Creepy, Crawly Cuisine

Bugs are making their way onto menus everywhere, so we asked one insectivore — ahem, trendsetter — to recommend where to find the nation’s best.

WHITE AND CHURCH
This spot has all the trappings of its old Italian roots — pasta dishes, Fellini films and fine wines. Now take a closer look at the cocktail menu: The "Why Not," made with avocado, lime and Mexican dried spicy worms, is a standout on the 70-drink menu. Other bug beverages include the grasshopper-topped “Summer” and “Rosemary,” which incorporates toasted honeybees. 281 Church St, New York; 212-226-1607; whiteandchurch.com

MOK MARU JONG
The menu at this Korean joint is like an adventurous eater’s bucket list, with poached pig’s feet, spicy chicken gizzard and stuffed pig intestine stir-fry among the selections. But the real star is spicy silkworm cocoon soup, which goes down best with a craft beer. 222 Western Ave, LA; 323-465-6803

OYAMEL
Eat cheap — and low on the food chain — in the upscale setting of this José Andrés hotspot. For $5, you can try traditional Oaxacan chapulines (sautéed grasshoppers) with tequila and guacamole in a handmade tortilla. 401 7th St NW, Washington, DC; 202-6281005; oyamel.com

AUDUBON INSECTARIUM
Whet your appetite at fascinating insect exhibits, then fill your stomach at the Bug Appétit Café. With funny names like Chocolate Chirp Cookies, Six-Legged Salsa and Mango Chutney with Waxworms, even squeamish kids will venture a taste of these buggy treats. 423 Canal St, New Orleans; 800-774-7394; auduboninstitute.org

WICKED SPOON YOGURT
This is froyo with an edge: you too can join the "I Ate A Bug Club" by trying chocolate-covered crickets as a topping on all-natural frozen yogurt. Flavors like pomegranate and red velvet will add zing to your pairing experiment. 321 Ninth St, Brooklyn; 347-987-4810; wickedspoonyogurt.com

The iron-stomached Daniella Martin hosts Girl Meets Bug, an online insect cooking/ travel show (girlmeetsbug.com), and blogs about edible bugs for The Huffington Post. Her favorites, if you were wondering, are waxworms, bees, wasps and fried bamboo worms.