653278 Fri Sep 18 11:14:49 -0700 2009 4 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5039998 Went last night with a foodie pal and the place was packed. And LOUD (which of course we expected but still, I'm talkin' LOUD). The food and service however, were OUT.STANDING. This was my third (but not my last) visit so, it's not like I hadn't had some of this before but still . . . We shared six of the appetizers as our meal: pig ear, chili, lime, fried egg smoked trout, avocado, poblano corn vinaigrette, bacon, crema pork belly, kimchi, peanuts, chili soy, scallion grilled squid with chorizo, roasted potatoes and corn sweetbreads, creamed spinach, capers, hen of the woods foie gras, biscuit, maple sausage gravy Everything was memorable but pig ear (shredded, tasty and crisp) with a lime juice and chili dressing, topped with a fried egg (sounds simple yet exotic, doesn't it?) was unforgettable. Rich, tangy, spicy, eggy and PORKY. A resolutely perfect combination of flavors and textures. Yum, oh seriously . . . yum. This place continues to impress. I just hope they can maintain the edge. Fri Sep 18 11:14:49 -0700 2009 110328 Steve2 in LA 1 5040421 I was there on Monday and had the pig ears for the second time and, as I said in my post, it's one of the 10 best dishes I've had all year (and it's been a year of great eating so far)! That dish is so damn good! What did you think of the sweetbreads? Fri Sep 18 13:27:00 -0700 2009 5039998 12268 mollyomormon 2 5040904 People are actually eating pig ears! This was my favorite dish as a kid (although my dad used to stew them with pimentos and tomato sauce). I was always the odd one out for liking them, but it's good to see that they are being implemented in such an interesting fashion. I must go and try this out since I especially like the flavor combo of chile/lime. http://talk.2itch.com Fri Sep 18 17:07:14 -0700 2009 5040421 262237 kushnerom 2 5044400 The sweetbreads were very good. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, aided and abetted by the tartness of the capers in combinations with the spinach and mushrooms. Thumbs up on that one. Not only do "the boys" have a way with flavors, they also have a way with texture. The chorizo, potato and corn with the squid was just terrific. Creamy, crunchy, chewy and silken-smooth. There's a special place in my heart (and probably on my ass as well) for the Pork Belly with Kimchi. I've become such a fan, I plan to roast a pork butt and serve it with a kimchi, chili-soy and peanut topping. Should rock. Can't wait to see what they come up with next. Lipitor anyone? Sun Sep 20 15:43:12 -0700 2009 5040421 110328 Steve2 in LA 1 5045127 Thanks Steve2 in LA. :) First Molly and now you have brought up this new, delicious-sounding new dish at Animal. Just when I started eating healthy again... (^_~) Sun Sep 20 22:15:50 -0700 2009 5039998 113442 exilekiss