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<strong>May</strong> <strong>2017</strong><br />
THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL<br />
www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com<br />
11<br />
Temecula’s Hidden Treasure<br />
Bamboo House<br />
by Tom Plant<br />
Tucked away in Temecula’s Tower<br />
Plaza at the corner of Ynez and Rancho<br />
California Roads sits Bamboo<br />
House Asian Bistro. I’d been hearing<br />
a buzz about this place well before I<br />
paid my first visit, and it’s very clear<br />
what all the excitement is about. I sat<br />
with general manager Chase Waitman,<br />
and his enthusiasm is evident.<br />
Chase has local roots in the Temecula<br />
Valley, and he and Executive Chef/<br />
owner Dong Ho pay tribute to the region<br />
in everything they do. Local wines<br />
are prominently featured, and they use<br />
only the freshest ingredients, choosing<br />
local at every opportunity. Bamboo<br />
House features local musicians, with<br />
violin virtuoso Diego de Jesus Mondragon<br />
performing nearly every Friday<br />
evening. When Diego isn’t available,<br />
other local artists step in.<br />
Chase and Dong pride themselves<br />
not only on the quality and variety of<br />
their food, but on their friendly staff<br />
as well. Regulars are greeted by name.<br />
It’s family friendly with family style<br />
portions. New menu items are introduced<br />
often and there are always chef’s<br />
specials. “It’s a little bit upscale, but<br />
still casual,” Waitman told me. Dong<br />
is Vietnamese, and the Asian fusion<br />
menu features not only Vietnamese<br />
food, but Chinese, Japanese, Korean<br />
and Hawaiian, too. He graduated from<br />
culinary school at age 26 and his passion<br />
for everything he touches, from<br />
the food presentation to the menu<br />
and décor is evident. Sushi chef Max<br />
Takao is well respected in the area<br />
and comes from the family that started<br />
Nihon Japanese restaurants.<br />
I came for lunch and enjoyed a<br />
delicious appetizer plate with Pacific<br />
Islander’s Ribs, crab won tons, summer<br />
rolls and Vietnamese egg rolls.<br />
The presentation was simple, yet<br />
elegant with fresh flowers perched<br />
atop the appetizer plate. Each bite<br />
was delicious, seasoned to perfection<br />
and bursting with fresh flavors. For an<br />
entrée I enjoyed Bo Luc Lac, cubed<br />
filet mignon sautéed in a garlic sauce<br />
with peppers and onions aside a tossed<br />
green salad.<br />
Lunch specials are offered from<br />
11 – 2 everyday and include both<br />
soup and salad. Happy hour is from<br />
3 – 6 every day with all appetizers,<br />
house wine and well cocktails $5, $3<br />
Sapporo and $4 for all other drafts.<br />
Bamboo House Asian Bistro, 27473<br />
Ynez Road in Temecula. This is one<br />
hidden treasure worth searching for.
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