BO-beau kitchen + bar

Formerly home to the venerable Thee Bungalow restaurant in Ocean Beach, David Cohn of San Diego’s Cohn Restaurant Group enlisted the services of designer Philippe Beltran and Executive Chef Katherine Humphus to forge his newest vision into a vibrant reality. Having formally opened doors to the public in December 2010, BO-beau kitchen + bar reveals an endearing eatery that’s as eclectic as it is charming. Incorporating the flavors and fare of numerous countries known for their deep culinary roots, Humphus takes the reigns in the kitchen after mastering her culinary talents under highly-acclaimed chefs such as Thomas Keller of Napa’s famed The French Laundry and Wylie Dufresne of New York City’s molecular gastronomy-driven WD-50. Beltran is best known in San Diego as the creative mind behind Euro-inspired institutions including Kensington’s Blue Bohème and Vagabond in South Park.

An avid world traveler who was born and raised in Paris from an Italian mother and Spanish father, Beltran’s worldly design aesthetic deftly combines authentic old world charm with elements both rustic and upscale to mimic “Bobo”, an eclectic bohemian-chic Parisian micro-munity. Formerly the meat-packing center of France’s capital, this neighborhood served as the guiding inspiration for this unique new concept. The cozy space artfully implements an array of authentic antiques to bolster the venue’s elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere. Each area of the restaurant is deliberate in its ability to supply an original experience—from a formal dining room lined with tables draped in white linens to an artfully-decorated casual bar area. Guests are also encouraged to lounge under the stars while enjoying a glass of wine and fresh baked flat breads on the patio, which is equipped with the only outdoor Woodstone pizza oven in San Diego.

With ‘Bo’ referring to Bohemian style and ‘Beau’ signifying beauty, guests will be swept away by unique features that transport them to another place and time. Upon entering through an imported ancient Egyptian gate, which dates back to the French Colonies, patrons will take notice of the opening verse of a French love song, Je T’aimais, Je T’aime Et Je T’aimerai (I Loved You, I Love You and I Will Always Love You). The lyrics of this ballad are strategically featured throughout various areas of the restaurant to subtly drive home an omnipresent undercurrent of the romance that is synonymous with the south of France.

Adding to the approachability of BO-beau is the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine of Chef Humphus, who can be spotted preparing a wealth of dynamic offerings from the entryway leading into her kitchen, which is intentionally left open for this very purpose.

SIDE NOTES:

- After telling David Cohn of his incredible past visits to the gypsy markets in the backcountry of Valencia, Spain, David granted Philippe a budget to fly out to Spain in search of unique pieces for the restaurant. Beltran left San Diego on Thursday, flew into Barcelona on Friday, and traveled south to Valencia that night. He spent the entire next day shopping and packed all 700 pounds of décor into seven boxes on Sunday. Beltran shipped it out from Spain on Monday and received it in San Diego on Tuesday.

- In addition to the pieces Philippe picked up from the gypsy markets, he also paid a visit to his late great grand uncle’s property in Barcelona, Spain, where he explored though an assortment of old vintage bags, ropes and tools. Many of these family pieces can now be found on the walls of BO-beau.

- The mural that adorns the side outside wall of BO-beau is an interpretation of the original 1896 advertising poster for JOB cigarettes by French artist, Jane Atche. Gina Faulk, who was commission by Beltran to paint the rendition, simply substituted the cigarette for a free flowing scarf and nixed the “J” from the “JOB”, leaving the ever appropriate initials “OB”, standing for Ocean Beach, BO-beau’s beloved neighborhood home.