Live blogging night one…
(7:27) Chef’s counter, bumping elbows with the illustrious @PorkyBelly who already has the recs.
(7:31) Champs-Elysse cocktail arrives, it’s rum and fruit and damn tasty. 
(7:33) @PorkyBelly paid for bread so I didn’t have to 
the butter has cheese
(7:37) amouse of chickpea mousse and lentil shell—super vegan and super herby
(7:38) the second the amouse is in my mouth the shrimp gets dropped. Not what I expected but JFC it’s like what you actually wished shrimp chips were when you buy a bag
(7:46) clams get dropped, topped with a nice pesto that goes well on top of the not-free bread
(7:55) Mackerel drops and wow these are the tiniest slices. Each bite packs a punch of mustard, but definitely needs 2+ slices per bite
(8:09) asparagus with bearnaise arrives as we shift into the main course. It’s perfectly cooked and makes me feel good to eat something green. Yes, I know the sauce is a bit heavy, but overall everything else has been fairly light, so this strikes that same balance
(8:10) the chicken follows quickly after. This might be one of the best bites of the night—it’s half a chicken, with the dark meat turned into a mousse that wraps around the outside of what appears to be a perfectly cooked breast that is of course sauced tableside with a rich jus
(8:24) then I find nirvana
(8:35) and then Kiwi and then parinirvana +
I’m not afraid to say that Camphor will claim the dessert championship belt.
I didn’t do nearly as much as @PorkyBelly who will no doubt have way better pictures, but don’t feel the need for a bang bang. Each dish is on the small side, but stacked correctly I’m not leaving hungry and waddle home super impressed. While Camphor deserves to be recognized in its own right, the spirit that Nightshade had is still in the room. I’ll be back.
