Francesca's Forno: User Reviews

Missed the mark
By OldTown from Lincoln Park, September 22, 2009

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The original Francesca's is my favorite restaurant and knew this spot was different (small plates plus), but I expected the same level of service and food quality and it missed the mark. The host was congenial and while the server was fine, she was not the usual outstanding. I didn't order one of her recommendations but rather a shellfish pasta, my usual, and it was just bland. Most of the Bucktown restaurants we passed were biser, and now I know why.

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Hard to Beat
By tycorp18967 from East Village / Ukrainian Village, June 9, 2009

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This restaraunt on a consistant basis is one of the best in Chicago, great food, great wine, reasonable value. My wife and i subsist all over Chicago and no matter where we are, we draw comparisons to this great operation. The Pork Tenderloin is probably the best in Chicago and elsewhere.

Ken and Carol

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Pleasantly Surprised
By jjula from palmer square, October 18, 2008

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I went here w/3 friends for a birthday - I'd never been so was looking forward to it. We had reservations at 8 pm - by 9:15 we were seated. My friend really wanted to eat here so the wait was doable. I had told the host i was dissapointed and he made up for the wait. We got four appeitzers for free (which were wonderful), our dinner was great (I ate all the pasta), and we got four desserts for free (which were awesome). It was a bit noisy but overall, i'd return for great pasta.

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Mediocre
By Noormark from Bucktown, September 18, 2008

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This place is no better then pasta bowl. How can you turn the best location in Bucktown in such a mediocre place! Carpaccio and risotto were way too sald and seafood pasta way too spicy. They even screw up the espresso. BTW our waiter acted really weird! I can't believe people find this a 'hidden gem'. Not worthy to come back. We still miss Soul Kitchen...

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This is our favorite brunch spot of all time. We can watch everybody waiting in line for a table at Bongo room through the triagular shaped, all window dining area. The truffled toast is to die for as is the polenta/sausage/egg dish. The staff is so friendly and quick. The food is very creative and we never have to wait to be seated on the weekend.

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Nice for a Date
By BRUCE WAYNE from Logan Square, July 23, 2008

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this place is nice to bring a date once or twice, but I dont think that I would frequent it, because I thought that it was a little pricey, and the place itself is really crammed and small. I had the octopus salad thing which was delicious and our waitress was really nice. I also liked the huge windows so you could watch the street. If you have a couple of bucks to spare, you should check it out, it's OK.

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Don't go if you like clean dishes
By crazygemini12 from Bucktown, July 20, 2008

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Positive things first: I went there for brunch on a Sunday and the pancakes were top-notch. They were light and fluffy, and they dust them with powdered sugar. The food runners never let my coffee get below half-full, and were very attentive. It wasn't too noisy.

Now the rest:NONE, and I mean NONE of the dishes were clean. My water glass looked like it had that tell-tale milk ring in the bottom and my silverware was spotty. My server didn't pay any attention to me, didn't give me the correct change, took 32 minutes to bring me my check, and my eggs were spoiled. I worked with the public for 10 years and used to be a server, so I always give people the benefit of the doubt, but I will not be returning to this restaurant under ANY circumstances. I should've kept walking down to the Bongo Room.

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Love this Place
By amwickerpark from Wicker Park, June 10, 2008

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We live down the street and so have dinner here a few times a month with our three kids, and are treated like family. The staff is extremely friendly (which isn't always the case when kids are involved), the waiters are attentive (John couldn't be nicer to our girls) and the food is always great – even the kids' menu is well done. And my husband, who typically doesn't like to go out for Italian, says the risotto is always fabulous and the menu is fairly priced.

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I had the $21 prix-fixe...
By S from Wicker Park, Chicago, IL, May 8, 2007

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I had the $21 prix-fixe dinner on a Tuesday, and it was fantastic. The pear carpaccio was unique, sweet, savory, and excellent. The trout was flavorful and perfectly textured, if a tad too salty, and the peanut butter and chocolate gelato dessert was a decadent finish to a great meal for just $21!

My wife and I went...
By mike from Chicago, April 27, 2007

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My wife and I went here for the first time this evening. Ordered the cheese fritters for apps. They were so surprising & good we ordered another batch. I'm a scotch drinker & was surprised to find a nice single malt list including Lagavulin & Laphroag, both smoky islays that you don't find very often. I ordered the grilled prime rib & my wife the mushroom pasta with mascarpone. The steak was well seasoned, had a nice grilled flavor & was delicious. The polenta needed more substance, but I would order the steak again. My wife loved the mushroom pasta as did I. If you go, you must try the cheese fritters & the mushroom pasta. Had William as our server who was top notch. It did pick up in volume but didn't find it distracting; it could have been the two scotches. We both say the mushroom pasta is the best pasta out there - better than the mushroom lasagna on Fullerton. We will go back.