Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo
James Beard award-winning chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo helm the Joint Ventures Restaurant Group, which currently includes Son of a Gun, Jon & Vinny’s (Fairfax + Brentwood + Slauson + Beverly Hills), Helen’s Wines (Fairfax + Brentwood + Slauson + Beverly Hills), and Cookbook Market (Highland Park + Echo Park). The duo has been credited with innovating and changing the dining scene in Los Angeles through their roster of critically acclaimed restaurants.
Their partnership began over two decades ago when they met in culinary school at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. They traveled west and landed in Los Angeles in 2002 where they launched their initial catering company, Carmelized Productions which continues to operate to this day.
In the spring of 2008, they opened animal, a pioneering restaurant in Los Angeles’ culinary fabric for 15 years before closing its doors in June 2023. Following its success, Shook and Dotolo opened Son of Gun, their seafood joint in 2011, putting them on the map as culinary all stars in the city.
Each restaurant they created reflected a distinct chapter in their lives. In 2015, each with kids, they set out to create a neighborhood staple where they could enjoy meals with their families. They opened Jon & Vinny’s, an all-day Italian American diner with a casual and welcoming vibe. In tandem with Jon & Vinny’s, they partnered with Helen Johannesen and opened helen’s, a wine shop that focuses on naturally-driven and organically farmed labels with small production. Shook, Dotolo and Johannesen have expanded to four locations – Fairfax, Brentwood, South Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. The trio is slated to open a fifth location in Studio City next year with plans of spreading their roots nationwide.
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, the duo extended its presence to Larchmont Village, introducing a new cafe component to the market.
