Exceptional Venue For Business & Social Events In Downtown San Diego
Private Event Spaces
Brian Malarkey’s eclectic West Coast wagyu steakhouse is the perfect space to host and celebrate your special events. The Great Gatsby-meets-Madmen-meets-The Matrix interior is a fantastical futurist’s journey, transporting diners to the Shikoku firefly forest in Japan, an event venue that’s both ethereal and theatrical.
The Space
Borrowing from Japanese archetypes, ANIMAE is a reinterpretation of the ancient forest of Yakushima island. Popularized from Hayoa Miyazaki’s animated film Princess Mononoke, one takes note of the custom wool mossy forest floor-inspired carpet, the terrazzo river that “hugs” the forest floor and flows into the bar. Juxtaposing natural elements and architectural lines of the art deco period, ANIMAE sets the stage for a theatrical dining environment. Heavy velvet curtains expose a gilded dining nook, fringed columns rise from the floor, custom lighting snakes through the room.
The 20 person bar showstopper is a custom mural back bar that illuminates your guests in a warming glow. Luxurious cozy furnishings, stone tables, and large pendants round out the restaurant’s amenities. This is the perfect space to make memories. Memories that last and memories you’ll love.
The Menu
ANIMAE’s culinary experience is adventurous, sophisticated, eclectic, and inviting. Our menu is a melting pot of different cultures tastefully crafted by our Executive Chef Tara Monsod. Whether you’re in the mood for melt-in-the-mouth wagyu, decadent desserts, or refreshing drinks, let our food take you through an opulent fine-dining experience.
A Sample
FIRST COURSE
✤ Mantou - Scallion Bun, Soy Glaze, Sour Cream Butter
✤ Hamachi Crudo - Endive, Radish, Kimchi Vinaigrette, Nori Goma
✤ Ahi Tuna - Crispy Rice, Charred Chili Ponzu, Spicy Mayo
✤ Corn Scallion Karaage - Shishito Pepper, Charred Onion Aioli
SECOND COURSE
✤ Som Tam Salad - Green Papaya, Rice Noodles, Peanuts, Chili Vinaigrette
✤ Uni Shrimp Toast - Masago, Nori Furikake, Spicy Aioli
THIRD COURSE
✤ Shanghai Crab Noodle - Snap Peas, Garlic Chili Butter, Cilantro
✤ Kare Kare Short Rib - Green Beans, Eggplant, Bagoong Peanut Oil
✤ Maine Lobster Tail - Kurobuta Pork, Mapo Tofu, Sichuan Pepper
SIDES
✤ Wagyu Fried Rice - Maitake, Trumpet Mushrooms, Garlic, Egg
✤ Snap Peas - Radish, Marcona Almonds, Yuzu, Sesame
DESSERT
✤ Pandan Malasadas - Pandan Custard, Lemon Curd, Ginger Sugar
✤ Matcha Mousse Torte - Matcha, Mascarpone, Tart Cherry
✤ Coconut Cashew Napoleon - Puff Pastry, Cashews, Coconut, Yuzu Sorbet
The Event
Dinner with the boss, a night out with girlfriends. Long-awaited celebrations of all sizes. Instagram-worthy weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and the occasional wild Tuesday night. Let ANIMAE’s stunning interior be the backdrop for your next San Diego event. Our dedicated planning staff is on-call to organize every detail. From customizing menus to suggesting wine and sake pairings, staging decor, to curating the perfect playlist (we’re partial to 2000’s R&B), an event at ANIMAE is meant to wow. It’s as simple as that.
Nima
Next door. Completely private.
Minimalist angles intersect with natural stone, while yakisugi-ita walls frame sweeping glass windows and tendrils of greenery dripping from the ceiling, evoking an upside-down Zen garden, transporting your guests to a place filled with wonder, excitement, and possibility. Light pours into the space during the day, causing the custom terrazzo floor to sparkle in the sunlight. In the evening, the space is transformed to fit a myriad of event needs, with moveable furnishings, soft lighting, and privacy shades.
Our Sister Venues
Herb & Wood
Located in the heart of Little Italy, steps away from downtown. There is a variety of spaces with endless possibilities for hosting private dinners, corporate events, weddings, holiday parties, birthdays, reunions, business meetings and more for groups of 15 to 500.
Herb & Sea
From the sprawling private Moonlight Deck to the elegant West Dining Room, this venue offers unique and unparalleled options. Located steps from Moonlight Beach in surf-happy Encinitas, the vibrant space is housed in a 6,500 square foot 1920’s art deco building.