After a hiatus, Colibri Mexican Bistro, a beloved dining establishment, has triumphantly returned to the San Francisco culinary scene. For those seeking an authentic taste of Mexico in a unique setting, Colibri Mexican San Francisco has found its new residence within the historic Presidio Officers’ Club. This move marks an exciting chapter for the restaurant, which was previously a fixture in Union Square for nearly two decades.
Colibri’s journey to the Presidio is a story of resilience and reinvention. Like many restaurants, Colibri was compelled to temporarily close its doors during the city-wide shutdown in March 2020. During this period, owner Eduardo Rallo and his team embarked on renovations. However, the landscape shifted when the Hotel Diva, Colibri’s former location on Geary Street, transitioned into supportive housing. Determined to preserve the legacy of their 18-year-old restaurant, Rallo and his partners began the search for a new venue.
Their search culminated in a partnership with the Presidio Trust, securing a lease within the prestigious Presidio Officers’ Club. This historic building, formerly home to Tradi Des Jardins’ Arguello, and another space within the developing Presidio Tunnel Tops project, presented an ideal opportunity. For Rallo and operations manager Gabriela Varsic, the Officers’ Club felt like a perfect match for Colibri. The restaurant’s concept is deeply rooted in the Porfiriato era of Mexico, a period marked by significant French cultural influence. “There was a tremendous amount of French influence in Mexican culture [during the Porfiriato],” Rallo explains. Varsic emphasizes how the architecture and ambiance of the Officers’ Club, one of California’s oldest buildings, resonate with Colibri’s design and aesthetic, enhancing the colonial and elegant feel.
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Loyal patrons of Colibri will be delighted to find that the menu retains the authentic Mexican cuisine the restaurant is celebrated for. Chef Edgar Castro, originally from Mexico and with training under renowned chef Nancy Oakes, has returned to lead the kitchen. Castro is instrumental in maintaining the cherished flavors that Rallo and his wife sought to introduce to San Francisco when Colibri first opened in the early 2000s. Rallo reminisces, “My wife and I were really just trying to bring something that brought a lot of the memories, a lot of the recipes from the family that represented the authenticity of the cuisine.”
Colibri’s menu is a culinary journey through Mexico, evoking cherished food memories for Rallo, Varsic, and Castro. Diners can anticipate indulging in rich and complex moles, exemplified by the pato en mole verde pipián, featuring succulent duck breast enveloped in a vibrant green mole and adorned with pepitas. The panuchos de cochinita pibil offer a taste of Yucatan, with slow-roasted marinated pork served over handmade corn shells and bright pickled red onions. For a hearty and traditional experience, the chamorro de cordero, a lamb shank dish hailing from Chihuahua, Mexico, is slow-cooked for over three hours to achieve ultimate tenderness.
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While the menu will feature at least 90 percent of the beloved dishes from the Union Square location, Colibri is also embracing contemporary culinary trends. Expect exciting new additions such as quesabirria and tlayudas, reflecting the evolving palates and preferences of diners. Adding to the weekend experience, Colibri is reintroducing its popular brunch service, a perfect option for Mothers Day celebrations and relaxed weekend dining. The bar program at Colibri will emphasize tequila and mezcal-based cocktails, including the dramatic Gruñon drink, a smoked cocktail presented tableside with theatrical flair.
A significant and captivating addition to the new Colibri is the dedicated tortilla station, prominently located on the patio. While Colibri has historically made its own tortillas, this new station elevates the process, making it a focal point. Guests can observe staff members crafting fresh tortillas and antojitos, highlighting the foundational role of tortillas in authentic Mexican cuisine. “It is just such an important component of the history and of the roots of what Mexican cuisine is that we really had to highlight it,” Rallo states, underscoring the restaurant’s commitment to authenticity and tradition.
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Colibri Mexican Bistro is now open at 50 Moraga Avenue, offering a delightful dining experience in San Francisco’s Presidio. The restaurant welcomes guests Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Discover the authentic flavors of Mexico in a beautifully historic setting at Colibri Mexican San Francisco.
