Follow Café Nordo into the Lynchian fever dream that is Somethin’ Burning, a murder mystery in four courses.

Nothing is what it seems: the donuts are mashed potatoes, the yogurt parfait is borscht, and the eggs are liquid nitrogen-scrambled custard, not to mention the invisible Chihuahua, the dancing beaver, or the illucid vagaries of memory.

Inspired by the rich Northwestern universe of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, Somethin’ Burning is set in a family-owned diner in a nowhere town stuck in the wet and dark of the Cascades’ Highway 2. The joint, however, has been willed to the wrong man: our lovable megalomaniac, Nordo Lefesczki. He’s built it up from ashes after a fire (arson? Accident?) and has got nothing to show for his work but a knife sticking out of his back. Who put it there is anybody’s guess, but Special Agent Elliott Penn (Evan Mosher) aims to find out. Joining Mosher are Nordo regulars Opal Peachey, Maximillian Davis, Keira McDonald, and Sachie Mikawa as well as newcomers M.J. Sieber and Noah Benezra. The Café Nordo House Band (led by Annastasia Workman, with Matt Manges on drums and Mosher pulling double duty on trumpet) give Badalamenti a run for his money with a simmering original score and new tunes, sung by Devin Bannon. Erin Brindley and Terry Podgorski continue their renowned collaboration as director/food designer and writer/scenic designer with Stranger Genius Award Winner Jennifer Zeyl as guest installation artist. Theatre off Jackson has been transformed for Somethin’ Burning; come see before it goes up in smoke.

Bourbon-soaked Cherries floating in Cava

Mashed Potato and Chive Doughnut with Coffee Gravy for dipping

Chairman Spiced Rum, Angostura Bitters, muddled with Orange

Snake River Wagyu Beef Borscht, layered with Golden Beet Borscht Puree, and Horseradish Sour Cream

Wodka Vodka, Muddled with Cucumbers, Topped with soda

Chef Nordo's house-made Clamato, and Wodka Vodka

Nitro-scrambled Vanilla Custard, with Parsnip Apple Hashbrowns.

Alfonso Primero Brandy, Honey, Lemon