Foreign Cinema Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Reviewer: Foodnut.com Foreign Cinema 2534 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415-648-7600 Foreign Cinema Website Book Reservation

Since 1999, they have been California/Mediterranean-inspired menu in a stylish setting in the middle of the Mission district of San Francisco. They focus on local and organic ingredients. They play Foreign and independent films in the courtyard when darkness starts to fall. They have seating both inside and outside (heat lamps).

Patio

The place was packed with lots of stylish people in their 20’s to 40’s, definitely a place with a scene and bar activity.

Menu pics

Website menu

Belgian Beer – Mojito Cocktail

Picks:

Fruits de mer ($23, $39) – Lots of clams, oysters, crab, and a crayfish with 4 dipping sauces.  Impressive presentation. Very fresh, excellent oyster selection.  Hard to mess up if the shellfish is fresh.

Beef carpaccio ($10) fried herbs, waffle chips, fried capers, Manchego, horseradish sauce was delicious, with the crispy chips contrasting nicely with the thin beef and dressing.

Grilled Monterey calamari ($11), roasted peppers, tomato vinaigrette, aioli, toasted almonds had an Italian flavor to it, well prepared and nice fresh octopus.

Pacific Tuna Tartare ($13) romesco, harissa waffled potatoes, toasted black cumin had high quality tuna and made for a good combination of ingredients.

Consumme of peach, yogurt ($8) – Refreshing light dessert after a heavy meal.  Nice soup and really good but small yogurt scoop.

Strawberry tart ($8) – The special dessert of the night. Huge portion, hot and delicious.

OK:

Lavender Pork Chop ($26) morel mushroom risotto, sunburst squash, black truffle – Very big portion and good risotto. Overcooked slightly, so it was not juicy.

Sea Bass ($26) – roasted in a fig leaf, white bean puree, porcini-fig-walnut sauce. Also a very large dish.  Undercooked slightly, we have had better elsewhere.

Pans:
NONE

The service was adequate, but not top notch. Waiters had to be tracked down from time to time. Their strengths seem to be starters and desserts. The large plates did not reach the quality of the small ones.  I would almost go for 2 small places instead of an entree. The place has a fun energetic vibe, making it a place to be seen. They are right next to Medjool which has a fun roof deck for drinks afterwards. Foreign Cinema also has a kids menu.

Restaurant Map: