A Long Goodbye to Animal, the Restaurant That Changed Everything in LA | Eater LA

"I remember Helen Johannesen coming in 2009 and reshaping Animal’s beverage program by introducing inexpensive, mineral‑forward, acidic wines that mirrored the kitchen’s edgy cuisine; she favored bottles with acidity and minerality (a white Burgundy or a bright Sancerre rosé, for example) to pair with barbecued pork belly sandwiches and oxtail poutine, and her service model brought much‑needed front‑of‑house leadership. Johannesen went on to found Helen’s Wines in 2015 in partnership with Dotolo and Shook (she remains a partner and beverage director for their restaurants), and the mini‑wine shop she created sits inside every Jon & Vinny’s, reflecting her ethos of fun, affordable, and thoughtfully paired selections under $60." - Bill Esparza