

How to book: Reservations are recommended and can be made online. Like its sister restaurant, Tahona Bar, Wormwood intends to be a place of education about this mysterious, often misunderstood spirit. The cocktail program showcases more than 30 absinthes sourced from Europe, New York, Louisiana, and other distilleries, which you can enjoy in the traditional fashion of early 20th century Paris, served from slow-drip fountains with a cube of sugar, or choose from a cocktail menu showcasing revisited absinthe classics as well as a selection of non-absinthe drinks. Shareable entrees and small plates feature French influences, updated for modern tastes and including luxurious dishes like Siberian Sturgeon Caviar served with a sea urchin custard and eggplant crème fraîche, and Confit de Canard over Parisian gnocchi, banana vinegar beurre blanc, parsnips, and peanuts. San Diego’s first absinthe bar and restaurant is bringing a brand new drinking and dining experience to University Heights. How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available. End your meal with another stunning dish: the 20 Layer Chocolate Cake is a devil's food cake and peanut butter mascarpone tower that's almost too pretty to eat, but we have faith that you’ll find a way. Somewhere between the appetizers and salads falls The Meatball, a one-pound sphere of juicy, garlicky ground Wagyu atop tangy marinara and served Instagram-style in a cast iron pan.

Chief culinary officer Ralph Scamardella’s menu has a surprising number of classic Italian-American dishes like Chicken Parmigiana and Penne alla Vodka, and there’s a quartet of hefty steaks and rack of lamb.

There’s plenty of warm, honey-colored wood and flattering lighting to go with the fifteen-foot ceilings, open kitchen, and long, three-sided bar that’s perfect for watching the game or grabbing drinks with your besties. Tao Group Hospitality, which operates an amazing array of beautiful restaurants and nightlife spots around the world, brings LAVO to the Gaslamp in spectacular fashion, taking over the space formerly occupied by Searsucker.
