"Cactus Wren is from the duo behind Sixty Three Clinton, a tasting menu spot that’s less Gucci loafers and more Reebok sneakers. Like its sibling, this LES restaurant doesn’t take itself too seriously. The menu is seafood-heavy, and if we had to classify it, we’d go with something like "dorm room elegance." Offerings include shrimp toast, golf ball-sized beignets stuffed with bits of lobster, and a seven layer bean dip buried under more caviar than you expect for $70. Not everything is perfect—a crab omelet is oversalted and a comté pizza is just alright—but if you’re looking for something ambitious and off the wall, you found it. Bring a friend who likes to branch out, and pair your food with a glass of weissburgunder or something from the "macerated" section of the wine list. photo credit: Evan Sung" - Bryan Kim
