The Nameless Restaurant

This first installment in Wong’s (“The System Apocalypse”) “Hidden Dishes” series is set in Toronto at a magical restaurant that primarily serves the supernatural community who can locate it, where, with no fixed menu, a chef creates a feast of Malaysian dishes from fresh ingredients. Wong’s love of food shines through in this story, where nothing much happens beyond casual discussions and descriptions of cooking. Mouthwatering descriptions of the restaurant’s food and its preparation lead the story, although comments about the pandemic and other contemporary topics also make an appearance. Emily Woo Zeller’s narration is a treat. She adds depth to the novel with distinctive character voices, imbuing each speaker—jinns, mages, witches, and dwarves—with a distinct personality. Woo Zeller also captures the personality of the restaurant, a cozy, charmed spot that any foodie, magical or otherwise, would want to visit.