La Finca/Nectar Restaurant Construction Project Appears To Be at a Standstill
- Susan Heavilin
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Nectar Restaurant at the corner of Bonita Road and Frisbee Street | July 29, 2026 | Photo by Sunnyside Common Sense | Click on image to enlarge
The first plan for the new Nectar Restaurant was introduced to the Sweetwater Community Planning Group in June of 2025. There seemed to be no complaints from the audience about the construction plans to update the vacated La Finca de Adobe restaurant. There were several questions about the future plans of the remaining land on the property.
The project is located at 5202 Bonita Road, at the corner of Bonita Road and Frisbee Street.
Architect Abhay Sweitzer was presenting the plan that evening and answered that he had no idea of what the owner was planning for the vacant land.
Who is the owner? Neighbors say that the property is owned by a Bonita resident, Dr. Carlos Bautista. Internet information on Dr. Bautista reports that he is a Holistic Cancer Doctor & Oncologist at the Immunity Therapy Center in Tijuana, Mexico. I was told that Dr. Bautista's bedside manner may be lacking as he was less than cordial in a first-time meeting with the property's adjoining homeowners and admonished them to address him as Doctor.
Then in October of 2025, County Planner Christopher Jacobs presented an updated project, this time with a twist. A two-story building had been added to the front of the property with an open deck on the roof, creating a third story. Abutting property owners were not pleased as they stood to lose every bit of privacy in their backyards. Other Bonita residents were not enamored with the project either and poor Mr. Jacobs left with his tail tucked between his legs. (Any questions or comments you have may be referred to Christopher Jacob at Christopher.Jacobs@sdcounty.ca.gov or directly at 619.323.8718.)
After that meeting, "La Finca De Adobe Morphs into Nectar Restaurant with an Additional 2-Story Commercial Building" was published in Sunnyside Common Sense. The article showed the plans for the approved Nectar Restaurant and the additional 2-story building.
Soon after that, the project just stopped.
Photos by Sunnyside Common Sense | Click on images to enlarge.
I've heard tidbits of repeated thefts by vandals on the property . . . tools and anything left unbolted down. There is a cargo box now on the property, most likely for storage and to lock up the valuables.
Photos by Sunnyside Common Sense | Click on images to enlarge.
The hole in the ground west of the building remains uncovered. Construction bits and pieces may be seen strewn around the property. There is no longer a dumpster for trash.
Photos by Sunnyside Common Sense | Click on images to enlarge.
The building looks rather sad and forlorn . . . left there abandoned. There have been no construction workers sighted in quite a while. Will it be completed? When will it be completed?
Attitudes have not changed much or become more welcoming to the project. Neighbors are still displaying VOTE NO signs and turned up at a Civic Meeting a while back wearing tee-shirts emblazoned with this information.
Today I noticed something new that piqued my interest. Something clearly viewed through three windows on the front.
Photos by Sunnyside Common Sense | Click on images to enlarge.
Pipes. Lots of pipes. Who puts their plumbing in front of the windows where patrons could sit at tables and look outside?
I may be totally off base but could those be stainless steel pipes? Stainless use is the commercial industry standard for brewing beer. Is Nectar Restaurant converting to a brewery? Time will tell.
Stay tuned.
I think I'd rather have a restaurant run by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a holistic oncologist than any other type of traditional food service. He'll be much more aware of health and emotional ramifications than the traditional restraunt/bar owner. Bonita could use a restaurant or social area to gather. There is a home with 2 storys just a few doors down, perhaps don't put a 3rd story roof top deck as the sound will carry and looking down into another property would be highly invasive. But nothing a screen of bamboo wouldn't fix. I would much rather support a healthful type of business than a traditional restaurant. We'd also better think: It could be much worse. Would the property o…
Not all of the neighbors are opposed to Nectar just some to the east of the project who have been particularly outspoken. Some of these had a particularly rude exchange with the owner and from what I understand, both parties lost their cool. Understood. The project as presented seems a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Some of the objections by the neighbors might be yet addressed if bad feelings have not ruined the opportunity. It certainly is a vast improvement over Dave's Wholesale Warehouse. This parcel IS commercial. Someone is going to build on it.
Stronzo
"I was told that Dr. Bautista's bedside manner may be lacking as he was less than cordial in a first-time meeting with the property's adjoining homeowners and admonished them to address him as Doctor."