series was The Kamogawa Food Detectives.
Industry Reviews
Feelgood and foodie themes collide in this follow-up to The Kamogawa Food Detectives * The Times *
Kashiwai is among a certain coterie of Japanese writers to have perfected a globally successful literary formula: create a cafe-esque setting with beloved staff who deliver plenty of empathic kindness to customers whose visits inspire stand-alone narratives . . . Deliciousness lingers * Booklist *
This cozy book delights in Japanese cuisine * Kirkus *
A treasure trove of positivity and charm. * Prima *
In addition to tantalizing recipes, the narrative is driven by the desire to recapture lost love, reconcile with a parent, or relive one's youth. Ingredients and items are lovingly detailed . . . The equivalent of delightful comfort food. * Library Journal *
Like sights and sounds, tastes are also deeply connected to one's memories. The depictions of the beautiful scenery of Kyoto and its native dishes, which are like the original landscape of Japan, warmed my heart -- Genki Kawamura, author of If Cats Disappeared from the World on The Kamogawa Food Detectives