Foreign Cinema
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Had such a nice brunch at Foreign Cinema. The space is beautiful and has such a fun, lively atmosphere without feeling too hectic. The food was delicious, the service was great, and it was just an overall really enjoyable experience. Definitely a lovely spot for brunch, especially if you want somewhere that feels a little more special.
Cute spot for brunch! We came on a weekend, and the atmosphere was great. I would say the food is pretty solid. Nothing completely wowed me, but everything was well prepared, if that makes sense. Dishes we tried: *Beef sirloin steak tartare: Well seasoned and served with crispy potato chips *Crisp duck leg confit: The duck was tender with a nicely crisped exterior. *Brandade (local salt cod, potatoes, crostini): Salty, rich, and unique. It was essentially a thick, creamy dip served with crostini. *French toast: Probably my favorite dish. Not too sweet. *Chilaquiles: Solid, but I wish it had some spice. Service was excellent. I would love to come back in the evening to catch one of the films. Seems they change their menu regularly which is nice as well.
Great service! Food was great also - star players were the wagyu bavette and the cheesecake. The meat was very tender. Honestly the bread appetizer was also super yummy. It was sourdough and you could definitely taste the sour. The bread also came warm. It was fun to have the movie playing in the back, though I do wish there were subtitles.
Food is pretty good but portions are extremely small for the price you pay. Vibes are also great (the outdoor seating is nice even before the movie is playing) and the food comes out fast. Highlights for the appetizers include the salad, carrots, beef carpaccio and focaccia bread - this was so flavorful! For the mains, I would highly recommend the paella and steak - overpriced but the steak is one of the better mains. If you could only choose one though, get the paella Come for the vibe but be prepared for the bill!!
I've been to Foreign Cinema twice now, and both visits were exceptional. The first time was for dinner, where I enjoyed the carpaccio, tartare, steak, and risotto while sitting on the beautiful outdoor patio by the fire, watching an animated screening of The Zorro. The string lights, cozy atmosphere, and outdoor movie created one of the most charming dining experiences I've had in San Francisco. The second visit was for brunch, and it was just as memorable. Everything was delicious from the house made pop tarts, watermelon salad, and an incredible truffle omelet. The service was warm and attentive, and our server even brought treats for my dog, which made the experience even more special. Foreign Cinema continues to deliver outstanding food, impeccable hospitality, and a truly unique ambiance. It's one of those places you'll always want to come back to.
Five stars for the ambience, three stars for the food. You dine in a courtyard which is generously warmed by heat lamps on chilly SF nights, and a movie is projected at 7:30 each night on the white wall at the end of the courtyard. You can have a complete drive-in experience at the tables on the edges which are next to those speakers our grandparents (actually me) used to hang on the windows of their cars in the 1950s, or just take a table in the middle and enjoy the extra entertainment. Very fun. I was with a large party so was able to sample several dishes. Oyster service was superb and the available mignonette was just right. An intensely anchovy-ish Caesar was great. I had had a very late lunch and decided to make a small plate my dinner with the sirloin steak tartare. The menu I had seen online said it came with "tonnato sauce, fried capers, preserved lemon, arugula, flatbread". My dish only included the last two items, in a sea of aioli. Maybe my bad not to check the paper menu before ordering, but this does not seem a judicial substitution. And the portion of steak was teeny. Also tried the brandade and a couple of mains and overall found just very cautious seasoning, a level below what it should have been in this environment and price point.
I just go back home from eating the most delicious lunch at this restaurant. The chicken with carrots was buttery soft and supple. The waiters were very polite and attentive to me during my experience dining here. The ambiance of the place was very old fashioned but very nice and pleasant. I recommend this restaurant for lunch. Do make a reservation if you decide to go there. 5 stars !
Foreign cinema is always one of my go to restaurants whenever I'm in SF. The atmosphere is hard to beat especially if you're seated outside. There's always a movie playing, the lighting is beautiful, and the heaters keep it comfortable even on colder nights. The service is consistently top notch and I love that they print their menu every day. I've always been a fan of their duck dishes and they're usually a must order for me. I've had both the five spice duck breast and peppercorn duck breast before and they were absolutely delicious. The most recent time I visited, we ordered the duck leg confit, which unfortunately didn't live up to my previous experiences. It was a bit under seasoned and lacked the flavor I was expecting. We also tried the oysters, halibut, and beef carpaccio. The oysters were fresh and paired well with the sauces. The halibut was cooked perfectly but could've used a little more flavor. The beef carpaccio was good too but the dressing was a bit heavy for my taste. They also have a great wine selection which is always a plus. It's still a restaurant I make a point to visit whenever I'm in SF. Even with a few misses on my last visit, the atmosphere, service, and overall dining experience keep me coming back!
Finally visited the well known spot of foreign cinema. It's really nice inside, so much seating and it's beautiful. I love how it feels when you walk in. This spot is great for dates or friends dates etc. The menus have many selections in them. The drink menu has even more. They have something for everyone on the menu. The service is as you'd expect.. great! We had a lovely server and the food runners were a delight as well. The food was delicious, the chicken and the salmon were perfect portions. The martinis and caviar were great.
It's been a year since I have been to Foreign Cinema and I have been craving this restaurant so I was so excited to be back! Enjoyed their courtyard and tonight's movie which was the Goonies!! And of course the amazing food! Ordered a lot of smaller dishes to share : Caviar, olives, sashimi, salmon ( that was the standout), calamari and biriani ( also spectacular) Food was great, as was service, drinks and the whole ambience! One of my absolute favorites time and time again!
We went to Foreign Cinema during SF Restaurant Week and we should have checked the à la carte menu first before ordering. Some of the options from the three course set menu combined would have been cheaper than the $60 restaurant week special. With that being said, we got the zucchini soup, heirloom chicory salad, acquerello risotto, butterscotch pot de creme, and guava semifreddo. Everything was super yummy! The risotto could have used some more flavor, but we added some salt and pepper ourselves. The staff were super friendly and the atmosphere in the courtyard was so cute! I definitely recommend coming here at night!
Hosts were the best people out of those I interacted with. Absolutely welcoming and cheery :) Which helps for when they broke the news of them running behind. We had an 8:30PM reservation but ended up getting seating closer to 8:50PM :/ On top of that, our waiter was chill but didn't seem too interested in taking care of us. I won't hold that against him too much as we were close to closing. It's pretty loud outside, not too sure about the inside. Other people had their heaters already on; we didn't ask to turn it on, and they didn't ask if we'd want it on. The outdoor movie is a pretty cool idea... but does it have to include movies that had blackface. I get it, classics are classics.... But it's not much of a welcoming, inviting, or safe environment if we use that as entertainment or art in the background... This is not a hypothetical question: who is welcomed in this space? There are plenty of classics that don't have such racist aspects. We got one of the Wagyu dishes... 2/10. It was cooked to medium... but it was too salty for my liking. The hummus like food below it was okay. 6/10 oysters. Nothing special. They're oysters. 4/10 birthday cake. Small scoop of ice cream on top of dry cake :/ 3/10 focaccia. Dry, flavor lacking. Comes with a very small saucer of olive oil. I honestly went because my partner raved about how hard it was to get seating... maybe we should've taken that as a sign as to not come in here.
This place is pretty cool! They have a cozy outside space where they project a movie on the brick wall. They played the goonies the night we had dinner. There are old drive through speakers on the sides where you can hear the movie from and you can control the volume. We sat outside and it was a bit chilly but got warm quick with all their heating lamps. They accommodated our party of 10 but anymore people they said they wouldn't be able to accommodate. We ordered a variety of appetizers. For dinner I got the fish which was a sword fish and it was very good but tiny. The meals are expensive around $40 and not that much food on the plate. The desserts are also expensive, it was $14.50 for a slice of cake. It was a good slice of cake but not worth the price. We split the bill and I paid close to 180 for one person with tax and tip. On the dessert menu there was a section called wet finish, which we all had a good laugh about :) It was nice for a team outing and the atmosphere is one of a kind. Service is great as well. Just thought the portions were small for the prices.
7 months ago
I really enjoyed this place! I was visiting San Francisco over the New Year and met with family here for brunch. The food was great and our waiter was so friendly! I had their pork chop and it was cooked perfectly and the braise paired well with it. We were there on a rainy weekend, but my family told me that they play movies in their outdoor patio sometimes. I would love to try that out sometime. It was a great experience and unique interior. read more
I am so happy to say this place lived up to the hype! I came here with a large group on a Friday and we had amazing service and delicious food. Everything we tried was great but the stand outs for me were the swordfish, the dessert (in particular the birthday cake), and the drinks (especially espresso dessert cocktail). I know they change their menu frequently so I'm excited to go back and try another iteration! read more
2 months ago
My server Davitus was warm and friendly, and the service was efficient. The baked goat cheese with nectarine and plum was very good. I especially loved the taste of the pairing of the cheese and nectarine. The Madras curry-sesame chicken was very, very good. Moist enough and tasty. The golden peach shortcake was only ok. The Cinema Paradiso non-alcoholic passionfruit cocktail was good. read more
This is a bucket list item for a foodie in SF! I've long awaited the opportunity to try their pork chop and enjoy a foreign movie! We happened to have our 14 month old kid with us and they were very accommodating and sweet with her! Pleasantly surprising for such a nice restaurant. They even had a kids meal that came with dessert. We went family style with another couple and enjoyed a few apps and entrees. I liked the steak best, then the pork chop, then the chicken breast, then the duck. But the order was switched around for other people in our group! So just know it's all yummy. Our server was attentive and brought out the food in a perfectly timely pace. We loved the German chocolate cake at the end! read more
This place is unique, fun, and delicious. The room is wide open and makes you feel like you are part of a Fellini movie. They also show films in one of the rooms and in the other one, you can take in the cinema of the kitchen through giant mirrors. The food, which has a fresh California vibe, also features twists from other types of cuisine, such as Indian spices in fried chicken or Mexican flavors in a cocktail. Sasha, our server, was fun, nice, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this place for a lovely and fun night out! read more
6 months ago
Listen, this is the place for your next romantic date night! The food and atmosphere are catered perfectly with the staff being some of the best I've had the pleasure of meeting. They have a movie playing every night but I doubt very much you will be able to take your eyes off your date in this setting. Plus the food is divine and presented with finesse and an artistic flare. You have to get the focaccia! My wife and I had our Valentine's date here. The food is expensive but next level and the wine and drink selection is perfect for it. Eat here for a romantic special date. read more
Very romantic and beautiful spot! We got the focaccia, halibut, mushroom pasta, brandade, and the agave flight. Everything was delicious and unique! So flavorful and fresh, the agave flight had great picks too. For dessert we ordered the caramel ice cream and it was also amazing. Perfect for a date night spot or to celebrate a special occasion. The ambiance was incredible and the servers were also wonderful. read more
1 year ago
Cute restaurant for a date night or to celebrate something special! My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary, they congratulated us and gave us a little card. The vibes were immaculate with a film playing in the background as you eat. We sat inside though where you can't see the movie playing, that's just in the outside are which is super nice and also has heaters! For starters, we got three different oysters which were all super fresh and sweet, but our favorite was the Marin miyagi. We shared two entrees - Wagyu bavette steak and the duck config. The steak was cooked perfectly medium and seasoned well. The tomato paired well with the meat. The duck config was tender and soft, and I loved that it came with figs, it balanced out the flavor of everything. read more
Weeknight 6 pm seating low key celebrating birthday, warm welcome with attentive service throughout the meal. Easy to see why this restaurant is revered and loved as time goes on - it's the food, perhaps even more than the setting. We dined comfortably outdoors in the courtyard but the dining room is cosy and beautiful as well. I chose the fried chicken and it is the best I've eaten in a long time. My companion enjoyed the bavette steak as well, also appreciated the sides substitution made. Will return and will recommend to visitors looking for solid execution in the kitchen, a strong and creative cocktail program and a well curated wine list. Bravo! read more
I can't tell you how long this place has been on my to-go-to list & finally made it here while visiting SF. The service was very great and it's really beautiful inside. We also appreciated the nice touches like a handwritten card since we came here for a bday. Food wise everything was delicious and we loved the big open windows in the dining room even though we ended up not paying attention to the foreign film playing in the courtyard, ha! read more
Definitely lived up to the hype. Just on OG status alone, there are a couple of plusses on those four stars. Food and service are both impeccable. Each course stood on its own and each was quite satisfying. Great date night spot - high marks for good impression. read more
Foreign cinema offers a super fun dining experience with an unbeatable ambiance! My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday and it was such a great evening spent at foreign cinema! We arrived for our reservation but our table was not ready yet. We grabbed a drink at the bar and we were told that we would be found when our table was ready. As much as we were enjoying our drinks, we were getting hungry and wanted to be seated. We ended up being seated 20 minutes after our reservation. We ordered the chicharrones, focaccia, fried chicken, and the pasta. Everything was scrumptious and well seasoned. The chicharrones were lime-y and full of bite. The fried chicken was my favorite dish of the night! It was not overly breaded and had such a savory and umami flavor to it! The corn pasta was fresh and bright from the light sauce and corn. Would definitely come again to try their brunch! Hopefully next time I'm in they'll have some matchbooks too! read more
7 months ago
Our host and hostess were very welcoming. Our server, Janet was simply amazing! Friendly, courteous and made great recommendations on our oysters Ambiance was perfect for our 39th anniversary! Very open, high ceilings, open walls, we could carry on a nice conversation. Never felt hectic or loud. Started with the Berry Pop Tart. And the Crisp Duck and Champagne Rolled Omelet. Finished with an Affogato. All food was absolutely yummy! We will definitely be coming back! read more
I wish I didn't come expecting so much. I see why people like this place w the courtyard and art and all, but don't go here expecting a culinary experience like I did lol. The good: - beautiful. And cool walkway to the experience, raising my expectations the closer I got to the courtyard - vibes for drinking and conversations are 100% I saw most people ordering a bottle of wine to share (good idea for next time!) - would recommend their calimari dish The Meh: - their highly rrecommended cocktails were ok and used fresh citrus but meh, nothing special - I was excited for their Wagyu Bavette but it was salty and the sauce/ topics didn't go well together. Curry fried chicken was dry, but it had yogurt so how can you complain. - service was polite, but inconsistent. Our entree took 30 minutes to come, and at the end of our meal, a manager nicely asked us to move to another table so they can seat a larger table-- it's like we wanted to wait forever for our entrees and not be asked about dessert (I'm not normally his tuff on restaurants but for these prices and their reputation... I don't think I'd go back besides for a glass of wine) read more
3 months ago
Visited from out of town and had such a wonderful night. Samuel was extremely attentive while serving a lot of guests, giving great suggestions and making us laugh. The entire restaurant had a great atmosphere. Food was delicious, with many options and quality ingredients. Movie of the night was "Down With Love" (soooo fun). Would recommend this to anyone in town for a great date or night out. read more
I had been here for brunch before, but just returned for dinner and let me just say it was absolutely delicious. The outdoor dining room is stunning with a movie playing quietly in the background and orange lights to set the mood. Our waiter was very helpful and ran us through all of his favorite dishes. I ended up going with the Bluefin Tuna Sashimi, Focaccia, Pork chops, and Lemon Tart. The tuna tasted fresh and citrus-y. The focaccia was baked to perfection and didn't even need the olive oil on the side. My personal favorite was the pork chop. Juicy and flavorful with the sweet squash on the bottom was to die for. The tart was a perfect amount of lemon and the huckleberry sauce balanced out with some sweetness. Truly a perfect meal. read more
7 months ago
Mixed Sonoma baby lettuces, green goddess dressing, marinated baby beets, radishes, croutons, Piave- 3/5, average salad Aromatic coconut yellow curry, delicata squash, Romanesco, basmati, red chilis, fried shallots, padpad - 2/5, extremely watered down Sambar masala sesame fried chicken, fava hummus, Persian style greens, toum, ras el hanout honey-3/5, good flavor Warm Fromager d'Affinois, shinko pears, garlic confit, radish, red endive, baguette crostini - 2/5, no flavor, super bland 2/5 Chocolate pot de crème, whipped crème Chantilly, cardamom shortbread cookie -5/5, delicious Moroccan Caramel Swirl ice cream sundae, poached pears, meringue brûlée, ginger sablé crumble-3/5, decent, just regular ice cream Gala apple & huckleberry crisp, toasted oat streusel, Grand Marnier ice cream -3/5, regular dessert, nothing great. Ambience and service is 5/5 read more
Having lived in SF in the past, Foreign Cinema has always been one of my favorite restaurants. Was glad that I got to visit for the first time in over 5 years during a recent trip. For the longest time time I dreamt about having their curry fried chicken again and after a 5 year wait, it was just as good as I remembered. Service was great through out the meal. There was an issue with the bussers accidentally throwing away our leftovers, But the restaurant made a brand new thing of chicken for us to go without us even asking. This place will always be a must visit for me anytime I come to SF. read more
1 year ago
A very lovely experience! Came here for a shared birthday dinner, and they gave each of us a birthday card upon entry. The three of us shared the House Pappardelle, the Risotto, and the Duck. I loved the duck the best -- so tender and juicy, and the greens lent freshness to the richer meat. The egg on the pappardelle made is so rich and unique, and the risotto was buttery and had its mushrooms cooked tenderly. We also got a Baked Alaska and a Lemon Shaved Ice that they put a candle in for our birthdays! Both were lovely, I really liked the fluffiness of the meringue of the Baked Alaska. All the staff were so friendly and welcoming, and it was easy to get help if needed.We didn't actually get to see a movie played, but I'm sure the ambiance would be great. I loved the postcards given at the end as well. Would love to come back for a movie! read more
Came by for Saturday lunch without reservations. They were able to seat us immediately at either the main bar in the back, or their sister restaurant next door. It would've been a wait for a regular table. We opted for the main bar in the back. We shared the baguette French toast and champagne French rolled omelette. I enjoyed the baguette French toast! The orange maple whipped cream was delicious. The baguette French toast itself was soggy though (even though it was eaten immediately) since it's drenched in syrup. I think even a slight crisp on the baguette crust would've enhanced the dish, or having syrup on the side instead to add yourself. The omelette was pretty solid too! Buttery and fluffy. The potatoes that came with it were just ok. Service was good, food came quickly. Food wasn't anything too special but I'd return for the evening movie vibes. read more
9 months ago
I love this place, the hallway at the entrance and they were projecting "La Vie en Rose", it's a nice ambiance. The shrimp cocktail was really fresh, perfect texture and flavor. As a main dish we had a vegetarian dish, cavatelli with green pesto and mushrooms which was fantastic, flavorful without any ingredients overpowering it. And the perfect ending, Wagyu with patatas bravas on mole with arugula. The bummer of the night was the customer service from our server, really disconnected, inattentive, even rude when we returned the red wine, which was cold, flat, no aromas or flavors, due to the temperature, however the rest of the team gave us an amazing experience. read more
Great decor and environment with, as expected, a foreign cinema theme. Plenty of indoor seating, bar space, and covered outdoor seating in a courtyard. Good service overall though felt a bit rushed at the end being given a dessert menu while still eating an entree after waiting to be seated as table wasn't ready at the reserved time. Food is great with the porkchop as a standout. Make sure to have a reservation! read more
Foreign Cinema is a such a quintessential SF restaurant that's a must visit whether you're a tourist or a local. I came by for dinner with a friend from out of town and we absolutely loved the ambiance sitting in the outdoor courtyard watching old timey movies in the dusk. There are heat lamps in case it's chilly and the overall mood is absolutely gorgeous in the evening. We started off with a glass of wine and then shared the lavender goat cheese appetizer, calamari plancha, and the curry sesame fried chicken. Everything was delicious and we loved the fried chicken which had a great curry flavor and a nice crunchy coating! The plancha was great as well and a nice small plate to share between 2-3 people. Definitely come for the ambiance and the food was surprisingly better than expected as well! read more
I recently tried Foreign Cinema with a group of work colleagues and we enjoyed it overall! The food was fantastic, the ambiance is lovely, and a service was nice, but very, very slow. There were about 11 of us and we tried most menu items between appetizers, salads, and entrees. Everything was prepared & presented extremely well. Dishes I loved: Brandade gratin, warm lavender goat cheese, risotto dish, bavette steak dish We tried the charcuterie and it was very different from what we expected. I would say much smaller than what we expected for a shareable charcuterie. Overall, would def return! read more
This restaurant has been on my list for quite some time and I finally got there ! Parking can be a chore in the Mission but we were able to find a spot pretty quick as we are very familiar with the neighborhood. Appreciated that there was a short walkway off the Main Street leading into the restaurant as it provides a nice ambiance and feeling of intimacy. A host check-in will provide availability and seating options (indoor, outdoor). The outdoor seating area is a special treat as they typically show a movie on a large brick wall that is adjacent to the dining area. We arrived early and decided to grab a few tasty drinks (tequila and mezcal based) at the bar. We opted for indoor seating and were soon making selections from the menu which included a few special culinary delights highlighting south asian flavors and spices. Decided to try a few items - both the Kashmiri brandade and gee roasted lamb riblets and the Kerala style calamari. Portion sizes were just enough to share and were really tasty with both Kashmiri dishes winning out for me. Our server was super nice and provided some input on dishes that had us thinking we needed to come back. read more
My friend and I made reservations for this restaurant on a Thursday evening. Outdoors, it was quite loud as the film played silently on the wall in the background. It took a while for our order to come out after ordering. For our appetizer-like dish, we had salmon with fish eggs on some crispy chips, and I believed everything in this dish blended together quite well. Our main courses included Wagyu steak and french fries and duck breast with lettuce. Both meats were juicy and soft, although I wish the portions (in general) would have been a bit more. For dessert, we enjoyed two different ice cream flavors, a more caramel/cookie dough like flavor and a cheesy flavor (which neither of us enjoyed too much.) With the menu changing everyday and offering different films for different seasons, Foreign Cinema is quite a fancy place to visit, but I believe I would only reserve this place for the most special of occasions. read more
1 year ago
Visiting SF for my birthday. I made reservations here for my birthday dinner and let me start by saying--Before booking that reservation if you want to see a movie book LATER. They do not play movies until it gets dark. When planning this it was not as obvious so let me start with that in case anyone else is planning a visit here. I sadly was not able to see the movie. I booked at 5:45-which was super disappointing. I was greeted with a birthday card--thoughtful touch. Over all the food was decent but overly priced. Food: -Had the olives and the lavender goat cheese. Both were good. -I had the House agnolotti pasta--it was ok. 7/10. (We stayed in Little Italy and had thee best pasta day 1...so comparing to homemade pasta elsewhere this was mid). -My boyfriend ordered the coffee rubbed duck breast. He said it was an 8/10. The beans were excellent in his dish. I have never tried duck before and did have some of his--it was good. -I think my "birthday dessert" was a raspberry? Sorbet? No one explained it to us. It was fresh. 7/10. -We ordered the Afrogatto--HORRIBLE. Tasted like it had booze in it. We both hated it. -We also ordered the birthday cake. It was good. 8/10. -cocktails we decent. Overall our bill was 235.00 and it was just a let down for a birthday vacation dinner. read more
1 month ago
3 months ago
From the beginning to the very end of our dining experience, our server Samuel made sure we were completely taken care of. For context, I'm a wedding planner visiting the venue for the first time, so my boyfriend and I came to dine and also familiarize ourselves with the space. I had a floor plan and contract with me, and Samuel noticed them and asked if we were planning an event. From that moment on, he went above and beyond, answering every question we had and making us feel incredibly welcome. To start, we ordered the Focaccia and Schoolyard Bread, both of which were delicious. Samuel also brought us olives that were incredibly flavorful and a wonderful addition to the meal. My boyfriend ordered the Wagyu Bavette. While it was a little more rare than he typically prefers, he said it was so flavorful and well-prepared that he thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the House Tagliatelle, which was absolutely delicious as well. Of course, we couldn't leave without trying dessert! I ordered the Ice Cream Sundae and my boyfriend had the Affogato--both were the perfect ending to an amazing meal. After dinner, I asked Samuel if it would be possible to take a look around the venue. Not only did he happily say yes, but he made a point to find us later and personally show us the upstairs area where my bride and her family can spend time before the ceremony. He walked us through the space, answered additional questions, and shared helpful insights along the way. I made sure to tell the manager on duty how much we appreciated Samuel's attentiveness, professionalism, and generosity with his time. I even requested that he work on my client's wedding day because I know we'll be in excellent hands. The food was fantastic, the venue is beautiful, and the service was truly exceptional. Thank you, Samuel, for making our visit so memorable! read more
Foreign Cinema is a classic for a reason, it's a must visit in SF just for the ambiance alone. For mains we got the grilled wagyu and five spice duck breast. The wagyu was a bit tough and I didn't love that it was cut up into small pieces and spread around my plate since that made the meat cold by the time it was served to me. The five spice duck breast was more tender and had better flavor. For dessert we got the matcha baked Alaska and it was delicious! read more
There's absolutely nothing to criticize at this establishment. Movie in the background gives the perfect ambiance. Appetizer and main dish are prepared at the perfect intervals, timed with the sunset movie start! Wine recommendation was on point. Servers were so helpful yet not intrusive. Most importantly, the 80s movie playing in the background just sets the mood perfectly. Highly recommend when planning a romantic dinner or a casual business dinner to impress. It certainly wasn't a cheap dinner, but I think it was worth every penny for the experience, service, and the taste! read more
4 months ago
Came here for a date night at 7:15 on a Saturday with a reservation outside. The service at this place is always amazing. We had cocktails, appetizers, entrees and fully enjoyed every bite. Will always come back to this amazing SF gem read more
1 year ago
Good special event restaurant in SF! I've been here only two times for a friend's birthday and both times I had a lovely time. My most recent visit, I had their fried chicken. It was very delicious and a good amount of food. Everything on the menu is on the more expensive side. The fried chicken is a good option for price and amount of food you get. They were very accommodating for our large party of 10. We had a reservation around 8pm. Throughout our meal, they didn't rush us to order or anything. That was really appreciated! Be aware that they do charge a fee if you bring your own cake. The fee was either $25 or $35, I don't remember specifically. All in all, I believe they did a great job hosting our birthday dinner and making everything enjoyable! read more
1 year ago
Everything about our experience at Foreign Cinema was truly exceptional. From the moment we walked in, the vibrant yet vintage atmosphere set the perfect tone ,a beautiful blend of classy and simple, with a lively energy throughout the space. The backdrop of a movie projected on the wall outdoors added such a unique, charming touch to the evening. The food was absolutely incredible. The real winners of the night were the steak and the caviar .Both perfectly prepared and full of rich, unforgettable flavor. Every bite felt special. The drinks were equally impressive; the Manhattan in particular was one of the best I've ever had -- smooth, balanced, and expertly crafted. Foreign Cinema delivers not just a meal, but a whole experience. I can't wait to come back! read more
2 years ago
Went for husband's bday. The vibes were great. The food was also quite delicious. We got a mahi mahi entree and one 3 course meal with soup, madras curry fried chicken and a custard on the menu. They accidentally gave us the crème brûlée so they said we could have that as well while we wait for the dessert. We're glad for the confusion because the crème brûlée was much better than the other dessert. read more
3/20/2025 - Foreign Cinema delivers when it comes to making you feel like you're in a movie premiere. You walk down a red carpet when you enter the restaurant where the walls are lined with different movie posters. My partner and I made reservations to sit outside in the courtyard where you can watch the feature film of that night. It's a romantic, warmly lit setting with a projection of the movie on the back wall of the courtyard. That night was part of their guest chef series where the menu items are done in collaboration with a featured chef (Chef Hiro Sone). We tried out the Fish & Chips, Aguachile, and Grilled Wagyu Steak. When ordering from here, keep in mind that if you care more about quantity, then you may not be satisfied with your meal here. You are paying more for quality and partaking in careful and intentional eating. There are lots of varying flavor experiences based on the portion of the presented food you choose to consume. Everything we tried was really good, but the aguachile was lacking in size. We also ordered some warm bread that helped fill our stomachs as we waited for each dish to come out. Dinner was topped off with dessert- a Raspberry Semifreddo which was soft and delectable. Overall, this was a great place to dine. They offer food at a high price point, but of high quality to match. Thank you to Chef Hiro Sone for the great food! read more
Foreign Cinema has been in my bookmarks for years. Finally, we made reservations for an early Valentine's dinner. Parking can be a challenge in this area, but it was a Monday night and it seemed pretty easy to find a spot close by. We were an hour early for our reservation, but they graciously seated us outside where the movie, "James Bond and the Golden Gun" with Roger Moore was playing silently. It was pretty cool to watch while eating some scrumptious food! And the heat lamp worked well, as it kept me toasty throughout the meal. With lights strewn above us, it made an intimate, romantic setting. OUR PICKS: ~ D R I N K S ~ CITY OF ANGELS ~ Mijenta Reposado, mezcal, Tximistra Vermouth Bianco, lychee juice, lemon twist. It was quite sweet and not a very big drink. At least there was a big lychee on a stick. 3/5 MEZCAL ESPADIN FLIGHT ~ Premium spirit flights: El Occidental Mezcal Oaxaca Espadin - 48.5% (.75 oz) Made using only organically grown agave and traditional methods of production, El Occidental roasts their agave in underground pits, ferments in wooden vats and is distilled in copper pots. This small batch mezcal is universally loved. Rey Campero Mexcal Espadin - 48.6% (.75 oz) King of the Countryside, Rey Campero Espadin is the perfect mezcal to reflect Terrior. This mezcal showcases wonderful notes of damp soil and forest floor highlighting the region it was produced in. San Bartolo Mezcal Artesanal Espadin - 45% (.75 oz) Awarded with the Mezcal Treasure Statement, San Bartolo Espadin is made with agave aged 7-9 yrs before harvest. This long growing time produces bright herbal notes and a creamy texture with a long fruity finish. Maybe I'm not a tequila fan, but they all burned going down! I believe the 2nd one was spicy. I couldn't tell the difference between them, but a flight will definitely get you buzzin' if you have an empty stomach! But we did notice not all glasses were filled equally. 3.5/5 ~ O Y S T E R S ~ (2) Beau Soleil (Mirachichi Bay, N.B., CN) (2) Oishi (Nahcotta, WA) (2) Royal Miyagi (Vancouver Island, CN) In the order of enjoyment: Oishi, Beau Soleil, Royal Miyagi ~ P R E M I E R E S ~ MEZZE PLATE ~ hummus, roasted Romanesco & baby carrots, Essex feta, pomegranate, mint, pistachio dukkah. This was tasty, but small. And I felt the plate was a smear of this and that which didn't amount to much. Though I enjoyed the pomegranates which gave it sweet and sour notes. 3/5 SUNCHOKE SOUP, CRISPY GARLIC, CREME FRAICHE, CHIVES ~ Sweet yet savory soup. I enjoyed this flavorful soup and they gave a good portion. Too bad they don't give complimentary bread anymore. It would have been nice to have something with the soup. 4/5 PLANCHA! MONTEREY BAY CALAMARI, OAXACAN MOLE, CHICKPEAS, HERBED AIOLI, TORTILLA CHIPS ~ A good appetizer if you like Oaxacan mole. I enjoyed this dish. There was a little kick of spice in it as well. 4/5 ~ M A I N F E A T U R E S ~ ROASTED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN, CHICKPEA TAGINE, LENTILS, SULTANAS, COUSCOUS, TOUM, LABNEH ~ Tender chicken though I prefer dark meat. They gave me a wing and breast meat. But they prepared it well so that the breast meat was not dry. I liked this dish and thought it was tasty. 4/5 ~ D E S S E R T ~ VANILLA CREME BRULEE WITH CHOCOLATE -PISTACHIO BISCOTTI ~ Ok, I just noticed that we did not get a biscotti with the creme brulee. We only got the creme brulee. It was good and creamy, yet we felt it wasn't set. It seemed to have a runny consistency like pudding rather than a semi-solid custard. 3/5 I chose to try their tasting menu: Sunchoke soup, Roasted Za'atar Chicken, and the creme brulee for $60. My partner had a few appetizers instead of an entree. The ambiance was nice with the film in the background, but the food was overpriced for the amount you get. The service was friendly, yet professional throughout our meal. read more
The ambience here is amazing, outdoors there's string lights with a movie. Inside the lighting is soft and warm. Definitely a pricey date night/special occasion spot, but my overall takeaway here was that everything was very salty and we were there for about 3 hours (not by choice). Once we were seated our waiter greeted us, but didn't come back for a while. We ended up ordering with someone who brought us water and she was very nice. We got some oysters and they were solid in quality and taste, but nothing to spectacular. The hot appetizer came out about 30 minutes after the oysters and I never would have thought to put cheese and fish together, but it was good although could use more crisps to pair with the dip. It was interesting to see the people next to us receive all their food at the same time as us even though they came an hour after we had arrived. The entree were pretty good. The duck was delicious although we only got 3 thin slices of duck breast and then a leg. The salad was fresh and the citrus was perfectly juicy. We also got the pork chop and it was large and juicy. Overall everything was good in flavor, outside of how salty everything felt, but for the price and service I wasn't blown away. read more
More info about Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
Mission
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(415) 648-7600
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http://www.foreigncinema.com/
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Ask the Community - Foreign Cinema
Will I be too formal/overdressed in a mint sleeve button down shirt? Is it that casual? I'm scared people will judge me for that
Naah that's perfect! Plus no one will judge you no matter what you choose to wear! Go in and have a good time, that's all that matters :)
When do they play Sound of Music?
I'm not sure! I was lucky enough to see it when I went in January but the movie changes every night? Or week? If you check the website you can see what movie will be playing :)
How are Wednesday and Thursday night? Are reservation recommended?
Book well in advance for a Thursday - the place is consistently booked out for weekends - weds you may have more luck
Are you able to walk in on a Friday or Saturday night for 2? If so how long is the wait
You should make a reservation. Waiting times are probably extremely long.
Will we still be able to see the movie at 9:30pm?
Typically, the film starts at dusk so you should be fine. But mostly, it is atmosphere and just fun to have on in the background.
Do they accept reservations for brunch on weekends?
Yes, I made reservations via OpenTable.
Is it absolutely reservation only?
No but it's always packed so if you were planning on a weekend I would make a reservation. You might be okay early in the week but may still have a wait - weekends would be a long shot
Do you need to dress to impress? Or jeans are allowed It looks really fancy
I have never been turned away for anything I was wearing. I think I wore jeans once, but with a collared shirt. I probably wouldn't go jeans and tee, but while the place does have a very refined and fancy feel, it is also very welcoming and friendly.
Hi do you accept walk ins?
FYI bar is always open seating and they serve the entire menu ...same at Laszlo (sister bar right in front)
How is parking, specifically for a motorcycle? Is it safe?
Pretty easy on Mission but if worried there's a parking garage on 21st about 1.5 blocks away.
Do they have high chairs for young kids?
Sorry for the late response. Yes we do have high chairs.
In the reservations floor on Opendoor, what's the difference between Standard and Outdoor seating options?
I called them about this same thing, and they said that "Standard" means indoor. I believe they've opened the indoor dining room at limited capacity.
Does Foreign Cinema require reservation for outdoor dinning during this pandemic?
They're still taking reservations- while I'm not sure they're required they're always super busy and I would highly recommend making one!
I saw that there's outdoor seating right now, is the seating more spread out than usual or is it still pretty close together?
I would say more spread out. They are also utilizing the back of the gallery next door, which obviously increases the seating area. Go check it out.
Is a reservation required?
Reservations aren't required, but this is a popular, busy place, so I personally wouldn't try it without, and especially if your party is more than 2 people.
Film showing during Brunch?
There is no film showing during brunch. It only happens after sunset.
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Foreign Cinema - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026
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