Restaurant to Another World

Restaurant to Another World (2017)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


As with the manga series, this focuses on several different customers who all find their way to Nekoya, a restaurant in another world. We actually learn very little about the chef and owner himself until nearly the end of the series when his grandmother makes an appearance with the restaurant key, giving his staff and customers that are there at the time a good scare at the thought of the restaurant disappearing for good. Most of the customers have regular favorites that they rarely if ever deviate from ordering, though a few will venture to try and recreate the dishes in their own homeland. It's clearer in the anime than from the manga that the customers are actually all from the same other world even though they come from vastly different territories and are even often different species altogether. Other than enjoying the food, there are a few small side stories, but not much in the way of overall cohesion with the series, so you'll most enjoy it if you enjoy anything focusing on food itself.

Restaurant to Another World 4

Restaurant to Another World 4 by Junpei Inuzuka

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


While there are a lot of new customers as usual this round, there are a lot of new connections made between all of the customers and even the chef. Turns out maybe being from different worlds isn't all that different after all. Curious how this new key supposedly has the power to close down the restaurant - did it then somehow open the restaurant in the first place as well? How it actually came into being beyond being the chef's grandfather's before passing down to him isn't fully explained though, even if we do meet his grandmother and learn more about the recipes and the food. It seems supposedly not giving away their recipes is part of the restaurant rules, or at least were when the grandfather ran the shop, however, the current chef didn't seem too worried to share, or perhaps that was because the same type of potatoes were already so common in both worlds and the dish was so easy. Another question that is unlikely to ever be answered, though it seems rather amusing the chef was the cause of so many changes and yet had no idea about any of it, and still doesn't to this day.

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Restaurant to Another World 3

Restaurant to Another World 3 by Junpei Inuzuka

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


As with the earlier books, this volume introduces mores diners and their stories about finding the restaurant. It seems like in some worlds, they are striving to recreate some of the flavors in their own hometowns so they can eat them more often, though they aren't exactly the same just yet. If the chef is aware of this, it doesn't seem to bother him given he outright teacher Aletta how to make the potato cobbler for Sarah and even gives her some bacon (or what looks like bacon but they call "smoked meat") to go with it. It seems to be a fairly simple dish, but as usual, is considered amazing by the diners. 

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Restaurant to Another World 2

Restaurant to Another World 2 by Junpei Inuzuka

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Each character has a slightly different story to how they find the door and where they come from, however, one thing remains the same - they all want to come back for their favorite dish again. Some may even argue over which dish is better, but inside the restaurant, it's all in good spirit. There's no fighting or anger in the restaurant. The chef himself doesn't care who they are or where they come from, only that they enjoy the food. To this end, he finds himself with yet another new hire this time around - another dragon who lives so remotely she doesn't know of money or have any coin, but will instead work for her meals.

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Restaurant to Another World 1

Restaurant to Another World 1 by Junpei Inuzuka

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Rather than a singular character going to another realm, the restaurant is the main location and the diners come from multiple other realms one day each week. The rest of the week, the restaurant is as normal as any other serving in the original human realm. So far the main characters seem to be the chef and his new waitress, though there are a handful of unique diners that have been single out to represent various worlds and species. The chef, despite only being human, is somehow able to make the perfect meal for all of his customers, even those who are visiting for the first time and seem to think it should be impossible. Honestly not the most captivating first volume, but it is unique. Will have to read more to see if it becomes more engaging or remains on the same entertainment level as it starts out with.

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Merge Cooking: Theme Restaurant

Merge Cooking: Theme Restaurant (Android)

My rating: 1 of 5 games


The gameplay has an interesting concept, but the course of events is very forced, including frequent ads for bonuses and power ups needed to create the recipes for the next order. There isn't really anything as far as creative license as it's all very linear with no choices as you play through each level and simply pay out the coins for whatever the next stage is. The game will glitch and jump around or freeze if you don't follow the correct sequence of events and fill out the game play the way they want you to.

MasterChef Junior

MasterChef Junior (2013)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I had heard of this show only when one of the winners guest starred on the more popular MasterChef, but had yet to see any of it. Just our luck that we came across the finale cook off when looking for something interesting to watch one evening. It's amazing what these young chefs come up with, especially given they have no guidance or help throughout the program. Not sure if that makes it more or less thrilling than the full fledged version given there are obvious limitations to what these young chefs can do at the moment. Maybe if they were moving on to restaurants or other jobs after the show it would make more sense. Until then, it's just kind of an impressive placeholder.

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (2005)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A different twist on a "cooking" show. This time it's about where you are in the world and what people really eat and how it tastes. No fancy restaurants or dishes on this menu. As the title implies, no formal restaurant that takes restaurants will be found on this tour. It's all about the culture and getting back down to earth. A nice twist and an interesting look into the different places around the world, how they eat, and why. Sometimes you can't help but wonder at what you see, but some look like good ideas or at least sound interesting and make sense with what is available there. Would make for an interesting tour if nothing else (though I will admit to laughing at the comment about being saddle sore after a whole day of riding - sounds like my kind of day).

The Taste

The Taste (2013)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This reminds me a little of The Voice in that the judges know nothing of the applicants outside of their presentation (be it voice or taste) before making their decision on who will join their team. It doesn't matter if you're a home cook or a professional chef in this audition - it's all in the taste. Not having seen the previous season referred to, I'm curious to see how this unfolds and if we end up enjoying it as much as we do our other cooking shows (Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares & MasterChef come to mind as usual favorites).

Chopped

Chopped (2007)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is very similar to shows like Master Chef and Iron Chef where there are specific cooking challenges that the constants are graded on. Depending on their performance they will continue on or be "chopped" from the list until only one remains. Admittedly, I'm more of a Master Chef fan as it's one of the first as it's the first one of this time of show that I watched somewhat regularly and we've always been Chef Ramsey fans. Still, it's interesting to see what different shows bring to the table and what the chefs come up with throughout the challenges.

The F Word

The F Word (2005)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Knowing Gordon Ramsey and his reputation for language on TV, this easily could have meant something else. Obviously he knew this as well as he clearly states in the opening of each episode that the "f word' stands for "food" of course. My husband was thrilled when we found this on Hulu as it's probably one of the few shows for Ramsey that we haven't seen yet. This one especially focused on easier foods to make at home and how to make them as Ramsey launched a campaign to get people, women especially, back in the kitchens of their own homes. Some of his ideas for "simple" meals still appear rather over-the-top, but still some great ideas are tossed out on the show that can be adapted to a variety of uses. Overall enjoyable to watch and entertaining as he takes people who know nothing about the kitchen, some who have never even been in one before, and teaches them how to feed their family healthy homemade foods.

MasterChef

MasterChef (2010)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Well known chefs Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Graham Elliot team up together as the judges panel for each year's group of would-be master chefs. Similar to other popular American TV shows like American Idol, a performance or task is set before the competitors each week. The judges then determine based on that performance if the participant will stay for another chance at the title or if they will go home. Already a fan of Ramsay's other kitchen shows, it's no wonder that this one makes the list of series to keep an eye on.

Kitchen Confidential

Kitchen Confidential (2005)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Only watched this because my husband seems to find it hilarious and I found it curious that the same actor who plays psychologist Sweets in Bones is apparently one of the awkward chefs of this series. A little over the top and one episode in particular that had some blatantly sexual jokes that crossed the line, this series was definitely not my cup of tea.

Hell's Kitchen

Hell's Kitchen (2005)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ramsey may seem a little rough around the edges, and he certainly gets edited enough for his language on the screen, but no one can argue with his results. Each season of Hell's Kitchen takes 12 ambition chefs and puts them through the ringer as they strive to prove they are worthy of the head chef position at one of Ramsey's own prestigious restaurants. It's the opportunity of a lifetime and only the absolute best will get a chance to take it all.

Kitchen Nightmares

Kitchen Nightmares (2007)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Chef Ramsey is well known for his excellent food and successful restaurants. In Kitchen Nightmares, he answers the call of the most desperate owners to come try out their restaurant before remaking it into what a star restaurant should be. Some are more challenging than others, but all are nightmares at the start.

The Cake Mix Doctor

The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a well written interesting book about cakes. The properties of cakes, different kinds of cakes, and how to make them or alter recipes. I read this because Carrie, my baking buddy, lent me the book and recommended I read it. Now I'm thinking I need a copy of it to keep in my own cookbook collection.

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Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia (2009)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a cute film, much more lighter and more fun than many recent movies. Took a little while for me to get that it was Julia's past we were watching with Julie's present. Interesting how they intertwined the two to show how it all added up to the current. The end scene where Julie has finally made her goal and they're visiting the museum is interesting as well. Just a fun story.