Some well-known Bay Area restaurateurs are betting on a new business in the mid-market area. They hope to capitalize on the nearby music scene which is coming back to life after being decimated by the pandemic. As first reported by the Chronicle, Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group will rotate the former Corridor restaurant space at 100 Van Ness Avenue to open a cocktail bar called the madrigal early December. The goal is to respond more to the pre- and post-concert crowds attending shows at the San Francisco Symphony, SF Opera, SF Jazz Center, San Francisco Ballet, and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group is the originator of popular San Francisco restaurants such as Vault Steakhouse, Stone’s Throw, Mama’s and Trestle, but the former Corridor concept, in a high-ceiling space on the ground floor of the residential tower renovated 100 Van Ness, has never quite found its place. The group closed the restaurant in September so they could redevelop and relaunch the space as The Madrigal before the Christmas holidays. The Chronicle reports that the place will be more of a cocktail destination than a dining destination, meaning you can expect a full range of premium spirits and creative, mixed cocktails that use fresh, local ingredients. and handmade.
Despite the emphasis on cocktails, the Madrigal will still offer full meals and premium menu options. For example, a burger on the menu is made with locally sourced duck instead of ground beef. There’s also squid and oyster risotto, but one of the starring items should be a breakfast sandwich which the owners say will be perfect for a post-gig snack in the late night. The Chronicle says it will include “a homemade sausage patty, an over-easy egg, hash browns and melting cheddar cheese on a grilled Martin’s potato roll.”
The Madrigal should be open Tuesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to midnight. Apparently, Hi Neighbor is still working on finalizing the exact times for a possible late night happy hour. The exact opening date is not entirely clear yet, so check their website for details.
