Hellbender

A relaxed Mexican-American restaurant on Forest Avenue, built for groups, with a big round table and a taxidermied jaguar keeping watch. It's the sort of place where dinner turns into a second round of margaritas without anyone deciding it should.

Start with the fried Oaxacan cheese, then crispy lamb tacos and roasted oyster mushroom tacos. There is always a jello of the day for dessert. On weekends, come for heirloom masa pancakes and a bloody maria.