Photos and Review by Stephen Bloch

Sometimes you need to sample foods a handful of times before you acquire a taste for them.  People often swear that they don’t like curry, octopus, and oysters because of their strong flavors, textures, and appearance but once they have them prepared correctly, they become something they look for on a menu.

This has been the case with Phish for me. For roughly the last 15 years I’ve really tried to sample their offerings.  Some of what they served up I liked, some I tolerated, and some I didn’t like at all.  Let’s just leave it at that. 

Last night may have changed things for me.  I arrived in Madison, WI with an open mind ready to give it one more chance.  I read other’s reviews, scanned the menu, and made my reservation.  Here’s my review

“Chalk Dust Torture” was the amuse-bouche that got my tastebuds tingling.  Lengthy with just the right amount of jam and texture.

“Ghost” was a funky bass forward dish, like a spicy gumbo.

The “Mike’s Song >> “TMWSIY”> > “Avenu Malkenu” >> “Weekapaug Groove” run was dedicated to Mike’s late father, and it played like a family recipe passed down from generation to generation.

The “Character Zero” set closer was a sizzler.

I had some ideas about what I wanted the chef’s to have on their 2nd set tasting menu but I fully prepared for them to work their magic.  An “Antelope” opener, a dark and expansive “Fuego”, and a drawn out “Sand” really sent the crowd into a frenzy.  They wanted 2nds and 3rds. 

The set closer “Suzy Greenberg” was definitely the icing on the cake.  

This show definitely wet my appetite for Phish more than any of my other prior experiences.  Maybe my palate is becoming more refined or maybe I’ve surrendered to the flow, a little.