Bowery Bungalow

"Do aliens exist? Is there an afterlife? Why does Marisa Tomei have an Oscar and I don’t? These are some of the bigger questions modern society faces, and perhaps may never be able to answer. Life is full of unexplainable mystery, and that’s just part of the journey. Horrible, random songs will continue to get stuck in your head, great movies will never win awards, and McDonald’s breakfast will always taste better in airports. Such is life. So here’s our next tough question: Why is nobody talking about Bowery Bungalow? Bowery Bungalow is located inside a yellow 1920s craftsman right by Sunset Junction in Silver Lake. House-to-restaurant buildouts admittedly aren’t uncommon in this part of town, and yet Bowery Bungalow is a sight to behold. The wood-paneled interior houses a small collection of tables and the craft wine/beer bar, while the outside opens up into the wooded patio with a gazebo just waiting for something corny and wholesome to happen beneath it. Perfect for when you want to impress a date, but don't want them to know you're trying. The kitchen combines Lebanese, Israeli, and North African flavors to produce good-to-great dishes with plenty of spices and herbs. Have some tahini toast with toasted sukkah, baby back ribs with grape molasses, and drink a little too much wine before asking about your date’s insecurities. And despite all this, chances are you’ve never heard of this place. Is the name too generic? Is the location too hidden? Is this all still Marisa Tomei’s fault? We may not be able to answer these questions, but we can tell you one thing with confidence: Bowery Bungalow is always a good idea. Food Rundown Fried Cauliflower Cauliflower is clinging to her moment as LA’s go-to vegetable. When it’s cooked like this -with Egyptian dukkah, tahini, and cilantro - she can stay as long as she wants. Hummus bi Tahini Anyone who values their life or shops at Trader Joe’s knows that not all hummus is created equal. It’s extremely easy to make good, and extremely hard to make great. Bowery Bungalow’s version borders on the latter. The beef cheek kawarma with which it’s served takes things to levels unexpected. Baby Back Ribs Wait what? Yes. You read that right - baby back ribs at a Mediterranean place. Cooked in Mideast spices, Turkish coffee (!!) and grape molasses, this is why fusion can be a beautiful, beautiful thing. Cast Iron Chicken Anything brought to the table in a cast iron skillet usually means good things are about to transpire - and that is especially true here. On many other menus, the chicken is something to skip, but don’t make that mistake here. Pan Roasted Seabass It’s hard to really make a statement in the seafood scene in this town, but Bowery’s seabass is surprisingly well done. It wouldn’t be our first order of business here, but if you came with a craving for the taste of the sea, this will certainly do the job. Pork Belly Shishkatori Pork belly on a stick. Repeat: PORK BELLY ON A STICK. Cardamon Rice Pudding The joys of rice pudding are well-documented, but the version served here, with persimmon and local honey, makes this dish worth rediscovering." - Brant Cox

"If you like the idea of scooping hummus in the shadows of a yellow cottage in Silverlake, head to Bowery Bungalow. The charming patio at this Middle Eastern restaurant looks like it's always ready to host an intimate wedding reception. Leafy vines climb up the walls, candles glow on every table, and a string-lit gazebo is waiting for something corny and wholesome to happen. So take a date here when you want to look like you’re trying, but not too hard. Have some tahini toast with toasted sukkah, baby back ribs with grape molasses, and drink a little too much wine before asking about your date’s insecurities." - brant cox

"This quiet spot is tucked in a, you guessed it, converted bungalow off of Santa Monica in Silver Lake. Their selection of Middle Eastern cuisine includes slow-cooked lamb with freekeh, steamed mussels with chickpeas, and an incredible seasonal fruit and vegetable couscous." - brett keating

"Located in a small bungalow house in Silver Lake, Bowery Bungalow feels worlds away from the ironic mullet apocalypse that is Sunset Junction—even though it’s just around the corner. This Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant has solid food across the board and a calm space ideal for a date night when it’s still unclear who likes the other one more. If you can, snag a table on their tiny back patio for even more privacy." - brant cox

"It’s Tuesday, and you’ve got a date. You want it to be nice, but also not that big of a deal. This Sunset Junction spot (in an actual bungalow house) perfectly rides that line between casual/cool and sexy/I really like you. The North African-inspired menu is also well-priced and excellent." - jess basser sanders, brant cox