I was debating back and forth if I should share my experience at Nightshade Noodle Bar (which I just went for my birthday after wanting to go for a long time), and I decided to do so because there aren’t many reviews of elevated spots like this. For me, the cuisine leaned heavier and sweeter than I usually enjoy—so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. Technique was solid, but not every dish landed for my palate.

At $160 (plus 20% service fee, drinks not included), I found the overall experience expensive. Service was very friendly, but the pacing was uneven—long gaps early on, then some courses rushed together. Also, while it is a blind tasting menu, I felt rushed in making my upfront choices and wish the staff had checked in along the way to adjust based on what I liked (since the menu is so large, and you only get to try 14 dishes). That could’ve made the experience more tailored and memorable.

All that said, the staff were accommodating, and some dishes really shined. I’m glad I went, but for me, there is still room for improvement.

It was really dark in there so couldn’t some ‘pics’ had to be videos for decent resolution. Here is the rest of my review for each dish (in the same order as above):
- Chilean uni brûlée ✨
Well executed, but just not for me
- Tamarind bbq moulard duck
Sweetness too strong. Not bad technique—probably just a personal miss.
- Charred chinese broccoli
Silky, smooth garlic sauce—absolutely addictive. ❤️
- Crispy chicken 🍗
Well executed, very sweet, balanced flavors—but nothing special
- Green papaya salad
Good textures, but overly salted and unbalanced.
Also a bit tricky to eat.
- claypot caramel foie gras
Rich, sweet, and fun— too much foie grass in one bite
- Homemade egg noodles
Bold, flavorful, almost overwhelming— must like Thai basil + Sichuan peppers 🌶️
- Tiger’s Blood 🍓
Super refreshing—didn’t expect to love this palate cleanser so much!
- Salted chocolate mousse
Excellent—salty and rich. Too much coffee for me.

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