"Wormwood is basically a woodland nymph fantasy where you can have a nicer meal without the stuffiness of a fine dining restaurant. Snag a reservation for the secret garden-esque outdoor patio in the back—it’s got tall shrubs, succulents bursting out of hanging planters, and an old piano in one corner. This is where you should eat French bistro dishes with Latin American twists, like oysters topped with a mezcal-infused mignonette and wagyu tartare flavored with guajillo chili. They have an extensive absinthe menu, and those curious about the anise-flavored spirit should get the tart, pineapple-spiked Ab-Solo Normal. Even though it’s one of the pricier places in the neighborhood, you’ll still see locals sporting half-zip sweatshirts and Birkenstocks." - Ligaya Malones
