It is one of the joyful oddities of American Jewish life that we’ve turned the act of eating Chinese food and seeing a movie into a Christmas tradition, a magical confluence of family, capitalism and the idiosyncrasies of two immigrant ethnic minorities.
Whether it is your tradition to do so on Christmas Eve (as I do) or on Christmas Day, it can be a bit of a wrangle: Who’s coming? What movies are they willing to see? Which theaters are showing those movies? And is there a good Chinese joint nearby?
In an effort to help the Jews of the Bay, I’ve paired most of the movie theaters in San Francisco with a nearby Chinese joint, plus movie recommendations. I’ve also covered a few theaters in the North Bay, East Bay, Peninsula and South Bay. If your favorite theater (or your favorite Chinese joint near a theater) wasn’t mentioned, let me know at [email protected].
San Francisco
Landmark Opera Plaza
Chinese joint: Harbor View — This Cantonese place is especially good if you have a large group, as I did this last year. We saw “A Complete Unknown” and then the group Uber-ed toward the Embarcadero for a banquet-like dinner at an enormous round table with a view of the Bay.
Movie rec: “Marty Supreme” —Timothée Chalamet, a Jew, plays a tennis champion with an enormous ego in the new movie from Josh Safdie, also a Jew.
AMC Metreon
Chinese joint: Fang — Very close to the theater. Another good spot for a big group, Fang is known for modernized takes on classic Chinese dishes.
Movie rec: “No Other Choice” — The new dark comedy from Park Chan-wook. Don’t miss it.
AMC Kabuki
Chinese joint: San Wang —I feel a little weird telling you to get Chinese food when you’re in Japantown. But how about Korean-style Chinese food nearby? This unique spot is worth a try. And it’s right across the street from the theater.
Movie rec: “Avatar: Fire & Ash” in 3D — The blue people are back, and they’re hotter than ever. Don’t see it in 2D.
Roxie
Chinese joint: Bao — Roxie is one of my neighborhood theaters, and I often stop at Bao before or after a screening for… you guessed it, bao. It has every kind of dumpling and bun you can imagine.
Movie rec: “Children of Paradise” — This 1945 French classic, filmed during World War II, is a wild ride through the Parisian theater scene of the late 19th century.
Regal Stonestown
Chinese joint: Supreme Dumplings — You’re already in the mall, but you don’t want Panda Express. Head for Supreme Dumplings, also in the mall, a nice sit-down spot that serves what its name promises.
Movie rec: “Anaconda” — A Jack Black and Paul Rudd comedy about doofuses attempting to remake the movie “Anaconda,” the (real) ’90s thriller.
Vogue Theater
Chinese joint: Hunan Empire — A long-ish uphill walk but a short drive from the theater, Hunan Empire has all the Chinese American classics you’re looking for, plus more “adventurous options,” according to its website.
Movie rec: “Hamnet” — “Nomadland” director Chloe Zhao is back from the MCU and ready for another proper film.
4 Star
Chinese joint: Literally anywhere — You’re on Clement Street in the Richmond District. Walk outside, turn left or right and wander into almost any storefront. You can’t go wrong.
Movie rec: “Die Hard” — God bless the 4 Star for showing this every Christmas. You’ve heard the claim that it’s a Christmas movie. The next time you see me, ask me why it’s actually a Hanukkah movie.
Balboa Theater
Chinese joint: Shanghai House —It’s literally across the street. And if it’s full, there are like eight other places within a block.
Movie recs: They have “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Dec. 24 and “Marty Supreme” on Dec. 25. You can’t go wrong.
North Bay
Cinemark Century Rowland Plaza, Novato
Chinese joint: China Palace —With a name that generic, it must be good! Plus, it’s right across 101 from the theater.
Movie rec: “The Housemaid” — Proving that I’ll see anything on Christmas, I might check out this thriller with Sydney Sweeney playing house help in what seems like an idyllic situation… before things go very wrong.
Lark Theater, Larkspur
Chinese joint: DJ’s Chinese Cuisine — After the movie, you’re a five-minute walk from a local favorite with some outdoor seating and all the classics.
Movie recs: “Hundreds of Beavers,” an indescribable Tex Avery cartoon come to life, on Dec. 24; “It Was Just an Accident,” a comedic thriller by an Iranian dissident, on Dec. 25.
East Bay
Grand Lake Theatre, Oakland
Chinese joint: Yang Chow or Hunan Village — They’re both local stalwarts serving all the standard dishes, and they’re both right around the corner from the one of the most beautiful movie theaters in our area.
Movie rec: “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” — The third installment in the Daniel Craig murder mystery series. Absolutely delightful.
AMC Bay Street 16, Emeryville
Chinese joint: Hong Kong East Ocean Seafood Restaurant — It has Bay views to die for and a menu full of Hong-Kong-style specialties. There’s also the Mumu Hot Pot in the same shopping complex as the theater.
Movie rec: “The Secret Agent” — A languid, occasionally comic Brazilian thriller starring Wagner Moura, who you thought was really handsome in “Civil War” last year.
Rheem Theatre, Moraga
Chinese joint: Chef Chao — Come see the incredible neon marquee on this theater, then head across the street for the usual Mandarin dishes, plus Sichuan specialties.
Movie rec: “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants” — If you’ve got kids (or you’re a nostalgic Millennial), I know which movie you’re seeing.
Peninsula/South Bay
Cinemark Century San Mateo 12
Chinese joint: Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine — This is actually the first U.S. outpost of a chain from China. I’ve been meaning to try it for a while. Let me know if it’s good if you go.
Movie rec: “Elf” — They’re showing “Elf”!
3Below Theaters, San Jose
Chinese joint: China Chen — Just a couple blocks away, no frills, all the classics you crave.
Movie rec: Their schedule for the week isn’t posted yet, but expect a mix of first-run films and classics.