Foreign Cinema

This place is so chic and well hidden that it eludes me every time I drive past it on Mission Street. (Hint: Look for the valet stand.) The "cinema" here is a bit of a gimmick: It's an outdoor dining area (partially covered and heated, but still chilly) where mostly foreign films are projected onto the side of an adjoining building, with tableside minispeakers for audio. What's definitely not a gimmick, however, is the superb Mediterranean-inspired menu created by husband-and-wife team John Clark and Gayle Pirie. Snackers like me find solace at the oyster bar with a half-dozen locally harvested Miyagi oysters and a devilishly good brandade (fish purée) gratin. Heartier eaters can opt for grilled halibut with chanterelles and roasted figs in a fig vinaigrette, fried Madras curry-spiced chicken with gypsy peppers, or grilled natural rib-eye with Tuscan-style beans and rosemary-fried peppercorn sauce -- all made from seasonal, sustainably farmed, organic ingredients when possible. Truth be told, even if the food weren't so good, I'd still come here -- it's just that cool. If you have to wait for your table, consider stepping into their adjoining bar, Laszlo.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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