The Foreign Cinema Cookbook: Recipes and Stories Under the Stars

This is hands down one if the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. Every dish was amazing but not living in San Francisco any more I thought to try the next best thing - creating the dishes at home. The book is stunning - full of pictures from the iconic restaurant and the associated dishes which is inspiration to start cooking. But even more importantly the dishes are completely doable. I was surprised by both the simplicity of many of the dishes in terms of both ingredients and technique; each step is clearly defined and you can indeed replicate their dishes at home. The chapters include cocktails, seafood, urban picnic, premieres ( small plates : first dishes ), features ( main dishes) , sides, deserted and weekend brunch. Then it finishes with spices, condiments and pickles, sauces, dressings, basic building blocks such as stocks, and finally popcorn. I started somewhat simple with the Chocolate pots de Creme as I had that dessert just a week ago at the restaurant and it was so delicious I could not wait to have it again and it was not that difficult to make - just to allow 4 hours to allow it to set when I wanted to eat it! Next up will be soups and the tuna carpaccio if I can find sushi grade tuna locally. But there are so many delicious choices you will never be stuck for ideas. I cannot wait to keep cooking these dishes. Amazing book, stunning pictures and most importantly delicious recipes.

Foreign Cinema Cookbook just raised the bar for the 21st century cookbook. Stunning photography combined with simple, approachable new and old classic recipes in food. It belongs with the classic books in food preparation, not only showing technics but the artistic presentations that complete the dining experience. Along with their love and contributions to the community, chefs and co owners Gayle Pirie and John Clark are well deserving of the honor bestowed on them by the City of San Francisco proclaiming September 18 as Foreign Cinema Day! Jeri Mehelic, Oakland, Ca

We love The Foreign Cinema Cookbook. It tells the compelling story of FC, captures the excitement and intense pleasure of eating there, and most importantly, shares Gayle and John's wonderful recipes, lessons, and stories so you can recreate your favorites and discover new classics. The photography beautifully renders the setting, ambiance, and, of course, the food. Several of our friends have loved receiving a copy.

Having had a wonderful meal in Foreign Cinema (and watched The Maltese Falcon as well!), I have loved having the cookbook, both for the recipes and for the stories. I've bought one copy as a gift already .... and have just purchased another! Both recipients love good and interesting food. In fact, anyone who does would be delighted by this treasure trove.

There is something about FC that makes it a gem: it might be the food, the service, the atmosphere... it is the combo of all of it. The book captures that magic

I think I can cook now! Lol. Great recipes from my favorite restaurant in San Francisco!

Was hoping for the cinnamon roll recipes but it wasn’t there. Pop tarts are in though

This is my new favorite cookbook. Recipes are packed with flavor without being complicated or time consuming. The chefs really know how to get the best out of each ingredient!

Love the story, love the recipes, they work!

Everything is to like. Cannot wait until it open s again

This is hands down one if the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. Every dish was amazing but not living in San Francisco any more I thought to try the next best thing - creating the dishes at home. The book is stunning - full of pictures from the iconic restaurant and the associated dishes which is inspiration to start cooking. But even more importantly the dishes are completely doable. I was surprised by both the simplicity of many of the dishes in terms of both ingredients and technique; each step is clearly defined and you can indeed replicate their dishes at home. The chapters include cocktails, seafood, urban picnic, premieres ( small plates : first dishes ), features ( main dishes) , sides, deserted and weekend brunch. Then it finishes with spices, condiments and pickles, sauces, dressings, basic building blocks such as stocks, and finally popcorn. I started somewhat simple with the Chocolate pots de Creme as I had that dessert just a week ago at the restaurant and it was so delicious I could not wait to have it again and it was not that difficult to make - just to allow 4 hours to allow it to set when I wanted to eat it! Next up will be soups and the tuna carpaccio if I can find sushi grade tuna locally. But there are so many delicious choices you will never be stuck for ideas. I cannot wait to keep cooking these dishes. Amazing book, stunning pictures and most importantly delicious recipes.

Foreign Cinema Cookbook just raised the bar for the 21st century cookbook. Stunning photography combined with simple, approachable new and old classic recipes in food. It belongs with the classic books in food preparation, not only showing technics but the artistic presentations that complete the dining experience. Along with their love and contributions to the community, chefs and co owners Gayle Pirie and John Clark are well deserving of the honor bestowed on them by the City of San Francisco proclaiming September 18 as Foreign Cinema Day! Jeri Mehelic, Oakland, Ca

We love The Foreign Cinema Cookbook. It tells the compelling story of FC, captures the excitement and intense pleasure of eating there, and most importantly, shares Gayle and John's wonderful recipes, lessons, and stories so you can recreate your favorites and discover new classics. The photography beautifully renders the setting, ambiance, and, of course, the food. Several of our friends have loved receiving a copy.

Having had a wonderful meal in Foreign Cinema (and watched The Maltese Falcon as well!), I have loved having the cookbook, both for the recipes and for the stories. I've bought one copy as a gift already .... and have just purchased another! Both recipients love good and interesting food. In fact, anyone who does would be delighted by this treasure trove.

There is something about FC that makes it a gem: it might be the food, the service, the atmosphere... it is the combo of all of it. The book captures that magic

I think I can cook now! Lol. Great recipes from my favorite restaurant in San Francisco!

Was hoping for the cinnamon roll recipes but it wasn’t there. Pop tarts are in though

This is my new favorite cookbook. Recipes are packed with flavor without being complicated or time consuming. The chefs really know how to get the best out of each ingredient!

Love the story, love the recipes, they work!

Everything is to like. Cannot wait until it open s again

Book was in excellent condition

Great ideas for recipes complex and simple.

In close to 50 years in the food and wine business, I've seen a lot of cookbooks. Only a handful have kept me up late at night reading them, this one did for sure, then it continued to haunt me in my dreams. Outstanding recipes and stunning photography, enough to make an Old Hermit leave the backwoods of Oregon and head to The City. Congratulations on a very fine book, Food Porn at it's best. Jim Barfield Former Wine instructor, School For American Chef at Beringer Vineyards

I finally got my hands on a copy of this beautiful cookbook and I’m kind of overwhelmed. I’m very excited to try some of the charcuterie recipes. Also the soups. Also the meat dishes. Okay I can’t decide. There are so many amazing recipes that range from the incredibly complex to the extraordinarily simple—okay I decided, definitely starting with the tandoori chicken! The unexpected treasure trove is the compendium of spice mixtures, sauces, stocks, etc. at the end of the book. It’s worth the cost of the book for these recipes alone. The book also has a lot of interesting history and backstory for long time fans of the restaurant. It also has some fantastic bits of information within the recipes for your culinary education. Clever ideas and unique uses for traditional recipes that you may have never heard of. Also, because I’m a die hard cineaste, I love the cinematically themed recipes and subsections within the book. I’m particularly excited to try the cocktail that bears the name of my favorite movie, “Wild Strawberries”. Buy the book! You will love it, you will use it, you will read it!

As the editor of GFF Magazine, I test and publish recipes for a living, and I can't tell you how rare it is to find recipes as good as those in this brilliant cookbook. Foreign Cinema is loaded with the kinds of recipes I strive to print in my publication--elevated dishes that are spectacular in flavor, foolproof, and truly accessible to the home cook. Try the duck recipe once and it'll become your go-to for special occasions. Salads become superstars under the skilled hand of Gayle and John. Every single recipe I've cooked from this book--and I would need three hands to count them--is a complete home run. No, it's not a gluten-free cookbook, but because the recipes focuse on whole ingredient cooking, there are more than enough options to delight every type of food lover. If you give one book to yourself or your favorite home cooks this year, make it this one. You'll be glad you did.

This is an indispensable book for any serious cook. As a long-time customer of the restaurant, I can't believe how many of my favorite dishes have been revealed, from the amazing fruit syrups at the bar, to the baked goat cheese in Fig Leaves, to some of the amazing brunch treats (try the Balsamic Fried Eggs with Roasted Radicchio --it's easier than it sounds, and is perfect when you want a savory breakfast). The first things I have made from the book are the homemade merguez sausage, which was awesome with the Mixed Lamb Grill, and the Cabernet Beef Sauce. There are pages of great rubs and sauces that you can mix and match, all that have a special surprise touch. Highly recommended.

I've been going to Foreign Cinema from the day it opened, and have been a regular there ever since. In many ways, I grew up (well from 26 to 46) there, having spent many a night and afternoon enjoying delights both cinematic and culinary. So yes, I'm a little biased, but that magic is captured wonderfully in this cookbook. Recipes are gorgeously presented and stories and history unfold over the pages, well, like in the movies. The book represents an experience, whether you challenge yourself to replicate the dishes or just causes you to salivate until your next visit to Foreign Cinema. Fellini would have been proud...

Jean Paul Gaultier's favorite restaurant in SF is also Mine! The way I judge a cookbook is the ease with which I can get my hands on the ingredients and turn out a great dish. If that's your criteria, then this cookbook is for you. And the photographs and the writing transport you to the indoor outdoor fantasy place that is the casual elegance of the Foreign Cinema. The book features the classics, as well as new twists using their favorite greens, grains, proteins and spices. We love this book. Five stars!

This is a stunning book that is overflowing with an abundance of treats & goodies and something for everyone. For the history lover: This book beautifully displays the history of how Foreign Cinema, in the heart of the Mission district of San Francisco, came to be and how it continues to flourish. For the food lover: The cookbook includes all the greatest hits of this pivotal restaurant’s menu. Alongside the recipes are vivid and sensual pictures that urge you to give them a try. The drink lover: THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME. Enough said. This is a book best suited for those who prefer to eat, drink and be merry. Such a pleasure and a must have.

I have enjoyed dining at Foreign Cinema for the past year since returning to SF after an 18 year absence. I consider this restaurant to be one of the finest dining experiences in the City for environment, service, fair pricing and above all quality/uniqueness of the cuisine. Fortunately, the cookbook came out soon after I re-discovered the restaurant. We cook a lot at home, but find that most restaurant's cookbooks just aren't practical for home use. (Too many ingredients, too much time to make, we don't own the proper kitchen equipment/ovens, etc. to make the dishes at home.) Foreign Cinema's owners were brilliant in translating many of their most popular dishes to the home chef/kitchen with this cookbook. The recipes are simple, easy to understand and make, plus the accompanying photos are beautiful. Bonuses include (but are not limited to) recipes for cocktails, brunch dishes, dressings, rubs, etc. This is a must-own cookbook for any level of home cook. I gave this as holiday gift to many people on my list this past December, and all have told me it was their favorite gift received. Great for inspiring pot-luck parties, shower/wedding gifts, and anyone who enjoys healthy eating with exceptional flavors.

Foreign Cinema is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco and to now have the recipes for some of my absolute favorite dishes is pure gold. The cocktail recipes are devine; the urban picnic and mains sections are terrific. Who knew a guy like me could make brandade? Buy a copy for your kitchen and pick up a second copy to give to a friend. They will thank you.

This a gorgeous book but more than that it makes one feel part of the Foreign Cinema family. It starts with a wonderful story of the beginning of the relationship of its' charming owners, Gayle and John and the formation of the restaurant. Recently I told a friend that cooking school was my idea of hell. This book inspired me to re-enter my kitchen to prepare easy to follow, beautiful recipes. If I can cook so can you!

This book is certainly lovely and well designed, but what made it one of my favorite new cookbooks is that it makes it possible to produce wonderful meals that I wouldn't have thought out myself....food that's cozy and delicious, but exciting, too. And that includes some amazing brunch dishes (some I cheat and serve for dinner!) that make me feel like a star chef when I serve them. Highly recommended.

What does it take to launch and daily create one of the sexiest restaurants on the planet? The Foreign Cinema Cookbook lets you feel the magic on an intensely personal level. Everything about this book and this amazing, transporting restaurant is super cool.

The Foreign Cinema with Gayle & John's outstanding cuisine, particularly their superb salt-cod brandade and their mouth-watering take on ceviche, the warm, friendly. and highly competent Wait staff, and the simple elegant ambience of the venue has always felt like home. Now, with this wonderful cookbook, I could even try bringing some of that feel home with me. Bravo, Gayle & John Well done! A. Correia, SF

The Photography is beautiful and I love the inclusion of details included with the recipes. This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. I also like the wine pairing that is included. The book was given to me as a gift.

When I heard that one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco was bringing out a cookbook I couldn’t wait to get one ! I was so thrilled to open it up to a beautifully photographed and easy to follow cookbook . So many of the recipes bring back such happy family memories at your restaurant. Thank you for motivating me to start cooking again !

The cookbook is beautiful and a love letter to San Francisco. Not only are there tasty recipes, but history about San Francisco and where Foreign Cinema was built.

I purchased this book while dining in the restaurant is San Francisco. First of all this is one of the most complete cookbooks I have ever had the pleasure to own and I do have a lot of them. From cocktails to beautiful appetizers, the stunning entrees, brunch dishes and desserts! I really want to try the lavender brined pork chops I hope they are as amazing as they were the other night. I am going to have to get their other cook book too!!

I’ve had this book for a while and have enjoyed reading the stories about San Francisco‘s sexiest restaurant, Foreign Cinema. Now that I’ve started cooking the recipes, I can say thank you chef for the easy to follow instructions for restaurant quality dishes. Beets 3 ways was amazing and I love love love the Whole Roasted Tandoori Chicken on page 153

Somehow I ended up having to cook for a birthday weekend party at a cabin with friends. I grabbed the Foreign Cinema cookbook and I killed it. Super easy to follow and wildly impressive results. It gave me great joy to feed my friends such beautiful and celebratory food.

Brilliant! And if you've been to the restaurant, that is exactly what you would expect. If you want to make something special that will blow everyone's minds, this is the book for you!

The book demonstrates Chef John & Gayle's attention to details and vast experience and training. I seldom am able to get to the main courses because my daughter in law fills me up on their wonderful appetizers.

So much more than a cook book, the history of the Mission and Gayle and Johns mission statement enriched the whole experience. Fabulous photos, fabulous recipes that actually work,it’s a glorious book to delve into.