The date-night dinner-and-a-movie standard has been taken to a new stylish height at this acclaimed restaurant in the Mission District. Grab a table on the patio under the strings of lights to dine on seasonal California cuisine while films flicker on the back wall. It’s romantic, and easily one of San Francisco’s most unique dining settings. But don’t think of Foreign Cinema as just a gimmick. The stellar cuisine is the real scene-stealer here, which is why Foreign Cinema is consistently ranked as one of the city’s best restaurants. Chef Gayle Pirie and her partner, chef John Clark, have transformed this into a destination restaurant. Reservations are still tough to get, especially for Saturday night and Sunday brunch, but plan ahead and you’ll be glad. From fresh local oysters on the half shell to caramel pecan sticky buns to a popular sesame curry fried chicken, the food is always as stellar as the setting, making date night or brunch with friends an event you won’t soon forget. The adjacent wine bar, Laszlo, is perfect for predinner drinks or nightcaps.
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Foreign Cinema
The best way to end Valentine’s Day, or any day, in San Francisco is with classic Californian cuisine. No city does it better than San Francisco and for a dining experience that combines fresh, tasty food with an unparalleled atmosphere, you need look no further than Foreign Cinema. Located in the Mission, Foreign Cinema’s daily-changing menu of Californian-Mediterranean cuisine has been pleasing palates since it opened in 1999. The simple, delicious fare is accented by the restaurant’s atmosphere: high ceilings, glowing lighting, and, as the name promises, both foreign and domestic films projected silently onto the walls as you eat. A classic like Casablanca will add a touch of silver-screen romance to your meal. After your meal, you can end your day of romance in San Francisco with a visit to Modernism West, the art gallery next door. Photo Credit: Foreign Cinema www.foreigncinema.com
Dinner and A Show
If you’re in the city and looking for a great spot to gather with friends and celebrate, head over to the Foreign Cinema. If you can snag a table at the outdoor patio, they have movies showing on the big screen. The food is excellent as are the drinks- this Kobe beef was just too good! Cool vibes abound.
Savor Seafood in San Francisco's Mission District
After a day of shopping in the Mission District of San Francisco, my friend and I settled in at Foreign Cinema for dinner. A modern, rustic restaurant, Foreign Cinema is popular with locals and tourists for the movies it projects on the walls of its brick courtyard as well as its mouth-watering menu. We ordered the Royal Plateaux des Fruits de Mer and couldn’t have been more satisfied. Beau Soleil, Blue Point and Kumamoto oysters alongside Dungeness crab, crayfish, clams, and mussels served with house made garlic aioli, champagne sherry vinegar, melted butter, and traditional cocktail sauce. Want to recreate this experience? Make a reservation about two weeks in advance to guarantee your table. 2534 Mission Street, 415-648-7600, www.foreigncinema.com
