Two of trendsetting chefs obsessed with the magic of meat, Vinny Dotolo and John Shook, opened Animal in 2008. The menu here is for carnivores only: think meat, an array of meat. Pork belly sliders, spectacular foie gras, a signature bone marrow dish served with toasted bread that will blow your mind, and more await the adventurous diner at this incredibly hard to get into L.A. hotspot. The menu is tapas style, with a multiplicity of dishes broken down into (relatively) small plates. It’s incredibly easy to order more than you can possibly eat here, but it’s also virtually impossible to leave hungry. The décor is pretty utilitarian, the service is competent, and the name of the place isn’t even on the outside, but if you want spectacular cooking with no frills, this is your spot.

Animal Restaurant
435 N. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 782-9225
www.animalrestaurant.com

Wishing all of the mothers a very happy and relaxing Mother's Day surrounded by the ones you love.

If you’ve ever craved some serious sandwich at 2 a.m. or that bowl of chicken soup at 8:00 a.m., you’ve probably already discovered Canter’s Deli.  Canter’s has been a Los Angeles institution since 1931, and still belongs to the third generation of the New Jersey brothers who established it. With world-class house pickles and pastrami and corned beef to rival New York legends, this iconic deli serves a classic menu.  You’ll find tongue sandwiches and borscht, sweet and sour stuffed cabbage, liver and white fish. And when was the last time you saw chocolate or cherry phosphates on the beverage list?  How about egg cream?  Canter’s is also unique, as this unique yet authentic deli has a full service bar open from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 in the morning. Food is served 24/7 except for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Canter’s caters and delivers (orders over $20). Canter’s in-your-face bakery display is an awesome tribute to the joy of calories. The Kibitz Room is an adjacent lounge where local bands jam seven nights a week (10:40 a.m. – 1:40 a.m.)

Canter’s Fairfax Delicatessen and Restaurant
419 North Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA  90036
(323) 651-2030
www.cantersdeli.com