Fodor's Expert Review Animae

The large, plush booths and elegant decor at Animae suggest an air of sophistication, while the soundtrack of '90s-era hip-hop adds a flash of casual cool to keep it from ever being too stuffy. Not that such a thing is at risk at this dazzling Embarcadero bistro, which pairs indulgent, tender Wagyu beef steak cuts with a variety of dishes inspired by Japan and Southeast Asia. In fact, with dishes like the Hunan lamb chops, hamachi, and duck kimchi fried rice, it's just as tempting to forgo a single cut of meat in favor of sampling so many of their other culinary creations.