Bowery Bungalow

Bowery Bungalow Restaurant Review:

Bowery Street Enterprises restaurateur George Abou-Daoud (The Bowery, Delancey, etc.) has continued to expand his roster of Los Angeles restaurants with Bowery Bungalow, a stone's throw from the happening Sunset Junction in Silver Lake. The sunny yellow cottage presents a warm and comfortable atmosphere with a brick bar, blue banquette seating and booths, and homey spice racks mounted on the rustic wood walls. In the back you'll find a patio with a long communal table. An on-site herb garden helps contribute to the menu of farm-to-table fare, which draws inspiration from the Middle East, North Africa and Mediterranean. These traditional flavors are then given a playful, modern spin in dishes like za'atar bruschetta, turmeric fried rice and grape leaves stuffed with garbanzo merguez. Culinary influences from other parts of the world also make appearances, quite memorably in the "shishkatori" (Mid-east seasoned shish kebobs prepared in the Japanese yakitori style). Other highlights include the Andalusian seafood fritto misto and the spice-rubbed baby back ribs, which have established themselves as a hit. The kitchen also boasts a house smoker that turns out lamb belly served with spiced pomegranate jelly and braised market greens. Cap off the meal with cardamom rice pudding or Konafah (vermicelli-like noodles with goat cheese, ricotta and sweet cheese). The brief wine list is bolstered by a selection of hard-to-find craft beers.