Bambuddha Lounge - An Exotic Adventure

The new Bambuddha Lounge is located in San Francisco's legendary Phoenix Hotel. A 21-foot long reclining bronze Buddha on the roof marks the spot. Inside owners Christina Deeb and Gina Milano have transformed the former Backflip into a Zen-inspired Southeast Asian restaurant and cocktail lounge.

"It's a complete experience from beginning to end." Says Special Events Coordinator Daniel Detorie.

The mixed crowd of gay and straight, district-two blue-hairs to SOMA hipster kids, start off sipping exotic cocktails at the bar. Specialty drinks include the refreshing Karmic Cosmopolitan, made with Skyy Citrus vodka, cranberry and fresh lime juice; the Guavapolitan, made with Skyy vodka, fresh lime, and guava nectar and the Lychee-tini made with Damrak gin, lychee juice, Cointreau and a lychee fruit.

Outside find Balinese huts and a modern tented patio area with heat lamps and an indoor/outdoor fireplace. Asian-inspired designs influences, like the food, include Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand flavors.

Detorie confesses the chef is equally courageous with his seasoning. "If you don't like spice, it's a hard place to eat." He admits.

Signature appetizers include Bambuddha's eight element salad $7. It combines orange mung beans, red pepper, grated coconut, peanuts, garlic chips, sesame seeds, lime and ginger with a tamarind coconut dressing scooped into small la lop leave pouches. The other favorite is the five spice duck with coconut pancake $11. It's a crisp round pancake topped with a thick slice of duck breast, shredded daikon, Napa cabbage, chili and peanuts.

Favorite main courses include the pan seared Alaskan halibut $16. It's served with a sour mango-yellow curry, Thai basil, and toasted cashews. Order it with a side of the pineapple fried rice $8, with crispy shallots and egg julienne. It's my choice.

The desserts, all $7, have a southeastern flair as well except for the molten lava Scharffenberger chocolate cake with a chewy center served with orange slices. Another standout is the refreshing Thai iced coffee dessert. It's a scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped with Thai coffee and served with chocolate covered coconut macaroons. 

After dinner partiers are tempted up a ramp lined with a waterfall and four standing life-size statuaries. It bridges the main dining room to a nightclub where you'll find live DJs manning a powerful sound system, a circular bar and two beds designed for chatting and sprawling.

Detorie says The Bambuddha Lounge is an exotic experience. "The message is that you can have drinks, a great dinner, and then move right into the lounge and finish your night mingling or dancing."