Appointment Trader
Search 
Sign In
Developers
How It Works
Get into Foreign Cinema San Francisco! 🔥
Chat
Buyer Protection
Option to Cancel
Alias Check-In
Upload Your Reservation Now
20 users watching
Foreign Cinema San Francisco Reviews
Not sure how this place has good reviews.
. maybe we came on a bad night but the service was TERRIBLE. Came to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and we were SO disappointed. Slow and inattentive server, took nearly 20 minutes to come by the table for drinks. Food was meh. Had the 14oz Wagyu NY, tagliatelle, focaccia and drinks. The bread was the only good part. Pasta was so lemony we couldn't enjoy it. Do not recommend at all for celebrations, we didn't even have dessert because the server took so long to come by. So disappointing, don't be fooled by all the good reviews!!
Interesting Concept, Good Food
Before arriving for dinner, I wondered how the whole dinner and movie thing worked. It really doesn’t. If you’re sitting outside, where there are heaters by every table, you can see the movie that is projected on a wall. You can’t really hear it. People are not watching the movie. It’s a gimmicky thing, not a practical thing. I’m guessing the people seated inside can’t see the movie at all. With all that said, the food is delicious. It is not cheap, but it is very nice. Our party had the pork chops and steak, and then granita for dessert. Service was outstanding. Our waiter, Attila, took great care of us.
Ambiance is great! Drinks are nice as well.
My main recommendation would be to not order the cacio e pepe. The pasta had no flavor. If anything it tasted like bad buttered noodles. The corn tasted like it was from a can. I was pretty disappointed by the dish. All of my other friends tasted the dish and they were equally disappointed.
I'm giving it 3 stars because I think it is incredibly
I'm giving it 3 stars because I think it is incredibly overhyped. The space is really cute and fun and the food was good, but nothing special. I think for the price you can find better food.
This spot has been on our docket for many many years.
The ambience was so much fun. The service was exceptional. I would've brought my kids sooner if I had the kids meal was the best deal here. We booked a dinner reservation more than a month in advance in the outside patio, where you can watch the movie that is showing for the evening. In the summer, you have to dine pretty late to see the movie since they do not start it until sunset which was around 815 on August summer night. To start off with we had a salad along with a yummy cod based dip. And the kids meals were amazing for $20. They got a starter plate that was a beautifully decorated array of vegetables and fruits. Then for the entrée one of my kids had pasta and the other had a fried chicken that has a slight curry flavor to it, and it is also found on the adult menu for like twice the price. My husband has a wagyu steak which was pre-cut when she found interesting, but it was very tender and flavorful with the chimmichurri sauce, and butter beans. Didn't seem too pricy, as the cut was a bit smaller , but it felt like just the right amount of steak at a reasonable price. The kids meal ended with ice cream and they also gave me a delicious slice of hazelnut chocolate cake for my birthday . We're generally pretty fast eaters, but the meal took over two and a half hours . Food seemed really slow and came in an odd order (for example, the salad came at the very end) . I wasn't sure if they were purposely spacing out our meal so that we would be able to watch the movie which again was showing late that night. Either way we had such a fun experience and will come back again in the winter so that we can catch the whole movie !
To be honest, this is really a 3.
5 rating but we'll round up to a 4. Both the outdoor and indoor space are quite nice. The indoor space can be a little dark with some mood lighting, but I really enjoyed the outdoor space with that includes a movie playing on the wall. This is definitely a place where you can bring a date or celebrate a small birthday with some friends. The people who come here do tend to get quite dressed up. Food here overall is pretty good. The night I came, the menu had a lot of Mediterranean and Asian influence to the dish. We ordered the chicory salad, brandade off the urban picnic and premiere section, and we ordered the fried chicken, and swordfish katsu off the main features. The chicory salad and brandade were the best things of what we ordered followed by the swordfish katsu. The fried chicken was good, but honestly a little unmemorable. For dessert, we ordered affogato and huckleberry tartlett of sorts. Sad to say, but the desserts were very forgettable. The best thing of the huckleberry tartlett was the huckleberry ice cream and there really wasn't anything particularly special about the affogato. I would highly recommend skipping the dessert menu. In terms of service, the staff was very nice and friendly, but service is spotty at best. I don't know if it was a staffing issue or something, but we waited around quite a bit before they came to even take drink orders, let alone any food orders or dessert. They also probably only came to check up on us once through the whole meal. Overall, it's not a bad place, but are there better spots to take your partner out for date night or an anniversary? Most definitely.
One of the most unique and prettiest outdoor restaurant
One of the most unique and prettiest outdoor restaurant spaces, with a different film playing on the projector as the background. Come right before sunset and get a seat outside for a special, memorable dinner. Perfect for date night, girls night, or a small group dinner. Tried a wide array of their menu items and shared everything with the table. Items are very shareable and portion sizes are on the smaller to medium side, so it's easy to get a lot to share and try. Menu is seasonal so rotates often, which I love. Also enjoyed their wine list and overall it was a really nice dinner and will be back soon.
One of our friends recommended the Foreign Cinema so we
One of our friends recommended the Foreign Cinema so we decided to try it. We were seated promptly on arrival in the airy dining room. We ordered a selection of entrees and appetizers. The schoolyard bread was tasty but they were a little skimpy with the butter. The brandade de Moreau was delicious and came sizzling in a little cast iron skillet. The magret of duck was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful though the hatch Chile corn pudding was a bit spicy for the daughter, I loved it. The wagyu bavette was incredible as were the accompaniments, cooked perfectly as ordered and elegantly plated. Finally, the swordfish katsu was a creative take on a classic with a really nice sauce. Not a big fan of the 6.5% mandatory service charge that was added before tax. Overall, though, we had a wonderful dinner.
We stopped by Foreign Cinema for brunch with friends
We stopped by Foreign Cinema for brunch with friends recently and it was a good experience. This was my 2nd time dining here but first time trying out brunch options. We ordered a few small plates to share including a fruit 'pop tart' with nectarine filling, slow-cooked bacon, and a fig toast with walnuts and cheese. The fruit 'pop tart' wasn't the best, although I did appreciate the flaky, crunchy outside crust. The jam filling wasn't particularly good, but it was a nice item to sample as a group. I especially enjoyed the fig toast, as it was flavorful and a perfect small bite along with my entree- the French style omelette with potatoes and a side salad. I'd likely order it again, as it was tasty and the texture was great. One of friends ordered the duck leg confit, and did not enjoy the flavor and could not finish her dish, as the duck tasted a bit off. I also sampled my other friend's french toast dish which was yummy and had plucots. Since it was one of my friend's birthday, they gave him a little card when we arrived and he received a small, refreshing treat (fruity shave ice) at the end of the meal. Customer service was excellent and very attentive, and we were seated outdoors. It was a little too warm towards the second half of our meal, as the sun was beating down on us. Overall, it was a pleasant, dining experience and I'm so glad I was able to take my friends here for brunch.
Everything about this place was excellent except clear
Everything about this place was excellent except clear identification as to where the restaurant actually is. For locals it is easy but visitors to the city could easily be confused. Especially when you have a restaurant right next door encouraging those that want to discover the brunch at Foreign Cinema to come to his establishment instead. The menu is fun, food is delicious, coffee is outstanding and service is effortless and pleasant. The vibe is very pleasant and visually appealing as well without being over done.
I had to highlight the kids combo, oh my goodness!? Such a
I had to highlight the kids combo, oh my goodness!? Such a beautiful plate and so healthy, great portion size! Why wouldn't every restaurant do this! Kudos to the chef that thought of this. They started my 4 year old with a veggie and fruit plate, not your typical potatoes and those plain baby carrots, it had sliced cucumbers, golden beets, sweet tomatoes, crostinis and amazingly fresh salad big enough leaves for kids to hold them and dip into the side vinaigrette. My lil one absolutely loved it. He was so full with this , he actually didn't finish the main course that followed which was fried chicken which was salty but delicious. Then the dessert was two kid sized scoops of ice cream which he devoured! For the adults, we got the vegetable biriyani which had basmati rice with chickpeas, oozing with oil but was tasty. we also ordered an upside down plum cake which was just OK. Nothing great about it.
Still amazing after all these years!
Amazing spaces, great crowd, fantastic food and service. We had a delightful brunch, trying the summer salad, the pulled mozzarella, chorizo scrambled, the pop tart, just to name a few. Our waiter was totally professional and really knew what she was doing, while being appropriately friendly at the same time. Reservations definitely recommended!
Lovely dinner
We have a lovely dinner inside foreign cinema. The food was outstanding and drinks nice. It was expensive, but considering the environment and food quality I was happy to pay that. My only advice to anyone who doesn't know the area- definitely stay away from 16th if coming by public transport- pretty scary at night.
Perfect ambience
A great evening thanks to the delicious food and lovely ambiance! Perfect date night spot or intimate dinner with friends!
Hot and muffled!
Booked a table to celebrate my Wife's birthday. Lovely touch of staff giving a card as we arrived. Our table was near to the "screen" which was.goid, except that we were sat under a patio heater which made the experience a little uncomfortable as we were so hot! Also when booking our table, the scheduled film was Chaplin, so was a little disappointed to find that Casablanca was being shown instead (ironically I watched this on the flight over from London!). For the first 30 minutes or so there was little or no sound... Food was very nice, waiting staff were excellent. All in all a lovely evening!
fantastic dining experience.
came here on a weeknight for a last minute work dinner, and we were able to be seated at the bar very quickly. Our server was very kind- even though they were quite busy that night she apologized for the delay and made sure we had plenty of water while we browsed the menu. The food here is absolutely fantastic. My coworkers and I shared the burrata charcuterie plate appetized and that was mind blowing. I never thought of adding chili crisp on top of burrata! The combination of flavors was unique, interesting and delicious. For my main I got the wagyu bavette. It was cooked to a perfect medium, and was perfectly rich, tender and juicy. It also went well with the vinaigrette tomatoes and seasonal vegetables served with it, as the flavors complemented each other well. My coworkers, who got the duck breast and the curry fried chicken, also had high praise about their choices as well. We shared a dessert sundae, and it was good. Not mind-blowingly amazing like everything else, but decent. I'd probably skip it or get something else next time. For 3 people, we got 2 drinks, 1 appetizer, 3 mains, and 1 dessert. We spent about $220 in total. The restaurant is quite spacious and has a beautiful outdoor section with string lights. The bar section had smaller tables so finding space for all the food was a little hard, but that is also to be expected. The menu changes with the season so you might get something different than what I got if you choose to go. Even though this restaurant is a little on the pricey side, the quality of food make it all worth it!
I hate to leave a bad review but after 2 out of 4 of my
I hate to leave a bad review but after 2 out of 4 of my friends getting FOOD POISONING here I have no choice. We came for brunch and ordered the imperial seafood tower ($195), 4 cocktails, 2 pop tarts, a bottle of champagne, caviar service and a French omelette. Less than half way into eating the seafood tower my friend got a RANCID oyster! She spit it out and ran to the restroom to rinse out her mouth. We smelled the oyster she had spit out and I've NEVER smelled something so horrible in my life. It smelled like sewage and warm trash. We thought it was a one off and tried to enjoy the rest of our brunch but that's when another member of our group got ANOTHER rotten oyster!!! We alerted the waiter he smelled the oyster and he agreed it was really bad. At this point we all lost our appetite, couldn't eat another bite and honestly I'm not sure I'll have another oyster any time soon after experiencing that horrid smell. The chef came out and explained that the recent heat wave has caused oysters from the Washington coast to go bad in their shells. If you know oysters are going bad due to warm waters then you shouldn't be serving oysters from there! He brought out a half dozen more oysters in an attempt to say sorry but we still had half of the uneaten oysters and seafood on our tower and a completely untouched entree because we were all disgusted. The last thing we'd want is more oysters! We asked for the check and had them remove the remainder of the food. They took 10% off of our nearly $500 check but that didn't seem right. I felt that the least they could've done was comp the seafood tower since we were too afraid to eat the rest of it (more than half remaining). We paid, tipped more than 20% on the original bill since it wasn't the waiters fault. Everyone in our group has restaurant experience so we're very understanding customers. Upon leaving the first girl who had a bad oyster went to talk to the manager. She explained that she didn't think $46 off the bill was fair and he replied "only 2 out of 20 oysters were bad?" As if it wasn't a big deal! Excuse me, people have DIED from eating oysters with Vibrio Vulnificus bacteria so this is NO JOKE. One oyster especially in a place like Foreign cinema is not ok. It's safe to say we will never be back and want to warn people to not have the oysters here! Or any oysters from Washington this summer. A cherry on top is that both of the girls who had bad oysters are now sick.
This place has some of the most unique food ever, but
This place has some of the most unique food ever, but definitely a splurge. The atmosphere with the projector was super nice as well. However, since the menu rotates, you probably can't get the same food again. The flavors are super unique and indescribable. Would recommend.
Our group of six enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes and
Our group of six enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes and appetizers at this crowded restaurant. The food was fantastic, with each dish boasting distinct and unique flavors. Despite the bustling atmosphere, we received top-notch service. Overall, it was a delightful experience, and I would recommend it to others.
Might be one of the best dining experiences in San
Might be one of the best dining experiences in San Francisco. With classic movies playing in the background, this indoor/outdoor experience will make you experience one to remember. The staff is incredible from the wine to the dine. This is a must when visiting or celebrating San Francisco's dining.
I really enjoyed this restaurant and will be back again
I really enjoyed this restaurant and will be back again soon. My friend and I went for lunch and the food was excellent. Their chef has great taste and I was impressed with how well the dishes use texture and unique ingredients. The omelet we had used truffle oil and it was not overpowering and was absolutely delicious. Staff were friendly and knowledgable about the sites unique history. I was impressed with how the large open space kept noise volume down. The restaurant was full but my friend and I could have a conversation at normal to low volume. I hear their dinner menu is also excellent. I will be back soon!
Great experience/ meal & service -- The ambiance is so
Great experience/ meal & service -- The ambiance is so much fun. I adore the old timey speakers that you can place on your table to hear the film that is projected on the wall. Everything we ordered was delicious. The service was lovely and I especially appreciated the BIRTHDAY card that was prepared ahead of time and placed on our table by the host.
Loved the outdoor dining spaces.
Drinks were delicious, may have had a few too manyyummy small plates to share
Such a fun, quintessential SF place! Their patio seating is
Such a fun, quintessential SF place! Their patio seating is very cool. Really good food and they have a cute kids menu as well.
Too expensive for the food ordered.
Ambience was great but the food was served so soon and was a little cold. Too long to get the service we wanted!
Great brunch spot
Great outdoor space for a Saturday morning brunch in the sun. Fantastic espresso and loved the pop tarts! The beef tartare was delicious. The ricotta was ok but not as tasty as it read on the menu. Enjoyed the warm choc chip cookies to finish…
Very lovely restaurant with great food and service.
The staff is warm and the owner is even more so.
beautiful location! super duper fun theme and the food was
beautiful location! super duper fun theme and the food was delicious. everyone was super nice and it was a great experience.
We did not sit in the room with the film and I wish we did
We did not sit in the room with the film and I wish we did but it was still cool inside without seeing the film in the back round. The food was very delicious and I would go back to try a few other things they have to offer.
A true gem of a place.
It is as good as time I went when it first opened its doors. The staff was bright and energetic. There was no rush with our table. The server thoughtfully made some suggestions all of which were excellent. I love their Martini's with blue cheese stuffed olives - a love which led me to leave my car in the garage and summon an Uber for the trip home. Just love the place.
Excellent food, wine and service! Everyone I know has eaten
Excellent food, wine and service! Everyone I know has eaten here and loved it. We will be back for sure
Lovely place! Very popular.
Reservation is highly recommended. We ordered salad, chicken, and French toast. Everything was delicious. The drinks are great too! Reasonably priced comparing to other places.
Review is long overdue - Came here for my birthday in
Review is long overdue - Came here for my birthday in November after this place being on my list to try for so long. Reservations can be tough to get especially for an early-ish tine slot so make sure you are up to date on their reservation system. The ambience of this place is seriously so beautiful! I love the idea that you can sit "outdoors" where a portion is covered and the other half isn't but there are heat lamps to keep people warm which I appreciate. There is also indoor seating as well. That night they played "Catch Me If You Can" so that was cool to see projected on the brick wall. As we sat at our table, the host, was so kind and bubbly (Ashley). Foreign Cinema also gave me a cute Birthday card to celebrate my special day. This evening we ordered: - Warm Acme levain sourdough bread, housemade cultured butter, sea salt Can't go wrong with fresh bread and butter. Delicious! - Duck Liver mousse, blackberries, frisee, toasted pistachio, grilled levain Duck liver melted in your mouth and the light sweet flavor of the blackberries was such a great touch! It was a little rich for my palate but still very delicious. The S/O ate it all - Monterey Bay calamari, clams, mussels, shellfish-curry leaf broth, shoestring potatoes, aioli Honestly, my favorite of the night! I LOVE seafood so this dish was very delicious! The shoestring potatoes on top was perfect. Savory and salty. YUM! - Madras curry sesame fried chicken Beautiful and extremely flavorful dish! Definitely filling as well. - Five-spice duck breast Duck again was very tender and full of flavor. The additions to the plate were great pairings with the duck. Dessert we got the affogato and the creme brulee sampler! Amazing! Great way to end the evening. Definitely will come back!!!
Came here with my best friend before an event as I had
Came here with my best friend before an event as I had heard great things. We were the first folks seated and our server from the jump was rude. We brushed it off as just opening and after some time ordered a couple drinks. The appetizers were delicious. We had the cheese and the calamari as well as the schoolyard bread. The main course meal is very limited and I chose the pasta dish. To be honest, a five year old could have done better. For $30 this meal was a joke. Luckily my friends pork chop was delicious. I don't eat pork but took his word. Our server continued to be rude but treated others around us much differently. When I returned my plate not once did a manager come to our table and say anything. Needless to say I will not be back.
Tried them out again after a year and unfortunately, it was
Tried them out again after a year and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience from start to finish, again. The customer service was abysmal, with staff displaying a complete lack of attentiveness and courtesy. Despite the empty promises of a short wait time, it took an a whole 1hr for our food to arrive, leaving us hungry and frustrated. To make matters worse, the seafood we ordered was clearly not fresh, tasting stale and unpleasant. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a pleasant dining experience.
I loved the Californian twist especially on the mole.
I think it overpowered the wagyu however. Service and ambiance was great for us!! However overheard the table next to us where the waiter/kitchen messed up/mixed up their drink order and food order for the same person. Location is not great so definitely Uber! Drinks were really good, espresso martini was strong haha.
What a Wonderful Place
We were fortunate to get a booking for our one free night in San Francisco. Our table was in the main open air courtyard. The staff were so nice and friendly but not pushy. Despite being 8pm and open air, the heaters around the court yard made it very comfortable. Our meals were delicious - mains and deserts. Highly recommend.
A Must for Brunch
Wow, for delicious menu options, this is fantastic. We shared the fruit pop tart and then I had the Champagne French Omelette with truffle. So good! We are definitely going back the next time we are in town.
Unique… exceptional and different !
Picked the end of December for a drive down from Sacramento to Los Angeles along the west coast, on the beautiful, incomparable US Coastal Highway 1. This was along anticipated, 36-year dream plan to experience that coastline up close… Of course, the weather and our airline (Southwest) both conspired to screw things up royally !! It rained every day of our 10-day vacation except the last, and when we were to fly from Seattle to Sacramento, the airline industry had a meltdown, leaving us stranded at SeaTac at 5:30 in the morning. Well, we couldn’t give up, and rented a car and drove 17 hours through pelting rain to get to CA and assume our planned itinerary. Wouldn’t advise anyone to try this !! San Francisco ! Another stop-over, while rushing pell-mell down the rainy coast, and we made it in time for our dinner reservation after checking in for a little rest and refreshment at the Union Square Hilton a couple of miles away. Foreign Cinema is located in the historic Mission District, one of SF’s original theater & cultural districts, and has been a landmark since 1999, earning multiple accolades. Lots of stories and ancient legends hang around this neighborhood. It’s crowded by day, but the incessant rain kept everyone in hiding. We had to walk a couple of blocks from where we parked, there was scarcely a soul, living or otherworldly, in sight. In the rain and semi darkness, it was almost hard to find the entrance. It looks like an average, unassuming two-story store, and indoors, the magic begins. The space is split up into several large and informal areas, sized for small or large groups and private dining rooms, reminiscent of the past, but very much alive and vibrant... Part of the space is shared by Modernism West, an art gallery.. There’s usually a movie playing on the double-height walls of the central space or the other rooms... classics with the golden moguls of Hollywood & Europe, from the golden age of the silver screen. The atmosphere and cuisine are “country urban rustic” with a “generosity of flavor and experience” as described by the owners… it comes together with the local environment and the living community, and has survived the pandemic while shutting down completely, but taking care of their employees through that terrible time ~ as “the world went to zero.” We started with a carafe of 2020 Gamay Wild Soul Beaujolais ($40), with a serving of Cara Cara & Dates ($18) accompanied by the Bread Service and a Butterscotch Pot de Crème ($17.50 together) and enjoyed the fresh, chewy and crispy breads with the fruit and creamy butterscotch instead of the usual butter that most places offer. This was “different”, as promised, and it was good to relax and let the Gamay take its course, relaxing us after the day’s rainy drive from Gualala. For mains, we had the Five spice duck breast ($35) and Grilled Akaushi Wagyu bavette steak ($40). Both are not to be missed if you go to this fine establishment. The duck is redolent with roasted cherries and the blackcurrant juice, and the steak is sublime with the fingerling potatoes, Spanish onion and dripping with jus and salsa. Just amaaaazing ! The room we were in did not have a movie playing, but there was one in the adjacent hall and could be glimpsed and heard. One doesn’t really have to watch the movie like in a theater, but it’s there for the atmosphere and effect, while lingering over the incredible flavors and chatter from the other patrons around you. Go for it, if you’re in the District – definitely. Overall… at $175 plus tip for the two of us? Well worth the stop and walk in the rain.
Just ok
Great Restaurant with a great ambience & vibe. Went for our first wedding anniversary & the experience was a delight. The dishes were good to great & desert were delicious. They were also playing a B&W movie on the outside section. I believe their menus change almost every day. The guys there were nice people and treated us nicely. Great experience! Definitely recommend for special occasions.
How have I never Yelped about this place, especially when
How have I never Yelped about this place, especially when my husband and I have been coming for over a decade? We hadn't visited I a while, and had a craving for their outdoor brunch, when because of their generously appointed heaters/lamps, even a chilly blustery SF morning/afternoon feels hospitable. Yesterday we got their luscious oozy impossibly scented lavender baked goat cheese, served with crostini and escarole with radish. It's insane. They've had it on the menu forever and I can never pass it up, no matter what other yummy stuff they have ... which is always. We also got their Persian breakfast, a melange of homemade plain yogurt, good quality feta, bread toasts, Zatar seeds/spice/ and guava preserves, house made, of course. So so so good, think a sort of upscale more sophisticated vegan of what you might get at most Mediterranean places that are take out. We also got their scramble of the day, which was a green goddess base of spring asparagus, and a shower of lightly dusted cheese on top. The flavors bomb. My gosh, it was just about the most decadent and beautiful egg dish. We got their side of sourdough toast with it, which comes with butter (salted), but we mopped it with our leftover feta and lavender goat cheese. And then comes the birthday cake, a lemon poppy seed concoction with limoncello frosting, multiple layers, as the best ones are ... and a candle on top, what more could a girl want ? :-) Their level of service here is unfailingly pristine, warm and welcoming. They really are so unbelievably generous in soul and spirit. The vibe of the place spot on, and the food never ever has disappointed. It's awesome for a special occasion as much as it is for a casual one.I adore this place, and it's one of my SF go to's. Love love love, and the prices, btw., for what you get in terms of execution and ingredients is more than reasonable. Parking on streets here is impossible but there's a garage around the corner. The restaurant itself doesn't have a huge neon conspicuous sign of any sort. It's an unobtrusive place, industrial looking inside and out, so look for the actual cinema in red letters, where the restaurant is close to.
Trendy spot that plays movies in the background
Romantic New American restaurant that projects movies in the outdoor seating area. Reservations can be made online and I would highly recommend making it. It’s located through the gray doors with a bunch of circles. There’s a restrooms available in the hallway right outside of the host stand. Indoor and heated outdoor seating is available. It’s good for big groups as well as intimate dinners. I came here to celebrate my friend’s birthday and it was a good am since for it. We got two orders of bread (one of the Acme, and one of the schoolyard bread). Both were delicious and came with fresh butter on the side. The oysters were light and they had many varieties. The gem salad was well-dressed and quite light. For our entrees, we had the wagyu steak and the curry sesame fried chicken. I really liked the fried chicken, as the breading was light but still crispy, and the biscuit and honey butter that came in the side was super tasty. For dessert, we had the chocolate pot du creme and they added a candle and a little happy birthday for my friend. The chocolate was decadent and silky smooth. Overall, a good spot to eat in a nice ambiance.
Romantic New American restaurant that projects movies in
Romantic New American restaurant that projects movies in the outdoor seating area. Reservations can be made online and I would highly recommend making it. It's located through the gray doors with a bunch of circles. There's a restrooms available in the hallway right outside of the host stand. Indoor and heated outdoor seating is available. It's good for big groups as well as intimate dinners. I came here to celebrate my friend's birthday and it was a good am since for it. We got two orders of bread (one of the Acme, and one of the schoolyard bread). Both were delicious and came with fresh butter on the side. The oysters were light and they had many varieties. The gem salad was well-dressed and quite light. For our entrees, we had the wagyu steak and the curry sesame fried chicken. I really liked the fried chicken, as the breading was light but still crispy, and the biscuit and honey butter that came in the side was super tasty. For dessert, we had the chocolate pot du creme and they added a candle and a little happy birthday for my friend. The chocolate was decadent and silky smooth. Overall, a good spot to eat in a nice ambiance.
Really lovely ambiance and was a perfect place to catch
Really lovely ambiance and was a perfect place to catch some sun in a nice open space. The food itself was broadly solid. Nothin that knocks your socks off but pretty decent. Imo the portions of the apps were just okay and at the same price of the entrees just get more entrees.
A delightful and delicious evening we will not soon forget!
A delightful and delicious evening we will not soon forget! For my 65th birthday we wanted to enjoy something special, and made our first visit here. I had the Wagyu steak, my husband had the fried chicken; we also enjoyed the soup of the day, a scrumptious fromage appetizer, and other tantalizing side dishes - everything was exquisite! Our serve, Cristina, was attentive and friendly, always checking in at the right time and never obtrusive. For a Wednesday evening after a gloomy day, the patio was full, with happy chatter - so our enjoyment of the film ("Gypsy" with Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood) was a pleasant background but not a distraction, and the heat lamps were set just right. Our food was prompt but not rushed, we are happy we made room for dessert, and as my husband who has lived here for 45 years said - one of the best dinners he has ever had in SF! (I say this far outstripped his birthday celebration at House of Prime Rib!) The entire team did a great job of giving us the perfect end to a very special day - thank you Foreign Cinema!
Great food, great ambiance, great service.
I had the calamari, duck breast, and chocolate pot de crème. The calamari was prepared with a beautiful Oaxaca mole rojo and marjoram aoili, a combination that I've never experienced before but enjoyed. The five spice duck breast featured a fun combination huckleberries, panzella, and walnuts. Texture was on point. The pot de crème was quality. Cocoa nibs were great for texture but the deep chocolate flavors paired with the lemon shortbread cookie were highlights. The patio is cozy and warm, even late in the evening. Relaxed atmosphere and chill vibes. Service was attentive and friendly. I could really see the teamwork shine. Looking forward to going back and potentially doing an event here.
My boyfriend and I went to Foreign Cinema for his birthday
My boyfriend and I went to Foreign Cinema for his birthday celebration, and we had an amazing time.We were seated in the top floor of the restaurant, it overlooks the bottom floor and gives a small view into the outside portion. I was a little bit disappointed we didn't have a view into the movie (they were playing the Goonies!), but the top floor was still very pleasant. There were many beautiful foreign movie posters hanging in the room. We started with cocktails which were very delicious. We then split the Sirloin Beef Carpaccio. The seasoning was perfect and the beef almost melted in your mouth. The chips were a perfect accompaniment, adding a much needed crunch to the soft dish. As a main course, I got the chanterelles and butternut squash risotto. The risotto was perfectly cooked and seasoned. I would have preferred a little more chanterelles (but that might just be a personal choice, I love them so much). My boyfriend got the Crisp Duck Leg Confit which was flavorful and soft. It also had an amazing crispy skin.For dessert, we were gifted a refreshing grapefruit granitas with a little candle for my boyfriend's birthday. They also handed him a little card that wished him a happy birthday, which I thought was very sweet.All in all a wonderful experience with impeccable and quick service. I'll definitely come back to experience their ever changing menu!
My boyfriend and I received a gift card to Foreign Cinema
My boyfriend and I received a gift card to Foreign Cinema for Christmas. He had never been here before, so I wanted to get reservations outside so he could get the full effect of the beautiful ambiance. I was hesitant to go that night since it was raining, but the outdoor was covered so it was perfectly fine. And they had enough heaters to keep us warm. The movie playing that night was the Goonies, which is always fun to watch. Our waiter was nice, not super attentive considering it wasn't really busy. For our appetizer, we asked the waiter what he recommended and he basically said everything. He said that since they continually change the menu, most of the appetizers are new to him. So we decided to try the Brandade, which is whipped salt cod with baguette toasts. It came in a small skillet and it was just ok. Considering they had many other great options, I wish we tried something else. For our mains, we ordered the Wagyu steak and rib-eye. It was a lot of meat, but actually both had great flavors and were really good. For our dessert were ordered the chocolate cake..again, this was just ok - a little lack luster in my opinion. Overall, ambiance and mains were amazing and we had a great time!
Another wonderful visit to Foreign Cinema - always one of
Another wonderful visit to Foreign Cinema - always one of my favorite restaurants in the city!!Great night, service, food and ambiance!!Enjoyed oysters - they have a wide section to chose from, their caviar service ( this tile it was missing that hint of horseradish which I have always loved but still good), ceviche - so good we ordered another, calamari in a mole sauce - always fantastic, salt cod dish and their incredible desserts including an orange blossom Creme brûlée and their alway amazing Pot De Chocolate!Was so happy with o be back, sat nice and warm under their heat lamps on their patio and watched their current film - Gypsy!
The dry aged steak is too fatty and other dishes are all
The dry aged steak is too fatty and other dishes are all small portion, but the service and environment are pleasant!
Connect with users posting reservations for Foreign Cinema San Francisco
AppointmentTrader is a community-driven platform where users can exchange their reservations or leverage their personal relationships with Foreign Cinema San Francisco. Buyers can make informed decisions using automated seller ratings, which reflect past transactions and reliability.
Each posting on AppointmentTrader shows you which user submitted it and along with that provides a trackrecord of that user which indicates how much experience
the user has and how many percent of their transactions resulted in them issuing a refund.
If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Foreign Cinema San Francisco at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Foreign Cinema San Francisco page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* EternalAnt36, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* EternalAnt36 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to EternalAnt36 for any questions Peter may have as EternalAnt36 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* EternalAnt36 now uses their connections at Foreign Cinema San Francisco to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If EternalAnt36 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, EternalAnt36 receives the $200 reward which is credited to EternalAnt36's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Foreign Cinema San Francisco!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
San Francisco's Best Restaurants that are most frequently booked by customers of Foreign Cinema San Francisco
1 transaction from users who transacted at Foreign Cinema San Francisco
