Two star-crossed lovers exchange a glamorous kiss goodbye, at least until they're interrupted by the clanks of forks and knives on the neighboring dining table. Known as Foreign Cinema, this SF dining institution lures a cult-like following for nightly dinner and a movie from its Mission District location. A lofty two-story dining room with crackling fireplace and buttoned-up wait staff features an ever-popular covered rear courtyard home to nightly film noir showings. Oversize French doors with thick lead windows separate the main dining room from the outside patio and additional upstairs lounge available for private parties. The crowd varies between Paris romance addicts in kerchiefs and berets to local diners oblivious that they're talking over one of the best movies ever.
The Food
Chef/Owners Gayle Pirie and John Clark are hardly novices amongst the local SF food scene. Previous gigs at Zuni Cafe and Chez Panisse taught them the ins-and-outs of local farmer’s markets as well as a crash course in locally sustainable organic cuisine. The result is an unfussy casual dining room that warrants accolades all it own, regardless of the novelty of nightly films to bolster its fun factor. Pirie and Clark create an ever changing Mediterranean influenced menu and full oyster bar that have earned rave reviews by virtually every SF publication and endless bloggies. The menu features an assortment of French-theme appetizers like selection of oysters, beef carpaccio, frito misto and artichoke salad. Entrees include a lengthy selection of fish like a Northern Halibut, sea scallops as well as trofie pasta with broccoli rabe and mixed grill of duck, quail and chicken.
Last Word
Sexy SF eatery offers coastal French menu and rear patio screenings of film noir and the occasional Hollywood blockbuster.
