Animal

I'd like to tell you that I made an elaborate meal this Easter. Something studded with cloves. Something braised for hours. Something from scratch. But I didn't. I ordered a pizza. It wasn't very good and it was an hour late. Not the brightest night in my kitchen. Neither of us minded much though. We were still basking the the glow of our date-night feast from the night prior. Happily, the ultra-hip, meat-centric Fairfax eatery, Animal, lived up to its buzz. 

Despite its name, this little spot doesn't zero in on meat exclusively. Grilled Baby Broccoli, Burreta & Olives, Baby Beet & Avocado Salad all make appearances on the daily menu along with a few lighter fish dishes, but meat is certainly king. I mean, what more would you expect from a kitchen run by two hipster dudes (two hipster dudes that were just anointed Food & Wine's Best New Chefs, no less)?

We had amazingly buttery Pork Belly Kimchi with the aforementioned Baby Beet & Avocado Salad to kick the night off. The Kimchi echoed flavors found in Rumaki, a bacon wrapped water chestnut hors d' oeuvre of yore, but with more heart (& more meat). Steaks & Chops filled out the main course. Neither weren't terribly adventurous, more like a fantastic success you whipped up at home, but that's nothing to sneeze at. At the behest of our waiter, we loosened our belts a notch & ordered a slice of tres leches. Stunning, no really, stunning is the only word that comes to mind. Who knew such a modest little cube of cake could pack so much flavor? We missed out on their infamous Bacon Chocolate Bar -- our bellies could take no more. At least now we have an excuse to go back.

Images, EaterLA, & My Last Bite.