Feast Your Eyes on Vespertine's Gorgeously Indecipherable Food

Jordan Kahn's new LA tasting menu delivers shadows, whispers, and tons of black plates

by Hillary Dixler Canavan@hillarydixler Aug 1, 2017, 4:34pm EDT

Hillary Dixler Canavan is Eater's restaurant editor and the author of the publication's debut book, Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes From the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters (Abrams, September 2023). Her work focuses on dining trends and the people changing the industry — and scouting the next hot restaurant you need to try on Eater's annual Best New Restaurant list.

Have you found yourself wondering what, exactly, is going on at Vespertine? LA chef Jordan Kahn’s tasting-menu spaceship opened to the public in July. Its concept is simple. Kidding! The restaurant, according to its doozy of a press release, is “a spirit that exists between worlds. A place of shadows and whispers.”

A close stalk of the restaurant’s Instagram place page reveals precious little in terms of actual food photos. But luckily, the restaurant just sent Eater these shots by photographer Jeff Elstone to shed some light (but not too much!) on what guests might be eating if they buy a ticket. To note: These photos were not delivered in any particular order, they don’t show the entire menu, and, because the menu is always changing, diners cannot be guaranteed these dishes at their meal.

In the press release, Kahn promised food “from a time that is yet to be.” Is this actually food from the future? Is it food at all??!! Take a look and decide for yourself.

Almond

Wut.

Aperitif

Ugh, I hate how badly I want to go to Vespertine, though.

Biodynamic fruit

Looks juicy?

Crystalline ice plant

My theory: Maybe this is actually a finger lime.

Endive

Actual black hole is a supplement, but ~totally~ worth it.

Hirame

Sure!

Kelp

Okay!

Onion black currant

This is food now.

Spinach

It’s red.

White asparagus

Actually, I find this really beautiful.

Wild osha tea

Sensible.

Well there you have it folks, a peek behind the mysterious curtain. Have you tried any of these dishes? Tell us what you thought in the comments.

• Vespertine [Official site]