"After you’ve done the fish taco thing and want a high-end meal, come to Animae for wagyu steaks and reimagined Filipino dishes. Think short-rib kare kare served with bagoong peanut oil and long green beans, or braised beef cheek dinuguan with shishito peppers and a side of coconut rice bread. The restaurant has a playlist that pumps out ‘90s hip-hop and R&B throwbacks, dramatically-draped curtains, and a painting behind the bar of a robot floating in the ocean. Make a reservation here for a fancier date night, or bring your entire friend group and ball out in one of their velvet booths." - Ligaya Malones
Deanna Sandoval