This is a gorgeously illustrated cookbook with real recipes for the food on various anime shows. A lovely gift for anyone who likes cooking and anime.

The attention to detail! The illustrations! The references! This cookbook is wonderfully made!

This book is the perfect gift for any Anime lover! Especially since it has a good range of recipes and various levels of difficulty.

As a Japanese girlie who is an avid Anime enjoyer- I approve!

I love watching anime and always feel so hungry when I see how delicious the food looks and this provided so many fun and beautiful recipes to test

a very cute little cookbook, and a great intro to Japanese style cooking for beginners! The illustrations were adorable as well.

A delightful culinary journey through beloved anime worlds. Estero captures the essence of iconic drinks and snacks, from Studio Ghibli classics to One Piece adventures. Each recipe is an invitation to savor nostalgia, beautifully accompanied by anime-style food illustrations. It seamlessly blends fandom love, creativity, and mouthwatering flavors, making it a must-have for anime enthusiasts and foodies alike.

Some of the recipes sound easy enough I could even make them. The art makes me wish I wasn't such a picky eater and bad cook. Everything looks so good. Cannot wait to try some of these.

5 stars

Book Review: The Anime Café by Nadine Estero

Rating: 5 Stars

As a parent to a daughter who is absolutely obsessed with anime, I couldn't resist diving into The Anime Café by Nadine Estero. Let me just say, this cookbook is a delightful treasure trove for any anime lover!

In this enchanting book, Nadine Estero takes us on a whimsical journey through the world of anime drinks and treats, allowing fans to experience the beloved beverages their favorite characters enjoy. From iconic scenes in classic series to those special moments in newer releases, the cookbook features an impressive collection of 60 recipes. Whether it's the Rainbow Dango from Clannad, the No Face Chocolate Parfait from Spirited Away, or the Warm Honey Milk from Ponyo, there's something in here for everyone!

What I absolutely love about this cookbook is the charming artwork that accompanies each recipe. It’s not just about cooking; it’s an immersive experience! Each recipe comes with details about the anime it’s from, including the specific episodes, which adds a fun layer of nostalgia. Plus, the quotes after each recipe are such a nice touch—it's like having a little piece of the show right there on the page.

The recipes themselves are straightforward and easy to follow, making it accessible even for those of us who might not be culinary wizards. I can already feel the excitement bubbling as I plan to try my hand at some of these adorable drinks and treats with my daughter. I think we’ll definitely be whipping up some Strawberry Floats inspired by Sailor Moon!

Overall, The Anime Café is a must-have for any anime enthusiast or home cook looking to add a sprinkle of magic to their kitchen. I can’t wait to share these delightful creations with my family and friends. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate your love for anime while making delicious treats, this cookbook is an absolute gem!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

If you enjoy the anime's and movies Nadine Estero includes in this book and want to create the drinks and treats she has chosen, pick up this title! Besides providing pictures in anime style, she sets the scene from the anime and gives eas-t0-follow directions for the home cook. So try out a recipe or two (like Peach buns from Spirited Away or a Mini Pumpkin Herring Pie from Kiki's Delivery Service) and enjoy the show and the food!

Thanks Netgalley and Rock Point for the chance to view this title!

As a fan of fandom cookbooks, this is one of the better ones I've seen. It has plenty of variety in terms of what shows & movies the recipes are inspired by (old and new series in a variety of genres) and some great artwork but the thing that impressed me the most was the layout. I feel like layout makes or breaks a recipe and the author included so many thoughtful details while putting these together. I love how all the steps are clear and seperated, and I love how much information is available at a glance. Did you know this thing includes lists of tools next to the ingredients? You dont see that often and I was so happy about its inclusion.

Unfortunately, I was unable to try any of the recipes in this book before I lost access, but I would be willing to buy this or the authors other work "The Anime Chef Cookbook" just based on the dishes included and the recipe layouts.

Thank you netgalley for the free ebook in exchange for a honest review.

The illustrations and theming are incredibly cute for this book! There are a couple things that deter me from considering this for purchase however. First, the categories are a little strange; the bar category, which I would usually assume contains only recipes for alcoholic drinks, contains more food and even non-alcoholic drink recipes. There are drink recipes scattered throughout the book in fact, and the categories don't feel very intuitive even if they are rather unique compared to most cookbooks. Also, some recipes feel very impractical or kind of pointless: I understand the idea here is faithfully recreating foods from anime, but do things like Honey Milk and Bunny Apples REALLY need to be full-on recipes in a cookbook?

* Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback. *

5 Stars!

After following Nadine Estero, @IssaGrill 's, awesome anime-inspired cooking and baking content for a while, I was SO excited to hear she'd be working on The Anime Café cookbook! She's a dedicated anime fan who puts her heart into each video, syncing her cooking to the original anime recipe frame by frame! I was confident the cookbook would turn out well with Estero on board, but it ended up exceeding my expectations!

As someone who finds cooking intimidating, The Anime Café is a very accessible bridge between putting items together to make a drink or dish vs more sophisticated cooking and baking techniques. Some of the dishes would be a challenge to learn, like Mash Burnedead's Cream Puffs recipe, but nothing felt too far beyond a basic skill level. The Anime Café would be a great resource for party refreshments too with the variety of cool and colorful drinks like the Rainbow Jelly Seltzer inspired by FREE! - Iwatobi Swim Club or savory dishes such as the Creamy Yaki Udon from Suzume. I cannot wait to make the Fizzy Hibiscus Lemonade from one of my favorite manga/anime My Love Story with Yamada-Kun at Lv. 999! It sounds so refreshing!

The Anime Café also does a great job balancing café-style offerings from established series like Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura, Naruto, and Dr. Stone with newer ones like Tomo-Chan is a Girl!, Mashle, Horimiya, and Spy x Family. The drawings of each recipe were absolutely delectable! I loved how they fit the softer shojo-like tone of the cookbook so well. It made me happy to see that style in a cookbook because it isn't often shown outside of a few baking books. My one tiny complaint is because of the illustrations in the book there's no photos of the final dishes or the cooking techniques, which makes it harder to follow if you're a visual learner relying on written directions. But the directions are very thorough, precise, and seem easy to follow. Still, I feel like it was a missed opportunity not to capitalize on Estero's involvement and do side by side shots of an illustration with a photo like in her videos. However, I hope Estero will be able to make many more cookbooks in the future and can experiment with different styles!

Overall, The Anime Café is the best blend for anime fans, anyone who loves to throw small get-togethers or big bashes, or anyone looking for a few delicious drinks and dishes to try! I will definitely be adding this user-friendly and adorable cookbook to my collection.

A great recipe book from all your favourite animes from Mashle to Ponyo and Food Wars. Plenty if unquie recipes to try your hand at and image your in the anime world.

5/5 Stars! This is such a cute idea! Author, Nadine Estero set out to create a cookbook containing recipes based on popular anime. The book is divided up into different anime cafe themes, such as classic, comfort, cute, modern, outdoor, and bar. I love that Estero wanted anime fans to enjoy anime cafe themes and recipes even if they’re not close to an anime cafe. Each recipe has a detailed illustration, an anime reference/justification (even down to the episode), an ingredient list, special tools needed list, and a detailed guide on how to make it. It is helpful that the measurements for each recipe are provided in both American Standard and Metric increments. Some of my favorite recipes included the Sailor Moon Celestial Strawberry Float, My Hero Academia Taiyaki Zunde, KiKi’s Delivery Service Mini Pumpkin Herring Pies, Ponyo Honey Milk, Clannad Tri-Colored Dongo, Pokemon Dugtrio Sandwich, Spirited Away Peach Buns, and Attack on Titan Strawberry Brick Toast. The art in this was just gorgeous and all of the food looked so mouthwatering. It definitely delivered on the tasty anime food vibes! I can’t wait to try these out in the kitchen! Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group, Rock Point, Nadine Estero, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for review!

I have to say that this is a beautiful book to add to your anime and manga collection. The illustrations are beautiful and the anime references are so nice. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me as a cookbook. There were no recipes I really wanted to try, even though my favourite animes were in there, and there was a lack of real-life food photography which I think would have been a must.

After reading, I wanted to learn more about the author so I went to her Instagram and other socials. I wish this cookbook would have been more like her content because her videos were exactly what I was looking for when I first picked this book.

In summary, because I requested this book with the intention of a cookbook, I give it 3 stars, but if you are looking for a beautiful anime-inspired book to add to your shelf, I would recommend it.

5 ⭐️ for the ideas, the time and dedication to creating these recipes, and the amazing illustrations

3 ⭐️ for the cookbook itself because I don't see myself ever picking it up to try a recipe

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point for the ARC!

**The Anime Café** by Nadine Estero is a delightful follow-up to her popular *The Anime Chef Cookbook*, offering an enticing blend of anime-inspired culinary creations and café culture. This cookbook immerses fans in the vibrant world of anime through a unique lens—focusing on the role of food and drinks in their favorite series and movies.

The book showcases 50 recipes that span a diverse array of drinks, snacks, and sweet treats. From traditional Japanese favorites to inventive re-creations of iconic anime fare, Estero has crafted a collection that is both accessible and exciting. Each recipe is thoughtfully designed to bring a taste of the anime world into your own kitchen, allowing fans to recreate memorable food moments from beloved series such as *One Piece* and Studio Ghibli films.

One of the standout features of *The Anime Café* is its stunning anime-style illustrations that accompany every recipe. These illustrations not only capture the visual appeal of the dishes but also enhance the thematic connection between the anime worlds and the culinary creations. The book’s layout is vibrant and engaging, making it a visual treat as well as a practical guide.

Estero’s attention to detail extends to including information about the exact episodes in which the featured foods and drinks appear. This added touch will delight anime enthusiasts who enjoy tracing their favorite dishes back to their on-screen origins. The book also provides helpful tips on stocking an anime-themed kitchen, ensuring that readers have everything they need to bring these recipes to life.

The recipes themselves are designed to be fun and easy to make, catering to both seasoned cooks and beginners alike. Whether you’re craving a simple snack or a more elaborate treat, *The Anime Café* offers something for every palate. The step-by-step instructions are clear and straightforward, making the process of recreating these anime-inspired delights enjoyable and accessible.

Overall, **The Anime Café** is a charming and well-crafted addition to any anime fan’s collection. It beautifully combines the allure of anime food with practical, easy-to-follow recipes, and is a perfect choice for those looking to infuse their love of anime with their passion for cooking. Nadine Estero has once again proven her ability to bridge the gap between anime and the culinary arts, delivering a cookbook that is as delightful to read as it is to cook from.

Title: The Anime Café: 50 Iconic Treats, Snacks, and Drinks from Your Favorite Anime
Author: Nadine Estero
Genres: Cooking, Food & Wine | Comics & Graphic Novels
Pub Date: 3 Sep 2024
Pages: 160
ISBN: 9781631069918
Format Read: EPUB
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ (4 stars)

It's been a while since I've watched any anime, and my genres don't really overlap with the author's (who seems to favour the popular shonen & shojo shows), but I'm an experienced cook with a particular love for Japanese food, so I was really pleased to have the opportunity to read this book.

I'll pause briefly to say that if you're looking for a brilliant & comprehensive Japanese cookbook, I highly recommend 'Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art' by Shizuo Tsuji - a book that did for traditional Japanese food what Julia Child's famous 'Mastering The Art of French Cooking' did for French cuisine, ie making traditional methods & techniques accessible to an international audience that (at the time of its original publishing) was widely unfamiliar with Japanese food.

This book, of course, isn't trying to do anything like that. As it says on the cover, this book pulls specific / memorable foods from various anime series & offers up suggested recipes to recreate them at home.

Anyone familiar with either anime or with Japanese culture in general will be aware that, just like every country, Japan is big on international food, and French pâtisserie in particular is really popular & widely available. It's worth mentioning, just for anyone who may not be aware, that this is therefore a book which includes all the types of treats you'd tend to find in Japanese cafés, rather than just strictly Japanese dishes.

The book is broken up into the following, quite arbitrary, sections:
- Classic Café
- Comfort Café
- Cute Café
- Modern Café
- Outdoor Café
- Bar Café

I'm not really sold on that choice, as it's not particularly functional. All of the recipes fall into categories that could be described as follows:
- Non-alcoholic drinks (coffee, tea, juice, etc)
- Alcoholic drinks (cocktails, etc)
- Frozen desserts (ice cream, parfait, soda float, etc)
- Pâtisserie (cake, buns, etc)
- Other desserts (dango, pudding, jelly, etc)
- Pancakes & crêpes
- Savoury food (onigiri, salad, toast, soup, etc)

The book is illustrated in pink, cutesy colours which are really inviting. There are illustrated drawings of all of the recipes, but no photographs. I'm not entirely confident, reading through the instructions, that the visual effect in the home kitchen would be particularly close to the pretty illustrations for some of these recipes, but hey, the 'original' foods are from animated illustrations, so the graphic choice makes sense.

The recipes include serving size, prep time, cook time, and/or chill time, marinade time, etc where appropriate. As with just about every cookbook, these are really optimistic :) and I'd encourage allocating yourself at least twice as much time for prep & cooking, since of course speed of prepping, speed of appliances, and kitchen layout all make a difference. Again like most cookbooks, there's no time included for things like oil coming up to temperature, etc.

There isn't any information about the recipe / food item at all - it's all an intro about the anime episode, character(s), plot points, etc surrounding the dish. That's a bit of a weird choice - some of these anime intros got really wordy, and hey, again, that's the point of this book, but at least a line or two about the item being made would be expected.

What also isn't included, but very much should be with this type of book, is at least an approximate difficulty scale for each recipe. There are some recipes that a supervised child could easily make, and others that are pretty advanced for even confident cooks & bakers. With such a broad range, and broad range in potential readership ages, it'd just be nice to mark recipes as 'easy' or 'quick', 'intermediate', & 'take on a bit of a challenge' - or something along those lines.

There are 18 total recipes for drinks, 18 total recipes for sweet things, and 13 total recipes for savoury things.

You'll note that's just 1 short of the 50 in the title, and that's because I really, truly cannot bring myself to call 'sliced apples' a recipe. No, really. That's actually it. Apples. Sliced up. With a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning, and a notch cut into the peel to make them look, if you can really stretch your imagination, sort of vaguely like bunnies. (Pro tip from my home canning experience: citric acid or, better yet, tartaric acid are even better at preventing the oxidation that causes apples to turn brown once sliced.)

There are other inclusions in a similar vein: 'Heart Cappuccino' is (French press) coffee with latte art. 'Honey Milk' is, you guessed it, warmed milk with honey. 'Lemon Ginger Cure' is hot water with lemon, ginger, and honey. 'Homemade Lemonade' is water, sugar, lemons.

These filler recipes are on the complete opposite end of a complexity spectrum that also includes 'Mont Blanc Cupcake', 'Tofu Mochi Donuts', 'Bunny Cream Pan', and 'Taiyaki Zunda'.

I'm not entirely convinced that the type of person who would need a full, detailed, written-out recipe for warming up milk & adding honey to it would be the same sort of person who'd tackle making pâte à choux, crème diplomate, or yeasted doughnuts.

It'd be a bit more reasonable if the super-simple recipes were, say, introducing some sort of specific technique or tip (how to prevent milk from scalding in a pan, or making simple syrup, etc), which then acted as a confidence-builder or keystone method for tackling the more difficult offerings. Again, with such a broad age range likely, including basic difficulty/complexity ratings would have been sensible.

More broadly, a lot of the recipes are relatively 'basic' for their categories - the choux puffs are choux puffs, the lemonade is lemonade, the dango is dango. There are some nods to more gimmicky / unique options like a purple sauce for the omurice, but since the author is recreating recipes from various anime titles, she's (presumably) staying true to what was shown.

All in all, the book certainly delivers what the title promises. I think it'd make a great gift for someone who's into anime or manga, and also likes to cook - and also for any cooks who are into very cute illustrations.

Thank you to Rock Point (Quarto Publishing Group) & NetGalley for providing access to this time-restricted eARC for consideration of review. All opinions are my own honest & unbiased feedback based on the copy provided.

#TheAnimeCafé #NetGalley

As a long-time anime fan, I love looking into cook books inspired by these shows / movies. "The Anime Café" has an adorable design and artwork.
The table of contents lists not simply the various dishes, but also the anime it's associated with, which I think is helpful. Another thing I appreciate is, that on the pages of the included dishes this book not only states the corresponding anime again, but also which episode it appears in as well as a short info text regarding said episode.
The thing I probably appreciate the most about this book is the fact that the measurements it uses are not limited to one version. In most cook books written in English I've seen so far, they only use cups. Here on the other hand, the corresponding measurement in gramms is also given.
The only aspect I'm not quite sure about is the separation into ... "categories" so to say. Instead of vegetable/meat dishes, desserts, etc. it is divided into things like "Classic Café", "Comfort Café", etc.

Oh my god. This was the cutest cookbook I have ever seen! Everything looks so damn cute and also very delicious. I really think a lot of these recipes are actually quite well to make yourself. I will definitely be trying some of them out myself!

Thank you to Rock Point and Netgalley for a free copy of this cookbook in exchange for an honest review.

I love cooking! And I love cookbooks, and have a pretty heft collection of them on my bookshelves. (Some more loved than others) It also means that I know what I look for an want in a cookbook, and unfortunately I would probably be left rather disappointed, if I bought this book for cooking. One of my biggest pet peeves, when it comes to cookbooks, is the ingredients and directions being split up, so you have to flip between the pages (it's very unpractical while cooking) to get see the full recipe. I know - mise en place should be followed, but truth just is that it's easier to follow a recipe where all the information is gathered for an easy for the eyes experience. I would've vastly preferred if this had been part of the layout plan for this cookbook.

Now - don't get me wrong. This cookbook has a lot of positive stuff going for it - there are a lot of recipes ranging in difficulty (most being easier things to make, which is a given in a café theme), the artwork is cute and the aesthetic is spot-on for the whole book.

There are also a lot of creative and inspirational recipes in this cookbook, with a good reference to where they come from, which can be fun for a watch part, or just if you've envied the Studio Ghibli food once or twice. I had personally hoped for more space to actual recipes than recipes on how to make milk with honey, how to make bunny apples, making different kind of floats and similar.

If you're new in the kitchen or just want a collection of (admittedly) very cute recipes, this is absolutely up your alley though. I could also see this as a nice alternative to a coffee table book if you're looking for something cute to accessorize with.

This cookbook is so well illustrated and the recipes seem very easy to follow! I think this would be a great gift for anyone who likes anime and cooking, or just anyone who likes anything cute! I think the illustrations are the best part, I could just sit there admiring the pictures to be honest.