Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Gumbo Social, The Bungalow Kitchen, Pomet

This article summarizes an episode of "Check, Please! Bay Area" season 19, episode 16, featuring reviews of three Bay Area restaurants: Gumbo Social in San Francisco, The Bungalow Kitchen in Tiburon, and Pomet in Oakland. The episode aired on Thursday, February 27, at 7:30 pm on KQED 9, and was hosted by Leslie Sbrocco with guests Sarah Oh, George Andrews, and Leslie Griffin Robertson. Gumbo Social, located in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood, offers soulful comfort food with a dynamic menu. Dontaye Ball, the owner, believes gumbo should be America's national dish, blending African, Cajun, Creole, French, and Spanish influences. He insists on okra in gumbo and humorously warns against adding corn. Popular items include dirty gumbo fries, gumbo ya-ya, shrimp po'boys with coleslaw, vegan greens, and lemon pound cake. Guests praised the savory, rich gumbo with generous chicken and sausage, noting its elegance and satisfying nature. The shrimp po'boy is described as scrumptious with a delicious sauce on a soft roll, perfect for dipping into the gumbo. The hoecake provides a nice texture contrast and the vegan greens offer a variety of textures and spices. The siren song dirty fries, while not always on the menu, are highly recommended. The atmosphere is casual with good music and art, and it offers great value with an average tab of around $30 per person without drinks. Customers can also purchase gumbo in quart sizes for home consumption. The Bungalow Kitchen by Michael Mina in Tiburon is George Andrews's favorite brunch spot, known for its stunning waterfront views and decadent menu. The restaurant aims to create a clubhouse atmosphere with coastal Californian cuisine. Their brunch menu is a two-course prix fixe, offering about 10 options for both appetizers and entrées. Highlights include oak-grilled branzino, lobster pot pie, and crème brûlée French toast. The restaurant imports fish from Japan and features a sushi chef, Chef Yama, who procures fresh ingredients overnight. The lobster pot pie is a classic dish with a dramatic tableside presentation. George enjoys the Pimm's cup and the butter lettuce and hearts of palm salad, which features avocado, grapefruit, and a refreshing dressing. Sarah appreciated the tableside appeal of dishes like the tuna tartare, which is tossed at the table, and the lobster pot pie. Other favored dishes included jalapeño lobster toasts, eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, steak frites, and oak-grilled branzino. Service is described as spectacular, with attentive staff. The average tab per person without drinks is around $85. Pomet, on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue, is Sarah Oh’s recommendation, offering a genuine farm-to-table experience. The menu is seasonal, driven by ingredients from the owner’s family-owned K & J Orchards, which cultivate various fruit and nut trees. Aomboon Deasy, the owner, explains that the name “Pomet” means “orchard” in an old Roman language and relates to pomology. The restaurant uses fruit wood to cook, imparting an earthy flavor to dishes. Recipes are a collaborative effort, inspired by ancestral cooking and diverse cultural influences. Diners receive a piece of fruit at the end of their meal to signify the orchard-to-table journey. The seasonal salad, featuring ingredients like little gem lettuces and peaches with a light vinaigrette, was praised for its freshness. The smashed cucumber salad with a soy milk and sesame broth and chili oil was a standout appetizer. Other noted dishes include crispy duck appetizers, Hokkaido milk bread rolls with velvety butter, graffiti eggplant dip, “ugly” mushroom-filled pasta, char siu short rib, and salmon with stuffed peppers. Dessert options include a peach galette with yogurt semifreddo and a rich chocolate cake. The service was highly commended, particularly for outdoor seating, where staff ensured warmth and attentiveness. The average tab per person without drinks is around $80. #BayAreaDining #RestaurantReview #GumboSocial #BungalowKitchen #PometOakland #FarmToTable #SoulFood #CaliforniaCuisine #LocalEats #BayAreaDining #RestaurantReview #GumboSocial #BungalowKitchen #PometOakland #FarmToTable #SoulFood #CaliforniaCuisine #LocalEats