A while back, I heard some local bar talent was potentially taking over the original Californios location on 22nd Street in the Mission (which has reopened in the former Bar Agricole in SoMa), and now it’s time to release some exciting details about the upcoming BUDDY BAR & CAFE. The partners are Nora Furst (Uma Casa, West Beverage Consulting), Nicolas Torres (True Laurel), Alvaro Rojas (Elda), and Claire Sprouse (Hunky Dory). How’s that for a dream team of talent?
They’re doing some light remodeling of the space, but it was pretty fabulous already (I was always ready to just move in). As the team wrote in an email to me: “Buddy aims to be a cosmopolitan destination, while also being a casual, neighborhood haunt. A perfect place for that quiet morning coffee, a late lunch, or lively happy hour with friends, and especially a delicious dinner or nitecap. Most importantly, Buddy is a community hub—a ‘third place’ where our guests can interact, unwind, and find inspiration.”
The team is very focused on fostering a familiar and friendly vibe, creating a comfortable environment highlighting their special mix of polished and inviting service, charming design, unique cuisine, and a dynamic beverage program at accessible prices. There will be a lot of details and fuss behind the scenes—but the guest experience will be about ease and lack of pretension. I will keep you posted as this develops, but for now, you can follow them at @buddythebar for updates. 3115 22nd St. at Capp.
