Big Fish Tavern Hooks Big Flavors
By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy
The owners of the Bungalow restaurant in Corona del Mar, Jim Walker and Louie Feinstein, ventured south last year and purchased House of Big Fish in Laguna Beach. Along with renaming the restaurant Big Fish Tavern, they owners quietly remade its menu as well.
Being Bungalow fans, we decided to dine at Big Fish Tavern to compare menus. We’re glad we did.
Big Fish Tavern has a similar layout to the old House of Big Fish, although the décor is toned down yet welcoming. There is a large bar and lounge area with high top tables, and a covered upstairs patio with regular tables.
The menu is heavy on fish dishes, but also offers burgers and salads, as well as starters such as filet mignon tips ($11) and short rib sliders ($10).
The two most popular items are Hawaiian ahi poke ($14) and the Peruvian style crab and shrimp ceviche with chili, corn, sweet potato and avocado ($14).
We ordered both and taking the advice of our server also ordered the hangover burger with fried and bacon ($12.50), a favorite during televised sporting events, and the lobster meatball truffle risotto ($15) with asparagus and mushrooms.
We added the catch of the day: grilled opah from Fiji ($24) served with pineapple-mango salsa, quinoa and roasted vegetables.
The portions were generous and the lobster meatball truffle risotto creamy and loaded with flavor. With the meal we had a glass of Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat and Prohibition Ale.
To complete the meal, we shared the upside down key lime pie.
Big Fish has specials every Sunday game day, Taco Tuesday specials, and happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the bar.
For more information, visit bigfishtavernlaguna.com.
Bungalow’s Delicious Lunch Deal
Seven lunch items for $5 each at The Bungalow?
Sounded too good to be true. In fact, it was both good and true.
Photo by Christopher Trela.
“We’ve created some new, unique items that we feel will please just about any appetite, and are also offering some of our prime steaks at lunchtime for the heartier eater,” said Walker, co-owner of The Bungalow.
“We hope to see many guests enjoying these new dishes on our covered patio that was remodeled when we launched lunch a year ago,” said his partner, Feinstein.
The seven items: hoisin glazed shrimp & mango salad; smoked turkey, apple & kale salad; red dragon chicken salad; shrimp BLT sandwich; lemon rosemary chicken salad wrap; grilled mahi mahi & wild rice salad; and roasted farmer’s market vegetable wrap.
The portions are larger than expected and a great value for $5, but only available weekdays through Sept. 30.
Info: 949 673-6585 or visit thebungalowrestaurant.com.
