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About Animal Restaurant
Animal Restaurant in Los Angeles was a landmark fine-dining venue co-founded by chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. Located at 435 N Fairfax Ave in the vibrant Fairfax/V Melrose corridor, the space was known for its intimate seating and chef-driven tasting experiences. Although the restaurant closed permanently on June 17, 2023, the venue remains a point of reference for LA's late-2000s dining scene and is often discussed in the context of the city’s culinary evolution. This page provides a thorough overview of the venue’s historical setup, seating configuration, parking options, transit accessibility, and nearby lodging and dining resources for visitors exploring the area.
Important context: Animal Restaurant had a seating capacity of 50 total (around 45 seated and up to 60 standing). There is no publicly available seating chart. Street parking with valet options has been noted in multiple listings. The neighborhood offers bus access and a moderate transit score, situating Animal on the Fairfax/V Melrose corridor, a hub for dining, shopping, and culture.
For those exploring the broader Los Angeles dining scene, nearby hotels such as Palihotel Melrose, Dream Hollywood, and Kimpton Everly Hotel provide convenient stays within reach of the neighborhood’s dining and nightlife offerings. While Animal is no longer operating as a live venue, this guide helps you plan a visit to the area for related dining experiences and related events in the district.
If you’re planning a future visit to the Fairfax/V Melrose area, we’ve got you covered with reliable lodging and dining options nearby. Look for updated venues and experiences in the Arts District, West Hollywood, and adjacent neighborhoods for a similar high-quality, chef-driven dining ambiance.
Good to know
Seating, Parking & Venue Information
- Address: 435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (some listings show ZIP 90048).
- Capacity: 50 total seats; seated capacity around 45 and standing capacity up to 60.
- Venue type: fine-dining restaurant by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo.
- Seating chart: no publicly available seating chart for Animal Restaurant.
- Parking: street parking with valet options mentioned in multiple listings.
- Transit: location has a moderate transit score; neighborhood on Fairfax/V Melrose with bus access nearby.
- Nearby hotels: Palihotel Melrose (7950 Melrose Ave, 90046), Dream Hollywood (6417 Selma Ave, 90028), Kimpton Everly Hotel (1800 Argyle Ave, 90028).
- Notable events hosted: helped define LA’s late-2000s dining scene; Shook & Dotolo won Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2009; space closed permanently on June 17, 2023; current status is for lease.