Whatever the occasion, The Bungalow Kitchen offers the perfect venue. Be it a romantic date, a birthday party, a family reunion, or a business meeting, the waterfront Tiburon restaurant offers a convivial atmosphere where all are welcome. Its “community clubhouse” vibe is exactly what hospitality veteran Brent Bolthouse imagined when he and Michael Mina joined forces to create their two-story, 300-seat bohemian retreat.
“From the first moment that I sat out front on the dock with Michael, I imagined The Bungalow Kitchen as a community clubhouse that would bring together the worlds of culinary and social under one roof,” said Bolthouse. “I feel like this is our love letter to Tiburon.”
Located within the charming Marin County waterfront neighborhood, The Bungalow Kitchen offers bold cuisine, crafted cocktails, five-star service, and some of the best views in the region. Spanning nearly 12,000 square feet across two floors, with 5,000 square feet of outdoor waterfront space on its expansive patios, the restaurant looks out on the bay, the San Francisco skyline, Tiburon Marina, Angel Island, and beyond. Few dining venues feature such a soul-satisfying panorama.
Guests at are met with a warm, living room-style scene, the star of which is a large, convivial, wrap-around bar. The main dining space features floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to the greenery-filled patio. A book shelf-lined private dining room features a custom Wilson Audio speaker system, from which classic rock tunes emanate. Upstairs, the swanky Salon’s lounge-style vignettes, speakeasy style bar, and billiards room encourage relaxed conviviality. (The Salon is particularly popular on Friday and Saturday nights with Bungalow Kitchen After Dark, featuring the Bay Area’s hottest DJ’s and dancing.)
Bolthouse, creator of the annual dance party Neon Carnival, was intimately involved in every detail of The Bungalow Kitchen. He virtually invented Southern California’s nightlife scene by evolving the art of nightclub promotion at venues such as the infamous Roxbury, The Viper Room, and The House of Blues. His influence is felt throughout the restaurant—from the rock star portraits gracing the walls to the textile-rich throw pillows to the bespoke soundtrack. Both he and Mina collaborated closely with internationally acclaimed AD100 interior designer Martin Brudnizki on the restaurant’s eclectic bohemian design and vibe.
‘I was thrilled to partner with Brent, my longtime friend and hospitality authority, to bring The Bungalow Kitchen to the Bay Area,” said Chef Mina. “The Bungalow Kitchen was designed to feel like an expansion of guests’ homes, so the menu is familiar yet elevated, made up of California cuisine that reflects Tiburon’s beautiful waterfront location, fun history, and charming sensibility.”
Menu highlights, heavily inspired by local, seasonal ingredients, include Mina favorites such as Ahi Tuna Tartare mixed tableside with chili peppers, mint, garlic, pine nuts, and habanero-sesame oil, the Caviar Parfait with crispy potato cake topped with smoked salmon, sieved egg, and whipped crème fraiche, and Lobster Pot Pie, a Chef Mina signature, comprised of a whole Maine lobster, truffle-lobster bisque, and root vegetables within puff pastry. Weekend brunch is especially delish, featuring Caviar Service with crème fraîche, chive, and egg mimosa, Toasted Brioche Duo of Pancakes, The Bungalow Wagyu Burger with Cheddar Cheese, Onion Jam, Pickles, Crinkle-Cut Fries, and Crème Brûlée French Toast with Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam, Vanilla Chantilly Cornflake Crumble. (View full menus here.) The restaurant also recently introduced Sunday Supper: The Best of the Bay, a series featuring a curated three-course menu celebrating the city’s varied cuisines. Each month, a new neighborhood or Bay Area destination is featured, such as North Beach, Chinatown, the Mission District, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Wine Country.
Accenting all dishes is a cocktail program created by MINA Group’s Director of Bars Mike Lay. His edgy and refreshing Signature Libations include the spirit forward Everybody Loves My Baby with Russell’s Reserve 6yr Rye, Dolin Genepy ginger liqueur and sassafras, the What a Peach with Monkey Shoulder scotch, peach, ginger and lemon, and the D’yer Mak’er with Appleton Estate Jamaican rum, clarified milk punch, Thai iced tea, cinnamon, allspice, and lemon. Or choose an expertly made classic: Penicillin, Margarita, Daquiri, Negroni, Old Fashioned, etc.
“My dream is that The Bungalow Kitchen be an extension of our neighbors’ living rooms and a place where they come to celebrate life,” added Bolthouse.
By all appearances, that dream has come true.
The Bungalow Kitchen: 5 Main Street in Tiburon, California
Photos courtesy of The Bungalow Kitchen unless otherwise noted