ANIMAE: Asian Flavor Meets Fine-Dining Steakhouse
The Inspiration Behind ANIMAE
Brian Malarkey’s ANIMAE features Japan’s finest A5 wagyu beef, complementing an Asian-inspired menu crafted by Executive Chef Tara Monsod that pulls from all corners of the Far East.
The design pulls inspiration from the stunning, modern architecture of BOSA’s Pacific Gate Tower that sits atop the restaurant. The dining room is a futurist’s interpretation of Art Deco design, suspending time and space, setting the stage for dining, as theater.
The cocktail program is as vivacious as it is refreshing. Offering a playful spin on the crushable beverages that are meant to transport imbibers to a paradise far, far away. Sake at ANIMAE is a highly curated experience focusing on small producers and traditional brewing techniques.
Chef Tara’s cuisine is centered around the coal-fired oven and Japanese robata grill, and utilizes globally sourced ingredients to complement the sophisticated, stylish experience that compels guests to dawn their finest fashion, pull up their Instagram, and strike a pose in the elegance of the room.
The People Behind ANIMAE
Executive Chef Tara Monsod
Tara Monsod brings over a decade of kitchen experience, a lifetime of passion, and a culinary perspective shaped by her upbringing as a Filipino-American to her role as Executive Chef of Puffer Malarkey Collective’s Le Coq and ANIMAE in San Diego. Monsod’s culinary journey includes positions at acclaimed San Diego restaurants, including Juniper & Ivy, Herringbone, Burlap, and Mozza.
In summer 2021, Monsod assumed the role of executive chef at ANIMAE, immediately garnering a loyal following and accolades for her reinterpretation of the restaurant’s culinary origins through dishes revelatory of her Southeast Asian heritage. During her tenure, she became a three-time James Beard Award Semifinalist, a testament to her bold culinary voice and leadership. Monsod was later named San Diego’s first-ever James Beard Foundation Best Chef California Finalist in April 2024 — recognition that reflects her commitment to her craft and the supportive, positive environment she’s established to nurture the growth of her team.
Brian Malarkey
Brian Malarkey is one of the country’s most successful and sought-after chef or restaurateurs. Throughout his career, he has created over 15 wildly successful restaurant concepts. Together with longtime business partner, Christopher Puffer, the duo founded Puffer Malarkey Collective, and, to date, have opened 10 different concepts in 5 years, including the nationally acclaimed Herb & Wood and his most recent, opulent wagyu steakhouse experience, ANIMAE.
