The couple’s confidence jump-started a culinary renaissance in the national park. In April 2022, Union Square mainstay Colibri Mexican Bistro opened a second location in the historic Presidio Officers’ Club, formerly home to Des Jardins’ Arguello. In January, the Colibri team doubled down on the Presidio by opening Il Parco, a fast-casual Italian restaurant known for its fluffy focaccia. Next up, Dogpatch restaurant Piccino will join the roster, opening a second location in February in the space currently occupied by Sessions at the Presidio. Also in 2025, the park will welcome The Mess Hall, an ambitious complex that will encompass an all-day cafe, bar, and market, in addition to made-to-order and grab-and-go stalls.
The sudden influx of culinary talent is no fluke; it’s the result of a concerted effort by management arm the Presido Trust to turn over the park’s dining options to experienced pros. While the trust previously handled operations of the park’s food and beverage outlets in-house, post-pandemic “financial realities” spurred it to “get out of the business of running restaurants,” spokesperson Lisa Petrie said. Instead, the trust sought out high-profile operators to sign leases on unoccupied spaces.
The summer 2022 debut of Tunnel Tops Park, expected to draw 10 million visitors per year, also drove the desire to improve the Presidio’s food and beverage options. “We knew that we’d be seeing a lot of hungry people,” Petrie says.