"I still see her too, John." These words keep echoing in my head. Ping-ponging between my ears. An incessant rattle I cannot ignore. Not jarring or violent -- like a snake rattle -- more amusing and innocent, like a toy rattle. Still, it chokes out the sound of the natural world. Late at night as waves laden with grief wash over me and beckon me to sleep, I hear it. In the yard, dawn cresting on the horizon, I hear it. In the midday sun, I turn it over in my head. Maybe if I shake it just right it's insides and you will fall out? I wish I hadn't fallen under her gaze. I wish I hadn't heard those words. The latter days of my life have been an infinite escape attempt. My fingers cling to an ever-slipping embrace. Once intertwined fingers endlessly unlocking. Her mocking smile remains even as her face fades from memory. The bathroom (or "W/C") at Nightshade is a white paradise. Subway tile lines the walls, a marble sink matches the marble floor. Atop a dark wood-stained cabinet sits a Kush candle whose scent is called "Boy Smells". Sure. There are flowers and an empty tray next to it. The porcelain throne is a Kohler model with generic brushed silver tank lever. The seat covers are Royalty Premier. The toilet tissue is thin. The sink is the showstopper, lush marble with white Mansfield drop-in rectangular basin. To the right of the faucets is your generic hand soap in a unlabeled "vintage" brown bottle. To the left is a basket of hand towels and mouthwash dispenser (again unlabeled) with small plastic cups. The frameless mirror glows, haloed by bright white light. It is a very cool mirror. The door opens inward so of course there is a knob you have to pull in order to exit. At least the nearby hand towels can be used to make the process of operating a high-touch bathroom surface less emotionally devastating. It's only upon exiting that you realize there is a coat hanger on the back of the door. Just in case he urge to kick back and hang for a while strikes you. As I open the bathroom door the steady din of the restaurant resumes, but the rattling grows even louder. I am slow to take my seat. Once settled, I stare across the table at the Madame Sosostris of this tale. Lips forever downturned, hands folded in front of her, she asks if I am OK. She asks if I am awake. She asks if Gloria knows I am away. When I respond in the affirmative, she pulls from her purse a tarot card, the Six Of Cups, and a small ceramic pig filled with beads. Slowly, she begins to shake it. The rattling stops.
Saehui H.
My boyfriend is a big fan of Chef Mei Lin and we've been dying to come here ever since we heard she launched Nightshade! We came before the pandemic, and had a great dining experience. We got the Hokkaido scallops and it was the best scallops I've ever had! And presented sooo beautifully too. Every bite was just like a dreamy experience, as I bit into the fresh pieces of scallops soacked in coconut vinaigrette. Be sure to get it. All the other dishes we got, the shrimp toast and the lasagna were also delicious. We were seating on the bar, and we had so much fun watching the food get made! Ask beforehand if these seats are available because watching the gears turn in a busy, successful kitchen is always such a fun sight to see Nightshade does not disappoint and lives up to the hype. The dishes are incredible, and my mouth is watering as I write this review. It's worth the visit on a special occasion!
Luke Suder
The best restaurant in LA. Hope it reopens soon.
Lenny Conger
Recently just opened, had the opportunity to check it out while visiting my best friend over the weekend. All I can say is delicious and the ambiance is very nice. A restaurant with a lounge like environment. Sushi was amazing and the drinks were on point. We got very lucky to get seating, but in future must make reservations.
KT D.
After realizing that I was holding my breath while looking for an update on Nightshade, I thought that the smallest contribution I could make would be to publicly sing their praises: We were lucky to snag a reservation for two in the months shortly after the restaurant opened. Despite us somehow arriving a full half an hour early, the hostess could not have been more welcoming and personable when we showed up -- our faux pas was not even close to her fault, but she apologized immediately for not having a table ready, and took our number to text us if something became available while we grabbed a drink next door. Barely five minutes passed before we were contacted, and they held the table so we weren't rushed with our drinks. Just impossibly accommodating! I don't even feel qualified to speak on the food, it was all so obviously innovative and beyond our capabilities. Delicious flavors that I still think about over a year and a half later! Chef Mei is a genius with impeccable technique -- that is why we all rushed to her debut, right?! Our waiter offered to introduce us to her, but we didn't want to intrude. The kitchen being fairly open was enough exposure for us without bothering her! Would eat at Nightshade again, and truly hope that we do.
Allison Brown
Best lasagna I have ever had and I usually do not order that at a restaurant. The service is except and a cool setting. The food is very good. It is tucked away downtown across from the Grand Market.
Rufus Collier
Just make sure you call for a reservation. You can taste the freshness and authenticity of the kitchen. Will definitely come back for more ~
Charlene S.
Best new restaurant in LA. There, I said it. This is coming from someone who's grown up eating delicious (and cheap!!!) Asian food. I knew Nightshade was a pricey Asian fusion restaurant but it exceeded my already high expectations. This review is long overdue but I came for my birthday back in January pre-COVID. I've been a fan of Chef Mei Lin ever since her Topchef days and hoped that the food would not disappoint. Every dish was absolutely incredible and I couldn't stop raving about this restaurants for weeks after my visit. We started with the Hokkaido Scallops which I adored. Plump, fresh scallops in a deliciously creamy and tangy coconut vinaigrette. I grew up eating Congee and really didn't want to order such an expensive variation here but boy am I glad I did. It truly was an elevated congee that had a variety of tastes and textures. Of course we had to try the Mapo Tofu Lasagna, which is Mei's play on a fusion dish. I really enjoyed the creativity of this dish. Each layer of the lasagna was enveloped in a flavorful mapo tofu. Our last dish was the Prawn Toast, which I knew I would love just from reading the description. It was incredible. I'm a huge fan of anything curry and shrimp, and this dish was right up my alley. Nothing but stellar things to say about all of the dishes, which were delicious, creative, and aesthetic. As for the dessert, we got the Guava with Cream Cheese which was so unique! Basically the dish comes and you use a spoon to crack the top and mix with all of the other ingredients. Really enjoyed all of the eclectic flavors which worked well together. Really hope Nightshade survives COVID because I'll be back as soon as they reopen!
Kathleen Peterson
We just had a 14 people party here over the weekend and the food was awesome! No need to drive all the way to Ktown for fried chicken and Korean drinking food. Our server Mark was so helpful and nice.
Jennifer Gonzales
Great customer service! Great food and drinks! Love the bartenders!! Love the ambience! Nice place to have a couple of drinks with friends!
Entered near nine, it wasn't busy. The service here is great. The bill was decent for the quality.
Flora H.
This review is long overdue. I took my sister here for her birthday (March 1st) pre-pandemic, and am glad that this is one of the last meals that I had out this year, because it was phenomenal. No caveats to this all around 5 star review. Each dish was presented beautifully, but it was not all for show - the mix of blend of flavors in each dish was inventive, satisfying, and delicious. The menu changes constantly based on what ingredients are available and in season, but I'm confident that anything that you get here will be good. The shrimp toast does seem to be a staple, and while we were hesitant at first to order it, it did not disappoint. If you aren't a fan of shrimp it's probably not going to change your mind, but if you ARE a fan of shrimp it will be an inventive new way to eat it. Can't wait until they are open again!
Jennifer Bailey
Best Nightshade in town! I've been coming here since I was about 5 years old and it's always been great. The man is definitely not greedy with his ingredients.
Karen K.
Came here for bday dinner months ago and it was delicious. Very creative pairings and different from the regular food scene. Service was very nice. Hope they survive COVID.
Stefania A.
Agh, this was an interesting dinner. Service was great. Everyone was super kind. We ordered beef tartare, congee, lasagna, and shrimp toast. The entire meal was delicate and the flavor profiles were pleasant except for the shrimp toast. Beef tartare was good. And I enjoyed the lasagna. Shrimp toast was way too oily though. For the price, I'm not sure I'd pay to come back.
"I still see her too, John." These words keep echoing in my head. Ping-ponging between my ears. An incessant rattle I cannot ignore. Not jarring or violent -- like a snake rattle -- more amusing and innocent, like a toy rattle. Still, it chokes out the sound of the natural world. Late at night as waves laden with grief wash over me and beckon me to sleep, I hear it. In the yard, dawn cresting on the horizon, I hear it. In the midday sun, I turn it over in my head. Maybe if I shake it just right it's insides and you will fall out? I wish I hadn't fallen under her gaze. I wish I hadn't heard those words. The latter days of my life have been an infinite escape attempt. My fingers cling to an ever-slipping embrace. Once intertwined fingers endlessly unlocking. Her mocking smile remains even as her face fades from memory. The bathroom (or "W/C") at Nightshade is a white paradise. Subway tile lines the walls, a marble sink matches the marble floor. Atop a dark wood-stained cabinet sits a Kush candle whose scent is called "Boy Smells". Sure. There are flowers and an empty tray next to it. The porcelain throne is a Kohler model with generic brushed silver tank lever. The seat covers are Royalty Premier. The toilet tissue is thin. The sink is the showstopper, lush marble with white Mansfield drop-in rectangular basin. To the right of the faucets is your generic hand soap in a unlabeled "vintage" brown bottle. To the left is a basket of hand towels and mouthwash dispenser (again unlabeled) with small plastic cups. The frameless mirror glows, haloed by bright white light. It is a very cool mirror. The door opens inward so of course there is a knob you have to pull in order to exit. At least the nearby hand towels can be used to make the process of operating a high-touch bathroom surface less emotionally devastating. It's only upon exiting that you realize there is a coat hanger on the back of the door. Just in case he urge to kick back and hang for a while strikes you. As I open the bathroom door the steady din of the restaurant resumes, but the rattling grows even louder. I am slow to take my seat. Once settled, I stare across the table at the Madame Sosostris of this tale. Lips forever downturned, hands folded in front of her, she asks if I am OK. She asks if I am awake. She asks if Gloria knows I am away. When I respond in the affirmative, she pulls from her purse a tarot card, the Six Of Cups, and a small ceramic pig filled with beads. Slowly, she begins to shake it. The rattling stops.
My boyfriend is a big fan of Chef Mei Lin and we've been dying to come here ever since we heard she launched Nightshade! We came before the pandemic, and had a great dining experience. We got the Hokkaido scallops and it was the best scallops I've ever had! And presented sooo beautifully too. Every bite was just like a dreamy experience, as I bit into the fresh pieces of scallops soacked in coconut vinaigrette. Be sure to get it. All the other dishes we got, the shrimp toast and the lasagna were also delicious. We were seating on the bar, and we had so much fun watching the food get made! Ask beforehand if these seats are available because watching the gears turn in a busy, successful kitchen is always such a fun sight to see Nightshade does not disappoint and lives up to the hype. The dishes are incredible, and my mouth is watering as I write this review. It's worth the visit on a special occasion!
The best restaurant in LA. Hope it reopens soon.
Recently just opened, had the opportunity to check it out while visiting my best friend over the weekend. All I can say is delicious and the ambiance is very nice. A restaurant with a lounge like environment. Sushi was amazing and the drinks were on point. We got very lucky to get seating, but in future must make reservations.
After realizing that I was holding my breath while looking for an update on Nightshade, I thought that the smallest contribution I could make would be to publicly sing their praises: We were lucky to snag a reservation for two in the months shortly after the restaurant opened. Despite us somehow arriving a full half an hour early, the hostess could not have been more welcoming and personable when we showed up -- our faux pas was not even close to her fault, but she apologized immediately for not having a table ready, and took our number to text us if something became available while we grabbed a drink next door. Barely five minutes passed before we were contacted, and they held the table so we weren't rushed with our drinks. Just impossibly accommodating! I don't even feel qualified to speak on the food, it was all so obviously innovative and beyond our capabilities. Delicious flavors that I still think about over a year and a half later! Chef Mei is a genius with impeccable technique -- that is why we all rushed to her debut, right?! Our waiter offered to introduce us to her, but we didn't want to intrude. The kitchen being fairly open was enough exposure for us without bothering her! Would eat at Nightshade again, and truly hope that we do.
Best lasagna I have ever had and I usually do not order that at a restaurant. The service is except and a cool setting. The food is very good. It is tucked away downtown across from the Grand Market.
Just make sure you call for a reservation. You can taste the freshness and authenticity of the kitchen. Will definitely come back for more ~
Best new restaurant in LA. There, I said it. This is coming from someone who's grown up eating delicious (and cheap!!!) Asian food. I knew Nightshade was a pricey Asian fusion restaurant but it exceeded my already high expectations. This review is long overdue but I came for my birthday back in January pre-COVID. I've been a fan of Chef Mei Lin ever since her Topchef days and hoped that the food would not disappoint. Every dish was absolutely incredible and I couldn't stop raving about this restaurants for weeks after my visit. We started with the Hokkaido Scallops which I adored. Plump, fresh scallops in a deliciously creamy and tangy coconut vinaigrette. I grew up eating Congee and really didn't want to order such an expensive variation here but boy am I glad I did. It truly was an elevated congee that had a variety of tastes and textures. Of course we had to try the Mapo Tofu Lasagna, which is Mei's play on a fusion dish. I really enjoyed the creativity of this dish. Each layer of the lasagna was enveloped in a flavorful mapo tofu. Our last dish was the Prawn Toast, which I knew I would love just from reading the description. It was incredible. I'm a huge fan of anything curry and shrimp, and this dish was right up my alley. Nothing but stellar things to say about all of the dishes, which were delicious, creative, and aesthetic. As for the dessert, we got the Guava with Cream Cheese which was so unique! Basically the dish comes and you use a spoon to crack the top and mix with all of the other ingredients. Really enjoyed all of the eclectic flavors which worked well together. Really hope Nightshade survives COVID because I'll be back as soon as they reopen!
We just had a 14 people party here over the weekend and the food was awesome! No need to drive all the way to Ktown for fried chicken and Korean drinking food. Our server Mark was so helpful and nice.
Great customer service! Great food and drinks! Love the bartenders!! Love the ambience! Nice place to have a couple of drinks with friends!
Restaurantji Recommends
Entered near nine, it wasn't busy. The service here is great. The bill was decent for the quality.
This review is long overdue. I took my sister here for her birthday (March 1st) pre-pandemic, and am glad that this is one of the last meals that I had out this year, because it was phenomenal. No caveats to this all around 5 star review. Each dish was presented beautifully, but it was not all for show - the mix of blend of flavors in each dish was inventive, satisfying, and delicious. The menu changes constantly based on what ingredients are available and in season, but I'm confident that anything that you get here will be good. The shrimp toast does seem to be a staple, and while we were hesitant at first to order it, it did not disappoint. If you aren't a fan of shrimp it's probably not going to change your mind, but if you ARE a fan of shrimp it will be an inventive new way to eat it. Can't wait until they are open again!
Best Nightshade in town! I've been coming here since I was about 5 years old and it's always been great. The man is definitely not greedy with his ingredients.
Came here for bday dinner months ago and it was delicious. Very creative pairings and different from the regular food scene. Service was very nice. Hope they survive COVID.
Agh, this was an interesting dinner. Service was great. Everyone was super kind. We ordered beef tartare, congee, lasagna, and shrimp toast. The entire meal was delicate and the flavor profiles were pleasant except for the shrimp toast. Beef tartare was good. And I enjoyed the lasagna. Shrimp toast was way too oily though. For the price, I'm not sure I'd pay to come back.