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Foreign Cinema in San Francisco's Mission District has been a fixture of the neighborhood for over 20 years, since 1999, and is so beloved that there's even a “Foreign Cinema Day” in San Francisco (September 18) in recognition of distinctive service and community stewardship. It's been a semifinalist multiple times for the James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant.
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Foreign Cinema Location and Hours
Foreign Cinema is located at 2534 Mission Street, between 21st and 22nd Street in San Francisco's Mission District. It serves dinner Monday-Saturday from 5-10pm, and brunch on Saturdays from 11am-2pm, and on Sundays 11am-3pm.
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Foreign Cinema Brunch Menu and Food
After checking in with the hostess, we were promptly seated, as requested, in the outdoor courtyard. I liked that there are drapes overhead to provide some shade. Within a minute of being seated, our friendly server provided menus, confirmed the food allergen in our reservation, and asked us for our water choice. Seafood lovers are in for a treat, as Foreign Cinema offers an extensive variety of oysters, as well as caviar, prawn cocktail, lobster, and Dungeness Crab, in addition to its regular brunch menu.
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First to arrive were the two pop tarts we ordered. I've never understood the attraction of boxed pop tarts, but these ones were delicious, particularly the Santa Rosa plum. Perfect with coffee.
Our son's deliciously creamy Lavender Baked Goat Cheese and Acme Bread arrived next. This is more of an appetizer, and wouldn't have been enough for my hungry teen if I hadn't also given him some of my duck confit.
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My husband ordered the Heavenly Scramble with merguez sausage and arugula, which he enjoyed, but proved to be a rather modest portion given his hearty appetite. He had some of my duck and lentils to supplement it.
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My favorite dish was my own, the Duck Confit with Duck Breast, Figs, French Lentils, and a Sunny Side Up Egg. It was the perfect balance of savory, crispy, salty and sweet, thanks to the very French pairings of rich and salty duck confit with hearty lentils, sweet figs, and some duck cracklings, as well as the egg.
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The Verdict
Foreign Cinema offers one of the best outdoor brunches in San Francisco, pairing farm to table dishes with pleasant service in a shaded outdoor courtyard. This brunch leans more savory than sweet, ideal for those who favor seafood, meat, or savory egg dishes for their brunch.
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