💫 LA | Valentine’s Day Dinner with My Girlfriend at Vespertine

🌟 Michelin ⭐⭐ Vespertine Nestled in the artsy Hayden Tract, the entire structure was designed by architect Eric Owen Moss — all futuristic vibes and sculptural beauty 🏗️✨. No sign outside; we were first led to a quiet little garden to sit outdoors, listening to mysterious music. It felt like an escape from the city — serene and intriguing 🎵🌿. Then, we were guided up to the third floor to see the open kitchen, where Chef Jordan Kahn and his team were at work 👨‍🍳🔥. After that, we slowly made our way downstairs to begin the dining journey. 🍽️ 1 | Wild Scallop The chef said the inspiration was “like eating a battery” 🔋. The first bite was strikingly sour — scallop + passion fruit — but once mixed with the mousse and petals, it became unexpectedly delicious! 🍾 Paired with: Suenen Champagne 🪨 2 | Summer Looked like a stone on grass — we had to flip it open to eat 🪨💚. Inside: snap peas + kiwi + edible flowers. Refreshing, though the floral notes were slightly bitter. 🍷 Paired with: 2021 Reid Spiegel 🧊 3 | Deep Ocean Served in a container carved from a huge block of ice ❄️. Sweet shrimp + chilled broth — incredibly fresh. Drank every last drop of that soup! 🥂 Paired with: 2022 Bougros Grand Cru 🖤 4 | Obsidian Mirror A glossy black obsidian-like surface ✨. Smoked mussel + plum, served in a unique shell-shaped vessel. A beautifully balanced sweet, sour, and smoky combo. 🍾 Paired with: 2014 Riesling Grossi Laüe 🐠 5 | Aged Kinmedai Dry-aged for 30 days, this kinmedai was rich with charcoal-grilled aroma 🔥. Paired with papaya purée — my girlfriend’s favorite dish of the night! 🍶 Paired with: 2023 Skerpioen 🕊️ 6 | Coturnix Quail + Sourdough Porridge Bread My first time having quail in a fine dining setting! One piece of breast, one leg 🍗. The breast was delicious tucked into the sourdough bread; the leg had a subtle sweetness. 🍷 Paired with: 2022 Les Champans 🥩 7 | Spring Lamb Tender and fragrant — a lovely savory course 🌿🐑. 🍇 Paired with: 2016 Viña Real --- Then down to the first floor — 🧀 8 | Red Earth A creative cheese course 🧀🌱 🍷 Paired with: 2019 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 🥞 9 | Caramelized Pancake Made with lamb fat and whiskey, served with tea 🍵✨ ❄️ 10 | Icy Birch A refreshing dessert where you break through a layer of ice 🧊🍃 🍰 11 | Layers A dark raspberry-themed sweet finale 🖤🍒 #Vespertine #LosAngelesEats #MichelinDining #FineDiningLA #ModernCuisine #FoodAsArt