Wowww! Wormwood did their big one! Dinner here was incredible. Street parking was less than incredible, but that's North Park for you. Plan accordingly. The ambience of this place was great, although maybe next time we'll sit in their outside/garden/patio area. The inside was just as nice, felt like we were in Paris as this is a French inspired/themed restaurant. Our waiter Kyle was really nice. He seemed a little busy though which helped in his lack of attention, but overall he was cool. Did a great a job answering our questions. We opted for a lot of different choices. The list is in no particular order but will highlight which was a table fave. - Parker Loaf [$12] need this to be a tad bit bigger to justify the price. Really good loaf of bread to start with though esp the rosemary butter. 4/5 - Fresh Oysters, 6 ct [$21] Really good oysters, super fresh, very "fat" & "meaty" 5/5 - Granita Oysters 6ctx2 [$25] Same oysters as above, BUT filled w/a yuzu/lemon concoction along w/pear pearls, TABLE FAVE for sure 5/5 (started with a 6 count before our mains & HAD to get another 6 after) - Mussels [$27] Very fresh and well seasons mussels, although the sauce was a bit odd tasting. It was white wine mixed with something they called "a cousin of absinthe" 4/5 - Wagyu tartare [$31] YUM! TABLE FAVE, wish it came with more bread though, that bone marrow was chef's kiss along with the sauce they paired the dish with 5/5 For the mains, two did the Top Sirloin [$48 each] which was described as 'melt in your mouth goodness' which came w/a square shaped potato & a piece of biggish mushroom. The two others did the Short Rib [$42 each] which was described as 'the demi-glaze makes' & 'it's fall off the bone.' I had the Poisson which was the fresh catch of the day (salmon) [$38] & it was really good! Came with bokchoy which was drenched in a maple sauce. That contradicted the lemony/citrusy sauce the salmon came in. There were greens on top of the salmon to complete the meal. Solid dish! I'd skip the deconstructed creme brulee [$15] as that was nobody's favorite. It left us leaving a "real" creme brulee... Do get the opera cake [$15] tho, that one was a TABLE FAVE! Do note that dinners here take a while as the chefs create masterpieces. Our dinner for 5 turned into a 3-4 hour affair, which was fine. Good times! read more

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Our son found this hidden gem for Mother's Day, and it was a wonderful spot for an evening of food and celebration. Wormwood is nestled in an old house courtyard that is absolutely brimming with charm and character, the environment is truly fantastic and sets a lovely mood. The service was excellent throughout the night, and for the most part, the kitchen delivered on some amazing flavors. We shared several dishes: * Steamed Mussels & Scallops: Perfectly prepared. * Pasta & Wagyu Beef: Rich, delicious, and beautifully plated. * Burrata Salad: While the flavors were good, this was our only disappointment. The greens didn't seem fresh and had some wilted/rotten leaves, appearing as though it might have been sitting out too long before reaching the table. A quick tip on logistics: Like many popular spots in San Diego, parking was a bit of a challenge, so definitely give yourself some extra time to find a space in the neighborhood. For this restaurant, the stunning atmosphere and the quality of the main courses made for a memorable meal. We'd certainly come back for the vibes and those scallops! read more

Wormwood - Wall mural - French Near Me - San Diego, California

Beautifully executed well-thought out dishes! You don't get much food portion-wise, however, the chef here thinks about what is on the plate. Every bite packs a punch and nuance to what you think about the dish. We got the oysters which were fresh. Second was a spring salad (thoughtfully composed with beautiful truffle oil). For the main, we got the 6oz steak; the Bordelaise sauce was perfection! For dessert, we got the opera cake which had an almond ice cream. I wasn't too hungry coming over, so the portions were right for me but I could see folks leaving here hungry if they don't order more. read more

Wormwood is a charming, cozy upper end French bistro. The food is excellent, the drinks are top notch, and the outdoor seating is perfect for a warm spring or summer night. But please don't shrink from their happy hour, which makes the bougie-on-a-budget obtainable. This weekend, my partner and I enjoyed absinthe, cocktails, ​delicious oysters, and food ranging from the onion tart to the Parker loaf, all on bargain prices. Wormwood is friendly, welcoming, and delicious. From the moment our hostess Penny first seated us, we knew we were in good hands. Rania was on point server and wonderful to get to know, and Jorge made the tastiest drinks with ease. I'll be back, time and again. It's a gem in the neighborhood. read more

Wormwood - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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What a cute gem! Food was phenomenal, they market themselves as kind of a French space, but the food is not traditionally French. Later explained by the tall blonde (who I believe was the manager to checking in) that they were a Baja European fusion. It's definitely tight quarters like a traditional French café so if you're claustrophobic, I'd recommend sitting outside. Our server Adam was so polite and professional we didn't feel pressured or rushed on anything to order even though we can see that their open space was getting pretty slammed. We ended our dinner with a chocolate tart, which was phenomenal! I definitely would like to try the crème brûlée next time. The place is just so cute and reasonably priced for the quality and atmosphere. Our server and the unnamed blonde were absolutely lovely. We will be back! read more

Wormwood - Chocolate tart - French Near Me - San Diego, California

For my 1900th review and last one of 2025, I want to introduce you to one of the finest restaurants in San Diego -- Wormwood. AMBIANCE (5/5) Step through the modern entrance on 30th Street into a Paris Bistro. Take a table in the Secret Garden at the back of the restaurant, and you're in late 19th century Paris. I swear, I expect Toulouse-Lautrec to join us. FOOD (5/5) Our first time here was for my birthday, and four of us opted for the prix fixe Gourmet Hour, a three-course menu that showcases some of Wormwood's favorite dishes ($60pp). We enjoyed all three Starters: Tarte aux Oignons (5/5) -- Caramelized onions on a puff pastry with a petit basque French onion demi-glace Pastèque & Betteraves (4/5) -- Watermelon, baby heirloom beets, salanova, ciliegine mozzarella, goat cheese vinaigrette, bagna càuda, and white truffle oil. Wagyu Tartare (5/5) -- Roasted bone marrow, mustard, pickled serrano, bordelaise sauce, and grilled sourdough bread. (+$9 AO). For our Entrées, we selected: Fromage et Maïs Agnolotti (5/5) -- House-made agnolotti pasta filled with organic corn wild local mushroom, mascarpone, and roasted poblano, served with a pastis-pecorino foam. Poisson (5/5) -- Daily catch was sea bass served with fresh vegetables, pistachio persillade, and an arugula beurre blanc. Outstanding. Poulet à la Moutarde (5/5) -- Sliced chicken breast with greens, turnip, apricot, and mustard seeds, with a very nice demi-glace. Exceptional. Steak du Boucher Porcini & Espelette (5/5) -- Our daughter-in-law is on a strict gluten free diet, and Wormwood modified this dish for her to be gluten-free. Thank you. (+$16 AO) Finally, for Dessert, we tried each of the three offered. Overall, they were very good (4/5) but not the highpoints of our dinner. BEVERAGES (5/5) Here we get to the serious draw to Wormwood (at least for me): Absinthe! Wormwood has an extensive menu of over two dozen Absinthes. We ordered an Absinthe Flight -- L'aventurier (5/5 $50), featuring three Absinthes -- and some individual pours. An Absinthe fountain was brought to the table, our server explained how to use it, and we enjoyed our drinks throughout the meal! SERVICE (5/5) was impeccable. Dishes were presented individually (haute French style), and sauces poured tableside. Servers were attentive. Special requests were accommodated with ease. Merci beaucoup! All in all, a wonderful experience ... and highly recommended to everyone who wants a special Parisienne dining experience in San Diego! read more

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We have now done the jazz brunch two weekends in a row. It is so relaxing and the food is so yummy. The music is perfect and it makes for a nice, low-key brunch. The patio is too cute with all the pretty flowers and plants. It really is like a secret garden. The staff are very friendly. Everything goes a bit slower but it is nice to slow down once in a while and just enjoy your surroundings. You get to choose between a 2 or 3 course mea and the prices are very reasonable. We got the following between the two weekends: Quiche- they are light and fluffy and so tasty. Steak tartare. Nice and rich and full of flavor. 2 different types of omelets. They are fluffy and full of yummy cheese and whatever else is in it. I had one with mushrooms and it was fantastic. Salmon with poached egg- it seemed like the salmon was house cured. It was fantastic. My husband ate the poached egg with the bread they provided. As I said, everything was very yummy and we loved the live jazz. I took a couple pics from the last time we visited. We will be back! read more

Wormwood - Omelet - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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First time at Wormwood for us. We sat outdoors - the ambiance and vibe was great. Service was so/so. It took over 40 minutes for our server to take our dinner order after receiving our drinks and appetizer. Seems like he actually forgot about us. Dinner was surprisingly not very good. We had the short rib and the shrimp. Portions were very small. Short rib was tough and stringy. Pasta with the shrimp was almost crunchy... not even close to al-dente. It was severely underdooked. Desert was great. Drinks were great. We would like to try again - might have been a one-off bad night. read more

My husband, son, gluten free daughter-in-law and husband dined here recently to celebrate my husband's birthday. Genius move! He was so happy. We all were! We all decided to go for the 4 course prix fixe menu which offered some appetizing fare. At $60 per person, it's the best value there imho. Each of the courses has a limited number of choices, but with sufficient variety to please, and they also offer a few upgrade options. Each dish was beautifully presented, i.e., magazine cover worthy, and prepared exceptionally well. Since there were for of us all ordering differently, I had the opportunity to sample each dish on the menu. Marvelous! They took very good care of our gluten free girl, guiding her to appropriate menu choices and happily preparing gluten free versions. The one disappointment was the creme brulée. Theirs is a decomposed version that's super-creative, visually stunning, and much more complicated than the classic. It wasn't at all recognizable as creme brulée, Sometimes the originals are classic for a reason. Still, it's a nice dessert that would be a stunner of only they have it a different name that set realistic expectations. We sat in the area that's now called the speakeasy, and it's nothing short of beautiful. The professionalism of the service made us feel both comfortable and cared for. And trying their various versions of absinthe and absinthe cocktails made for an extra festive evening. Can't wait to return! read more

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Came her with my bestie a couple weeks ago for one of my birthday dinner's I had during the month! We had a course menu for only $60! Great deal! The food was great. I forgot the names of what we had but everything was delicious! The portion sizes were smaller than what we thought they'd be but we did ask ahead of time before we ordered so we knew, but still. Regardless, it was delicious! The server was great! It's a very quaint restaurant and definitely if you do book a reservation here definitely sit outside in the patio! It's super cute!! I forgot the names of what we ordered but definitely dessert was pretty amazing! It was like a guava crème brûlée. They also rotate their menus and everything which is pretty cool. I definitely wanna go back. I also hear their happy hour is really good! The only thing that's not great is finding parking however that's most places in San Diego these days. There's a lot right across the street. You can pay about $10 or so which isn't bad! read more

Wormwood - Me - French Near Me - San Diego, California

Wormwood, I had such high expectations for Sunday brunch, and you almost met them. Tucked in between businesses in a popular neighborhood in San Diego. You will find an adorable Frenchie bistro with an incredible garden patio and private alcove. We came for brunch because other yelpers raved about it. The ambience was lovely, the service was friendly, but very, very slow and uncoordinated. The live music was a bonus, and the food was where it fell a little bit short. We started with cocktails, "the sun also rises "was the star & The French 75 was also delicious. First course we started with the Baja Oysters, which were fresh, tasty with a delish mignonette and quite a bargain for Sunday brunch. You have the choice of à la carte, a two course or three course brunch and the selections were enticing. Our group tried the goat cheese omelette, smoked salmon, the Crudo, the quiche of the day, (which was a sun-dried tomato and very dry served with a too lightly dressed lettuce & fruit side salad), and the also Dry cardboard like Brioche French toast with whipped crème fraiche . So it was a bit hit and miss for us , I may be intrigued enough to return and give it another shot for dinner tho. read more

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We celebrated my husband's birthday at Wormwood and had a lovely evening! We'd made reservations ahead of time, were seated promptly on the patio, and had great service from Kyle and Mercedes. Things kicked off on a high note with a complimentary glass of Prosecco- such a thoughtful touch. We started with the Wagyu Tartare and the French Onion Tart, and wow... both were absolutely fantastic. For mains, the Pistachio-Crusted Barramundi with veggies and beurre blanc was a standout (perfectly balanced flavors), and the Braised Beef with gnocchi was rich and delicious. The New York steak, however, was a miss- small thin slices, a bit tough, rather under seasoned, and the bordelaise sauce didn't help much. Ironically, the little potato cube with raclette fondue on the side stole the show. Desserts were a fun mix: the Dragonfruit "5 ways" was unique, refreshing, and one of the highlights of the night, while the Opera Cake was solid but nothing special. The surprise panna cotta they brought out for my husband's birthday was such a sweet gesture. My husband tried two absinthe-based cocktails, both tasty, though the second took quite a while to arrive (he had to ask twice). Overall, Wormwood made for a memorable night with some truly excellent dishes and creative desserts. Just be prepared--the bill definitely reflects the fine-dining experience. read more

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This place feels like you've been transported to a hole in the wall cafe in Paris. I absolutely loved the Bohemian-inspired decor and the garden area in the back. Service was very friendly and quick - I had three waitresses who were constantly checking on me, even on a quiet Sunday night. Where Wormwood could use some improvement is the food. I ordered two entrees: 1) pistachio-crusted barramundi: the fish was lukewarm and a bit soggy, even with the nutty crust. The green arugula sauce at its base was delicious (I could eat it as a soup), but the few veggies used to garish the dish were raw and I found this distasteful. No one goes to a French restaurant to eat raw veggies. Also, one of the waitresses told me that this fish is "sea bass," which turned out to be inaccurate. I still ate it because I was starving, but it was really nothing to brag about. 2) poblano-pepper sauce pasta with mushrooms : again, the mushrooms were very undercooked and the food was lukewarm. The stuffing in the pasta was bland and lacked the corn that was showcased on the menu. The poblano pepper sauce was original, though very Tex-Mex on the flavor palette. I HATED the soapy thing on the pasta as well. It just didn't fit and I didn't understand it. I ordered the Menage et Trois as well, and it looked and tasted like spiked gatorade with a flower garnish. I would stick to wine here, though they have an expansive cocktail menu (and even a speakeasy tucked behind the garden). It was bizarre to me that a plate of bread/butter costs $12 minimum at a French restaurant -- very untraditional and not very hospitable. Also - I read in some reviews that there's complimentary champagne, which I never got :( wonder what that's about. Overall, this is a cute place to try once, but don't expect French culinary masterpieces. Know that there is a 4% surcharge added to all bills. read more

Wormwood - Barramunda - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food was amazing!! And the drinks were too notch!! This is a nice speakeasy on the back with an open area. The food was good but some dishes were a bit salty. The drinks were extraordinarily delicious and the service was attentive. Overall good spot but it is pricy! read more

Wormwood - Drinks - French Near Me - San Diego, California

Been wanting to try this place out for a while. The place is small but nice. We were a group of four we came for happy hour and sat at the bar, the bar is small but feels intimate. Happy hour menu has very limited food options. Once we were ready for dinner we moved to a table in the back patio. The back patio is very nice, loved the greenery the setting is near perfect, good lighting nice weather overall very nice. We order the tartar served on the bone it was delicious as well as the scallop. We also order the fish dish, it was ok, felt like it lacked flavor. This place is a must try, however we waited a good while to be acknowledged at our table about 15mins. I would say though this place is great for small bites, cocktails and wine. read more

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Food: 5/5 Drinks: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Value: 5/5 I came to Wormwood for a Saturday afternoon brunch with a friend and it completely exceeded expectations. We were seated on the outdoor patio, which was absolutely lovely. The ambiance felt quaint and garden-like, almost like being transported to a patio in the French countryside. Relaxed, charming, and the perfect setting for a long brunch. SERVICE: 5/5 Service was exceptional from start to finish. Beverage refills were prompt, servers were kind and attentive, and the courses were paced perfectly. Everything felt thoughtful without being rushed. Truly fantastic service all around. FOOD: 5/5 I ordered the 3-course brunch for $45, which is honestly an outstanding value for the quality of food you receive. Local Farmers Salad: 5/5 Beautiful, light, and refreshing. Perfect for a warm day. The lemony dressing was bright and delicious. Simple, fresh, and so well executed. Daily Special Quiche: 5/5 My friend had previously raved about their quiche, and I'm so glad I followed her recommendation. This was truly delicious. The crust was buttery and perfect, the filling rich and flavorful, and the portion was surprisingly filling. I loved that it came with lightly dressed greens to balance out the richness. Pain Perdu aux Fruits Rouges: 5/5 Essentially fancy French toast, and it absolutely delivered. Light, fluffy, and decadent without being overly sweet. The perfect ending to a three-course brunch. DRINKS: 5/5 Avant Garden ($12) A non-alcoholic drink, and one I loved so much I didn't miss the alcohol at all. Refreshing, well balanced, and not at all like overpriced fruit juice, which can be the case with many NA drinks. I would absolutely order this again, even if I was drinking. VALUE: 5/5 While $45 for brunch might sound steep at first glance, I truly can't overstate what an incredible value this is. Every course was stellar. If you're someone with FOMO who struggles to choose between savory and sweet, this solves that problem beautifully and gives you the best of both worlds. Wormwood easily takes the top spot for my favorite brunch in San Diego so far. I'm already looking forward to coming back to experience their full dinner menu and French cuisine offerings. read more

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Ambiance was beautiful (loved the outdoor seating aside from all flies), service was good, and the food was yummy! I don't gravitate towards French, Italian, etc type cuisine but glad I gave Wormwood a chance. The cocktails were strong and unique. The menu was small-ish and had a decent variety. Portions were small as expected but I was filled just right- not overly stuffed. We ordered the Wagyu Tartare, French Onion Tart, Mushroom Pasta (stuffed with corn), and the fish of the day. The pasta was probably my favorite because it was creamy and had a hint of citrus which gave it a good balance. Runner up was definitely the French Onion Tart- not overly salty and just loved all the textures and flavors. The only thing that was weird was the happy hour only applied to certain locations of the restaurant, idk what difference that makes but the $1 oysters would've been a steal if we weren't sitting outside. Overall would come back only on a rare special occasion. read more

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This restaurant is very average and very overpriced. I had to get a burrito on my way home.

Food is good but wait is way way too long for everything. 45 minutes between courses at brunch today. Only one employee can move plates to tables. He has to work all the spaces, large patio and sining room. Not good read more

I'm so pleasantly surprised by how delicious this place was & how quick I was able to be sat down!!! We sat outside on a beautiful summer evening with lights and great vibes. First, I love that there are mocktails. We started off with oysters which had a kiwi taste to it and bubbles. I had the sea bass, and my partner had the lamb shank. It was maybe the best fish I've ever tasted. It also came with caviar, which was light but not as good as the fish. Lastly, we ordered crème brûlée which I am still in love with. read more

Wormwood - Oysters - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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Unique spot that specializes in absinthe. Would recommend giving it a try! We went for dinner on a Friday and it was pretty crowded. We got the absinthe flight which was super fun, my first time trying absinthe and it was very interesting. Kind of like gin mixed with licorice. Our server was great and gave us an excellent description of each absinthe in the flight, and showed us how to use the water dropper thing to dilute it. For food, we got the bone marrow, lamb and oysters. The bone marrow was so yummy absolute must try. The rest of the food was decent but a little pricey. The interior of the restaurant was pretty small and cramped/very lively, felt like NYC. But the outside patio was super cute and calm. read more

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I liked this place! We had a reservation for a 7pm dinner on a Saturday. Parking is TOUGH, it took us 20 minutes to find a spot a few blocks away. The restaurant itself is cute and quaint. We were seated inside but I hear the outdoor area is really cute! We opted for the gourmet hour menu which came out to around $90 per person. Not sure how often they change their offerings on that menu but we really liked it! My boyfriend and I committed to getting all different dishes so we can try everything LOL. We got the French onion tart and watermelon salad as apps. The onion tart was really heavy so not sure if you'd want that as an app but I preferred the watermelon salad to keep things lighter. I ordered the daily catch for my entree and my boyfriend got the NY steak. We loved the fish sooo much, so light and well balanced with the sauce. For dessert we split a crème brulee and a passion fruit gelato which was my FAVVV. I know it was seasonal but I loved the gelato sooo much so refreshing. Overall great experience! Service was amazing as well. Docking a star since it was pretty pricey for the amount of food we got, but a lovely date night option!!!! read more

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If you're looking for something romantic or even just a fancy night out, check out Wormwood. We decided to do the tasting menu & every single dish was deelish! Prior to the food, we had complimentary champagne which was a great gesture! My favorite had to be the bone marrow and Caesar salad. I love the actual sized anchovies on the salad. The service complimented the food very well. The servers were attentive and knowledgeable. For a table for 3 and 2 drinks each, it was about $400 ~ read more

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A must try! I will be back for sure. What I love about this place is that you get all the Michelin star worthy experience in terms of ambiance, food and service, but at a reasonable price and with portions that actually fill you up. My friend and I had their 60 dollar tasting menu and we were both full after our three course meals with a side of bread to share. The cocktails were delicious, and the absinthe selection is unmatched in the area. read more

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What a fun, quaint restaurant. We went for the absinthe (who knew there were so many) and we loved the three course tasting menu. Next time we will sit outside in the back. Love this place. read more

Had a really lovely experience at Wormwood. They have a robust cocktail menu and a plethora of very innovative menu items. While I opted for a glass of wine, the cocktails around the table looked really nice. The French onion tart was incredible and the pasta was immaculate! Simply amazing! The steak was so/so and the cut was a bit hard. The "potato" was interested and I probably would've preferred a mashed potato vs the potato deep fried square. The ambiance is soooooo cute and magical and fairy-like and the server was so sweet. Very delightful, but very pricey! Definitely a special occasion restaurant :) read more

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Legitimately inedible. I hate posting this, because we were excited to be here. Cocktails were decent (solid at best), but food has been inedible or forcibly eaten as we just want to leave and don't want to ask them to remake it. The beef was cold and the potato was the worst latke I've ever eaten. The surprise guava on the creme brulee was tough and similarly inedible. Will stop at in n out for a half decent meal on the way home. read more

Wormwood - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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*review solely for The Secret Garden bar experience* We passed by Wormwood and one of our friends had just tried their absinthe, so they suggested we try and see if we could be seated for a quick drink. The host said there was room in the back garden, so we got in immediately! - PARKING - Hard to find parking here, but usually we circle around until we find a spot and walk to our destination. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - The front/main dining room and patio area are filled with customers enjoying their dinners, while the secret garden bar in the back is behind a grass wall. Really cute and intimate area! We were lucky there weren't that many people in the bar, and were able to fit all 11 of us. Otherwise I'd try to make a reservation in advance. The bartender was doing her best to fulfill all the orders while tending to our large party, but it did take a while for us to get drinks and get the bill. - DRINKS - The traditional method of the slow-drip fountains and cubes of sugar over the absinthe was a fun and unique experience! You really have to enjoy the anise/licorice flavor though, otherwise absinthe is probably not for you. They do have varying levels of strength, but even the lightest options were a bit much for me. I ended up ordering a cocktail which was more up my alley. - OVERALL - Would definitely recommend taking your friends to this experience if you haven't tried absinthe before and you're open to it! Will have to also come back to try their food. read more

Wormwood - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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I get why this resturant is so popular. It's trying to be fancy, it has a patio, and it has fresh food. Here is why I think there is room for improvement. The service is friendly akward. Youthful, less experienced but entergetically happy people are the staff. I'd prefer tenured staff who have excellent recommendations and are efficient. Callie like. Not the Friendly+ like. Food here leans to the average side for me. It looks pretty but it's odd. What are the bubbly items on the oysters? What is this tiny piece of bread? What are these flowers on my entree pie? Steak - perfectly cooked tiny portion and lacked seasoning. Drinks also took maybe 15 minutes to come out. If you are young 30s, make decent money and have a serious girlfriend, this is your spot. If you're married, make nice money, hire a babysitter to watch the kids, you can go nicer. This is not the spot for fancy adults. read more

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Wormwood is a modern European/french restaurant. The atmosphere is chic and cozy, with impeccable service (every server was extremely attentive). While I loved the atmosphere and service, the food didn't quite meet my expectations. This is what I ordered: Drinks: absinthe Orders: burrata cremeuse salad scallops on the shell ** oysters bone marrow wagyu tartare new york steak read more

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We got a special tasting menu, the best thing from it was easily the bread and butter, we were wowed. The garden is beautiful and their "secret garden" poetry nights are a favorite of my friends. read more

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Soooooooooo good !!!! Beef Waygu TARTARE!!! Oh and what we ordered. YUMOLA see pic. Quiche. Cuz it's Saturday morning. read more

Wormwood - Quiche & Shakshuka? Ha ha - French Near Me - San Diego, California

We dined here for brunch on Saturday. I debated visiting dinner vs brunch but not being a seafood fan thought there were more options for brunch. I didn't realize it but brunch is served as a prix fixe menu with 2 courses for 35 or 3 courses for 45. Our party of 2 did one 2 course and one 3 course. For appetizers I had the quiche which was one of the best quiches I've had. It was a sizeable portion with delicious flavoring from the leeks and a creamy just set consistency that was delightful. My husband enjoyed his crudo. For mains we shared the shashuka (my husband appreciated the spices- he thought maybe it had cardamon?) and the croque monsieur with an egg (so a croque madame). Both were good but not as stellar as the starters. The highlight of the meal for me though was the Meyer lemon panna cotta which may be the best panna cotta I've ever had (and as one of my favorite desserts, I pretty much order panna cotta any time I see it on a menu). My husband also ordered the midnight in Paris drink as well as the French press coffee and enjoyed both. We chose to sit in the garden area which was cute but a bit chilly so wear a sweater-they have heaters and we inquired about turning it on but it didn't seem to happen. Service was friendly and attentive with a leisurely paced meal. Initially we did have some confusion as 2 different people introduced themselves as our server and tried to take our order. They do charge the deceptful 4% service fee which I hate- just charge me more upfront! read more

Wormwood - Brunch menu - French Near Me - San Diego, California

Wormwood is still 5 stars in my book! Last time I went was 2 years ago and the whole experience was just as delightful if not better. I wish I remembered our waiter's name, but she was amazing and delightful. She understood the assignment when I asked for the filthiest dirty martini (see picture). Everyone needs to try the bone marrow our entire table was obsessed, it's oozing with flavor and literally melts in your mouth. read more

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Overall, we had a pleasurable dining experience at Wormwood and must say, it was one of the most creative restaurants I've ever dined at. The charm and coziness welcomes you through the door, and there is a cute outdoor garden patio space in the back. We dined indoors. I love the open kitchen design. The service was fair. The staff could be more attentive with refilling waters and being clearer with the ingredients, as each plate was so pretty and you can tell Wormwood is genuinely passionate about the food, presentation, and the overall dining experience. We were there with two friends celebrating their birthdays and wanted a special dinner. About the food, each dish was gorgeously and meticulously crafted, visually beautiful and bursting with flavor. The chef's dedication to using fresh, high-quality ingredients was evident in every bite. started with the bread and butter infused with rosemary and honey - delicious. The bone marrow / wagyu tartare looked beautiful. I had the roasted beet salad with mint and a very good dressing. We had the $60 tasting menu and three of us went with the NY steak and one had the pasta, which has a nice poblano chili flavor. The flavors were perfectly balanced. The citrusy Creamsicle dessert was refreshing, light, and balanced well with the creme fresh and meringue pieces. Overall, we enjoyed this place and its cool vibe, but it is more expensive ($100 per person) and be mindful of the add-ons on the menu (steak is +$16, cheese plate is +$10, and 4% surcharge on the bill.) read more

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Okay I came here a few years ago and remember loving it so was excited to come back and try their happy hour. We ordered one of everything and it was perfect - and ordered a second round of onion tartes. We did the absinthe flight which was fun but would skip the the future. Off the regular menu, we got the beet salad which was SUCH a pleasant surprise. Would order everything off the happy hour menu again plus the beet salad. The oysters were some of the best - chefs kiss Sat at the bar and the bartender took amazing care of us. Can't wait to come back! Small, intimate place but they have a secret garden that's also part of happy hour so definitely going to sit there next time read more

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This is a bit off the beaten path but the food is great. Heavy leaning towards French cuisine but with an absinthe twist! Had my sister's going away dinner and we had a fantastic meal. The back garden is magical in the spring and summer evenings. My only gripe is that the service is slow and at times kinda condescending. We waited for 30 mins for water. The restaurant had literally 3 tables. As the evening progressed it got better. Still go here the food and ambiance are fantastic. read more

Wormwood - Wagyu tartare served on bone marrow. - French Near Me - San Diego, California

This place had never disappointed me. Their staff is friendly, atmosphere is really nice and food is amazing my favorite restaurant in SD

Had a lovely Sunday brunch to celebrate a friend's birthday at this delightful place in University Heights / Normal Heights. Everything was wonderful--the food, atmosphere, service, etc. Our server, Savannah, was friendly and attentive. Each member of the staff who came to our table was smiling and friendly. Wormwood just started weekend brunch service with live jazz music. All our food and drinks were delicious. The Garners (@thegarnersmusic) entertained us on the outdoor courtyard patio. They sounded lovely, and their music suited the ambience perfectly. We each ordered the two-course option. One friend ordered the Kir Royal, the other ordered an Americano, and I ordered a cappuccino. Food wise, we ordered: Appetizers: - Tartine à l'avocat - Quiche du jour | Leek and black truffle Entrees: - Shakshouka aux épices - Omelette au fromage - Croque monsieur Dessert: - Panna cotta We were all so impressed with all of it! Regarding parking, we lucked out with a street space a block away as someone was leaving. For more photos and videos, you may view my post on Instagram at @mariattoth. read more

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Luckily, I was invited to my friend's 40th celebration at Le Jardin Secret at Wormwood. It was such a magical experience! The secluded back garden patio is gorgeously decorated with soft lighting, greenery, and an impressive bar. The seating was a bit tight at my table, but the delicious food and drinks distracted us from the tight quarters. We all enjoyed a farm-fresh salad, onion tart, black cod, chicken and pasta dish. The chocolate dessert at the finish was fantastic. In the beginning we only had one server mixing drinks, which for 18 people each ordering different craft cocktails made for a bit of a wait. However, reinforcements came in and got the party going. It was a terrific experience for all guests, and I would recommend this location for special celebrations. read more

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