Foreign Cinemagreat building, wonderfulgreat building, wonderful courtyard seating, great cocktail list. Service was great, food was good....will be back.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of my SF favorites!Foreign Cinema has lasted for 10+ years in San Francisco becasue it's consistently fantastic. The food is very, very good. The service is always great. And ht ambiance is pretty amazing. Such a modern, unique and special space... even after 10+ years. I love the interior dining room, but eating in the courtyard and "watching" whatever movie they are showing is always a treat. (Note: if you want to see part of the movei, you have to wait until dark. Also, keep in mind that this is a restaurant first. You will be able to hear a little of the movie, but it's really there for background and ambiance.)6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGrad lunchFC was a perfect location for a celebratory lunch. Had the feeling of outdoor dining without regards for the in-climate weather. Food was great and there was something on the menu to please everyone in our large, diverse group.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial AnniversaryWe had a great time. Our server was engaged and gracious. A birthday group on one side, first date on the other. Great energy. Fried chicken was excellent. Different and delicious. We look forward to returning.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Place, BUT...The place is wonderful, the food was excellent, the wine list was amazing. However, the one thing that always comes to mind first is how terrible our waiter was. He let us sit for 11 minutes before he approached our table (the restaurant wasn't even half full at the time). He walks up, doesn't even look at either one of us and says "drinks", that's all, not a single word more. and thats how he was for the remainder of our visit. The other servers/staff were very cordial and efficient, each with a genuinely warm smile and friendly word.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperbMy girlfriend and I both had an excellent time. The service was amazing and the food was wonderful. I highly recommend visiting this restuarant.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing!My husband and I came here for his birthday last year and we had a wonderful dinner, so we decided to come again just for the food and decor. The wine, the salmon and his Kobe Bavette Steak made our weekend! Did I mention the Black cod? Must try this delicious dish, I was scraping the crumbs on the skillet for more cod. Foreign Cinema it was a pleasure and we are in love with your food. Thank you!6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service, even for toddlers!We ate outside, in the inner courtyard, and when it started to get a bit nippy, our very attentive waiter turned on the heater and we finished our meal very comfortably. The food was great (we had Kobe steak and swordfish) but the service was even better. Our waiter was helpful, attentive, and unobtrusive; he made great recommendations on the menu, our water glasses were kept filled and our table was cleared as if by magic. We had our 21 months old daughter with us, and they even had a great 3 course meal for her! It was the first time we've been able to have a relaxing 3 course meal as a family, thanks to the lovely food, the great open setting and the wonderful service! BTW, don't skip the seafood bar, the oysters were great starters!6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMHead-to-toe perfectAbsolutely fabulous! Food was amazing and our waiter elevated the experience to sublimity. Wow.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of my favorite SF restaurantsForeign Cinema never lets me down. Food is amazing, waitstaff is professional and friendly! Can't wait til my next dinner there.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMCool PlaceLoved the atmosphere, outside dining with old moving playing on large projector. Food was descent but everything else makes up for this. Old gentlemen with a bow tie met us at the door and took great care of us! What a gem!
Overall 7.5/105/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food and a Special AtmosphereOur group of five tried the halibut, fried chicken, and the duck. All were great but the duck appeared to be the favorite. Also enjoyed the smoked salmon and the sardine/anchovies appetizers. Great atmosphere where a group of friends can enjoy drinks, laugh, and blend right in with the energetic atmosphere.
We sat inside so can't speak to how it is to eat outside with the movie playing on the large whet wall. As the sun fell the lights created a special atmosphere both inside and out. We will definitely try it again next trip here.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for movie buffsIts a very special experience to watch a movie outdoors and being served wonderful food. It has to be a late dinner though as the movie starts after dark, usually around 9pm.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMpopular, hip, trendy, romanticGreat place to take a date, and good food to back it up. I would recommend the fried chicken. All the raw food I tried (e.g., prawns, clams) were fresh, all the cooked food (e.g., pork, fried chicken) was juicy and made just right. I wasn't disappointed in any of the food I got a chance to taste here.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMA++I travel for work and received this as a recommendation from a friend. It was one of the best places and meals I have had this year. Just perfect. Service was well timed and I never felt rushed. Food was great and a little noisy, but definitely energetic.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMNothing bad to sayThe food was great, and service was flawless.
The goat's milk cheesecake was probably the best cheesecake I've ever tasted.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThe fried chicken is the bestThe fried chicken is the best I have ever had, the appetizers were great also.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious. The halibut wasDelicious. The halibut was excellent, the desserts divine.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a fantastic brunchWe had a fantastic brunch on our first day in San Francisco. It was a great way to start our holiday.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner for threeWe found the restaurant very charming and the food was very good. Hubby found the portions on the smaller size, which was compensated by the wonderful flavors and the food was prepared to perfection. Service was excellent.
The food was wonderful, the only things I'd recommend for improvement is more comfortable seating and table legs made it difficult to sit on the bench seating. It would also be nice if the movie was played inside rather than just for the outside seating. After all it is Foreign Cinema and everyone should be entitled to see the movie.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome Terrace!The food was not to die for, but not bad at all either.
Loved the terrace with then huge projector playing movies against the walls.
We loved the minestrone soup, so we order the receipt for it and the chef was so nice to come out and sit at our table and explain step by step how to do it!!!5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMRelentlessly TrendyWe came from out of town and made the reservation almost a month in advance because we were told it was a must go to place when visiting SF. The food was great. Our server was a bit odd - has asked if we wanted anything to drink immediately and when my girlfriends said a coke and I asked for water he instantly changed his demeanor. After we had had a chance to look at the drink menu and ordered glasses of wine, oysters, an appetizer, half lobster and mahi mahi did he change his tune and became out best friend. Having been a server for a very short period of time I understand the mentality but it's one of those things that instantly stood out as a reason to hesitate before recommending it to a friend. But the food pushed it over the top.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner & A MovieA unique dining experience. The baked goat cheese was amazing but the service is lacking. Ask for a table outside where they show a movie on the adjoining building at dusk.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMBrilliant as always!Excellent food. I come down to San Francisco a few times a year and try to make it in to Foreign Cinema as often as I can. The quail and Kobe entrees were superb and the creme brulee was a great cap on the evening.
It did get a little chilly towards the end of our meal on the patio, but they kindly moved us inside to an empty table for dessert.
Still my favorite spot in the city.
(PS, brunch bloody Mary is great!)5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMIn love...With this restaurant! Great food and the best ambience in the city. Go for a great outdoor brunch or a lovely evening meal. You can't go wrong with this place.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAmbience is the main attraction.This is really a unique restaurant. Outdoor dining with a movie playing in the background, fairy lights twinkling. The whole thing feels so outdoors-y and special. The food is good but not great. Mixed seafood platter enjoyed by all but nothing out of the ordinary except for the great setting! The other appetizers were good but not great and a little on the bland side. The fried chicken gets a lot of hype and its good. Duck breast was good. I'm glad I came but not sure if I would return.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect for AnniversaryMy partner and I went for our one year anniversary. Was a the perfect place for it. Great food and loved the outdoor area!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Mother's Day traditionWe have a 21 month old daughter, and this is the second year that we have gone to FC for Mother's Day brunch. Most places make you feel like you are cattle for holiday meals like this. Not Foreign Cinema. Their quality and service are the same on MD and Valentines day as they are on a random Thursday. We had te same waiter this year as last, who was wonderful. He even remembered talking to us about his nephew who is the same age as our daughter.
We absolutely love Foreign Cinema and have been there many times for dinner. I even held my birthday dinner there with a large group a couple years ago. We really aren't the type to repeatedly go back to a restaurant since we live in such an amazing culinary city. But Foreign Cinema is our go to.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome Unique RestaurantWe took friends here that were visiting from Japan on their honeymoon. Imagine our surprise when they were showing Jiro Dreams of Sushi as the film. The restaurant was totally cool and we had the best time. I highly recommend it. A very unique dining experience!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFresh SeafoodThe best thing on the dinner menu is the simple but so fresh and so so good raw seafood menu. The seafood and sauces perfectly paired with a simple finesse and reminded of how subtly sweet ocean fare could be. Food worth smiling about :)5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome space, great food!Definitely worth the visit. I had dinner with my family while on vacation in SF and it was a great find. The space is gorgeous and the food was really good. I'll try to get a spot outside next time to get a glimpse of the movie :)5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth Every PennyStarting from the dramatic entrance into the restaurant, I just knew that Foreign Cinema was not going to disappoint. The food was delicious! I had the mussel chowder and the fried chicken and for dessert, the strawberry tartlette. It was all INCREDIBLE. The mussels were sweet and swimming in a delicious light broth of potatoes, onions, and BACON. It was topped with crunchy croutons and afterwards, I used to bread to mop up all of that chowdery deliciousness. The fried chicken was SO MOIST and it was in a tempura-esque batter so it was super light and airy. Hands down some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. It was just so flavorful as well, I don't know how they do it. All in all, worth every penny I spent.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat ambiance, OK foodForeign Cinema is an absolutely beautiful and unique dining experience. For that alone I would recommend this place for friends who have not been. It is a must see. The food however, was rather disappointing. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't that great- and in a city with hundreds of great places to eat, I'd think they'd aim a little higher.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for visitorsExcellent choice for any foodie visiting San Francisco!!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFun time with friendsI went there for a Brunch and had a very good time with my friends. Good food in a nice place.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWowthe waiters were amazing. the top notch food was outstanding. and I'm still fantasising about that Rose Creme Brulee. the best I've ever tasted.
Love the atmosphere. FC is a VERY special place.
Please open one in London!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Dining ExperienceThsi was a very fun place to dine in and the food was awesome. I definitly recommend this place to to anyone wanting a unique San Francisco dining experience.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place - OK FoodThe outdoor seating area was beautiful. The service was excellent. Unfortunately, the food was "average". The prices were high. The portions were small. The Kobe steak I had was sub par and the side dishes were drenched in oil. Not the best dining experience but I really enjoyed my time at Foreign Cinema. Next time I'll skip the food and stick with beverages.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious, but expensiveI feel like if I wanted to get great food with nice ambiance for the amount I paid, I would have just gone to Chez Panisse. I was actually annoyed by the small portions and huge prices, and I'm used to expensive food. I also thing the front desk people were incredibly rude, even though our waitress was lovely. I just don't think food needs to cost that much. It's ridiculous.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAs Good As AdvertisedVery impressive. Great service, food & drinks. Somewhere I would readily visit again4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMOur first time eating hereOur first time eating here and it won't be our last! Everything from the oysters to the entrees were delicious. The petrale sole was so good! We ate inside but had a view of the wall where the movies are shown. They wait until dark so if you are an early eater then you are out of luck during daylight savings time. We had dinner at 7 and were done right around when the movie began. No worries......we will definitely be returning here. Loved the long hall entrance....would never guess the restaurant was as large as it is from the street. Great find!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat time!The waiter was a little bit rude in that he seemed impatient with our questions - we were first time guests and usually have a alot of questions anyway! I think it was also because we are mid 20-somethings and perhaps we came off as naive? In any case, he gave us great recommendations. The food and drinks were out of this world delicious! After we ordered, our waiter was warmer to us. I would have given this place all 5 stars if not for the tense start with our waiter. Everything else was wonderful. The movie that is projected on the wall outside is more of an after thought. You cannot hear it or really see if before it gets dark. In any case, the outdoor dining was still fantastic! And there is a lively bar attached!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMI work in the food serviceI work in the food service industry at two different locations in San Francisco, so whenever I dine out I tend to not only focus on food and beverages, but service (silent, interactive) and energy. Foreign Cinema does an outstanding job at presenting a elegant and sincerely amazing atmosphere for
those seeking a taste of what San Francisco cuisine truly has to offer. Our server (Juan) operated with confidence and outstanding comprehension
in regards to the menu, drinks and table presence. He quickly guided us though several items and pointed his suggestions (which he nailed 100%) and knew the exact moment to communicate with us as well as maneuvering through our dinner in a non intrusive manner. I'll be coming back for several reason.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was great. MadeEverything was great. Made reservations. However, food took a long time to come out. Waitress was nice and took care of us while we waited.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe decided to try this restaurantWe decided to try this restaurant out for brunch. The ambiance was lovely despite no movie being played (being broad daylight and all). Service was slow though and although our oysters were delicious, both our main dishes were only mediocre. We also found it odd that there was no option to buy wine by the bottle. It was far from a bad experience but I don't think it will become a fast favorite.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect in every way! GreatPerfect in every way! Great shellfish. Fabulous plates with exotic spices and amazing touches.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe room we were seated inThe room we were seated in was "Meh!" (dining room on the left). Ask for the center open air courtyard instead. Great wine list, good food, Good service. I'll go back but just sit in a different section of the restaurant.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMSuch a fantastic experienceSuch a fantastic experience and brunch. The decor is amazing and one of the best looking spaces we have seen. One of the best brunch experiences we have ever had. Would love to return for dinner as well.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMVirginia Rider's Foreign Cinema RevExcellent experience from start to finish! Thank you!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMI think the best seats areI think the best seats are outside, you get the cool interior gallery plus theres the movie. Although, i really think foreign cinema should at least put text so ppl can actually read the movie lines.
Food was good. Although i think some of the portions( had the seared ahi) was too small compared to the fried kitchen. Dessert was super good, prolly my fav part, the cheesecake was awesome....but they do change their menu set every month so thats good, the place isnt boring. Love the red carpet! Feels like hollywood. Service was great. Nothing much to complain, really.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AM