3 out of 5

Directed by: Mitsuko Kase

Located on a small street near the center of Rome…

Ristorante Paradiso is a, uh, prequel of sorts to a romantic comedy – one in which cooking college grad Nicoletta tracks her absent mother to the Casetta dell’orso, taking a job there and getting to know the staff (which we do, as well, an episode at a time) and maybe mad crushing on one of the many handsome men in the restaurant’s employ…

There are some nice quirks and secrets along the way, requisite for any romcom: all of the staff wear glasses at the restaurant, whether needed or not, at Nicoletta’s mother’s request; her mum has kept her daughter secret from her hubby, as he would not have wed someone with children; and as select episodes focus on the various faces – chef, waiters, host – one by one, the way in which their lives have criss-crossed and the ways which they have all affected one another become clearer.

Just, y’know, casually.  From the bopping opening theme to the way the show patiently lulls around the restaurant, the pacing and m.o. of Ristorante Paradiso is not one suggestive of needing to be anywhere, any time soon.  And with David Production’s early grasp on animating small personality attributes, and the well-voiced and moderately fleshed out cast, this isn’t such a bad thing, but it is a little odd when the show tip-toes into darker territory in flashbacks, juuuust getting the toes wet before shaking its head and retreating to the comforts of the main setting… testing the waters for an actual narrative – beyond Nicolletta’s vague crush, which is the undercurrent throughout – but recognizing its got a good thing going back at the restaurant.

Not that this could have persisted for much longer than its 11 episodes.  It at least winds down its low-key setup peacefully, and satisfyingly enough.