A quiet stretch in the Outer Richmond is going to have a café and neighborhood hangout come this summer called ORSON’S BELLY. Owner Cem Salur has a background that includes hospitality, food, and film, so he said it’s really no wonder he came up with this concept for a café with a cinematic theme. He calls the Richmond his home and thought Balboa could really use a nice spot to hang out.
The 50-seat café will open in the morning at 7am for pastries and coffee service from De La Paz, and then lunchtime will bring open-faced sandwiches (he mentions they will be California style, like crème fraîche with figs and honey) served on housemade bread (loaves will also be for sale), housemade quiche, and more. Look for locally sourced ingredients and an affordable price point. In the evening, some cheese plates and bar bites will be served to go with the beers and wines, which will be all local (Salur loves Northern California wines), plus some ciders too.
The location was a dive bar (Homers) that closed something like 10 years ago, and the space has been vacant since. Cem is going through building permits and applying for a beer and wine license, and really hopes to be open in time for Outside Lands. He hopes to have a parklet too.
As for the cinematic theme, you’ll see lots of original film posters (also for sale!) and will be curating old 16mm silent films to play as well. He also mentioned wanting to screen kids’ movies while the parents enjoy an adult beverage. We’ll keep you posted on this café’s premiere. In the meantime, you can follow along on Twitter (and get some fun film tips too). 1737 Balboa St. at 19th Ave.
The future home of Orson’s Belly. Photo courtesy Cem Salur.
