The original site of Thee Bungalow was built in the 1930s and once housed a bait-and-tackle shop, as well as Burger Bungalow. Ed Moore established Thee Bungalow in 1987, and David Cohn of the award-winning Cohn Restaurant Group purchased it in 2006. Last August, Thee Bungalow closed for a unique transformation. Cohn and Philippe Beltran, of Beltran Restaurant Concepts, worked closely on the project. They realized Thee Bungalow would be a great location for “something very special.” In December, BO-beau Kitchen + Bar opened its rustic doors. A playful abbreviation of “Bourgeois Bohemian,” the restaurant is aptly named. Beltran took special care with the décor, which included traveling to family homes in France and Spain for “authentic pieces that decorate the walls, add to the ambiance and are symbolic, sophisticated, warm and comfortable.” Also in keeping with this concept is an antiqued print from Toulouse Lautrec’s Moulin Rouge “Can-Can” series on the bar’s ceiling and bathroom doors collaged with deconstructed pages from two French plays from the 1920s and 30s. The pièce de résistance, however, is the lyrical placement throughout the restaurant of the classic French love song “Je t’aime.” BO-beau’s exudes a friendly atmosphere that encourages guests to interact with each other as well as the superb staff. Bartender Jean Paul said, “There is definitely a locals’ focus, as most of the patrons are from Ocean Beach and Point Loma.” “Thee Bungalow was a formal special-event-style dining establishment,” Cohn said. BO-beau, however, has emerged as a cozy and très romantique French-cottage-style restaurant that may inspire local residents to dine out more regularly. Since the menu has undergone changes in fare as well as price, with everything from appetizers to entrées under $20, this is quite likely. BO-beau’s menu has been “modernized with a California twist,” said Cohn, “and is similar to other fusion-style menus in that it mixes traditional French cooking with other flavors. We wanted to provide a somewhat lighter fare, a more modern comfort food.” According to executive chef Katherine Humphus, “We decided to focus on a more casual menu aimed toward sharing. There will be daily specials in addition to ‘days of the week’ specials posted on one of our chalkboards.” Another addition that will appeal to locals is a late-night menu available from 10 p.m. until closing. Humphus said the late-night fare “includes selections from our regular menu, mainly appetizers and snacks.” The renovations were significant, but include dining throughout the restaurant. Guests may sit at the bar or a community table, and there are two separate dining areas, each with their own unique ambiance. One of the kitchen walls was removed, and high-beam ceilings were added to further open up the space. Since the former adjoining bar area was small, it has been expanded by replacing a wall with a sliding wood door that opens onto the patio with an outdoor fireplace and pizza oven. The bar also has a community table that seats four and is wheelchair accessible. Once the weather improves, guests will be able to dine outside, and come nightfall, gaze at the stars. If it becomes a bit chilly, there are soft cozy blankets. The patio tables, as well as those throughout the restaurant, are intentionally set close together, according to Cohn, “to create a communal setting as well as to encourage people to engage in conversation.” Another appeal to local residents is that BO-beau is a green restaurant. Beltran said “the intention was to use repurposed materials whenever possible, to be sustainable.” The environmentally savvy communities of Ocean Beach and Point Loma will also appreciate that the restaurant’s “to-go” containers are made from recycled materials — and include a knife and fork. While some locals claim to miss Thee Bungalow, BO-beau seems destined to become an award-winning restaurant. Since the transformation is so significant, the best way to have a genuine experience is to visit. From the moment you pass through the fragrant garden entrance of rosemary, lavender, and olive trees, you will be transported. BO-beau Kitchen + Bar is located at 4996 West Point Loma Blvd. Dinner is served daily from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., after which the late-night menu is available. From Sundays through Wednesdays, the restaurant closes at 11 p.m., but is open Thursdays through Saturdays until midnight. Reservations are available for special events only, and are listed at www.bobeaukitchen.com and www.dinecrg.com. For more information, call (619) 224-2884.