Foreign Cinema, American restaurant in Mission District, San Francisco, US
Foreign Cinema is a restaurant with industrial-style dining space and covered outdoor courtyard, combining concrete and wooden elements throughout. The venue spreads across multiple rooms with a large fireplace and heated outdoor areas that accommodate up to 166 guests.
The restaurant opened in 1999 and introduced a concept combining California-Mediterranean cuisine with outdoor film screenings. This idea was new for San Francisco's Mission District at the time and inspired many similar ventures since.
Films play on the courtyard wall as guests enjoy California-Mediterranean cooking made with local ingredients. This blend of dining and cinema creates a special rhythm for the evening.
Reservations are important here as the place fills up quickly, especially on weekends and evenings when films begin playing. Keep in mind that the outdoor area gets cool at night, though heaters are available and warm clothing is recommended.
The drink menu features cocktails named after famous films, playfully emphasizing the connection between cinema and cooking. The films start at dusk and create a natural boundary between day and evening for guests.
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