Mezcalito Chelsea: Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar

You're walking into the kind of place that takes its spirits seriously without the pretension. Mezcalito has carved out real territory on Chelsea's restaurant strip by doing two things well: serving genuinely good Mexican food that goes beyond the obvious, and stocking a tequila and mezcal list that'll make you reconsider what you thought you knew about the category. The vibe is relaxed enough for a weeknight dinner but lively enough when the place fills up, with enough character to feel like you've discovered something rather than just booked another Chelsea spot.