There was something very meditative about this book. I found a lot of joy in reading it and letting everything slow down.

The food descriptions were absolutely amazing. The ethos of minimising waste by using leftovers to create new dishes was really inspiring and there was a lot of love put into this aspect of the book.

I had not read earlier books in the series so I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of plot. There wasn't much of one. What there was, was not resolved at the end. It felt a little awkward. I would have liked a bit more to keep me engaged.

I really enjoyed it. It was a cosy, fantasy, slice of life that made me hungry and warm all at once.

This third book in the mouthwateringly delicious Hidden Dishes series (after The Nameless Restaurant and Chaotic Aperitifs) was supposed to be titled Sorcerous Plates. Magical chef Mo Meng’s ‘plates’ absolutely are not sorcerous – no matter what each book might be called – but the dishes he serves on those mundane plates are definitely magically delicious. And all without the use of any charms, lucky or otherwise, in his cooking process.

Not that he isn’t using a bit more magic in his cooking than he promised himself he would in the early days of his Nameless Restaurant. When the series began, Mo Meng served a small and self-selecting clientele of mostly supernatural diners – or at least those in the know about the supernatural world.

Until a chaotic visit from a newly awakened jinn changed all that which is the story in The Nameless Restaurant, and now Mo Meng and his human jill-of-all-trades-except-cooking, Kelly, have way more diners than they can handle or the tiny restaurant can actually hold.

Bowing to the necessity that either Kelly or himself – and someday both – need help before they are run literally off their feet, he has placed magical ‘Help Wanted’ signs around Toronto’s magical district. Those signs bear strange fruit in the person of a young demon looking to get out from under his infamous sire’s very large and possibly downright sulfurous thumb.

As long as Damian doesn’t set either the restaurant or its patrons on fire – literally – his help is very much needed as part of this evening’s crew at the restaurant, as Mo Meng has chosen to challenge himself by creating a menu consisting entirely of ‘leftovers’.

Which leads to a lot of small plates attempting to fill some supernaturally large appetites, some upset mundanes who don’t like the lack of a fixed menu, a reservation system, a waiting list and especially the lack of electronic outlets for their ever-present gadgets.

But the real story at the Nameless Restaurant is all about the creation of this quirky community of ultimate insiders, along with the inside joke of a vampire lawyer negotiating a contract between a very young demon and a very old witch, while a pair of government agents look on trying to determine whether it is, or is not, their circus and whether they should or are even capable of doing anything about this particular bit of magical ‘monkey business’.

It’s all in a day’s, or an evening’s, work at the Nameless Restaurant, a truly magical place to spend an evening. If only there were a way to magically pull the meals Mo Meng prepares out of the book and onto one’s own table!

Escape Rating A-: First, this series needs a trigger warning – but not the usual kind. Because reading and/or listening to Mo Meng’s meditations on cooking as well as his descriptions of the ingredients he’s using and the meal he’s preparing are guaranteed to make anyone hungry. This warning particularly applies to listening in the car on the way to the grocery store!

Howsomever, Mo Meng’s thoughts and observations about his long life and experience as a chef, as well as his meditations about available ingredients and exactly how he plans to use them in that night’s recipes are very, well, meditative. In the voice of the narrator of the series, Emily Woo Zeller, I could have listened to Mo Meng for hours – which I did.

Having listened to the first book, The Nameless Restaurant, and this latest, Thaumaturgic Tapas, while having read the second, Chaotic Aperitifs, I would personally recommend that if you enjoy audiobooks at all you get this series in audio if you can. It’s still very good as a book, but the audio adds something special, at least IMHO.

The format of each entry in the series so far is that of a ‘day in the life’ of Mo Meng and his restaurant. He begins the day deciding what he’ll serve that night, shopping for ingredients, and often having a conversation with his front-of-house manager (and jill of all trades), Kelly, about how things are going.

This entry in the series begins with both of them admitting out loud, for each other if not for themselves, that they are being run off their feet and that something has got to give. In this case, what gives is his wish to not add another employee. Mo Meng is immortal and he can use magic to help himself in the kitchen – although he’d rather not. But Kelly is mortal and she can only run but so fast in a tiny restaurant filled with tables.

So change has come, and Damian the young demon sweeps in with it, lowering himself to starting at the bottom – as a mere busboy – even as he battles the pride that seems to be one of his besetting – or perhaps inherited – sins.

Most of the story, however, is taken up with the bustling hours of the evening, when the restaurant is open and filled with customers – as well as with customers’ impatience and egos. But the mundane customers who chafe at the restrictions are mostly there to add a bit of heat and spice to the recipe.

What makes the story are the regular customers, who are not so regular at all. They offer a glimpse into the supernatural community, as well as the continuity of their continuing stories. Also, in this particular case, a bit of ballast, as long-time frenemies, Jotun and Tobias, a frost giant and a dwarf, have an eating contest that leaves them both groaning from over-excess.

That the two ‘creatures’ manage to leave their bill in the hands of the government agents set to watch them adds just the right – and light – note to this charming third entry in this delicious cozy fantasy series.

If you are waiting for the next books in either the Legends & Lattes series or The Kamogawa Food Detectives series, these Hidden Dishes will fill the empty spot while you’re waiting.

Speaking of waiting, it turns out those Sorcerous Plates might be magical after all – or at least in possession of a time travel charm. The next book in the Hidden Dishes series is, once again, Sorcerous Plates.

Are you hungry? You will be when you read this 3rd installment in the Hidden Dishes series.
The author takes us on another journey to the small, magical Nameless Restaurant run by Mo Meng in the heart of Toronto. The dishes are incredible and the guests are out of this world. We are treated to a menu of delights....this time of leftovers! We get a new devilish staff member and some familiar faces sitting at the tables. This is low stakes but there is always something happening on a deeper level that keeps me intrigued.
I love this series and I'm looking forward to the next!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this fun story. My thoughts are my own.

Another enjoyable day in the life of The Nameless Restaurant. If you enjoy cozy, slice of life fantasy and like food, this series is for you.

We follow Mo Meng and his waitress Kelly as they decide they need more help. Enter Damien. After Mo preps the dishes for the day and Kelly shows Damien around, it's time for customers. The regulars continue to be a fun bunch. Magic creatures bickering, what's not to like? The food all sounds delicious. Also a quick, short read.

This book is well written and is an interesting blend of characterisation and culinary knowledge. I would definitely visit the restaurant no matter what the wait.

Thaumaturgic Tapas by Tao Wong, a good light read that inspires introspection. It leave your mouth watering as well. Tao Wong is a great author and I can't wait for more of their books.

Third book is what I think has become a delightful cozy fantasy series.

While I do think this can be a standalone, I was delighted to come back to the now bustling restaurant and see all the characters - Mo Meng and all the regulars- from the previous books again as well as some new additions that are ready to stir up trouble. There is still the comforting cooking scenes with vivid descriptions as well as the wry humor and banter that keeps this book from veering into too sweet. The universe that Wong has created is filled with just enough chaos and trouble to keep it interesting, but like the food that Mo Meng cooks this book is pure comfort food - meant to sooth as well as invigorate after the life kicks you around.

I can't wait for the next one.

Thaumaturgic Tapas is the third book in the Hidden Dishes series, but the first one I picked up. It works really well as a standalone read, but I enjoyed the universe a lot and will likely pick up the other two to see what references I missed while reading!

This book was exactly what I needed on a cold winter weekend, and it reads like hot soup for the soul. We follow a grumpy chef cooking lots of comfort dishes for a tapas-themed night in his restaurant for magical and mundane folks. He is joined by his trusty assistant and a new addition to the team, and we meet a variety of guests while the yummy foods are being prepared and served. The story happens over the span of a couple of days, and is full of endearing little side stories and mouthwatering descriptions of food.

This is a novella so expect a short, sweet read. If you're a fan of yummy comfort food, cozy low-stakes stories, and a charming blend of ancient magic in a modern setting, you'll love this one.

✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

Thaumaturgic Tapas is the third book in the Hidden Dishes series by Tao Wong, a series that I started reading following a recommendation from an online friend. These are little slices of comfort reading, all about the cosy vibes so if you are looking for drama or action they are not the right books for you, but if you want amazing food description and a realistic depiction of working in the service industry, even if in a magical restaurant then this series is perfect for you. Though it may be the third in the series it works perfectly well as a stand alone read, so do not let the fact that you haven't read the earlier ones, you will find plenty of cosy joy and comfort here.
For those already familiar with the series this book sees the restaurant getting busier than ever meaning that chef Mo Meng is faced with finding new staff to help as well as figuring out how to keep all his new patrons happy and not at each others throats, especially given their magical natures. Change is always difficult, even if it is for the better and that is something that I think the author does a great job of exploring, especially given how short the book is. The book is also a love letter to food, the descriptions left me salivating and craving so many of the dishes the author describes. I loved that Mo Meng made a decision to cook using only left overs and scraps for the service described here, food waste and people struggling to do more with less are very prevalent problems these days and this book made me think a little more about some of my own choices.
Thaumaturgic Tapas is a book that just made me feel cosy and happy and warm, this series is a go to comfort read for me and I am delighted to add this latest book to the collection.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

this book is such a delightful return to the world of The Nameless Restaurant—i've read book 1 & 2 two years ago and i enjoyed them because it has a good blending humor, some supernatural elements and the chaos of customer service into a thoroughly entertaining read. this novella follows Mo Meng and his staff as they struggle to maintain order in their once-cozy supernatural eatery, now filled with new customers both human and magical due to the rising background of magical levels.

the story is fun and fast-paced exploration of the challenges of expansion, the clash between old and new, and the struggle to uphold traditions in the face of relentless change. Mo Meng, as always, is a fantastic protagonist—gruff, powerful, and endlessly exasperated by the world around him. his strict rules on magic within the restaurant are being tested like never before, and seeing how he navigates the growing pressures is both hilarious and engaging.

the side characters continues to shine, adding depth and charm to the story. their banter & interactions—whether dealing with unruly magical beings, clueless human customers, or each other—are packed with wit and warmth. the author's signature humor is in full force, making this an easy and enjoyable read for fans of lighthearted urban fantasy. overall this is a fantastic novella that expands the world of The Nameless Restaurant while staying true to its cozy yet chaotic charm. if you enjoy magical slice-of-life stories with a touch of humor and a lot of heart, this is definitely worth picking up!