LA | Somni | Absolutely Unreal — I Ate at the Same Table as the Chef

Overall, the flavors are intense and salty — several dishes were quite salty. Not for those who prefer mild tastes, and best paired with wine. Fun story: I saw someone dining alone and wondered how that was possible (since solo reservations aren’t usually allowed). Turns out it was the chef himself, joining guests to experience the menu! Regret not chatting more! 🧀 Parmesan crisp — tasty and crispy. 🍃 Leaf with center sauce — too salty. 🌰 Nut-shaped sugar shell — delicious, gave a refreshing burst. 🍂 Final "leaf" — my friend called it an “oat-flavored Bugle” — fragrant and crunchy. 🌹 Red rose — complex flavors, but the radish underneath was too radish-forward, with a hint of wasabi. The flower on top was lovely — truly molecular, gone before you fully taste it! 🍄 Mushroom bite — texture was amazing, layered and delicate. Even as a non-mushroom lover, I enjoyed it. 🐟 Smoked butter with caviar — brilliant idea, enhanced the caviar. The base was so light it felt like eating air. 🍅 Star of the show so far: the tomato course! So good — tangy, sweet, fresh, with incredible texture surprises. One bean-like piece had sorbet inside — genius! 🥩 Somni’s signature flower — excellent beef tartare. No weird taste, super satisfying in one bite. 🦀 Crab — surprise! The little yellow flower tasted like crab roe, very marine and clever… but salty 😬 🍞 Purple bread — I tasted something like paint? My friend said the sourdough was too tangy. Together, they were okay. 🐠 Main fish — the sauce stood out, made from blended fish skins — smooth and tender. 🍚 Black truffle rice — sauce was extremely salty! The uni pairing was nice, and the floral aroma was lovely… but that sauce 😅 Even the steamed egg layer underneath couldn’t balance it — mixing made it saltier. 🥖 Soft curry-flavored bread with two spreads — the black one was intriguing: peanut butter at first, then spicy! 🐄 Veal slice with cheese — almost killed me 🧀 Not goat cheese but a French cow cheese equally pungent. 🍍 Dessert — incredibly good! Pineapple and coconut mousse sorbet — light, not too sweet, not too sour, just fragrant and refreshing. Could’ve eaten three! #FYP #LifeAbroad #LAFoodGuide #ArtMeetsFood #PrettyPlates #CreativeCuisine #FineDining