We don't go to Los Angeles (LA) as often as we want to due to couple reasons (far distance from OC and the horrible traffic and parking situation). We felt that we did miss out a lot in LA - all the bar scene, fancy and classy restaurants, interesting and unique places and museums... About a month ago, we decided to take a mini weekend get away trip in West Hollywood area to explore the city and escape our normal busy lives in Orange County for a few days.
The highlight of the trip to me was visiting Animal restaurant, located in LA, by the famous Melrose neighborhood. I have heard so many positive comments and impressive compliments about this place on different media. I was beyond excited when we got there. We didn't make any reservation, so we waited for about an hour and half for our table (not bad for a busy Saturday evening at a hip restaurant like this in LA). We ordered five small dishes (Pork Belly BBQ Sandwich, Fois Gras with maple sussage and home made biscuit and gravy, Halibut with Peas, Churrizo with Melted Cheese, Marrow Bone with Chumichurri Sauce) for the two of us. Everything was amazing and I could taste the freshness and well-preparations in each dishes. Of course, we could not leave the restaurant without having some sweet to end our meal, so we ordered their signature bacon chocolate bar with salt and pepper ice cream and Dulce De Leche. The Dulce De Leche was average, nothing really special about it. However, on the other hand, the bacon chocolate bar and the s&p ice cream was delish! No wonder it was featured on Food Network's show, The Best Thing I ever Ate.
Let me tell you the presentation of the dessert - Very elegant and modern looking presentation. And the bar looked like a piece of bacon with different kinds of chocolate in between. The saltiness from the bacon mixed with the bitterness from different kinds of chocolates and the perfect sweetness from the creamy and silky ice cream was a perfect harmony; it was undescribably incredible.
