Ristorante Paradiso

On a back street in Rome lies an unassuming restaurant that serves delicious food, but is better known for its gentlemanly waitstaff. Here, 21-year-old Nicoletta arrives in search of her estranged mother (who receives her with wariness and warmth) and then stays on as a sous chef, becoming smitten with middle-aged single server Claudio, who still wears his old wedding ring. Over the course of the 11-episode series, viewers learn why all of the male staff wear glasses, what secret Nicoletta holds over her mother's head, and whether or not Claudio can get over his ex-wife. Ristorante Paradiso favors a slow narrative arc over flashy excitement, reveling in the everyday life of the Casetta dell'Orso restaurant and the people who work there. Lovingly illustrated, this is an uncharacteristic anime offering that is solely focused on relationships and love. Based on the manga by Ono Natsume, this 2009 series is presented in Japanese with English subtitles, rated 13-up, and features extras including a guide to Rome, and art galleries. Recommended. (L. Martincik)