A scrumptious visit to Thee Bungalow

We were recently invited to attend an out-of-this-world dinner at Thee Bungalow in Ocean Beach. What a treat! If you haven't been to this 40 year-old establishment, you must! Nick and I enjoyed every second of our nearly three hour dinner (and we are pretty tough critics). Greeted by lovely Luna, the manager and catering coordinator, we were seated by the window with a cute bottle of sparkling water - love the logo. We were fortunate to have the incredibly talented Chef Paul create a tasting menu entirely for us - so cool! He came out to meet us and explain his choices. I had a delicious glass of Malbec (they have a 500-bottle wine list!) and the enjoyment began with tasty marinated olives with warm bruschetta (seriously the best bruschetta I may have ever had). We also noshed on jumbo shrimp poached in star anise juice on a bed of apple slaw and cocktail sauce - these were incredibly scrumptious.

We indulged in two salads - a wild arugula salad with blue cheese, candied walnuts, dried figs, and an apple champagne vinaigrette AND a golden beet salad with poached pear, shaved parmesan regiano, and an aged balsamic reduction. Both were fresh and so tasty.

Next was the lobster bisque. Now I consider myself a bit of a lobster bisque connoisseur (I am also a bread connoisseur!) and this was THE best I have ever tasted. The bisque was subtly sweet and full of large lobster chunks. Yum!

We were given four entrees to taste. By this time we were both full but ate almost every bite on each plate - it was that good! The first dish we tried: steak & frites - 8oz prime sirloin with black truffle butter and skinny fries - great portion, perfectly cooked and so juicy.

What can we say; Chef Pal's Beef Bourguignon -was incredibly awesome. Nick and I kept eating and eating it thought we were stuffed! We both kept saying how happy the dish made us. We get to taste lots and lots of food in different countries and at all sorts of restaurants, and this is hands-down the best dish we've had in years!

The salmon was perfect and the sweet, yet understated, sauce was the icing.

Finally, the swordfish with potato gratin, asparagus, and citrus confit...the portion was great, the fish so fresh and perfectly cooked - really outstanding.

For dessert: one of Nick's favorites - crème brulée - so delicious and light!

To top it all off; Chef Paul's fresh chocolate mousse with chantilly cream and berries was the perfect end to an absolutely perfect meal.

With the at-home feeling, the soft jazzy music playing, the 500 wines to choose from, and just the nicest staff you can ask for, Thee Bungalow is truly a gem that you must visit!

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Thee Bungalow
4996 West Point Loma Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92107-1311
(619) 224-2884