A Ukrainian-owned cafe on Union Street is turning into a wine bar after dark. Franko & Friends, at 2055-B Union St. in Cow Hollow, has been serving coffee and brunch for about two months and is adding evening service Wednesday through Sunday, The San Francisco Standard reports.

From Sausalito to Union Street

Owner Iryna Nevozhai, who moved to California from Ukraine about a decade ago, opened the smaller Franko & Co. in Sausalito in 2024. Both cafes are named for Ivan Franko, the Ukrainian writer and philosopher. Back in August, WhatNow reported that Nevozhai had applied for a state alcohol license for the Union Street space and planned a larger version of the Sausalito shop that would switch from coffee and pastries to wine in the evening.

The cafe shares an address with the former Metro Theatre, now an Equinox gym, and Nevozhai told the Standard she built the daytime menu for the neighborhood's fitness crowd: salads and protein-heavy syrniki, Ukrainian farmer's cheese pancakes. Coffee comes from Hedge Coffee.

The evening menu

At night, look for spreads, caviar and other small bites alongside Californian and European wines, including hard-to-find Ukrainian bottles. "It's difficult to get, and because of war, a lot of wineries were closed," Nevozhai told the Standard. Walls painted by Ukrainian American artist Valentyna Zasutska and candlelight set the mood, and she plans to host local art and events such as book discussions.

Hours

  • Coffee and brunch: daily, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Wine and light bites: Wednesday through Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.