Foreign Cinema has been a Mission staple since 1999, and the reasons it’s still packed every night are simple: the restaurant serves fantastic seasonal Californian dishes and there’s a huge courtyard where they project films. Foreign Cinema’s inside is perfectly charming with its chandeliers made from old headlights and seatbelt-clad chairs, but you'll get the most out of the restaurant if you sit in the courtyard—especially if you want to shake up your date night routine. Outside, you walk a red-carpeted hallway to meet the host before sitting under string lights and powerful heaters, and watching something like Lawrence of Arabia. Check their site for the monthly film screening schedule, and find a night that works for whoever you'd happily give up a rent-controlled apartment for. The restaurant's draw goes beyond the chance to watch Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in public, though—the food is just as memorable. Foreign Cinema always has raw oysters on the menu, while the rest rotates through balanced, produce-heavy Californian and Mediterranean dishes that are plated like someone just got back from the Ferry Building’s farmers market. Cauliflower and celery root veloute with salsa matcha is creamy and bright. Five-spice duck breast with medjool dates and salmoriglio lands an even mix of tart, savory, and sweet. We'd say that the one weak spot is desserts, with dry chocolate cake and some just-fine chocolate chip cookies that feel tacked on to an otherwise great menu. Foreign Cinema may age, but not-boring date nights are eternally useful—as long as you plan about a week in advance when reservations are easy to snag. (Or, if you and that person you’d willing give the last Valencia St. parking spot to are okay with dinner before 6pm, go at the last minute and pat yourself on the back for being spontaneous.) Sure, the movie may stop you from having a truly private conversation, but there are plenty of other restaurants for that. And, really, what else is there to talk about at this point in the relationship?