Description:
This place is so chic and well-hidden that it eludes me every time I drive past it on Mission Street (hint: look for the valet stand). The "cinema" here is a bit of a gimmick: It's an outdoor dining area (partially covered and heated, but still chilly) where mostly foreign films are projected onto the side of an adjoining building without any audio. What's definitely not a gimmick, however, is the superb Mediterranean-inspired menu created by husband-and-wife team John Clark and Gayle Pirie. Snackers like me find solace at the oyster bar with a half-dozen locally harvested Miyagi oysters and a devilishly good brandade (fish purée) gratin. Heartier eaters can opt for grilled halibut with chanterelles and roasted figs in a fig vinaigrette; fried Madras curry-spiced chicken with gypsy peppers; or grilled natural rib-eye with Tuscan-style beans and rosemary-fried peppercorn sauce -- all made from seasonal, sustainably farmed, organic ingredients when possible. Truth be told, even if the food weren't so good, I'd still come here -- it's just that cool. If you have to wait for your table, consider stepping into their adjoining bar, Laszlo.
- © Frommer's 2012
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User Reviews for Foreign Cinema
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Expensive but worth it!
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One night at the Foreign Cinema is all you need. Food was delicious if not pricey but the showing of Nosferatu made up for the extra $s paid. I would recommend sitting in the covered,...
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TripAdvisor
- posted on 05.25.12
- by MeganAmyHolidays
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Special occasion? Find a reason to spend a memorable evening at The Foreign Cinema
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I visited the foreign cinema with a date several months ago but have been thinking about that meal ever since. Foreign Cinema does several things right: 1: The venue is unique and...
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TripAdvisor
- posted on 05.24.12
- by oregonduck13
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Not what it seems to be from the reviews
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We went there for dinner and I have to say it was average at best. The best thing about them is really the concept and I can imagine most locals going at least once. They have a combination...
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TripAdvisor
- posted on 05.14.12
- by Live_It_Ez
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Just horrible
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Makes me queezy just thinking about it;
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review
- posted on 09.24.11
- by by bigdick at Citysearch
Awards:
7x7
- Eat + Drink Award Winner 2009
San Francisco Chronicle
- Top 100 Restaurant 2008
- Top 100 Restaurant 2009
CitySearch
- Outdoor Dining 2006 – Editorial Winner
- Outdoor Dining 2007 – Editorial Winner
Frommer's
- Highly Recommended 2009
- Highly Recommended 2010
- Details
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Contact:
- visit website
- tel: 415/648-7600
- fax: +1 415 648 7669
Address:
- 2534 Mission St
- Between 21st and 22nd sts
- San Francisco, CA 94110
Payments:
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Hours:
- Mon-Thurs 6-10pm; Fri-Sat 6-11pm; Sun 5-10pm; brunch Sat-Sun 11am-3pm
- User Rating
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NileGuide CitySearch 99 IgoUgo 1 TripAdvisor 154 sign in to rate it
