Delicious Decadence - Beast Mode at Animal

TheCookie · January 4, 2020, 6:19am

Hello! Welcome home!

Chowseeker1999 · January 4, 2020, 7:59pm

Thanks for the great report back. Wow that Veal Tongue looks delicious! That Burger though… first @PorkyBelly and now you. I think we might have to finally order it next time, but I don’t know how much I could finish of that.

Nemroz · January 4, 2020, 8:51pm

Not too big. It was an easy split

TheCookie · January 5, 2020, 3:40am

I know. It frightens me.

CiaoBob · January 16, 2020, 10:55pm

animal last night was great.
12 years in business at the same location and the quality remain super high.
It is kind of baffling given how many chefs/staff have worked there yet it doesn’t have any serious ups and downs in quality.

Quail Fry with Grits and Bacon was superb.
Beef Tendon Chips with Pho dip also terrific.
Octopus with yogurt and tamarind killed it.

Agree with @PorkyBelly the Charred Cabbage is too greasy

honkman · January 17, 2020, 12:54am

I am more surprised how long they retain their staff. Since we live now on the other coast our visits to Animal are very rare but end of December we visit LA and had to include a visit at Animal (and some other restaurants) and we met and talked to several FOH staff we still know well from out very regular Animal visits 10 years ago - and yes - Animal is still excellent

robert · January 17, 2020, 1:16am

My guess, Animal has an easier time hiring good kitchen staff than most other places because there they get to cook the kind of food they love. And it’s a good place to have on your resume.

TheCookie · January 17, 2020, 1:22am

Last time we were there (and other times) we saw the server we had on our first visit 10 years ago.

CiaoBob · January 17, 2020, 2:11am

Yes @honkman @TheCookie that’s true: I have been going’ there since they opened (when Jon and Vinny were the chefs every night) and indeed there are a few familiar serving-FOH faces.

I suppose my comments were more directed at cooks/chefs were the turnover is constant.
I know this because I almost always sit at the bar and the tattoos on the chefs’ arms are always different

CiaoBob · January 17, 2020, 2:18am

Could be!

TheCookie · January 17, 2020, 2:22am

That’s funny!

skramzlife · January 17, 2020, 3:10am

Stopped by last night with the girl just to grab a dessert…got the guava cheesecake pudding and it was one of the best desserts i’ve had in LA easily. Insanely yummy.

TheCookie · January 17, 2020, 3:34am

I miss the Panna Cotta from the original menu. I know Animal’s image doesn’t scream great Panna Cotta, but it was the best I’ve had in L.A… Okay anywhere, because I haven’t had it outside of L.A.

TheCookie · January 17, 2020, 3:38am

Yep, I remember it being said that Animal was the place other chefs liked to eat when they were off work.

TheCookie · January 29, 2020, 11:46pm

Who says Animal only does fat on fat on fat?

JeetKuneBao · January 29, 2020, 11:59pm

I really need to get a meal here before I move to the East Coast for a few years

TheCookie · January 30, 2020, 12:02am

Wait! What?

js76wisco · January 30, 2020, 12:03am

The hamachi tostada is an OG dish at animal. One of the must orders for us whenever we go and definitely a good dish to cut through all the fat. It’s been too long since our last trip to Animal.

ebethsdad · January 30, 2020, 1:10am

Argh are you really moving? I think I speak for many of us in that we value your contributions.

TheCookie · January 30, 2020, 1:16am

Thanks to @Sgee and a few others at least we now have a pretty good NYC board to keep up with his eatings!