Marin County sushi aficionados, your palates are about to embark on a new gastronomic journey. Chef Michael Mina's Bungalow Kitchen, known for its California-inspired fare, is rolling out a fresh sushi experience featuring an "omakase" or chef's choice tasting menu, orchestrated by esteemed sushi chef Yukinori Yama. As revealed by Eater San Francisco, starting today, visitors can enjoy a 14-course menu packed with Japanese delicacies such as sea bream with dashi ponzu sauce, a selection of premium nigiri, and "unreal" seasonal chawanmushi.
The Bungalow Kitchen's embrace of sushi culminates in a dream long held by Chef Yama and his wife, both of whom are veterans of the Mina establishment, Pabu Izakaya. While Eater reports that the omakase offering will be somewhat of a hidden gem, situated at the upstairs bar with three nightly seatings with a capacity for a few dozen diners, it's also a direct response to local cravings for sophisticated sushi options. This nighttime sushi fantasy provides a narrative of fresh, flown-in Japanese fish starring against a traditional and modern craft backdrop, where every fold of seaweed and sauce brush tells its own story. Omakase is anything but secret-secret, as readers are learning about it, but regular diners might not exactly stumble upon it either. The a la carte options, set to go live on August 7th, according to Bungalow Kitchen's Instagram post, will include crowd-pleasers like Michael Mina's Negitoro and the signature Yama Roll, alongside vegetarian offerings.
The dedicated space for this sushi soiree, now named "Bar Yama," will provide a personalized encounter with the cuisine—as noted by Bungalow Kitchen. Menu standouts such as Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, expertly sliced cuts of toro, and a creamy dessert finish of yuzu sorbet are given. The promised array of sensory stimuli from each meticulously crafted course beckons diners to secure one of the limited spots in what’s described as an unforgettable symphony of flavors, perfect for those with a discerning palate or any guest searching for an elevated dining experience.
And for those pondering about taking this sushi journey into a private affair, fear not: Bungalow Kitchen anticipates accommodating sizable groups or full venue buyouts, complete with their sushi spectacles. Michael Mina, a Marin veteran himself, shared his enthusiasm with Eater San Francisco, assuring that the local community will warmly embrace this high-caliber sushi selection. What's on the horizon seems just as promising; whiskey pairings and tuna-cutting ceremonies will soon grace the restaurant, and recalling the flair of Pabu, tableside sushi bar experiences are set to charm the diners, where a chef will prepare and dress various types of fish right at the guests' table, Mina says.
