Betting
n Luxury
Atlantic
City
By Mary Haban
Embrace your inner child at the Steel Pier
Photography by Dale Sanders
17
Travel
T
he stakes were high. It had
never been done before. And
the odds didn’t look good.
But this was one gamble Dino
Dounoulis was willing to take.
He had a lot riding on this venture,
and nothing – not even the naysayers
-- would deter his vision.
As the General Manager of Bungalow
Lounge and Restaurant, located
along the main drag of Atlantic
City’s burgeoning boardwalk,
Dounoulis saw an untapped potential
in expanding this mighty city to new
heights. And it would start with
bringing his popular restaurant
across the boardwalk and onto the
beach, then elevating it with an
upper sun deck so visitors could peer
out at the Atlantic Ocean without
anything blocking their view. Armed
with his best poker face, he took the
ultimate plunge -- putting all his
chips on a bet many thought would
never pay off. And what happened
next was inspiring.
Jackpot
A sense of “coolness” wafts through
the air at Bungalow Beach. Open
since June, it’s the hottest new spot
to hit the beaches of Atlantic City.
Soft, supple sand surrounds this
6,000 square foot sanctuary, while
modern dune fencing, white
umbrellas, clean planks and matching
beach furniture give it ultimate curb
appeal. First impressions are in full
regalia with servers donning stylish
shades, meticulously dressed in
monochromatic hues of black or
bright white, and moving to the beat
of jazz house tunes. Thirsty? How
about champagne with strawberries )