March Cozy Magical Book Club Pick!
The Nameless Restaurant: A Cozy Cooking Fantasy by Tao Wong
TL;DR:
Our next book club book: The Nameless Restaurant: A Cozy Cooking Fantasy by Tao Wong
Meeting: Tuesday, March 18, at 5:30 PM Pacific Time
Where: Zoom (link emailed an hour before the call)
Who: All Sleuth Hero Alien subscribers are welcome
Hi Cozy Readers,
I’m thrilled to announce our next cozy magical read of 2025: The Nameless Restaurant: A Cozy Cooking Fantasy by Tao Wong
Here’s the official publisher’s description:
A slice of life adventure of food and magic.
There is a restaurant in Toronto. Its entrance is announced only by a simple, unadorned wooden door, varnished to a beautiful shine but without paint, hidden beside dumpsters and a fire escape. There is no sign, no indication of what lies behind the door.
If you do manage to find the restaurant, the décor is dated and worn. Homey, if one were to be generous. The service is atrocious, the proprietor a grouch. The regulars are worse, silent, brooding, and unfriendly to newcomers. There is no set menu, alternating with the whim and whimsy of the owner. The selection of wine and beer is sparse or non-existent at times, and the prices for everything are outrageous.
There is a restaurant in Toronto that is magically hidden, whose service is horrible, and whose food is divine.
This is the story of the Nameless Restaurant.
I haven’t read this novella yet, but I love a curmudgeon main character, and magical restaurants are always a treat. This description reminds me of a cross between Housewitch by Delemhach and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. I’m looking forward to discussing how Tao Wong approaches the cozy fantasy genre!
Our book club will meet on Tuesday, March 18, at 5:30 PM Pacific on Zoom. I’ll send out the meeting link about an hour before we begin. Join us as you are—whether you’ve read every word, just started, or simply want to connect with fellow cozy story lovers.
I can’t wait to explore this novella with all of you. Until then, happy reading!
Warmly,
Emma
Hi there! I’m Emma Veritas, your cozy reading enthusiast. I delight in escaping to small towns filled with endearing characters—and a touch of mystery, dragons, or aliens! When I'm not sharing bookish musings here, you’ll find me crafting fictional tales in my notebooks, spending quality time with my adorable pet bunny, or savoring a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
You might also enjoy my other newsletter, Soul Weaver’s Haven, where I write essays for seekers, dreamers, and magic-makers daring to create unconventional and wildly fulfilling lives.