Welcome to Nightshade
Nightshade, located in the heart of Los Angeles, is a culinary gem that blends modern flair with rich Asian flavors. Renowned for its vibrant dishes, highlights include the Hokkaido scallops, shrimp toast, and the unforgettable coconut mousse. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted, reflecting a deep appreciation for ingredients and nostalgia. The atmosphere is inviting, making it a perfect spot for a memorable dining experience. Patrons rave about the impeccable service and attention to detail, including thoughtful touches that enhance the overall experience. Nightshade stands out not just for its food but also for its commitment to creating a welcoming environment.
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923 E 3rd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States923 E 3rd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States Hotline: +1 213-626-8888
Welcome to Nightshade, a culinary jewel nestled in the heart of Los Angeles at 923 E 3rd St #109. Here, the essence of modern dining intertwines with vibrant Asian flavors, creating a delightful menu that pays homage to nostalgic roots while pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Nightshade isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience. As you step into this beautifully adorned space, you can sense the passion and dedication behind every dish. The menu is a carefully curated selection that reflects a deep understanding of flavor and texture. From the renowned Szechuan Bot Quail served on Japanese milk bread, to the mouthwatering Lasagna with Pork Ragu and silky tofu cream, each plate is a masterclass in gastronomy.
The Nantucket Bay Scallops with coconut vinaigrette, crispy ginger, and coriander have garnered rave reviews, celebrated for their explosive citrus notes that dance gracefully on the palate. The star, however, is the Shrimp Toast Cantonese Curry, a dish that evokes a sense of comfort akin to home cooking, yet elevated in taste and presentation. Customers like Gin Chen and Hari Narayan have expressed how it transcends expectations, leaving them enchanted with its nostalgic flavors.
For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the heavenly Apple Brown Butter Mousse and Rose-Lychee Sorbet, both of which provide a perfect balance of sweetness and refinement. The desserts reflect the artistry of the pastry chef, whose creations have been lauded as some of the best in the business.
The cocktails at Nightshade are equally impressive. Each drink is crafted with precision, showcasing unique combinations that complement the adventurous menu. Whether you choose the Amaro and Citrus blend or the delightful Mezcal and Black Garlic Oil concoction, they are designed to elevate your dining experience.
But what truly sets Nightshade apart is its commitment to hospitality. Patrons rave about the impeccable service that goes hand in hand with the exceptional food. As one guest pointed out, the small touches—like providing tampons in the restroom—underscore the thoughtfulness and attention to detail that permeate the establishment. It’s evident that Chef Mei and her team are not just chefs; they are storytellers who bring their narrative to life through innovative dishes.
If you’re looking to indulge in a one-of-a-kind culinary escapade, Nightshade is the place to be. Make a reservation and allow yourself to be captivated by a menu that’s not just about food, but about sharing a piece of culture and creativity served on a plate. From the vibrant flavors to the stunning interior, every visit promises an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary Asian-inspired cuisine.
One of my favorite places to go eat in LA when I want to treat myself. It’s a beautiful space and a stellar menu. These modern dishes are well thought out with Asian flavors that bring out the nostalgia from my Asian upbringing. Ppl go for the scallops and the shrimp toast which were all good but I really vibed with the kanpachi and the coconut mousse dessert. Also like to call out the tampons in the restroom for customer use. Clearly, small touches like this let’s you know this is a woman run establishment. Book the reservation and go have yourself a good time.
An amazing experience. Super creative and hearty dishes with big, bold flavors. Highlights include the scallop starter, shrimp toast, and the short rib. That last one was an absolute showstopper and not to be passed up. I've frankly never had a piece of beef with such a succulent bite and richness in flavor. Service was fantastic as well. Would recommend to anyone wanting to try something completely new and fresh
Kusshi oysters were amazing. Clean flavor complimented by passionfruit, and bursts of garlic when downing the leche de tigre. One of my fav courses of the night. Beef tartare and chicharron are well worth it. With a dash of sesame oil and Korean gochukaru red pepper, the flavors mesh together well and the plate disappeared quite quickly. Def try the squid ink tagliatelle with cuttlefish. It was very good and the freshly made pasta was delightful. The Bolognese and Korean gochujang or red bean paste compliment one another to produce a flavorful sauce with the cuttlefish. One item not on the menu was a shrimp and ravioli dish, with a broth made from boiled lobster head and other items. It was delicious. If they are serving it and you like seafood, you absolutely must try it. The ravioli pasta was freshly made and tasted exquisite. The last item we tried was the pork schnitzel. The pork cutlet (similar to katsu) left a bit to be desired. I felt like it lacked some spice and was a bit bland. Perhaps it was intentional to let the gwaimei (meaning strange flavor or ugly beauty, something oxymoronic) dressing blossom and take the stage with its vinaigrette-like sweet but sour flavor accompanied by oh-so-delicious green jade tomatoes. I feel like the tomatoes and gwaimei dressing could have been a vegetable dish on it's own. Nonetheless, if you're with a big group though, it's a good dish to order as it is filling for the price. Last but not least, we finished off with the coconut mousse and was not disappointed. The coconut lime granita provided the perfect citrus kick for the smooth, sweet mousse interior, with a delicious pineapple center. Nata de coco (aka coconut gel from your typical boba shop) adorns the dish rounding off the delectable dessert. For drinks we had no. 7 which was fantastic and would cater to anyone with a palette for an old fashioned. No. 923 is sweet but not obnoxious, with an exquisite milk-flavor that's achieved by straining the milk out of the liquid allowing it retain a rich flavor. A must try if you prefer something on the sweeter side. Overall, an amazing dining experience! Service was impeccable. Kudos to Chef Mei and a fantastic menu. The decor is beautiful too. I will be back to try the rib-eye, scallops, Dungeness crab, quail egg, and guava dessert!
We tried it all and it was all so good. Our faves were the carrots, the onion, oysters, sun chokes, lasagne, shrimp toast, coconut mouse, and mango cream. But honestly it was all delicious!
Often when you go to a new age restaurant, the new is often a mix of things, in the name of new age 'whatever' cuisine and more often than not it just does not work together. When it does, you get the Hokkaido Scallops, which goes off in your mouth with explosive citrus flavors nicely balanced that it doesn't overpower but complement the scallops nicely. If you think that's the best you can get at a "new age" restaurant, you would be wrong, and for me that moment was when I had the first bite of the Shrimp toast. Only one word to describe it...."Home"! In one meal two dishes had me weak kneed and struggling for words when Ben who was waiting on me asked how it was. Nightshade's team still does not let up, the pastry chef blows away what's left of you with the coconut mousse, which is a treat to the eye but an even better treat for what makes us feel good! Easily one of the best pastry chef I have ever encountered! The oysters were interesting but the other 3 were such knockouts and that's what I'll be going back for again! The cocktail was stunningly refreshing as well. What a treat today was !
Awesome service and the food are delicious. We had beef tartare, squid ink tagliatelle, shrimp toast and pork schnitzels. All are excellent and well executed.
Definitely one of my favorite new restaurants, it’s definitely a plus because I live about 500 ft away! Haha. This is the second time I’m here and hands down... THE SZECHUAN QUAIL! So damn good. Even if you don’t order anything else just order this dish. SZECHUAN QUAIL DO IT. DO IT. Oysters were great, the sauce was amazing and I really enjoyed the scallops! Very different! Parking tip: yellow loading zone is free after 6pm and free all day Sunday. If you don’t want to do valet. Weekends get really busy in this neighborhood so do think about giving yourself some cushion time to get to your reservation. Margins are huge here but it’s definitely a place to come try out :)
Very impressed with Nightshade! We ordered almost everything on the menu - highlights included the lasagna and beef tartare. The tom yum onion is a must try! Chef gave what would be ordinary dishes a neat twist in flavour and presentation. Guava ice cream at the end sealed the deal!