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California

Sunday Pranzo: Dinner at the Movies with Foreign Cinema, San Francisco

Sunday Pranzo: Dinner at the Movies with Foreign Cinema, San Francisco

It’s another Sunday Pranzo where I share some of my favourite foodie experiences with you.
Back in September I was able to experience Foreign Cinema, a restaurant that has caught a lot of hype in San Francisco. I had booked my reservation three weeks in advance looking forward to sitting in the luminescent courtyard while a film plays over dinner (films begin around dusk).

Common sense didn’t really click in until our actual visit when I realized that the film is just there for background noise as if to help you preoccupy yourself should the dinner conversation turn cold. The clinks of glasses and silverware upon the plates prevent you from hearing anything the characters are saying and everyone in the dinning room is competing with the musical scores of the film. 

Photo credit: www.10best.com
Photo credit: www.10best.com

While it isn’t the most ideal place to take in a movie I can say that the food is delicious and reasonably priced. The menu is west coast California with a picnic on the beach vibe. A healthy oyster bar menu features some of the best of the west coast including my favourites, British Columbian Kusshi oysters and Humboldt/Washington Kumamotos (both small in size with a sweet mineral finish). A mostly American Cheese selection and extensive wine menu will not disappoint either but if you’re more of a cocktail fan I would suggest sitting at the bar which has a more friendly atmosphere ideal for mingling with locals as it is usually packed. 

Photo credit: www.sfweekly.com
Photo credit: www.sfweekly.com

If you’re not there to get a glimpse of a film and understand only part of the plot then it really doesn’t matter where you make your reservations for. But the courtyard is a pretty gorgeous section to sit in so I would recommend letting the host know that you intend to sit there while making the reservation (which are highly needed). 

Not much of a night owl? Then you can also check it out during brunch hours. There’s not film playing and the atmosphere isn’t quite the same but the food is just the thing you’ll need to start your day touring San Francisco or to cure a hangover.

Recommendations (other than the suggested oysters above):

Warm Fermier brie cheese baked with pecans, poached cranberries, red pear, baguette toasts
Grilled “B.B.Q.” Kobe bavette steak, Bloomsdale spinach, ranchero beans, avocado-tomatillo salsa
Sautéed Petrale sole, blood oranges, celery root remoulade, chervil & micro herb, Champagne butter sauce
Valrhona chocolate pot de crème, chantilly and chocolate dipped cornmeal cookie

See website for a list of upcoming films www.ForeignCinema.com

 

Foreign Cinema on Urbanspoon

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About Murissa

Murissa is founder of FoodieTown.ca, producer and host of The Okanagan Food Show Podcast, video editor and co-creator of the Foodie Card.

More articles by Murissa

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8 comments

  1. Pingback: 3 Movie Theatre Food Revolutionaries | Film Femmes
  2. Pingback: Best Restaurants In San Francisco As Told By Food Bloggers
  3. Helen says:
    January 16, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    This looks so cool! But yeah… it’s kind of like a fancy TV dinner! I would love this though! Especially with an old Jimmy Stewart film!

    Reply
    1. Wanderfull says:
      January 16, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      Good idea Helen!

      They play all kinds of films from foreign flicks to American Indie films.
      I think it would be wise to choose a movie by its musical score so anything by Wes Anderson or even the Secret Life of Walter Mitty would make great background music.

      Reply
  4. Jenna says:
    January 13, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    I love the idea of a movie and dinner thing, but I can see that the volume of the movie would be controversial–have it loud enough so that you can follow the movie but maybe not be able to converse, or the opposite? While neither is ideal, I think having a movie on for background entertainment is a fun concept, and the first photo certainly makes it look cool.

    Reply
    1. Wanderfull says:
      January 15, 2014 at 5:48 pm

      The visual atmosphere is gorgeous, Jenna. I would go again but I had this idea of taking in a movie while dinning on delicious Californian cuisine. Oh well, my search continues!
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. Cory says:
    January 12, 2014 at 10:41 pm

    This is awesome. I have a friend who lives in San Francisco, and I’m really hoping to get there soon to see the beauty and originality that it has to offer. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Wanderfull says:
      January 15, 2014 at 5:49 pm

      It’s a pretty cool place. Very loud in the courtyard where the film plays but if I went back I’d sit at the bar. The bartenders were a lot of fun and made one hell of a drink!

      Reply

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MEET THE TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

Hi! Murissa & Taryn here. We are sisters, foodies and founders, formerly The Wanderfull Traveler. Join us as we explore the Canadian food scene! Check out our YouTube foodie adventures and trusted restaurant recommendations here. We created the Foodie Card - coming to a Canadian city near you!

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