Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo
James Beard Award–winning chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo helm Joint Ventures Restaurant Group, which currently includes Jon & Vinny’s (Fairfax, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Slauson, Studio City, Miami), Helen’s Wines (Fairfax, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Slauson, Studio City, Miami), and Cookbook Market (Echo Park, Highland Park, Larchmont). The duo has been widely credited with innovating and reshaping the Los Angeles dining landscape through a roster of beloved, critically acclaimed restaurants.
Their partnership began over two decades ago at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where they met in culinary school. They moved west to Los Angeles in 2002 and launched their first venture, Carmelized Productions, a catering company that still operates today.
In 2008, they opened animal—a pioneering restaurant that became a cornerstone of LA’s culinary identity for 15 years before closing in June 2023. Building on its success, they debuted Son of a Gun in 2011, a seafood-focused concept that further cemented their reputation as culinary leaders in the city. Son of a Gun closed in October 2024.
Each concept reflects a different chapter in their lives. In 2015, as new parents, they set out to create a neighborhood staple where they could enjoy meals with their families. This vision became Jon & Vinny’s, an all-day Italian American diner with a casual, welcoming vibe. In tandem, they partnered with Helen Johannesen to open Helen’s Wines, a shop focused on naturally driven, organically farmed, small-production wines.
Together, Shook, Dotolo, and Johannesen have expanded Jon & Vinny’s and Helen’s to five LA neighborhoods—Fairfax, Brentwood, Slauson, Beverly Hills, and Studio City—along with a Residency at the Rubell Museum in Miami, and international outposts in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Continuing to broaden their group, Shook and Dotolo acquired Cookbook Market in 2020, a micro-grocery known for its quality seasonal farmer’s market produce and unique specialty items.With locations in Echo Park and Highland Park, they expanded to Larchmont Village, introducing a café component to the concept.
Driven by a deep commitment to quality and innovation, Shook and Dotolo continue to evolve their offerings and leave a lasting mark on the way Los Angeles eats.
