Me: “If you can only pick a restaurant to have your last meal, which one would it be?”🍴🤔 Wine host: “Animo!!!” We had initially made reservations for another restaurant, but after such a strong recommendation from our wine host, Giulio at @bartholomewestate we booked dinner @animo_restaurant and was lucky to grab a table since they are ALWAYS busy.✨ If you only have one night in Sonoma, this is where you should go. It’s by far the best meal we’ve had in Sonoma and arguably Napa too. @bestofsonoma @bestofnapavalley Tucked away next to a McDonald's on Route 12, is a new restaurant focused on Korean Basque-style, wood-fired meat and fish, from a former New York City ramen chef. Chef Joshua Smookler and wife Heidy previously owned and operated Mu Ramen in Long Island City, in New York City, which opened in 2014 and closed at the start of the pandemic. Though the couple had a thriving brick and mortar restaurant, Smookler quickly lost interest. (Imagine a crush of people wanting quick bowls of ramen at lighting speed🥺). This exhausted the couple and they were looking to create a “gem” for their next venture and Animo was opened in 2022. Let’s talk about the food! ⬇️ Inspired by the Latin term ex animo, which means “of the heart, sincerely,” Animo restaurant serves food that the couple love to eat. If you’re a lover of meat and fish, this is it.👍🥩🐟 The unique combination of flavors and ingredients, expertly cooked and beautifully presented were nothing short of remarkable. Here’s what we ordered and scroll ⬅️ for photos: 1. Lobster in XO sauce 🦞 ($45) 2. Manila clams with chorizo ($25) 3. Skirt steak 🥩 ($61) 4. Tuna puttanesca 🐠 ($28) 5. Kimchi-pastrami fried rice 🍚($16) ✨TIP✨ Many dishes are served family-style and so is the seating (this is a 26-seat restaurant). If you are ordering by the glass, there are only two choices for white and two for red. Cheers!🥂