"Foreign Cinema has been a Mission staple since 1999, and the reasons it’s still packed every night are simple: the restaurant serves fantastic seasonal Californian dishes and there’s a huge courtyard where they project films. Foreign Cinema’s inside is perfectly charming with its chandeliers made from old headlights and seatbelt-clad chairs, but you'll get the most out of the restaurant if you sit in the courtyard—especially if you want to shake up your date night routine. Outside, you walk a red-carpeted hallway to meet the host before sitting under string lights and powerful heaters, and watching something like Lawrence of Arabia. Check their site for the monthly film screening schedule, and find a night that works for whoever you'd happily give up a rent-controlled apartment for. video credit: Patrick Wong The restaurant's draw goes beyond the chance to watch Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in public, though—the food is just as memorable. Foreign Cinema always has raw oysters on the menu, while the rest rotates through balanced, produce-heavy Californian and Mediterranean dishes that are plated like someone just got back from the Ferry Building’s farmers market. Cauliflower and celery root veloute with salsa matcha is creamy and bright. Five-spice duck breast with medjool dates and salmoriglio lands an even mix of tart, savory, and sweet. We'd say that the one weak spot is desserts, with dry chocolate cake and some just-fine chocolate chip cookies that feel tacked on to an otherwise great menu. video credit: Patrick Wong Foreign Cinema may age, but not-boring date nights are eternally useful—as long as you plan about a week in advance when reservations are easy to snag. (Or, if you and that person you’d willing give the last Valencia St. parking spot to are okay with dinner before 6pm, go at the last minute and pat yourself on the back for being spontaneous.) Sure, the movie may stop you from having a truly private conversation, but there are plenty of other restaurants for that. And, really, what else is there to talk about at this point in the relationship? Food Rundown photo credit: Virginia Mae Rollison Guava Pop Tart You’ll never find a pre-packed version as good as this. The fillings rotate, but we haven’t encountered one we don’t like. photo credit: Krescent Carasso Oysters The selection always changes, but they're also always good. Get them if you like mollusks. photo credit: Patrick Wong Salt Cod Brandade Thick and fishy, as it should be. A tad salty, but all that seasoning gets mellowed by the accompanying crostini and pickles. photo credit: Patrick Wong Winter White Veloute This starter manages to be rich and velvety without being heavy, in big part thanks to the salsa matcha. photo credit: Patrick Wong Five Spice Duck Breast Our favorite dish we've had here. Yes, the duck breast is perfectly cooked, but it's alignment of the crispy potato hash, lemon herb sauce, grilled dates, and duck crackling that take it over the top. We can only hope this remains a regular on the menu. photo credit: Patrick Wong Birthday Cake This is a fine slice of german chocolate cake. Some bites are dry, though it’s helped out by the espresso anglaise. If you really need chocolate to finish a meal, by all means. Otherwise, you’re better off skipping. Brunch And while the restaurant doesn’t play movies during the day, Foreign Cinema’s brunch is an equally compelling form of entertainment. Especially if you like the sound of croque madame the size of a briefcase and an herbed Persian omelette with Dungeness crab and crispy potatoes." - Patrick Wong
