Foreign Cinema – San Francisco

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Until last night, my husband and I were actually questioning the level of quality of San Francisco restaurants. I mean, when you're comparing to New York City and Montreal, the only other cities we visit with a high food expectation, and then of course living in Ottawa, a marvelous city for quality restaurants, the bar is set pretty high. Foreign Cinema brought San Francisco right up there with our other favourite food cities.

This gorgeous restaurant, with it's insanely high ceilings, warehouse-like windows and soft lighting is the perfect recipe for a wonderful evening out. Not to mention fantastic service and heavenly dishes. The only difficult thing about the evening was having to make a decision on what plate to order.

The app (or premiere as they call it) I decided to go with was probably one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. La Frita: sesame whole quail, jalapeno and bell pepper rings, onions, balsamic mayo. Where to begin with this dish... the light crisp batter that coated the quail and rings just flaked in your mouth with every bite, it was amazing. Everyone at the table had food envy. Although my husband's house cured sardine toasts with shell bean purée and organic hazelnut-fig aillade came pretty close.

Of the three mains (or local features), I would have to say I wouldn't order mine again. Not because it wasn't delicious, but because the other two were so much better. I got the seafood risotto with Maine sea scallops, Dungeness crab, baby clams, fennel, prosecco. My husband's dish almost made me fall off my chair it was so good, five-spice roast duck breast, golden turnips, roasted chicories, green olive-rosemary tapenade. Scott went with the juicy Tunisian spiced chicken under a brick, basmati rice, spring onion raita, baby carrots.

The yummy wine recommended by our server was perfect with every dish – Rosso di Montalcino.

If you ever find yourself in San Fran, you must take the time to come here. They've even got a large heated patio with even more tables outdoors where they project old movies onto a stone wall, hence the name of the restaurant. Premieres range from $8 to $14 and local features from $20 to $27.

www.foreigncinema.com