Dinner at the Bungalow Kitchen

 Thursday, June 10, 2021

Five of us tonight at the Bungalow Kitchen in Long Beach.  www.BungalowKitchen.com.   Reservations were made two months ago for tonight. Indoor patio seating was requested at that time. We were seated inside. When we requested patio seating and told them it was requested with the reservation they said they could not accommodate us in the indoor patio area. It was popular and everyone wanted to sit in that area. They did move us to a "porch" like area a few steps above the indoor patio area. We were seated on the very end next to the waiters station and the door where the carts taken in. I personally felt it was discrimination because we were older than the majority of the patrons. We were not the "beautiful" people and we asked to be moved. That made us a "problem" table. 

View was great. Large windows looking out over the Second Street bridge and the end part of the Marina. If we had been 3 or 4  tables down the other way we would have had a view of the Marina and  the Yacht Club. 

The music was way too loud. The waitstaff had to raise their voices to be heard. We had to raise our voices to have conversation at the table. The restaurant itself has no soft surfaces to absorb noises. Between the din of the voices of the patrons and the loud music it was not a good experience.

All the staff was young and slim, male and female.  Females had clingy beige legging type pants, If you are not slim you will not be hired here. Can't  wait for the lawsuit. 

We started out with a round of cocktails. I had a " Spill the Tea", Bulleit Rye, Compari, Tamarind Chai - infused Italian Sweet Vermouth. Nice drink but small.  Maria had a Gin Martini made with Amass Gin which is produced locally in the Los Angeles area. She said the gin was very good. Not sure what the other cocktails were. I seemed to have lost ii in taking notes and pictures. It was not a relaxing evening.

I started out with what seems to be a very popular dish. Short Rib "Pop Tart".  Short Rib meat baked inside a puff pastry shell with a horseradish cream , crispy shallots and sauce Au Poivre. It was very good. Something I would order again. 4 of us had this dish.

Someone one ordered a Sweet Potato Pancakes with house smoked salmon,  creme fraiche and apple butter. There comments were favorable also. 

For dinner I ordered the Wild Mushroom Agnolotti with Parmesan fonduti and crunchy black truffle streusel. Flavors were excellent. Again a dish I would order again. But  it was was on the small side. Just barely above "appetizer" portion. 

I did have a glass of red wine with my pasta. A Jean-Luc Colombo "Les Abeilles" Grenache Blend. Mediocre wine. 4 ounce pour.  Most restaurants give 5 ounce pours. Not impressed with their wine glasses. But we did notice that a table down from us ordered a bottle of wine and they had nice large format glasses. 

Other mains ordered were a Carbonara Pizza, with crispy guanciale, Yukon  gold potatoes, Pecorino Romano drizzled with a a poached egg. 

Grilled Seam Bream with roasted cauliflower, Matbuche (Arabic for cooked salad)  pine nuts, and crispy chiles. 

Smash burger with white American cheese, tomato-onion relish, Sesame sliced potato bun and crinkle fries.

Everyone was happy with their selection and everyone said their food was good.  But again a bit on the small size for portions especially for the price except for the pizza. 

Dessert for me was a Meyer Lemon Crepe Cake with creme faiche, Hazelnut Praline, Meyer lemon Curd and fresh raspberries. Exceptionally good. 

Another dessert ordered was a Vairhona Milk Chocolate Caramel Cream Pudding drizzled with Maldon Sea Salt and crunchy toasted Hazelnuts. 

My bill for 2 small drinks, appetizer, small main and dessert was a C note.  At least they validated parking. 

Pros:  Location, view, quality of food and service.

Cons: Non existent acoustics, loud music, small portions,  higher prices