Most girls probably would not go on a carb-fest before going out drinking, because they don't want to look bloated in their dresses. They also would not go eat a huge burger and beignets before going out drinking. Luckily my best friend and I are not like that. We came here for my birthday on a Saturday, arriving promptly at 9pm which was our reservation time. The place was packed, and so we were told there would be a wait. But, isn't not having to wait the point of making a reservation? Luckily a couple chairs freed up at the bar, and we were each given a complimentary glass of wine. The bread and olive oil is just the first part of the carb-fest. The real marathon comes with the pasta, because they give you SO much. I had the Gnocchi in a cream sauce. I would've eaten all of it if there were enough room in my stomach. Gnocchi in a cream sauce were so good. I've also had some arrabbiata sauced pasta which was really great. There are antipasti, insalate and pizze that stay on the menu all the time, but everything is handwritten in because they change all the time. I didn't even have room for dessert on my birthday because I ate so much pasta; I guess I should've just asked for a candle in my gnocchi. The packed dining room doesn't bother me. It almost feels appropriate like we're some huge Italian family eating crazy amounts of pasta and bruschette. They just need to figure out their reservation deal. Having to wait 30 minutes after our reservation time is ridiculous, and if you can't get a seat at the bar, there isn't much space to stand and wait. As a bonus, one Friday night here for dinner I saw Calvin Tran from The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection aka Bravo's feeble attempt to replace Project Runway. Yeah you probably don't know who that is or ever watched that tv show, and I don't blame you.
(4)
Don H.
I FINALLY GOT TO COME HERE! We visited with our foodie friend who was looking for some good Italian food. I remembered this place and finally had a good excuse to come here. Without reservations. And without reservations. First of all, the ambiance. It's cramped. Really cramped. And loud. Oddly loud. And lit funny. It's very beautiful, though, but if they could turn the volume down on the conversation with some acoustic engineering it would've been a far better experience. Or stop service alcohol to loud people. Or just limit it to one table in the restaurant. Sorry. The food. Yes. The food was VERY good. Usually when I have Italian food, especially something like funghetto linguine with a cream sauce, I am expecting it to be heavy and almost pasty. Not the case here. It was so light and ... authentic. That's the only word i can think of, though it's not the right word. Light. Fresh. Flavorful. I love mushrooms and I could taste the mushrooms, that earthiness that I love about eating a raw 'shroom. That's what came out of the food. And that's what balanced this experience for me. I would definitely come back, but not on a weekend night. Definitely worth a return visit.
(3)
Kay S.
Delicious! I've been here 3 or 4 times already and it is amazing. The unique, hand-written menu changes all the time and you can't go wrong with anything you order. Appetizers, pasta, fish, chicken, pizza, etc. I've been meaning to take a picture of my meal before I dig in but it looks so good and fresh when it comes out, I always forget. If you've never been, go here. If you have been, go again.
(5)
Gina F.
We tried this location for the first time on October 5th. We went to celebrate the giant certification exam I had passed the night before & our 1 year anniversary, so we brought a nice bottle of champagne with us. . The food was good--on par with the other Francesca's Restaurants, but the service was not great. We didn't see our server much, and had to fill our own champagne all night. Really, he didn't pick up the bottle ONCE. The server told us at the END of the night that the corkage fee was $25. I new there would be one, but I assumed it would be $10, $12, maybe even $15 like other places. He had the nerve to tell us we ewre luckyt because it used to be $5 more. I really felt taken four a ride. At least at that price he should have served it to us. Soooo disappointed that this happened at a Francesca's!
(2)
Michael W.
I have been going to this place for years. Out of them all this one is still top notch. The service and food are great. You do sometimes have to deal with the volume and sitting on top of other people but its worth it. If your looking for romantic then maybe this isn't your spot. Its loud and rocking almost every night. They print menus every day and have a few specials here and there but the core menu is a staple. Just remember you are going to be seated close to others. Not communal tables but very close. That's my only issue but once your eating who cares.
(5)
Helen H.
This place was decent. Nothing too special. My drink was terrible unless their goal was to come as close as possible to cough syrup. We got the spaghetti which was classic and delicious. The baked chicken was quite filling and had delicious flavor. Overall delicious and decent prices but not something to write home about.
(3)
Sean M.
Ok, let me first say DO NOT SIT UPSTAIRS IF IT'S A COLD NIGHT! I REPEAT, DO NOT SIT UPSTAIRS! You will freeze your a** off! The doors stay open from the outside and the staff keeps coming in and out and there is no "wind-blocker" so the cold air just shoots right into the small dining room. I WILL SAY...the food is really great! Service is good too. The music was odd for a upscale italian place....they had B96 on. How about some classical or Sinatra????
(3)
Courtney M.
Delicious and accommodating! Made my friend a dish that wasn't on the menu :)
(5)
Katie S.
I wish I could write separate reviews for brunch and dinner here. I'd say the brunch was a 2 and the dinner was a 4 - so we'll go with a solid 3 overall. Brunch - I think this is a new deal for them. I went with a group of girlfriends a few weeks ago, and it was just kind of awful. I was so excited because I saw that they make their bloody marys with my favorite mix (Zing Zang! recommended by my brother the bartender ;) ) and it was super bland and watered down. UGH. It took the server forever to take our food order. I got a hash with scrambled eggs, potato, fried chicken and bacon... which should have been heaven... but was DISGUSTING. The dish basically had fried pieces of gristle in it. I couldn't even come close to trying to finish it. Dinner is much better. Service was very attentive even on a busy Saturday night. Pasta was delicious and still good as leftovers the next day as well. I thought their pricing was reasonable too. Work on the brunch, though, Mia Francesca. Please. I think you can do a lot better.
(3)
Amanda G.
Was here a couple of weeks ago visiting a friend in Chicago. She took me to this restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. A bit crowded, but who could blame them with the incredible food they're dishing up. The service was fantastic, too! Absolutely loved every dish I tried. Will definitely be going back there again next time I am in Chicago.
(5)
Richie D.
Every fourth restaurant in Chicago is Italian (the rest are all split between Thai, Mexican or another cuisine). In other words, competition and expectations are high...while those who have wheat-allergies try to talk their friends into changing their minds set on pleasing their Italian appetites. Thank goodness for the small Francesca chain. Here, anyone can ask and receive. Mia Francesca has an entire menu of gluten-free pastas that are made purely of quinoa (and by that I mean not a quinoa-corn mix). If you're new to the gluten-free/celiac diet, quinoa is not only a lifesaver but a grain that originates in the Andes which is low in sodium, has no cholesterol, contains 16.2% more protein than any other grain and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Yep, a godsend. For other food items, the calamari salad is full of those little guys causing you to get your money's worth. Or the mussels are also not super full of seafood flavor but garlic. I slurped down the Pasta al Pomodorini: linguini sauteed in a 'spicy' cherry tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs. Perfectly flavorful, delicious and GLUTEN-FREE ITALIAN! Purchase yourself one of their wonderful bottles of wine and you're set! For those who doesn't have wheat allergies, don't miss out on their profiteroles with pistachio ice cream. D-Lic! Otherwise, the flourless chocolate cake with fresh berries is your match.
(5)
Ernie C.
Enjoyed the fast service and good food. Had the pesto chicken pasta for $16.99 Very crowded and noisy, but I live in the suburbs and this is city dining.
(3)
Parker K.
Service is superb and ALWAYS consistent (I work in the industry, so I am always analyzing this aspect of the experience). The food is of exceptional quality for the price. Boisterous, New York vibe and atmosphere. I've had the pleasure to eat here more than six times. I promise you, you will never be disappointed about your experience - wether it's your first date or showing your family a little gem of Lakeview.
(5)
Gladys G.
Awesome food! good times :)
(4)
P P.
Great service. Lunch entrees were superb. Very lovely pizza, salad, and I had the salmon on spinach. Very wonderful. Our apple tart desert was a bit of a disappointment ( all crust no apples). But it's easy to overlook when the food and service make you feel like it's worth it to pay. This isn't a a feeling we get that often in the River North area, to be honest..
(4)
Andy B.
This place, with its many locations across the Chicagoland area, never fails to please. I've been to a few of them, and they are always consistent. Right down to the handwriting on the menus. This time we had the bruschetta (amazing,) and I had the rigatoni dei sardi, which was cooked in a delicious red sauce, and had mushrooms and sausage. No matter what pasta I ever get here, it's always great. For dessert, we tried the tiramisu. I'm by no means versed in the ways of tiramisu, but it was nevertheless delicious. We were, however, wishing they would turn up the air. Being the middle of August, and after a couple glasses of wine, it got a little warm. Very minor complaint.
(4)
Claudia D.
The food was excellent. The service was friendly, attentive without being obtrusive, and very detailed. The price point is very similar to Francesca's on Taylor & definitely worth it as far as food & service are concerned. Perhaps we're stuck in our ways, but the space was small, cramped, and totally cacophonous! Perhaps the usual clientele doesn't object, but we prefer a bit more room between tables, and we like to converse with each other at dinner. That said---the husband had a vodka on the rocks with a twist ($6-very reasonable for the area) & the roast chicken. I had chicken breast with a rosemary, garlic white wine sauce. Roast potatoes came with both entrees. We shared 2 scoops of frozen deliciousness for dessert-pistachio gelato for him & raspberry sorbet for me. The waiter (Felix) was wonderful to us. He staged our take-out entree order perfectly so it was still warm when we got home, even though we had to drive clear to the UIC area! Kudos to Felix and the kitchen.
(4)
Christina M.
Mia Francesca = Love, it's that good. My bf and I met some friends at this location and had a wonderful meal. The wine and drinks were great and the appetizers were very tasty. Their menu rotates every week because they use ingredients that are in season, so you usually get something different every time you go (everything has always been fantastic). My pasta was very good and well-flavored, and did I mention that the bread and olive oil is to die for? Well, it is. The best part about Francescas is that they'll accommodate almost any diet, they always whip up something vegan for me. This is really a great chain of restaurants.
(4)
Laura F.
I wish I could tell you how amazing the spinach ravioli is. My fiance took me here for my birthday around 7:30 on a Friday night. It was understandably busy. After making our way through a maze to our table -- seriously, cram any more tables in there and we'd all be sitting on each other's laps -- we ordered. I opted for the aforementioned ravioli, a cab sav (second choice as they were out of my first) and the dude got a pizza and some riesling. The pizza came. He nibbled. We waited. And waited. And waited. About 45 minutes after, the waiter came to check on us. "Is her ravioli going to be out soon?" "What ravioli?" Then we left. Yeah. Thank goodness for GrubHub.
(2)
Desire' M.
I don't think I've ever had anything bad here. Sometimes, I might get a dish that could have used a little more this or that, but it was still delicious regardless. I'm super impressed with their gluten free menu. Most of their regular pasta dishes can be made gluten free. I had their gluten free pizza margherita and was almost concerned it wasn't gluten free it was so good. Finished off dinner with the Torta Lava...mmm. The place can get packed and noisy so try not to go at peak hours.
(4)
Jim P.
Disappointing. I had their pasta w/shrimp + scallops in a spicy tomatoe sauce. It wasnt spicey and it was way too salty. I had the same dish on new yrs eve @ their location near water tower and there was no comparision. Where's the quality control???
(2)
Happiness L.
The best thing that can be improved is to have refills on water and coffee with out asking. Every time I was low/out of something to drink I was the one to ask, and I like the attention of filling my coffee cup or water glass with out me asking for it each and every time. As far as the food....so very delicious! I was there for brunch and the omelet with potatoes were an excellent choice. I got to customize the omelet the way that I like with wonderful ingredients such as Italian sausage, artichoke, and more. It was somewhat cold in there too....perhaps they can turn up the heat during the cold season? My waitress and the entire staff have a very friendly attitude. Super easy to get a table at brunch.
(4)
Sandra W.
Let's just say that I had to figure out how to cross the damn streets during Critical Mass. (throws fist in the air) Mia Francesca is a small quaint and yet exciting restaurant. I had a great time there. Despite the crowdy-feel, the food was great, the staff was super accommodating, and very easy to get to via public transportation. (Belmont stop). My friend got a few cocktails that were strong and delicious and I stuck to my usual beer. They have Oberon's there. Yum. I went with 5 other friends and had a nice meal together. It wasn't too loud and it wasn't too hard to hear each other. We went around 8pm and it was still vibrant. We made reservations so we were sat right away. I ordered Spaghetti. Yes, I know, typical, boring, lame, etc etc. I love Spaghetti and Mia's spaghetti with sausage was excellent! I had a ton left over and ate some the next day. Wow. Still delicious. The sauce was not watery and it was tasty and flavorful. I will come back with my out of town friends (even in town friends) and have a nice dinner. I'd highly recommend this place. Just do it.
(4)
Julie B.
I normally wouldn't write a review for a random night out for dinner. But our waitress Meredith was great and helped make our experience wonderful. My husband and I had our first date night in 7 months...since the birth of our son. Needless to say - to us, it was a big deal. After giving us great recommendations, and giving us plenty of space while still feeling taken care of, we were ready for our check. But Meredith had heard it was a "big night out" and treated us to a dessert. Even after we told her our big night out was simply a night without our son - not a birthday or anniversary. It made our night that much better! We will definitely be repeat customers.
(4)
Caroline R.
This place is a favorite on restaurant week and during the summer when you can sit outside where it is considerably less loud.
(4)
Kristin T.
What place is perfect and deserves a 5star? This place comes close. The bartender and hostess welcomed me in. I was hungry and had an hour to kill. Everyone spoke with me as if they see people alone at the bar all the time in this lovely restaurant. I've been here plenty of times before but never alone. The ambience is wonderfully Italian. Big mirror and B&W photography. Loud and fun to hear kids as well as adults. The bartender didn't push me ordering an entree. I had an appetizer of calamari. One of my fave Italian dishes. This was even better than I expected. Sauteed calamari with shallots butter wine spinach tomatoe capers. What else? Garlic. I sopped it all up with the warm... no... hot bread. Nice and crispy on the outside and dense and soft inside. The calamari was tender and the sauce dripped off my lips. I was constantly wiping them. I needed a bib! Thanks to all who was part of my visit! Ill come alone again! I focused on the food. Yum! I enjoyed it all with 2 glasses of Mark West pinot noir. Not bad for their cheapest glass. I'm stuffed.
(4)
Robb Z.
First time diner. Life long fan. Can't say enough good stuff about Mia. Chill, laid back atmosphere, down to earth service, amazing food(house salad was the only downfall), and the price is easy on the money clip. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Beth B.
One of my new favorite places in Chicago to eat Italian. I went to the Lincoln Park location with my mother. It was a last minute decision after a long day of shopping. I am so glad we went here. Food was fresh, delicious and completely authentic. We had a beautifully plated Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella appetizer and shared an entree since we are both light eaters. After trying to decide on many different options we asked for a recommendation, we decided on the Gnocchi with Bolognese. This is seriously the best Gnocchi I HAVE EVER HAD. I will be coming back again and again for this little gem. Great find!
(4)
Stephanie W.
Love private parties in the upstairs space at Mia Francesca - the family style service totally works, you have your own private bar, and you can essentially set up your party any way you want. But the main dining room experience leaves something to be desired. The seating is incredibly tight and cramped, and it feels like you're either on top of other diners or the wait staff is on top of you. Even if you have a reservation, you typically have to wait a few minutes to be seated and there's seriously nowhere to wait inside the door. Service is mediocre at best, and the food is hit or miss given how often the menu changes. I've had some seriously delicious dishes here, but I've also had plenty of pastas that just aren't worth finishing. I've also had friends get food poisoning after dining here more than once. All in all, I'd recommend the Bryn Mawr location over this one. The service is significantly better and the food is usually much better as well.
(3)
Anna V.
I have been here more than 20 times. It is always PACKED, loud, and happy. The food is 99% of the time great and often spectacular. They have had a few dishes (and the menu has been different almost every time, so when I get to repeat things I usually cherish it) that I would eat every day if I could. Things to watch for: the gnocchi in tomato basil sauce, the rigatoni bolognese, spinach ravioli, arugula and roasted cherry tomato flatbread, mushroom risotto, and the orechiette with sausage crumbles, roasted tomato herb broth and broccoli rabe. The food is REALLY fantastic, the desserts are all good (especially the flourless cake and the peanut butter torte). I usually get a glass of wine or two. Dr. L Reisling was my favorite over the summer. They typically have good Italian blends for a cheap glass fee. Another highlight: the bread. Which we eat entire loaves of before the food comes. I actually like their chaotic dining room. I have almost always gotten a decent table (often the one by the window) and the high rustic urban space is way better than the bland upstairs room. The perfect place for a carb coma. Lately they've been sketchy with seating reservations on time and it's annoying, but before that they were always fine. Definitely make one, though. This place gets crowded really quick for a good reason.
(5)
Taylor Z.
Love, love, love this restaurant. I always get their pizza with egg, prosciutto and olives and they're always willing to let me customize it the way I want. I've tried their other dishes that other people I was with ordered and everything is delicious. The only thing that I ever find fault with is, occasionally, they use a bit too much sodium but that can be easily remedied by asking them to go lightly on the salt. Their appetizers I usually skip because their entrees and desserts are so good, I want to devour those and only those but if you have a big appetite, they're all really tasty too, especially their lentils and bruschetta. Their desserts are to die for. Their Tiramisu is almost as good as the one I had in Italy and definitely the best and most authentic I've tasted here in Chicago. But all their desserts are really awesome too. I recently had some kind of cake with pumpkin pie baked into it (I think it's a seasonal thing though) and OMG let me tell you, hands down, best birthday cake I've ever had the privilege to try. I've tried a few other desserts here and have yet to be let down. Service is always prompt and efficient without hovering. Atmosphere is loud and usually busy with the kitchen close by but it works for this kind of place. One thing I can say, is the quality of food here is outstanding. I never leave feeling sick like you can from too much rich Italian food, but always leave satisfied. You can tell they really put care into the ingredients they use and how they prepare the food.
(5)
Tammy M.
Love this place and it is one of my Chicago favorites! Went here last weekend when my sisters were in town visiting and everyone loved their food. My sister said that it was one of the best meals that she has ever had and when it came time to go out to dinner the following night she said wherever we go she knows she is going to be disappointed and sure enough she loved her dinner at Mia's so much more. It seems to be much less crowded that it was in years past, not sure why that is but I really enjoyed that I was able to get a last minute reservation.
(4)
Erika G.
There's no need to go to any other restaurant. This place, like her sister on Bryn Mawr, is a hit every time. The food is always perfect and delicious. Our waiter, finally a REAL waiter, knowledgeable about the food. Fantastic service. The back patio . . . BELLA! I can't think of a cuter, more charming back patio anywhere in Chicago. And while the front room rocks, and gets very crowded, the back patio is a little oasis. I don't even need to detail what we ate, because everything I've ever ordered at either of the Francesca's has been spot on amazing. It's not adventurous dining by any means, it's just reliable, fresh, well prepared utterly delicious food. Solid 5 stars all around. The appetizers, all good. The bartenders flirty and cute. The waitstaff, world class. The front desk guy, very nice, helpful and flexible, when we suddenly decided to give up our indoor table and opted for the back patio. The entrees, easily enough food for two to share, which makes it the most amazing bargain dinner in the city, bar none. I mean, $26 for dinner for two (not including drinks)?!! That just means we can go twice as often! The company, stars off the charts, but your mileage may vary on that one.
(5)
Laila C.
so I didn't actually order food there but I had bread, olive oil and nibbles of my friend's pasta. considering that i'm generally foodily opposed to eating bread because I think they're bland and boring-the bread + olive oil combo at MF was delicious! I ate almost 2 whole pieces of bread accompanied by almost the entire jar of Olive oil. My friend's plate of lentils, sausage and pasta was far more delicious than I would expect for any pasta plate. The sausage was delectable, the lentils were soft and very flavorful. I'm almost certain I'd return here to eat, even though I hate italian food. I think that says a lot about the restaurant.
(4)
Katie M.
Decent Italian food. Plenty of tables. Ample portions. Acceptable prices. I wish I had more to say than that; I wasn't impressed by any means, but I wasn't particularly disappointed. I had no specific qualms with the service we received, but our server was very young and seemed inexperienced. Pro-tip: there's tons of tables upstairs, although the vibe is a little different up there.
(3)
Theo J.
This is such a great place. The service was absolutely excellent. The salad was the freshest and had a great flavor. The dinner was excellent. The deserts were homemade great. The wine was perfect. My words for this place would be great food.
(5)
James S.
We went there for a date night and unfortunately on both sides of our table was seated a group of children. They were quite distracting and making a lot of commotion. The wine list was a bit on the pricey side. The cheapest bottles of wine were around $30. The food was overall good Italian food as to be expected for the price. The service was decent although our server seemed too busy to be as attentive as he should have been. Not sure if we will be back given the other options in the area.
(3)
Rits T.
This place is awesome. I ordered seafood pasta and I was so happy with my meal. It made me full for 2 days.. Def order more..
(4)
Marissa J.
There isn't an option for a 2.5 so I decided to round down. My fiance would have given this a 3, but Yelp notes a 2 is "Meh. I've experienced better." I think this accurately expresses my feelings. Not bad, but not good. We went for the first time time last night, a Friday. We were able to get reservations on very short notice so that was a plus. We were seated upstairs and where we were the tables were a bit too crowded together; so much so that the servers had trouble navigating between the tables. We ordered a nice bottle of red, mussels in spicy tomato sauce, and the burrata to start. The mussels were good, but a bit cold and the sauce was not spicy. The bur rata was yummy. My fiance ordered the rigatoni with spicy italian sausage and mushrooms. His was good, especially the tomato sauce. I ordered the mushroom risotto and it was terrible. I normally love risotto, but this was like rice and uncooked mushrooms in broth. Very little flavor. My fiance referred to it as "Uncle Ben's with mushrooms." Highly disappointing. Our waitress never came back to check how the food was and the buser picked up our plates without noticing I hadn't touched my food. Overall an okay experience but with so many great restaurants in town, I don't think we'll be back.
(2)
Rebecca H.
I went there a little over a year ago. The lighting was too bright for dinner and I got food poisoning. Needless to say, I haven't and don't plan on going back.
(2)
Rebecca H.
Nice, solid Italian food. The bruschetta was fresh and the gnocchi perfectly prepared.
(4)
Kimberly G.
I was a customer of the Francesca's Intimo (the Lake Forest location) while I was in college - just loved going there! Now that I live in Chicago, I love coming here since I live across the street. I have gotten to know the staff and they are so friendly and welcoming. They are always changing the menu but there are always a few staples to the menu. You are guaranteed to always try something new. Definitely one of my favorite spots!
(5)
RJ W.
We shuttle upstairs where we felt like we were suddenly in glamourous Schaumburg... Boring menu, boring food, boring wine menu.. Service was fine, nothing spectacular... the menu has 10 to 12 choices, none of them spectacularly executed.. and when you have only a few things to make, they should be perfect. The wine menu was EXCEPTIONALLY overpriced. I understand markups but 500%.. really? I honestly think the Olive Garden in your average mall is a better value with better food... and Olive Garden is just sad... so you get my drift....the only reason, in my opinion, this place is busy is because suburbanites and out of towners heard about it and flocked to it.. I was reminded why , as a local, I stopped going here 10 years ago.. way too many better Italian restauarants in the immediate area than this one...
(2)
Deployed R.
Wow! We went on a very cold Monday night, so business was slow. Maybe that had something to do with it, but we were seated right away and everyone we interacted with was very courteous and helpful. The menu is not your run of the mill chain Italian garbage. They have some interesting twists on old standards. We started with the Arugula Brushetta and Asparagus Salad. Both were great but the brushetta was exceptionally good (there was lots of cheese with the tomatoes and arugula). I had a rigatone pasta with veggies that was perfect, but my wife ordered the special and it stole the show! It was a stuffed gnocchi pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. The best gnocchi either of us has ever had, if not one of the best pasta dishes we have ever had. The portions were generous and they were happy to wrap up our leftovers for us.
(5)
Stefanee H.
Y. U. M.! This place was great! To start with, we had the nicest waiter. He was so patient with 3 chatty broads and definitely had some great recommendations. He even overheard my friend and I say we were going to split our dishes and had the kitchen split out dishes for us! Our dishes were good and the portions were very generous, especially for the price. My girl friend is a super picky eater and they made her something that was not on the menu, did not complain about it, and did not charge her extra for it. The desserts were good. Nothing spectacular but very good. We got the creme brulee and these pistachio gelato filled cream puffs covered in chocolate. I am not a huge cream puff fan but the gelato was delish. I cannot wait to go back in the summer and enjoy the patio!
(4)
Charles J.
This was probably a case of my expectations being too high coming into my initial visit to Mia's. After all, it is rumored to be a popular spot with Jennifer Aniston, when she's in town. How bad could it be, I asked? Well, it's not bad. It just didn't measure up to my expectations. Here are a few of my observations. Lacking menu. Surprisingly few choices and most this evening weren't very exciting. Drinks too strong. Yep, you heard me. None of us could even drink the martini's we ordered due to the overwhelming alcohol taste. Average tasting food. We started with the Calamari appetizer. An ample amount was served and it was very tasty. Well worth the $7.99 price. Unfortunately for me, it was downhill from there. I ordered the Chicken, which was two small chicken breasts and a side of spinach. The chicken breasts looked like something you'd get in the frozen food section of the grocery. They were cooked in a very uninteresting manner and just seemed to sit there on my plate, with no "presentation". The spinach was fresh and tasty but at $16 for an uninspired chicken dish, I felt I overpaid. Others in my party ordered the Rigatoni with sausage and goat cheese and were complimentary. I sampled it and thought it had decent flavor. The tab for our party of 4 was just over $100 (with drinks) which isn't bad by Chicago standards but, as I have stated in other reviews, it is the quality and the experience that are as important as the price and, at least on this night, the quality and experience fell flat for me. I'd give them another shot because of the number of 4 and 5 star ratings. It wasn't even close to that this time for me.
(2)
Kara B.
Mia Francesca is one of the more creative Italian places I have found so far. They have interesting combinations of flavors to put an original spin on traditional Italian dishes, all while doing this at a reasonable price. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Deena D.
Fabulous Italian fare, huuge portions & cozy little vibe. First off, the Open Table reservation was super helpful, I highly recommend it on any peak night since the restaurant is on the cozier side and there isn't a whole ton of space to wait. Except by the bar which obviously is no twist of the arm for me... My second time here and we sat upstairs which was also very nice, I kind of liked it better because it was more roomy. Our waitress was very sweet and made recommendations since we had some Mia Virgins at the table. Ordered the house red pinot which was good about $45 a bottle. They are notorious for their mussels app but I couldn't resist an authentic caprese salad. They use buffalo mozzarella instead of regular cow's milk which I thought was pretty nifty. I decided to take the road less traveled this time and order a pizza as my entree (yup, ALL for me, so selfish I know). This pizza had olives, prosciutto, artichoke, cheese, and a fried egg on top. OH BABY. When it comes out they do a fun little "pizza dance" if you will where they dice the egg up for you which my friend's boyfriend found mesmerizing. While very delicious it started to get soggy towards the end. I would still highly recommend trying it out, I had no idea they were infamous for pizza as well as pasta/seafood entrees. My friends tried the gnocchi and seemed to really enjoy , I stole a few bites from their dishes as well and thought the gnocchi filling was very rich but not overbearing. Since it was my friends birthday they were nice to bring out a cream puff contraption with vanilla ice cream. Thanks :) Overall: authentic Italian cuisine at very modest prices with awesome vibes (did I mention they had a playlist that contained MJ & The Roots?) MAGNIFICO!
(5)
Mansoor K.
My wife and I love this place. It is our go to spot when we need a place to get dinner. Service is great, the menu is delicious. I recommend getting the bruschetta with arugula as a starter. I've never had anything here that I didn't like. He portions are on her big side, so I do suggest sharing if you want to try a bunch of dishes.
(5)
Jessica S.
Truly phenomenal meal and experience. I was able to book (way in advance) a table for 10 the night before the marathon to carboload and our table was ready within 15 minutes of everyone arriving. We were seated upstairs which is a tad less crowded and were served quite attentively by Erika. It was really busy and I can't say enough good things about the service she gave us. My mom, who is the only person in the world who hates garlic, ordered a chicken dish without asking about how much garlic was in there. When the dish arrived, she could hardly stand the smell and Erika was so wonderful about removing and bagging up the dish to take home (leftovers for me!). She brought my mom a bowl of pasta with a plain tomato sauce and made her very happy. She even took off the pasta from our bill. Then, another diner at our table was really unsatisfied with her pizza - it came out cold and she hated the way it tasted. Erika was, again, kind enough to remove that dish from our table and remove it from the bill. Instead, my friend ordered the mushroom polenta appetizer dish and it was THE HIT OF THE TABLE. One of the best dishes I've ever had. I, personally, ordered a pasta dish with tomatoes, artichoke hearts and goat cheese. It was FABULOUS and I finished the entire thing. To top it off, we shared a flourless chocolate cake and it was probably the best I've ever had.
(4)
Jasmine C.
Love and adore. So much. From the hand-scrawled menus to the cozy little space that is intimate enough for a date and lively enough for friends, there is so much to love about Mia Francesca. My favourite is the Quattro Stagioni pizza: prosciutto, artichoke, mushroom and egg on a delicate thin crust. The waiter places the dish before you, breaks the yolk in the centre and swirls it evenly so it cooks on the hot surface. The result? A lovely symphony of crisp crust and soft silkiness of a perfectly cooked egg. Oh, I will fight anyone for the last slice of this pizza. The menu is updated often and I've never been disappointed with the quality of food here. Sigh, Mia Francesca. Where your water glass will never be empty, and your taste buds will never be let down.
(4)
Bridget K.
I had dinner recently at Mia's while visiting Chicago. The sole reason for me wanting to visit the Clark street restaurant was because the spot was dubbed Jennifer Aniston's favorite restaurant...and obviously I'm starstruck. The ambiance of Mia's is very relaxed and the tables are all fairly close to one another. The seating resembles wooden church pews and you feel as though you are in a dining room at someone's home, which makes it seem cozier. The staff was very friendly, however when we were choosing a bottle of wine the server didn't provide us with feedback or specifics regarding the reds we were interested in. With "grape expectations" we opted on a Malbec and were thoroughly delighted with our choice. When it came time to order food, we went with the scallops and shrimp dish as well as a goat cheese pasta entree. Both of the meals were fantastic and the flavor was mouthgasmic for lack of a better word (go ahead I dare you to find a better one). At the end of our meal we ordered the pistachio ice cream puffs with chocolate drizzle...they were everything and more than expected. The entire experience at Mia's was pleasant and worthwhile. I will be back!
(4)
Lisa C.
Met some friends at Mia Francesca for dinner a few weeks ago. Parking in the area is challenging since it is Lakeview. Shortly realized how tiny and noisy the restaurant is when we were seated near the kitchen. I had a difficult time hearing my friends down the other end of the table. Instead, I felt like I was the third wheel on the first date that was taking place to my left. (Side note, talking about your EX on the first date is not a great idea). On to the food... well, what food? I filled up quickly on the amazing, steaming hot, flaky bread and olive oil. I must have had 2 loaves by myself! It's not my fault that the busboys keep replenishing our basket! I think it may be the best bread I ever had! Found out later that they have their own bread machine in the back. I ordered the pollo arrosto alla romano (half chicken with garlic and roasted potatoes). The chicken was really juicy and flavorful. Most of friends ordered the lobster stuffed ravioli. Judging from their facial expressions and empty plates, they enjoyed it. Overall, good food but noisy atmosphere. Would be back if I was in the neighborhood and felt like carbo loading.
(3)
Conor O.
Bottom Line Up Front: the Notre Dame football team of Chicago Italian Restaurants. Overrated. My girlfriend brought me here for my birthday this year. My birthday is in June, which happens to coincide with wedding season. Instead of pushing back our reservation because the place was overbooked, the hostess seated us upstairs in a room reserved for a rehearsal dinner. Hey, I had an awesome time because I like to party, but I'm pretty sure the Asian couple who were getting married the next day did not enjoy 4 drunken Irishmen, 2 Krauts and an out of place Indian guy shouting about all of the horrible things that used to happen at their Frat house "back in the day." (I can tell you for sure that the aforementioned gentlemen's dates did not appreciate it one bit.) Aside from the seating arrangement, the service was good. Our server was attentive and not too pushy, he definitely knew his stuff about which wine pairings would be best with certain dishes. The food was pretty ok. I got the Lamb Shank. It was medimum rare served over some potatoes and asparagus. Nothing about the food blew me away. I left full, but not really SATISFIED. The little lady dropped some serious coin on a nice dinner, so I felt bad... I'd suggest Rosebud or Bice downtown if you're looking for a really nice Italian dinner.
(2)
Katie W.
We were there last weekend for a Bachelorette Party and I must say, Mia Francesca was VERY accommodating. We had 25 people, so I can imagine it would be a bit stressful. Our waiter was nice enough to separate our checks into bills of 4 people, based on who we were sitting by. This made the stress at the end of the dinner (bill splitting) MUCH easier. The menu was preselected by the MOH but the dishes all came out hot and tasty. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the bathroom situation- it took about 10 minutes to get in because of the single stall bathroom! Would definitely recommend for a future large group! :)
(4)
Josh V.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. I've been here more times than I can count, and I have had maybe one or two "OK" meals. Everything else has been good to excellent. The servings are generous, but not overly huge. The quality of the food is very high, and everything is usually very tasty. The menu is hand-written and then photocopied. I am not sure if it changes daily or what, but the selection is always fresh. Despite not being very big, there are always multiple things on the menu that sound good to me and it's tough to make a decision! They do a standard brushcetta and a special one that is always changing. They always have several pizzas, pastas and entrees. They are accommodating of special requests; if there is a chicken dish that is not boneless, they'll gladly make it with boneless chicken breast if you ask. The prices are in line with what you get. The service is generally pretty good. The staff is friendly but professional, and they're not attitude-y or stuck up. Now, the downsides: There can be a long wait for a table sometimes, especially on the weekends. In fact, last time I tried to go they said 2.5 hours! Needless to say, I went somewhere else. But that was uncharacteristically long for them, so I don't penalize them for it. The upside of the waiting is that they have three bars (main dining room, coach house and upstairs). The other downside is that the main dining room is VERY loud and VERY crowded. I don't really like to eat down there. Insider tip: Ask to get seated upstairs. Same food and service, but more spacious and less noisy.
(5)
Greta W.
The food was amazing, 5 stars. The menu changes frequently to incorporate fresh ingredients. This is not your typical Olive Garden swill--MF's is authentic, light, and flavorful. I'll never forget when the bartender cracked a fresh egg over my bf's pizza, whipped it up with a fork and spooned it over the sizzling meat and cheese. The bf salivates and his eyes glaze over just at the mere mention of that pizza, even six months later. The bad reviews here mostly revolve around spotty service, which is to be expected. It's packed here. P to the acked. BF & I had made reservations, but apparently those don't mean much here. Usually I think that means a table should be waiting for us, but that was not the case. A line was already forming out the door, and it didn't look like anyone was getting ready to leave. We would have been waiting another 30 min for sure, but my man's smart. He snagged us 2 seats at the bar, and it was the best ever. Pours for drinks were heavy, and it was not a problem getting good service when you have a captive bartender! If you go here, either go when its quiet (which would be never), or just belly up to the bar. You'll forget about it all once the food shows up, anyway.
(4)
Jason G.
I have to say, Sapori Trattoria on Halstead used to be my most favorite Italian in Chicago. And it still is for my neighborhood. But Mia's is definitely an attractive alternative. Service was prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. I had pasta before a half marathon and it was just the right amount. As a vegan, it is hard finding restaurants that offer accommodations. Mia's not only provided them but offered them first. I will be back.
I have been wanting to visit a Francesca restaurant since moving to Chicago, and I am so glad that I finally had the opportunity to do so. The bruchette was delicious start to the meal. I also enjoyed my share of bread and olive oil. Yum! For my entree, I ordered the Linguine all' Amatriciana, and it was excellent. The parmesan tomato sauce was flavorful and the pancetta was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere was cozy and quite authentic. I really enjoyed Mia Francesca, and I would definitely return.
(5)
Nick S.
I rarely go out to have pasta because it's pretty damn easy to make at home. Plus, I find that a lot of places tend to keep their sauces on the really acidic side which is actually attributed to them not cooking down the tomatoes long enough to actually develop the sweetness that is naturally found in them. BUT low and behold, Mia Francesca... you do me so well. Can I just say that I'm a sucker for restaurants that have consistently changing menus? I'm someone who likes to try new things often so this definitely caters to my needs. Their carpaccio was decadent. I love the salty bite of the parmigiano reggiano and the briney capers. mmmm and the hearts of palm? yes please. Oh not to mention that you get a huge platter of carpaccio for a (very) modest $8 Let's just say my 5 year old brother LOVES carpaccio because of Mia Francesca... Wow, I just hyped up Mia Francesca a whole lot over one dish but alas, there are some downfalls.. like their salad.. Insalata Francesca.. go away. You're over dressed, over cheesed, and the vegetables need a little perk. I'll forget you ever happened. But onto the Carbonara... soo rich. but oh so tasty. honestly you probably can't eat it too often.. it sticks to your ribs. but man I love a good carbonara and they do it just right. I have no qualms over this other than its adverse effects on your health. but you only live once right? I've also had their conchiglie with smoked mozz. love smoked mozz, can't go wrong. So all in all.. pretty solid pastas (from what I've had so far) and my go to carpaccio spot for boystown. No regrets.. well unless you're one who doesn't like cramped interior b/c they have every intention of meeting the seating capacity set by the fire marshall.
(4)
Anna P.
eh, no thanks. this place is always completely packed (like, don't try to even find your way to the bathroom or you might get something spilled on you by a passing waiter/waitress), the staff is a bit surly and treats you like you should be lucky to be eating there, and the food is decent but it's way overpriced. i personally prefer francesca's forno - or, ya know, any other italian place in the city.
(2)
Nicholas W.
Always a good choice for a traditional Italian meal. Nothing to rave about but I'm never disappointed. Ideal for groups.
(3)
Kate G.
I drank martini's here. like two years ago??? all i can remember is that the curly headed blond hostess here is FINE AS HELL. girl, hit me up with ur digits.
(5)
Julie W.
Amazing Italian! I'll give Mia Francesca that. It definitely has some unbleievably yummy Italian, and probably one of the best Italian spots in the city, but oh Mia...how stupidly crowded you are. If you're looking for a fabulous first date spot, look elsewhere (try Socca down the street! Perfect date spot!). It's super crowded and you will LITERALLY be sitting next to another couple. If you're planning a trip to Mia's, I suggest grabbing an early bite or a late bite (after 8:30/9, it's still crowded around 8!), so that way you can actually talk to the person sitting across from you! So yes, the tables are very smushed together, the noise level can be excessive, but the food is absolutely deelish. The wait staff has been nothing but wonderful every time we came in (and walked in on a weekend! Very accomidating!), but again, if you're looking for somewhere you can cuddle up and whisper sweet nothings, head the other way!
Best Italian food place I've been to. Authentic from ambiance to the food :)
(5)
Travis J.
First off, let me say I'm a little disappointed no one at Mia Francesca has taken the time to claim its Yelp listings. With 265 reviews for this concept alone, they really need to engage with their customers a little more closely. Regardless, I love this place. Me and a friend were visiting Chicago over New Year's and decided to do a late dinner here on New Year's Day. Engaging a little too hard in celebratory shenanigans the night prior, a laid back evening was much needed. I visited Mia Francesca back in July for the first time and loved it. The second time was even better! To start, my friend and I shared the Risotto appetizer special. It was delicious. Risotto is hard to perfect, but this was the closest to perfection I've tasted. Next, I ordered the Insalata alla Francesca. This salad is amazing! Romaine, endive and radicchio with fresh blue cheese crumbles and vegetables. It's definitely large enough to share and, if you're not all that hungry, a great option for a meal. But, I'm glad I opted for a pasta dish for my main entree. I choose the Linguine al Funghello. It was tossed in a veal-brandy sauce with big plump mushrooms. It as absolutely delicious. Hands down, it was the best pasta dish I've ever had. We were too stuffed for dessert, but the tiramisu, I've heard, is delicious. Another plus for this place is I noticed it offers a Gluten-free menu, which many of my friends suffering from this allergy would greatly appreciate. I would grade the service lower than food...maybe a B. The servers need to be a little more attentive. We waited over five minutes for a greeting and waters. Other than that, this place is one of my favorite restaurants in the nation. The seating is typical Chicago-style dining...close and cramped, but possessing a sense of community and charm. It's the type of dining a true foodie appreciates because the chef and/or owners put their money where it matters...into the quality of the food and not dumping all kinds of money into the decorating and interior. Keep that money pushing toward the awesome food! I'll be back again and again.
(5)
Ermin M.
As always their food is amazing. The bread is always fresh, the pasta has the perfect bite and the sauce the perfect slip. I have no complaints except for tonight. My friends and I paid in combination cash and cards and while we should have asked for change we assumed our server would bring it back. She pocketed the $80 which would have given her a 50% tip! We had to ask for our change back. Sorry that's just me griping but seriously? On the plus side when I asked for the wait time for tonight there was an hour and forty five minute wait. That wait was cut to zero when a manager tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wouldn't mind sitting on the patio which they just opened seeing as the rain had stopped. Score! Aside from that over the more than 10 years I've been here, I have always had great service and excellent food!
(4)
courtney p.
Pretty predictable little joint. I've been here a handful of times and it's always just standard. There are for sure better italian places in Chicago. The last time I was there was my worst experience. I was on a date and we had a reservation, they sat us upstairs in the very back corner at a cramped, forgotten about table that the chubby waiter could barely get to. The service was super slow and the food was just standard. I will say that I had a dessert there once that I have never forgotten about, a chocolate chip coffee cake served warm with chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. It was so mouth wateringly delicious, but also simple enough for me to rip off the idea and make at home :)
(3)
Gabe L.
Dennis (fake character): What should we do tonight? Mac (me): I'm so hungry, I wish there was a way to get food for free Dee (my hot date): I have some gift cards to Mia Francesca Mac: Alright let's go! Dennis: I'm in! Dee: Ohhhh about that Dennis ... there's only enough for two Dennis: You're just jealous of my body Dee: Uhhh no ... I'm not. Let's go Mac "The Gang Goes Italian" * Random shots of Philadelphia * (Mac and Dee approach the hostess) Mac: Table for 2 please Hostess: You're not wearing any pants Mac: Actually, they're skin colored pants (I wasn't wearing skin colored pants) Hostess: Right ... (Mac and Dee get seated) (Waiter approaches) (It's Charlie) (It really is) (The waiter actually looks 100% like Charlie) (His name is Felix) (But he does! I told him twice about it) (Then I asked my date if I could take out my phone) (I don't normally pull phones out on dates, but I had to show him Charlie) (I showed him imgur.com/Tyyqs.jpg ) (He agreed with the similarity) (At that point I also decided to write a review as Always Sunny) (We will now return to your regularly scheduled programming) Charlie: So guys, what are you having? Mac: Charlie? Is that you? Charlie: No, I'm Felix your waiter Mac: No, that is you! What's in this moonshine? Charlie: I haven't even brought you your drinks yet Mac: Awkward............ Note 1: I really wish I could have been Dennis but then I'd be going on a date with my sister and that's illegal in IL and 32 other states Note 2: The food at the North Korean restaurant across the street was better ... compared to other Italian in the city, nothing really stood out as great. We shared the chicken and some fish and it was just plain. Charl..err Felix was nice enough to separate it for us so most of the stars are from his good service. Wine list looked long but a little pricey.
(3)
Sarah G.
WOW, this place really knocked my socks off! Every single thing that came to the table was delicious. The bruschette con proscuitto for an appetizer was delish, and the rigattoni alla sicilliana was spicy creamy and amazing. Don't skip dessert either, the banana chocolate chip gelato and flourless chocolate lava cake was exceptional. I can't wait to go back to this place, its my new favorite Italian spot in the city.
(5)
Yousef B.
Loved the place! Staff very nice, service was great, and food was delicious! I will be back there again to try a different entree..ask for the polla Limon, it's not on the menu but its delicious..
(5)
Emily W.
Cute Italian joint just a stones throw from my bro's house. Had a great family bday dinner here. Our appetizers (roasted corn on the cob, carpaccio & burrata) were fantastic. Our pastas were great and huge portions too! The only negative was our hostess...she seemed a little rough around the edges - almost out of it. The bussers were on but almost too much, they tried to clear our plates while we were still using them.
(4)
Betsy R.
Last night, we had reservations to go to a...different place. The reservations fell through, and boy am I glad they did! We called Mia Francesca, sure they would be booked, but they were so accommodating and fit us in at the exact time we wanted. Proving again that this place never disappoints! Every time we come here, we leave happy. I haven't come across a less than stellar thing on the menu, the staff is great, and the price is right! With four of us last night, we had two appetizers (calamari-some of the best I've ever had, and a pizza) and two salads (fresh crunchy peapod salad and the Francesca one), and then split two pastas. It was perfect and delicious. Then came the torta lava. I am a chocolate fiend, and this is one of the best chocolate desserts. Ever. Melts in your mouth. We couldn't get over it, so we just shut up and devoured it. And-with all that food and two drinks, the total bill was a little over $100! For four people! And amazing food! What's not to love?
(5)
Jenny T.
YUUUUUM! Now that's what I'm talking 'bout! A group of four lovely ladies showed up for our 8 pm reservation & were told it would be a few moments, but to have a seat at the bar. We look over and 4 seats had just opened up - score! We all ordered a glass of wine & ooo'd & ahhh'd over all the food that was on other tables. I was starting to get a bit cranky due to the wait, but just as that happened I heard "Jennifer? Your table is ready." YYYYEEESS! We walked outside & then upstairs to a perfect 4 person table. We already had our beverages, so we were ready to order in a flash! One order of mussels please! One order of caprese salad too! Mmmm, they came out together & were finished within minutes. The tomatoes & mozzarella were absolutely divine. Just the right amount of fresh, thick tomato slices with the perfect amount of mozzarella & basil. YUM! The mussels were good too, but I was too wrapped up in my salad to have more than a few. We then ordered our entrees. One order of spaghetti with a tomato cream sauce & scallops please! One order of rigatoni with sausage, tomatoes, and garlic please! Yes, we'd like to split those. The entrees came out in record time, which I was totally ok with. The split the dishes accordingly & we all began to chow down. The spaghetti with scallops was absolutely divine. The tomato cream sauce was perfectly creamy, salty, and delicious. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente, while the scallops were cooked just the way I like them - firm, but also easy to cut with a fork. I mean this is a dish I will crave for the years to come (luckily I live in Chicago!). The rigatoni was just ok - I feel as if I've had it before, you know? We then ordered two desserts. One order of puff pastry with pistachio ice cream in the middle please! One creme brulee too! Both were delicious & devoured in seconds. While I ended up getting chocolate ALL over me, it was totally worth it. All in all Mia Francesca was delicious & definitely worth going to again & again & again! To top it off our bill was only $115.00 for the 4 of us. What's that you say? Yes, too good to be true!
(5)
Molly R.
After five or six visits, Mia Francesca has become a neighborhood favorite. Whether dining with family, a group of girls, or date night, it's a great place to go. I typically order a pasta dish and have never been disappointed - they have a constantly changing menu and I always ask the waiter what he likes best right now. Huge portion sizes, average prices ($13-$17 entrees), and good wine keep me coming back. The place is very crowded, so if that bothers you, I'd pick another place. And if you're there in the summer, try getting a spot on their tiny little back patio.
(4)
Mike P.
An excellent Italian restaurant. Quality can be found in every part of the meal. Went for the first time on a Sunday afternoon, with no one in the place. The chicken saltamboca was excellent and my wife loved her ravioli. The chocolate tort desert was very good. We didn't see Aniston, however. Francesca has about 11 restaurants in the Chicago area. I can also recommend Francesca Fiore in Forest Park. It's a tad more upscale than the Clark Street location, but just as good.
(5)
Danielle C.
Stopped in to meet my brother, SIL, and niece for a quick bite before the game. They were already seated and had ordered by the time I got there. (Not my fault, my bro called me when they were parking- I cannot transport myself 5 miles in the blink of an eye, especially on a cubs game day!) I opted not to order- I wanted to get to the game ASAP. Instead, I got to nibble off their plates. The ravioli was cheesy. It had a nice and mellow vodka type sauce- not too red (I appreciate that). My sister in law ordered a flat bread pizza with fontina cheese and mushrooms. It was great. The combination of flavors and textures really popped in my mouth! (my niece, being 4, did not like it, it was too crunchy for her, but she was holding out for game food). Service was handy but not hovering. They were great with my niece too! They were a bit slow on the refills, but hey, no complaints! My experience yesterday is pretty much parallel to the ones I have had here in the past. Solid food, good service.
(4)
Brian S.
In my price range, Italian cuisine often resembles -- and tastes like -- the sloppy contents of a dented can of Chef Boyardee. Somehow American palates don't discriminate between once-frozen, sodium-packed "marinara" and complex, long-simmering sauces, and dime-a-dozen Italian restaurants know this and cater to the disability. Not Francesca. Imagine: a local chain that offers ever-changing menus filled plate after plate of reasonably priced, varied Italian dishes. To celebrate his new assignment, Daniel and I dined here last night. We were ushered through the deafening main dining room to the quiet, dark, "romantic" (the quotations can be translated as: "pleasant, in the way that romance is described in rom-coms and bodice-rippers") patio. Lovely. I ordered the caprese martini, which came with an all-too-liberal dusting of celery salt (I certainly don't associate the taste of celery with caprese, but perhaps I'm mistaken?) and no discernible basil or tomato notes. The saving grace was the vodka-soaked mozzarella ball -- a trick I will treat guests to in the future. Daniel has the Four Roses Manhattan, which came perfectly balanced with Pun e Mes vermouth (the best vermouth to use in a Manhattan, of course). Our meals were above average -- not the best I've had at Mia Francesca, but good. My chicken with mushrooms, prosciutto, and lake of gravy was tender, moist, but on the bland side of "good." Daniel's tilapia with green beans and sweet potato puree (in the darkness, it took me awhile to figure out what I was tasting here) hit all the right notes. Another great thing about Francesca restaurants? The desserts. We passed (I had fig and honey ice cream, freshly churned, waiting at home), but I did spy the chocolate peanut butter torte that has warmed my heart before. Trust me -- it's a great finale for these Puccini-worthy meals.
(4)
Debbie F.
Francesca's chain of restaurants are definitely something I will miss when I leave America someday. Mia Francesca's branch is better than the one in Little Italy because the ambiance is brighter, quieter and overall more comfortable. My family and I ordered: Appetizers - Fried Calamari and Carpaccio Pasta - Fettucine with Eggplant, bell peppers. Gnocchi. Scrambled eggs with italian sausage. Sounds simple enough? It was the best calamari we ever had. Thinly cut and delicately fried, the marinara sauce that came with it was well done and not spicy at all. My carpaccio, served with capers, mushrooms and other relishes, was fresh and did not stick to the plate. The waiter might've mistaken my mother's order but he realized his mistake before she could and delivered the right dish within 7-10 minutes. The pasta had lots of herbs and was just the right portion for lunch. Even the scrambled eggs was innovative in presentation! Doused with sauce/gravy and sausage pieces on the side. Perfect lunch dining! No leftovers! Valet parking: $8
(5)
Kathy L.
Just came here again last night...I love this place and its changing menu! My boyfriend and I started off with the mussels because that was all he was really wanted. These are on the permanent menu. They sauce was superb, but the mussels themselves were not too good. There were a couple juicy ones that were great, but the rest were small and sort of lacking...I didn't think there was anyway that Mia Francesca would bounce back from this. For dinner we decided to get something off the seasonal menu (handwritten) and I got the spaghetti and clams in an olive oil, garlic sauce and he got the shrimp and scallops in a white wine sauce. Both of these dishes hit it out of the ballpark! The clams were amazingly fresh and the shrimp and scallops that I stole from his plate were divine. At this point in the night...they had regained 4 star status of my good restaurants that were consistently good. They asked us if we wanted dessert, I usually say I want a peak at the menu but never order a dessert unless it pops out at me. And there was one that popped out at me. The cream puff pastry, filled with pistachio gelato and topped with a dark chocolate syrup. SIGN ME UP FOR THAT!! It was heavenly. The service was exceptional. Which is what really pushed it over the edge to give this place a 5-star rating. Just a tip though, order off the seasonal handwritten menu, the combination of flavors and the freshness of the ingredients is what makes this place so great -- I wouldn't order from their permanent menu because the ingredients might not be as fresh but what they can control in those dishes, like the seasoning and sauces they do an excellent job at.
(5)
Art K.
Excellent food and excellent service. While we weren't a fan of the featured sauvingnon blanc wine, the food was amazing and the service matched well. Beside the wine, our only other issue was they started playing loud hip hop/dance music near the end of our meal around 930pm. It brought my rating down from a 5 to a 4.
(4)
Ed H.
About the only thing I remember about this restaurant was that it was extremely noisy. The noise level was so high, it almost hurt. The music is played very loudly so everyone has to yell to be heard over it. I asked the waitress to have the music turned down, and if anything, it got even louder. I could barely understand what was being said by the other three people at my table. I don't know how anyone could enjoy their food in this type of an atmosphere. Update: I have gone back a few times and agree they have good food. But I would recommend going during not peak hours because of the loudness. Everyone I go with agrees that the noise levels are unacceptable
(2)
Bridget J.
One of Chicago's finest restaurants minus the attitude. Pleasant, efficient staff. Everything was good. Ths is a place you can take a friend or relative visiting from out of town with pride and you know won't be disappointed. I've had some experiences where I took my mom or friend visiting to a 'hot spot' or 'heavily hyped' (Gibson's anyone?) only to be let down or embarrassed. My mom loved Mia Francesca then she loved the picture I showed her afterwards of John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston on a gossip blog coyly \ leaving of Mia Francesca .
(5)
Tanya A.
OMG! I love this place, its been my favourite for years, this is another place i try to get back to whenever im in chi town! I never pick anything off the menu, i order my own thing (not much vegetarian stuff on the menu), great place for a get together, but does get kinda loud and sometimes the wait is a bit long! but worth it!
(5)
Christopher H.
I don't get the hype. It's okay. Good food, but way over-hyped. I'm not a huge fan of the atmosphere & tables on top of one another either.
(3)
Gerard B.
Phenomenal food. The Bolognese is perfect. The one problem was the wine that was paired was not very good. But aside from that, it was delicious and very satisfying.
(4)
John D.
so good and so reliable experiences. A little noisy, overcrowded for its own good, but the food merits all the people.
(4)
Rochelle W.
This rating has nothing to do with the food as I never got to try it. I (skeptically based on other reviews) made a reservation for 9:00 pm on Saturday night. We arrived at 9:05 pm and on the way in I heard a woman on her way out saying they were running a half hour behind on reservations. I went up to the front and gave my name and the hostess said it would be a couple of minutes. Had I not just heard this other woman, I would have taken that to mean, we will seat you in a couple of minutes. Since I had heard this other woman I asked what she meant by a couple of minutes. She proceeded to tell me, well, we still have to seat some 8:30 tables. So I said it'll be more than a couple of minutes then? We proceeded to stand in the ridiculously crowded "bar area" for about 5-10 minutes. We kept getting pushed by people walking by as there really is no where to stand and then decided to leave. I think it would have been well over half an hour before we would have been seated. I mean how long has this place been in business and they can't figure out how to keep reservations? We went to Socca a couple of doors down, got seated right away, had awesome service and the food was amazing. I will NOT be going back to Mia Francesca. I don't care how good the reviews say the food is. I should not have to wait more than 5-10 minutes if I have a reservation.
(1)
Kathleen C.
The best Italian in the city. I love that the menu changes weekly, and the service is always good. I concur that its often better to sit upstairs as its more intimate and less crowded. The only complaint I have is their reservation policy - they seat only the entire party, and if not all are arrived 15 minutes after the reservation time, the reservation is released. This policy is not the problem, but the management should do a better job communicating it to patrons. We had reservations once for a large group, and unbeknownst to us our reservation was "released" while we waited at the bar for our last person to arrive. Overall though, I love the restaurant and will continue to go back, happier now that I know the policy!
(4)
Danielle P.
Our carry-out order arrived packaged nicely and piping hot, even after the 10-minute walk home. Each pasta dish we ordered was AMAZING in flavor; even the simple red sauce was incredible. The prices were reasonable, and I'm looking forward to trying a dine-in experience soon, not to mention another carry-out dinner! =)
(4)
Amy R.
I went here to carb-load before the Chicago Triathlon last August, and apparently wasn't the only one who chose this place. The waits for this restaurant are notoriously long, but that's why reservations were invented. A long line also usually means the place is worth visiting at least once. While it's not overwhelmingly fantastic Italian food to write home to your Sicilian grandmother about, the meal I had was fantastic. I usually rate Italian restaurants by the bread and olive oil (or lack thereof) that they set at the table, and this place does not disappoint in the least. The menu is always changing, too, which makes it a place to come back again and again.
(4)
Bella D.
Enjoyed my time here with dinner and just great chit chatting with old highschool friends..goodness time passes. Great service, food and lovely atmosphere. Don't pass this place up and geez I gotta get back here soon!
(4)
Neal P.
It's all probably be said before. But this place is consistently packed no matter the day of the week. The food is always reliable and good. Make sure you make reservations on weekends!!
(5)
Kara G.
This is a mainstay in terms of a solid Italian restaurant to recommend to friends and family. It's crowded and loud, but it reminds me of the Italian side of my family that is exactly the same way. The food is absolutely delicious- I have never been disappointed with anything I have ordered here! Service is great as well, so stop in!
(4)
Jane D.
Been here twice, food and service are solid, and we always come away with leftovers. A little tight seating-wise, but the food trumps it.
(4)
Chayla B.
Love this place! Great date place, although it is pretty cramped. It's nice, though. Great menu, the food is wonderful, weekends are busy. I can't get enough of this place. Four stars instead of five only because it's so cramped...
(4)
Nick S.
I am certainly a fan of this place and would come back. The food was fair in price, although we bought the most expensive item on the menu, the Vitello M'Briaco. It was $29, unlike the $26 it said on the menu from the website, but some of the best veal I've ever had. Topped off with a bottle of red wine. The meal was well worth the price and the place wasn't too busy. I still recommend getting a reservation on Open Table if you plan on visiting during the weekend.
(4)
AxeMe A.
Always a solid place. It's fun, fresh, and friendly. The wait is about the only thing I don't like about it. You'll notice you're not the only one checking out other people's dishes as they come out! Definitely start with an app. and salad. You'll want to taste as much as possible. Decent wines, too.
(5)
Selin D.
I am a big fan of Italian food but Mia Francesca had an American touch to it, understandable and completely no problem. However, they took it a little to far. We first ordered the bruschetta which had way too much cheese we could hardly find the cherry tomatoes! My boyfriend had a chicken dish for his main and enjoyed it. I on the other hand was looking forward to my vegetarian pasta that was disappointing. Although the pasta was cooked to perfect al dente, it was over- seasoned with salt. I had 1-2 bites and I was done. The worst part about this was how our waiter reacted. He came by when I had a bite to ask how everything was. In the middle of a bite I nodded politely. But by the end when he asked again ( after a bus boy had taken my dish away) I told him the truth and he got back to me saying ' but you said it was fine at the beginning.' wow, really? He apologized, sure, but I was left blank asking myself if he really did just say that. That's when I knew my experience was not worth a return no matter how many free lemon cello's.
(1)
Aimee C.
Mia Francesca was excellent. I arrived after a long flight, hungry and exhausted, only to be wisked away to a delicious little joint just around the corner.. Where the staff are kind, the portions are enormous and the flavor and experience, classy.. A great date night followed by a great night date. :) Start at Mia Francesca to have a night to remember.
(4)
ade m.
OMG. Amazing Italian food from the appetizers to dessert. Come hungry! Lovely white table cloths add an elegance, and service was superb. A fun place for groups, although it is rather loud and hard to hear whomever you're not sitting next to already -- not a good place to take the grandparents for this reason. I recommend splitting entrees.
(5)
Robyn F.
i had a pretty good experience here. the service was friendly, food was above average, wine was spectacular, and atmosphere was warm. Linguine con frutti del mare -- I tried this dish -- the portion size was so large that I couldn't even finish it. Mixture of mussels, clams, shrimp, fish. I would recommend this dish. Gnocchi - My friend ordered this and it was fantastic. I'm not a huge gnocchi fan, but it was absolutely delicious and enormous. Pizza -- the pizzas have an egg in the center, adding a little extra flavor and moisture Penne alla paesana - My friend got this and it was pretty average. I think she was disappointed by her choice. Coffee -- Not hot enough Overall, a good experience, and I would definitely come again
(4)
JL S.
I have not eaten here in a while, but when I did, it was some of the very best in Chicago Italian. Once it caught on, you couldnt get a table for daze so be prepared to cocktail for some time. I do not embibe, so it was a long sometime. We did apps instead. Nice tomato basil and mozzarella. Just perfect. The pasta is to die for and the sauces always great. I always send people here. I hope it still holds up. I noticed that it now has a bunch of locations, but Clark and downtown are the only ones I have attended and appreciably. There it is. Ciao!
(4)
Leang E.
This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city. You will not be disappointed with anything you get, if you can get past the wait. I had tried to go here a couple of times when I first heard about the place, but the wait was so long I would go elsewhere. Now, I make sure I get there early so I can eat there and not have to wait. Our waiter told us that they have a different menu every day. I am not sure if this is true, and whether or not they have a different menu for each day of the week and just randomly select or how they do it. I just can't believe someone takes the time to do that. Sometimes I don't like deciding on what to make for dinner, myself. I loved the cheese ravioli with sausage! I brought my out of town coworkers here, and one of them had said they would go here to eat if they were coming in town again. Yes, all I could say was, "Too bad, you don't live in Chicago!"
(5)
Dee W.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago - they have excellent service and fantastic food. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. A great place to hit up on a date, or with a group of friends, or even on a family outing.
(4)
Amanda G.
Delicious Italian Food! Went here with my New York in-laws and we all enjoyed tremendously. Had an 8:30p reservation and although it was packed, we were seated immediately upstairs. Only issue was very tight table-space. We literally had to shift our table everytime someone around us got up, but strangely, we didn't mind. Great service, great food, great wine. For a more limited menu, try their little sister restaurant 'Francesca's Forno' in Bucktown/Wicker Park.
(4)
Dan B.
I'm a big fan of bread at restaurants and these guys keep them coming, and they're nice and warm. The food is great and the atmosphere is more on the romantic side. I also like their desserts.
(5)
Jaime C.
I love this place, it has consistently good food and the atmosphere is cozy and fun. There is always a wait which makes it kinda irritating, but it is a great date place and I always love eating here.
(4)
eileen f.
I went to this restaurant tonight and the food was good. HOWEVER, the waitstaff left something to be desired. I felt like we were annoying our waitress and hostess. The food was good, but I've had better. Actually i went to the branch in forest park and it was a completely different experience-it was pleasant. I don't recommend this place
(1)
Marissa D.
I really like the food at Mia Francesca. I am not as much a fan of the atmosphere but for the most part I am a fan. I have to say that they do a great job accomodating special requests...for instance, every time I go I ask for penne pasta in their creamy tomato vodka sauce, with sausage and goat cheese on top. Amazing. And they will always make it for me.
(4)
James G.
Consistantly great food, lively atmosphere and informed, approachable servers. My favorite standby restaurant in my neighborhood!
(4)
Matt N.
Great food and always packed becasue others know just how good this place is. The food is very reasonable.
(4)
Robyn N.
Mia Francesca has excellent Italian food! The downstairs can get pretty crowded and noisy..so, if you are looking for a more peaceful meal, I would recommend sitting upstairs. Be sure to make reservations, or you could be waiting quite a while.
(4)
Katie M.
I was excited to go to Mia Francesca not only because it was close to my house & I had a gift card to it, but it received lots of great reviews. However, after dining out a bunch of times to various Italian restaurants, I had to give it a 2. The reasons are simple and important in my books: the menu was very small. Supposedly in changes once a month and this month seemed to be almost all chicken and seafood entrees. Not bad, but 2 of us had our hearts set on a cheese & pasta platter like manicotti or gnocci. They didn't have either! The meal I ended up getting was good, but when you have your heart set on something else, it's a little sad! Also, the place is LOUD. I went with my boyfriend and his family. Part of the conversation I couldn't hear so I just had to nod and hope they weren't asking me questions! So, I would say this place is not good for big parties. Also, I'm big on the bread while you wait which was just okay. The oil was okay and there was no cheese. In a nutshell, I think there are better places to go for Italian.
(2)
W W.
Really great Italian restaurant. I went here a few months ago and had a fabulous meal. I really recommend this place to anyone...who knows, you might see Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston there!
(4)
Mark P.
Excellent pastas. Always a solid bet. But cramped space and long waits.
(4)
Linda L.
this is also one of my favorite italian restaurants in chicago!! the food, the wine, the ambiance....all great! its quite noisy in there tho, so be prepared to flex ur voice box. =) great for friends, family and lovers. it can be a bit pricey depending on what you order. expect (with bottle of wine and appetizers) to pay $60-100+ for dinner for 2. make sure u call ahead for reservations!!
(5)
Julie G.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. Though the dining room is a bit over crowded, the energetic atmosphere is contagious and adds to the charm. Reservations are a must, though there is a nice bar where you can have a drink prior to being seated. The wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing. The food is excellent from the bruchetta and tomato and mozzarella salad to the pastas and chicken marsala. Don't leave without trying the chocolate souffle. It's unforgettable.
(5)
Becca L.
It's always crowded because everyone knows Mia Francesca serves the best Italian food in the city. I was just here recently and ordered the chicken marsala for dinner. I loved it and would get it again except there are so many good dishes to try at this restaurant. I also had the chocolate souffle for dessert. Not many desserts can't compare to this!
(4)
Monica W.
This place is always hit or miss and I am not into surprises. What a bummer because when they're good, they're great and when they're not, they really disappoint. The last time I was here it was so loud that I just wanted to leave because the noise level was just unpleasant, but we were there for someone's birthday and wanted to make the best of it. Boo!
My husband and I gave a gift certificate from Francesca's to my mother-in-law for Christmas, based on the wonderful food we had at Francesca's Forno in Bucktown, where we went for our anniversary. My mother-in-law decided to come into the city to have dinner at Francesca's with us, so we headed to Mia Francesca, since it was closer. I have to say, I didnt think the service was great. The waiter came for our drink order right away, then waited a long time to take our food order. He finally came over, and we ordered calamari for an appetizer. He didn't even ask if we were ready to order our main meals, and he left. Our calamari came out, and I will admit, it was good. Not at all rubbery, as it can be. it wasn't until our appetizer was long gone that the waiter came back over to get our food order, which I thought was odd. In any case, I ordered the linguine with shrimp and scallops, topped with tomato sauce. When I got the plate, my first thought was, "where is the sauce?" The linguine had a very thin coating of sauce on it, and 3-4 pieces of tomato, that was it. The dish itself wasn't very flavorful. My father-in-law, who had ordered the same thing, was the first to mention in was bland and he also noticed the lack of sauce. I'm pretty picky with my Italian food, so perhaps that's part of the problem. I just didn't think this meal was worth the price. I could have made something better at home. My husband did enjoy his spaghetti with mushrooms, and my mother-in-law said her lasagna was just OK.
(3)
Heather M.
Wow, this place was amazing! We had a private dinner in the coach house, and it was course after course of excellent food. The calamari was perfect with a nice marinara, the bruschetta had a topping of excellent (homemade?!?) ricotta and a medley of well-seasoned vegetables. The asparagus salad with blue cheese was simple but really tasty. Gnocchi with tomato cream sauce also delicious. We had a couple of chicken dishes, one with a lemony sauce and one with capers, that don't seem to be on the menu, but they were so well-cooked and flavorful that I imagine any chicken course you get will be a hit. Great service, perfect ambiance... I will be back.
(5)
Lena L.
Noisy and bustling like an Italian family restaurant should be. The menu options were awesome. They had a menu just for gluten-free dishes! The menu was long too! I enjoyed that perk very much! The sauces and pastas were so delectable and tasty. They were not drenched yet they were flavorful. I thought this place did a good job!
(3)
Gerardo H.
Took my wife there for an early valentines day dinner. Awesome food, reasonably priced all things considered. My wife ordered the salmon and I got the veal. Both were extraordinary. We also got the calamari and bruchetta for appetizers, I can't speak for the bruchetta since I've never really liked it (from anywhere) but the calamari was easily the best I've ever had. I had to take away one star because of the seating arrangement. It's kind packed tightly in there so you end up sitting really close to a bunch of strangers... And of course your over hearing their entire conversations, and they yours. If the tables were a little further apart it would definitely get that extra star, but I would still recommend it.
(4)
Yen L.
I came here with some friends, at the high recommendation of a couple members of our party. To me, I was a little skeptical because one person's idea of a great restaurant will always be different from another, and I also thought, "Italian food is Italian food." But hey, I was going into it more for the time with friends, not necessarily the food. I was not disappointed. The service was fast, though not rushed, and friendly. We all were seated by about 6:45, and we were done eating and had our bill around 7:30, or shortly thereafter. And the restaurant was pretty busy the whole time we were there. The food was delicious and delivered hot. We all shared one order of each type of their bruschetta, and my entree was linguine tossed with prosciutto and a cream sauce. The portions were huge. One couple split their gnocchi and were full, and despite my boyfriend taking a few bites of my food toward the end, I still ended up taking the rest home. The dessert menu looked great, but I was so full I knew that having dessert would have been a poor choice, though I wouldn't mind visiting them again just for the sweets. Four stars because of the excellent service and food. Only four stars because it seemed to be rather loud in the restaurant, which didn't quite match the decor. The decor lends itself toward something quieter, but with an open kitchen and tables close together, we occasionally had to raise our voices a bit to be heard, and the tables aren't even that large. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just prepare yourself because you may initially walk in and think you're in for a quieter dinner, when really, depending on how busy they are, you may need to speak up a bit to be heard by your companions. But overall, I really liked this place and am so glad I took my friends' recommendation. I plan to go back again.
(4)
gabriel m.
Wow! Growing up in an Italian kitchen it makes it difficult to eat Italian food outside my kitchen or family members' kitchens. Despite this I always look for places I can go to and be catered to without having to cook it myself of help with the dishes. Mia Francesca is one of these places. I was visiting friends in Chicago this weekend and happened to see the store front on our way back from buying beer for the weekend. My sister's name is Francesca so it definitely caught my eye. My friend told me the place is awesome an went on and on about it. I then knew this was the place to eat on Saturday. Reservations were made Sat. morning. We got there and the place was packed. The smells were familiar and I started getting excited. As we waited for out table, I gazed at the menu which is nothing to rave about since it's nothing but a printout on recycled paper. This is because their menu is made daily to reflect what they have fresh. I only found a few items that you will find on all Italian menus. Everything else was unique to the ingredients they had at their disposal that were the freshest. I got the Veal along with two other friends. The other dishes we got were the Chicken Parmesan and a pasta dish with portobello mushrooms as the main ingredient. However, for starters we for the Bruschetta which was the freshest I have had period. The place was packed but the service was awesome. They could use a little more Air Conditioning but you can't really complain about it. If you have read my previous reviews, you will see that I have a preference for simple menus. This time I need to add one small complaint. This menu is awesome and uses seasonal ingredients, but I would love for it to have at least one tried and true traditional dish on the menu.
(4)
Jeff R.
It's hard to argue against the original Scott Harris invention that spawned the Francesca empire. The food is dependably great, the atmosphere lively and the prices right. I probably only make it to Mia once a year, but that's only because I'm a little different and need to try new places. More normal people that live so close to a culinary staple that is Mia Francesca likely go here once a month, and I envy them (especially in summer). This visit occurred over Thanksgiving weekend after going to the movies down the street. We had a lateish reservation but the place was still packed (and quite loud with the soundtrack). Our starter was a delicious pizza special. My memory and picture suggest it had garlic, arugula, garlic, shaved Parmesan, olive oil, truffle oil and other cheeses. It was the perfect way to start an Italian dinner and the perfect size to avoid ruining our appetite. The ingredients were fresh and it arrived quickly. Erica and I shared a caesar salad to start, with standard tastiness but with the addition of grilled red peppers. Kind of a weird texture and flavor to throw into a classic salad. Erica was not a huge fan. I liked the salad, including the peppers, though it was different. Continuing with the sharing theme, we ordered a rigatoni with lots of vegetables in a light tomato sauce. Again, I liked the dish more than Erica. The vegetables were well seasoned, which made for a great combination with fresh pasta and tasty shaved cheese. It doesn't take much to please me with pasta but it still has to taste great - something Francesca does extremely well for the price ($12.99). At the end of the day, I agree with 460 people on Urbanspoon that Mia Francesca's is one of the best restaurants in Chicago (#19 on their list). I wouldn't say it's 4 Star dining, but it's not supposed to be. They do a great job of provided great Italian food in a fun, casual, neighborhood setting at affordable prices (and affordable wine list too). Our service was solid, and the only critique was that they like to play dance/pop music throughout the restaurant at high levels (contrary to typical romantic Italian spots). Mia remains a solid choice for local Italian, especially when the patio is open for summer.
(4)
Amanda H.
This is a great restaurant for date night! They have a fantastic menu. I eat gluten free so I ate off of their gluten free menu and had pasta. I didn't even realize they were gluten free noodles. This restaurant does get very noisy when it is crowded, so it can be hard to hear the people you are sitting at a table with. However, the atmosphere is wonderful. The waiters are very nice and helpful also. If you are looking for a good Italian restaurant in the city try Mia Francesca!
(4)
Adam B.
A favorite of ours since the place opened in the early 90s. Huge and delicious servings of freshly made pasta; quick service; nice "night-out" atmosphere without being formal or stuffy. The fried calamari is simply the most perfectly cooked version you will ever have. Mia Francesca is simply our "go-to" place when the urge strikes. And now they take reservations, so we walked right in to our table. By the way, this is the original location for the Francesca's empire. They got it right here first and the rest followed.
(5)
Tom D.
I have had many different pasta dishes here, and I can never finish the plates! Great sauces.
(4)
Ebru Y.
After spending a good few days looking for a restaurant to celebrate our 3 year anniversary and seeing Mia Francesca had great reviews, I went ahead and made a reservation on opentable. Our anniversary fell on a Saturday this year so when we got there....guess what? It was beyond packed, I think I saw a few people sitting on other people's laps! Of course I had no idea they had this secret back patio with plenty of space and I have to admit it was much more romantic than the front of the restaurant, so it was perfect! They have an open space and a closed space with open doors in the back. We sat in the closed part but because the doors were wide open we really had the best of both worlds. Our server was very attentive and nice enough to bring us a few different red wines for us to taste and choose. Their bruschetta was out-of-this world, and our entrees were very delicious. I had the penne primavera and he had some chicken dish with pasta. They don't have a huge menu which is nice because then it's easier to pick. I have no doubt everything is delicious here. I couldn't have been happier! Mia Francesca is definitely one of my favorite places for Italian at this point.
(5)
Julie H.
A long time favorite of mine, Mia Francesca is my go-to restaurant for any occasion. Most recently, I needed a place to eat where I could carbo-load the night before my half-marathon. I typically don't eat much pasta, but when I do, I go for the best. Mia is consistently the best: service, food, and fun!
(5)
Diana N.
Like most Italian restaurants, Mia Francesca can accommodate large groups - which was perfect for a mini-reunion dinner for 10 people! The pastas and main dishes were delicious (and HUGE!). I enjoyed the gnocci and a pizza as an appetizer (it had an egg in the middle! +5). The desserts were also tasty, and the wine list was fairly extensive. Good reds. Service was attentive. Call ahead for reservations.
(4)
Jason S.
Always a good meal at MF. Had the quatro formaggi ravioli smothered in a thin vodka sauce and shallots. So good! Def get the brownie and vanilla gellato for dessert. This place is always packed so make a reservation.
(4)
Lauren H.
I had been dying to try Mia Francesca for years, as I've always heard it is some of the best Italian food in Lakeview. Hmm, I'm going to have to disagree. Their menu is pretty limited, and while everything was good, I wasn't impressed. Add to that the fact that they were blasting what sounded like someone's ipod playlist, and we had to repeatedly ask our waiter to turn down the music so we could hear each other. I just found that odd, as it is a nicer restaurant-so the music seemed really out of place. I think there are much better Italian restaurants out there, I wouldn't waste my money going back here.
(2)
Randal A.
My girlfriend and I consider this our go to spot for great Italian food on the north side. I love that the menu is changed often, making it a new experience each time we go.
(5)
Megan G.
I think I have been here before. In fact I am sure I have. I remember the inside, but I was probably 16 and more interested in sneaking a cig when my parents weren't looking then actually eating the food. Anyway, I decided to give this place a shot and made a reservation for 12 on a Saturday evening. I was not impressed with the woman who booked the reservations for a few reasons. A) You are a restaurant; I am not trying to book an appointment to meet the Pope. Get over yourself. B) Yes, it's a birthday and yes there will be kids there. That is why I am coming early. Booster seats please, and I will pass on the attitude. And finally C) You seriously want to charge me $2.50 per person to bring in a cake, then you proceed to tell me to call your preferred bakery, Sweet Mandy B's, and spend 35 bones on a cake, bringing the total to a cool $65 to celebrate my mothers 6 and a half decades of life? Ummm, no. Needless to say, going into this I was a little leery. We got there and the place was empty and besides the semi snotty host man at the door, I was extremely impressed with our dining experience. The bread and fresh basil olive oil was great. The bruschetta and calamari apps went down faster than Christmas decorations on January 10th. Everyone was satisfied with his or her entrees. Service was decent, but our waiter maybe could have gotten a bigger shirt because we were all staring at the outline to his nipple rings all night. He was friendly and helpful otherwise. They brought out a tiny little dessert, we sang happy birthday and then went back to my place to enjoy cake and ice cream, minus the $65 charge!
(4)
M M.
My favorite restaurant in L Park! We arrive early and ask to eat upstairs. Great food and great service! I always bring guests from out of town here and they are never disappointed. Good wine selection as well.
(5)
E A.
This place has excellent Italian food, and their menu changes weekly, which shows that they serve fresh, new creative dishes. I had Tilapia with tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers in a Tarragon butter. They serve you hot Italian bread with a side of cheese. While I dont recommend the Caesar salad, the bruscetta looked great. Also, I dont usually order dessert, but save room for their incredible Tiramisu!!!!
(4)
Christine M.
I've never been unimpressed with a Francesca restaurant... The food is always reliable and service excellent. If you are looking for one that is a bit less cramped, though, check out Francesca's on Taylor in Little Italy. But I can never have enough Francesca!
(5)
Brandon C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The food is good, the service is good, the cooks are quick so you're not waiting too long. I definitely recommend making a reservation at least one day in advance if you're planning on going Thursday-Saturday. The dining room is kind of small and moderately loud, but the overall gets a top ranking from me.
(5)
Amy C.
Oh how I miss this place. When I lived in Chicago about a decade ago, I ate here about once a week. I know it seems silly to write a review ten years later, but this place will always hold a special place in my heart. The food was always reliably yummy and copious, and the atmosphere was always lively and unpretentious. Oddly, Mia Francesca was also the scene of several celebrity sightings back in the day -- I sat next to bald Billy Corgan, dorky David Schwimmer, and about half of the totally fabulous US Olympic figure skating team.
(5)
Maura S.
Just went to Mia Francesca's for the second time. It was delish again... the service was amazing, the calamari and my chicken dish were divine, and the wine was flowing! However, and I'm trying not to feel bad about saying this but I feel its important to let you all know that at the end of the meal, I did see a large black bug, about an inch long, fly across the floor. I alerted the waiter and they squashed it and promised to bring in the exterminators. I hope they do because I want to be able to go back soon! So I give the food and service a 5 but overall a 2 because of the bug.
(2)
Lauren T.
Good Italian - and elegant considering the neighborhood. However, the dining room really is crowded so it isn't the most romantic date locale. I would go next door to Andalous Moroccan if I actually wanted to hear what my date was saying.
(3)
Molly G.
Great spot for a first date or just a simple meal. Decent wine list for their cuisine. Service is friendly but rushed...you get the feeling they just want to flip your table and seat the next guest before you have your first bite. Food is basic Italian...nothing remarkable. Just comfort food...I continue to go back for that reason alone.
(3)
Alexis H.
Mmmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about Mia Francesca's food. Just like every other Francesca restaurant in the city, the food here is absolutely fabulous! If you want quality Italian food this is definitely the place to go. The seating here is tight and the volume gets a little loud, but I love restaurants like this. It's lively because people are genuinely enjoying their dining experience. A friend and I arrived at the restaurant at 7 on a Friday evening, and although the restaurant was crowded, we were seated immediately. The menu for the evening had a wide variety of salad/pasta/meat/pizza options, and everything looked great! I had the caprese salad which had juicy, fresh tomatoes and flavorful mozzarella. I also had the quatro stagio (sp?) pizza which was a delicious combination of prosciutto, olives, mushrooms, and artichokes. My friend had gnocchi made to order: she's a vegetarian and the restaurant made a completely new gnocchi dish at her request. Our total for 2 people was $34 without wine. Expect to spend more if you're drinking, and another $10 for the valet because parking in Wrigleyville can be nearly impossible.
(5)
M M.
This place was just OK. I got the white fish, which was the most expensive thing on the menu. There wasn't anything special about it. We went after a Cub's game so it was pretty crowded, but I feel like the service was not attentive, they didn't even bring out plates for our bread and no cheese... what?! We got the banana bread dessert which was good, however :) They also got my date's order wrong... I don't know, I think prices should be lower for the quality of service and food.
(3)
Mia P.
This place is great. Definitely one of the best Francesca restaurants. The only downside is that it can get quite loud and almost claustrophobic. If you don't mind noise and cramped-ness, then you will love it. The food is great and the desserts are probably my favorite part. They had this apple bread pudding that was to die for and their tiramisu is one of my favorites.
(5)
Steve R.
Yeah ok, it's a local chain. I like it. The ambiance is nothing special, but the food is quite nice. Every dish I have had here has been pretty good, though I don't have a specific recommendation. If I'm in the area and want Italian, I'll probably end up here. Long waits sometimes, but that's because it's good.
(4)
Joe H.
After a few visits I must rave about Mia Francesca's. Although the menu is not very extensive, I think that's because they have mostly daily specials. It may not be on the menu every day but ask for the spinach ravioli with vodka creme sauce, you will not be disappointed. Also a very plentiful wine list and very friendly service. Be advised the tables are close together, so you may get friendly with your dining neighbors, which can be fun unless your fighting with your girlfriend or a hermit. I did not see any bugs running across the floor so they must have taken care of that problem, although don't fool yourselves there are probably bugs in every restaurant you eat at!
(4)
John S.
Been here a few times now, and the food has not failed to deliver yet. The service has been generally prompt and friendly. They pack the tables a bit close sometimes, which can be kind of awkward. The patio is nice in the summer. The four cheese pizza is incredibly delicious! Haven't tried much else.
(4)
A. M.
Mia Francesca is a Chicago institution. While I can pass on bread if it's not something special, the bread here is so yummy. It is always hot (sometimes too hot!), and their olive oil is delicious as well. Being the pizza girl, I usually order one of their pizzas for my meal. I have had a few pastas and the salmon, and those were all good. The desserts are also great here. The cheesecake is to die for, as is the chocolate lava cake.
(4)
Mala K.
Since we were going there for the first time, we decided to make a reservation. Had no trouble doing that, and we were seated promptly and given a good table once we got there. My husband and I loved our Caesar salads, the veggies were just so fresh! He had the tilapia and really liked it. I found my pasta with multiple veggies very tasty, and was very impressed by the dessert--a chocolate tart with peanut butter filling and whipped cream. We didn't make that good a choice from the very extensive wine list, though. The place was a bit noisy, and the service could've been a bit more prompt, but it was overall a good experience, and not too expensive.
(4)
Rachelle T.
Fabulous Italian food. Mia Francesca is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city and is a great date spot or place to bring out of town visitors since it doesn't disappoint. The service is great and the open kitchen makes the experience completely authentic. I dropped it down to 4 stars because the restaurant itself is very small and somewhat crowded and there is almost always a wait (can't they expand out a bit?!?). But their food really is hard to beat!
(4)
Mrs. E.
We live in the neighborhood and have been to Mia Francesca many times. While we find that eating inside the restaurant can be distracting and extremely loud, the backyard outdoor patio is great in warm weather. We have also discovered that ordering take-out is fast and easy, and another way to enjoy the food in a quieter setting. I am a big fan of the bolognese pasta sauce - I think it's the best in the city. Overall, our experience at Mia Francesca is consistently good, especially if we stick to eating outdoors and/or at home.
(4)
Yujin A.
I first went there because I had a gift certificate from North Community Bank, and I keep going back because they serve decent Italian food in my neighborhood. Their menu changes frequently, so don't make a mistake of going back there for a specific dish without checking with them first like I did. I have tried 7-8 different dishes, and I think your best bets are pizzas, pork chops, and flourless chocolate cake(or whatever they call it there) I tried a couple of seafood dishes. They were pretty good, but not the best I've had in the city. The best pizza in the city is served at Spacca Napoli (if you like Italian style pizza). For two, you will easily spend 70 or more. There is room for improvement when it comes to service.
(4)
ali a.
I had been dying to go here since I moved to Chicago, so I went for the first time this weekend. I know the menu changes, but for some reason on the night that I went, I wasn't that impressed. When I finally did get my meal though, it was delicious! The only complaints I had were that the music was a little loud and the service was okay. It was a very busy saturday night though so I will definitely see myself back there in the future.
(4)
elizabeth s.
Ate here for a small private dinner party (around 20-25 people). We sat in the coach house, which I must say has to be one of the best venues for a small private party. We had the room to ourselves with a bar, apps, etc. It was perfect for the noisy group we had and we didn't need to worry about offending the rest of the restaurant. Staff was incredibly attentive and nice. And the food... WONDERFUL. The Gnocci was to die for, the caper chicken amazing, I could go on and on. It was a perfect evening - great food, great venue, great wait staff. Highly recommend you check out for a group event.
(5)
M M.
My favorite neighborhood spot! The food is out of this world and the menu changes weekly, so there's always something new to try. Definitely make reservations because its always packed (and there's a reason!)
(5)
Phoenician G.
Has excellent dishes and we love the food but HATE the slow service. Even with a reservation we waited 10 minutes to get a table. We waited so long for the waiter to come to our table that we had to ask someone to get him so he can take our order. Finally to top it all off, for dessert we ordered creme brulee that tasted like Jalapeno peppers...I think the strawberries on the creme brulee were cut with a knife used for jalapenos :)) We told the waiter but got no apologies!!!
(3)
Emily D.
Service was great. Food was passable at best. Room's very loud. I can't figure out why this place is always packed. I was very underwhelmed.
(2)
Kristine K.
I love the food here. Never been disappointed. The only bummer is that it does tend to get crowded and loud. Wouldn't recommend going here for an intimate dinner. Service has always been on point, but they should think about adding another bathroom.
(4)
Misse D.
Everytime I come here, everyone at the table loves their food. How often does that happen? Besides, the excellent food, the service is consistently good. The space is tight, but it makes me feel like I'm back in Italy.
(5)
Sarah S.
I went there during my first week in Chicago and I was not happy at all! I found it very Americanized and it was not good Italian food. i thought it was just because at the time I just moved from Italy, so my expectations were too high and I still had to get used to Italian food abroad. Went back again a few months ago, after 3 years, and I still have the same opinion! There are a lot of decent, if not good, Italian restaurants in the city and, as far as I'm concerned, Mia Francesca is not one of them
(1)
Franky D.
Why does everyone love this place so much? Everyone I know takes visiting friends and relatives here as if it is the showpiece restaurant of the city. I got fooled into doing this about a year ago. I took my aunt and uncle there with my girlfriend. The food is fine, even good I guess, but... About halfway through my meal (some kind of pasta with meat) I bit into something hard. I pulled it out of my mouth to discover that I had bitten into a string of STEEL WOOL. I showed it to the waiter, and he said "I'm sorry, that is from one of our scrub brushes in the kitchen, it happens every once in a while." He asked me if I would like another meal. I did not because I was halfway finished and this sort of thing doesn't really effect my desire to finish the meal. I was just glad that it happened to me and not one of the people that I had invited there. Of course my meal was free, but that does not change the fact that they were not surprised to find BRILLO PADS in the food.
(2)
Lana M.
Wonderful restaurant, great food and I really like the out door garden. Nice date place.
(5)
Jessica G.
I was taken here for my birthday in October and had a great experience. Though the restaurant is on the small side, the food and service are great. We had reservations so it wasn't a problem getting a table. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Shannon H.
I adore this Italian joint! It's the perfect place to sit back with good company, enjoy a bottle of wine, and - of course - a delicious Italian meal. It's a fun go-to, although reservations are definitely recommended! It's always packed on a weekend night. I tend to gravitate toward their raviolis... particularly the rich and creamy dishes, like lobster ravioli. Everything I've had there is wonderful, though. It's always nice to have a place where you can't go wrong with whatever you order. They've got an amazing Caesar salad, as well!
(5)
Jennifer E.
Absolutely wonderful. Great service, tasty food, cozy environment and I love that they change their menu every two weeks. I went here with my boyfriend last night for dinner. We ordered a bottle of wine and split everything we ordered including, the Bruschette w/ prosciutto and mozzarella, which was an insane explosion of flavors. The Insalta alla Francesca was delicious with unique veggies and a light vinaigrette. Pasta dish and tiramisu for dessert. Delish! I'd recommend splitting the pasta dishes, because they are huge. We're big eaters and splitting an app, salad, pasta and dessert was plenty for both of us. Total bill with a cheaper bottle of wine was $67 plus tip. I think this is totally worth it for a pleasant dining experience.
(5)
Rilindo F.
This is where I lost my alcohol virginity. Oh, sure there was this one time when I drank a small Kalua 10 years ago and that one time when I was 12 when I drank from bowl that was spiked and ended up sleepy for the rest of the night; however, it wasn't really any choice in either matter, so they don't really count. :) Anyway. . .it was fitting that I took this step while partaking of my favorite cuisine - and at fairly well-regarded establishment (yelp-wise). The front of the house was quite loud and noisy, thanks to the Sunday evening pre-Valentine crowd. Fortunately, I was directed towards the back (apparently there is another dining room there), where I sat at the bar, looked at the menu. It was at that moment, that I decided to order wine. I ordered the red wine - Sanguinity "Nessun Dorma". Up to that point, I thought it'll taste sweet, like grape juice. Nope. Whoa. What can I say? When you are about 36 years and drinking wine for the first time in your entire life, its hard to find a frame of reference for the experience. I will say that at first, I wasn't really liking it. Yet, as I finished the glass and ordered the excellent Pollo Arrosto alla Romana, I feel a rather pleasant feeling come over me, even a bit relaxed. I now could see why people would drink wine or alcohol in general.* I could also see how people would get into trouble. So I stopped at just 1 glass. Just one. :) As for the restaurant, I generally enjoyed the place. If I ever back in the general area (and I will in a few months), I probably going back - preferably with somebody else and most likely in the back, where it is more quiet. A solid recommend here. * I wonder. . . nah, I won't go there. :D
(4)
Mel G.
So I made it back (with the help of the rather accommodating management response to my initial experience). I must say, the food is pretty darn good. Went with the prosciutto app plate and the special salad (beets, orange, red onion, pesto), which I split with the SO. The salad was pretty awesome, maybe a touch too much olive oil, but the roasted beets were done right and the mint/orange combo was a nice compliment. The prosciutto was good per my SO, I'm not the biggest fan generally, so I don't feel qualified to judge. I went for the mussels and pasta. There was a lot of mussels in my dish, which rocked. I like when restaurants don't skimp on seafood. I thought the spicy marinara was tasty (though "spicy" perhaps not). But the flavor balanced nicely with the mussels. SO got the sausage ravioli, also tasty, though he thought the pasta was a bit doughy. Both felt like our sauces weren't incorporated into the pasta as well as they could've been. Tasted like the sauce and pasta was cooked separately and then just mixed together last minute. I think that's the primary reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars. Received two complimentary desserts. The flourless chocolate lava cake and an apple turnover/bun/pastry (?), or sorts. I'm not a big dessert eater unless it's ice cream, so I was neither blown away nor underwhelmed. My SO more or less ate both. There was a nice taste of cinnamon to the apply one. And fresh fruit with the chocolate cake (which is mostly what I ate). Our server, (I believe it was Tom), was fantastic. Friendly, but not the interrupting/annoying type. I still think this place crowds in way too many tables. Fortunately, we were next to a window, but I don't think I would go back during Friday dinner with all the noise. Unfortunately instead of making me feel trendy and cool, it makes me feel anti-social and grouchy. I would however order it for take out or go back during the week. Much better.
(4)
Kevin O.
A bit noisy, music too loud and it is very packed which can be a good or bad thing. The food was very good but it is not your "typical" Italian food place so if you are expecting "meat lasagna" go somewhere else. I will say that I loved the food and the service was very good but the cramped seating (as noted by another reviewer) and the noise level made it for a rather unpleasant full dining experience. It does not help that the bar is right in the middle of the dining room. Because it is near Wrigley I would suggest avoiding it near a cubs game. People come in dressed shabby and usually drunk. If the restaurant was in a quieter location and was not so uncomfortable I would have given it 4 stars as I did like the food.
(3)
Sonia C.
Good food, good wine, good value, and GREAT place for groups! I came with 10 other people and we were seated at a nice long table upstairs. We started with the quattro stagioni pizza which had proscuitto, artichoke, mushroom, olive, & egg. It had a crispy crust, lots of savory thinly sliced proscuitto - and the raw egg that cooked on top of the hot pizza just made it awesome. For my main course, I ordered the salmon fresca which came with lots of chopped asparagus, avocado, and tomatoes. Unfortunately, I forgot to tell them to not include the avocado and was not expecting it to be diced in everywhere. Despite this, I managed to enjoy my dish as it was fresh and light-tasting. Of the pasta dishes, I found the gnocchi to be really good - great texture and perfect chewiness. Portions are huge and no one was able to finish any of the pasta dishes. Despite this, a few of us found room for dessert. My friend and I decided to split 2 scoops of gelato and found both the white coffee and the pistachio really delicious. The chocolate lava cake and the banana cake were both too sweet and dense for my taste, but this sentiment's probably compounded because I was so stuffed from my main course. We paid about $45pp including tax, tip, and 3 bottles of wine. Would definitely come here again!
(5)
Scott C.
Francesca's is like a good friend - always there when you need it for a good Italian meal. I've been going here for years and have yet to be disappointed with the food or service here. I think you have to take it as a given that you are going to cramped and on top of the nearest table in this cozy place, but I'd say that's part of the charm to it. That is, of course, unless you get seated upstairs where there is much more arm room and it's a quieter atmosphere. Last night a group of us dined here. We had two bottles of wine - both recommended by our server and they were reasonably priced (for restaurant wine...) and complimented our meals well. We had the mussels in a red broth for an appetizer - which was good. I'm so used to always having mussels in a wine or garlic sauce that this was a nice change. We shared a capresi salad and prosciutto which were also done well - the capresi having blue cheese instead of the typical mozzarella. Everyone enjoyed their dinners, one sausage and mushroom pizza, chicken with mushroom and prosciutto, and two of the pasta dishes. All were cooked well and very flavorful. We capped off the night with tiramisu and the warm banana bread with gelato. The tiramisu here is excellent - light and tasty but the warm banana bread dessert was outstanding! As usual another great dinner here!
(4)
KC M.
Went here for round two of boyfriend's birthday recently. Arrived on a Monday at about 6:45 and was so glad that our table had been reserved because this place was packed! Interesting set up with large windows on the left and a fairly rectangular room that darkens as it stretches towards kitchen in back. Beautiful mahogany bar frames the front of room and would be great for people watching or waiting for a table. We were seated along the bench style row to the right and even though we had a fairly large group, we were able to carve out a small corner of the restaurant, which was nice. Restaurant has a rotating menu so specifics change weekly. We enjoyed some calamari and bruchetta (with and without the pancetta) to start, both of which were nice and fresh. For main course I had a light broccoli rigatoni dish with a simple olive oil sauce that was a little heavy on the garlic. And trust me I loves me some garlic. Lets just say that if you are here on a first date, go for the red sauce. Boyfriend had a goat cheese and tomato pasta dish that really didn't wow either of us. But could just have been our choices as we heard good things from the table about the butternut ravioli (seasonal), frutti di mare and chicken diavolo. We did both note that the pasta was perfectly al dente. For the birthday they brought out a simple dessert (chocolate sauce smothering something small) with a candle, which was nice. Service was fine. Overall a great spot for a larger family dinner. The bench style seating and extensive wine list lends to a bustling atmosphere which may exceed a decent decibel for more intimate dining.
(3)
Kolyan D.
We held an event here in their back upstairs room. Everyone raved about the food and our server Armando was great. He really knew his stuff about the food and the area. Our order: Bruschette, calamari, risotto fungi - appetizers Caprese and another kind of salads Ravioli Spinaci and Gnocci Ricotta - pastas Pollo Romano, Filetto Funghi - entrees Profiteroles w/vanilla gelato - dessert I recommend this place if you are looking for a place that can host a large group.
(5)
Catherine T.
I first came here years ago! Since I was back visiting (I used to live in the Chicago area), I was very excited when my friend suggested meeting up here for dinner. I ordered the spinach/cheese ravioli with marinara and it had a distinct "seafoody" taste to it, which is pretty odd to say the least. If I go back, I would order something totally different!
(2)
I M.
The customer service was okish... they were super busy. The food was decent. Would go back.
(4)
Lauren B.
I used to go here all of the time many years ago and for some reason I thought they've gone down-hill, but the food sure hasn't! I came here recently on a very crowded night. The restaurant was so loud that I could barely have a conversation with the person who was sitting across my tiny table. The tables were sooooo crammed together I don't even know how the waiters could bring food to the tables. At the end of the night I TRIED to use the restroom located in the back. The tables were so close together that I couldn't get through and just left instead. Clearly not a comfortable atmosphere. But! My pasta was very good, would give it 4 stars. I had a great penne pasta with a spicy tomato sauce, the bread was very good too.
(3)
chris l.
Looking through the reviews of this place has irritated me. I think it's important that people realize that this is a small neighborhood restaurant residing in the third largest city in the country. Yes, the space is small. Yes, the wait can be long. Yes, the room can be loud. And yes, the kitchen puts out some of the best food in the city, thus insuring the small room remains packed and loud with a line out the door. The Olive Garden probably has a quiet table available right now where you can sit and talk privately as you wait for the rest of your party to arrive. Mia Francesca is a gem, and in the decade I've been going there, I've never had a bad meal, or a negative experience.
(5)
Eric C.
oh yea...i really liked this place....I blew in from the west coast and have an Italian uncle from Brooklyn as my background so I know good Italian. My unc can cook! Carpaccio Con Arugola, Asparagus, Blue Cheese, Tomato, salad, salmon, chicken picatta and Parmesan were great! Had another salad w/ great dressing Cernia con Asparagi - Pan-roasted red grouper with wild mushrooms, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, garlic, lemon and balsamico is incredible. I used to live in FL...I know grouper...and this grouper deserved a diamond ring! If i lived in Chi town I'd be here ...like....all da time!
(4)
Gordon B.
I took my parents here for a celebratory dinner. The food and atmosphere lived up to the occasion. It was very busy but our waitress was still very attentive to us. The portions were large and delicious. Some times you go to places where you think they give you a lot of food but it's cheap, poor quality. Not at Mia Francesca. On the contrary, everything tasted fresh and homemade. I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Mike L.
Still the best of the Francesca chain in my opinion. We were a party of 4 last night and the food and service was perfect! Never thought you could combine avocado and chopped tomatoes over Salmon, but it was one of the best combos I have ever had. I'm still amazed how they serve so many people so quickly - they are ALWAYS packed and it works. Been coming here since they opened and have NEVER had a bad meal!
(5)
Stephanie L.
I used to love this restaurant. I haven't been here in years...like 7-8 years. But it wasn't how I remembered it. Definitely still bustling. It's loud. It's crowded. It's crammed. Service was really meh. Server wasn't engaging & didn't really offer up much for suggestions when asked. The food wasn't how I remembered either. It tasted like a step above OG or Magiannos. Very plain, very cookie cutter, very meh. Overall, there are about a million other Italian places I would rather spend my $$ on. It's really just ok. I probably won't go back.
(3)
Aj A.
I was here for my birthday dinner. I was impressed by the nice and courteous behavior of the host and wait staff. Have I had better Italian food elsewhere? Yes of course, but their service was award winning! The bread was served warm fresh from the oven-so delicious. The bruschetta and Neapolitans pizza were great too. The lentil appetizer was a-ok. The eggplant rigatoni, spinach ravioli were fantastic too. The pesto cavatelli lacked some flavor. Wine list was superb. My friends had the mussels and the chicken+shrimp entree and they loved it. They dimmed the lights for the cake cutting creating a beautiful atmosphere Ruth the candle lit cake. Overall had a fantastic experience!
(4)
Patrick K.
Have been coming to francescas for years and have been to nearly every location. By far the best service, personality and hospitality is done by Fernando and Terry at this location. They really make you feel like you are at home. If I could give 6 stars I would.
(5)
Svetlana M.
I walked in with my boyfriend and we were seated right away even though the restaurant was busy. I was very pleased with the good food and attentive staff! A nice place for romantic dinner!
(5)
Ben B.
My first visit to Mia Francesca was on New Year's Eve, 2014. We sat next to a very loud table of 12. It was nearly impossible to get our waiter's attention. I checked my phone and he didn't come around to get our entree orders for 50 minutes. Five-oh. Fifty. Minutes. Granted, the place was packed for New Year's, but that table told us they pre-booked a package. We, too, had made reservations, so it's not like they didn't know they'd be busy. You'd think a manager would swoop in when they saw us waving at the oblivious waiter. It seemed like a total breakdown of operations. I'm trying to take that with a grain of salt. Too often on Yelp, people blast a restaurant for circumstances out of its control. Yes, they should have been more heavily staffed. Or they could have apologized. Or comped a glass of wine. But they didn't. And that put an unfortunate bad taste in my mouth. Now, to the food... * Prosciutto con Burrata - prosciutto di parma with creamy burrata cheese, basil-pine nut pesto, balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil. I loved this. The prosciutto was great. I used it to roll up some burrata bites. Most excellent. * Pollo Arrosto alla Romano ($17) - Roasted half chicken with garlic, shallots, rosemary, lemon and olive oil, served with roasted potatoes. Quite good. An enormous serving for $17. The chicken sits in a pool of delicious gravy-type goodness. I couldn't eat much of this because I went to town on the complimentary bread while waiting a minor eternity to get our entrees. I believe Mia Francesca could be an awesome place on a quieter night. I may revisit it in the future.
(3)
Sean W.
My wife and I have gone to Mia Francescas since the night we got engaged. Every year since (5) we have returned on our anniversary and the experience is great every time. The food is outstanding and so is the service. The staff is very welcoming and treated us to complimentary champagne and desert for our special occasion...you can't beat that! Another great quality I enjoy about Mia Francescas is the perfect amount of service. This is a personal quality I enjoy, and my opinion may vary from others, but I'm going to put it out there anyway. The service is much like it is in Europe, the waiter/waitress comes by very little, and I LOVE that. I cannot stand it when a server comes over 12 times during my dinner and interrupts a conversation, reaches in front of me while I'm still eating my salad, or filling up my water so many times that the table looks like the mens room floor. Our waiter was perfect in his timing and the staff cleared our table at the appropriate times. Some people like it when the waiter is coming by every minute...not me, so I appreciate the way Mia Francesca operates. As always, my wife and I will continue to dine at Mia Francesca every anniversary, and even date nights.
(5)
Kay B.
The ravioli is very yummy. The service was good. It was a little squished. but good food + great service + blue jeans = a good place for a date night!
(4)
Jamie B.
Another 5 star experience for food, service, and atmosphere at Francesca's. Nothing to do with my dining experience, but as a nice person, I let someone go ahead of me to the women's room. There is only one on the main floor, so I decided to be nice and let her go ahead of me. Dumb move on my part...that idiot in the red satin shirt who decided to take a dump in the only women's room on the main floor clogged the toilet!! She knows who she is if she is reading this review. So gross. I notified the busboys, they should get employee of the year award because they ran right in there to begin unclogging it.
(5)
Frankie C.
Service: I decided to dine at this restaurant on a whim, so unfortunately I didn't make a reservation, like most. Despite no reservation, I was seated under the estimated time (waited 45 mins ish, quoted an hour plus). The food came out rather quickly, too. Drinks served promptly. Service gets two thumbs up!! Ambience: Casual environment, but ridiculously loud. Carrying on a simple conversation across the table seems almost impossible. For this reason, I do not recommend this restaurant for groups or intimate gatherings. Food: I have received numerous recommendations from the locals in the area to dine at this spot because of the authentic cuisine. To be honest..it's average. If you do not frequently cook delicious Italian food, like myself, perhaps it will appeal to you more than me. The ONLY dish I will rave about is their goat cheese appetizer - YUM! Cost: Unless your getting a dish that has a hodgepodge of seafood, I would say this place is too expensive for average pasta bathed in mediocre sauces. Save your money, buy box pasta, and doctor up some jarred sauce. Overall: Aforementioned, if you don't cook Italian food, I think this restaurant will [potentially] rock your socks.
(3)
Luis O.
The Clark location continues to deliver a 5 star experience in all fronts: professionalism of the staff, food quality,, etc...a solid and consistent neighborhood classic not to be missed!
(5)
Elaine S.
Food and ambiance was great! We had the dessert special - Limoncello Tiramisu - it was heavenly!
(4)
Christina C.
Honestly, I found this place by mistake. I was planning on going to a different restaurant I found on Yelp, but ended up taking the wrong street and walked by Mia Francesca! First of all, their menu is awesome. They switch it up every now and then so you might have to get something different every time you go there! We started off with the bruschetta - the fancier one that is a dollar more than the original - totally worth the extra dollar. It came with arugula and avocado on top. It was one of the best bruschetta I've ever had. For my entree, I ordered the special ravioli. I want to say I tasted some goat cheese in the ravioli, but I'm not sure. It was delicious though! Super filling, so I thought the price was just right. On Thursdays, they do $5 martinis. I ordered the Blood Orange martini. It was good at first, but granted, Svedka... not the best. For dessert, the special was a peanut butter cream pie with peanut butter whipped cream and an Oreo crust. I wish I were eating it now. Service is good. There are many servers around who can assist you. Also, definitely sit in the back patio! I love the mural!
(5)
Thomas Z.
Good service, good food. Ordered a pesto dish and a rigatoni broccoli and cream sauce dish. Portions were slightly smaller than expected for America but still acceptable. Vibes were a little crowded but still not too overbearing. Would return, though slightly out of my personal price range.
(4)
Ken O.
It's been many years since I had dinner at Mia Francesca and I had time so I thought what the heck.... I was able to find a seat at the bar. Byron, bartender, had greeted with a smile and presented the menus. At the same time, asked about a cocktail which I just ordered a coke since I had to work a double shift the next day. While Byron was working on some drinks, Cosme had dropped off the coke and took my order. He was very pleasant - actually, both of the gentlemen were very personable. The menu is very well planned out - a little bit of everything. I decided order the New York Strip and Potato special. While waiting for my meal, I had turned and gobbled up the great bread. The oil had a little bit to it, but very good. No bread or oil was left when I was done. The meal was delivered to me within a reasonable time. There was just enough grilse left on the steak to keep the meat juicy and favorable. The melted garlic butter over the steak was incredible!!! The potatoes were crispy on the outside and tender inside. Both gentlemen had checked in with me regarding the meal without being overbearing. Of course, I did save room for dessert. The dessert menu has about eight different items to choose from. I had ordered the Apple Crostrada. Very good to end the evening with. Overall, Mia Francesca is a great restaurant on the north side of the city.
(5)
Stephanie A.
Somewhat limited menu but very reasonably priced and in a great location. Mixed group of people dining...from families in very casual attire to couples celebrating something. Overall a good experience.
(3)
Lauren B.
A little overpriced for cold pasta. My dish was personally the best out of everyone I was dining with (it was also a special and the most expensive). I thought the ambiance was very traditional, warm and personable. However, I have had better Italian worth more of the price, not that it was outrageous... Just not what I was expecting for $17.
(3)
Jen K.
I have to say how disappointed I am in this restaurant. I've tried other Francesca's before in the burbs and they were all great but I sat at the table for a half hour waiting for someone to wait on me. When he did, I asked what the soup of the day, he couldn't tell me and left for another 5 minutes. Then I proceeded to sit at my seat and watched all the staff members hang out for a while. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but the service will make it so I never go back
(1)
Erin M.
Went here for a surprise bday party and the food and service were fantastic! We had the carriage house in the back and it was great! Had spinach cheese pizza, gnocchi, and s chicken potato dish and the main meals were great! For dessert We had cheesecake and these chocolate gelato puffs that were too die for!!! Highly recommend this place!!
(5)
Maria P.
I rarely write Yelp reviews as I feel I should only do so to add something valuable to anyone reading them. In this case (and I apologize for the ALL CAPS), I think this problem needs to be noted: THIS PLACE DOES NOT HONOR THEIR RESERVATIONS!! If you're like most people, you probably have the silly belief that making a reservation at a restaurant serves to ensure that you have a table at (or very near) the requested time. As someone who gets irked by even a five minute wait for a reserved table, the fact I waited nearly an hour for my table only speaks to the mendacity of both the hostesses and the manager who kept insisting that a table would free up "in a manner of minutes". This obvious lie was repeated so many times that I began to feel as if I was being unreasonable by checking on my reservation - even though it was clear from the dining room that no one was leaving soon given no checks were visible on any table. It became rather clear that "reservation" to Mia's was simply a way to reserve your space in the "wait queue". When we were finally seated after 9pm (for an 8:15pm) reservation, there was nary a word of apology from either the hostess or waiter. The manager eventually stopped by and apologized for the wait and offered a free appetizer to both my friend and I. My friend did not want an appetizer and the manager obnoxiously pointed out that he would only comp an appetizer and nothing else, clearly stressing this was all that would be offered. Given we hadn't even asked for a comp, it was infuriating to have him set limitations on something that wasn't wanted or needed. What we really wanted was an hour of our lives back but it was obvious that the manager didn't seem to care about the fact he had wasted our time and screwed up our plans for the night. I quickly ordered a soup because I felt we should get *something* . Rather predictably, the $6 soup appeared to totally absolve the manager of having to care about the situation any further. He never checked in again -- and so was blissfully unaware that the lobster bisque soup that was eventually served was partially cold and didn't have any lobster! It was just a bowl of heavy cream with tomato sauce. Given how hungry we were at this point, we choked it down. To add insult to injury, I then had to suit up to go outside and walk 4 blocks in sub-zero weather to add extra time to the meter since it had run out. I stupidly only put an hour in the meter thinking we couldn't possibly be staying for that much longer. Our food did not come for another forty-five minutes. When it arrived, my hungry friend and I started shoving it in our mouths only to stop dead at the taste. The sauce of the salmon had a strange acidic flavor that made the dish taste weird and wrong. Despite being ravenous, we both frustratingly switched back to the bread and tried to spot the waiter to send it back. He was nowhere to be found, so we were stuck eating bread. When he finally reappeared much later it was only to ask if we wanted to take the dish home, taking no note of the fact barely anything was eaten. When I emphatically stated No!, he simply whisked the dish away with no comment. We declined dessert as we just wanted to leave at this point since the meter had run out and we had just spent our entire night waiting around to eat cold soup and bread. But once again, we were kept waiting for the check to get picked up. It was now going on 11pm. I'm usually a person that doesn't complain (as I find voting with my feet to be effective), but I was so angry at this point that I had actually decided to make a comment to the staff before I left about how horrible the whole experience had been - and how our plans for the night were ruined. Of course, I was denied even this small consolation as there was no one around to complain to. The hostesses had both disappeared and the manager was nowhere to be found. We left without fanfare after almost three hours of being treated with something akin to contempt and getting an expensive bill shoved under our noses at the end of it. The lack of even a Thank You from anyone in the restaurant as we left seemed to say it all about how they feel about their customers. While Mia's will probably always be busy - their location allows them to recycle through customers relatively easily - it's clear this is not due to good food or service. I will end my post the way I begin since this essentially encapsulates how they feel about their customers and it's rather useful information to anyone trying to plan their night: THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR RESERVATIONS. And the food and service is just inexcusable on top of that.
(1)
Enzo D.
No italian food at all. ..im from italy and I really know my country food sorry but this plaste made my italy s...start with fried calamari Brown crost mean dirty oil.carpaccio no seasoned at all. .meatballs pasta the sauce was bland and meatballs test like older or maybe frozen....please call this food with another name but never call it italian cousine. ..
(1)
Joe S.
Went here for Sunday brunch with my wife and daughter. Wow very bad!!!! It took 10 min. For a server to come by, with the place empty don't understand that. My daughter ordered warm tee and honey. After 15 min. The tea came out ice cold with no honey. I told the waiter the water for the tea was cold can you please bring it back with hot water and honey please. 10 more min later tea came back out still cold and no honey. I finally told the server to put the water in the microwave and hit high for 3 min. Needless to say kitchen did not know how to boil water. LOL!!! We ordered omelets nothing hard to cook for breakfast. Omelets were undercooked and greasy. Outside tables dirty and poor service to match will not be coming back.
(1)
Peter g.
This is my first visit to this Francesca location. I would normally not write a review of a chain's second location but this one is worth warning winter patrons about the upstairs. The food is as good as the location over on Taylor in little Italy. That site I have been to numerous times, and they say inside the menus are somewhat different between sites, but not that I could notice. The food here was just as good. Which is to say very good. The 3 star rating is earned by the design of the upstairs. This is a small place so they have a second door leading to a nice looking bar and seating area upstairs, however they have no easy access to the kitchen so they have to use a rear upper deck which gives them some kind of dumbwaiter access for dishes and return items to the kitchen from an exterior rear porch. The problem is the door was swung open at least 3 to 5 times per minute in the dinner rush, and it was 23 degrees outside. There is no exterior protection in this deck area so the wind swept thru 20 feet of bar and right onto the dinner floor, people everywhere were wearing coats, everyone at the bar felt it, several complained including myself, and they said there is nothing they can do about it. There is noothing blocking this whatso ever and its an automatic door, so it opens all the way, and hangs open for 5 to 10 seconds before it starts closing. Truly this will ruin the experience for you on cold winter nights. If you can't get a table in the main floor area, as good as this place is for dinner I would avoid the upstairs at all costs. The chicken and the Caprase were fresh, very well prepared and cooked, and I will go back, just not to this location.
(3)
Bailey S.
We missed our reservation because of traffic so we had to dine late after a comedy show. This place was amazing and the waiter was very accommodating (It might have been cause it was so late and there were only a few tables filled but whatever). The food was excellent, we ordered the bruschetta and we both got the rosemary chicken. Everything was superb. The music they were playing didn't really fit the ambiance but we personally didn't care. All and all this place was great and I would totally go again.
(5)
Tim S.
It has been years since I have been and was not impressed I have to say. WAY TO LOUD, kind of cramped, food was perfectly fine but the service just fell below what should be expected from them.
(2)
Kyle D.
Went here on a date, and we had a great time. If you come at peak hours, expect a wait. Luckily I made reservations. The service was fast and friendly and they have a good wine list. The menu is only 1 page but it covers all of the bases and has good options, but be ready to eat and eat hearty. Nothing seemed super healthy, and I had the primavera. That said, the food was awesome. My primavera was great and my date's chicken was good (according to her). The portions are huge, and of course there is bread beforehand. We skipped on appetizers and desserts but they sounded great. The only complaint I had was that the atmosphere is just okay. Everything was clean, but I could see the all non-italian cooking staff right there. Overall a great experience, just not 5 star. Atmosphere: 7/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 8/10
(4)
Kelly J.
Very authentic Italian food, complete with Italian waiter with a thick, heavy accent. Charming little place with a second story that was quieter than the downstairs. Great photos on the walls on Italians in the 'old country'. The bread and olive oil was addicting. We actually had to ask them to take it away from us. Deliciously fresh and soft bread and herbed olive oil. We started with a beautiful antipasta salad served on a pizza board - so cute! Full of meat and cheese and crunchy veggies, it was excellent. We shared the risotto with shrimp, zuchini, tomato in a light saffron sauce and an order of the wild mushroom stuff ravioli in a tomato mushroom sauce. Both had freshy made pasta and had excellent flavor.Too stuffed for dessert, but there's always room for another glass of red. Good wine list here filled with lots of italian wine. Loved it!
(4)
R J.
Lackluster on all counts. Sunday, Nov 10 Service is "meh- can I take your order" attitude by server. Food was moderate in flavor. Highly over salted! (All dishes at our table). Way, way over sauced. Swimming in sauce. Tables so incredibly cramped that if you aren't bumping the person behind / next to you, the staff most certainly is repeatedly every time they squeeze by a 6" gap to pretend to service the poor folks against the wall. Which brings me to the biggest gripe of the night: walked into a nearly empty restaurant at 530pm, and were given the table nearest the drafty door on a cold windy night. Before touching anything on our table I very pleasantly asked the host if we could please be seated elsewhere away from the cold air. I pointed out a number of tables away from the door. She claimed, "oh, those are all saved for a party of 9", and another, "that's saved for another party". See picture I posted (and taken an hour later.... Still empty) By late in the meal, no big parties came in. But she seated a party of 3 in the table area I asked to sit at (party of 9) If you want to be a snooty, rotten hostess- fine. I'll go elsewhere. But don't outright LIE so frivolously to my face. As such- I would never return to such a restaurant. Not for the salty food. Mediocre service, and especially this host. There are SO many Italian restaurants nearby with better food, service and more character (and integrity)
(1)
Chicago T.
The experience was very good and we would go back to this spot. But know that the food prepared their is not the Italian fare you would fine at some of Chicago's popular Italian restaurants. Our first visit resulted in delicious food and friendly service. We ordered the Pollo Arrostro all Romano, Cavetti con Pesto y Pollo, and the bow tie pasta with salmon. Everyone enjoyed their respective main course. However the best dish that all enjoyed was the melted goat cheese with marinara sauce appetizer. Awesome! The fried calamari was fresh, light and crisp. Not greasy. The pear and blue cheese salad was uneventful. The poached pear was too, too sweet and the pear to greens ratio was off. Too little greens for the amount of pear. The blue cheese they use for the salad is delicious. For me, its a well executed Americanized version of Italian food. For example; no eggplant or chicken parmesan, sausage and peppers, Bucatini all'Amatriciana, pasta Carbonara or seafood apps. Yet, want we ordered was well executed and enjoyed.
(3)
Jon S.
"May I re-chill your cosmo?" With these words, Mia Francesca on Clark has become my favorite restaurant. In my many years of ordering and consuming cosmos, in restaurants around the United States (and London and Montreal and on international waters and island ports of call), I have never experienced this level of outstanding customer service. In fact, this statement has reached a new, previously unknown level of favored phrase status. Prior to this, my favorite word combination was "Dinner is served." Today, a new combination of letters, spaces, and punctuation has become my new favorite, and it's very difficult to imagine anything overtaking it-- except perhaps "Your private jet is waiting." Terry approached our table, while my martini glass was still 3/4ths full, and somehow anticipated that my drink might no longer be at the ideal temperature. If you love martinis, you know what the ideal temperature is-- it's that condition where there is a thin layer, almost just a hint; of ice at the top of the drink-- allowing the contents to be beautifully, perfectly chilled. The glass itself, of course, also must be chilled-- frosted, actually. Unfortunately, this condition only lasts for a few moments. Perhaps ten, if you're lucky. It had been ten minutes. The frost had disappeared, there was no more layer of thin ice at the top of the drink. Terry identified this tragedy and corrected it immediately with his magic words. A few minutes later, my drink re-appeared, with the glass freshly frosted, and the temperature again perfect. May you re-chill my cosmo? Yes. Will I be back? Yes. Thank you Terry.
(5)
Brian B.
After 18 years, another superb dinner at Mia's. We've been enjoying Mia Francesca at this location for an unbelievable 18 years. Last night's dinner was surreal in the fact that it was the same magical experience we had on our first visit years ago. The pasta was superb, as was the carpaccio and calamari. Service was spot on. Eat in the main dining room (not upstairs) for the real energy. Note - tables are packed tight so expect to meet your neighbors... and enjoy the evening.
(5)
Stephanie M.
Great pasta! This place was really great - the pasta was super tasty, but the buratta left something to be desired. Not amazing quality. Its a little cramped inside and there are lots of families - wouldn't recommend for a date or a relaxing night out. Price point a touch higher than you'd expect given the scene.
(3)
Matt M.
I am not exactly sure what the thrill of this place is. It is not the food, not the ambience, not the service.. it is just there. For starters you will be crammed in very uncomfortably - no ifs/and/buts. Then you will get slow service. And by slow service... I mean sloooooooooooooooow. We saw our waitress 3 times. Were slapped with the mandatory tip and that was that. So for essentially 10 minutes of work she got a $40 tip (no waiters dont send me an angry "open letter" about the tedious nature and hardwork of your industry). I mean really, drinks were always empty, no one cared to ask how the food was - it was like a barely useful robot in a crammed store front was giving us middle of the road food with a preprogrammed notion of what is going to happen.
(2)
Taylor M.
There are some really great Francesca locations and others that are overcrowded and they cram you in and forget about you. Let's just say I am lucky I am not claustrophobic! This Francesca's was super crowded and I felt stuffed into a table that was too small and right by the bathroom. No fun. The food was okay for Italian food. The drinks were good. The service was not very good. My review is short to illustrate my experience at Mia Francesca's...lacking...
(3)
Christina N.
Before you read on, I feel I should say that this is the third time I've dined here, and the first two times were great....tonight, not so much. We live in the neighborhood and felt like italian last minute, so hopped on open table and Mia Francesca was wide-open for reservations. When we walked in to check in, the place was packed, lively and bustling as we expected. Assuming we would be seated at one of the few open tables, they quickly informed us we would be seated upstairs, where we had to go outside and through another door. Turns out, the "upstairs dining room" is really their overflow dining room, which was a few small two tops surrounded by a long table seating a giant party in which the majority of people were under the age of 10. As we sat there deciding on what wine/apps to order we had 3 or 4 kindergartners with sugar highs sprinting laps around our table and running back and forth along the banister that we were sitting against. The parents were oblivious and the staff didn't seem to care either. The upstairs dining room was literally the kids table. The food was good, but the atmosphere ruined it. Not something I would have expected from an 8:30 reservation on a saturday night at Mia Francesca. It was like being at TGI Friday's with Mia Francesca's food. Maybe they should let you know when reserving that you'll be in the overflow room to avoid this issue!!
(2)
Meg S.
Excellent food, great atmosphere. Really enjoyed and will definitely go back next time I'm in the city!!
(5)
Thomas B.
I've eaten here several times. Very nice rustic seasonal menu and great prices. If you can make a reservation, do so, as waiting at the bar can be quite the ordeal. Great fresh pasta, also the carpaccio is fantastic. Definitely worth the visit.
(4)
Kelly D.
I have been coming here for years and I have yet to be disappointed. This is one italian restaurant I love dining at, and it has stayed on my top 3 ever since I started! The bread has always been warm and fresh and the food is always on point. A lot of their main menu items stick around - but there are quite a few entrees that switch their ways in and out with the seasons and popularity. There is always a specials menu that changes every night I believe. The cooking here is impeccable and I cannot stress enough that everything here is done really well. I've never had a bad server experience either, which can be a rare feat for this near-Wrigley location. Everyone I have had has been helpful and excellent at suggestions, accommodations, and wine/drink pairings. What sparked my review after all of this time was my reservation around 9pm (we arrived early) and had to leave by 9:30. Our waitress was attentive even though this place was packed (Saturday evening), and everything was brought out super fast, and we were done at 9:24. I will say I am REALLY DISAPPOINTED that there is no more peanut butter chocolate tart dessert anymore. I guess they took it off a few months ago. I was seriously devastated - a girl has to have her dessert! I will be writing to hopefully encourage them to bring it back (or give me the recipe!)
(5)
Steph U.
I came here for Restaurant Week, and overall I was underwhelmed by not only the selection (or lack there of), but by also what was served when I ordered off the special menu. I don't remember the specific name, but it was something osso buco (veal). Basically, it was ground veal wrapped in pasta. Not only was the portion small for the price ($16.99) (especially in comparison to their normal dishes), it was also chewy and didn't have much taste. We ordered Malbec wine; I thought it was whatever. My friend ordered the chicken alla salvia, which looked much bigger and better than my meal and was only a dollar more! I think if I were ever to come back, I'd want to try their regular menu, but not worth it for Restaurant Week in my opinion.
(2)
Dan L.
can't believe I've never reviewed this place before. Have been here about 5 times over the years and never dissapointed. the only drawback I have always had is the noise level. If you are sitting at a two top you are kind of on top of the people next to you and hear everyone's conversations. I have never had a bad glass of wine, bad appetizer, bad entree or bad service. I do agree to avoid the restaurant on game day nights but it is just far south enough to get away from the foot traffic of wrigley. Will always go back and was just there two weeks ago.
(5)
Gio S.
After a six-year hiatus, returned to Mia Francesca for an anniversary dinner, wanting, hoping to like it. Sadly, no luck. This place combines bland, soulless "Corporate Italian" food with efficient but cold service. The pesto was completely tasteless (tip: at least add some GARLIC), and the chicken in the pasta tasted like it had been frozen (and the suspiciously identical strips suggested it was). With so many outstanding options for Italian on the north side, can't see coming back, again. Under-flavored, over-priced, and way too pleased with itself.
Choose when you go carefully. Avoid game days (unless you're a game attender and are looking for a lively and cramped vibe). It's not the drunken Clark St crowd. Rather, it's the grown-up version. Don't avoid Sunday brunch. They've only been doing it about a year and, in my opinion, are nailing it. It's become a regular spot for me (I live close). Food is better than average Italian. Not the best, but solid and consistent. Service is consistently good...even when they're slammed.
(3)
Minnie G.
I've dined at other Francesca's restaurants and have always had a great experience. This time not so much. First off always ask for a table in the front. We were in the back separate area and it wasn't great. I ordered a Black Label and was told they don't offer that brand of Scotch. No biggy, but what they had was awful. I thought they had a full bar. The food was just OK. I had a chicken pasta dish and the chicken was dry and bland. My friend had an eggplant pasta dish and it was just OK. The service was good but I probably would choose a different Francesca restaurant next time.
(2)
T W.
Best Italian restaurant in Chicago! Be sure to sit outside in the back! Feels like Italy!!!
(5)
Brooke B.
Yum!! Came here with the boyfriend for date night on Saturday and was soo pleased! Everything was sooo delicious from our bread and olive oil, to both our pasta dishes, and even our Pinot Noir wine that was recommended by our waiter! I have to give our waiter even more credit because we weren't going to order a dessert (even though I wanted to, but the boyfriend isn't a dessert fan), but he talked us into getting the pumpkin pie that was a special of the day! So mouth watering good! I would definitely come back in a heart beat! The only reason why I have to give this place 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the fact that you are seriously packed into here like a sardine! I couldn't get to my seat without banging into the table next to us. Then feeling like you were in the middle of the conversations next to you since you are seated so close to each other... But the waiter was awesome, food was awesome, service was super fast (in an out within an hour!); so definitely worth it!
(4)
Pattie U.
Good food, the wine is on the pricey side.
(4)
Tricia D.
Mia Francesca gets the upgrade to 5 stars for a few reasons: 1) The quality of food is fantastic, fresh, and consistently meets/exceeds expectations! On my latest visit, I inhaled the roasted pork chop entree in approximately 7.2 minutes. It was juicy, well balanced in flavor, and left me happy and full. 2) Service is prompt, friendly, and attentive. 3) The menu is continually evolving. Change is the one constant in life! Expect it to be an energetic atmosphere, with the tables rather closely spaced together. Definitely want to try dessert here sometime.
(5)
Susy P.
MIA FRANCESCA, THE LAND OF TRUFFLE-Y WONDER I love this place. I love the hustle and bustle of the atmosphere (although sitting in a long line of other couples where they can definitely hear everything I'm saying is a little too romcom-ish for me) because you can tell that when a restaurant keeps bringing tons of people back, it's worth it! I had the truffle ravioli which seriously blew. my. mind. I've had dreams about this ravioli. It is all that I want out of life. My boyfriend got the half chicken and it was just melt-in-your-mouth goodness.... I never knew simple chicken could taste that good! We will definitely be back because although the menu changes, I am completely okay with whatever they are willing to serve me.
(5)
Tim C.
Found the place by accident, looking for Italian while in Lakeview with a friend from out of town. Figured more memorable places might somewhere else but we stumbled on this through Googling and so glad we did. Discovered a long wait in the early evening (a good sign) but we took a seat at the bar and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the attentive staff while we dined. I WILL be back. A good local place to know.
(4)
Imani B.
OMG! Restaurant Week 2014 dream come true...4 courses that provides ample food choices. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th course meal was extremely DELISH. 1st course was an awesome salad, 2nd course was the seafood pasta, 3rd course was a chicken option that included rosemary with white wine. Yummy! The service was great. The delivery of the meals were right on time. The host was pleasant and the waiter was extremely handsome...(which made the food taste better). The Overall experience was great!
(5)
Lizz M.
I had just completed my first 5K and part of the incentive for its completion was the promise of brunch. After a futile attempt at going to Socca (if your hours say 10:30am you should be open at that time, right?), we walked over to Mia Francesa and I'm so glad we did. Because the place had just opened, we were welcomed to a fairly empty restaurant where we were promptly seated. We were still waiting for two other friends to arrive so we settled in, ordered some mimosas and ate some fresh bread. Now, the food. I ordered the pollo e ouvo, which is a chicken and bacon hash. It was very tasty. I think the potatoes were my favorite part of this dish as they were extra crispy and seasoned perfectly. The other vegetables were also nice and tender, and my eggs were fluffy. I also ordered the blush mimosa which was refreshing and very much needed. Excellent food and service, would definitely come back. The owner even came over and chatted with us.
(4)
Elise K.
Mia Francesca is certainly one of the better Italian restaurants in the city and probably the best in the neighborhood. I prefer going for a weekend lunch rather than dinners because dinners are crowded and noisy. Lunches are quiet and peaceful with lots of love and attention from the servers. My first visit was when I had just started dating my current back in 2010. We had a late lunch on a Saturday. We split an appetizer and each had an entree. I got a veggie pasta dish and it was better the the bolagnase dish that he had. The service was fantastic - the owner served us himself. My most recent visit was on a Saturday night for a girls' night. Dinner for 8. They put us upstairs where it was pretty noisy. The service was just okay, but the place was so busy and it was hard to get a chance to get in the bathroom - a long line for the single toilet. Overall our food was good - not as great as previous visits however.
(4)
T V.
Really enjoyed the restaurant week dinner menu - too much food! The bruschetta and the chicken were amazing. We also really liked sitting upstairs - quieter than the main dining room. Would def go back.
(4)
Jeanette S.
The food is good, but the portions are a bit too big. Like, JUMBO size! The service is excellent too and they make killer cocktails. It's also reasonably priced. The place was fully booked, but they let us in anyway since one of the tables just left. We were surrounded by noise but I just chose to ignore it and focus on my date. Still, it gets quite loud in there, so be forewarned.
(4)
Brittany H.
When it comes to Italian food, I want it as flavorful and authentic as possible, and Mia Francesca definitely delivered. The restaurant is small but romantic and quaint, perfect for date night. I've only gone during the week, but I've never needed to make a reservation. The food was delish and the portions were huge. I got chicken vesuvio, and was literally served half of a chicken on top of potatoes. I've also had the gnocchi which was again, huge, and delicious. Mia francesca is a hidden italian gem in lakeview, definitely worth trying.
(5)
Judy W.
I came here with a group for a bachelorette dinner. Our table wasn't completely ready when we arrived, but we didn't have to wait long The seating in this place is horrible. The tables are so close together, even the very skinny one in our group had a difficult time getting around the table to sit in back. But after she got back there, she had to move to a chair. The bench along the wall sits very high and nobody wanted to sit back there. The place is very loud because the kitchen is open to the restaurant and the staff was constantly clanking the china. There was also a server near the front who was cleaning the silverware. As he cleaned each one, he loudly dropped it into a tub. They also had very loud background music, and everyone had to talk over all these other sounds. Our server had a very broken English and was having trouble understanding us as much as we had difficulty understanding him. Service was slow - very slow. They had a full bar inside the very small restaurant. I think they would be better off using the space instead for seating. The had a nice selection of specialty drinks. Our food was good, but nothing to brag about. Everyone had something a little different, so I won't pick out any specific food item. Again, service was slow, so it took a long time before the server came back to ask if we wanted dessert. A couple people ordered dessert, and said it was also good. Since our bride-to-be had a sash stating she was the bachelorette, it was nice of the restaurant to send a round of after dinner shots to the table, however only one or two of the people in my party liked the taste.
(1)
Megan H.
Really really good!!! I had some kind of pasta with pot roast and the pot roast was great! Very tender. My boyfriend ordered something that wasn't even on the menu and they made it for him happily. The wait was long but it was a Saturday night and the food was excellent, as was the wine. Great date spot too!
(4)
Jay D.
Excellent Dinner and tablecloth art on night of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Follow the link: yelp.com/biz_photos/6PQT…
(4)
Eric S.
I've been going to this establishment for years. It is consistently some of the best Italian food on the north side. Like any good Italian eatery it's louder and tight quarters but I will be back often.
(5)
Kanako I.
We came here on Saturday night, and we enjoyed their foods! We were seated on the second floor of this restaurant. The place reminded us of another Italian restaurant on Halsted. We had prosciutto & fichi, quattro stagioni, and spaghetti fagottaro. All simple yet really good! I particularly liked this pasta. yes I know they only use basil, tomato, garlic, oliveoil and cheese...but this pasta can go so wrong at some restaurants....! and I liked here a lot! Pizza was good, too. We both enjoyed all alot. The con is the waiter service was slow. It took for a long time for our waiter to come to us, and take our orders. Took a while to get our appetizer, and took another long time till we get pizza & pasta. And it took for a long time for him to come see if we want something more or need a check, and yes it took a long time for him to bring our check & bring the card back. If only the service was a bit quicker!
(3)
Karina I.
The food is good but... 1) the staff is unprofessional and 2) it is too cramped. I went here last weekend and sat at the bar. On my way in one of the hostesses was walking ahead of me and almost slammed the door in my face. When I sat down, next to me were two girls who were very annoying and already drunk. I figured out based on their way-too-loud conversations that out one of the girls is dating the guy who seemed to be the restaurant manager (who was working there that night) and the other staff members kept pouring them more drinks which only made them more rowdy. The food though is quite good... Maybe I will just go to a different Francesca's location with better service and ambience.
(2)
Michelle S.
This is still my go to restaurant with my girls when I come back to visit. It never fails, we know the food is always good and so we wind up here. I was beyond disappointed with my visit here which prompted my updated, two less star review. It is LOUD. Like hard to have a conversation with someone right next to you loud. It was so crowded and we had a table right next to the bar which is so annoying. The space is small so anyone waiting at the bar is essentially backed up to your table. Add in servers and other staff trying to get by and someone at our table was getting bumped every 10 seconds. Our sever was meh. It took forever to get drinks refilled and ordering dessert and coffee was painful. Our dinner was 2.5 hours long (not that I minded having time to catch up with friends but that's a long time!) I'm going to agree with Monica W. that it's hit or miss and we must have been there on a miss night but I was more than disappointed since my visits are quite infrequent these days since I live out of state. Bummer!
(3)
Allison S.
Went on a friday night with a reservation at 7:15 and the place was packed and very noisy! We got sat at a two person table right inbetween two other two person tables very close together, which I'm not so fond of. Close as in my ass was in the other tables face as I tried to figure out a way to get back to the booth area. We had to pull the table out significantly because there was no way my legs were going to fit under the table with the way the table was set up. However, as we pulled the table out, so I could actually sit down, my boyfriend was right up at the table behind us. Besides that the table behind us was a group of men who were yelling obnoxiously and being extremely rude. After this rocky beginning, we went ahead and ordered the ham and melon and bruschetta to start with since we were starving. Both were great. I had the chicken salvia with tomato sauce mozzarella, ham and pasta, which was delicious. My boyfriend had a sausage pasta with goat cheese that was amazing from what I tried. we also split a great bottle of wine. I was stuffed because the portions are huge, but got convinced into ordering the vanilla creme brulee which was awesome as well. The food definitely gets 5 stars for Italian, but the ambience has much to be improved on.
(4)
Betsy L.
The food was quite authentic and great; however, the restaurant was awkwardly cramped. We were unfortunately seated at the busiest corner of the restaurant -- service counter and restrooms. This may not bother others as much, but I was over-stimulated. I was in great company though!
(4)
Adriane P.
The dining equivalent of organizing your desk, network tv, or elevator conversation. Just a hodge podge of banality. We ordered: Red Wine Overpriced. Pollo Arrosto alla Romana Roasted half-chicken with garlic, shallots, Rosemary, lemon, and olive oil with roasted potatoes. Bland considering all the savory elements. No idea why. Salmone alla Senape Roasted salmon with portobello mushrooms in a mustard brandy cream sauce on a bed of spinach. He said it was bland and a let down. What is going on? From those descriptions they sound great, right? But I'm not even mad. I'll try it again because it wasn't that bad annnnnnnd the atmosphere is really cozy and romantic. And our server looked and acted just like Charlie from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He even had his delightful laugh and sense of humor. That's enough for me to put on my eatin mittens on and hope I'll be smitten, kittens.
(3)
Rebecca N.
Stumbled upon this gem by accident and boy were we happy! Unique, Itallian brunch menu and 5 dollar mimosas/bloody mary's! I got the chicken hash which was outstanding. I tried my friends Baked Uovo Florintines. Again excellent. Both were a bit heavy and could be shared. Inexpensive, fun, brunch place especially if you are looking to drink!
(4)
Megan E.
My husband and I have been here several times over the past few years, for Valentine's Day dinner and most recently our one year wedding anniversary. We can always count on a good meal here, and the atmosphere is always great. The bread is always delicious--ask for fresh shaved Parmesan to dip it in along with the table olive oil, it's so good! We each had a salad to start and my husband ordered the half chicken and roasted potatoes (his go-to dish) and I ordered the mussels. They were delicious and the tomato sauce is so good, with a little kick to it, that you can sop your bread in it. I literally ate it with a spoon! The prices are what you'd expect for a nice Italian restaurant but if you don't order alcohol it's a lot less. We've never had enough room to order dessert but they have a pretty good selection. Not sure if you can request it but I highly recommend the top level if you're going for a date--it's a lot more quiet and romantic, and the tables aren't as jammed together.
(5)
Justine M.
Service = amazing. Calamari = one of the best calamaris I've had Caprese = SOO GOOD and thick Lobster pasta = DELISH Pesto pasta = not worth the price but still pretty good. Nothing too special. Tirimisu = soft and rich. Would definitely go back. I also love the inside; It's a little small, but it gives the place character.
(5)
Katie H.
The service was great, the atmosphere was intimate (but not too romantic for a sister date), the food was phenomenal, and the portions weren't insanely large like some Italian places. They were enough to make you just slightly uncomfortably full if you ate it all - after eating some delicious warm bread as a starter, of course. I really can't say enough good things about Mia Francesca. I'll certainly be back to try a new dish!
(5)
Katherine M.
You know how your mom would make spaghetti that wasn't always the most amazing thing in the world, but in that moment it was exactly what you needed and completely delicious? That is how I think of Mia Francesca. The first time I went there I had a lentils starter that was freaking amazing, I wish that was a standard on the menu. I just went again for the second time and I was equally as pleased. Based on the menu last night they switch out dishes pretty regularly so the actual pasta dishes and entrees won't ever be the same. Regardless, the variety is great. The food itself is always really solid. The flavors are consistent and well balanced. The service is pretty prompt and fairly good at keeping your water filled, table clean etc. Overall if you are feeling like Italian food and don't want a long wait, this is your go-to place. It's a intimate space where it's easy to score a table, and better yet, the food is pretty solid across the board.
(4)
N E.
Mia Francesca is one the best date night spots. From the hand written menu, to the always changing selection of food to order. Keeps me coming back for years. With most Italian restaurants making the same meals year after year... This is a fresh take on dinning draws you back for years to come. Over the past ten years, I have never come out of here unhappy. That is a lot to be said. They have always had a great helpful staff, which makes ordering a pleasure!
(4)
Jason A.
I don't even know where to begin with this total disaster other than to tell you in one sentence to skip this place don't even waste your time. Normally I'm a critic of cheesy Chicago Italian restaurants, this place tries to bust that stigma by having several local locations and a rotating seasonable menu. Unfortunately the boring menu and horrendous execution lack in every possible way. First, we were seated up stairs in the midst of a rehearsal party, loud, couldn't walk, annoying. Several tables were seated at once and our server was slow to come to us after going to a table next to us twice. His utter incompetence continued to show through the rest of the meal. We asked for more bread it arrived 10 minutes later. The table side olive oil is nice as it has a touch of heat from chilis. Appetizers of prosciutto and asparagus and calamari were ok, if not a touch too small. I enjoyed the marinara sauce. Once entrees came this mess went even further downhill. 1 of 7 diners didn't receive his food. When he did after complaining, it was the wrong dish. Then we just said forget about it, then it came out anyway. What a waste of food. My skate wing was inedible. The spinach was so salty I thought I was at McDonald's. The fish looked like it was covered in puke and was also so salty a couple bites was all I could muster. No one at the restaurant asked why I inexplicably only had two bites. Hilariously the service was such a joke they brought the wrong food to other tables 3 times, just seemed totally lost. Management at least tried but at that point who cares. We got a free entrees and 4 free desserts. When I'm starving, free dessert doesn't cut it. Dinning wear looked like plastic plates from a cafeteria. Very strange. Horrendous experience I'll never be back.
(1)
Chris H.
Italian restaurants fall into three buckets: 1) "fine" dining establishments where you fear the server might break into a French accent, 2) The Olive Garden and its ilk and 3) homey neighborhood joints with solid menus where the chef /owner doesn't take risks, but neither does he/she take credit cards. Mia Francesca is the ideal combination of #1 and #3 with nary a hint of #2. They absorbed our large-ish party of seven and timed the servings perfectly, kept our glasses full and still got us out the door before we could ruin any dates at adjacent tables. They're not "rustic" or even remotely chi-chi here, but they do rotate the menu and the specials were outstanding. It isn't quiet or romantic, but you will feel comfortable and you won't feel intimidated.
(4)
Shane C.
I have been to all of the Francesca locations and this location, of course, met all the standards that the other locations had previously set. My girlfriend and I had a reservation here on Valentines Day and it was not hard to acquire as I had requested a table through Open Table, the app for smartphones which is amazing. We arrived a little early so they sent us up to a different level where there was a full bar and more dining space. Full bar? It was not stocked with what was on their menu. I wanted a Two Brothers and the bartender spent almost 10 minutes searching for one until he finally told me they were out. Not the biggest deal in the world but the knowledge upfront would have been nice. Our waitress failed to mention her name as well as offer us anything more to drink. That was a bit of a decline in service. Also, the busboys are sloppy. When they are refilling water at your table and around your table, there is water spilling everywhere and it was extremely annoying. I don't know if it was because the tables were so close together or it's a common occurrence. Same with cleaning tables and adding cheese to dishes. They don't realize that their careless, face-paced methods are effecting other people around them. It's the smaller things that many don't pay attention to that can really dissatisfy a customer. Anyways, I'm done complaining. The food was extraordinary. The carpaccio was fantastic. My girlfriend and I get it every chance we get. As for the main courses, my girlfriend ordered a artichoke ravioli and I ordered the 4 cheese pizza (which was shaped like a heart, how cute). My girlfriend said that the ravioli was good, and that was all she really said so I'm assuming it was just okay. I should have tried it. As for the pizza, it was pretty good. I would recommend it to those who REALLY LIKE CHEESE. I can't stress that enough. The pizza is so rich. Mozzarella, goat, gouda, and blue cheese. I'm sure you can imagine what that tastes like. Yes, you need to pace yourself because that bad boy is RICH. But it is good. So, 3 stars all around. Yes, the fact that the service was slower because of a holiday has been taken into consideration. There are other contributing facts that brought this place down in scale. Far from a 5 and somewhat close to a 4. Give this place a try but it's not a "go-to".
(3)
Ana W.
I actually want to rant and rave about this place - went for my first time for Sunday brunch around noon with friends from out of town. We were asked if we wanted to sit outside, which I never say no to! The patio is great, it's closed off so it's cute and quiet. Inside of the restaurant, although I didn't spend much time in there, looked really nice, clean and organized. I ordered a bloody Mary (actually 2, but that's beside the point) and good lord, it was good! Perfect amount of spice, not too watery or vodka-y with lots of snacks in it, which I love. For my meal I got the eggs in a frame, which was toast with an egg on it that came with potatoes, bacon and sausage - all really delicious and just what I wanted. My friends all liked their food as well (none of us were able to finish, we were so full on bloody Mary snacks). Everything was reasonable price-wise; the drinks were five bucks a piece(!) and the average price for our meals was around 11 dollars; not bad for a relatively large portion. The staff was really great, a man who I believe was the owner or manager led us to our seats and checked back with us on how everything was once we finished. The only complaint I have is the constant filling of water. I appreciate it if my glass is almost empty, but filling it up every time I take a couple drinks is unnecessary. Other than that - fast, friendly service! I haven't been for dinner here, but I will definitely be back again for brunch.
(4)
Christopher H.
I have been dining at Mia Francesca for 10+ years and have usually enjoyed it. The last three times, however, service has been very poor. The kitchen churns out food so fast and it's slung at you like in a diner -- on every visit, I've had entrees show up before I'm even done with a starter -- in one case, less than 5 minutes after the starter had been put down. The timing and air of service is wildly off, and the kitchen exhaust no longer seems to work -- I've left each time reeking of grease and cooking smell. I would say avoid for now, or try Francesca's on Bryn Mawr, which seems to still be OK.
(2)
Alan K.
I really like the casual feel of this restaurant compared to the other location adjacent to the Hancock Tower. The menu is similar in style to the other location where their menu changes constantly so you never really have the same thing twice. It was a great for Sunday brunch where we imbibed on some fantastic $5 Bloody Mary's. I had the rigatoni with an assortment of vegetables. It was quite delicious with just the right portion size. Also, before our main dishes came out, we were given a nice warm loaf of bread. I believe that in front of this location, there was an option for valet parking available for $8.
(4)
BF K.
Reliable Italian dinner- great place to go if you're looking for a delicious menu that switches up every week or so to keep things interesting. Small space, if you're planning to go in for dinner, better to make a reservation so you aren't disappointed if they're booked up (which it seems they usually are! they have a great following)- but making a same day reservation has always been pretty do-able for me. Tables in the downstairs area are pretty tight-knit and close together- if you can get upstairs for dinner, there seems like a bit more space to breath. Definitely worth a visit for a change of place in the Wrigleyville area!
(4)
Kris R.
mia francesca holds a real special place in my heart. when i was about 14, my sister and i took my mom here for her birthday, which was the last time we'd celebrate with her. back then, i think this was the only location, and it was always packed. loud, bustling - but i was 14 and this was all fabulous, and i considered myself lucky for being there. consistency - it's been the same all these years (i will not age myself, as you may all i think i look younger than i am, thanks) and i can always count on a great italian dinner, no matter what. but most recently i came with a good friend, who desperately needed to carbo load for the marathon, and like a good sport, i'm always looking for an excuse to do so. it makes me feel like a good friend and a fat ass at the same time. a good, fat, friend. i ordered the rigatoni con scarola (but with fettucine) - sausage, cherry tomatoes, oregano, white beans, escarole, garlic + pine nuts in a light herb sauce. it was delicious and light. i was eating leftovers for like, a week - it seemed like an never-ending bowl. she ordered something similar, but without the sausage (i am always the less dainty one). again, another winner. this place is really no frills, straight-forward, straight-up italian food. nothing fancy, not gimmicky. if you don't know, they change their menu on the regular, so it never gets old, yet it always stays loyal and consistent.
(4)
Lisa Z.
I'd been to a different Francesca location, but had heard the greatest things about this one! I went with a friend who, coincidentally, had been to the same location earlier that week. A mere 2 days earlier. I said we could go elsewhere, but she wanted to go again -- must be a good sign! First, we were asked if we wanted to sit upstairs. That worked, but it was kind of weird. Just seat us! We had a reservation (made on Open Table -- bonus points for restaurants where you can make a reservation on Open Table!). I had just made the 6:45 reservation earlier that day (around 4), so it was great. Not that crowded when we came, but crowded when we left. Surprisingly, we had no problem finding street parking either. When we were seated, my friend said that our waiter was the same waiter she'd had earlier that week. He didn't even give her crap when she ordered the same dish she'd ordered 2 nights ago! Must not have remembered. We skipped the appetizer because they served fresh warm bread, always a bonus. The only downside (though this would be a downside for lots of Italian spots) was they didn't have parmesan to put in the olive oil for bread dipping. That's my fave. I ordered a primavera pasta, chocked full of fresh veggies and a light tomato cream sauce. It was PERFECTION! I have been attempting to eat healthy lately, so this helped me feel that way (though I probably wasn't that healthy... who knows). It was such a big serving that I took home enough for another big meal of leftovers! Too bad I don't like leftovers. My friend ordered a rigatoni with braised pot roast, which was very good. But I liked mine better! Ordered a post meal latte and that was excellent too. No complaints about this place -- I will definitely be back.
(5)
Andrea P.
Francesca's in Lakeview has great food, always large crowds (not first date appropriate, at least not the Lakeview location), a cozy feel, and just damn great prices. I wouldn't claim Francesca's as being the most authentic Italian in the city but their food is awesome and they have very wallet friendly prices. Their mussels in tomato sauce are so yummy! The sauce was so good that I sneakily added some into my non-tomato sauce pasta. Their wine selection is okay but nothing to be excited about. I can only speak for the Creme Brule when talking deserts but it was creamy, perfectly caramelized, and just the right size (okay, I like my things a bit bigger but hey, the longer the time I can spend with such a wonderfully crafted dessert, the better).
(4)
Jessica V.
Let me start off by saying, I LOVE Italian food. I was brought up on it, and I'd have to say, it's probably my favorite type of food to eat, make, etc. My boyfriend and I had been trying to find a good, solid Italian restaurant since we moved here and we had been talking about going to Mia Francesca FOREVER. We always would have intentions on going and either ordered in or opted for something closer to home. We FINALLY made it this weekend. Such a let down. We made reservations on OpenTable for Friday night at 830. We got there on time and the place was jam packed with people. We ended up having to wait about 20 minutes until we were seated, and ended up being seated in the "coach house". At first we thought it was actually better than being in the main dining room because it was much quieter, except that we were seated right in front of the door so everytime anyone came in or out it was freezing! As soon as we sat down we ordered a bottle of wine. We looked over the menu and opted for the stuffed pepper appetizer. The service was going well at this point, however about 10 minutes passed after the appetizer order was placed and still no wine. Then the appetizer came, we ate it. It was pretty good, a little too oily, but good nonetheless, but still no wine. We ordered our entrees....and still... no wine. Finally my boyfriend went to the bar and asked the waiter what the deal was with the wine, and he gave him some explanation about having to get the wine from the main restaurant. Really? 30 minutes to get a bottle of wine??? Anyway, the entrees came... I got the tilapia and my boyfriend got the rigatoni with sausage. My entree... Was okay. The brown butter sauce and balsamic glaze combined had this strange taste, almost like breakfast syrup. It was kind of unappealing. The portion of fish was massive, with a few scattered artichoke heart pieces and tomatoes. I felt it was odd that there was no starch with it, but that wasn't a deal breaker. My boyfriend's entree was about a pound of rigatoni swimming in about a half gallon of milk. It was the runniest cheese sauce I had ever seen and it had no taste to it whatsoever. All and all it was a bit of a disappointment. Mediocre Italian at a pretty hefty pricetag. We will no be back
(2)
steve l.
solid.
(4)
Sean C.
I've loved this place for years. Before I even moved to Chicago, my Dad and I would always go here to eat. Now, it's become my go-to Italian restaurant - PERFECT for a date. They support the Open Table reservation system, which works like a gem - on this note, when they make a reservation for you, they hold it for you. Absolutely no waiting. This is a HUGE +1 for them - they keep their word. Firstly, the place is well laid out. Their primary dining area is a little tight and loud (some may find this a negative), but that's all the fun of it. I actually enjoy being around so many people, laughing, and enjoying themselves. It has a great, well-lit vibe. If you're looking for moody and quiet, this isn't the place. The staff has always been so friendly and never stressed - which could play into poor service. Food comes relatively fast, as expected, water / wine is filled quickly, and they're always considerate of your experience. Overall the food is great. I don't think I've ever ordered something that I didn't like - I always take leftovers. The menu itself is limited - probably 6-10 items per section, but who needs extreme quantities of options? They have everything, your taste may want. FYI, the tiramisu is phenom. In the summer the also have a patio area in the back. This is my one gripe. I once took a date here who crashed onto her knees because she tripped and fell down the almost unnoticeable steps leading out to the patio. Gotta have that fixed or otherwise make them more apparent. They're so small and short that one wouldn't even call them stairs or steps. They also have a secondary, upstairs dining area, but it doesn't take away from the experience and doesn't feel like you'd be sitting in some "economy class" dining room, to put it in perspective. Top notch place, not overly expensive, but just right and the food will always please.
(5)
J W.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a Sunday night, it was our first time and we were not disappointed! There are a lot of Italian restaurants in Lakeview, and I would say Mia Francesca is up to par with the others I've visited. Like most Italian restaurants in the area- Mia Francesca is small, moderately lit, and has some traditional and creative offerings on the menu. Yes you will be sitting nearby another diner, and you will probably hear some of their conversation, if that's not what you're in the mood for then hike on over to Olive Garden, because this is Chicago and space is limited. Olive oil has flakes of basil marinating inside, it pairs nicely with their warm bread and parmesan. We shared the Bocconcini de Mozzarella which was delish! The mozzarella was so fresh and the peppers added a nice taste, it was very light and clean. I had their Valentine's Day special with seabass and vegetables, it was a perfect piece of fish and the vegetables were crunchy and perfectly sauced. The seabass was lightly fried on the outside, so those bites were a bit oily which I didn't prefer. My boyfriend had the filet with mushrooms and spinach, we had to send it back because it was a little undercooked, but once they got the temperature correct it was so good! Our server Meredith was so sweet, she checked in on us appropriately and made fantastic wine pairing recommendations. She was honest with our inquiries about food taste and popularity, I am pleased she steered me in a good direction for my meal. We would go back, Mia Francesca will go into our rotation of Italian dinner spots for sure!
(4)
Flo J.
You are delicious and your staff amazing! I went here with my sister and mom a year ago and they offered us a round of champange and a dessert on the house just because we had to wait a little while for a table. Now THAT is service! The food was awesome too,
(4)
Erica K.
I had really delicious pork chops here for a friend's b-day. That was about a year ago now, and I have heard a lot of people talking about Mia Francesca. Many of their comments are negative: too loud, crowded, bad atmosphere, expensive. Now, it has been a while for me, but I don't remember having any of these issues. We made a reservation for a Friday night, were seated right away, all enjoyed our food, and I didn't notice excessive noise at all. And they brought a special individual portion of our dessert with a candle in it for the b-day girl. So in short, I can't support the negative things I've been hearing, but you might want a reservation on a busy night.
(4)
Alisonbzz z.
A warm, friendly place perfect for a private function, a date or even take out. A real find. This place is busy, even on a Monday night, and I see why. It has wonderful family vibe (without the family bickering). The food is really good, and although I find the portions - especially the desserts - WAAAY too big, I know lots of folks like that. I'd recommend trying their margarita made with honey. An unexpected ingredient that creates a great flavor. The service is also on point; from the bartender to the bus boys, everyone worked to make our event in their private room a success. They have a few wonderful private dining rooms for special events. The Coach House has real character but with some creative table arranging and candles, the larger space can be transformed into something special too. This second space is large and has its own private entrance so that's pretty cool. Dining room can get loud, especially when it's full (as it was when I was there). They can do family style meals upon request and their wine list is Italian. Look forward to going back.
(4)
amy h.
Hadn't been in over a year. Same great food, service, and time had by all. I had the biggest bowl of linguine and seafood you've ever seen. Had a delicious glass of red wine recommended by the server. There isn't another Italian place in town that can rival Mia's.
(5)
June P.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago and every friend that I have recommended it to has agreed. My first time was 3 years ago when a couple college friends who came visited Chicago made reservations to meet up with my wife and me because they had heard Vince V. and Jennifer A. had recently dined there. I've gone 2 times since and each time is equally impressive. I recommend the spicy spaghetti dish with seafood. I've tried their other dishes and they're great too. They have a decent selection of wine and local beers and above average dessert. The decor is respectable and service has always been superb, even with a party of 12. Reservations are a highly recommended. Mia Francesca is a fun and consistent place whether on a date or a group of friends with great Italian cuisine. ***** FIVE STARS
(5)
Garrett A.
You really can't get better than this! One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Their bread is delicious, and the pasta is always good, especially if their homemade gnocci is on the menu. The only detraction from this place may be the fact that their tables seem to be too close together and give the feeling that you're packed in like sardines -- also makes the servers flub up more easily with water and drinks.
(4)
L. A.
Mia Francesca is a favorite of my Fiance's and now it's a favorite of mine. Wow had I been "slumming it" at Italian restaurants until coming here. The food, the atmosphere,... the food!!! There was an alfredo type cream sauce on my dish that was soo good, I wanted to lick the bowl. Anyway, From appetizers... to salad ... to entree... to wine... to dessert... Mia Francesca is top-notch in my opinion!
(5)
Dean K.
In the past 12 or so years, I have probably been here more than any other single restaurant in Lakeview and I have never, ever been disappointed. Bread and herbed oil to start - so good. Then, whatever. The lentils with cheese, calamari, CARPACCIO, pizza. I love it all. My favorite dish is called Salmon a la Francesca. They sometimes don't have it on the menu but if you ask, they'll usually make it. They don't even get annoyed when you ask. When there is room, I go for pistachio or white chocolate gelato. My only caveat is this. When they opened up the 2nd floor dining room years ago, the place started to attract a lot of drunken post-game Cubs fans. So, if you go there on a game day and they seat you upstairs, buckle up for some loud people in Sosa jerseys asking the waitress for "the closhesst you have to a Budwiiisser."
(5)
Eric G.
I had a nice meal here on Wednesday night. There were no appetizers that caught my eye, however there were many entrees that looked good. I went with the quattro formaggi ravioli in a vodka creme sauce. It was delicious! The menu was handwritten and changes frequently. By 730PM, this place was packed and LOUD. I want to sit outside when I return in the future.
(4)
Dustin C.
Great food, reasonable pricing, and nice atmosphere. Not much more you can ask for.
(5)
Angie C.
Was very disappointed with this place. We're looking for a private luncheon spot so we wanted to sample the menu. We came in for a late lunch on Sunday afternoon. We were one of 3 groups at the entire place, and the service was horribly slow. No customers; slow service? Wasn't a fan. We hoped the food would make up for it but we were not impressed. We ordered fried calamari to start and it was awful - the oil tasted like it had been reused and old. Bad flavor. I tried the fish special with sauteed veggies which was good, but nothing special. My friends got pizzas and the crust tasted off...definitely not freshly made. Overall just not impressed at all with this place. Wouldn't come back.
(2)
Johnny B.
Wow, do they pack 'em in in the dining room here. Squeezing into my bench seat, I thought for sure I would knock over our neighbors' wine/olive oil/etc with my ass. Luckily the table next to ours went unscathed (save the potential loss of appetite from their table's near brush with my rear). Despite, the seating, which made for a very loud dining room, we had a wonderful experience (something I've come to expect from the Francesca restaurants). Our server was excellent - he was knowledgeable (with wine and the menu), attentive, and a great help in making our choices. Our pizza and salad were very good, but the pasta was out of this world. It was a linguine with a fresh garlic and tomato sauce that was more like salsa-with-broth in consistency than a red sauce. They apparently only make it in the summer when they can get super fresh tomatoes. Sweet Jesus, it was fantastic. I'll have to return before the end of summer, so I don't have to wait another year for this amazing dish.
(5)
Ken L.
Had dinner there on 11/16/10 for the first time in a couple years. Not the best experience. Service was mediocre at best. Food below average. Had steamed mussel appetizer that was almost inedible, almost like they weren't cooked, if that was possible. Salad of pancetta and lots of ricotta was ok. All in all, not sure why people like this place.
(2)
Vickie L.
LOVE this place. Mia Francesca can do no wrong. What a beeotch, I probably gained 2 lbs after my meal here. No matter which location I've been to, food and service (typically) is stellar. We made 7pm reservations on a Friday night, and we were going to be late because we couldn't catch the purple or brown lines to save our life! So I called at 6:50pm hoping they'd be able to push us back to 7:30, and they did! The guy at the host stand was so super nice about it, I was completely surprised since it's Francesca's and they are always packed (but I guess it was still early for a Friday). So we get there at 7:30pm and they seat us right away and bring us water and menus. And yummy fresh warm bread - love the oil and herbs! They actually forgot to bring us the calamari we ordered, but they didn't charge us for it so I guess they forgot about it entirely. Oh well. Our entrees came out really quickly. One girl got the risotto dinner portion. It had too many veggies for my taste, but she loved it and said it was awesome. I don't know the name, but another friend and I both ordered the shell pasta with prosciutto, peas and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce. I've had this before, and it was exactly the same as I remembered. The sauce is to die for, it was a wonderful mix of flavors, the perfect proportion of pasta to meat/veggies. Our other friend got the white fish and she said it was also very good, it looked huge, it covered the whole plate. All of us ate every single last bite. Too bad we ate all our bread, because I wanted to sop up every last bit of sauce. We got 2 desserts to share between the 4 of us. We got the puff pastry with apple and caramel ice cream on top. This dessert was really good, but it was really hard to split because the puff pastry was difficult to cut. So I didn't get to enjoy this dessert as much because it was on the other side of the table - boo. We also got this cappuccino mousse that was shaped in a ball, and covered in this chocolate magic shell with whipped cream and hazelnuts. It was really good, but a little too rich. It would have been awesome with coffee though, which we didn't get. Our bill came out to be about $22/person after tax, but not including tip. This was a steal for as much as we enjoyed the food. Service - our waiter was really nice, pretty attentive, but we did have to flag him down a few times, but not because we were waiting all that long, but because we were impatient and had to catch a show. Water glasses were filled regularly. They brought our food and desserts out a lot quicker than I thought they would since it was so busy. One con that I can mention is that this place is frickin' LOUD. We were sitting right by the door, at a small table for 4, and we had to yell at the person across the table from us. I could barely hear what my friend sitting right next to me was saying! I can only imagine how loud it is in the back of the restaurant where there were more people. So I would say this is definitely a place for a small to medium sized group. It's also a good first date night with someone you're on the fence with, because it's so loud, if the date isn't going so well you can just blame it on the noise that you can't converse :)
(5)
Maggie G.
Wow, I definitely can now see what all the hype is about! Fun, romantic, and cute atmosphere - very attentive waiting staff and amazing food! Cooked perfectly al dente! Menu changes weekly so there is always something new to try, love it!
(5)
Jeffrey S.
My meal could have been a bit better seasoned. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)
Adam K.
Mia Francesca was a great little Italian place. It was recommended to me by THIS site and my friend who lives nearby. Upon arrival my date and I were seated immediately...and by immediately, I mean we never stopped moving until we got to our seat. Our server was very attentive but not annoyingly so. I ordered the Halibut dish and I believe my date had the Salmon dish which she claimed to like very much. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. It wasn't too quiet and it wasn't too loud. Some might even say it was perfect! I noticed that some people complained about the service of this restaurant...I do not understand why. I would say the service we received was impeccable! The only reason I do not give Mia 5 stars is because I usually have to visit a restaurant more than once to give it that distinction OR my whole experience must knock my friggin socks off! Mia was great but not "this is the best meal I've ever had" great. I definitely recommend Mia Francesca to anyone seeking Italian food for dinner in the Lakeview area.
(4)
Michael H.
It's wildly popular and has lots of reviews. But it's cute and the food is actually really good.
(4)
Liz P.
I absolutely love this place. One of my favorite Italian restaurant so far. The wine was poured generously, the bread was super hot, the olive oil infused with basil. Shell pasta+ Parmesan cream sauce+ prosciutto +truffle oil=pure food bliss. Our server was awesome, very friendly and helpful, and the decor/ambiance were great. This would be an awesome spot for a first date because it's freaking AMAZING and really well priced.
(5)
Hallie B.
I have heard great things about this place and was going to a friend's house not far from there, so I figured this would be perfect. It was pretty much what I expected... It was pretty small, but we got there with three around 6:15 on a Tuesday (Cubs game day) and were seated right away. I was surprised at how small the menu was... I had no problem finding something delicious, but I just expected more to choose from! It was quick and inexpensive and delicious... can't beat that. I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Rebekka L.
Mia Francesca's has mouth-watering itialian food, from thier lobster bisque to thier over-roasted chicken and everything in between! Although the seating was a little tight, it makes for a delicate intimate atmosphere. The service in Lakeview was not as delightful as I would have liked but the food made up for it. :) Definately recommend this place!
(4)
Rick M.
Always good!
(4)
John G.
A great place you can go to again and again!
(5)
Michael S.
The food here was excellent, and the service was above average. I had a rigatoni dish with Italian sausage and goat cheese in a tomato cream sauce. Delish! And while it's perhaps a standard-bordering-on-cliche at any self-respecting Italian joint, the warm bread served before dinner with olive oil and freshly-grated parmesan was nonetheless fantastic, as well. I couldn't believe how packed it was on a weeknight, and the flow of paying customers didn't ebb until late in the evening. In quasi-celebrity spotting news, Cubs announcer (and 2001 World Series champion manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, for you baseball fans) Bob Brenly was dining there when I arrived, after the ballgame that afternoon. And yes, he brought his full-on porn 'stache and slicked-back mini-mullet with him! My only gripe about the place is how loud it was, and how closely packed together the tables were. But I suppose those are problems you run into at any Chicago neighborhood restaurant that's tucked into a long-and-narrow brick flat. All in all, a pleasant dining experience. I'd go back, but I'd definitely make a reservation first to avoid having to wait, even on a weeknight.
(4)
Eric S.
I love Mia! It's frequently modified menu (about every two weeks), and it's excellently prepared pastas and entrees. An excellent waitstaff and all of this for a reasonable price.... I don't know what else to tell you except, go soon, and return often!
(5)
Marco H.
hands down the best italian in Chicago. Excellent selection of wines. Prosciutto app is great. Calamari app just OK. order anything with the bolonese sauce. Lava torta for dessert a must.
(4)
Timothy W.
I had Friday night reservations for 3 at 9:00 pm which I made 2 weeks in advance - I heard this place was great and one of my friends visiting for the weekend said she wanted good Italian... We had to wait for 30 minutes in a cramped doorway. When we were seating, we had a table in the back corner closest to the curtain that hides the restrooms. The food was not anything great, but perhaps I ordered the wrong dish. I will try to come back once more beause I know it's highly recommended. Funghi Con Polenta Rigatoni Asparagi Con Ricotta Linguine Con Broccoli $50
(2)
Careth T.
Very close dining space, but the perfect fit for somewhere to take the in-laws for dinner when they were in town. Lovely italian fare, with generous portions and great specials. I love the idea of the menu changing every few months. Our waiter was nice, but I saw more of the backwaiter staff than I did of our actual staff. I hope that they get a good portion of the tip. The food was scrumptious and the whole experience would bring me back again.
(4)
Andrea C.
mia francesca is pretty darn good. i really enjoyed francescas forno for brunch over in wicker park, so was excited to try another restaurant in their group. ended up here last night w/my aunt and roommate and we had a great time! had no trouble walking right in at about 6:30 (though it does look to get quite crowded around 8 or 9) and picked a wine right away, a red on special...and very tasty...we wound up having 2 bottles! the staff is very helpful with wine choices, since most are from italy, so likely somewhat unfamiliar. when it came down to ordering...i got a caprese salad and the 4 cheese pizza (very unique cheeses, btw...which was nice. bleu cheese, goat cheese, mozzerella and one other i cannot remember), my roommate got a caprese sandwich and the mussells and my aunt got the house salad and the roasted half chicken...and all of us walked away stuffed and satisfied. all of the ingredients were extremely fresh (esp the mozzerella & tomatos in the caprese salads) and everything else was just great! i hope to visit again when the craving for italian food strikes!
(4)
danielle r.
Yes! Yes! been going there for the last 6 years! ahhh Mia Mia ,every time i come in, you always make me feel welcome,your food is amazing, staff is so friendly everyone just works together so well! love it here! even tho you get so crowded,still love ,love you anyways Mia Francesca,please continue to stay so awesome:))))
(5)
Paul B.
We love it som much the first time we ended up having our rehearsal dinner there. The food is always great yet we realized that the best experience is had upstairs our out back. The main floor is very noisy and if you get seated near the back you are bound to get continuously bumped by the wait staff. If you can get the squash ravioli, chances are you'll be very satisfied.
(4)
Eugenio P.
This place is excellent. The food is beyond delicious, probably the best Italian food I've had in my life.
(5)
Meagan S.
Slightly better then ok (so maybe 3.5 stars). Everyone raves about this restaurant, so I must have expected something way above the norm. I visited this restaurant on a Saturday night for a girls night out. The restaurant was of course packed and there is very little room between the tables, but the service was great and the food was served quickly. Our waiter even recommended a different glass of wine when I chose one that he thought was sub par. I had mushroom ravioli for dinner, which was good, but not excellent. I have heard that the restaurant change their menu often, so I will have to give this restaurant a second chance in the future.
(3)
Kevin A.
CONFESSION: I ATE CARBS Yes, I admit it. I ate carbs for Mia Francesca, and damn it was worth it. When my giant bowl of spaghetti abruzzese arrived, teaming with sausage and pancetta, it was 'so long' Atkins. I must admit that I was a bit concerned when I found out that the Mia Francesca empire includes 15 locations in Chicago-land. Would this be some sort of Olive Garden/Bucca di Beppo high-on-quantity-low-on-taste experience? Not at all. Mia won me over from start to finish with fresh, piping hot bread, attentive service, a great wine recommendation, a menu that changes weekly, and most importantly excellent food. I'm hitting the treadmill now to earn my next visit!
(5)
Leslie P.
I gave Mia Francesca a second chance last night, and I'm glad I did. I've been there before and left feeling like, "Meh...I've had better." That was due in part to the place being really overcrowded and the waitstaff seeming overwhelmed. I don't know if we came at a better time last night, but the place seemed busy without feeling claustrophobic. (I really think they might have taken out a table which was a great idea.) Everyone was having a great time including the wait staff, and our food seemed better, too. Also, I've recently realized that I have a gluten intolerance. (It's so trendy now!) Who knew that an Italian restaurant would cater to a gluten sensitivity? Not only did our waiter point out items on the regular menu that were gluten-free, he also brought over Mia Francesca's special gluten-free menu. He was super nice about it. I'm not sure I would be as understanding about people's weird food issues, but he was genuinely happy to help. What a great surprise. Mia Francesca is certainly not the most amazing restaurant in town in terms of innovation or fanciness, but they serve good food and provide excellent service. Oh, and the booze is might good, too!
(4)
jeff c.
Probably some of the best grilled calamari and carpaccio I've ever had. House chianti was fantastic and the olive oil and parmesan were served in abundance. Only negative is tables are placed very close to one another and the place is always packed so don't plan on any private conversations.
(4)
Stephanie F.
We went last night [Friday], and it was a pleasant experience--as always. Service is always top-notch, and the food was excellent. Though I will agree with others, it can be (and was) quite loud. But I'll take a little noise if it means enjoying their food. I'll definitely be back again...and again...and again.
(5)
Megan H.
Yay! Even though it took me 8 years to make it to this place, I"m so glad that I finally did. I came here with a large group and they were so accomodating. They were about 30 minutes late seating us which wasn't a problem since a few of our party were about 30 minutes late. They ushered back through the restaurant through the courtyard and into a small backroom that only had one unsuspecting couple finishing up their meal. Lucky for them they were leaving soon as we were quite the boisterous crowd. To make up for seating us late, they sent out some comped appetizers that were delicious. My friend and I split the pasta with mussels and the mushroom and cheese stuffed pasta with mushroom sauce. I think we agreed that the sauce on the mushroom dish was amazing but the pasta itself wasn't. Not that it was bad but it was just eh. However, the mussels and the spicy marinara sauce was so good. I ended up taking home the leftovers of both along with my friend's dish and ate for a few more days. The only thing that concerned me was the oil that set up in my leftovers that you know is there but you don't want to see. Then you have the dilemna of whether you should pour it out or mix it back in when you reheat it. The service was fantastic throughout the entire meal. All in all, it was a great experience and I will definitely be back.
(4)
Fabian D.
great time. great service. great drinks. a little loud. but overall great.
(4)
David N.
Yum!! Italian food! Delicious pasta and wonderful bread with olive oil. I came here on a date this past weekend, I have never been to this place before. We walked in and had no reservations, so that was a mistake. Very crowded and there was an hour wait. So what I thought was just one main dining area, we actually walked to the back, out to an outdoor seating area, then into another section of the restaurant that had a bar and smaller dining area. We ordered our dinner at the bar, and ate there. We ordered a bottle of red wine, which was delicious. I ordered this delicious pasta dish that had a tomato base sauce.....incredible! The spices and flavors in this sauce were so good. Since we were at the bar, the bartender waited on us and was very friendly and attentive. This place is worth checking out! But make sure you make a reservation! It gets crowded.
(4)
Kista W.
Amazing pasta. Just go. It gets crowded. Make reservations and talk loud!
(5)
Anthony B.
I don't have any complaints about the service. It wasn't the best service in the world, and it certainly wasn't the worst service I ever had. One complaint I have is the noise. The place gets overly packed with people we couldn't even have a conversation during dinner it was so loud. I took my parents here when they were in town for the weekend. This was a Saturday night around 630pm. There was a mob of people outside waiting for seats and inside that stood in the waiting area and and hovered over our table so we felt somewhat rushed. If you're looking for a quaint, quiet place to take a date, this definitely isn't the place. As far as the food, I am a full bled Italian, and grew up eating in Mom and Pop style restaurants in NY. The food was definitely better than The Olive Garden, but wasn't spectacular like I am reading these reviews that have said. We ordered three entrees and an appetizer to get a full take on the menu. The calamari was decent, and the dinner entrees were above average at best. I didn't walk out of there feeling disappointed, nor impressed. I have definitely had better Italian food in the past, and environment is key - and this was too loud and crowded place for me to truly enjoy it. But if you're looking for a decent Italian meal this is your place.
(3)
Jonathan K.
My host described this as "arguably the best Italian food in Chicago.". We got the price fixe menu. The short of it: It wasn't, it was mediocre at best. It wasn't bad, mind you. It was just wasn't that great, and if you do "conventional" Italian you've got tons of competition. You can tell a lot about Italian restaurants from the quality of the bread and the quality of the olive oil and canned tomatoes. None of these was above average so all the food tasted blah. If it were cheaper it would be okay but they charge a lot for medium food. I see they have variations of this restaurant all over Chicago. Did it used to be better?
(3)
Eme L.
What a perfect meal. This is pretty much as good as it gets. Great service (on a holiday night to boot), lovely space, and superb food. We had: seafood linguine - each component was impeccably fresh and the pasta was perfectly cooked. Also ordered the rigatoni w/ sausage and peas - so good that the husband ate the entire bowl (with my help, of course.) To top it off, we shared the tiramisu dessert. Confession: I am usually not a fan. The alcohol used to soak the ladyfingers or sponge cake is usually too "sharp" and the coffee flavor too strong. The one here? So perfect that I had my spoon in the bowl until the last bite. Even the iced tea was good! This place is certainly on my list of favorite neighborhood restaurants - can't wait for a return visit!
(5)
Nick B.
Love the Italian food here. I pulled back a star only 'cause this location is too small and its a pain in the *ss sometimes to find parking/reservation (i live six blocks away from this location, so i'm in a "no man's land" where it is kind of a waste of $$$ to take a cab but inconvenient to drive and look for parking). Anyway, the food is five stars.
(4)
Kaase K.
Divine! Absoultely wonderful Italian food. The downfall is that its a very tiny restaurant... the tables are too close together and it is VERY LOUD. If you're looking for a nice, quaint place to dine, this is not the place. The food is outstanding and they have a great selection of beverages, but it is simply TOO loud. The service is hit or miss. Sometimes, we have great service, other times, not as great... depends on how busy they are. Regardless, if yo'ure looking for GOOD Italian food, Mia Francesca's is your place-- BUT don't go on a Cubs game night!
(4)
Yoshi Y.
this place is pricy but not too pricy compared to other fancy italian restaurants, but is definitely worth the price. carpaccio is my favorite dish, i always order this for my appetizer. i also like cream based pasta dish, as it gives very delicate and complexed taste. the atmosphere is nice, it is kinda noisy, which reminds me of local restaurants in italian cities. if i want to eat good italian food that is worth for its price, i always pick here!
(5)
Bridget L.
I just love this place. It is one of my favorities. It's small and exciting and the food is delicious. The portions are big and the prices are very reasonable. I always get great service too. They will customize dishes for you, which is great if you have certain dietary concerns or requests. Obviously there's usually a wait, but it's worth it! Try it out!
(5)
Olivia B.
Best Italian restaurant in the city!
(5)
Corrie N.
My husband and I love this place. The food is consistently good and the service has been fab. The only thing holding me back from giving it five starts is the wine selection. The last time we went there, the first glass we got was corked, the second of the same wine was off, and so we asked for something else, which they graciously gave us on the house, so A+ for service. Additionally on my birthday, our server brought me tiramisu with a candle in it. And I don't like tiramisu, but I gotta say this was amazing. My husband and I practically licked the bowl. So, my advice to you is to bring your own wine and eat a bunch of food, 'cause it is tasty!
(4)
Chad T.
Went out for a late meal after a night of clubbin, expecting a nice quiet meal. This was my first, and last meal to be had here. My friends and I ordered orecchiette, an individual pizza and spaghetti with clams and mussels. Both bowls of orecchiette were undercooked to the point of being crunchy inside. They were replaced, one made with orecchiette as before and the other made with spaghetti. The spaghetti was as undercooked as the first dish, and the replaced orecchiette bowl was just barely cooked enough to be edible, but now came out being terribly over-salted. So much so that it made the roof of my mouth tender! Instead of comping the entrees in question, they gave a pitiful discount that didn't even cover the cost of the tip. Additionally, aside from the food, the restaurant is small, the wait staff seemingly unhappy and omg...it could not have been any louder in there! In the words of my friend...never again.
(1)
Lauren P.
cute little italian place on clark. went here for my birthday and had a wonderful time. we showed up for our reservations and were promptly seated by the windows - it got a little chilly after awhile, but that's really the only bad thing i have to say about the experience. i didn't notice the restaurant being too loud or too quiet, or the service being too pushy or not attentive enough. everything seemed to be just right. our food was very good, and tasted freshly made. i love that the menu is handwritten every two weeks; not only does the menu change throughout the year, but it's a nice little touch. word on the street is it's jennifer aniston's favorite restaurant in chicago.
(4)
Mike D.
Went last night for the first time with a date, called the day before to make reservations and when we got there we were greeted by a kind host who took our coats and and seated us ASAP. The restaurant was slam packed, full to capacity. The server was great and attentive, the food was fantastic, as an Italian who grew up on grandma's homemade Pasta, this was great. The menu changes every week or so, so it is good to point out that menus you find online may not match. I do need to mention that the restaurant is small so if you can request seating against the wall you will have a better time. All the tables are right on top of each other which adds to the character of the restaurant. Everyone I saw was enjoying themselves except for the uppity snot nose table behind us who had issues with the poor bus boy bumping one of their chairs. I looked the idiot was seated way out of the table he refused to push his seat in, so he deserved it. I recommend it and will definitely go back
(4)
Jackie P.
Very, very yummy! I was so impressed with the food and atmosphere. I was afraid it would be a stuffy uptight place but I was definitely proven wrong. The only reason that this place isn't getting 5 stars is because the waiter was a really slow and kind of rude at first but lightened up after a bit! The food was amazing and the drinks were delicious. I took my mom and sister here and both are use to the Olive Garden type Italian food. Needless to say I don't think the Olive Garden is going to cut it for them anymore! The pasta was delicious, the pizza was yummy and the calimari was too die for! I will be back!
(4)
Mai T.
What can I say....We spent a wonderful Girls' Night Out with great dinner plans. A girlfriend of mine researched this place on none other than YELP and she decided to have dinner here with us all. Though we made reservations, we still had to wait when we arrived (typical of many restaurants nowadays). The entry way is literally at the door, so as you entry, you're already in the doorway for people to get in and out. I was quite weary when I had entered. Once we sat down, I noticed the tables were very tight. Then again, we did go here on a Saturday evening, and anywhere in the city at that time would be packed no matter if they are a bigger chain restaurant. Anyhow, we took one look at the menu and decided to order "family style" where we would all share the dishes instead of having one all to ourselves. We could have have been anymore right in that choice. Man-O-Man, when the waiter came to our tablet o serve our meals, we looked at them with BIG EYES, as if they were popping out! These dishes are enormous. There is no way (unless you are capable) to finish a dish per person. Appetizer - Mussels, Spicy Tomato Sauce: WOW. I can't eat spicy and I devoured this thing. We attacked it like we've never had mussels before. The sauce was fabulous, and the mussels...you sure get your moneys worth. There was so much flavor in each individual mussel that you could NOT go wrong on which ever one you chose. We ended up sipping on the sauce buy scooping it up with the mussel shells (shhh, can you tell we're heifers?! :)) Meals - ALL 3 were FABULOUSLY TASTING!!! I can go into specific details, but words can't explain the magnificent taste you get. 1. Pollo Arrosto alla Romana 2. Salmone ala Fresca 3. Linguine al Sugo di Gamberi We were so full that we were all disappointed that we weren't able to try their dessert. :( We are definitely coming back to try new items on their menu as it seems to change often (possibly due to what is available in the markets) The staff is great as well. They are so considerate. Granted the place was already small, but they were VERy careful in where they stood and how they got by from table to table. Each person was so nice! Though we sat near the entry, the hostess and bartenders would continuously give us a generous smile to not make it awkward that we were sitting so close (i felt less uncomfortable) This is my favorite little restaurant in the city for sure.
(5)
Kathleen O.
This is one of my all time favorite places for dinner. GREAT ambiance and the service is always good. They also have a cute outdoor back patio and a separate coach house. Been here tons of times and I would give this 5 stars, excpet last night the food was just OK...The pasta selection was not the usual and we all were just ok with our food. The bruchetta with arugula is one of my favorites and that was delicious, as always. The waiter also did a nice job of recommending a nice bottle of red that we all enjoyed. I will be back again!
(4)
J K.
The only thing Italian about this place is the name. THe Mexican cooks did the best they could with lousy ingredients. The lasagna was watery and tasteless . The salad was yesterday's lettuce. But, if you have no interest in hearing your wife or friend talk then it's perfect, the acoustics are designed to guarantee. O one can hear a thing in this overcrowded spot
(1)
Matt O.
Quite possibly the best Italian food in Chicago. Reasonalble prices, friendly staff and tasty original dishes. No chicken parm served with french fries like some other fake Italian restaurants. In fact they don't even serve chicken parm, they come up with more original dishes that will blow you away and have you coming back for more..even if it means waiting an hour for a table! It's so worth it. Try to make reservations, because they do get busy. Without reservations you will wait so if you show up without reservations and don't have the patience to wait for your table, go down the street and settle for mediocrity at Leona's or Chicago Pizza. You can surly be seated right away at those lovely establishments.
(5)
Shannon H.
This was REALLY good. I wish there were a few more vegetarian options, but the ones they had were really good! The dessert was phenomenal, I highly recommend the lava cake. Our waiter was awesome and clearly loved his job (or the bartender) because he kept dancing at the bar. Very fun vibe.
(4)
Rohit A.
food so so service evil
(2)
Joanna R.
My food was great, it was a chicken with prosciutto and a pasta with a garlic sause. My girlfriend's pasta dumplings in pesto was a bit overcooked and needed more flavor. I was expecting a more romantic ambiance from the reviews, but it was really loud and not romantic at all. The waiter was very attentive which was good and gave us a complimentary desert and liquor drink for my girlfriend's birthday which was very nice.
(4)
Pandora P.
Yes, I know sometimes you don't want to wait for a table but... seriously, you want to wait for a table at this place the food is great! Atmosphere in the garden, coach house or upstairs is wonderful - the main dining room is loud and cramped though. I will put up with anything for the asparagus and blue cheese salad which is a staple on their menu! Everything I have tried is excellent. Mia Francesca is my birthday dinner choice every year! (Occasionally, Mia Francesca offers gift certificates via The Loop WLUP radio station "half-price deals", check their website before you go or better yet, sign up for their email updates.)
(4)
Annie T.
I'm one of those creepy celebrity stalker people. It's time I fess up. Hearing that Mia Francesca was Vince Vaughan's all-time favorite Chicago restaurant intrigued me to take on the experience myself. The best Italian in Chicago-- hands down! We went to Mia Francesca to celebrate my friend's birthday and dined like kings. Everything contributed to our flawless dining experience-- the service, our meals from appetizer to dessert, atmosphere and restaurant decor. We started with Bruschette Alla Romana and Bruschette Tre Formaggi. The mozzarella was so fresh. I felt like I had just ordered from my favorite tabbachi in Paderno del Grappa. The entree portions were generous-- we passed our dishes around the table to share. The sauces are flavorful and creamy but not too heavy. The spicy sausage transformed my dish from good to incredible. The fish (tilapia and salmon) were delectable. The menu changes DAILY at Mia Francesca so you can dine here frequently and never experience monotony! Now as for the grand finale... **drum roll** DESSERT!!!! We ordered the majority of the menu and our favorites came down to the Banana Bread Pudding and Tiramisu. We were left in a state of euphoria and stuffed to the brim!
(5)
Kelli B.
This place NEVER disappoints. It's one of our "go to" places when we don't want to try somewhere new. So we "went to" Mia Francesca for Valentine's Day. Yeah, we should know better than to go out for Valentine's Day, it's always a mad house. However, we were able to get reservations and only waited a short time upon entering. They had many delicious "Valentine's Day Specials" which we took advantage of, one being white chocolate ice cream...Yuuuuummm!! Despite how busy they were the service was excellent as always. Mia Francesca is most definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Until next time....
(5)
Scott B.
Great food at very reasonable prices. Seasonal menu changes but there is always something amazing for everyone. The sauces are perfect and the meats cooked well. Try the bruchetta of the day as they always have some amazing flavors they put together. The dining room gets loud but fun and the patio is perfect when the weather is nice.
(4)
Jacqueline K.
Pretty decent. Good caprese salad, great (and hot) bread. Vegetarian pasta options were limited but decent. Overall, the food was acceptable - though a little heavy on the garlic. Great outdoor patio. Service was good - almost too good - the check was placed in front of me before I even took a sip of my coffee, if you know what I mean. If you happen to be in the area and are looking for Italian food, I would recommend this. Probably not worth a special trip.
(3)
Mike B.
Took my parents here when they were in town and wanted to visit a restaurant in the neighborhood. Service was excellent, the server made many great recommendations on the menu and wine list. Not to mention that the menu is apparently always changed and kept fresh by the chef. I will go back.
(4)
giggity G.
Nothing but love for this place. It's right outside my door and never disappoints. The secret is to come with a large party so you get the coach house---the most charming magic!! I also love dining outside in the back under the adorable string lighting. I do not enjoy being on top of people inside, so I tend to not come here a lot in the winter. The ever-changing menu is great--but pales in comparison to the main event----warm bread, olive oil and fresh-grated parmesan. This is what keeps me coming back. Tip - if you order take-out - they will include fresh bread, oil and parmesan so you don't have to be sad that you missed it!
(5)
Don B.
We stopped in for lunch on a Sunday and had a great experience here. I ordered the Quattro Stagioni pizza (the one with the egg), which was delicious. The waiter was extremely friendly, and the prices were very reasonable. Highly recommended.
(4)
Fern D.
During my visit to Chicago, I had a couple of friends recommend Mia Francesca for Italian food. OMG! Vite dell'Italia! This place cooks up some awesome Italian! Like the reviewer down below, I also had the quattro formaggi ravioli. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, it was so friggin' good. The appetizers we started with were the calamari fritti, the bruschetta and the insalata alla francesca. All were sooo good. The calamari was light and not greasy, the bruschetta had great flavor and the salad kicked ass. We were so full from our meal, that unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert. The place definitely gets packed--it's sort of a small restaurant, but damn is it good! Our server was attentive and gave us some good suggestions for cocktails. The host was very friendly and even stopped by our table to see how we liked our food since he knew I was from out of town. Couldn't complain. This place does Italian right!
(5)
Todd P.
Excellent service, server gave four great suggestions, I'll absolutely return. Appetizer-Bruschette, very good, tons of cheese on it, I've never had mozzarella that was so light and flavorful. Entre 1-Pollo Arrosto, good, juicy and flavorful whole chicken, more than enough food, took home leftovers and had them last night, which prompted me to write this review. Entre2-Penne with Italian sausage, absolutely excellent, served in what I can only describe as a giant bucket, easily two whole meals out of this dish, great as a leftover as well. Plenty of creamy sauce, lots of sausage, and more than enough cheese. Dessert-Tiramisu, the photo is completely accurate, it looked just like the photo and tasted excellent. I'm not a dessert person, but this was very good and I would order it again. Cons-Too crowded, I was getting bumped all night, they tried to put 50 tables in a space for 30. Table was too small for two people, a bottle of wine, appetizer, and dinner plates. A little pricey but not terrible, good for a "one nice night out a week" type of couple. Overall a good experience, I'll go back. Great for kids, the little girl at the table beside us had a sweet mural going on the paper table cloth.
(4)
Lynn O.
Meh, I've experienced better. I guess it depends on what you're looking for, the atmosphere, drinks and service was great. But the food fell flat, like really flat. I ordered linguine with shrimp, while I appreciated the quality of the jumbo shrimp, the entree was relatively bland. The mussels we had as an app weren't bad, nothing about the food was great and when I'm going for Italian..it's all about the food.
(2)
Fumi I.
Great for couples or a night with a group of Friends.
(4)
Jackie R.
Great Italian spot in Wrigley! You really cant go wrong here, especially if you have a group of diverse or picky eaters. The one thing I always hear is "Everyone at my table loved their food!" Now thats a rare find. The service is top-notch too! But besides pleasing the picky eaters, it can please the 'snobbiest' of food critics as well. The prices are good too, especially for the wine...which, for me, always seems to skyrocket our bill (so maybe im a bit of a lush =) I LOVE the creamy tomato vodka sauce here. Deeeeelish!
(5)
Chris H.
Went here again this past Saturday, with a friend. Still like this place. Glad we went.
(4)
Jeff D.
We used the word, "Wow," quite often last night during dinner at Mia Francesca - as in, "Wow, this wine is awesome!" and "Wow this prociutto is fantastic!" and "Oh my God, this linguine is so good. I could just eat the noodles alone!" This place has some of the best tasting pasta I've had in Chicago. I've always been a big fan of Sappori Trattoria, which is great in its own right, but I have to give the edge to Mia Francesca on just how fresh everything tasted from the mozzarella to the tomatoes in the linguine! We also had a GREAT red wine there - Ajello. It's about $45 for the bottle meaning it's probably about $20 or so if you were to find it at Binny's. It was an excellent wine with the Linguine dishes and the Rigatoni dishes we had! The only knock is that our server took their time to first get to our table to greet us and offer an appetizer and/or drink, but after then the service was friendly and efficient. If you're looking for great food at a good price and good atmosphere without being too stuffy and pretentious, this is a GREAT place to eat!
(5)
E D.
Food is ok. The mussels are great, but the pasta dishes are pretty boring. You wont get a terrible meal, but you wont be that excited either way. The service is average, and the atmosphere is obnoxious. They just try to cram as many people as possible into the uncomfortable tables. I would only go here on a weeknight.
(2)
O O.
I've been here many times and it's one of my favorite italian restaurants because you don't have to leave here feeling stuffed, but usually do because you can't help it. Every experience has been pretty great, except for one time when I made reservations for a 8:30 for a party of eight, and we didn't get seated till around 9:30. It was really frustrating because they kept telling us that it was because one table was just sitting. Well, there's got to be a plan B if a table doesn't get up. They didn't seem really sympathetic, but when we did get seated, they had complimentry appetizers already ordered for the table (calamari and bruschetta..my faves). They majorly redeemed themselves since I had little expectations that they even felt bad and because I was with my parents from out of town. I usually order everything but the entree. I love love love the calamari (probably my favorite in the city), the mia francesca salad, and the chocolate flourless cake. I've tried about five entrees and they've all been good. The wine list is small, but I've always liked my drinks. The only thing that keeps me from coming here more is that it's always crowded and there's no place to really sit and chill while you wait for your table since the bar is always crowded too(sometimes you can get a seat at the upstairs bar).
(4)
DONNA M.
I have never had a bad meal, but several of the waiter's have told me the pizza is not their best dish..........even the scallops taste good! I lived in Miami, FL and S.F., CA - I know good fish! My favorite date place ;) good vegetarian selection and meat....
(5)
Carter G.
The food is pretty good, I'll have to admit, but the servers are mediocre and inattentive. Double check your bill, as ours had errors. It's always crowded, and that means it's always loud. And I don't mean loud as in there's an exciting buzz in the air. On a weekend night, I'm talking shouting-across-the-table-like-you're-in-a-Âhurricane loud. So the best advice if you really want to eat Mia Francesca's food is really just to get your food to go.
(2)
Christa R.
Great date place, great place for a nice dinner with friends. The prices were very reasonable. The service was fantastic. The server was very helpful with wine selection and the food was very authentic italian.
One of my favorite italian places in the city. Good service. Definitely need a reservation if you're going on a weekend. Very loud, but fun atmosphere. They change their menu pretty regularly which is a plus. The white fish and risotto are both delicious.
(4)
Irena A.
I have been to this place a few times.. The last time I went with a friend.. I had the Risotto with vegetables from the appetizer selection. It was fresh but not very well cooked. One would think that al dente would be the most common way of cooking pasta! Anyhow, my friend had pasta also.. same thing not very well cooked!! I will go back here cause it has fresh food.. just not impressed from this last time
(3)
Christine N.
I have been going to Mia Francesca for years it used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Always a fresh new menu, and wonderful atmosphere. However, I went for my birthday last night and was greatly disappointed. The food was not that fresh, and the dishes weren't prepared very well. One of my friend's dishes was very cold and overcooked. The service was pretty good, our waiter was very nice. I guess I was just really looking forward to an amazing meal. I don't know if they switched chefs or if they are lowering the quality of ingredients because of the economy, but something was totally off. Hopefully it is better next time!
(3)
Matt R.
Wonderful atmosphere and delicious fare are hallmarks of this wonderful hole in the wall-esque restaurant in Lakeview. The specials are delicious and the waitstaff very knowledgeable. Just make sure to plan ahead during busy hours, as seating can be limited.
(5)
Tim W.
I'm not quite sure why this place has a reputation as such great italian food. The wait was rough, and the bar was tight to squeeze into to wait. The most "meh" part, however, is the food. Standardly priced, and you get a fair portion, but it was the most bland, 'cookie-cutter' italian I have ever eaten. The pasta sauces had no real zing, and the meats and cheeses included were mediocre at best. WAAAAAAAAAAY better italian to be found in this town, folks (cough cough Sapori!)
(2)
Susan L.
People are lemmings. If we stop going here, so will everyone else, so it won't be so insane and we can start going back. It's a vicious cycle, but someone's gotta start it. The wait is too ridic, the crowded tables are too ridic, and I can't handle it anymore.
(3)
Amy S.
Had a great meal here! I wish I could remember the name of everything that I ate. My friend and I split an appetizer with fresh basil and tomatoes, and a pasta dish with fresh vegetables. Splitting was a good idea because the portions are huge. I also had the cesar salad, which was just okay. The cabernat sauvignon (by the glass) was one of the better that I have tasted. Our waiter was very nice and attentive. The atmosphere was a little loud, but it speaks volumes about the food when it was packed on a Monday night.
(4)
Michael G.
I have been a long time fan of Mia and have now created this yelp account just to let people know exactly how horrible the management is at this place. I have been going to Mia regularly for almost 3 years now and will NEVER go back ever again. This really hurts since I enjoy the food there. I had called in and was told there was "no wait". I showed up 20-30 minutes later and was told the wait was "over an hour". I then asked to be put on the waiting list and was told I was the only one on the list. I tried to figure out who I talked to on the phone and the two women at the front made me feel like I was some sort of idiot....and had never been there before. Quite the opposite. I then waited for a bit and there were 2 open tables up front (we were a party of two). The two tables sat empty for about 15 minutes before I walked up and asked what was going on. I was told it would be another 45 minutes still. I honestly felt like I was at a club and some jerkoff door guy was telling me I couldn't get in. I have always loved the food here but customers should not be treated like this under any circumstance. I will NEVER go back to this god awful place and If this yelp causes even one person to not go to this place It will have been worthwhile. DO NOT SUPPORT PLACES LIKE THIS.
(1)
Cathy H.
I got the veal medallions, and true to Yelp reviewers' comments, it was fantastic. The pasta portions were huge and reasonably-priced, so don't be scared away by the multiple dollar signs! I actually really enjoyed the atmosphere--reminds me of a cute little place I used to go in college--and even though I went on a Saturday night at dinnertime, it really wasn't too loud to have a regular-volume conversation. Another plus: I made a reservation two hours in advance on a weekend night, and had no problem getting seated. Yay!
(4)
Eleanor S.
Mia Francesca serves delicious food, the carpaccio appetizer, the Francesca salad and the daily menu are fantastic. I mean 20 years fantastic. Service on the first floor is outstanding. But don't let them put on the second floor unless you willing to wait. I was unaware and had to sit with my salad for 50 minutes, I looked at my phone until the gentleman brought my entree from downstairs. I saw my waitress twice in an hour and a half. Lots of wait people standing around but none could give us butter for the bread. You know it is pretty bad when the manager feels sorry for you. The bread was great but the circus not so much.
(2)
Alison R.
WONDERFUL date place. Excellent food. Great ambiance. Always busy = a good sign for Chicago restaurants. Highly recommended, but make reservations if you have more than 4 people.
(5)
Eliot J.
i've only been here once so i don't know if i can give it the "as good as it gets" fifth star. but, if it's as good as it was last night the next couple times i go (and i definitely plan on going back at least a couple more times), then i'll update it with the 5th star. of the top of my head i am unable to think of a better italian restaurant i've been to in chicago. the staff is very friendly. the food that i had was flawless (gnocchi di ricotta). the menu also changes daily with a plethora of option - much of which is vegetarian. the space is clean and comfortable. i think the wine selection was slightly high in price - if even only applicable to the house chianti at $36/bottle. anyway... very delicious. def going back.
(4)
Jennifer H.
Mia Francesca's is always a good time. I've never had a bad dish here and the service is always lovely and the ambiance fun. I have to say, though, my favorite part of Mia Francesca's is the carriage house in the back. I had my birthday party here last year and it's fantastic. It's a private little room out back with its own bar and everything. The staff was so helpful, both before the party guiding me on menu choices and at the party itself. I would highly highly recommend Mia Francesca's to throw a party or at least a great night out!
(5)
Blake W.
I'm only giving it two Stars because the server made a great wine recommendation from the Valpolicella region of Italy. We went at 10:30 on New Years Eve not expecting much since we would be the last seating. To start we ordered Mussels and a Zucchini Saffron risotto. The Mussels we're the freshest and the red sauce they were in wasn't even worth dipping bread in for the extra sauce (usually my favorite part of mussel dishes) and the Risotto bland. We did share a Caprese Salad which was decent considering the season, It's actually had a decent profile but could have used some olive oil. For Dinner I had the Portabella/Scallop entree. The scallops that happened to land on my plate look much smaller than what I had scene go by before... I wonder if that had something to do with us being there at the end of the night and that's all they had. Anyways the Scallops were over cooked and the general dish was boring with no thought. My friend had the grouper that was drench in an over powering tarragon butter. My girlfriend's pasta was amazingly flavorless -- some mushroom pasta debacle. Dessert where decent, we had the Tiramisu and their special of the night. Both which were polished off. I'm not sure though were it was because they were that good or just in comparison they rocked and we were hungry from not eating our other food..... OK I admit I ate all of mine but no one else did. I'm just a hungry guy and those scallops were tiny ;). I've got no desire to ever go back, there are way too many other restaurants in this city with this style, price range and much better food. Buyer beware I believed the hype and was extremely disappointed.
(2)
K T.
#2 of the now Francesca mini-empire is still great, but I'm only giving it 3 stars. Why? Because just 5 minutes north is the same thing with no wait at Francesca's at Bryn Mawr. Food is still great (starting with killer bread), martinis are nice and fat and still less than $10, and they still make one of the best red sauces in the city. However, the wait. Went in on a Wednesday, and had a 30 minute wait. Some restaurants are worth it, but the way I figure, why not try to reclaim that 30 minutes of my life by hiking up north a bit? That way, more time for critical activities, such as catching up on my DVR's taped shows. Anyway, Francesca's is still great (loved the pumpkin ravioli), just save some time and head north unless you have a reservation.
(3)
Bina D.
Could not have asked for a better place just a few blocks from my place. Great Italian food (which is very helpful for me as i'm a veggie) and with the rotating menu,you never get tired of it. Wonderful specials and very personable and knowledgeable servers.
(4)
Jacquelyn K.
Made reservations for a big celebration and along with at least 20 others we had to wait for our table for at least an hour. We left after the first "30 minute" quote turned into " probably another "30 minutes" and when showed frustration the teenage host told me that he can't control how long it takes people to eat and that if I didn't like it I could leave. this was after another host told me they over booked the night. So I know I will never go to any of the Francesca restaurants and I know I'm not missing anything. Topogigio, Il Mulino and La Scarola are the best Italian in the city. No need for the unprofessional Francesca's chain.
(1)
Sarah Z.
I love this place, and I've been many times. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is fun and lively yet relaxed and casual. The outdoor patio is wonderful and makes for a great date place. The service has always been great too. Don't go on the weekends, it's way too busy. This is one of those places you should go on a Tuesday night or early Sunday evening when you want great food and in a nice setting (fancier than a dive; more easy going than fine dining). I will definitely be back!
(4)
Charles L.
Really, really good food. Five star restaurant if you can get a table in the back room; the front area is a little cramped for my tastes. I haven't made it upstairs yet, but I've heard that's a nicer area to sit as well. Of my two trips, I recall that quattro formaggi with the most fondness - but none of the groups I was with complained about any of their dishes, to be sure!
(4)
Suraj S.
Amazing food. Amazing service. I had the spinach ravioli and it was nice and creamy. Menu changes daily, but I'm sure everything is great. There is a very nice patio and house thing in the back
(5)
fab f.
Before writing this review, I read many of the one here under and I wonder if I went to the same place. I check the address again and it is. I am really disappointed from my experience yesterday night. I'm not a fan of the small menu of this place (I already had a bad experience at the Bryn Mawr one:. 6 pastas and 6 main courses, most of them are very similar, so or you like it or you like it). The best part are probably the appetizers. We had a late reservation and we were put in the worse possible table, between the kitchen door and the back door that was constantly opened, with freezing air coming in, but this is not the real problem. We were rushed by our waiter that probably had better things to do, since he kicked out a 4 people table and a 2 people table that came after us and left before us (we left just after 11, not that late). My real disappointment was my "pesce alla livornese", that is a delicious recipe, simple but tasty with olive oil, crushed tomatoes, capers, garlic, olives, olive oil and something else. It was a long time I didn't have this dish, so I ordered it, thinking that since they have such a small menu, they are pretty good at that. They brought me a tilapia with a lot of onions on top and a mild sauce similar to a vodka sauce all around. I really can't believe it. I was hungry and I was just enjoying the nice company of friends that I didn't see for the whole winter, so I let go. They were ok (not happy) with their food, so I didn't care much. The dessert was pushed quickly and I hate when the check is dropped on the table while I'm still sipping my espresso or still having the dessert. I'll probably get back since it's an easy place to go and many of the people I know think they have good Italian food, but I won't make it a suggestion.
(1)
Sarah E.
Honestly: five stars for the food (quality + quantity), but only three stars for the service. We arrived at 8 on a Monday night, anticipating that Mia Francesca would be busy, but we were promptly seated at a table toward the back and pleasantly far away from the cold of the front door. However, after being served with bread and water, we waited for 15 minutes before our waitress noticed that she had never seen before, and came over with a start. She was very apologetic, which was nice, but apparently she had never read Bruce Bruschel's piece in the NYTimes on 100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do because she proceeded to touch each of us, twice, as though that was a normal part of a restaurant apology. Maybe I'm too mid-western, but it seemed weird. When it came time to order a wine, we said that we were thinking about one, but curious about two others that we didn't know anything about. Our waitress admitted she didn't know anything about either of the wines, so she went to ask the bartender for his recommendation. She came back with knowledge about the tannic aspect of the wine, per our request, but nothing else (fruity? berry? smoky? throw me a bone here!). Whatever, we chose a wine that was fine, and our food came out within minutes of us placing our order (perhaps she'd bumped us to the front of the line?). But then, as though the entire wait debacle had never occurred, we waited for another ten minutes with an empty dessert plate and near-empty glasses of wine, until our waitress finished a lengthy conversation with other staffers and finally came to bring us our check. Would I go again? Sure. I had the leftovers from my giant portion of rigatoni for lunch the next day. But I won't go if I'm in a rush or trying to show someone Chicago's sophisticated side!
(4)
jamie k.
My new husband and I made the best decision EVER when we decided to take our immediate family to Mia's after our wedding ceremony. It definitely helped that it was the perfect weather day...we were able to sit on the back patio eat our appetizers and sip our wine in the sun before retreating into the precious little private coach house for the rest of our meal. I would suggest this to everyone!!! If you have a small party of 25 or less that you want to take out for an amazing family style dinner - this is the place to go. Guaranteed my family will be raving about this for years to come. The coach house has a little bar in it also. The staff was impeccable - They were at your service at every moment. The food is what really blew us all away though... each course that came out was seriously perfect... and because it's family style, you don't have to stuff yourself silly (well, you could).. but it's really nice to sample all the food, and then at the end you still have room for tirimisu (which is light and fluffy) I could go on and on....but you get the point. A+
(5)
Sarah P.
Cute little place - love the handwritten menu that changes frequently. Had gnocchi (of course) with a bottle of Zinfandel. Compared to SF, the prices were awesome, but I figure I'll be in sticker shock for a while after leaving that city. Loved that the sauces they used are not too heavy and very flavorful. Great service too. Will come back when I move to the area!
(4)
Chrissy F.
Ooooooooooooo great place. Off the Belmont stop and down the street (Clark), is Mia Francesca. Very classy, very expensive. Ok fine, SLIGHTLY expensive. It's one of those weird places where it's classy, but dressing up is optional. I've never been upstairs, but the downstairs is lit...romantically, for lack of a better word. Low lights, etc. My only gripe about this place is how small it is. Whenever I'd go there, I'd have to scooch myself all the way in so that both customers and staff could get by. Needless to say, the food is excellent. It's ALWAYS crowded...ALWAYS. Like the Signature Room, we'd have reservations, but we'd still have to wait. Bias: the family of my best friend in college knows the owner. Definitely a place in Chicago to go to, but also like SR, not often (unless your wallet can handle it)...
(4)
M K.
I really enjoy the food at this place, but what's with the music??? Our food was delicious - flavorful, plentiful (without being gluttonous), and moderately priced. (I had risotto appetizer, tilapia entree, and creme brulee dessert). But it was soooo noisy, and the chatter was compounded by loud and inappropriate music. Justin Timberlake in an Italian restaurant at 7pm? I had to yell across the table to be heard. And pop music doesn't make for a relaxing meal.
(3)
Christy L.
After reading about it in Timeout and then realizing, HELLO, I live around the corner from it, I finally went with a date to Mia Francesca. Our server was friendly and funny, but not overbearing. He had good answers to our questions. I also love the whole concept of changing the menu around the freshest ingredients... makes sense! Our salads were amazing, so was the pasta we had, and we even ate dessert (as well as had a delicious bottle of Chianti). I was impressed with the food, the service, and the friendliness of the place. It is not a ROMANTIC date spot though... definitely loud and alot of fun, so just know that it's not an Italian place like that.
(5)
Nina W.
This place probably doesn't need another good review, but I feel like I found a new favorite place in Chicago, and just want to share my enthusiasm. I am not even a big fan of Italian cuisine, but this restaurant was just spectacular. From the moment I walked in, the delicious smell drove me crazy. It was a Saturday night, and they were packed, and we didn't have a reservation, but they were very graceful about finding us a table and seating us in a timely manner. Fried calamari that we got as an appetizer were a little bland, but the entrees more than compensated for it. My friend ordered a pizza, and it was great: very thin crust, flavorful mozzarella, just what I remember from my trip to Naples. I ordered pasta with mushrooms for $14 (sorry I don't remember the Italian name), and it was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. It was very flavorful, not too oily, simply perfect. My usual concern about pasta dishes is that they are very filling, but not very memorable, but this was not at all the case at Mia Francesca. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Joscelyn M.
Great, standard Italian fare and very nice place to go with a group. I've had just about everything on the menu (I only have friends who are willing to share with me), and have never been unhappy.
(4)
Colleen S.
Pretty good Italian food but it's not amazing. The staff is really friendly and attentive for being such a busy and crowded place. If you don't like sitting close to the table next to you, then this place might not be for you; it is very cozy seating. I had no idea this place had an outdoor area and back bar. Very cozy as well but it seems like ti would be very romantic. The music was the only odd thing. I expect traditional Italian music to be played here, not "The Humpty Dance." (no, I'm not kidding)
(4)
Jay A.
Little crowded in late evening but it will give you a "party environment" Food is tasty and yummy......but I prefer Tiramisu at Buca.
(4)
Francine P.
This was great! Couldn't ask for anything more. The entrees were creative and tasted wonderful. The service was quick and tentative. The meat and fish were cooked spot on. I highly recommend this to any visitors or locals. It isn't your usual Italian restaurant with only marinara to offer. Even their house red wine was lovely.
(5)
Bex F.
Any time I've eaten here it's been fantastic. Tables are crammed together, always packed, but never disappoints.
(4)
Ashley M.
Great Italian food! Make reservations or wait for awhile in an awkwardly tight bar. Good place for dates, although it's a little crowded. You may feel like the strangers next to you are also sitting at your table. The menu changes frequently with a variety of great dishes.
(4)
Ellen R.
This is the only Italian place worth anything in Chicago. Finally a place that serves a real sauce, not some watery, non-flavored tomato concoction. You get great, true al dente pasta, great sauces and even better value. Portions are huge, costs are low and atmosphere is relaxed. if you are looking for a relaxing, casual Italian dining spot this is it. Service is pleasant as well. And they threw in the extra veggie I asked for into my pasta dish, love it!
(5)
Natasha M.
I love this place. The first time my boyfriend and I passed by, it was completely packed. It was both romantic and suitable for kids and families. The seating area was crowded but I don't mind as the restaurant was so lively and the service was good. There was a path to a patio in the back. It was an outdoor dining space resembling a Venetian patio surrounded by four walls, with a stairs to the house and a fountain in the middle. The food was amazing depending on what you order. I ordered Linguini alle Vongole/White Wine Clams Linguine ($16). It was very slippery linguine in light white wine and garlic sauce with a decent amount of clams. The portion was good enough for a dinner and a late night/brunch. My boyfriend ordered half Spring chicken, and it was indeed a disappointment. It was flavorless and kind of dry. I feel sorry for him. Mia Francesca is good at Pasta, not the meat, so try to avoid if you can. People who go there just look so happy in general. The kids are happy and content and the old couples are sweet and enjoy their long-lasting marriages. I personally did have a great time and great food there, so I give it a 4 star.
(4)
Nate W.
I expected a lot out of this place given the other Yelp reviews and reviews from friends. However, my girlfriend and I went there for dinner and this place fell short. Atmosphere - We ate upstairs as the downstairs area was packed and a little noisy and hectic for our liking. I don't think it has a cozy/personal feeling to it at all. Service - Mediocre at best. Our waiter didn't take the time to explain anything to us. He was curt with us the whole meal. He even started getting a little mouthy with my girlfriend when she didn't hear/understand something he said. Food - Everythign else can be forgiven about a place if the food can seal the deal. We were not sold on it. I got the roasted chicken and the gf got a pasta dish, both of which we could have made at home. Overall, I think there are cozier places with better service and food then this place. We would have had a better meal had we made one ourselves at home.
(2)
Jeremy T.
Mia Francesca is cute neighborhood spot with good food, fairly friendly service, and fun ambiance. The back patio is very romantic and just a great experience overall (have sat out there on previous occasions). The only complaint we had was that the dining room was a bit loud and made conversation difficult at times (although it gave the restaurant an energetic feel).
(4)
Carol C.
This restaurant is like every other Francesca's - good food, decent prices, good service. The only difference is that his location is really cramped and loud. If you want a nicer facility, hop on the el and go to the Francesca's on Bryn Mawr Avenue. Same great food, quieter and larger restaurant. However, we still had a great dinner and our Saturday night reservations were honored within five minutes of arriving and there was valet parking.
(4)
Jaime W.
This Mia Francesca is one of my favorite restaurants because of the great food and service. Pros: Excellent food (my favorites are the bruschetta with goat cheese and argula and pasta with vegetables in herb broth). Good prices and attentive wait staff. In the summer, try out the back patio. Cons: This location packs you in like sardines. Definitely an authentic urban restaurant experience but for more privacy try the one on Bryn Mawr. Equally good food and service.
(4)
Frances X.
I have loved the food there for at least 10 years now. I couldn't remember how many birthdays and special occasions my friends and I have celebrated there. Food is still good. But my recent visit revealed me to that their calamari appetizer's size has got significantly smaller, while the price is not any cheaper! Given that was my favorite appetizer, I am disappointed.
(3)
Aaron B.
The Food: I've been a number of times and it's consistently been the best Italian in its price range I've ever had! Their menu is hand-written and changes frequently according to the availability of fresh ingredients. The only complaint I can offer is that, on one occasion, the sauce on my friend's chicken alfredo was rather thin. I'll chalk that up to a matter of taste though, and given the great wine selection, the great dishes (try the bruschetta appetizer), and the mouth-watering desserts, I'll let it slide. ;) The Atmosphere: The dining room is tastefully decorated and classy. Definitely a date-worthy place. White tablecloths and candles. The Service: The servers are very helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable.
(5)
Michael S.
Why are waiters called waiters? Think about it. It's no accident. Bugs are called bugs because they bug you. Judges are called judges because they judge. Cookies are called cookies because you cook them. Movies are called movies because they move. Your back is called your back because it's in back of you. Flies are called flies because they fly. Lawyers are called lawyers because they "lawy." Oops; that last one doesn't work. The service here is so first class. The waiters are truly waiters. Earlier this week I was here on the patio and my dining partner and I took some time relaxing and enjoying the quiet patio before we ordered. There was no rush act. Our waiter was patient and superb. Last night I was back on the patio with a different dining partner, whose approach to ordering dinner is the stuff of SNL skits. Only her self-deprecating fun-poking could better describe her sending asparagus back for being "too shiny" with olive oil, and asking approximately 10 questions about the string bean salad before ordering. Our waiter could not have been more accomodating, good natured, knowledgable and patient: a true gentleman "waiter." Oh, and the food: awesome as usual. Too much to say; but for that you can read the other 150 reviews. Waiters are called waiters because they wait.
(5)
Esther L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. We were meeting a friend for dinner and she suggested we go to Mia Francesca. When we arrived, I asked to be seated on the patio (beautiful weather!) and they happily accommodated. The waiter was so nice, not fake nice, genuinely nice. He didn't rush us at all even though all we had was one appetizer, entrees and a bottle of wine. We got the calamari which was a nice start. It wasn't anything mind blowing but it was good. All of us got different pastas as entrees and they were ALL amazing. We all enjoyed it so much. My linguine al Sugo di Gambari was sooo good. The shrimp was juicy, plump and fresh. The scallops were so sweet and perfectly cooked. It was amazing. I attempted to eat everything but alas, I only have one stomach. They're incredibly large portions so all of us ended up with leftovers. After we were done, we sat there and chatted and they let us! Probably because it wasn't as busy and it was a Wednesday night. Since we were on the patio, we started seeing helicopters everywhere. One of the waiter then announced that the Blackhawks had won the Stanley Cup. IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT! Delicious food at great prices, friendly waiters, and a quaint patio. We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Justin B.
A decent, long-standing Italian restaurant in the heart of Lakeview. First off, we were able to get in on a Friday night at 8pm - a rare occurrence (or just sheer luck). This was my second time here, the first being about 10 years back. The main dining room was crowded but we somehow managed to get a patio table, which was extremely quaint and allowed for decent conversation. The menu was a hand-written, single sheet of paper, which I'm certain was run off on the Xerox machine that day (note: if they invested a little in nicer handwriting or even type it out on a computer, it would elevate the professional look). I ordered the frutta de mari, which came fairly quick and packed full of seafood. The sauce was labeled "spicy" but didn't have much of a kick. $16.95 for the entree and $5.00 for a dinner salad wasn't bad. (I've ordered similar dishes elsewhere and paid a lot more). The portions were large and the company was great. Waitstaff were attentive, initially. When we wanted to get the bill, however, it was a chore to track him down. Plenty of service staff around, so glasses were never empty and used tableware was quickly cleared. Overall, I'd visit again. Good for larger groups as well. Reservations encouraged.
(4)
Matt K.
Had a 9:00pm reservation and we weren't seated until 9:45. To be honest, I didn't mind all that much. However, the place was packed to the brim with people (definitely violating fire code) and the staff does absolutely nothing to try to restore order or control the crowd. Everyone packs in like sardines into any open space they can, so that half the diners have a crowd of people practically hovering over their meals. Might be worth eating here when it isn't crowded, but I have no idea when that is, and don't really care to find out.
(2)
Samantha L.
My shell pasta dish with asparagus and a cream sauce was pretty good. I would say 4 stars for my food. However, this place is INSANELY loud and crowded! The loudest Italian restaurant I've ever been to in my life. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're wanting a romantic Italian dinner, or if you have poor hearing. If you have solid hearing, unlike me, go right on ahead!
(3)
Norman R.
Great experience. We had the in-laws in town. That was our second time there. The bottle of chianti was really good. Portions on the dinners and desserts were huge, so plan on left overs!
(5)
Daniel H.
Took the parents here, so it was one of those experiences of just hoping that no Seinfeld-esque moments happen with the waiter. Only a few did, so it wasn't so bad... Anyway on to the review. Food: the food was solid but far from spectacular, a little on the oily side, especially the pizza. However, they have some interesting pizza combinations. Some of the pasta dishes we had worked out and some didn't. In general, the seafood dishes were better than the landfood ones. The bread, though crusty, didn't taste like anything other than white bread. Ambiance: a busy restaurant on the loud side. Upstairs is a bit more quiet and intimate. Not bad all around.
(3)
Dane K.
I think this place thrives off of the name; overall I was a little unimpressed based off of that. I've been to other locations of the Francesca franchise, and this one is at the bottom of the list easy. The menu was a bit more limited than I would have liked. I really like menus that aren't longer than a page, but I found myself struggling to find anything I wanted to order. Also, the waiter's recommendations almost seemed like it was something the kitchen was pushing more than anything. Our waiter at first tried to put on this big thick Italian accent, but he wasn't Italian? Very strange. Service really wasn't that great. Overall food was "OK" but nothing wow about it. Once our food was dropped we didn't hear back from our waiter and he stopped pouring us our wine. For my entree I had a gnocci in a marinara sauce. I kind of wish it were sauteed just a bit more than it was. It was much better cold as leftovers. The service worked like a machine, a bit too mechanical which led to a perception of being rushed. Their patio out back is nice. Food-wise, you can get Italian food like this in many places, though for the neighborhood this is your best bet for Italian (unless you're wanting fusion Italian--Socca would be better IMO). Overall nothing was bad, but nothing was better than "just OK" ... P.S. Dear Mia Management: Your sidewalk awning is too low. I shouldn't have to duck to walk across the public sidewalk. I see people ducking to walk down the Clark Street sidewalk every day, it's really obnoxious. Just because your valet guys are short and don't seem to notice, doesn't mean others don't.
(3)
Christopher L.
OMG soooo good! This is my favorite place in Chicago/Lakeview! Its a MuSt try!
(5)
Ang R.
Solidly unspectacular. My fish dish was tasty, but underseasoned and pedestrian. The salad was completely uninspired--even the vinaigrette wasn't great, and I usually love all vinaigrettes. And I absolutely HATED the spinach ravioli. I don't want to go back.
(2)
Rich K.
I would completely agree with Samantha L., this place is way too loud. Even though we were pre-warned about the sound level, I was unable to carry a conversation with my guests. The food was good; we shared the Ravioli and Cavatelli. The banana bread pudding was very good. Probably won't be back, too many other choices in the city that have a lower decibel level.
(3)
Jonathan H.
Sometimes you just want something a little nicer. That's why I go to Mia Francesca's. You don't have to dress up and be fancy, but MF is always a nice local Italian restaurant to get a great meal. The menu is also very nice and they change up their dishes so if you've eaten there a lot, you can try a lot of different things. Call ahead for reservations because they fill up quickly. I have eaten both in the main dining room and upstairs. Both are very nice. I recommend it to my friends all the time.
(4)
Mike S.
solid itialian cuisine! having recently visited rome and pompei i wasnt sure what to expect at mia. the reviews are very good and i would agree with them. i read a lot of complaints about the space and the tables being on top of one another. i felt there was adequate room and actually this place is quite spacious as compared with restaurants in rome so this was a non issue. we went here with a party of 12 and had extremely good service. the drinks were never empty and the serving of the food was timed right. we went with teh fantasia pizza and half chicken and potatoes. the chicken portion was quite generous and did not get completely eaten. the pizza hit the spot - very very good thin crust pizza. the serving sizes did not seem consistent - the spaghetti was an extremely large portion where as the tortellini was quite small. appetizers were all worthwhile from the calamari to different types of bruschette.
(4)
Christina F.
My bf and I went here for dinner and it was my first time there. He has been there a lot and highly recommended it. The food was really good and the service was great. We ate upstairs and although the seating is quite umm... "cozy" we still had a good time. By the way, "cozy" is a nice way of saying, the stranger next to me was practically sitting on my lap and we had to fight for arm room like at the movie theatre. Alas, I'd highly suggest going at a non-peak dinner time hour to take advantage of some of their delicious specials.
(4)
Susan F.
Yum Yum, how have I never been here before, esp since it's so close! Came here for Sunday brunch around 12:30 and surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded. They have a great fresh italian type menu as well as a small brunch menu. I got the sausage fritatta which was great! They also had an awesome bruschetta app that had lots of feta and arugula. They had great desserts, too--try the creme brulee or the Torta Lava cake--covered in strawberries too! The service was great. 5 stars all around.
(5)
Jen L.
Solid little Italian place in Lakeview. Went here with the boy and the father (who's Sicilian) while he was in town. We all got various pasta dishes and they were all very good. The house wine was a little expensive for my tastes, but you can't go wrong here overall. We went on a Friday evening without a reservation and it was packed. I recommend a reservation for you all.
(4)
B O.
They really didn't pull out any stops for restaurant week. The menu was just ok and the food was passable. Service was decent but I have had much better Italian all around. Will likely not return.
(2)
Eliza E.
food was okay - very loud and tables were close.
(2)
Sao-Mai N.
My friend and I were looking for a nice place for dinner while she was in town and we found Mia Francesca on Yelp. I can't say anymore than what the other reviews have stated. It's just a great restaurant to bring friends, family, or a date. The food was flavorful and the staff was attentive. I don't know much about wine, but their selection is decent. The space is a little small but that's Chicago for you. We split the Bruschetta. The mozzarella was amazing, but the tomatoes were a little bland. I ordered the tilapia, which was delicious. I'm actually not a fan of tilapia (don't ask me why I ordered it), but it was cooked to perfection and absolutely swimming with flavor (no pun intended). I was boring and got the creme brulee for dessert, but the Banana bread pudding my friend had was very good and not too strong on the banana. Overall, I recommend giving this place a chance and do make reservations!
(4)
Matthew G.
The food at Mia Francesca is always fresh and seasonally appropriate. I really enjoy that they have an adventurous and exciting menu that is truly a departure from most Italian restaurants. I have never had a bad meal (they also make a mean Manhattan). The only thing that kept Mia Francesca from 'five stars' is the inconsistency in service. I would love a little more attentive service, especially in a restaurant of this size. However, I will keep going back to Mia Francesca again and again.
(4)
Ryan B.
I've always had a nice time at the numerous Francesca's locations, but we had a really great experience at the original location on Clark and just had to share. Our server was friendly and knew not only the menu but the history of the restaurant well, so we had a great time chatting with her. The food was great as usual, and I love that their menu changes often, so you can try something new each time should you want to. Also appreciate that they're open to customization of their dishes upon request. Their appetizers are some of my favorite - we had their fabulous sauteed calamari and brushcetta, then decided on a number of great pasta and seafood dishes and shared around. Great for a romantic dinner or a big group - looking forward to dining in their outdoor space this summer!
(5)
Vivian Y.
While I didn't have actual dinner here, I have nothing but amazing things to say about this restaurant. My girlfriend and I ended up here after being fed up with the crowds over at the Belmont Sheffield Music Festival across the street and nestled ourselves in the cozy patio in the back of the restaurant. I was a little agast at how busy the restaurant was inside and was worried I'd be in more the same in the patio but was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and cute the back area was. Our waiter (sorry forgot your name) was so helpful in helping us decide on a bottle. He suggested one of the specials at $44 which was also available by the glass. We asked if we could take a small taste of it before we ordered that bottle. Luckily we did because we didn't like it at all! He said it could be that the bottle had been opened for a while so he went and got us another fresh bottle of the same just to try. While the new bottle was better, it was still not what we were looking for. Still our waiter was happy to send us what we wanted and we ordered appetizers to go along with our wine. We had the carpaccio *YUM* and the spicy mussels. both were so delicious and simple. Exactly what I was looking for and more. I will definitely be back for dinner but may avoid the main part of the restaurant as I prefer the cozy back patio instead.
(5)
Caz S.
My gf and I went here the first night we moved back to Chicago. Friends here said it was the best Italian place by Wrigley, so naturally we wanted to scope out place to go since we'd just received season tickets from her company. Awesome. It was...awesome. In the true fashion of the original sense of the meaning awesome...it was incredible. Not just saying this cuz I spent a lot of time around surfers, but really that it was insanely awesome. The service was excellent, we had a Tuscan syrah, calamari appetizer, she had the salmon, I had some gnocchi, we shared the creme brulee and things were amazing. We walked out of that restaurant thinking we'd found the best spot ever. After a Cubs game with our 2 friends we decided to share the magical goodness of Mia Frencesca. After waiting no more than 15 minutes the 4 of us were seated in the worst table in the restaurant...in the traffic between the kitchen and rest of the restaurant. Okay whatever, bad tables happen, there are at least 2 of those in every restaurant, but that somehow doomed the entire evening. We got a bottle of pinot grigio, a cab and 2 appetizers...to get those 4 things it took almost 45 minutes. Granted the restaurant was full of drunk Cubs fans, like ourselves, so it was probably not the best night for great service but man...it was horrible. Finally after 45 minutes of being completely done with the appetizers and almost done with the wine, we ordered another bottle and entree when our server finally came back. A half an hour after ordering, I finally had to flag down a random busser and ask him where our entrees were. He promised us it would be out, even came back every 5 minutes for 20 minutes promising us our entrees. I'm so timid about asking for a manager, as is my girlfriend, but our friend we went with was not so much. The manager came over and assured us that our entrees would be out in less than 5 minutes and that dessert was on the house...great, right? 20 minutes later our entrees arrived stale and cold. I know they'd sat in the heating window for an hour. I had my dried up pork chops, my gf had her disgusting whitefish and after that we took our complimentary dessert to go. Lesson learned. Do not go after a Cubs game. Second thoughts are even that we never want to go back again, but after the bruising of that meal heals, we'll probably go back and try again for that first experience, that Cubs game experience will never be forgotten.
(3)
Michael S.
I feel like a stalwart has just let me down....like a Chicago institution just showed signs of being a "chain," and until proven otherwise, like a long established friendship just turned into an acquaintance. Service and food are behind this less than stellar impression. Cheese pizza - boring (but it usually is in my book), Pork chops sent back due to being overcooked, and then unimpressive. The Tilapia, an unfortunate mess of sauce invoking a transfer to an unspoiled plate, and finally, the half a roast chicken clearly got a bad batch of steroids as that guy was tiny! Then, our server almost made me want to pull my hair out. Maybe she was really clueless, but I will give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was new. Ask her a question and......"Ummmmm" (crickets chirping), make a request..."Ummmmm" (grass growing).....I swear, I am never one to get riled up over service, but I wanted to stand up and just scream, "spit it our already!" I'm sad.
(3)
Lois A.
I love Mia Francesca! Having never had dinner in the coach house part of the restaurant the last time I was there I was wondering, "where the hell are they taking us" as we walked through the restaurant into this seating area. There are only a few tables back there and a bar and it was wonderful!! And warm even in this freezing weather. It made for a very romantic dinner and walking back through the crowded and extremely LOUD restaurant on our way out I was thanking god we'd been seated where we had. This place fills up fast so come early. This is the kind of place where everything I've ever ordered has been fantastic. Last time I had roasted chicken and while I wished I'd been more adventurous it tasted great. The calamari is soooo good. They let us have it grilled instead of fried which was so nice of them. Other than the crowds, who are only there because the food is fantastic, I have no complaints.
brought my family here because my mom has a gluten allergy and they do gluten free pasta. it was really loud and crowded but the food was good and the staff was very attentive and accomodating to my mother's allergies. i didn't particularly care for my dish (i had the ravioli), but i tried everyone elses and they were very good. i enjoyed our experience but would probably go elsewhere before i'd come back here due to the environment.
This is a solid 4.5 star restaurant - that says a lot as I'm not one to give such high marks for a restaurant. I've always heard good things about thus restaurant and have even tried a couple of the sister restaurants, but I don't think all are created equal. With that said, I'm really happy that we made the decision to go there. It wad a Monday night and I was expecting a 1/2 empty restaurant, but I was surprisingly wrong! The atmosphere is very inviting and the kitchen is open to the dining room which can make it quite loud. We ordered the beef carpaccio with shaved peccorino cheese and capers, and arugula for appetizer. It was very tasty and a great way to start a meal! For dinner I got the pan seared walleye and it also had jumbo shrimp on top as if the walleye wasn't enough by itself! The presentation was very appetizing as well with colors of green, red, and white. (Hum.. I guess they were trying to mimic the colors of the Italian flag!) My dinner date ordered the liguine with scallops in a light tomato cream sauce and it was SOOO GOOD!!! It came in a bowl with lots of noodles and as I was taking a bit (or several), I was thinking that it was a good thing I didn't order that because I would have ate the whole thing by myself!!! The best part of the meal was the desert! Of course we asked for a recommendation as the other suggestions turned out great. Our waiter suggested the chocolate peanut torte (not sure of the exact name). OMG, even though I was stuffed, I couldn't stop eating!!! It tasted like a Reese's peanut butter cup on top of a crust that was made out of a Crunch bar! I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I usually don't take deserts home, but I couldn't see it go to waste and asked for the small piece that was left to be boxed up. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Italian food. Although I would suggest reservations or go when it's not their peak hours because I'm sure this place gets packed on Fri & Sat nights!
(4)
Job E.
The price, food and atmosphere is all excellent. The menu has plenty of variety with lots of creative dishes. The toughest part of a visit here is picking out what to eat. Every dish I've gotten there has been well balanced and full of flavor. One of these days I'll dare to try the pizza with a raw egg.
(5)
Nikki L.
Nothing blew me away. I am not dying to come back, and the food was OK. We ordered the fried calamari which had a nice, light and crispy batter. For an entree we shared a pasta with wild mushrooms in a brown butter sauce. It sounded so much better then what we actually got. Not terrible, not outstanding, just good. However, not good enough for me to come back anytime soon.
(3)
D A.
Great food as always, we were rushed out the door, this place is like a well oiled machine, I will give them that, but on a weekday evening, I dont think they need to rush as much as the do. Looking forward to their new Wicker park location!
(3)
Alex D.
The food was excellent! The biggest gripe I had with this restaurant, which is admittedly small, is that their menu is relatively limited. All of my friends loved their food, and they have valet parking for $10 dollars!
(4)
Kathy T.
My friends and I stopped by here for dinner on the way to a Cubs game (it was recommended to us as a must try if you're in the area). We were so glad we did! We were running late and called in a few times to move around our reservation. They were very nice about it. Food: - Bread with herb infused olive oil: very good and held us over until the rest of the food arrived. - Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta and Wild Mushrooms: I ordered this dish and was surprised at how tasty everything turned out. I didn't realized this dish had mushrooms, but the flavors were so good I didn't even mind it! The polenta was too creamy and had the texture of mashed potatoes so I didn't enjoy that part of my dish too much. - Pollo alla Florentina: the-juiciest-chicken breast-i-have-ever-tasted. lemon butter sauce..not too big of a fan, but WOW. JUICY and TENDER! - Rigatone con Melanzane: the sauce was out of this world. - Spaghetti with Sausage: ehh...not much I can say. It's spaghetti.... - Cavatelli con Pesto: cavatelli was a little too doughy for my taste, but the pesto was good. Service was impeccable. Our server was warm and friendly. We told him we were in a hurry because we had to get to the game, so he brought everything out super fast! This was one of our favorite dining experiences during our trip to Chicago.
(4)
James L.
Bad Italian restaurants are all over the suburban Midwest. You can always recognize one by the staff (usually Spanish-speaking) and the menu (the meals are usually not preceded by salads). They typically rear their ugly heads in strip malls, in the form of Olive Garden, Carrabas, Zios and Bravos. Now they have apparently invaded the urban 'hoods of Chicago as cute and intimate little restaurants like Mia Francesca. Like the chains, the food sucks. I don't know how hard it is to replicate a Chef Boyardee spaghetti sauce, but I don't think a restaurant should try to either. And the service sucked too. The waiter gave me a glass of Merlot and insisted it was White Zinfandel. Bad food and bad service. It's definitely your typical Midwestern Italian.
(1)
Bill S.
I held a surprise party for my partner's 50th birthday for 21 guests in January 2014. It was upstairs. The party planner Katherine was great, filled with helpful suggestions. The servers were very attentive, and stayed late. The food was excellent. This location was an old favorite we hadn't been to in many years, and it still is a great restaurant. I heartily recommend it.
(5)
Jim B.
We had six in our party with a table in the courtyard. Highly recommend the courtyard if the weather is nice due to the noise inside. Everyone was very happy with their meals and the waiter was very helpfull. Food is terrific and the prices are reasonable. Also they have a large gluten free menu as well.
(5)
Mark Y.
This little gem is within walking distance to our house. This was my first time and it far exceeded any expectations I had. Ordered the Risotto and Bruschetta for appetizer followed by the Ravioli and Pollo Arrosto Alla Romana. Everything was very fresh but the Pollo Arrosto was a home run!. My wife and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Damian C.
Ladies and gentleman, this is Mia Francesca No. 1 One, two, three, four, five, everybody on the Clark bus, so come on Let's ride to the Italian joint up the corner The boy says he wants some carbo loading But I really don't want the Same old pasta like I have each week I found myself a hot spot that's yum and cheap I like wining, and dining, red drinker, big eater And thanks to VillageVines, 30% off makes it sweeter Two-top in the back, I really thank you my Lord Some great Italian I love to engorge Hot crusty bread, fresh rosemary oil, let me dump it A little bit of Cabernet in my glass, Bruschette con Rucola I won't pass Rigatoni alla Pollo is what I need, big enough for two people to feed Gnocchi Bolognese a bite I'll steal, Italian overload is how I feel A huge Torta di Ciccolata I'm a fan, dinner under $70 makes me your man! I'll spare you the rest. It's delicious. You must eat here. Even if this review doesn't get you to go to Mia Francesca right away, I hope it gets that awful Mambo No. 5 song stuck in your head, and you may be risking additional lyrics written my yours truly.
(5)
Kim C.
Oh so good Italian food. Our large party shared bruschetta and calamari. Each was good, and while the breaded deep fried calamari rings have lost their luster at most restaurants, these were light but flavorful. My pasta and seafood dish was great -- it came as ordered (changes to the menu seem totally okay), the scallops were perfectly cooked (not raw but not chewy either) and the pasta had a great firm texture that was worth going back for. Everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy their dishes that ranged from the half roasted chicken (ordered by the regulars) and a couple of pizzas that looked phenomenal. I was too full to order dessert, but I'd go back just to try the tiramisu that someone ordered and promptly devoured. And they handled my 6yo very well. Hard to give 5 stars on the basis of one visit, but if they do this well on my next time around, they'll have that extra star for sure.
(4)
Liam B.
If you don't like Mia's there might be something wrong with you. I've been there for brunch and dinner and everything has always been delicious. Like other such places if you get wine and a bunch of food you will be spending some $$ but overall the prices are pretty standard. Excellent service, great food, good prices, and great wine selection, probably best Italian restaurant in Wrigleyville.
(5)
Mat M.
Mia Francesca is a good for Italian. The service is good, the food is consistent and they have a few locations. If you're looking for something easy and tasty, give them a chance
(4)
Jan S.
We hosted our son's rehearsal dinner in the upstairs private room at Mia Francesca's. WOW it was amazing. From the 1st phone call to the event coordinator to the actual event I was treated so pleasantly and so accomodating. The food was incredible and very generous portions. On a 5 star rating I would give a 6.....The atmosphere was quaint and the staff so pleasant. Would recommend highly. Jan S
(5)
Jon W.
First off, this is coming from a former employee of Mia Francesca's. SCOTT HARRIS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD AND LIAR. This guy gets away with paying his busboys $2.50 an hour and makes his staff tip out in cash the difference to make up for the minimum wage he does not pay them. Also, if you work for this company, be expected as a server to dole out 50% of YOUR tips to foodrunners, busboys, and the bartender. It's a total SCAM, and I am highly shocked that the IRS has not got a hold of Scott Harris' nuts by now. See, the devil is in the details. Every night, as a server, you have to claim all of your credit card tips. But, you tip everyone out in cash tips. When your taxes come at the beginning of the year, you will owe a shit ton of money, close to double what you ACTUALLY earned. My tax return said I made $40,000, I actually made about $28,000, all clear, and I owed the government. This company is a complete disgrace, and highly illegal.
(1)
Eric C.
Nice and cozy,but a bit on the loud side. Tables fairly close together,one person restrooms. Nice backyard patio area. Ok now to the food. 5 of us for dinner,we had two of the spaghetti specials, soup of pepper was good, not spicy or hot. Spaghetti was dry,pasta under cooked a bit. Someone had the sausage pizza which was light on the sausage,but overall not bad. Server was terrific though. Later fellow yelpers!
(3)
Nikki K.
Went with the boyfriend on a date night. Food was decent, service was fine. But my god, the water guy was ON FIRE. This man was DEDICATED. He refilled our waters 3 times in the first 15 minutes we were there. You couldn't go longer than 10 minutes with a gap between the top of your water and the rim of the glass - this man wouldn't allow such a travesty. I kept a tally: our waitress visited us 10 times, and the water guy visited us 7 TIMES. 40% of the attention we were given was just for water!! Amazing. I hope he ended up with our whole tip for the night. Not that our waitress wasn't good too, but just.. wow. Water guys should really take a lesson from this man. Will definitely go back next time I'm thirsty.
(3)
Shaundra N.
One word: Delicious! I haven't been here for years and I am happy to say that they are still serving great food. I love the calamari appetizer complete with marinara sauce. I also love the bread and olive oil. The main course for both me and my companion was also delicious. I had pasta with Italian sausage and it was all very fresh. We took the Tiramisu home with us and enjoyed it later. It was a great meal from the top to the bottom. I will be back! I gave 4 STARS instead of 5 because of the "too close" seating. I loved the ambiance, but the seating was uncomfortably close to other patrons.
(4)
A.J. M.
I had come here about a year earlier, but had forgotten what i had in specifics. But I do recall it was good. So i got my chance at round two and boy, it was a fantastic experience. The waitstaff was very friendly and helpful. The wine pours were generous, plus the chianti I ordered was excellent. For the appetizers the calamari (which is hard to screw up) was very good, but the prosciutto was unbelievable. I would be content with just eating that all day. For dinner, my linguine with mussels and spicy marinara sauce was some of the finest pasta i've consumed in a while. Oh my. Can't wait to go back
(5)
Amanda H.
My boyfriend and I decided on this place last minute yesterday on Valentine's Day, thanks to you yelpers, and because it is literally right around the corner from my street. We walked in and I had an immediate bad feeling because it was incredibley crowded and tiny, smelled like something was burning, and the hostess was very flustered and frustrated. We told her we had no reservations and she said she would take us to a seat. We followed her but didn't go very far, because there were no seats. She then told us to go upstairs. Bf and I proceeded to leave and go up some random, obscure set of stairs next door and we were seated on the second level, which I want to comment on and say that it was not cold at all, and perhaps even a bit warm. But it was also very busy. Our table seemed to be a bit in the way and I got bumped a lot, but I didn't really mind because it is a popular night. We proceeded to have a nice Valentine's Day dinner and were able to talk without yelling. I had the most delicious red wine and I loved my meal (linguine with pesto and potatoes/string beans). I even had leftovers for two meals. The bf seemed to enjoy his meal, and we relaxed and didn't feel rushed at all. I would return for sure on a less busy night.
(4)
Beth B.
I have been here several times, especially since my parents request we go every time they're in town. Haven't had any reasonably priced Italian better than Mia's in the city yet. Num num!!
(5)
Leslie S.
I had a perfectly fine time at Mia Francesca - it wasn't the best Italian I've ever had, but it certainly wasn't the worst either. The caprese salad was just what you'd expect: tomatoes with mozzarella medallions and a bit of basil and evoo on top. The ravioli con spinaci was nicely done, though I would have substituted the four-cheese sauce for a butter and herb sauce. The wine selection was what you typically find at Italian restaurants in the city - nothing to rave about. Tables are spaced quite close to each other, which probably makes the noise level seem louder than it actually is. It also means that the servers can't always see if you're out of water or finished with the meal. They do what they can, but you might wait awhile if you need service. Reservations probably aren't necessary, but I always think it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dining out. You can usually make same-day reservations on OpenTable without a problem.
(3)
Michelle D.
Just went to Mia Francesca again and had my favorite salmon dish (tomatoes, white wine sauce, lemon, etc.) and remembered how it is not just my favorite dish at Mia's, but the best salmon dish I have ever had. The bread is still warm and tasty and the pastas are excellent. We actually just got back from Rome and Venice, and this confirmed the quality and authenticity of Mia Francesca. I love it. And if you want a quieter place, ask to sit upstairs. My previous review gave them 4 stars simply because of the noise levels. The food significantly makes up for this.
(5)
Ashley M.
Good food and good service. I am not a really big fan of Italian food but would definitely go back here. A great place to bring family, even with a smaller menu they have a lot to choose from. We started with the mussels and fried calamari, I have never had either so good. Our entrees were all really great and you get a good sized portion for what you pay for. It can get crowded pretty quickly so definitely make a reservation.
(4)
Team B.
We scored the last walk-in reservation of the evening around 6:30 on a Saturday. The place was packed and loud, and the staff were young and a bit overwhelmed. Still, the food was quite tasty. We enjoyed some bread and olive oil along with a small bowl of parmesan cheese that one of the staff brought over for us. I ordered a Twisted Negroni, though it turned out that I preferred the original. We also ordered an appetizer of fried cauliflower and brussels sprouts (despite the fact that Heather dislikes brussels sprouts). The dish worked pretty well; we were pleased. We got an order of Ravioli Tartufati for our main course. The cream sauce and truffle oil paired very well with the pasta and tomatoes. Despite the noise, we stuck around to try the tiramisu. We are suckers for good tiramisu, and Francesca's rendition was solid. It was creamy with enough of a cocoa dusting to cut through the sweetness of the cheese. Recommended! Given that the Bryn Mawr location is not that far away (closer to our place in Evanston, for sure) and much larger, I'd imagine future Francesca's trips will target that location. The Clark Street room was too loud and crowded considering identical menus at both locations (as far as I could tell, anyway).
(4)
Drew B.
By far one of the best Italian restaurants not only in Lakeview, but in the city. Wonderful food, great atmosphere and hasty service with a smile. It also helped that I had an amazing dinner companion that evening. I'll be back Mrs. Francesca
(5)
Casey Z.
Love, love, love Mia! This restaurant is so cute (perfect for a first date). Very rustic. They have wonderful Italian food. Everything is very fresh and homemade. I remember reading somewhere that when Jennifer Aniston was in town filming "The Breakup," she listed Mia Francesca as one of her favorite restaurants in the city.
(4)
David P.
Always consistent, and always fun. It's crowded, it's loud, and there's a ton of energy. And that's exactly what I expect from a neighborhood popular restaurant--if the food wasn't great, it would be empty and quiet. The food is always fantastic, and it changes constantly. Whether it's a salad, pasta, or a main course you won't leave hungry and you won't be disappointed. My other favorite part is feeling like your part of multiple conversations along the way. Cozy up to the neighboring table and you'll find something interesting to chat about.
(4)
Kyle K.
Ate here last Thursday and the food was excellent! Sooooooo good! Very pleased with the service and the back patio is small but very nice. The only thing is I would reccomment staying away from their coffee Martini, tastes like straight up coffee beans. I didn't have the heart to return it but they added some sweetner so that is was somewhat drinkable. The Cucumber Mint Martini was pretty good though.
(5)
Kris A.
Yum yum yum. This is a great little Italian place with friendly, knowledgeable waiters and incredible food. I ordered the salmon and it was fantastic (and I normally don't even like salmon that much). Additionally, I was forced to try some of this spinach appetizer thing, and it was insanely good. Very much enjoyed my wine as well. One problem: I don't like how tightly packed you are in there - this isn't New York - we have room! But I deal with it because the food is delish!
(4)
Morgan C.
This is a great restaurant, one of our favorites. The service is quite good. They change the menu each week. Why is it missing a star? They have become a little impersonal in service and inconsistent with the food since they went corporate. We have gotten to know the new managers since then. However, we have also gone in at times when most of the items on the menue are gone, and it's not even marathon season! The patch job for it doesn't make up. They also don't have certain items that were developed through permitted chef creativity. The corporate piece has cut back on that. I've tried to recreate that celery and leek salad that the chef created right before the take over. How miserable that it has never returned! The waiters who would call us when a favorite item has returned are gone now as well. They didn't want the corporate homogenization to the service. They liked the input they could give on kitchen matters. It's sad. We go less often, but I would still recommend it to others. It's not as reliably consistent as before, but until we get a new favorite Italian restaurant. It is our stand by. It is no longer THE go to for us though. We used to take every out of town guest here and eat at least once a week. Our daughter grew up in it. She was even "saved" by a bus boy as she pushed back from the table in a fit and started to fall backward to the floor in her chair. A regular bus boy was there in a flash and caught the chair just as it was about to hit the floor. She was in shock. We were relieved, and it was an awesome move! He is no longer there either. What a bummer! It does get crowded. They do pack you in. It can get smelly as well. To manage Go during the week If you must go on a busy night, usually they have the upstairs open, ask for a table there. You have more space, and you won't end up smelling like the kitchen. If none of the above are possible, just plan the night in a way in which you can shower right after lest you smell like the kitchen or everyone else's fried food.
(4)
Bri A.
I came here for my boyfriend's company party. Who can turn down a free dinner at a nice place? :P We had the upstairs area to ourselves and it wasn't too crowded. The appetizers (calamari, bruschetta with goat cheese, pizza, I forget what else) were delicious and the drinks were strong. I ordered a semi-complicated drink which the bartender remembered. He went around asking people if they would like another drink too. Thats what I call excellent service! For dinner, we had rigatoni in marinara with sausage, rigatoni in an creamy sauce with squash and mushrooms, some kind of chicken and potatoes, tilapia with mushrooms and that is it I think. I had one too many drinks at that point but I do remember the food being amazing! We had chianti and pino grigio as well. My glass was never empty since the waiters filled it often. For dessert we had giant profiteroles which is my favorite dessert ever. The fact that they were giant made my night. We were able to take leftovers of the dinner too. You can guess what I had for lunch the next day!
(5)
Brice B.
Staying in a high rise downtown tends to distort your understanding of a city. Sure, the Magnificent Mile is awesome, but if that's all you get, you're not really getting Chicago. I'm glad I grew up in nearby Indiana, and I think my dinner companions were, too. It's hard to impress two people as well traveled as my conference buddies, but I think Mia Francesca did the trick. The menu was so solid that we decided to share. We had a pizza, pasta with mussels, and chicken. Every dish was great, and the bottle of sangiovese we got was a good one. The atmosphere and the service were money, and we got out for around $100. Not bad at all. I would definitely put this in your rotation if you've never been before. It's definitely worth it.
(5)
Kaitlin S.
This place is a great Chicago staple. Entree prices are very reasonable. Nice atmosphere and great wine.
(5)
tina m.
I'm sorry but this place is nothing to jump up and down over. My wonderful husband took me here for Valentines Day (shout out). We were told to go next door and up the stairs to their other dinner/bar seating area. For starters, i'm giving it at least 2 stars because our server was really great. He was super attentive and was great at recommending all kinds of things to try on the menu. But that is where it ends. We had the lobster risotto; meh. Super fishy taste. My hubby loved his pasta. I had some kind of fish, it was unique and I can't remember the name of it, but again; meh. Maybe I should have just gotten the pasta, but our server recommended the fish so I figured I'd try it. Nope, never again. Now the creme brulee at the end? Forget about it...DELISH! But that was about it.
(2)
Jen D.
I went to Mia Francesca on a Friday night with 4 of my girlfriends for 7pm reservations. We were seated promptly at 7pm. As mentioned by other yelpers, the dining room is packed tight and the volume is fairly loud - but not so loud we couldn't carry a conversation with everyone at the table! Decor is simple/classy. Our server was a little slow to take our orders, but was very pleasant to deal with. Service the rest of the night was fine. The food was great. 2 of us had the Spaghetti Carbonara - a dish that is often tough to find. It was pretty good. The pancetta could have been a little better (more flavorful), but the dish was still fine. We also had the calamari appetizer. The breading was too light for my taste, but the sauce was delicious. This is always a reliable choice in Chicago for Italian! On technical merits alone, I'd rate this a 3 - but I'll round up to 4 bcs it's consistent and reliable!
(4)
Jen A.
Obsessed with this place! It is the only place I will eat pasta, and I will eat all of them on the menu! It is extremely authentic and fresh and I crave it constantly. A very affordable and pleasant Italian restaurant with generous servings. All of their desserts are also amazing- especially the creme brulee and flourless chocolate cake.
(5)
Carrie W.
Geez, what happened? Mia Francesca's used to be one of my go-to restaurants for solid Italian food and last night I felt like I had been tricked into going to Olive Garden, though I feel that the food might actually be better there. To start, the herbs in the olive oil served at the table were dried, not fresh, which is really disappointing. I don' t like woody bits in my olive oil. It messes up the tasty bread they serve. Minorish point, that. More importantly, all three pasta dishes we ordered were really sub-par. The pasta was way overcooked in each dish; one of my friend's cavatappi was just falling into mush. On top of that, all dishes were way oversauced, to the point it was like pasta in soup and didn't resemble anything you would find in a "real" Italian restaurant. Sure, the flavors were still good--it's kind of difficult to mess up the awesomeness natively present in basil, garlic, or tomatoes. But darned if they didn't try. On the plus side, the service is super friendly and they do make you feel welcome. Now if only they would step the pasta dishes up. I don't like paying so much for food I can make better at home. That's kind of the point of eating out.
(3)
Francesca L.
It's been my second time to dine in at Mia Francesca, Lakeview. The waitress had a good sense of recommending the menu that wasn't on the menu list. I built my own pasta based on her suggestions, and it was yummy. Service is fairly good, and the atmosphere is quite nice.
(4)
Erica M.
Great service, great food, over excellent experience! Went here for my anniversary after a colleague recommended it and I'm sure glad I took her advice! We had the squash ravioli and a chicken dish and to this day my boyfriend and I still talk about how delicious it was!
(5)
Jeff H.
Mia is one of my long time favorites. I live around the corner, and it's one of the best in lakeview. The rotating pasta dishes and entrees are almost all wonderful and fresh. The atmosphere is extremely lively and loud, with the kitchen in the back corner of the restaurant. I love bringing people from out of town for a true Chicago neighborhood experience. Most of the servers have been with the restaurant for years and remember you when you dine. Felix is our favorite!
(4)
J O.
We have eaten here a couple of times, but won't be going back. The maitre d' was exceptionally rude and the food simply not enough to make up for being treated poorly. I would encourage the owners to think service-service-service. We saw him refuse to sit a much older couple when their party was incomplete. Ok, that's their policy, but when the husband asked for a chair for his wife, that was also refused. This was at 6:30 on a Wednesday, the place was easily half empty. He then sat our party next to the bus station--again, the place is empty. He very grudgingly and with much eye-rolling moved us, but the night was spoiled. Our waiter was fine, but there are too many other places of similar quality and price to go back here.
(2)
Katherine R.
Mia, Mia, Mia....you were the next sister on the list of Francesca's I had to meet. You and your sister forno must be like the Jan and Marcia Brady of restaurants eh? Trying to one up each other all the time... neck in neck to be the best?? Well MIA, your bianco fish was fabulous. Absolutely, hands down, the best fish I have ever eaten. Super flaky, full of flavor and very moist...the white wine sauce and all the vegetables that complemented the fish were fantastic. I cannot say enough about this dish! I normally order gnocchi or something...but I took a chance and I am SO happy I did. It was AWESOME. Also Mia, huge props to you for having a gluten-free menu- that is the reason we dined here that night. My sister absolutely loved the linguine dish she had; she's never had linguine style pasta! My mom and I both tried it and it was awesome...definitely the best gluten free pasta we've ever had. SO SO SO GOOD. It's few and far between you find an Italian place, or ANY place for that matter that serves gluten free. I'm happy and appreciative the Francesca's family is keepin up with the Jones'. Our waiter was super cool on the gluten free thing and was a very enthusiastic waiter...props to that. Our drinks did run empty on more than one occasion...but that could have been because of the very needy table of women behind us. Does every dish HAVE to be altered?? Seriously ladies, COME ON. My Mom had the gnocchi with meat sauce...I'm not a fan of meat sauce, but I did try a gnocchi or two and they were very good. They weren't too mushy or too dry...they were...perfect. Yes. I said it. The place is PICCOLO, molto, molto piccolo, (very small). If you don't have a reservation on a weekend or any night for that matter...you must not care waiting. The bar area is more of a nuisance than anything. People cram up there 2-3 deep while a table of diners is inches behind you. It's loud and crazy but the food is fabulous and definitely worth it.
(5)
Jaime S.
I went with a group of 6 people. We had 7 p.m. reservations on a Friday night. We waited less than 3 minutes for our table. Sat and ordered 3 bottles of wine between all of us (hey - we were on vacation)! We all ordered something different. I had the shells in a cream sauce (menu changes occasionally) and it was very good! The only thing I didn't care for was the pizza. It looked and tasted like a gluten-free pizza. Grainy texture, but overall flavor was not bad. We split our bill 3 ways and they did not seem to care. Reasonably priced food and wine. The thing I loved is that you can come casual or dressed up. The place is loud (like typical Italians) and great for big groups of people!
(4)
Bob H.
Mia Francesca is one of my favorite Italian spots in the city. While the menu always changes some, there are always some staples that always make an appearance. My personal favorite is the Pollo Romana, and the Pollo Limone if its on the menu. This place is usually packed and can sometimes require you to use a louder voice in conversation. However, the service is always on point. I also recommend dessert here as its always a good ending to a fine dinner. The prices aren't too hateful, and the wine list isn't too bad. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for good Italian in the city.
(5)
Amy J.
I've been to Francesca restaurants a lot, but I'd actually never been to this particular location. I knew I was probably in for something good, but everything was even better that I remembered. The bread is warm and served with basil infused olive oil, so good. We had the calamari to start--and let me say, easily the best calamari that I have ever had. It wasn't heavily breaded and it was full of flavor. It was delcious. I noticed that every table around us was ordering it as well so it must be a favorite there. Although the menu changes from day to day, they always have calamari so I really recommend trying it if you go there. It's the best I've ever had. I got scallops and linguini in a light tomato sauce and it was excellent. I was almost full by the time I got my meal but the scallops were prepared perfectly and I ate what I could. The portions here are HUGE though. I brought home what I had left and it's easily another 2 meals. Everything was delicious though and reasonably priced. I really love this place, it's fantastic.
(4)
Lorraine D.
Yummy! We ate dinner at Mia on friday and my husband has been saying "my pasta was delicious" every five minutes since.
(4)
Andrea M.
I've been here and the one in Elmhurst- both are great. I always get the carpaccio as the appetizer. It's a nice starter if you want something light, yet delicious. I would definitely recommend something else if you expect a more substantial filler. I've also ordered a salmon special that was out of this world. Depending on what you order, it can start to get pricey (especially if you order wine like my sister and I do). This location in particular is on the smaller side, but it doesn't take away from anything. I went with a large group of people (about 12) and service was excellent for the limited space the waiter had to move around us.
(4)
Ashley K.
Good food... But I don't like being a sardine. I could barely hear my companion and felt awkward eavesdropping on the people literally a foot to my right or left. In case you were wondering: To my left - a young professional couple, just starting out in their relationship - excited to go to a concert To my right - two single/divorced 30 somethings gossiping about other couples problems. Too bad I was actually interested in conversing with my date... weird... I know.
(2)
D T.
I love this place. It's consistently excellent food and great service. I love how the menu is always changing, and the basic ingredients they cook with. ( You might leave a little garlicky, but I'm married so that's fine with me.) The atmosphere is VERY hustling and bustling. It's always noisy and packed, so I suggest a reservation. I love everything I have had here...pasta, fish and roast chicken. All of the apps are always delicious as well!! It would be 5 stars if they had a drink list and better wine by the glass....
(4)
Layne S.
Food was ok. Place was overstuffed - too many people. Wait staff was excellent. No need to go back with so many other good choices in Chicago.
(3)
Heather R.
Mrs. Francesca can cook, but she can't deliver service... My girl friend and I met up for dinner here this evening and the food could've not been more perfect. I made extra room in my tummy to finish my entree' and that doesn't happen much at Italian restaurants, but I just couldn't stop eating.They absolutely deserve 5 stars based on the deliciousness and freshness of the food. However, due to the service and the cramped seating space, they generously get 2 stars. My girlfriend and I ordered: 2 glasses of wine (each) Some amazing bruschetta app to share A chicken, mozzarella prosciutto tomato pasta entree (each) And what was supposed to be 2 Tiramasu's (one each, but our waitress mistakenly only brought us one, so we shared...which was fine, but the point being is we ordered 2) which would've been great with coffee which she never offered to us like the other tables around us were!!! The wine was perfect---refreshing, light, and smooth. Bruschetta was perfecto There are no words for how over the moon we were about the entree And the Tiramasu was hands down the best I've ever had--perfection! With what we ordered, you would think our waitress would have paid attention to us, but no such luck. She started out OK, but then PROGRESSIVELY declined...granted all the tables were full, but she only had a few tables to watch and there were 7 bus boys (we counted!) that allowed finished dirty plates to sit in front of us for over 15 minutes, water glasses (that were finally fillled at the end of the meal) and wine glasses that remained empty and never topped off, and we basically had to flag our waitress down to get her attention when we wanted more drinks, dessert (which she messed up), and our check. We did get our food fairly quickly, but we ended up waiting more than we did eating the full meal. She appeared to be more interested in 4 tops and tables with kids rather than 2 professional women dining over a 3 course meal...I was unimpressed with the service and it didn't help that we were crammed into a corner with no room to move and when bus boys were clearing plates and tables they were pretty much in your lap since there was no room to move. Normally, I am an incredibly good tipper and it is RARE for me to leave a 10% tip. Unfortunately, our lady Mrs. Francesca got to feel what that is like this evening. I am one of those people who feel you earn your tip. You shouldn't just be given a tip because you work in food service and you deal with crappy people...why? Because I work in customer service and I deal with crappy people all the time. I am expected to earn my raise; therefore, you are expected to earn your tip. You start out with 22-20% and based on the service it remains or decreases. It's surprising how much a great meal and restaurant can quickly go down in points based on a bad service experience. If you want great food and could careless about service this is your place. I haven't decided if I'll be back. If I do, I will ask to not be in her section, or sit outside....rumor is they cater, so I may use them for some of my events. We shall see...
(2)
Michael P.
Not sure what all the fuss is about. It's a good Italian restaurant, don't get me wrong, but I've had better. I also don't love how claustrophobic it feels, or how I watched non-customers walk in the unlocked back door and cut me in line for the bathroom. The food was OK, but the price for the size of the portions left something to be desired. I'll probably try other Italian places in the city before coming back here.
(3)
Matthew S.
LOVE this place. I've been here several times. I go for the roasted chicken with potatoes. I've been bitter in the past when ordering this on a Sunday - and the Senior Citizens have wiped them out at lunch time, when it was the special. I'd suggest making reservations. Great for dates, a little loud, but then you have to sit closer. Vegetarian friendly - vegan gets a little tough. The parking situation can be tough, if you are cheap like me and don't want to valet or take the train. But the place is clean, and has great dim lighting. I've never had a bad seat, but I don't like sitting by the front door or kitchen of ANY restaurant. I'd totally suggest this place. Its not that pricey, and its classy to boot.
(4)
Nancy V.
Enjoyed another fabulous dinner last night. Jumbo tortellini with chicken, mushrooms, prosciutto & ricotta cheese was wonderful. Service was attentive & friendly. Mia Francesca is one of my favs!
(5)
Shweta N.
Love Mia Francesca! I've come here quite a few times and it's definitely my favorite place for Italian food in Chicago. The food is always consistently delicious and seasonal. The staples to definitely try are the ravioli con spinaci, the salmon alla fresca, and the carpaccio.
(4)
Cynthia B.
Food was very good. The reason I gave it 2 stars though is because I didn't invite the cock roach to dinner with me. I know they are "everywhere" but when you actually see one it's a different story.
(2)
Janet X.
First of all, I've tried two other restaurants in the Francesca's chain already -- Forno and Campagna -- but this is the first time I've been on a crowded night. I really enjoyed the homemade dumplings with pesto and chicken, and it was really reasonably priced compared to some of the other Italian places I've gone to in the city. Portions, as usual, were more than generous... the friend that I went with eats like there's no tomorrow and there was still a full lunch's worth of food left over on the plate. Only things that kept this from being a five star experience: 1) Do NOT go for any kind of romantic experience, unless you're on a first date. Tables were very close together and it was very loud; more than a few times the person sitting behind me knocked into my chair. Also, lots and lots of children around. I guess it would help you to think about not making any bad decisions that night? 2) What's up with the musical selection? I'm usually not one to notice, but why were they playing the entire "That's What I Call Music" album from 2009 on loop? 3) My server was REALLY rushed! If you ever order a beer during a busy time, tell them you'll pour it yourself...
(4)
Vanessa V.
Perfect service. Perfect pesto ravioli with mushrooms. Perfect dining experience. My boyfriend and I were in Chicago on a weekend vacation and Mia Francesca epitomized exquisite Italian cuisine. Highly recommended. Wish Miami would open up a similar restaurant.
(5)
Grey W.
This place is pretty good. The food has never disappointed by any means, and the service has always been great. The only downside is that the dining room seems pretty crowded, as the tables are pretty close together and it seems like I am constantly running into people. But the atmosphere is otherwise pretty good. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for good Italian food on the North Side.
(4)
Char Y.
I was quite skeptical of this place due to the fact that it is a chain, but decided to give it a try after watching it on Check Please. Now I know why it is a chain, because the original is GOOD. The handwritten menu looks homey with interesting choices and lots of seafood dishes. We ordered calamari fritt - tender and juicy and just right bruschette alla toscana - i never knew a simple combo of tomato basil cheese and ham could be so good, and not soggy linguine alla sora assonata - pasta with scallops & spinish - yum linguine al funghetto - very mushroomy and good rigatoni dei sardi ravioli con pesto pollo arrosto alla romana - need salt tiramisu - super light & fluffy molten chocolate cake - with bits of chocolate in the middle, wow profiterole - giant puffs with ice cream in the middle peanut butter chocolate cake - salty and sweet white chocolate gelato - tasted like coconut to me! in one world, DELICIOUS! The pastas were cooked al dente, which I loved, and all the sauces were good. I have to say, I thought the other restaurant from last week had more flavorful sauces, but the desserts were EXCELLENT.
(4)
Anna G.
We went here because my mom got a gift certificate. And I'm so happy that she did! The food was AMAZING. Everything tasted so fresh, like they just go out the back and pick the ingredients from their own garden. It was a party in my mouth! And it didn't take long for the food to arrive at our table, either. I would definitely go here again and would definitely recommend it to others. My only complaint was that the atmosphere was a bit lacking. The music was a bit odd for this kind of restaurant. They had some kind of classic rock soundtrack going, with AC/DC and Kiss. And the tables were pretty close together. But I don't care about that as much as I care about the food!
(4)
Jess E.
This is my go-to Italian restaurant in the city. In my many, many visits I have always had great food and even better service. I recommend sitting downstairs if you're a party of less than four and don't mind the tight quarters and loud atmosphere. I kind of love that feel, but when we want a quieter experience, we move upstairs to the much quieter dining/bar area. It is a totally different feel than downstairs and great for parties larger than four or that prefer a more mellow dining experience. I love that the menu is always changing. In all of my visits, I try a different entree each time. The carpaccio is fantastic as is the blue cheese and tomato salad. The creme brulee is also a nice treat to top off the meal. My parents always love going here when in town, as well. Since they are borderline wine snobs (kidding...sort of), my mom emails the manager to request the option of bringing one bottle of wine for our table if we order one from the restaurant, too. He always waives the corkage byob fee for us. I think that attention to customer service is what keeps us coming back again and again. It is rare to find reasonably priced restaurants in the city that go that extra mile to keep their customers really happy (and that put up with requests like that)! I've always had great wait staff service and food to please everyone in our party. Will keep going again and again!
(4)
Andrea B.
I give this place four stars because although the food is great, this place is small and can get so crowded to the point that you have to shout at people in your own group. It's also quite common for everyone--including the wait staff and customers--to consistently bump into your table or chairs. Not exactly what i want to happen when I'm sipping wine or trying to eat dinner. Anyway. I came here with my boyfriend and his co-worker who also brought his wife. Yes, it was crowded because we decided to go on a Saturday night, but hey...we were seated right away (we had made reservations, which I suggest highly), so no big deal. Our waitress came back three separate times to take our drink, appetizer, and then dinner orders. I felt that was a waste of time considering I was starving, but we were warned the kitchen was crazy, so ordering in intervals seemed to make sense, I don't know. We had bruschetta as an appetizer that came with arugula and I think goat cheese, which was amazing. very good and light, and just enough for all four of us. Our entrees were also good, rave reviews all around. The swordfish is recommended, and I had linguini tossed in a basil pesto sauce with scallops and shrimp. Delicious. Everything from the pasta to the fish was cooked wonderfully. They serve big portions here, so if you are a light eater like I am, be prepared to take your food home. It won't go to waste, I promise you. We did not have desert, as we were full and tired of hearing everyone else's conversation except ours. However, we eyed some sorbet at another table, and we were quite intrigued by it, so perhaps I shall save that for another visit. all in all, good food, tiny space. The wait staff is nice and quick, and I don't care what anyone else might say, I loved the food. yes, i did.
(4)
anne p.
oh my goodness. i wish i could give this place more stars. with a gluten allergy, i never get to eat pasta anymore unless i make it myself (and since i conveniently hate cooking, that never happens). i was so excited to get an enormous bowl of delicious pasta with fresh vegetables placed in front of me! the vegetables tasted like they'd literally been picked from some garden they had growing out back, rinsed, cooked and thrown into my food. ohhh so good. the wine was delish, service was excellent, lovely ambiance - just can't complain. everyone must go!
(5)
Kate N.
Loved the food! The service was fantastic. Although I would reccomend making reservations. I went on Friday night and they had to sit us upstairs because didn't have a reservation, but it was still fantastic!
(4)
L V.
I went here since it was highly recommended by my cousin and sister. It definitely lived up to the expectations. The scallop dish I had was delish. My boyfriend had a salmon dish which was also very good. Service was excellent. Because of how much we loved this restaurant, we are so excited. Francesca's on chestnut opened downtown. We plan on definitely trying it soon.
(4)
Jennifer H.
This is another one of my favorite neighborhood places. I often take out of town guests here for dinner. This place has great drinks and good food. I've never had a bad meal here. In the summer I enjoy sitting outside on the back patio. The only draw back to this place is it's small and can get quite loud during peak times. If your looking for a great meal, look no further, you will not be disappointed.
(4)
Heather S.
Man is this place good! One of the top restaurants in Chicago. I just ate here last week w/ my sister and we had the best waiter and food! Definately try the carpaccio, quattro stagione pizza (sp?), and the tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad. We shared these three dishes and didnt' have room for desert! The room downstairs does get noisy and busy. My husband and I often eat at the upstairs bar which is a room you can rent out. In fact, we held our wedding reception here. It is perfect for a small party - 75 max. They treat you like a queen and the pricing is very reasonable and the food of course amazing!
(5)
dave c.
Excellent!!! Always an awesome meal. Have been going here for about 12 or 13 year now and have never had a bad experience. I've also been to several other locations including a few in the burbs and have always had great food and excellent service. If you're looking for great, authentic italian food look no further. The locations on Taylor and Bryn Mawr are equally good as well
(5)
Lauren M.
From their veggies to their seafood, the food is fantastically fresh. Great flavors in each of the different sauces, plus I love the flexibility of getting my favorite pasta in any of their delicious sauces.
(4)
Kelly S.
Despite all the hype about Mia Francesca, I have had much better Italian food in the same neighborhood over the years. The food is good but the atmosphere can be tough. It is very crowded and loud which is fine for group dinners. However, I stopped going after the last time when pretty much every 10 minutes, a waiter would bump into my chair because it was so crowded. The Mia Francesca on Bryn Mawr is less crowded (more space) and seems to offer more options. I recommend going there instead of the Clark St location.
(3)
Rian K.
My favorite Italian restaurant in the city! The pasta is always so fresh and even their simplest dishes taste unlike anything that you can make yourself. Even after eating at a bunch of great restaurants in Italy, I can't complain--it upholds the basic elements that I experienced there--fresh, simple, delicious. The menu is always different, and it's a great place to go on a date or with friends. If you want a little peace and quiet, try to get a spot in the coach house out back, which only has a few tables and is attended to by one great server/bartender, who has given us free shots with dessert every time I've dined back there. He's the best! Make a reservation if you can, because even when you have, you'll have to wait a bit.
(5)
Aubrey K.
Mia Francesca's is a wonderful, dependable, Italian feed. An added bonus is that they now take reservations. Years ago I had to suffer waiting in long lines. On my last visit we sat upstairs which was quieter it seemed. We had a great Caesar salad. I was satisfied with my Linguine Vongole but even more impressed with my Mom's Salmon and Shrimp special. I love how the menu is hand-written and the service is not stuffy.
(4)
Erin T.
My boyfriend and I decided to go to Mia Francesca on a random Friday night. We didn't have reservations, but we agreed to sit at the bar in the back little coach house. The bartender/ waiter was very accommodating; however, there was a lot of confusion about seating. We were wedged between another couple and the end of the bar. The waiter wasn't able to pass through, so he moved us down even close to the couple. Totally not his fault, but I wish the host would have just told us to wait until someone sitting at the bar was finished. The waiter/ bartender recommended an excellent red wine. My boyfriend ordered the ravioli, which was absolutely delicious. I ordered a linguine dish with pancetta and onions. My food was so so. I definitely could have prepared it at home myself, which is kind of disappointing. I would go back to Mia Francesca. But I would know what to order and definitely call for reservations.
(3)
Clare K.
eh. it was ok. i had heard nothing but amazing things about this place, but i have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. maybe the build up killed it? and the bread was...bread. i read some of the other reviews about how great the bread was, but it was just plain bread. my pasta had a decent flavor, but seemed one dimensional. i was tired of eating it about 1/4 of the way through. the pasta sauce also had a weird texture to it...slimy almost? i don't know how to describe it, but i have not encountered it before. definitely not the best italian in town and nothing even to write home about. i would have been very disappointed if i had had to wait to be seated, which i was even counting on, but the place was absolutely deserted. i doubt i will be back and definitely not if i have to wait like everyone else has to, apparently.
(3)
J V.
Like its neigbor across the street, Thai Classic, the food is good, but inconsistent. My experience came from a super salty pasta dish. Good service.
(3)
Stephanie B.
I've been to this place a handful of times, and here's the skinny: Pasta is always on point. Actually have never had a bad entree for the most part. However, it is always packed on weekends and is rock concert, can't-hear-yourself-think loud. I don't know if it's the acoustics in the place, or the fact that they have 999 tables crammed in there, but it's so loud you literally have to shout to the person next to you. It's also super bright in there. So, the ambiance factor is shot. I also always feel like I'm being rushed through my meal, which I don't love. I think upstairs might be a little more chill, but for the most part it's not usually a particularly enjoyable or relaxing experience, which is kind of a shame because the food is actually very good. I'd hit up Angelina or Rosangelis if I wanted to linger over dinner in a nicer atmosphere. However, I will probably continue to go back to this place... I'll just bring a megaphone. PS: if you get the calamari, get it grilled. The fried version always comes out soggy. And if you order pasta, split it w/your buddy across the table - they give you a trough for a serving.
(3)
Kate S.
Mia Francesca is absolutely my favorite Italian place in Chicago. I love the changing menu, and have never been disappointed by a meal. The pasta is perfectly cooked, the sauces are fresh, and the portions allow me enough for lunch the next day. The main room is crowded and noisy, which gives it a nice neighborhood feel, but if you're interested in a more intimate and quiet dining experience, ask to sit upstairs or in the carriage house.
(5)
Nikki L.
Nothing blew me away. I am not dying to come back, and the food was OK. We ordered the fried calamari which had a nice, light and crispy batter. For an entree we shared a pasta with wild mushrooms in a brown butter sauce. It sounded so much better then what we actually got. Not terrible, not outstanding, just good. However, not good enough for me to come back anytime soon.
(3)
D A.
Great food as always, we were rushed out the door, this place is like a well oiled machine, I will give them that, but on a weekday evening, I dont think they need to rush as much as the do. Looking forward to their new Wicker park location!
(3)
A.J. M.
I had come here about a year earlier, but had forgotten what i had in specifics. But I do recall it was good. So i got my chance at round two and boy, it was a fantastic experience. The waitstaff was very friendly and helpful. The wine pours were generous, plus the chianti I ordered was excellent. For the appetizers the calamari (which is hard to screw up) was very good, but the prosciutto was unbelievable. I would be content with just eating that all day. For dinner, my linguine with mussels and spicy marinara sauce was some of the finest pasta i've consumed in a while. Oh my. Can't wait to go back
(5)
Kathleen O.
This is one of my all time favorite places for dinner. GREAT ambiance and the service is always good. They also have a cute outdoor back patio and a separate coach house. Been here tons of times and I would give this 5 stars, excpet last night the food was just OK...The pasta selection was not the usual and we all were just ok with our food. The bruchetta with arugula is one of my favorites and that was delicious, as always. The waiter also did a nice job of recommending a nice bottle of red that we all enjoyed. I will be back again!
(4)
J K.
The only thing Italian about this place is the name. THe Mexican cooks did the best they could with lousy ingredients. The lasagna was watery and tasteless . The salad was yesterday's lettuce. But, if you have no interest in hearing your wife or friend talk then it's perfect, the acoustics are designed to guarantee. O one can hear a thing in this overcrowded spot
(1)
Jackie P.
Very, very yummy! I was so impressed with the food and atmosphere. I was afraid it would be a stuffy uptight place but I was definitely proven wrong. The only reason that this place isn't getting 5 stars is because the waiter was a really slow and kind of rude at first but lightened up after a bit! The food was amazing and the drinks were delicious. I took my mom and sister here and both are use to the Olive Garden type Italian food. Needless to say I don't think the Olive Garden is going to cut it for them anymore! The pasta was delicious, the pizza was yummy and the calimari was too die for! I will be back!
(4)
Jeff H.
Mia is one of my long time favorites. I live around the corner, and it's one of the best in lakeview. The rotating pasta dishes and entrees are almost all wonderful and fresh. The atmosphere is extremely lively and loud, with the kitchen in the back corner of the restaurant. I love bringing people from out of town for a true Chicago neighborhood experience. Most of the servers have been with the restaurant for years and remember you when you dine. Felix is our favorite!
(4)
giggity G.
Nothing but love for this place. It's right outside my door and never disappoints. The secret is to come with a large party so you get the coach house---the most charming magic!! I also love dining outside in the back under the adorable string lighting. I do not enjoy being on top of people inside, so I tend to not come here a lot in the winter. The ever-changing menu is great--but pales in comparison to the main event----warm bread, olive oil and fresh-grated parmesan. This is what keeps me coming back. Tip - if you order take-out - they will include fresh bread, oil and parmesan so you don't have to be sad that you missed it!
(5)
Sarah Z.
I love this place, and I've been many times. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is fun and lively yet relaxed and casual. The outdoor patio is wonderful and makes for a great date place. The service has always been great too. Don't go on the weekends, it's way too busy. This is one of those places you should go on a Tuesday night or early Sunday evening when you want great food and in a nice setting (fancier than a dive; more easy going than fine dining). I will definitely be back!
(4)
Jen D.
I went to Mia Francesca on a Friday night with 4 of my girlfriends for 7pm reservations. We were seated promptly at 7pm. As mentioned by other yelpers, the dining room is packed tight and the volume is fairly loud - but not so loud we couldn't carry a conversation with everyone at the table! Decor is simple/classy. Our server was a little slow to take our orders, but was very pleasant to deal with. Service the rest of the night was fine. The food was great. 2 of us had the Spaghetti Carbonara - a dish that is often tough to find. It was pretty good. The pancetta could have been a little better (more flavorful), but the dish was still fine. We also had the calamari appetizer. The breading was too light for my taste, but the sauce was delicious. This is always a reliable choice in Chicago for Italian! On technical merits alone, I'd rate this a 3 - but I'll round up to 4 bcs it's consistent and reliable!
(4)
Mike P.
An excellent Italian restaurant. Quality can be found in every part of the meal. Went for the first time on a Sunday afternoon, with no one in the place. The chicken saltamboca was excellent and my wife loved her ravioli. The chocolate tort desert was very good. We didn't see Aniston, however. Francesca has about 11 restaurants in the Chicago area. I can also recommend Francesca Fiore in Forest Park. It's a tad more upscale than the Clark Street location, but just as good.
(5)
Danielle C.
Stopped in to meet my brother, SIL, and niece for a quick bite before the game. They were already seated and had ordered by the time I got there. (Not my fault, my bro called me when they were parking- I cannot transport myself 5 miles in the blink of an eye, especially on a cubs game day!) I opted not to order- I wanted to get to the game ASAP. Instead, I got to nibble off their plates. The ravioli was cheesy. It had a nice and mellow vodka type sauce- not too red (I appreciate that). My sister in law ordered a flat bread pizza with fontina cheese and mushrooms. It was great. The combination of flavors and textures really popped in my mouth! (my niece, being 4, did not like it, it was too crunchy for her, but she was holding out for game food). Service was handy but not hovering. They were great with my niece too! They were a bit slow on the refills, but hey, no complaints! My experience yesterday is pretty much parallel to the ones I have had here in the past. Solid food, good service.
(4)
Brian S.
In my price range, Italian cuisine often resembles -- and tastes like -- the sloppy contents of a dented can of Chef Boyardee. Somehow American palates don't discriminate between once-frozen, sodium-packed "marinara" and complex, long-simmering sauces, and dime-a-dozen Italian restaurants know this and cater to the disability. Not Francesca. Imagine: a local chain that offers ever-changing menus filled plate after plate of reasonably priced, varied Italian dishes. To celebrate his new assignment, Daniel and I dined here last night. We were ushered through the deafening main dining room to the quiet, dark, "romantic" (the quotations can be translated as: "pleasant, in the way that romance is described in rom-coms and bodice-rippers") patio. Lovely. I ordered the caprese martini, which came with an all-too-liberal dusting of celery salt (I certainly don't associate the taste of celery with caprese, but perhaps I'm mistaken?) and no discernible basil or tomato notes. The saving grace was the vodka-soaked mozzarella ball -- a trick I will treat guests to in the future. Daniel has the Four Roses Manhattan, which came perfectly balanced with Pun e Mes vermouth (the best vermouth to use in a Manhattan, of course). Our meals were above average -- not the best I've had at Mia Francesca, but good. My chicken with mushrooms, prosciutto, and lake of gravy was tender, moist, but on the bland side of "good." Daniel's tilapia with green beans and sweet potato puree (in the darkness, it took me awhile to figure out what I was tasting here) hit all the right notes. Another great thing about Francesca restaurants? The desserts. We passed (I had fig and honey ice cream, freshly churned, waiting at home), but I did spy the chocolate peanut butter torte that has warmed my heart before. Trust me -- it's a great finale for these Puccini-worthy meals.
(4)
Debbie F.
Francesca's chain of restaurants are definitely something I will miss when I leave America someday. Mia Francesca's branch is better than the one in Little Italy because the ambiance is brighter, quieter and overall more comfortable. My family and I ordered: Appetizers - Fried Calamari and Carpaccio Pasta - Fettucine with Eggplant, bell peppers. Gnocchi. Scrambled eggs with italian sausage. Sounds simple enough? It was the best calamari we ever had. Thinly cut and delicately fried, the marinara sauce that came with it was well done and not spicy at all. My carpaccio, served with capers, mushrooms and other relishes, was fresh and did not stick to the plate. The waiter might've mistaken my mother's order but he realized his mistake before she could and delivered the right dish within 7-10 minutes. The pasta had lots of herbs and was just the right portion for lunch. Even the scrambled eggs was innovative in presentation! Doused with sauce/gravy and sausage pieces on the side. Perfect lunch dining! No leftovers! Valet parking: $8
(5)
Kathy L.
Just came here again last night...I love this place and its changing menu! My boyfriend and I started off with the mussels because that was all he was really wanted. These are on the permanent menu. They sauce was superb, but the mussels themselves were not too good. There were a couple juicy ones that were great, but the rest were small and sort of lacking...I didn't think there was anyway that Mia Francesca would bounce back from this. For dinner we decided to get something off the seasonal menu (handwritten) and I got the spaghetti and clams in an olive oil, garlic sauce and he got the shrimp and scallops in a white wine sauce. Both of these dishes hit it out of the ballpark! The clams were amazingly fresh and the shrimp and scallops that I stole from his plate were divine. At this point in the night...they had regained 4 star status of my good restaurants that were consistently good. They asked us if we wanted dessert, I usually say I want a peak at the menu but never order a dessert unless it pops out at me. And there was one that popped out at me. The cream puff pastry, filled with pistachio gelato and topped with a dark chocolate syrup. SIGN ME UP FOR THAT!! It was heavenly. The service was exceptional. Which is what really pushed it over the edge to give this place a 5-star rating. Just a tip though, order off the seasonal handwritten menu, the combination of flavors and the freshness of the ingredients is what makes this place so great -- I wouldn't order from their permanent menu because the ingredients might not be as fresh but what they can control in those dishes, like the seasoning and sauces they do an excellent job at.
(5)
Carrie W.
Geez, what happened? Mia Francesca's used to be one of my go-to restaurants for solid Italian food and last night I felt like I had been tricked into going to Olive Garden, though I feel that the food might actually be better there. To start, the herbs in the olive oil served at the table were dried, not fresh, which is really disappointing. I don' t like woody bits in my olive oil. It messes up the tasty bread they serve. Minorish point, that. More importantly, all three pasta dishes we ordered were really sub-par. The pasta was way overcooked in each dish; one of my friend's cavatappi was just falling into mush. On top of that, all dishes were way oversauced, to the point it was like pasta in soup and didn't resemble anything you would find in a "real" Italian restaurant. Sure, the flavors were still good--it's kind of difficult to mess up the awesomeness natively present in basil, garlic, or tomatoes. But darned if they didn't try. On the plus side, the service is super friendly and they do make you feel welcome. Now if only they would step the pasta dishes up. I don't like paying so much for food I can make better at home. That's kind of the point of eating out.
(3)
Francesca L.
It's been my second time to dine in at Mia Francesca, Lakeview. The waitress had a good sense of recommending the menu that wasn't on the menu list. I built my own pasta based on her suggestions, and it was yummy. Service is fairly good, and the atmosphere is quite nice.
(4)
Erica M.
Great service, great food, over excellent experience! Went here for my anniversary after a colleague recommended it and I'm sure glad I took her advice! We had the squash ravioli and a chicken dish and to this day my boyfriend and I still talk about how delicious it was!
(5)
Katherine R.
Mia, Mia, Mia....you were the next sister on the list of Francesca's I had to meet. You and your sister forno must be like the Jan and Marcia Brady of restaurants eh? Trying to one up each other all the time... neck in neck to be the best?? Well MIA, your bianco fish was fabulous. Absolutely, hands down, the best fish I have ever eaten. Super flaky, full of flavor and very moist...the white wine sauce and all the vegetables that complemented the fish were fantastic. I cannot say enough about this dish! I normally order gnocchi or something...but I took a chance and I am SO happy I did. It was AWESOME. Also Mia, huge props to you for having a gluten-free menu- that is the reason we dined here that night. My sister absolutely loved the linguine dish she had; she's never had linguine style pasta! My mom and I both tried it and it was awesome...definitely the best gluten free pasta we've ever had. SO SO SO GOOD. It's few and far between you find an Italian place, or ANY place for that matter that serves gluten free. I'm happy and appreciative the Francesca's family is keepin up with the Jones'. Our waiter was super cool on the gluten free thing and was a very enthusiastic waiter...props to that. Our drinks did run empty on more than one occasion...but that could have been because of the very needy table of women behind us. Does every dish HAVE to be altered?? Seriously ladies, COME ON. My Mom had the gnocchi with meat sauce...I'm not a fan of meat sauce, but I did try a gnocchi or two and they were very good. They weren't too mushy or too dry...they were...perfect. Yes. I said it. The place is PICCOLO, molto, molto piccolo, (very small). If you don't have a reservation on a weekend or any night for that matter...you must not care waiting. The bar area is more of a nuisance than anything. People cram up there 2-3 deep while a table of diners is inches behind you. It's loud and crazy but the food is fabulous and definitely worth it.
(5)
Jaime S.
I went with a group of 6 people. We had 7 p.m. reservations on a Friday night. We waited less than 3 minutes for our table. Sat and ordered 3 bottles of wine between all of us (hey - we were on vacation)! We all ordered something different. I had the shells in a cream sauce (menu changes occasionally) and it was very good! The only thing I didn't care for was the pizza. It looked and tasted like a gluten-free pizza. Grainy texture, but overall flavor was not bad. We split our bill 3 ways and they did not seem to care. Reasonably priced food and wine. The thing I loved is that you can come casual or dressed up. The place is loud (like typical Italians) and great for big groups of people!
(4)
Amy J.
I've been to Francesca restaurants a lot, but I'd actually never been to this particular location. I knew I was probably in for something good, but everything was even better that I remembered. The bread is warm and served with basil infused olive oil, so good. We had the calamari to start--and let me say, easily the best calamari that I have ever had. It wasn't heavily breaded and it was full of flavor. It was delcious. I noticed that every table around us was ordering it as well so it must be a favorite there. Although the menu changes from day to day, they always have calamari so I really recommend trying it if you go there. It's the best I've ever had. I got scallops and linguini in a light tomato sauce and it was excellent. I was almost full by the time I got my meal but the scallops were prepared perfectly and I ate what I could. The portions here are HUGE though. I brought home what I had left and it's easily another 2 meals. Everything was delicious though and reasonably priced. I really love this place, it's fantastic.
(4)
Lorraine D.
Yummy! We ate dinner at Mia on friday and my husband has been saying "my pasta was delicious" every five minutes since.
(4)
Andrea M.
I've been here and the one in Elmhurst- both are great. I always get the carpaccio as the appetizer. It's a nice starter if you want something light, yet delicious. I would definitely recommend something else if you expect a more substantial filler. I've also ordered a salmon special that was out of this world. Depending on what you order, it can start to get pricey (especially if you order wine like my sister and I do). This location in particular is on the smaller side, but it doesn't take away from anything. I went with a large group of people (about 12) and service was excellent for the limited space the waiter had to move around us.
(4)
Heather R.
Mrs. Francesca can cook, but she can't deliver service... My girl friend and I met up for dinner here this evening and the food could've not been more perfect. I made extra room in my tummy to finish my entree' and that doesn't happen much at Italian restaurants, but I just couldn't stop eating.They absolutely deserve 5 stars based on the deliciousness and freshness of the food. However, due to the service and the cramped seating space, they generously get 2 stars. My girlfriend and I ordered: 2 glasses of wine (each) Some amazing bruschetta app to share A chicken, mozzarella prosciutto tomato pasta entree (each) And what was supposed to be 2 Tiramasu's (one each, but our waitress mistakenly only brought us one, so we shared...which was fine, but the point being is we ordered 2) which would've been great with coffee which she never offered to us like the other tables around us were!!! The wine was perfect---refreshing, light, and smooth. Bruschetta was perfecto There are no words for how over the moon we were about the entree And the Tiramasu was hands down the best I've ever had--perfection! With what we ordered, you would think our waitress would have paid attention to us, but no such luck. She started out OK, but then PROGRESSIVELY declined...granted all the tables were full, but she only had a few tables to watch and there were 7 bus boys (we counted!) that allowed finished dirty plates to sit in front of us for over 15 minutes, water glasses (that were finally fillled at the end of the meal) and wine glasses that remained empty and never topped off, and we basically had to flag our waitress down to get her attention when we wanted more drinks, dessert (which she messed up), and our check. We did get our food fairly quickly, but we ended up waiting more than we did eating the full meal. She appeared to be more interested in 4 tops and tables with kids rather than 2 professional women dining over a 3 course meal...I was unimpressed with the service and it didn't help that we were crammed into a corner with no room to move and when bus boys were clearing plates and tables they were pretty much in your lap since there was no room to move. Normally, I am an incredibly good tipper and it is RARE for me to leave a 10% tip. Unfortunately, our lady Mrs. Francesca got to feel what that is like this evening. I am one of those people who feel you earn your tip. You shouldn't just be given a tip because you work in food service and you deal with crappy people...why? Because I work in customer service and I deal with crappy people all the time. I am expected to earn my raise; therefore, you are expected to earn your tip. You start out with 22-20% and based on the service it remains or decreases. It's surprising how much a great meal and restaurant can quickly go down in points based on a bad service experience. If you want great food and could careless about service this is your place. I haven't decided if I'll be back. If I do, I will ask to not be in her section, or sit outside....rumor is they cater, so I may use them for some of my events. We shall see...
(2)
Michael P.
Not sure what all the fuss is about. It's a good Italian restaurant, don't get me wrong, but I've had better. I also don't love how claustrophobic it feels, or how I watched non-customers walk in the unlocked back door and cut me in line for the bathroom. The food was OK, but the price for the size of the portions left something to be desired. I'll probably try other Italian places in the city before coming back here.
(3)
Matthew S.
LOVE this place. I've been here several times. I go for the roasted chicken with potatoes. I've been bitter in the past when ordering this on a Sunday - and the Senior Citizens have wiped them out at lunch time, when it was the special. I'd suggest making reservations. Great for dates, a little loud, but then you have to sit closer. Vegetarian friendly - vegan gets a little tough. The parking situation can be tough, if you are cheap like me and don't want to valet or take the train. But the place is clean, and has great dim lighting. I've never had a bad seat, but I don't like sitting by the front door or kitchen of ANY restaurant. I'd totally suggest this place. Its not that pricey, and its classy to boot.
(4)
Nancy V.
Enjoyed another fabulous dinner last night. Jumbo tortellini with chicken, mushrooms, prosciutto & ricotta cheese was wonderful. Service was attentive & friendly. Mia Francesca is one of my favs!
(5)
Shweta N.
Love Mia Francesca! I've come here quite a few times and it's definitely my favorite place for Italian food in Chicago. The food is always consistently delicious and seasonal. The staples to definitely try are the ravioli con spinaci, the salmon alla fresca, and the carpaccio.
(4)
Cynthia B.
Food was very good. The reason I gave it 2 stars though is because I didn't invite the cock roach to dinner with me. I know they are "everywhere" but when you actually see one it's a different story.
(2)
Janet X.
First of all, I've tried two other restaurants in the Francesca's chain already -- Forno and Campagna -- but this is the first time I've been on a crowded night. I really enjoyed the homemade dumplings with pesto and chicken, and it was really reasonably priced compared to some of the other Italian places I've gone to in the city. Portions, as usual, were more than generous... the friend that I went with eats like there's no tomorrow and there was still a full lunch's worth of food left over on the plate. Only things that kept this from being a five star experience: 1) Do NOT go for any kind of romantic experience, unless you're on a first date. Tables were very close together and it was very loud; more than a few times the person sitting behind me knocked into my chair. Also, lots and lots of children around. I guess it would help you to think about not making any bad decisions that night? 2) What's up with the musical selection? I'm usually not one to notice, but why were they playing the entire "That's What I Call Music" album from 2009 on loop? 3) My server was REALLY rushed! If you ever order a beer during a busy time, tell them you'll pour it yourself...
(4)
Vanessa V.
Perfect service. Perfect pesto ravioli with mushrooms. Perfect dining experience. My boyfriend and I were in Chicago on a weekend vacation and Mia Francesca epitomized exquisite Italian cuisine. Highly recommended. Wish Miami would open up a similar restaurant.
(5)
Grey W.
This place is pretty good. The food has never disappointed by any means, and the service has always been great. The only downside is that the dining room seems pretty crowded, as the tables are pretty close together and it seems like I am constantly running into people. But the atmosphere is otherwise pretty good. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for good Italian food on the North Side.
(4)
Char Y.
I was quite skeptical of this place due to the fact that it is a chain, but decided to give it a try after watching it on Check Please. Now I know why it is a chain, because the original is GOOD. The handwritten menu looks homey with interesting choices and lots of seafood dishes. We ordered calamari fritt - tender and juicy and just right bruschette alla toscana - i never knew a simple combo of tomato basil cheese and ham could be so good, and not soggy linguine alla sora assonata - pasta with scallops & spinish - yum linguine al funghetto - very mushroomy and good rigatoni dei sardi ravioli con pesto pollo arrosto alla romana - need salt tiramisu - super light & fluffy molten chocolate cake - with bits of chocolate in the middle, wow profiterole - giant puffs with ice cream in the middle peanut butter chocolate cake - salty and sweet white chocolate gelato - tasted like coconut to me! in one world, DELICIOUS! The pastas were cooked al dente, which I loved, and all the sauces were good. I have to say, I thought the other restaurant from last week had more flavorful sauces, but the desserts were EXCELLENT.
(4)
Anna G.
We went here because my mom got a gift certificate. And I'm so happy that she did! The food was AMAZING. Everything tasted so fresh, like they just go out the back and pick the ingredients from their own garden. It was a party in my mouth! And it didn't take long for the food to arrive at our table, either. I would definitely go here again and would definitely recommend it to others. My only complaint was that the atmosphere was a bit lacking. The music was a bit odd for this kind of restaurant. They had some kind of classic rock soundtrack going, with AC/DC and Kiss. And the tables were pretty close together. But I don't care about that as much as I care about the food!
(4)
Jess E.
This is my go-to Italian restaurant in the city. In my many, many visits I have always had great food and even better service. I recommend sitting downstairs if you're a party of less than four and don't mind the tight quarters and loud atmosphere. I kind of love that feel, but when we want a quieter experience, we move upstairs to the much quieter dining/bar area. It is a totally different feel than downstairs and great for parties larger than four or that prefer a more mellow dining experience. I love that the menu is always changing. In all of my visits, I try a different entree each time. The carpaccio is fantastic as is the blue cheese and tomato salad. The creme brulee is also a nice treat to top off the meal. My parents always love going here when in town, as well. Since they are borderline wine snobs (kidding...sort of), my mom emails the manager to request the option of bringing one bottle of wine for our table if we order one from the restaurant, too. He always waives the corkage byob fee for us. I think that attention to customer service is what keeps us coming back again and again. It is rare to find reasonably priced restaurants in the city that go that extra mile to keep their customers really happy (and that put up with requests like that)! I've always had great wait staff service and food to please everyone in our party. Will keep going again and again!
(4)
Andrea B.
I give this place four stars because although the food is great, this place is small and can get so crowded to the point that you have to shout at people in your own group. It's also quite common for everyone--including the wait staff and customers--to consistently bump into your table or chairs. Not exactly what i want to happen when I'm sipping wine or trying to eat dinner. Anyway. I came here with my boyfriend and his co-worker who also brought his wife. Yes, it was crowded because we decided to go on a Saturday night, but hey...we were seated right away (we had made reservations, which I suggest highly), so no big deal. Our waitress came back three separate times to take our drink, appetizer, and then dinner orders. I felt that was a waste of time considering I was starving, but we were warned the kitchen was crazy, so ordering in intervals seemed to make sense, I don't know. We had bruschetta as an appetizer that came with arugula and I think goat cheese, which was amazing. very good and light, and just enough for all four of us. Our entrees were also good, rave reviews all around. The swordfish is recommended, and I had linguini tossed in a basil pesto sauce with scallops and shrimp. Delicious. Everything from the pasta to the fish was cooked wonderfully. They serve big portions here, so if you are a light eater like I am, be prepared to take your food home. It won't go to waste, I promise you. We did not have desert, as we were full and tired of hearing everyone else's conversation except ours. However, we eyed some sorbet at another table, and we were quite intrigued by it, so perhaps I shall save that for another visit. all in all, good food, tiny space. The wait staff is nice and quick, and I don't care what anyone else might say, I loved the food. yes, i did.
(4)
Jaime W.
This Mia Francesca is one of my favorite restaurants because of the great food and service. Pros: Excellent food (my favorites are the bruschetta with goat cheese and argula and pasta with vegetables in herb broth). Good prices and attentive wait staff. In the summer, try out the back patio. Cons: This location packs you in like sardines. Definitely an authentic urban restaurant experience but for more privacy try the one on Bryn Mawr. Equally good food and service.
(4)
Frances X.
I have loved the food there for at least 10 years now. I couldn't remember how many birthdays and special occasions my friends and I have celebrated there. Food is still good. But my recent visit revealed me to that their calamari appetizer's size has got significantly smaller, while the price is not any cheaper! Given that was my favorite appetizer, I am disappointed.
(3)
Aaron B.
The Food: I've been a number of times and it's consistently been the best Italian in its price range I've ever had! Their menu is hand-written and changes frequently according to the availability of fresh ingredients. The only complaint I can offer is that, on one occasion, the sauce on my friend's chicken alfredo was rather thin. I'll chalk that up to a matter of taste though, and given the great wine selection, the great dishes (try the bruschetta appetizer), and the mouth-watering desserts, I'll let it slide. ;) The Atmosphere: The dining room is tastefully decorated and classy. Definitely a date-worthy place. White tablecloths and candles. The Service: The servers are very helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable.
(5)
Michael S.
Why are waiters called waiters? Think about it. It's no accident. Bugs are called bugs because they bug you. Judges are called judges because they judge. Cookies are called cookies because you cook them. Movies are called movies because they move. Your back is called your back because it's in back of you. Flies are called flies because they fly. Lawyers are called lawyers because they "lawy." Oops; that last one doesn't work. The service here is so first class. The waiters are truly waiters. Earlier this week I was here on the patio and my dining partner and I took some time relaxing and enjoying the quiet patio before we ordered. There was no rush act. Our waiter was patient and superb. Last night I was back on the patio with a different dining partner, whose approach to ordering dinner is the stuff of SNL skits. Only her self-deprecating fun-poking could better describe her sending asparagus back for being "too shiny" with olive oil, and asking approximately 10 questions about the string bean salad before ordering. Our waiter could not have been more accomodating, good natured, knowledgable and patient: a true gentleman "waiter." Oh, and the food: awesome as usual. Too much to say; but for that you can read the other 150 reviews. Waiters are called waiters because they wait.
(5)
Esther L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. We were meeting a friend for dinner and she suggested we go to Mia Francesca. When we arrived, I asked to be seated on the patio (beautiful weather!) and they happily accommodated. The waiter was so nice, not fake nice, genuinely nice. He didn't rush us at all even though all we had was one appetizer, entrees and a bottle of wine. We got the calamari which was a nice start. It wasn't anything mind blowing but it was good. All of us got different pastas as entrees and they were ALL amazing. We all enjoyed it so much. My linguine al Sugo di Gambari was sooo good. The shrimp was juicy, plump and fresh. The scallops were so sweet and perfectly cooked. It was amazing. I attempted to eat everything but alas, I only have one stomach. They're incredibly large portions so all of us ended up with leftovers. After we were done, we sat there and chatted and they let us! Probably because it wasn't as busy and it was a Wednesday night. Since we were on the patio, we started seeing helicopters everywhere. One of the waiter then announced that the Blackhawks had won the Stanley Cup. IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT! Delicious food at great prices, friendly waiters, and a quaint patio. We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Justin B.
A decent, long-standing Italian restaurant in the heart of Lakeview. First off, we were able to get in on a Friday night at 8pm - a rare occurrence (or just sheer luck). This was my second time here, the first being about 10 years back. The main dining room was crowded but we somehow managed to get a patio table, which was extremely quaint and allowed for decent conversation. The menu was a hand-written, single sheet of paper, which I'm certain was run off on the Xerox machine that day (note: if they invested a little in nicer handwriting or even type it out on a computer, it would elevate the professional look). I ordered the frutta de mari, which came fairly quick and packed full of seafood. The sauce was labeled "spicy" but didn't have much of a kick. $16.95 for the entree and $5.00 for a dinner salad wasn't bad. (I've ordered similar dishes elsewhere and paid a lot more). The portions were large and the company was great. Waitstaff were attentive, initially. When we wanted to get the bill, however, it was a chore to track him down. Plenty of service staff around, so glasses were never empty and used tableware was quickly cleared. Overall, I'd visit again. Good for larger groups as well. Reservations encouraged.
(4)
Matt K.
Had a 9:00pm reservation and we weren't seated until 9:45. To be honest, I didn't mind all that much. However, the place was packed to the brim with people (definitely violating fire code) and the staff does absolutely nothing to try to restore order or control the crowd. Everyone packs in like sardines into any open space they can, so that half the diners have a crowd of people practically hovering over their meals. Might be worth eating here when it isn't crowded, but I have no idea when that is, and don't really care to find out.
(2)
Samantha L.
My shell pasta dish with asparagus and a cream sauce was pretty good. I would say 4 stars for my food. However, this place is INSANELY loud and crowded! The loudest Italian restaurant I've ever been to in my life. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're wanting a romantic Italian dinner, or if you have poor hearing. If you have solid hearing, unlike me, go right on ahead!
(3)
Norman R.
Great experience. We had the in-laws in town. That was our second time there. The bottle of chianti was really good. Portions on the dinners and desserts were huge, so plan on left overs!
(5)
Daniel H.
Took the parents here, so it was one of those experiences of just hoping that no Seinfeld-esque moments happen with the waiter. Only a few did, so it wasn't so bad... Anyway on to the review. Food: the food was solid but far from spectacular, a little on the oily side, especially the pizza. However, they have some interesting pizza combinations. Some of the pasta dishes we had worked out and some didn't. In general, the seafood dishes were better than the landfood ones. The bread, though crusty, didn't taste like anything other than white bread. Ambiance: a busy restaurant on the loud side. Upstairs is a bit more quiet and intimate. Not bad all around.
(3)
Dane K.
I think this place thrives off of the name; overall I was a little unimpressed based off of that. I've been to other locations of the Francesca franchise, and this one is at the bottom of the list easy. The menu was a bit more limited than I would have liked. I really like menus that aren't longer than a page, but I found myself struggling to find anything I wanted to order. Also, the waiter's recommendations almost seemed like it was something the kitchen was pushing more than anything. Our waiter at first tried to put on this big thick Italian accent, but he wasn't Italian? Very strange. Service really wasn't that great. Overall food was "OK" but nothing wow about it. Once our food was dropped we didn't hear back from our waiter and he stopped pouring us our wine. For my entree I had a gnocci in a marinara sauce. I kind of wish it were sauteed just a bit more than it was. It was much better cold as leftovers. The service worked like a machine, a bit too mechanical which led to a perception of being rushed. Their patio out back is nice. Food-wise, you can get Italian food like this in many places, though for the neighborhood this is your best bet for Italian (unless you're wanting fusion Italian--Socca would be better IMO). Overall nothing was bad, but nothing was better than "just OK" ... P.S. Dear Mia Management: Your sidewalk awning is too low. I shouldn't have to duck to walk across the public sidewalk. I see people ducking to walk down the Clark Street sidewalk every day, it's really obnoxious. Just because your valet guys are short and don't seem to notice, doesn't mean others don't.
(3)
Christopher L.
OMG soooo good! This is my favorite place in Chicago/Lakeview! Its a MuSt try!
(5)
Ang R.
Solidly unspectacular. My fish dish was tasty, but underseasoned and pedestrian. The salad was completely uninspired--even the vinaigrette wasn't great, and I usually love all vinaigrettes. And I absolutely HATED the spinach ravioli. I don't want to go back.
(2)
Rich K.
I would completely agree with Samantha L., this place is way too loud. Even though we were pre-warned about the sound level, I was unable to carry a conversation with my guests. The food was good; we shared the Ravioli and Cavatelli. The banana bread pudding was very good. Probably won't be back, too many other choices in the city that have a lower decibel level.
(3)
Jonathan H.
Sometimes you just want something a little nicer. That's why I go to Mia Francesca's. You don't have to dress up and be fancy, but MF is always a nice local Italian restaurant to get a great meal. The menu is also very nice and they change up their dishes so if you've eaten there a lot, you can try a lot of different things. Call ahead for reservations because they fill up quickly. I have eaten both in the main dining room and upstairs. Both are very nice. I recommend it to my friends all the time.
(4)
Mike S.
solid itialian cuisine! having recently visited rome and pompei i wasnt sure what to expect at mia. the reviews are very good and i would agree with them. i read a lot of complaints about the space and the tables being on top of one another. i felt there was adequate room and actually this place is quite spacious as compared with restaurants in rome so this was a non issue. we went here with a party of 12 and had extremely good service. the drinks were never empty and the serving of the food was timed right. we went with teh fantasia pizza and half chicken and potatoes. the chicken portion was quite generous and did not get completely eaten. the pizza hit the spot - very very good thin crust pizza. the serving sizes did not seem consistent - the spaghetti was an extremely large portion where as the tortellini was quite small. appetizers were all worthwhile from the calamari to different types of bruschette.
(4)
Christina F.
My bf and I went here for dinner and it was my first time there. He has been there a lot and highly recommended it. The food was really good and the service was great. We ate upstairs and although the seating is quite umm... "cozy" we still had a good time. By the way, "cozy" is a nice way of saying, the stranger next to me was practically sitting on my lap and we had to fight for arm room like at the movie theatre. Alas, I'd highly suggest going at a non-peak dinner time hour to take advantage of some of their delicious specials.
(4)
Susan F.
Yum Yum, how have I never been here before, esp since it's so close! Came here for Sunday brunch around 12:30 and surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded. They have a great fresh italian type menu as well as a small brunch menu. I got the sausage fritatta which was great! They also had an awesome bruschetta app that had lots of feta and arugula. They had great desserts, too--try the creme brulee or the Torta Lava cake--covered in strawberries too! The service was great. 5 stars all around.
(5)
Scott C.
Francesca's is like a good friend - always there when you need it for a good Italian meal. I've been going here for years and have yet to be disappointed with the food or service here. I think you have to take it as a given that you are going to cramped and on top of the nearest table in this cozy place, but I'd say that's part of the charm to it. That is, of course, unless you get seated upstairs where there is much more arm room and it's a quieter atmosphere. Last night a group of us dined here. We had two bottles of wine - both recommended by our server and they were reasonably priced (for restaurant wine...) and complimented our meals well. We had the mussels in a red broth for an appetizer - which was good. I'm so used to always having mussels in a wine or garlic sauce that this was a nice change. We shared a capresi salad and prosciutto which were also done well - the capresi having blue cheese instead of the typical mozzarella. Everyone enjoyed their dinners, one sausage and mushroom pizza, chicken with mushroom and prosciutto, and two of the pasta dishes. All were cooked well and very flavorful. We capped off the night with tiramisu and the warm banana bread with gelato. The tiramisu here is excellent - light and tasty but the warm banana bread dessert was outstanding! As usual another great dinner here!
(4)
KC M.
Went here for round two of boyfriend's birthday recently. Arrived on a Monday at about 6:45 and was so glad that our table had been reserved because this place was packed! Interesting set up with large windows on the left and a fairly rectangular room that darkens as it stretches towards kitchen in back. Beautiful mahogany bar frames the front of room and would be great for people watching or waiting for a table. We were seated along the bench style row to the right and even though we had a fairly large group, we were able to carve out a small corner of the restaurant, which was nice. Restaurant has a rotating menu so specifics change weekly. We enjoyed some calamari and bruchetta (with and without the pancetta) to start, both of which were nice and fresh. For main course I had a light broccoli rigatoni dish with a simple olive oil sauce that was a little heavy on the garlic. And trust me I loves me some garlic. Lets just say that if you are here on a first date, go for the red sauce. Boyfriend had a goat cheese and tomato pasta dish that really didn't wow either of us. But could just have been our choices as we heard good things from the table about the butternut ravioli (seasonal), frutti di mare and chicken diavolo. We did both note that the pasta was perfectly al dente. For the birthday they brought out a simple dessert (chocolate sauce smothering something small) with a candle, which was nice. Service was fine. Overall a great spot for a larger family dinner. The bench style seating and extensive wine list lends to a bustling atmosphere which may exceed a decent decibel for more intimate dining.
(3)
Kolyan D.
We held an event here in their back upstairs room. Everyone raved about the food and our server Armando was great. He really knew his stuff about the food and the area. Our order: Bruschette, calamari, risotto fungi - appetizers Caprese and another kind of salads Ravioli Spinaci and Gnocci Ricotta - pastas Pollo Romano, Filetto Funghi - entrees Profiteroles w/vanilla gelato - dessert I recommend this place if you are looking for a place that can host a large group.
(5)
Catherine T.
I first came here years ago! Since I was back visiting (I used to live in the Chicago area), I was very excited when my friend suggested meeting up here for dinner. I ordered the spinach/cheese ravioli with marinara and it had a distinct "seafoody" taste to it, which is pretty odd to say the least. If I go back, I would order something totally different!
(2)
I M.
The customer service was okish... they were super busy. The food was decent. Would go back.
(4)
Lauren B.
I used to go here all of the time many years ago and for some reason I thought they've gone down-hill, but the food sure hasn't! I came here recently on a very crowded night. The restaurant was so loud that I could barely have a conversation with the person who was sitting across my tiny table. The tables were sooooo crammed together I don't even know how the waiters could bring food to the tables. At the end of the night I TRIED to use the restroom located in the back. The tables were so close together that I couldn't get through and just left instead. Clearly not a comfortable atmosphere. But! My pasta was very good, would give it 4 stars. I had a great penne pasta with a spicy tomato sauce, the bread was very good too.
(3)
Jenny T.
YUUUUUM! Now that's what I'm talking 'bout! A group of four lovely ladies showed up for our 8 pm reservation & were told it would be a few moments, but to have a seat at the bar. We look over and 4 seats had just opened up - score! We all ordered a glass of wine & ooo'd & ahhh'd over all the food that was on other tables. I was starting to get a bit cranky due to the wait, but just as that happened I heard "Jennifer? Your table is ready." YYYYEEESS! We walked outside & then upstairs to a perfect 4 person table. We already had our beverages, so we were ready to order in a flash! One order of mussels please! One order of caprese salad too! Mmmm, they came out together & were finished within minutes. The tomatoes & mozzarella were absolutely divine. Just the right amount of fresh, thick tomato slices with the perfect amount of mozzarella & basil. YUM! The mussels were good too, but I was too wrapped up in my salad to have more than a few. We then ordered our entrees. One order of spaghetti with a tomato cream sauce & scallops please! One order of rigatoni with sausage, tomatoes, and garlic please! Yes, we'd like to split those. The entrees came out in record time, which I was totally ok with. The split the dishes accordingly & we all began to chow down. The spaghetti with scallops was absolutely divine. The tomato cream sauce was perfectly creamy, salty, and delicious. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente, while the scallops were cooked just the way I like them - firm, but also easy to cut with a fork. I mean this is a dish I will crave for the years to come (luckily I live in Chicago!). The rigatoni was just ok - I feel as if I've had it before, you know? We then ordered two desserts. One order of puff pastry with pistachio ice cream in the middle please! One creme brulee too! Both were delicious & devoured in seconds. While I ended up getting chocolate ALL over me, it was totally worth it. All in all Mia Francesca was delicious & definitely worth going to again & again & again! To top it off our bill was only $115.00 for the 4 of us. What's that you say? Yes, too good to be true!
(5)
Molly R.
After five or six visits, Mia Francesca has become a neighborhood favorite. Whether dining with family, a group of girls, or date night, it's a great place to go. I typically order a pasta dish and have never been disappointed - they have a constantly changing menu and I always ask the waiter what he likes best right now. Huge portion sizes, average prices ($13-$17 entrees), and good wine keep me coming back. The place is very crowded, so if that bothers you, I'd pick another place. And if you're there in the summer, try getting a spot on their tiny little back patio.
(4)
Erica K.
I had really delicious pork chops here for a friend's b-day. That was about a year ago now, and I have heard a lot of people talking about Mia Francesca. Many of their comments are negative: too loud, crowded, bad atmosphere, expensive. Now, it has been a while for me, but I don't remember having any of these issues. We made a reservation for a Friday night, were seated right away, all enjoyed our food, and I didn't notice excessive noise at all. And they brought a special individual portion of our dessert with a candle in it for the b-day girl. So in short, I can't support the negative things I've been hearing, but you might want a reservation on a busy night.
brought my family here because my mom has a gluten allergy and they do gluten free pasta. it was really loud and crowded but the food was good and the staff was very attentive and accomodating to my mother's allergies. i didn't particularly care for my dish (i had the ravioli), but i tried everyone elses and they were very good. i enjoyed our experience but would probably go elsewhere before i'd come back here due to the environment.
Good food... But I don't like being a sardine. I could barely hear my companion and felt awkward eavesdropping on the people literally a foot to my right or left. In case you were wondering: To my left - a young professional couple, just starting out in their relationship - excited to go to a concert To my right - two single/divorced 30 somethings gossiping about other couples problems. Too bad I was actually interested in conversing with my date... weird... I know.
(2)
Patty S.
This is a solid 4.5 star restaurant - that says a lot as I'm not one to give such high marks for a restaurant. I've always heard good things about thus restaurant and have even tried a couple of the sister restaurants, but I don't think all are created equal. With that said, I'm really happy that we made the decision to go there. It wad a Monday night and I was expecting a 1/2 empty restaurant, but I was surprisingly wrong! The atmosphere is very inviting and the kitchen is open to the dining room which can make it quite loud. We ordered the beef carpaccio with shaved peccorino cheese and capers, and arugula for appetizer. It was very tasty and a great way to start a meal! For dinner I got the pan seared walleye and it also had jumbo shrimp on top as if the walleye wasn't enough by itself! The presentation was very appetizing as well with colors of green, red, and white. (Hum.. I guess they were trying to mimic the colors of the Italian flag!) My dinner date ordered the liguine with scallops in a light tomato cream sauce and it was SOOO GOOD!!! It came in a bowl with lots of noodles and as I was taking a bit (or several), I was thinking that it was a good thing I didn't order that because I would have ate the whole thing by myself!!! The best part of the meal was the desert! Of course we asked for a recommendation as the other suggestions turned out great. Our waiter suggested the chocolate peanut torte (not sure of the exact name). OMG, even though I was stuffed, I couldn't stop eating!!! It tasted like a Reese's peanut butter cup on top of a crust that was made out of a Crunch bar! I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I usually don't take deserts home, but I couldn't see it go to waste and asked for the small piece that was left to be boxed up. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Italian food. Although I would suggest reservations or go when it's not their peak hours because I'm sure this place gets packed on Fri & Sat nights!
(4)
Job E.
The price, food and atmosphere is all excellent. The menu has plenty of variety with lots of creative dishes. The toughest part of a visit here is picking out what to eat. Every dish I've gotten there has been well balanced and full of flavor. One of these days I'll dare to try the pizza with a raw egg.
(5)
Flo J.
You are delicious and your staff amazing! I went here with my sister and mom a year ago and they offered us a round of champange and a dessert on the house just because we had to wait a little while for a table. Now THAT is service! The food was awesome too,
(4)
Alisonbzz z.
A warm, friendly place perfect for a private function, a date or even take out. A real find. This place is busy, even on a Monday night, and I see why. It has wonderful family vibe (without the family bickering). The food is really good, and although I find the portions - especially the desserts - WAAAY too big, I know lots of folks like that. I'd recommend trying their margarita made with honey. An unexpected ingredient that creates a great flavor. The service is also on point; from the bartender to the bus boys, everyone worked to make our event in their private room a success. They have a few wonderful private dining rooms for special events. The Coach House has real character but with some creative table arranging and candles, the larger space can be transformed into something special too. This second space is large and has its own private entrance so that's pretty cool. Dining room can get loud, especially when it's full (as it was when I was there). They can do family style meals upon request and their wine list is Italian. Look forward to going back.
(4)
amy h.
Hadn't been in over a year. Same great food, service, and time had by all. I had the biggest bowl of linguine and seafood you've ever seen. Had a delicious glass of red wine recommended by the server. There isn't another Italian place in town that can rival Mia's.
(5)
June P.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago and every friend that I have recommended it to has agreed. My first time was 3 years ago when a couple college friends who came visited Chicago made reservations to meet up with my wife and me because they had heard Vince V. and Jennifer A. had recently dined there. I've gone 2 times since and each time is equally impressive. I recommend the spicy spaghetti dish with seafood. I've tried their other dishes and they're great too. They have a decent selection of wine and local beers and above average dessert. The decor is respectable and service has always been superb, even with a party of 12. Reservations are a highly recommended. Mia Francesca is a fun and consistent place whether on a date or a group of friends with great Italian cuisine. ***** FIVE STARS
(5)
Garrett A.
You really can't get better than this! One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Their bread is delicious, and the pasta is always good, especially if their homemade gnocci is on the menu. The only detraction from this place may be the fact that their tables seem to be too close together and give the feeling that you're packed in like sardines -- also makes the servers flub up more easily with water and drinks.
(4)
L. A.
Mia Francesca is a favorite of my Fiance's and now it's a favorite of mine. Wow had I been "slumming it" at Italian restaurants until coming here. The food, the atmosphere,... the food!!! There was an alfredo type cream sauce on my dish that was soo good, I wanted to lick the bowl. Anyway, From appetizers... to salad ... to entree... to wine... to dessert... Mia Francesca is top-notch in my opinion!
(5)
Dean K.
In the past 12 or so years, I have probably been here more than any other single restaurant in Lakeview and I have never, ever been disappointed. Bread and herbed oil to start - so good. Then, whatever. The lentils with cheese, calamari, CARPACCIO, pizza. I love it all. My favorite dish is called Salmon a la Francesca. They sometimes don't have it on the menu but if you ask, they'll usually make it. They don't even get annoyed when you ask. When there is room, I go for pistachio or white chocolate gelato. My only caveat is this. When they opened up the 2nd floor dining room years ago, the place started to attract a lot of drunken post-game Cubs fans. So, if you go there on a game day and they seat you upstairs, buckle up for some loud people in Sosa jerseys asking the waitress for "the closhesst you have to a Budwiiisser."
(5)
Eric G.
I had a nice meal here on Wednesday night. There were no appetizers that caught my eye, however there were many entrees that looked good. I went with the quattro formaggi ravioli in a vodka creme sauce. It was delicious! The menu was handwritten and changes frequently. By 730PM, this place was packed and LOUD. I want to sit outside when I return in the future.
(4)
Dustin C.
Great food, reasonable pricing, and nice atmosphere. Not much more you can ask for.
(5)
Erin T.
My boyfriend and I decided to go to Mia Francesca on a random Friday night. We didn't have reservations, but we agreed to sit at the bar in the back little coach house. The bartender/ waiter was very accommodating; however, there was a lot of confusion about seating. We were wedged between another couple and the end of the bar. The waiter wasn't able to pass through, so he moved us down even close to the couple. Totally not his fault, but I wish the host would have just told us to wait until someone sitting at the bar was finished. The waiter/ bartender recommended an excellent red wine. My boyfriend ordered the ravioli, which was absolutely delicious. I ordered a linguine dish with pancetta and onions. My food was so so. I definitely could have prepared it at home myself, which is kind of disappointing. I would go back to Mia Francesca. But I would know what to order and definitely call for reservations.
(3)
Clare K.
eh. it was ok. i had heard nothing but amazing things about this place, but i have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. maybe the build up killed it? and the bread was...bread. i read some of the other reviews about how great the bread was, but it was just plain bread. my pasta had a decent flavor, but seemed one dimensional. i was tired of eating it about 1/4 of the way through. the pasta sauce also had a weird texture to it...slimy almost? i don't know how to describe it, but i have not encountered it before. definitely not the best italian in town and nothing even to write home about. i would have been very disappointed if i had had to wait to be seated, which i was even counting on, but the place was absolutely deserted. i doubt i will be back and definitely not if i have to wait like everyone else has to, apparently.
(3)
J V.
Like its neigbor across the street, Thai Classic, the food is good, but inconsistent. My experience came from a super salty pasta dish. Good service.
(3)
Vickie L.
LOVE this place. Mia Francesca can do no wrong. What a beeotch, I probably gained 2 lbs after my meal here. No matter which location I've been to, food and service (typically) is stellar. We made 7pm reservations on a Friday night, and we were going to be late because we couldn't catch the purple or brown lines to save our life! So I called at 6:50pm hoping they'd be able to push us back to 7:30, and they did! The guy at the host stand was so super nice about it, I was completely surprised since it's Francesca's and they are always packed (but I guess it was still early for a Friday). So we get there at 7:30pm and they seat us right away and bring us water and menus. And yummy fresh warm bread - love the oil and herbs! They actually forgot to bring us the calamari we ordered, but they didn't charge us for it so I guess they forgot about it entirely. Oh well. Our entrees came out really quickly. One girl got the risotto dinner portion. It had too many veggies for my taste, but she loved it and said it was awesome. I don't know the name, but another friend and I both ordered the shell pasta with prosciutto, peas and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce. I've had this before, and it was exactly the same as I remembered. The sauce is to die for, it was a wonderful mix of flavors, the perfect proportion of pasta to meat/veggies. Our other friend got the white fish and she said it was also very good, it looked huge, it covered the whole plate. All of us ate every single last bite. Too bad we ate all our bread, because I wanted to sop up every last bit of sauce. We got 2 desserts to share between the 4 of us. We got the puff pastry with apple and caramel ice cream on top. This dessert was really good, but it was really hard to split because the puff pastry was difficult to cut. So I didn't get to enjoy this dessert as much because it was on the other side of the table - boo. We also got this cappuccino mousse that was shaped in a ball, and covered in this chocolate magic shell with whipped cream and hazelnuts. It was really good, but a little too rich. It would have been awesome with coffee though, which we didn't get. Our bill came out to be about $22/person after tax, but not including tip. This was a steal for as much as we enjoyed the food. Service - our waiter was really nice, pretty attentive, but we did have to flag him down a few times, but not because we were waiting all that long, but because we were impatient and had to catch a show. Water glasses were filled regularly. They brought our food and desserts out a lot quicker than I thought they would since it was so busy. One con that I can mention is that this place is frickin' LOUD. We were sitting right by the door, at a small table for 4, and we had to yell at the person across the table from us. I could barely hear what my friend sitting right next to me was saying! I can only imagine how loud it is in the back of the restaurant where there were more people. So I would say this is definitely a place for a small to medium sized group. It's also a good first date night with someone you're on the fence with, because it's so loud, if the date isn't going so well you can just blame it on the noise that you can't converse :)
(5)
Maggie G.
Wow, I definitely can now see what all the hype is about! Fun, romantic, and cute atmosphere - very attentive waiting staff and amazing food! Cooked perfectly al dente! Menu changes weekly so there is always something new to try, love it!
(5)
Jeffrey S.
My meal could have been a bit better seasoned. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)
Adam K.
Mia Francesca was a great little Italian place. It was recommended to me by THIS site and my friend who lives nearby. Upon arrival my date and I were seated immediately...and by immediately, I mean we never stopped moving until we got to our seat. Our server was very attentive but not annoyingly so. I ordered the Halibut dish and I believe my date had the Salmon dish which she claimed to like very much. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. It wasn't too quiet and it wasn't too loud. Some might even say it was perfect! I noticed that some people complained about the service of this restaurant...I do not understand why. I would say the service we received was impeccable! The only reason I do not give Mia 5 stars is because I usually have to visit a restaurant more than once to give it that distinction OR my whole experience must knock my friggin socks off! Mia was great but not "this is the best meal I've ever had" great. I definitely recommend Mia Francesca to anyone seeking Italian food for dinner in the Lakeview area.
(4)
Michael H.
It's wildly popular and has lots of reviews. But it's cute and the food is actually really good.
(4)
Liz P.
I absolutely love this place. One of my favorite Italian restaurant so far. The wine was poured generously, the bread was super hot, the olive oil infused with basil. Shell pasta+ Parmesan cream sauce+ prosciutto +truffle oil=pure food bliss. Our server was awesome, very friendly and helpful, and the decor/ambiance were great. This would be an awesome spot for a first date because it's freaking AMAZING and really well priced.
(5)
Hallie B.
I have heard great things about this place and was going to a friend's house not far from there, so I figured this would be perfect. It was pretty much what I expected... It was pretty small, but we got there with three around 6:15 on a Tuesday (Cubs game day) and were seated right away. I was surprised at how small the menu was... I had no problem finding something delicious, but I just expected more to choose from! It was quick and inexpensive and delicious... can't beat that. I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Rebekka L.
Mia Francesca's has mouth-watering itialian food, from thier lobster bisque to thier over-roasted chicken and everything in between! Although the seating was a little tight, it makes for a delicate intimate atmosphere. The service in Lakeview was not as delightful as I would have liked but the food made up for it. :) Definately recommend this place!
(4)
Rick M.
Always good!
(4)
John G.
A great place you can go to again and again!
(5)
Michael S.
The food here was excellent, and the service was above average. I had a rigatoni dish with Italian sausage and goat cheese in a tomato cream sauce. Delish! And while it's perhaps a standard-bordering-on-cliche at any self-respecting Italian joint, the warm bread served before dinner with olive oil and freshly-grated parmesan was nonetheless fantastic, as well. I couldn't believe how packed it was on a weeknight, and the flow of paying customers didn't ebb until late in the evening. In quasi-celebrity spotting news, Cubs announcer (and 2001 World Series champion manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, for you baseball fans) Bob Brenly was dining there when I arrived, after the ballgame that afternoon. And yes, he brought his full-on porn 'stache and slicked-back mini-mullet with him! My only gripe about the place is how loud it was, and how closely packed together the tables were. But I suppose those are problems you run into at any Chicago neighborhood restaurant that's tucked into a long-and-narrow brick flat. All in all, a pleasant dining experience. I'd go back, but I'd definitely make a reservation first to avoid having to wait, even on a weeknight.
(4)
Eric S.
I love Mia! It's frequently modified menu (about every two weeks), and it's excellently prepared pastas and entrees. An excellent waitstaff and all of this for a reasonable price.... I don't know what else to tell you except, go soon, and return often!
(5)
Marco H.
hands down the best italian in Chicago. Excellent selection of wines. Prosciutto app is great. Calamari app just OK. order anything with the bolonese sauce. Lava torta for dessert a must.
(4)
Timothy W.
I had Friday night reservations for 3 at 9:00 pm which I made 2 weeks in advance - I heard this place was great and one of my friends visiting for the weekend said she wanted good Italian... We had to wait for 30 minutes in a cramped doorway. When we were seating, we had a table in the back corner closest to the curtain that hides the restrooms. The food was not anything great, but perhaps I ordered the wrong dish. I will try to come back once more beause I know it's highly recommended. Funghi Con Polenta Rigatoni Asparagi Con Ricotta Linguine Con Broccoli $50
(2)
Careth T.
Very close dining space, but the perfect fit for somewhere to take the in-laws for dinner when they were in town. Lovely italian fare, with generous portions and great specials. I love the idea of the menu changing every few months. Our waiter was nice, but I saw more of the backwaiter staff than I did of our actual staff. I hope that they get a good portion of the tip. The food was scrumptious and the whole experience would bring me back again.
(4)
Andrea C.
mia francesca is pretty darn good. i really enjoyed francescas forno for brunch over in wicker park, so was excited to try another restaurant in their group. ended up here last night w/my aunt and roommate and we had a great time! had no trouble walking right in at about 6:30 (though it does look to get quite crowded around 8 or 9) and picked a wine right away, a red on special...and very tasty...we wound up having 2 bottles! the staff is very helpful with wine choices, since most are from italy, so likely somewhat unfamiliar. when it came down to ordering...i got a caprese salad and the 4 cheese pizza (very unique cheeses, btw...which was nice. bleu cheese, goat cheese, mozzerella and one other i cannot remember), my roommate got a caprese sandwich and the mussells and my aunt got the house salad and the roasted half chicken...and all of us walked away stuffed and satisfied. all of the ingredients were extremely fresh (esp the mozzerella & tomatos in the caprese salads) and everything else was just great! i hope to visit again when the craving for italian food strikes!
(4)
danielle r.
Yes! Yes! been going there for the last 6 years! ahhh Mia Mia ,every time i come in, you always make me feel welcome,your food is amazing, staff is so friendly everyone just works together so well! love it here! even tho you get so crowded,still love ,love you anyways Mia Francesca,please continue to stay so awesome:))))
(5)
Paul B.
We love it som much the first time we ended up having our rehearsal dinner there. The food is always great yet we realized that the best experience is had upstairs our out back. The main floor is very noisy and if you get seated near the back you are bound to get continuously bumped by the wait staff. If you can get the squash ravioli, chances are you'll be very satisfied.
(4)
Eugenio P.
This place is excellent. The food is beyond delicious, probably the best Italian food I've had in my life.
(5)
Meagan S.
Slightly better then ok (so maybe 3.5 stars). Everyone raves about this restaurant, so I must have expected something way above the norm. I visited this restaurant on a Saturday night for a girls night out. The restaurant was of course packed and there is very little room between the tables, but the service was great and the food was served quickly. Our waiter even recommended a different glass of wine when I chose one that he thought was sub par. I had mushroom ravioli for dinner, which was good, but not excellent. I have heard that the restaurant change their menu often, so I will have to give this restaurant a second chance in the future.
(3)
Kevin A.
CONFESSION: I ATE CARBS Yes, I admit it. I ate carbs for Mia Francesca, and damn it was worth it. When my giant bowl of spaghetti abruzzese arrived, teaming with sausage and pancetta, it was 'so long' Atkins. I must admit that I was a bit concerned when I found out that the Mia Francesca empire includes 15 locations in Chicago-land. Would this be some sort of Olive Garden/Bucca di Beppo high-on-quantity-low-on-taste experience? Not at all. Mia won me over from start to finish with fresh, piping hot bread, attentive service, a great wine recommendation, a menu that changes weekly, and most importantly excellent food. I'm hitting the treadmill now to earn my next visit!
(5)
Leslie P.
I gave Mia Francesca a second chance last night, and I'm glad I did. I've been there before and left feeling like, "Meh...I've had better." That was due in part to the place being really overcrowded and the waitstaff seeming overwhelmed. I don't know if we came at a better time last night, but the place seemed busy without feeling claustrophobic. (I really think they might have taken out a table which was a great idea.) Everyone was having a great time including the wait staff, and our food seemed better, too. Also, I've recently realized that I have a gluten intolerance. (It's so trendy now!) Who knew that an Italian restaurant would cater to a gluten sensitivity? Not only did our waiter point out items on the regular menu that were gluten-free, he also brought over Mia Francesca's special gluten-free menu. He was super nice about it. I'm not sure I would be as understanding about people's weird food issues, but he was genuinely happy to help. What a great surprise. Mia Francesca is certainly not the most amazing restaurant in town in terms of innovation or fanciness, but they serve good food and provide excellent service. Oh, and the booze is might good, too!
(4)
jeff c.
Probably some of the best grilled calamari and carpaccio I've ever had. House chianti was fantastic and the olive oil and parmesan were served in abundance. Only negative is tables are placed very close to one another and the place is always packed so don't plan on any private conversations.
(4)
Stephanie F.
We went last night [Friday], and it was a pleasant experience--as always. Service is always top-notch, and the food was excellent. Though I will agree with others, it can be (and was) quite loud. But I'll take a little noise if it means enjoying their food. I'll definitely be back again...and again...and again.
(5)
Megan H.
Yay! Even though it took me 8 years to make it to this place, I"m so glad that I finally did. I came here with a large group and they were so accomodating. They were about 30 minutes late seating us which wasn't a problem since a few of our party were about 30 minutes late. They ushered back through the restaurant through the courtyard and into a small backroom that only had one unsuspecting couple finishing up their meal. Lucky for them they were leaving soon as we were quite the boisterous crowd. To make up for seating us late, they sent out some comped appetizers that were delicious. My friend and I split the pasta with mussels and the mushroom and cheese stuffed pasta with mushroom sauce. I think we agreed that the sauce on the mushroom dish was amazing but the pasta itself wasn't. Not that it was bad but it was just eh. However, the mussels and the spicy marinara sauce was so good. I ended up taking home the leftovers of both along with my friend's dish and ate for a few more days. The only thing that concerned me was the oil that set up in my leftovers that you know is there but you don't want to see. Then you have the dilemna of whether you should pour it out or mix it back in when you reheat it. The service was fantastic throughout the entire meal. All in all, it was a great experience and I will definitely be back.
(4)
Fabian D.
great time. great service. great drinks. a little loud. but overall great.
(4)
David N.
Yum!! Italian food! Delicious pasta and wonderful bread with olive oil. I came here on a date this past weekend, I have never been to this place before. We walked in and had no reservations, so that was a mistake. Very crowded and there was an hour wait. So what I thought was just one main dining area, we actually walked to the back, out to an outdoor seating area, then into another section of the restaurant that had a bar and smaller dining area. We ordered our dinner at the bar, and ate there. We ordered a bottle of red wine, which was delicious. I ordered this delicious pasta dish that had a tomato base sauce.....incredible! The spices and flavors in this sauce were so good. Since we were at the bar, the bartender waited on us and was very friendly and attentive. This place is worth checking out! But make sure you make a reservation! It gets crowded.
(4)
Kista W.
Amazing pasta. Just go. It gets crowded. Make reservations and talk loud!
(5)
Jen L.
Solid little Italian place in Lakeview. Went here with the boy and the father (who's Sicilian) while he was in town. We all got various pasta dishes and they were all very good. The house wine was a little expensive for my tastes, but you can't go wrong here overall. We went on a Friday evening without a reservation and it was packed. I recommend a reservation for you all.
(4)
B O.
They really didn't pull out any stops for restaurant week. The menu was just ok and the food was passable. Service was decent but I have had much better Italian all around. Will likely not return.
(2)
Eliza E.
food was okay - very loud and tables were close.
(2)
Sao-Mai N.
My friend and I were looking for a nice place for dinner while she was in town and we found Mia Francesca on Yelp. I can't say anymore than what the other reviews have stated. It's just a great restaurant to bring friends, family, or a date. The food was flavorful and the staff was attentive. I don't know much about wine, but their selection is decent. The space is a little small but that's Chicago for you. We split the Bruschetta. The mozzarella was amazing, but the tomatoes were a little bland. I ordered the tilapia, which was delicious. I'm actually not a fan of tilapia (don't ask me why I ordered it), but it was cooked to perfection and absolutely swimming with flavor (no pun intended). I was boring and got the creme brulee for dessert, but the Banana bread pudding my friend had was very good and not too strong on the banana. Overall, I recommend giving this place a chance and do make reservations!
(4)
Matthew G.
The food at Mia Francesca is always fresh and seasonally appropriate. I really enjoy that they have an adventurous and exciting menu that is truly a departure from most Italian restaurants. I have never had a bad meal (they also make a mean Manhattan). The only thing that kept Mia Francesca from 'five stars' is the inconsistency in service. I would love a little more attentive service, especially in a restaurant of this size. However, I will keep going back to Mia Francesca again and again.
(4)
Ryan B.
I've always had a nice time at the numerous Francesca's locations, but we had a really great experience at the original location on Clark and just had to share. Our server was friendly and knew not only the menu but the history of the restaurant well, so we had a great time chatting with her. The food was great as usual, and I love that their menu changes often, so you can try something new each time should you want to. Also appreciate that they're open to customization of their dishes upon request. Their appetizers are some of my favorite - we had their fabulous sauteed calamari and brushcetta, then decided on a number of great pasta and seafood dishes and shared around. Great for a romantic dinner or a big group - looking forward to dining in their outdoor space this summer!
(5)
Vivian Y.
While I didn't have actual dinner here, I have nothing but amazing things to say about this restaurant. My girlfriend and I ended up here after being fed up with the crowds over at the Belmont Sheffield Music Festival across the street and nestled ourselves in the cozy patio in the back of the restaurant. I was a little agast at how busy the restaurant was inside and was worried I'd be in more the same in the patio but was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and cute the back area was. Our waiter (sorry forgot your name) was so helpful in helping us decide on a bottle. He suggested one of the specials at $44 which was also available by the glass. We asked if we could take a small taste of it before we ordered that bottle. Luckily we did because we didn't like it at all! He said it could be that the bottle had been opened for a while so he went and got us another fresh bottle of the same just to try. While the new bottle was better, it was still not what we were looking for. Still our waiter was happy to send us what we wanted and we ordered appetizers to go along with our wine. We had the carpaccio *YUM* and the spicy mussels. both were so delicious and simple. Exactly what I was looking for and more. I will definitely be back for dinner but may avoid the main part of the restaurant as I prefer the cozy back patio instead.
(5)
Shannon H.
I adore this Italian joint! It's the perfect place to sit back with good company, enjoy a bottle of wine, and - of course - a delicious Italian meal. It's a fun go-to, although reservations are definitely recommended! It's always packed on a weekend night. I tend to gravitate toward their raviolis... particularly the rich and creamy dishes, like lobster ravioli. Everything I've had there is wonderful, though. It's always nice to have a place where you can't go wrong with whatever you order. They've got an amazing Caesar salad, as well!
(5)
Jennifer E.
Absolutely wonderful. Great service, tasty food, cozy environment and I love that they change their menu every two weeks. I went here with my boyfriend last night for dinner. We ordered a bottle of wine and split everything we ordered including, the Bruschette w/ prosciutto and mozzarella, which was an insane explosion of flavors. The Insalta alla Francesca was delicious with unique veggies and a light vinaigrette. Pasta dish and tiramisu for dessert. Delish! I'd recommend splitting the pasta dishes, because they are huge. We're big eaters and splitting an app, salad, pasta and dessert was plenty for both of us. Total bill with a cheaper bottle of wine was $67 plus tip. I think this is totally worth it for a pleasant dining experience.
(5)
Caz S.
My gf and I went here the first night we moved back to Chicago. Friends here said it was the best Italian place by Wrigley, so naturally we wanted to scope out place to go since we'd just received season tickets from her company. Awesome. It was...awesome. In the true fashion of the original sense of the meaning awesome...it was incredible. Not just saying this cuz I spent a lot of time around surfers, but really that it was insanely awesome. The service was excellent, we had a Tuscan syrah, calamari appetizer, she had the salmon, I had some gnocchi, we shared the creme brulee and things were amazing. We walked out of that restaurant thinking we'd found the best spot ever. After a Cubs game with our 2 friends we decided to share the magical goodness of Mia Frencesca. After waiting no more than 15 minutes the 4 of us were seated in the worst table in the restaurant...in the traffic between the kitchen and rest of the restaurant. Okay whatever, bad tables happen, there are at least 2 of those in every restaurant, but that somehow doomed the entire evening. We got a bottle of pinot grigio, a cab and 2 appetizers...to get those 4 things it took almost 45 minutes. Granted the restaurant was full of drunk Cubs fans, like ourselves, so it was probably not the best night for great service but man...it was horrible. Finally after 45 minutes of being completely done with the appetizers and almost done with the wine, we ordered another bottle and entree when our server finally came back. A half an hour after ordering, I finally had to flag down a random busser and ask him where our entrees were. He promised us it would be out, even came back every 5 minutes for 20 minutes promising us our entrees. I'm so timid about asking for a manager, as is my girlfriend, but our friend we went with was not so much. The manager came over and assured us that our entrees would be out in less than 5 minutes and that dessert was on the house...great, right? 20 minutes later our entrees arrived stale and cold. I know they'd sat in the heating window for an hour. I had my dried up pork chops, my gf had her disgusting whitefish and after that we took our complimentary dessert to go. Lesson learned. Do not go after a Cubs game. Second thoughts are even that we never want to go back again, but after the bruising of that meal heals, we'll probably go back and try again for that first experience, that Cubs game experience will never be forgotten.
(3)
Michael S.
I feel like a stalwart has just let me down....like a Chicago institution just showed signs of being a "chain," and until proven otherwise, like a long established friendship just turned into an acquaintance. Service and food are behind this less than stellar impression. Cheese pizza - boring (but it usually is in my book), Pork chops sent back due to being overcooked, and then unimpressive. The Tilapia, an unfortunate mess of sauce invoking a transfer to an unspoiled plate, and finally, the half a roast chicken clearly got a bad batch of steroids as that guy was tiny! Then, our server almost made me want to pull my hair out. Maybe she was really clueless, but I will give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was new. Ask her a question and......"Ummmmm" (crickets chirping), make a request..."Ummmmm" (grass growing).....I swear, I am never one to get riled up over service, but I wanted to stand up and just scream, "spit it our already!" I'm sad.
(3)
Lois A.
I love Mia Francesca! Having never had dinner in the coach house part of the restaurant the last time I was there I was wondering, "where the hell are they taking us" as we walked through the restaurant into this seating area. There are only a few tables back there and a bar and it was wonderful!! And warm even in this freezing weather. It made for a very romantic dinner and walking back through the crowded and extremely LOUD restaurant on our way out I was thanking god we'd been seated where we had. This place fills up fast so come early. This is the kind of place where everything I've ever ordered has been fantastic. Last time I had roasted chicken and while I wished I'd been more adventurous it tasted great. The calamari is soooo good. They let us have it grilled instead of fried which was so nice of them. Other than the crowds, who are only there because the food is fantastic, I have no complaints.
(4)
Anthony B.
I don't have any complaints about the service. It wasn't the best service in the world, and it certainly wasn't the worst service I ever had. One complaint I have is the noise. The place gets overly packed with people we couldn't even have a conversation during dinner it was so loud. I took my parents here when they were in town for the weekend. This was a Saturday night around 630pm. There was a mob of people outside waiting for seats and inside that stood in the waiting area and and hovered over our table so we felt somewhat rushed. If you're looking for a quaint, quiet place to take a date, this definitely isn't the place. As far as the food, I am a full bled Italian, and grew up eating in Mom and Pop style restaurants in NY. The food was definitely better than The Olive Garden, but wasn't spectacular like I am reading these reviews that have said. We ordered three entrees and an appetizer to get a full take on the menu. The calamari was decent, and the dinner entrees were above average at best. I didn't walk out of there feeling disappointed, nor impressed. I have definitely had better Italian food in the past, and environment is key - and this was too loud and crowded place for me to truly enjoy it. But if you're looking for a decent Italian meal this is your place.
(3)
Jonathan K.
My host described this as "arguably the best Italian food in Chicago.". We got the price fixe menu. The short of it: It wasn't, it was mediocre at best. It wasn't bad, mind you. It was just wasn't that great, and if you do "conventional" Italian you've got tons of competition. You can tell a lot about Italian restaurants from the quality of the bread and the quality of the olive oil and canned tomatoes. None of these was above average so all the food tasted blah. If it were cheaper it would be okay but they charge a lot for medium food. I see they have variations of this restaurant all over Chicago. Did it used to be better?
(3)
chris l.
Looking through the reviews of this place has irritated me. I think it's important that people realize that this is a small neighborhood restaurant residing in the third largest city in the country. Yes, the space is small. Yes, the wait can be long. Yes, the room can be loud. And yes, the kitchen puts out some of the best food in the city, thus insuring the small room remains packed and loud with a line out the door. The Olive Garden probably has a quiet table available right now where you can sit and talk privately as you wait for the rest of your party to arrive. Mia Francesca is a gem, and in the decade I've been going there, I've never had a bad meal, or a negative experience.
(5)
Eme L.
What a perfect meal. This is pretty much as good as it gets. Great service (on a holiday night to boot), lovely space, and superb food. We had: seafood linguine - each component was impeccably fresh and the pasta was perfectly cooked. Also ordered the rigatoni w/ sausage and peas - so good that the husband ate the entire bowl (with my help, of course.) To top it off, we shared the tiramisu dessert. Confession: I am usually not a fan. The alcohol used to soak the ladyfingers or sponge cake is usually too "sharp" and the coffee flavor too strong. The one here? So perfect that I had my spoon in the bowl until the last bite. Even the iced tea was good! This place is certainly on my list of favorite neighborhood restaurants - can't wait for a return visit!
(5)
Nick B.
Love the Italian food here. I pulled back a star only 'cause this location is too small and its a pain in the *ss sometimes to find parking/reservation (i live six blocks away from this location, so i'm in a "no man's land" where it is kind of a waste of $$$ to take a cab but inconvenient to drive and look for parking). Anyway, the food is five stars.
(4)
Kaase K.
Divine! Absoultely wonderful Italian food. The downfall is that its a very tiny restaurant... the tables are too close together and it is VERY LOUD. If you're looking for a nice, quaint place to dine, this is not the place. The food is outstanding and they have a great selection of beverages, but it is simply TOO loud. The service is hit or miss. Sometimes, we have great service, other times, not as great... depends on how busy they are. Regardless, if yo'ure looking for GOOD Italian food, Mia Francesca's is your place-- BUT don't go on a Cubs game night!
(4)
Yoshi Y.
this place is pricy but not too pricy compared to other fancy italian restaurants, but is definitely worth the price. carpaccio is my favorite dish, i always order this for my appetizer. i also like cream based pasta dish, as it gives very delicate and complexed taste. the atmosphere is nice, it is kinda noisy, which reminds me of local restaurants in italian cities. if i want to eat good italian food that is worth for its price, i always pick here!
(5)
Bridget L.
I just love this place. It is one of my favorities. It's small and exciting and the food is delicious. The portions are big and the prices are very reasonable. I always get great service too. They will customize dishes for you, which is great if you have certain dietary concerns or requests. Obviously there's usually a wait, but it's worth it! Try it out!
(5)
Olivia B.
Best Italian restaurant in the city!
(5)
Corrie N.
My husband and I love this place. The food is consistently good and the service has been fab. The only thing holding me back from giving it five starts is the wine selection. The last time we went there, the first glass we got was corked, the second of the same wine was off, and so we asked for something else, which they graciously gave us on the house, so A+ for service. Additionally on my birthday, our server brought me tiramisu with a candle in it. And I don't like tiramisu, but I gotta say this was amazing. My husband and I practically licked the bowl. So, my advice to you is to bring your own wine and eat a bunch of food, 'cause it is tasty!
(4)
Angie C.
Was very disappointed with this place. We're looking for a private luncheon spot so we wanted to sample the menu. We came in for a late lunch on Sunday afternoon. We were one of 3 groups at the entire place, and the service was horribly slow. No customers; slow service? Wasn't a fan. We hoped the food would make up for it but we were not impressed. We ordered fried calamari to start and it was awful - the oil tasted like it had been reused and old. Bad flavor. I tried the fish special with sauteed veggies which was good, but nothing special. My friends got pizzas and the crust tasted off...definitely not freshly made. Overall just not impressed at all with this place. Wouldn't come back.
(2)
Johnny B.
Wow, do they pack 'em in in the dining room here. Squeezing into my bench seat, I thought for sure I would knock over our neighbors' wine/olive oil/etc with my ass. Luckily the table next to ours went unscathed (save the potential loss of appetite from their table's near brush with my rear). Despite, the seating, which made for a very loud dining room, we had a wonderful experience (something I've come to expect from the Francesca restaurants). Our server was excellent - he was knowledgeable (with wine and the menu), attentive, and a great help in making our choices. Our pizza and salad were very good, but the pasta was out of this world. It was a linguine with a fresh garlic and tomato sauce that was more like salsa-with-broth in consistency than a red sauce. They apparently only make it in the summer when they can get super fresh tomatoes. Sweet Jesus, it was fantastic. I'll have to return before the end of summer, so I don't have to wait another year for this amazing dish.
(5)
Ken L.
Had dinner there on 11/16/10 for the first time in a couple years. Not the best experience. Service was mediocre at best. Food below average. Had steamed mussel appetizer that was almost inedible, almost like they weren't cooked, if that was possible. Salad of pancetta and lots of ricotta was ok. All in all, not sure why people like this place.
(2)
Chad T.
Went out for a late meal after a night of clubbin, expecting a nice quiet meal. This was my first, and last meal to be had here. My friends and I ordered orecchiette, an individual pizza and spaghetti with clams and mussels. Both bowls of orecchiette were undercooked to the point of being crunchy inside. They were replaced, one made with orecchiette as before and the other made with spaghetti. The spaghetti was as undercooked as the first dish, and the replaced orecchiette bowl was just barely cooked enough to be edible, but now came out being terribly over-salted. So much so that it made the roof of my mouth tender! Instead of comping the entrees in question, they gave a pitiful discount that didn't even cover the cost of the tip. Additionally, aside from the food, the restaurant is small, the wait staff seemingly unhappy and omg...it could not have been any louder in there! In the words of my friend...never again.
(1)
Mike D.
Went last night for the first time with a date, called the day before to make reservations and when we got there we were greeted by a kind host who took our coats and and seated us ASAP. The restaurant was slam packed, full to capacity. The server was great and attentive, the food was fantastic, as an Italian who grew up on grandma's homemade Pasta, this was great. The menu changes every week or so, so it is good to point out that menus you find online may not match. I do need to mention that the restaurant is small so if you can request seating against the wall you will have a better time. All the tables are right on top of each other which adds to the character of the restaurant. Everyone I saw was enjoying themselves except for the uppity snot nose table behind us who had issues with the poor bus boy bumping one of their chairs. I looked the idiot was seated way out of the table he refused to push his seat in, so he deserved it. I recommend it and will definitely go back
(4)
Mai T.
What can I say....We spent a wonderful Girls' Night Out with great dinner plans. A girlfriend of mine researched this place on none other than YELP and she decided to have dinner here with us all. Though we made reservations, we still had to wait when we arrived (typical of many restaurants nowadays). The entry way is literally at the door, so as you entry, you're already in the doorway for people to get in and out. I was quite weary when I had entered. Once we sat down, I noticed the tables were very tight. Then again, we did go here on a Saturday evening, and anywhere in the city at that time would be packed no matter if they are a bigger chain restaurant. Anyhow, we took one look at the menu and decided to order "family style" where we would all share the dishes instead of having one all to ourselves. We could have have been anymore right in that choice. Man-O-Man, when the waiter came to our tablet o serve our meals, we looked at them with BIG EYES, as if they were popping out! These dishes are enormous. There is no way (unless you are capable) to finish a dish per person. Appetizer - Mussels, Spicy Tomato Sauce: WOW. I can't eat spicy and I devoured this thing. We attacked it like we've never had mussels before. The sauce was fabulous, and the mussels...you sure get your moneys worth. There was so much flavor in each individual mussel that you could NOT go wrong on which ever one you chose. We ended up sipping on the sauce buy scooping it up with the mussel shells (shhh, can you tell we're heifers?! :)) Meals - ALL 3 were FABULOUSLY TASTING!!! I can go into specific details, but words can't explain the magnificent taste you get. 1. Pollo Arrosto alla Romana 2. Salmone ala Fresca 3. Linguine al Sugo di Gamberi We were so full that we were all disappointed that we weren't able to try their dessert. :( We are definitely coming back to try new items on their menu as it seems to change often (possibly due to what is available in the markets) The staff is great as well. They are so considerate. Granted the place was already small, but they were VERy careful in where they stood and how they got by from table to table. Each person was so nice! Though we sat near the entry, the hostess and bartenders would continuously give us a generous smile to not make it awkward that we were sitting so close (i felt less uncomfortable) This is my favorite little restaurant in the city for sure.
(5)
Lauren M.
From their veggies to their seafood, the food is fantastically fresh. Great flavors in each of the different sauces, plus I love the flexibility of getting my favorite pasta in any of their delicious sauces.
(4)
Art K.
Excellent food and excellent service. While we weren't a fan of the featured sauvingnon blanc wine, the food was amazing and the service matched well. Beside the wine, our only other issue was they started playing loud hip hop/dance music near the end of our meal around 930pm. It brought my rating down from a 5 to a 4.
(4)
Ed H.
About the only thing I remember about this restaurant was that it was extremely noisy. The noise level was so high, it almost hurt. The music is played very loudly so everyone has to yell to be heard over it. I asked the waitress to have the music turned down, and if anything, it got even louder. I could barely understand what was being said by the other three people at my table. I don't know how anyone could enjoy their food in this type of an atmosphere. Update: I have gone back a few times and agree they have good food. But I would recommend going during not peak hours because of the loudness. Everyone I go with agrees that the noise levels are unacceptable
(2)
Elaine S.
Food and ambiance was great! We had the dessert special - Limoncello Tiramisu - it was heavenly!
(4)
Christina C.
Honestly, I found this place by mistake. I was planning on going to a different restaurant I found on Yelp, but ended up taking the wrong street and walked by Mia Francesca! First of all, their menu is awesome. They switch it up every now and then so you might have to get something different every time you go there! We started off with the bruschetta - the fancier one that is a dollar more than the original - totally worth the extra dollar. It came with arugula and avocado on top. It was one of the best bruschetta I've ever had. For my entree, I ordered the special ravioli. I want to say I tasted some goat cheese in the ravioli, but I'm not sure. It was delicious though! Super filling, so I thought the price was just right. On Thursdays, they do $5 martinis. I ordered the Blood Orange martini. It was good at first, but granted, Svedka... not the best. For dessert, the special was a peanut butter cream pie with peanut butter whipped cream and an Oreo crust. I wish I were eating it now. Service is good. There are many servers around who can assist you. Also, definitely sit in the back patio! I love the mural!
(5)
Thomas Z.
Good service, good food. Ordered a pesto dish and a rigatoni broccoli and cream sauce dish. Portions were slightly smaller than expected for America but still acceptable. Vibes were a little crowded but still not too overbearing. Would return, though slightly out of my personal price range.
(4)
Aj A.
I was here for my birthday dinner. I was impressed by the nice and courteous behavior of the host and wait staff. Have I had better Italian food elsewhere? Yes of course, but their service was award winning! The bread was served warm fresh from the oven-so delicious. The bruschetta and Neapolitans pizza were great too. The lentil appetizer was a-ok. The eggplant rigatoni, spinach ravioli were fantastic too. The pesto cavatelli lacked some flavor. Wine list was superb. My friends had the mussels and the chicken+shrimp entree and they loved it. They dimmed the lights for the cake cutting creating a beautiful atmosphere Ruth the candle lit cake. Overall had a fantastic experience!
(4)
Patrick K.
Have been coming to francescas for years and have been to nearly every location. By far the best service, personality and hospitality is done by Fernando and Terry at this location. They really make you feel like you are at home. If I could give 6 stars I would.
(5)
Svetlana M.
I walked in with my boyfriend and we were seated right away even though the restaurant was busy. I was very pleased with the good food and attentive staff! A nice place for romantic dinner!
(5)
Ken O.
It's been many years since I had dinner at Mia Francesca and I had time so I thought what the heck.... I was able to find a seat at the bar. Byron, bartender, had greeted with a smile and presented the menus. At the same time, asked about a cocktail which I just ordered a coke since I had to work a double shift the next day. While Byron was working on some drinks, Cosme had dropped off the coke and took my order. He was very pleasant - actually, both of the gentlemen were very personable. The menu is very well planned out - a little bit of everything. I decided order the New York Strip and Potato special. While waiting for my meal, I had turned and gobbled up the great bread. The oil had a little bit to it, but very good. No bread or oil was left when I was done. The meal was delivered to me within a reasonable time. There was just enough grilse left on the steak to keep the meat juicy and favorable. The melted garlic butter over the steak was incredible!!! The potatoes were crispy on the outside and tender inside. Both gentlemen had checked in with me regarding the meal without being overbearing. Of course, I did save room for dessert. The dessert menu has about eight different items to choose from. I had ordered the Apple Crostrada. Very good to end the evening with. Overall, Mia Francesca is a great restaurant on the north side of the city.
(5)
Stephanie A.
Somewhat limited menu but very reasonably priced and in a great location. Mixed group of people dining...from families in very casual attire to couples celebrating something. Overall a good experience.
(3)
Lauren B.
A little overpriced for cold pasta. My dish was personally the best out of everyone I was dining with (it was also a special and the most expensive). I thought the ambiance was very traditional, warm and personable. However, I have had better Italian worth more of the price, not that it was outrageous... Just not what I was expecting for $17.
(3)
Jen K.
I have to say how disappointed I am in this restaurant. I've tried other Francesca's before in the burbs and they were all great but I sat at the table for a half hour waiting for someone to wait on me. When he did, I asked what the soup of the day, he couldn't tell me and left for another 5 minutes. Then I proceeded to sit at my seat and watched all the staff members hang out for a while. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but the service will make it so I never go back
(1)
Erin M.
Went here for a surprise bday party and the food and service were fantastic! We had the carriage house in the back and it was great! Had spinach cheese pizza, gnocchi, and s chicken potato dish and the main meals were great! For dessert We had cheesecake and these chocolate gelato puffs that were too die for!!! Highly recommend this place!!
(5)
Maria P.
I rarely write Yelp reviews as I feel I should only do so to add something valuable to anyone reading them. In this case (and I apologize for the ALL CAPS), I think this problem needs to be noted: THIS PLACE DOES NOT HONOR THEIR RESERVATIONS!! If you're like most people, you probably have the silly belief that making a reservation at a restaurant serves to ensure that you have a table at (or very near) the requested time. As someone who gets irked by even a five minute wait for a reserved table, the fact I waited nearly an hour for my table only speaks to the mendacity of both the hostesses and the manager who kept insisting that a table would free up "in a manner of minutes". This obvious lie was repeated so many times that I began to feel as if I was being unreasonable by checking on my reservation - even though it was clear from the dining room that no one was leaving soon given no checks were visible on any table. It became rather clear that "reservation" to Mia's was simply a way to reserve your space in the "wait queue". When we were finally seated after 9pm (for an 8:15pm) reservation, there was nary a word of apology from either the hostess or waiter. The manager eventually stopped by and apologized for the wait and offered a free appetizer to both my friend and I. My friend did not want an appetizer and the manager obnoxiously pointed out that he would only comp an appetizer and nothing else, clearly stressing this was all that would be offered. Given we hadn't even asked for a comp, it was infuriating to have him set limitations on something that wasn't wanted or needed. What we really wanted was an hour of our lives back but it was obvious that the manager didn't seem to care about the fact he had wasted our time and screwed up our plans for the night. I quickly ordered a soup because I felt we should get *something* . Rather predictably, the $6 soup appeared to totally absolve the manager of having to care about the situation any further. He never checked in again -- and so was blissfully unaware that the lobster bisque soup that was eventually served was partially cold and didn't have any lobster! It was just a bowl of heavy cream with tomato sauce. Given how hungry we were at this point, we choked it down. To add insult to injury, I then had to suit up to go outside and walk 4 blocks in sub-zero weather to add extra time to the meter since it had run out. I stupidly only put an hour in the meter thinking we couldn't possibly be staying for that much longer. Our food did not come for another forty-five minutes. When it arrived, my hungry friend and I started shoving it in our mouths only to stop dead at the taste. The sauce of the salmon had a strange acidic flavor that made the dish taste weird and wrong. Despite being ravenous, we both frustratingly switched back to the bread and tried to spot the waiter to send it back. He was nowhere to be found, so we were stuck eating bread. When he finally reappeared much later it was only to ask if we wanted to take the dish home, taking no note of the fact barely anything was eaten. When I emphatically stated No!, he simply whisked the dish away with no comment. We declined dessert as we just wanted to leave at this point since the meter had run out and we had just spent our entire night waiting around to eat cold soup and bread. But once again, we were kept waiting for the check to get picked up. It was now going on 11pm. I'm usually a person that doesn't complain (as I find voting with my feet to be effective), but I was so angry at this point that I had actually decided to make a comment to the staff before I left about how horrible the whole experience had been - and how our plans for the night were ruined. Of course, I was denied even this small consolation as there was no one around to complain to. The hostesses had both disappeared and the manager was nowhere to be found. We left without fanfare after almost three hours of being treated with something akin to contempt and getting an expensive bill shoved under our noses at the end of it. The lack of even a Thank You from anyone in the restaurant as we left seemed to say it all about how they feel about their customers. While Mia's will probably always be busy - their location allows them to recycle through customers relatively easily - it's clear this is not due to good food or service. I will end my post the way I begin since this essentially encapsulates how they feel about their customers and it's rather useful information to anyone trying to plan their night: THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR RESERVATIONS. And the food and service is just inexcusable on top of that.
(1)
Enzo D.
No italian food at all. ..im from italy and I really know my country food sorry but this plaste made my italy s...start with fried calamari Brown crost mean dirty oil.carpaccio no seasoned at all. .meatballs pasta the sauce was bland and meatballs test like older or maybe frozen....please call this food with another name but never call it italian cousine. ..
(1)
Joe S.
Went here for Sunday brunch with my wife and daughter. Wow very bad!!!! It took 10 min. For a server to come by, with the place empty don't understand that. My daughter ordered warm tee and honey. After 15 min. The tea came out ice cold with no honey. I told the waiter the water for the tea was cold can you please bring it back with hot water and honey please. 10 more min later tea came back out still cold and no honey. I finally told the server to put the water in the microwave and hit high for 3 min. Needless to say kitchen did not know how to boil water. LOL!!! We ordered omelets nothing hard to cook for breakfast. Omelets were undercooked and greasy. Outside tables dirty and poor service to match will not be coming back.
(1)
Peter g.
This is my first visit to this Francesca location. I would normally not write a review of a chain's second location but this one is worth warning winter patrons about the upstairs. The food is as good as the location over on Taylor in little Italy. That site I have been to numerous times, and they say inside the menus are somewhat different between sites, but not that I could notice. The food here was just as good. Which is to say very good. The 3 star rating is earned by the design of the upstairs. This is a small place so they have a second door leading to a nice looking bar and seating area upstairs, however they have no easy access to the kitchen so they have to use a rear upper deck which gives them some kind of dumbwaiter access for dishes and return items to the kitchen from an exterior rear porch. The problem is the door was swung open at least 3 to 5 times per minute in the dinner rush, and it was 23 degrees outside. There is no exterior protection in this deck area so the wind swept thru 20 feet of bar and right onto the dinner floor, people everywhere were wearing coats, everyone at the bar felt it, several complained including myself, and they said there is nothing they can do about it. There is noothing blocking this whatso ever and its an automatic door, so it opens all the way, and hangs open for 5 to 10 seconds before it starts closing. Truly this will ruin the experience for you on cold winter nights. If you can't get a table in the main floor area, as good as this place is for dinner I would avoid the upstairs at all costs. The chicken and the Caprase were fresh, very well prepared and cooked, and I will go back, just not to this location.
(3)
Bailey S.
We missed our reservation because of traffic so we had to dine late after a comedy show. This place was amazing and the waiter was very accommodating (It might have been cause it was so late and there were only a few tables filled but whatever). The food was excellent, we ordered the bruschetta and we both got the rosemary chicken. Everything was superb. The music they were playing didn't really fit the ambiance but we personally didn't care. All and all this place was great and I would totally go again.
(5)
Tim S.
It has been years since I have been and was not impressed I have to say. WAY TO LOUD, kind of cramped, food was perfectly fine but the service just fell below what should be expected from them.
(2)
Kyle D.
Went here on a date, and we had a great time. If you come at peak hours, expect a wait. Luckily I made reservations. The service was fast and friendly and they have a good wine list. The menu is only 1 page but it covers all of the bases and has good options, but be ready to eat and eat hearty. Nothing seemed super healthy, and I had the primavera. That said, the food was awesome. My primavera was great and my date's chicken was good (according to her). The portions are huge, and of course there is bread beforehand. We skipped on appetizers and desserts but they sounded great. The only complaint I had was that the atmosphere is just okay. Everything was clean, but I could see the all non-italian cooking staff right there. Overall a great experience, just not 5 star. Atmosphere: 7/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 8/10
(4)
Kelly J.
Very authentic Italian food, complete with Italian waiter with a thick, heavy accent. Charming little place with a second story that was quieter than the downstairs. Great photos on the walls on Italians in the 'old country'. The bread and olive oil was addicting. We actually had to ask them to take it away from us. Deliciously fresh and soft bread and herbed olive oil. We started with a beautiful antipasta salad served on a pizza board - so cute! Full of meat and cheese and crunchy veggies, it was excellent. We shared the risotto with shrimp, zuchini, tomato in a light saffron sauce and an order of the wild mushroom stuff ravioli in a tomato mushroom sauce. Both had freshy made pasta and had excellent flavor.Too stuffed for dessert, but there's always room for another glass of red. Good wine list here filled with lots of italian wine. Loved it!
(4)
R J.
Lackluster on all counts. Sunday, Nov 10 Service is "meh- can I take your order" attitude by server. Food was moderate in flavor. Highly over salted! (All dishes at our table). Way, way over sauced. Swimming in sauce. Tables so incredibly cramped that if you aren't bumping the person behind / next to you, the staff most certainly is repeatedly every time they squeeze by a 6" gap to pretend to service the poor folks against the wall. Which brings me to the biggest gripe of the night: walked into a nearly empty restaurant at 530pm, and were given the table nearest the drafty door on a cold windy night. Before touching anything on our table I very pleasantly asked the host if we could please be seated elsewhere away from the cold air. I pointed out a number of tables away from the door. She claimed, "oh, those are all saved for a party of 9", and another, "that's saved for another party". See picture I posted (and taken an hour later.... Still empty) By late in the meal, no big parties came in. But she seated a party of 3 in the table area I asked to sit at (party of 9) If you want to be a snooty, rotten hostess- fine. I'll go elsewhere. But don't outright LIE so frivolously to my face. As such- I would never return to such a restaurant. Not for the salty food. Mediocre service, and especially this host. There are SO many Italian restaurants nearby with better food, service and more character (and integrity)
(1)
Chicago T.
The experience was very good and we would go back to this spot. But know that the food prepared their is not the Italian fare you would fine at some of Chicago's popular Italian restaurants. Our first visit resulted in delicious food and friendly service. We ordered the Pollo Arrostro all Romano, Cavetti con Pesto y Pollo, and the bow tie pasta with salmon. Everyone enjoyed their respective main course. However the best dish that all enjoyed was the melted goat cheese with marinara sauce appetizer. Awesome! The fried calamari was fresh, light and crisp. Not greasy. The pear and blue cheese salad was uneventful. The poached pear was too, too sweet and the pear to greens ratio was off. Too little greens for the amount of pear. The blue cheese they use for the salad is delicious. For me, its a well executed Americanized version of Italian food. For example; no eggplant or chicken parmesan, sausage and peppers, Bucatini all'Amatriciana, pasta Carbonara or seafood apps. Yet, want we ordered was well executed and enjoyed.
(3)
Jon S.
"May I re-chill your cosmo?" With these words, Mia Francesca on Clark has become my favorite restaurant. In my many years of ordering and consuming cosmos, in restaurants around the United States (and London and Montreal and on international waters and island ports of call), I have never experienced this level of outstanding customer service. In fact, this statement has reached a new, previously unknown level of favored phrase status. Prior to this, my favorite word combination was "Dinner is served." Today, a new combination of letters, spaces, and punctuation has become my new favorite, and it's very difficult to imagine anything overtaking it-- except perhaps "Your private jet is waiting." Terry approached our table, while my martini glass was still 3/4ths full, and somehow anticipated that my drink might no longer be at the ideal temperature. If you love martinis, you know what the ideal temperature is-- it's that condition where there is a thin layer, almost just a hint; of ice at the top of the drink-- allowing the contents to be beautifully, perfectly chilled. The glass itself, of course, also must be chilled-- frosted, actually. Unfortunately, this condition only lasts for a few moments. Perhaps ten, if you're lucky. It had been ten minutes. The frost had disappeared, there was no more layer of thin ice at the top of the drink. Terry identified this tragedy and corrected it immediately with his magic words. A few minutes later, my drink re-appeared, with the glass freshly frosted, and the temperature again perfect. May you re-chill my cosmo? Yes. Will I be back? Yes. Thank you Terry.
(5)
Brian B.
After 18 years, another superb dinner at Mia's. We've been enjoying Mia Francesca at this location for an unbelievable 18 years. Last night's dinner was surreal in the fact that it was the same magical experience we had on our first visit years ago. The pasta was superb, as was the carpaccio and calamari. Service was spot on. Eat in the main dining room (not upstairs) for the real energy. Note - tables are packed tight so expect to meet your neighbors... and enjoy the evening.
(5)
Stephanie M.
Great pasta! This place was really great - the pasta was super tasty, but the buratta left something to be desired. Not amazing quality. Its a little cramped inside and there are lots of families - wouldn't recommend for a date or a relaxing night out. Price point a touch higher than you'd expect given the scene.
(3)
Matt M.
I am not exactly sure what the thrill of this place is. It is not the food, not the ambience, not the service.. it is just there. For starters you will be crammed in very uncomfortably - no ifs/and/buts. Then you will get slow service. And by slow service... I mean sloooooooooooooooow. We saw our waitress 3 times. Were slapped with the mandatory tip and that was that. So for essentially 10 minutes of work she got a $40 tip (no waiters dont send me an angry "open letter" about the tedious nature and hardwork of your industry). I mean really, drinks were always empty, no one cared to ask how the food was - it was like a barely useful robot in a crammed store front was giving us middle of the road food with a preprogrammed notion of what is going to happen.
(2)
Taylor M.
There are some really great Francesca locations and others that are overcrowded and they cram you in and forget about you. Let's just say I am lucky I am not claustrophobic! This Francesca's was super crowded and I felt stuffed into a table that was too small and right by the bathroom. No fun. The food was okay for Italian food. The drinks were good. The service was not very good. My review is short to illustrate my experience at Mia Francesca's...lacking...
(3)
Christina N.
Before you read on, I feel I should say that this is the third time I've dined here, and the first two times were great....tonight, not so much. We live in the neighborhood and felt like italian last minute, so hopped on open table and Mia Francesca was wide-open for reservations. When we walked in to check in, the place was packed, lively and bustling as we expected. Assuming we would be seated at one of the few open tables, they quickly informed us we would be seated upstairs, where we had to go outside and through another door. Turns out, the "upstairs dining room" is really their overflow dining room, which was a few small two tops surrounded by a long table seating a giant party in which the majority of people were under the age of 10. As we sat there deciding on what wine/apps to order we had 3 or 4 kindergartners with sugar highs sprinting laps around our table and running back and forth along the banister that we were sitting against. The parents were oblivious and the staff didn't seem to care either. The upstairs dining room was literally the kids table. The food was good, but the atmosphere ruined it. Not something I would have expected from an 8:30 reservation on a saturday night at Mia Francesca. It was like being at TGI Friday's with Mia Francesca's food. Maybe they should let you know when reserving that you'll be in the overflow room to avoid this issue!!
(2)
Meg S.
Excellent food, great atmosphere. Really enjoyed and will definitely go back next time I'm in the city!!
(5)
Mike L.
Still the best of the Francesca chain in my opinion. We were a party of 4 last night and the food and service was perfect! Never thought you could combine avocado and chopped tomatoes over Salmon, but it was one of the best combos I have ever had. I'm still amazed how they serve so many people so quickly - they are ALWAYS packed and it works. Been coming here since they opened and have NEVER had a bad meal!
(5)
Kelly D.
I have been coming here for years and I have yet to be disappointed. This is one italian restaurant I love dining at, and it has stayed on my top 3 ever since I started! The bread has always been warm and fresh and the food is always on point. A lot of their main menu items stick around - but there are quite a few entrees that switch their ways in and out with the seasons and popularity. There is always a specials menu that changes every night I believe. The cooking here is impeccable and I cannot stress enough that everything here is done really well. I've never had a bad server experience either, which can be a rare feat for this near-Wrigley location. Everyone I have had has been helpful and excellent at suggestions, accommodations, and wine/drink pairings. What sparked my review after all of this time was my reservation around 9pm (we arrived early) and had to leave by 9:30. Our waitress was attentive even though this place was packed (Saturday evening), and everything was brought out super fast, and we were done at 9:24. I will say I am REALLY DISAPPOINTED that there is no more peanut butter chocolate tart dessert anymore. I guess they took it off a few months ago. I was seriously devastated - a girl has to have her dessert! I will be writing to hopefully encourage them to bring it back (or give me the recipe!)
(5)
Steph U.
I came here for Restaurant Week, and overall I was underwhelmed by not only the selection (or lack there of), but by also what was served when I ordered off the special menu. I don't remember the specific name, but it was something osso buco (veal). Basically, it was ground veal wrapped in pasta. Not only was the portion small for the price ($16.99) (especially in comparison to their normal dishes), it was also chewy and didn't have much taste. We ordered Malbec wine; I thought it was whatever. My friend ordered the chicken alla salvia, which looked much bigger and better than my meal and was only a dollar more! I think if I were ever to come back, I'd want to try their regular menu, but not worth it for Restaurant Week in my opinion.
(2)
Dan L.
can't believe I've never reviewed this place before. Have been here about 5 times over the years and never dissapointed. the only drawback I have always had is the noise level. If you are sitting at a two top you are kind of on top of the people next to you and hear everyone's conversations. I have never had a bad glass of wine, bad appetizer, bad entree or bad service. I do agree to avoid the restaurant on game day nights but it is just far south enough to get away from the foot traffic of wrigley. Will always go back and was just there two weeks ago.
(5)
Gio S.
After a six-year hiatus, returned to Mia Francesca for an anniversary dinner, wanting, hoping to like it. Sadly, no luck. This place combines bland, soulless "Corporate Italian" food with efficient but cold service. The pesto was completely tasteless (tip: at least add some GARLIC), and the chicken in the pasta tasted like it had been frozen (and the suspiciously identical strips suggested it was). With so many outstanding options for Italian on the north side, can't see coming back, again. Under-flavored, over-priced, and way too pleased with itself.
Choose when you go carefully. Avoid game days (unless you're a game attender and are looking for a lively and cramped vibe). It's not the drunken Clark St crowd. Rather, it's the grown-up version. Don't avoid Sunday brunch. They've only been doing it about a year and, in my opinion, are nailing it. It's become a regular spot for me (I live close). Food is better than average Italian. Not the best, but solid and consistent. Service is consistently good...even when they're slammed.
(3)
Minnie G.
I've dined at other Francesca's restaurants and have always had a great experience. This time not so much. First off always ask for a table in the front. We were in the back separate area and it wasn't great. I ordered a Black Label and was told they don't offer that brand of Scotch. No biggy, but what they had was awful. I thought they had a full bar. The food was just OK. I had a chicken pasta dish and the chicken was dry and bland. My friend had an eggplant pasta dish and it was just OK. The service was good but I probably would choose a different Francesca restaurant next time.
(2)
T W.
Best Italian restaurant in Chicago! Be sure to sit outside in the back! Feels like Italy!!!
(5)
Brooke B.
Yum!! Came here with the boyfriend for date night on Saturday and was soo pleased! Everything was sooo delicious from our bread and olive oil, to both our pasta dishes, and even our Pinot Noir wine that was recommended by our waiter! I have to give our waiter even more credit because we weren't going to order a dessert (even though I wanted to, but the boyfriend isn't a dessert fan), but he talked us into getting the pumpkin pie that was a special of the day! So mouth watering good! I would definitely come back in a heart beat! The only reason why I have to give this place 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the fact that you are seriously packed into here like a sardine! I couldn't get to my seat without banging into the table next to us. Then feeling like you were in the middle of the conversations next to you since you are seated so close to each other... But the waiter was awesome, food was awesome, service was super fast (in an out within an hour!); so definitely worth it!
(4)
Pattie U.
Good food, the wine is on the pricey side.
(4)
Tricia D.
Mia Francesca gets the upgrade to 5 stars for a few reasons: 1) The quality of food is fantastic, fresh, and consistently meets/exceeds expectations! On my latest visit, I inhaled the roasted pork chop entree in approximately 7.2 minutes. It was juicy, well balanced in flavor, and left me happy and full. 2) Service is prompt, friendly, and attentive. 3) The menu is continually evolving. Change is the one constant in life! Expect it to be an energetic atmosphere, with the tables rather closely spaced together. Definitely want to try dessert here sometime.
(5)
Susy P.
MIA FRANCESCA, THE LAND OF TRUFFLE-Y WONDER I love this place. I love the hustle and bustle of the atmosphere (although sitting in a long line of other couples where they can definitely hear everything I'm saying is a little too romcom-ish for me) because you can tell that when a restaurant keeps bringing tons of people back, it's worth it! I had the truffle ravioli which seriously blew. my. mind. I've had dreams about this ravioli. It is all that I want out of life. My boyfriend got the half chicken and it was just melt-in-your-mouth goodness.... I never knew simple chicken could taste that good! We will definitely be back because although the menu changes, I am completely okay with whatever they are willing to serve me.
(5)
Tim C.
Found the place by accident, looking for Italian while in Lakeview with a friend from out of town. Figured more memorable places might somewhere else but we stumbled on this through Googling and so glad we did. Discovered a long wait in the early evening (a good sign) but we took a seat at the bar and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the attentive staff while we dined. I WILL be back. A good local place to know.
(4)
Imani B.
OMG! Restaurant Week 2014 dream come true...4 courses that provides ample food choices. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th course meal was extremely DELISH. 1st course was an awesome salad, 2nd course was the seafood pasta, 3rd course was a chicken option that included rosemary with white wine. Yummy! The service was great. The delivery of the meals were right on time. The host was pleasant and the waiter was extremely handsome...(which made the food taste better). The Overall experience was great!
(5)
Lizz M.
I had just completed my first 5K and part of the incentive for its completion was the promise of brunch. After a futile attempt at going to Socca (if your hours say 10:30am you should be open at that time, right?), we walked over to Mia Francesa and I'm so glad we did. Because the place had just opened, we were welcomed to a fairly empty restaurant where we were promptly seated. We were still waiting for two other friends to arrive so we settled in, ordered some mimosas and ate some fresh bread. Now, the food. I ordered the pollo e ouvo, which is a chicken and bacon hash. It was very tasty. I think the potatoes were my favorite part of this dish as they were extra crispy and seasoned perfectly. The other vegetables were also nice and tender, and my eggs were fluffy. I also ordered the blush mimosa which was refreshing and very much needed. Excellent food and service, would definitely come back. The owner even came over and chatted with us.
(4)
Elise K.
Mia Francesca is certainly one of the better Italian restaurants in the city and probably the best in the neighborhood. I prefer going for a weekend lunch rather than dinners because dinners are crowded and noisy. Lunches are quiet and peaceful with lots of love and attention from the servers. My first visit was when I had just started dating my current back in 2010. We had a late lunch on a Saturday. We split an appetizer and each had an entree. I got a veggie pasta dish and it was better the the bolagnase dish that he had. The service was fantastic - the owner served us himself. My most recent visit was on a Saturday night for a girls' night. Dinner for 8. They put us upstairs where it was pretty noisy. The service was just okay, but the place was so busy and it was hard to get a chance to get in the bathroom - a long line for the single toilet. Overall our food was good - not as great as previous visits however.
(4)
T V.
Really enjoyed the restaurant week dinner menu - too much food! The bruschetta and the chicken were amazing. We also really liked sitting upstairs - quieter than the main dining room. Would def go back.
(4)
Jeanette S.
The food is good, but the portions are a bit too big. Like, JUMBO size! The service is excellent too and they make killer cocktails. It's also reasonably priced. The place was fully booked, but they let us in anyway since one of the tables just left. We were surrounded by noise but I just chose to ignore it and focus on my date. Still, it gets quite loud in there, so be forewarned.
(4)
Brittany H.
When it comes to Italian food, I want it as flavorful and authentic as possible, and Mia Francesca definitely delivered. The restaurant is small but romantic and quaint, perfect for date night. I've only gone during the week, but I've never needed to make a reservation. The food was delish and the portions were huge. I got chicken vesuvio, and was literally served half of a chicken on top of potatoes. I've also had the gnocchi which was again, huge, and delicious. Mia francesca is a hidden italian gem in lakeview, definitely worth trying.
(5)
Judy W.
I came here with a group for a bachelorette dinner. Our table wasn't completely ready when we arrived, but we didn't have to wait long The seating in this place is horrible. The tables are so close together, even the very skinny one in our group had a difficult time getting around the table to sit in back. But after she got back there, she had to move to a chair. The bench along the wall sits very high and nobody wanted to sit back there. The place is very loud because the kitchen is open to the restaurant and the staff was constantly clanking the china. There was also a server near the front who was cleaning the silverware. As he cleaned each one, he loudly dropped it into a tub. They also had very loud background music, and everyone had to talk over all these other sounds. Our server had a very broken English and was having trouble understanding us as much as we had difficulty understanding him. Service was slow - very slow. They had a full bar inside the very small restaurant. I think they would be better off using the space instead for seating. The had a nice selection of specialty drinks. Our food was good, but nothing to brag about. Everyone had something a little different, so I won't pick out any specific food item. Again, service was slow, so it took a long time before the server came back to ask if we wanted dessert. A couple people ordered dessert, and said it was also good. Since our bride-to-be had a sash stating she was the bachelorette, it was nice of the restaurant to send a round of after dinner shots to the table, however only one or two of the people in my party liked the taste.
(1)
Megan H.
Really really good!!! I had some kind of pasta with pot roast and the pot roast was great! Very tender. My boyfriend ordered something that wasn't even on the menu and they made it for him happily. The wait was long but it was a Saturday night and the food was excellent, as was the wine. Great date spot too!
(4)
Jay D.
Excellent Dinner and tablecloth art on night of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Follow the link: yelp.com/biz_photos/6PQT…
(4)
Eric C.
oh yea...i really liked this place....I blew in from the west coast and have an Italian uncle from Brooklyn as my background so I know good Italian. My unc can cook! Carpaccio Con Arugola, Asparagus, Blue Cheese, Tomato, salad, salmon, chicken picatta and Parmesan were great! Had another salad w/ great dressing Cernia con Asparagi - Pan-roasted red grouper with wild mushrooms, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, garlic, lemon and balsamico is incredible. I used to live in FL...I know grouper...and this grouper deserved a diamond ring! If i lived in Chi town I'd be here ...like....all da time!
(4)
Gordon B.
I took my parents here for a celebratory dinner. The food and atmosphere lived up to the occasion. It was very busy but our waitress was still very attentive to us. The portions were large and delicious. Some times you go to places where you think they give you a lot of food but it's cheap, poor quality. Not at Mia Francesca. On the contrary, everything tasted fresh and homemade. I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Stephanie L.
I used to love this restaurant. I haven't been here in years...like 7-8 years. But it wasn't how I remembered it. Definitely still bustling. It's loud. It's crowded. It's crammed. Service was really meh. Server wasn't engaging & didn't really offer up much for suggestions when asked. The food wasn't how I remembered either. It tasted like a step above OG or Magiannos. Very plain, very cookie cutter, very meh. Overall, there are about a million other Italian places I would rather spend my $$ on. It's really just ok. I probably won't go back.
(3)
Ben B.
My first visit to Mia Francesca was on New Year's Eve, 2014. We sat next to a very loud table of 12. It was nearly impossible to get our waiter's attention. I checked my phone and he didn't come around to get our entree orders for 50 minutes. Five-oh. Fifty. Minutes. Granted, the place was packed for New Year's, but that table told us they pre-booked a package. We, too, had made reservations, so it's not like they didn't know they'd be busy. You'd think a manager would swoop in when they saw us waving at the oblivious waiter. It seemed like a total breakdown of operations. I'm trying to take that with a grain of salt. Too often on Yelp, people blast a restaurant for circumstances out of its control. Yes, they should have been more heavily staffed. Or they could have apologized. Or comped a glass of wine. But they didn't. And that put an unfortunate bad taste in my mouth. Now, to the food... * Prosciutto con Burrata - prosciutto di parma with creamy burrata cheese, basil-pine nut pesto, balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil. I loved this. The prosciutto was great. I used it to roll up some burrata bites. Most excellent. * Pollo Arrosto alla Romano ($17) - Roasted half chicken with garlic, shallots, rosemary, lemon and olive oil, served with roasted potatoes. Quite good. An enormous serving for $17. The chicken sits in a pool of delicious gravy-type goodness. I couldn't eat much of this because I went to town on the complimentary bread while waiting a minor eternity to get our entrees. I believe Mia Francesca could be an awesome place on a quieter night. I may revisit it in the future.
(3)
Sean W.
My wife and I have gone to Mia Francescas since the night we got engaged. Every year since (5) we have returned on our anniversary and the experience is great every time. The food is outstanding and so is the service. The staff is very welcoming and treated us to complimentary champagne and desert for our special occasion...you can't beat that! Another great quality I enjoy about Mia Francescas is the perfect amount of service. This is a personal quality I enjoy, and my opinion may vary from others, but I'm going to put it out there anyway. The service is much like it is in Europe, the waiter/waitress comes by very little, and I LOVE that. I cannot stand it when a server comes over 12 times during my dinner and interrupts a conversation, reaches in front of me while I'm still eating my salad, or filling up my water so many times that the table looks like the mens room floor. Our waiter was perfect in his timing and the staff cleared our table at the appropriate times. Some people like it when the waiter is coming by every minute...not me, so I appreciate the way Mia Francesca operates. As always, my wife and I will continue to dine at Mia Francesca every anniversary, and even date nights.
(5)
Frankie C.
Service: I decided to dine at this restaurant on a whim, so unfortunately I didn't make a reservation, like most. Despite no reservation, I was seated under the estimated time (waited 45 mins ish, quoted an hour plus). The food came out rather quickly, too. Drinks served promptly. Service gets two thumbs up!! Ambience: Casual environment, but ridiculously loud. Carrying on a simple conversation across the table seems almost impossible. For this reason, I do not recommend this restaurant for groups or intimate gatherings. Food: I have received numerous recommendations from the locals in the area to dine at this spot because of the authentic cuisine. To be honest..it's average. If you do not frequently cook delicious Italian food, like myself, perhaps it will appeal to you more than me. The ONLY dish I will rave about is their goat cheese appetizer - YUM! Cost: Unless your getting a dish that has a hodgepodge of seafood, I would say this place is too expensive for average pasta bathed in mediocre sauces. Save your money, buy box pasta, and doctor up some jarred sauce. Overall: Aforementioned, if you don't cook Italian food, I think this restaurant will [potentially] rock your socks.
(3)
Luis O.
The Clark location continues to deliver a 5 star experience in all fronts: professionalism of the staff, food quality,, etc...a solid and consistent neighborhood classic not to be missed!
(5)
Katie H.
The service was great, the atmosphere was intimate (but not too romantic for a sister date), the food was phenomenal, and the portions weren't insanely large like some Italian places. They were enough to make you just slightly uncomfortably full if you ate it all - after eating some delicious warm bread as a starter, of course. I really can't say enough good things about Mia Francesca. I'll certainly be back to try a new dish!
(5)
Katherine M.
You know how your mom would make spaghetti that wasn't always the most amazing thing in the world, but in that moment it was exactly what you needed and completely delicious? That is how I think of Mia Francesca. The first time I went there I had a lentils starter that was freaking amazing, I wish that was a standard on the menu. I just went again for the second time and I was equally as pleased. Based on the menu last night they switch out dishes pretty regularly so the actual pasta dishes and entrees won't ever be the same. Regardless, the variety is great. The food itself is always really solid. The flavors are consistent and well balanced. The service is pretty prompt and fairly good at keeping your water filled, table clean etc. Overall if you are feeling like Italian food and don't want a long wait, this is your go-to place. It's a intimate space where it's easy to score a table, and better yet, the food is pretty solid across the board.
(4)
N E.
Mia Francesca is one the best date night spots. From the hand written menu, to the always changing selection of food to order. Keeps me coming back for years. With most Italian restaurants making the same meals year after year... This is a fresh take on dinning draws you back for years to come. Over the past ten years, I have never come out of here unhappy. That is a lot to be said. They have always had a great helpful staff, which makes ordering a pleasure!
(4)
Jason A.
I don't even know where to begin with this total disaster other than to tell you in one sentence to skip this place don't even waste your time. Normally I'm a critic of cheesy Chicago Italian restaurants, this place tries to bust that stigma by having several local locations and a rotating seasonable menu. Unfortunately the boring menu and horrendous execution lack in every possible way. First, we were seated up stairs in the midst of a rehearsal party, loud, couldn't walk, annoying. Several tables were seated at once and our server was slow to come to us after going to a table next to us twice. His utter incompetence continued to show through the rest of the meal. We asked for more bread it arrived 10 minutes later. The table side olive oil is nice as it has a touch of heat from chilis. Appetizers of prosciutto and asparagus and calamari were ok, if not a touch too small. I enjoyed the marinara sauce. Once entrees came this mess went even further downhill. 1 of 7 diners didn't receive his food. When he did after complaining, it was the wrong dish. Then we just said forget about it, then it came out anyway. What a waste of food. My skate wing was inedible. The spinach was so salty I thought I was at McDonald's. The fish looked like it was covered in puke and was also so salty a couple bites was all I could muster. No one at the restaurant asked why I inexplicably only had two bites. Hilariously the service was such a joke they brought the wrong food to other tables 3 times, just seemed totally lost. Management at least tried but at that point who cares. We got a free entrees and 4 free desserts. When I'm starving, free dessert doesn't cut it. Dinning wear looked like plastic plates from a cafeteria. Very strange. Horrendous experience I'll never be back.
(1)
Chris H.
Italian restaurants fall into three buckets: 1) "fine" dining establishments where you fear the server might break into a French accent, 2) The Olive Garden and its ilk and 3) homey neighborhood joints with solid menus where the chef /owner doesn't take risks, but neither does he/she take credit cards. Mia Francesca is the ideal combination of #1 and #3 with nary a hint of #2. They absorbed our large-ish party of seven and timed the servings perfectly, kept our glasses full and still got us out the door before we could ruin any dates at adjacent tables. They're not "rustic" or even remotely chi-chi here, but they do rotate the menu and the specials were outstanding. It isn't quiet or romantic, but you will feel comfortable and you won't feel intimidated.
(4)
Christopher H.
I have been dining at Mia Francesca for 10+ years and have usually enjoyed it. The last three times, however, service has been very poor. The kitchen churns out food so fast and it's slung at you like in a diner -- on every visit, I've had entrees show up before I'm even done with a starter -- in one case, less than 5 minutes after the starter had been put down. The timing and air of service is wildly off, and the kitchen exhaust no longer seems to work -- I've left each time reeking of grease and cooking smell. I would say avoid for now, or try Francesca's on Bryn Mawr, which seems to still be OK.
(2)
Shane C.
I have been to all of the Francesca locations and this location, of course, met all the standards that the other locations had previously set. My girlfriend and I had a reservation here on Valentines Day and it was not hard to acquire as I had requested a table through Open Table, the app for smartphones which is amazing. We arrived a little early so they sent us up to a different level where there was a full bar and more dining space. Full bar? It was not stocked with what was on their menu. I wanted a Two Brothers and the bartender spent almost 10 minutes searching for one until he finally told me they were out. Not the biggest deal in the world but the knowledge upfront would have been nice. Our waitress failed to mention her name as well as offer us anything more to drink. That was a bit of a decline in service. Also, the busboys are sloppy. When they are refilling water at your table and around your table, there is water spilling everywhere and it was extremely annoying. I don't know if it was because the tables were so close together or it's a common occurrence. Same with cleaning tables and adding cheese to dishes. They don't realize that their careless, face-paced methods are effecting other people around them. It's the smaller things that many don't pay attention to that can really dissatisfy a customer. Anyways, I'm done complaining. The food was extraordinary. The carpaccio was fantastic. My girlfriend and I get it every chance we get. As for the main courses, my girlfriend ordered a artichoke ravioli and I ordered the 4 cheese pizza (which was shaped like a heart, how cute). My girlfriend said that the ravioli was good, and that was all she really said so I'm assuming it was just okay. I should have tried it. As for the pizza, it was pretty good. I would recommend it to those who REALLY LIKE CHEESE. I can't stress that enough. The pizza is so rich. Mozzarella, goat, gouda, and blue cheese. I'm sure you can imagine what that tastes like. Yes, you need to pace yourself because that bad boy is RICH. But it is good. So, 3 stars all around. Yes, the fact that the service was slower because of a holiday has been taken into consideration. There are other contributing facts that brought this place down in scale. Far from a 5 and somewhat close to a 4. Give this place a try but it's not a "go-to".
(3)
Ana W.
I actually want to rant and rave about this place - went for my first time for Sunday brunch around noon with friends from out of town. We were asked if we wanted to sit outside, which I never say no to! The patio is great, it's closed off so it's cute and quiet. Inside of the restaurant, although I didn't spend much time in there, looked really nice, clean and organized. I ordered a bloody Mary (actually 2, but that's beside the point) and good lord, it was good! Perfect amount of spice, not too watery or vodka-y with lots of snacks in it, which I love. For my meal I got the eggs in a frame, which was toast with an egg on it that came with potatoes, bacon and sausage - all really delicious and just what I wanted. My friends all liked their food as well (none of us were able to finish, we were so full on bloody Mary snacks). Everything was reasonable price-wise; the drinks were five bucks a piece(!) and the average price for our meals was around 11 dollars; not bad for a relatively large portion. The staff was really great, a man who I believe was the owner or manager led us to our seats and checked back with us on how everything was once we finished. The only complaint I have is the constant filling of water. I appreciate it if my glass is almost empty, but filling it up every time I take a couple drinks is unnecessary. Other than that - fast, friendly service! I haven't been for dinner here, but I will definitely be back again for brunch.
(4)
Alan K.
I really like the casual feel of this restaurant compared to the other location adjacent to the Hancock Tower. The menu is similar in style to the other location where their menu changes constantly so you never really have the same thing twice. It was a great for Sunday brunch where we imbibed on some fantastic $5 Bloody Mary's. I had the rigatoni with an assortment of vegetables. It was quite delicious with just the right portion size. Also, before our main dishes came out, we were given a nice warm loaf of bread. I believe that in front of this location, there was an option for valet parking available for $8.
(4)
Kris R.
mia francesca holds a real special place in my heart. when i was about 14, my sister and i took my mom here for her birthday, which was the last time we'd celebrate with her. back then, i think this was the only location, and it was always packed. loud, bustling - but i was 14 and this was all fabulous, and i considered myself lucky for being there. consistency - it's been the same all these years (i will not age myself, as you may all i think i look younger than i am, thanks) and i can always count on a great italian dinner, no matter what. but most recently i came with a good friend, who desperately needed to carbo load for the marathon, and like a good sport, i'm always looking for an excuse to do so. it makes me feel like a good friend and a fat ass at the same time. a good, fat, friend. i ordered the rigatoni con scarola (but with fettucine) - sausage, cherry tomatoes, oregano, white beans, escarole, garlic + pine nuts in a light herb sauce. it was delicious and light. i was eating leftovers for like, a week - it seemed like an never-ending bowl. she ordered something similar, but without the sausage (i am always the less dainty one). again, another winner. this place is really no frills, straight-forward, straight-up italian food. nothing fancy, not gimmicky. if you don't know, they change their menu on the regular, so it never gets old, yet it always stays loyal and consistent.
(4)
Jamie B.
Another 5 star experience for food, service, and atmosphere at Francesca's. Nothing to do with my dining experience, but as a nice person, I let someone go ahead of me to the women's room. There is only one on the main floor, so I decided to be nice and let her go ahead of me. Dumb move on my part...that idiot in the red satin shirt who decided to take a dump in the only women's room on the main floor clogged the toilet!! She knows who she is if she is reading this review. So gross. I notified the busboys, they should get employee of the year award because they ran right in there to begin unclogging it.
(5)
Thomas B.
I've eaten here several times. Very nice rustic seasonal menu and great prices. If you can make a reservation, do so, as waiting at the bar can be quite the ordeal. Great fresh pasta, also the carpaccio is fantastic. Definitely worth the visit.
(4)
Lisa Z.
I'd been to a different Francesca location, but had heard the greatest things about this one! I went with a friend who, coincidentally, had been to the same location earlier that week. A mere 2 days earlier. I said we could go elsewhere, but she wanted to go again -- must be a good sign! First, we were asked if we wanted to sit upstairs. That worked, but it was kind of weird. Just seat us! We had a reservation (made on Open Table -- bonus points for restaurants where you can make a reservation on Open Table!). I had just made the 6:45 reservation earlier that day (around 4), so it was great. Not that crowded when we came, but crowded when we left. Surprisingly, we had no problem finding street parking either. When we were seated, my friend said that our waiter was the same waiter she'd had earlier that week. He didn't even give her crap when she ordered the same dish she'd ordered 2 nights ago! Must not have remembered. We skipped the appetizer because they served fresh warm bread, always a bonus. The only downside (though this would be a downside for lots of Italian spots) was they didn't have parmesan to put in the olive oil for bread dipping. That's my fave. I ordered a primavera pasta, chocked full of fresh veggies and a light tomato cream sauce. It was PERFECTION! I have been attempting to eat healthy lately, so this helped me feel that way (though I probably wasn't that healthy... who knows). It was such a big serving that I took home enough for another big meal of leftovers! Too bad I don't like leftovers. My friend ordered a rigatoni with braised pot roast, which was very good. But I liked mine better! Ordered a post meal latte and that was excellent too. No complaints about this place -- I will definitely be back.
(5)
Andrea P.
Francesca's in Lakeview has great food, always large crowds (not first date appropriate, at least not the Lakeview location), a cozy feel, and just damn great prices. I wouldn't claim Francesca's as being the most authentic Italian in the city but their food is awesome and they have very wallet friendly prices. Their mussels in tomato sauce are so yummy! The sauce was so good that I sneakily added some into my non-tomato sauce pasta. Their wine selection is okay but nothing to be excited about. I can only speak for the Creme Brule when talking deserts but it was creamy, perfectly caramelized, and just the right size (okay, I like my things a bit bigger but hey, the longer the time I can spend with such a wonderfully crafted dessert, the better).
(4)
Kate S.
Mia Francesca is absolutely my favorite Italian place in Chicago. I love the changing menu, and have never been disappointed by a meal. The pasta is perfectly cooked, the sauces are fresh, and the portions allow me enough for lunch the next day. The main room is crowded and noisy, which gives it a nice neighborhood feel, but if you're interested in a more intimate and quiet dining experience, ask to sit upstairs or in the carriage house.
(5)
Jessica V.
Let me start off by saying, I LOVE Italian food. I was brought up on it, and I'd have to say, it's probably my favorite type of food to eat, make, etc. My boyfriend and I had been trying to find a good, solid Italian restaurant since we moved here and we had been talking about going to Mia Francesca FOREVER. We always would have intentions on going and either ordered in or opted for something closer to home. We FINALLY made it this weekend. Such a let down. We made reservations on OpenTable for Friday night at 830. We got there on time and the place was jam packed with people. We ended up having to wait about 20 minutes until we were seated, and ended up being seated in the "coach house". At first we thought it was actually better than being in the main dining room because it was much quieter, except that we were seated right in front of the door so everytime anyone came in or out it was freezing! As soon as we sat down we ordered a bottle of wine. We looked over the menu and opted for the stuffed pepper appetizer. The service was going well at this point, however about 10 minutes passed after the appetizer order was placed and still no wine. Then the appetizer came, we ate it. It was pretty good, a little too oily, but good nonetheless, but still no wine. We ordered our entrees....and still... no wine. Finally my boyfriend went to the bar and asked the waiter what the deal was with the wine, and he gave him some explanation about having to get the wine from the main restaurant. Really? 30 minutes to get a bottle of wine??? Anyway, the entrees came... I got the tilapia and my boyfriend got the rigatoni with sausage. My entree... Was okay. The brown butter sauce and balsamic glaze combined had this strange taste, almost like breakfast syrup. It was kind of unappealing. The portion of fish was massive, with a few scattered artichoke heart pieces and tomatoes. I felt it was odd that there was no starch with it, but that wasn't a deal breaker. My boyfriend's entree was about a pound of rigatoni swimming in about a half gallon of milk. It was the runniest cheese sauce I had ever seen and it had no taste to it whatsoever. All and all it was a bit of a disappointment. Mediocre Italian at a pretty hefty pricetag. We will no be back
(2)
steve l.
solid.
(4)
BF K.
Reliable Italian dinner- great place to go if you're looking for a delicious menu that switches up every week or so to keep things interesting. Small space, if you're planning to go in for dinner, better to make a reservation so you aren't disappointed if they're booked up (which it seems they usually are! they have a great following)- but making a same day reservation has always been pretty do-able for me. Tables in the downstairs area are pretty tight-knit and close together- if you can get upstairs for dinner, there seems like a bit more space to breath. Definitely worth a visit for a change of place in the Wrigleyville area!
(4)
Kay B.
The ravioli is very yummy. The service was good. It was a little squished. but good food + great service + blue jeans = a good place for a date night!
(4)
Sean C.
I've loved this place for years. Before I even moved to Chicago, my Dad and I would always go here to eat. Now, it's become my go-to Italian restaurant - PERFECT for a date. They support the Open Table reservation system, which works like a gem - on this note, when they make a reservation for you, they hold it for you. Absolutely no waiting. This is a HUGE +1 for them - they keep their word. Firstly, the place is well laid out. Their primary dining area is a little tight and loud (some may find this a negative), but that's all the fun of it. I actually enjoy being around so many people, laughing, and enjoying themselves. It has a great, well-lit vibe. If you're looking for moody and quiet, this isn't the place. The staff has always been so friendly and never stressed - which could play into poor service. Food comes relatively fast, as expected, water / wine is filled quickly, and they're always considerate of your experience. Overall the food is great. I don't think I've ever ordered something that I didn't like - I always take leftovers. The menu itself is limited - probably 6-10 items per section, but who needs extreme quantities of options? They have everything, your taste may want. FYI, the tiramisu is phenom. In the summer the also have a patio area in the back. This is my one gripe. I once took a date here who crashed onto her knees because she tripped and fell down the almost unnoticeable steps leading out to the patio. Gotta have that fixed or otherwise make them more apparent. They're so small and short that one wouldn't even call them stairs or steps. They also have a secondary, upstairs dining area, but it doesn't take away from the experience and doesn't feel like you'd be sitting in some "economy class" dining room, to put it in perspective. Top notch place, not overly expensive, but just right and the food will always please.
(5)
J W.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a Sunday night, it was our first time and we were not disappointed! There are a lot of Italian restaurants in Lakeview, and I would say Mia Francesca is up to par with the others I've visited. Like most Italian restaurants in the area- Mia Francesca is small, moderately lit, and has some traditional and creative offerings on the menu. Yes you will be sitting nearby another diner, and you will probably hear some of their conversation, if that's not what you're in the mood for then hike on over to Olive Garden, because this is Chicago and space is limited. Olive oil has flakes of basil marinating inside, it pairs nicely with their warm bread and parmesan. We shared the Bocconcini de Mozzarella which was delish! The mozzarella was so fresh and the peppers added a nice taste, it was very light and clean. I had their Valentine's Day special with seabass and vegetables, it was a perfect piece of fish and the vegetables were crunchy and perfectly sauced. The seabass was lightly fried on the outside, so those bites were a bit oily which I didn't prefer. My boyfriend had the filet with mushrooms and spinach, we had to send it back because it was a little undercooked, but once they got the temperature correct it was so good! Our server Meredith was so sweet, she checked in on us appropriately and made fantastic wine pairing recommendations. She was honest with our inquiries about food taste and popularity, I am pleased she steered me in a good direction for my meal. We would go back, Mia Francesca will go into our rotation of Italian dinner spots for sure!
(4)
Alex D.
The food was excellent! The biggest gripe I had with this restaurant, which is admittedly small, is that their menu is relatively limited. All of my friends loved their food, and they have valet parking for $10 dollars!
(4)
Kathy T.
My friends and I stopped by here for dinner on the way to a Cubs game (it was recommended to us as a must try if you're in the area). We were so glad we did! We were running late and called in a few times to move around our reservation. They were very nice about it. Food: - Bread with herb infused olive oil: very good and held us over until the rest of the food arrived. - Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta and Wild Mushrooms: I ordered this dish and was surprised at how tasty everything turned out. I didn't realized this dish had mushrooms, but the flavors were so good I didn't even mind it! The polenta was too creamy and had the texture of mashed potatoes so I didn't enjoy that part of my dish too much. - Pollo alla Florentina: the-juiciest-chicken breast-i-have-ever-tasted. lemon butter sauce..not too big of a fan, but WOW. JUICY and TENDER! - Rigatone con Melanzane: the sauce was out of this world. - Spaghetti with Sausage: ehh...not much I can say. It's spaghetti.... - Cavatelli con Pesto: cavatelli was a little too doughy for my taste, but the pesto was good. Service was impeccable. Our server was warm and friendly. We told him we were in a hurry because we had to get to the game, so he brought everything out super fast! This was one of our favorite dining experiences during our trip to Chicago.
(4)
James L.
Bad Italian restaurants are all over the suburban Midwest. You can always recognize one by the staff (usually Spanish-speaking) and the menu (the meals are usually not preceded by salads). They typically rear their ugly heads in strip malls, in the form of Olive Garden, Carrabas, Zios and Bravos. Now they have apparently invaded the urban 'hoods of Chicago as cute and intimate little restaurants like Mia Francesca. Like the chains, the food sucks. I don't know how hard it is to replicate a Chef Boyardee spaghetti sauce, but I don't think a restaurant should try to either. And the service sucked too. The waiter gave me a glass of Merlot and insisted it was White Zinfandel. Bad food and bad service. It's definitely your typical Midwestern Italian.
(1)
Bill S.
I held a surprise party for my partner's 50th birthday for 21 guests in January 2014. It was upstairs. The party planner Katherine was great, filled with helpful suggestions. The servers were very attentive, and stayed late. The food was excellent. This location was an old favorite we hadn't been to in many years, and it still is a great restaurant. I heartily recommend it.
(5)
Jim B.
We had six in our party with a table in the courtyard. Highly recommend the courtyard if the weather is nice due to the noise inside. Everyone was very happy with their meals and the waiter was very helpfull. Food is terrific and the prices are reasonable. Also they have a large gluten free menu as well.
(5)
Mark Y.
This little gem is within walking distance to our house. This was my first time and it far exceeded any expectations I had. Ordered the Risotto and Bruschetta for appetizer followed by the Ravioli and Pollo Arrosto Alla Romana. Everything was very fresh but the Pollo Arrosto was a home run!. My wife and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Damian C.
Ladies and gentleman, this is Mia Francesca No. 1 One, two, three, four, five, everybody on the Clark bus, so come on Let's ride to the Italian joint up the corner The boy says he wants some carbo loading But I really don't want the Same old pasta like I have each week I found myself a hot spot that's yum and cheap I like wining, and dining, red drinker, big eater And thanks to VillageVines, 30% off makes it sweeter Two-top in the back, I really thank you my Lord Some great Italian I love to engorge Hot crusty bread, fresh rosemary oil, let me dump it A little bit of Cabernet in my glass, Bruschette con Rucola I won't pass Rigatoni alla Pollo is what I need, big enough for two people to feed Gnocchi Bolognese a bite I'll steal, Italian overload is how I feel A huge Torta di Ciccolata I'm a fan, dinner under $70 makes me your man! I'll spare you the rest. It's delicious. You must eat here. Even if this review doesn't get you to go to Mia Francesca right away, I hope it gets that awful Mambo No. 5 song stuck in your head, and you may be risking additional lyrics written my yours truly.
(5)
Kim C.
Oh so good Italian food. Our large party shared bruschetta and calamari. Each was good, and while the breaded deep fried calamari rings have lost their luster at most restaurants, these were light but flavorful. My pasta and seafood dish was great -- it came as ordered (changes to the menu seem totally okay), the scallops were perfectly cooked (not raw but not chewy either) and the pasta had a great firm texture that was worth going back for. Everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy their dishes that ranged from the half roasted chicken (ordered by the regulars) and a couple of pizzas that looked phenomenal. I was too full to order dessert, but I'd go back just to try the tiramisu that someone ordered and promptly devoured. And they handled my 6yo very well. Hard to give 5 stars on the basis of one visit, but if they do this well on my next time around, they'll have that extra star for sure.
(4)
Liam B.
If you don't like Mia's there might be something wrong with you. I've been there for brunch and dinner and everything has always been delicious. Like other such places if you get wine and a bunch of food you will be spending some $$ but overall the prices are pretty standard. Excellent service, great food, good prices, and great wine selection, probably best Italian restaurant in Wrigleyville.
(5)
Mat M.
Mia Francesca is a good for Italian. The service is good, the food is consistent and they have a few locations. If you're looking for something easy and tasty, give them a chance
(4)
Kris A.
Yum yum yum. This is a great little Italian place with friendly, knowledgeable waiters and incredible food. I ordered the salmon and it was fantastic (and I normally don't even like salmon that much). Additionally, I was forced to try some of this spinach appetizer thing, and it was insanely good. Very much enjoyed my wine as well. One problem: I don't like how tightly packed you are in there - this isn't New York - we have room! But I deal with it because the food is delish!
(4)
Jon W.
First off, this is coming from a former employee of Mia Francesca's. SCOTT HARRIS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD AND LIAR. This guy gets away with paying his busboys $2.50 an hour and makes his staff tip out in cash the difference to make up for the minimum wage he does not pay them. Also, if you work for this company, be expected as a server to dole out 50% of YOUR tips to foodrunners, busboys, and the bartender. It's a total SCAM, and I am highly shocked that the IRS has not got a hold of Scott Harris' nuts by now. See, the devil is in the details. Every night, as a server, you have to claim all of your credit card tips. But, you tip everyone out in cash tips. When your taxes come at the beginning of the year, you will owe a shit ton of money, close to double what you ACTUALLY earned. My tax return said I made $40,000, I actually made about $28,000, all clear, and I owed the government. This company is a complete disgrace, and highly illegal.
(1)
Eric C.
Nice and cozy,but a bit on the loud side. Tables fairly close together,one person restrooms. Nice backyard patio area. Ok now to the food. 5 of us for dinner,we had two of the spaghetti specials, soup of pepper was good, not spicy or hot. Spaghetti was dry,pasta under cooked a bit. Someone had the sausage pizza which was light on the sausage,but overall not bad. Server was terrific though. Later fellow yelpers!
(3)
Nikki K.
Went with the boyfriend on a date night. Food was decent, service was fine. But my god, the water guy was ON FIRE. This man was DEDICATED. He refilled our waters 3 times in the first 15 minutes we were there. You couldn't go longer than 10 minutes with a gap between the top of your water and the rim of the glass - this man wouldn't allow such a travesty. I kept a tally: our waitress visited us 10 times, and the water guy visited us 7 TIMES. 40% of the attention we were given was just for water!! Amazing. I hope he ended up with our whole tip for the night. Not that our waitress wasn't good too, but just.. wow. Water guys should really take a lesson from this man. Will definitely go back next time I'm thirsty.
(3)
Shaundra N.
One word: Delicious! I haven't been here for years and I am happy to say that they are still serving great food. I love the calamari appetizer complete with marinara sauce. I also love the bread and olive oil. The main course for both me and my companion was also delicious. I had pasta with Italian sausage and it was all very fresh. We took the Tiramisu home with us and enjoyed it later. It was a great meal from the top to the bottom. I will be back! I gave 4 STARS instead of 5 because of the "too close" seating. I loved the ambiance, but the seating was uncomfortably close to other patrons.
(4)
Beth B.
One of my new favorite places in Chicago to eat Italian. I went to the Lincoln Park location with my mother. It was a last minute decision after a long day of shopping. I am so glad we went here. Food was fresh, delicious and completely authentic. We had a beautifully plated Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella appetizer and shared an entree since we are both light eaters. After trying to decide on many different options we asked for a recommendation, we decided on the Gnocchi with Bolognese. This is seriously the best Gnocchi I HAVE EVER HAD. I will be coming back again and again for this little gem. Great find!
(4)
Amanda H.
My boyfriend and I decided on this place last minute yesterday on Valentine's Day, thanks to you yelpers, and because it is literally right around the corner from my street. We walked in and I had an immediate bad feeling because it was incredibley crowded and tiny, smelled like something was burning, and the hostess was very flustered and frustrated. We told her we had no reservations and she said she would take us to a seat. We followed her but didn't go very far, because there were no seats. She then told us to go upstairs. Bf and I proceeded to leave and go up some random, obscure set of stairs next door and we were seated on the second level, which I want to comment on and say that it was not cold at all, and perhaps even a bit warm. But it was also very busy. Our table seemed to be a bit in the way and I got bumped a lot, but I didn't really mind because it is a popular night. We proceeded to have a nice Valentine's Day dinner and were able to talk without yelling. I had the most delicious red wine and I loved my meal (linguine with pesto and potatoes/string beans). I even had leftovers for two meals. The bf seemed to enjoy his meal, and we relaxed and didn't feel rushed at all. I would return for sure on a less busy night.
(4)
Beth B.
I have been here several times, especially since my parents request we go every time they're in town. Haven't had any reasonably priced Italian better than Mia's in the city yet. Num num!!
(5)
Leslie S.
I had a perfectly fine time at Mia Francesca - it wasn't the best Italian I've ever had, but it certainly wasn't the worst either. The caprese salad was just what you'd expect: tomatoes with mozzarella medallions and a bit of basil and evoo on top. The ravioli con spinaci was nicely done, though I would have substituted the four-cheese sauce for a butter and herb sauce. The wine selection was what you typically find at Italian restaurants in the city - nothing to rave about. Tables are spaced quite close to each other, which probably makes the noise level seem louder than it actually is. It also means that the servers can't always see if you're out of water or finished with the meal. They do what they can, but you might wait awhile if you need service. Reservations probably aren't necessary, but I always think it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dining out. You can usually make same-day reservations on OpenTable without a problem.
(3)
Bob H.
Mia Francesca is one of my favorite Italian spots in the city. While the menu always changes some, there are always some staples that always make an appearance. My personal favorite is the Pollo Romana, and the Pollo Limone if its on the menu. This place is usually packed and can sometimes require you to use a louder voice in conversation. However, the service is always on point. I also recommend dessert here as its always a good ending to a fine dinner. The prices aren't too hateful, and the wine list isn't too bad. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for good Italian in the city.
(5)
Jan S.
We hosted our son's rehearsal dinner in the upstairs private room at Mia Francesca's. WOW it was amazing. From the 1st phone call to the event coordinator to the actual event I was treated so pleasantly and so accomodating. The food was incredible and very generous portions. On a 5 star rating I would give a 6.....The atmosphere was quaint and the staff so pleasant. Would recommend highly. Jan S
(5)
Team B.
We scored the last walk-in reservation of the evening around 6:30 on a Saturday. The place was packed and loud, and the staff were young and a bit overwhelmed. Still, the food was quite tasty. We enjoyed some bread and olive oil along with a small bowl of parmesan cheese that one of the staff brought over for us. I ordered a Twisted Negroni, though it turned out that I preferred the original. We also ordered an appetizer of fried cauliflower and brussels sprouts (despite the fact that Heather dislikes brussels sprouts). The dish worked pretty well; we were pleased. We got an order of Ravioli Tartufati for our main course. The cream sauce and truffle oil paired very well with the pasta and tomatoes. Despite the noise, we stuck around to try the tiramisu. We are suckers for good tiramisu, and Francesca's rendition was solid. It was creamy with enough of a cocoa dusting to cut through the sweetness of the cheese. Recommended! Given that the Bryn Mawr location is not that far away (closer to our place in Evanston, for sure) and much larger, I'd imagine future Francesca's trips will target that location. The Clark Street room was too loud and crowded considering identical menus at both locations (as far as I could tell, anyway).
(4)
Drew B.
By far one of the best Italian restaurants not only in Lakeview, but in the city. Wonderful food, great atmosphere and hasty service with a smile. It also helped that I had an amazing dinner companion that evening. I'll be back Mrs. Francesca
(5)
Casey Z.
Love, love, love Mia! This restaurant is so cute (perfect for a first date). Very rustic. They have wonderful Italian food. Everything is very fresh and homemade. I remember reading somewhere that when Jennifer Aniston was in town filming "The Breakup," she listed Mia Francesca as one of her favorite restaurants in the city.
(4)
Rits T.
This place is awesome. I ordered seafood pasta and I was so happy with my meal. It made me full for 2 days.. Def order more..
(4)
Tammy M.
Love this place and it is one of my Chicago favorites! Went here last weekend when my sisters were in town visiting and everyone loved their food. My sister said that it was one of the best meals that she has ever had and when it came time to go out to dinner the following night she said wherever we go she knows she is going to be disappointed and sure enough she loved her dinner at Mia's so much more. It seems to be much less crowded that it was in years past, not sure why that is but I really enjoyed that I was able to get a last minute reservation.
(4)
Kyle K.
Ate here last Thursday and the food was excellent! Sooooooo good! Very pleased with the service and the back patio is small but very nice. The only thing is I would reccomment staying away from their coffee Martini, tastes like straight up coffee beans. I didn't have the heart to return it but they added some sweetner so that is was somewhat drinkable. The Cucumber Mint Martini was pretty good though.
(5)
Morgan C.
This is a great restaurant, one of our favorites. The service is quite good. They change the menu each week. Why is it missing a star? They have become a little impersonal in service and inconsistent with the food since they went corporate. We have gotten to know the new managers since then. However, we have also gone in at times when most of the items on the menue are gone, and it's not even marathon season! The patch job for it doesn't make up. They also don't have certain items that were developed through permitted chef creativity. The corporate piece has cut back on that. I've tried to recreate that celery and leek salad that the chef created right before the take over. How miserable that it has never returned! The waiters who would call us when a favorite item has returned are gone now as well. They didn't want the corporate homogenization to the service. They liked the input they could give on kitchen matters. It's sad. We go less often, but I would still recommend it to others. It's not as reliably consistent as before, but until we get a new favorite Italian restaurant. It is our stand by. It is no longer THE go to for us though. We used to take every out of town guest here and eat at least once a week. Our daughter grew up in it. She was even "saved" by a bus boy as she pushed back from the table in a fit and started to fall backward to the floor in her chair. A regular bus boy was there in a flash and caught the chair just as it was about to hit the floor. She was in shock. We were relieved, and it was an awesome move! He is no longer there either. What a bummer! It does get crowded. They do pack you in. It can get smelly as well. To manage Go during the week If you must go on a busy night, usually they have the upstairs open, ask for a table there. You have more space, and you won't end up smelling like the kitchen. If none of the above are possible, just plan the night in a way in which you can shower right after lest you smell like the kitchen or everyone else's fried food.
(4)
Monica W.
This place is always hit or miss and I am not into surprises. What a bummer because when they're good, they're great and when they're not, they really disappoint. The last time I was here it was so loud that I just wanted to leave because the noise level was just unpleasant, but we were there for someone's birthday and wanted to make the best of it. Boo!
(2)
Heather M.
Wow, this place was amazing! We had a private dinner in the coach house, and it was course after course of excellent food. The calamari was perfect with a nice marinara, the bruschetta had a topping of excellent (homemade?!?) ricotta and a medley of well-seasoned vegetables. The asparagus salad with blue cheese was simple but really tasty. Gnocchi with tomato cream sauce also delicious. We had a couple of chicken dishes, one with a lemony sauce and one with capers, that don't seem to be on the menu, but they were so well-cooked and flavorful that I imagine any chicken course you get will be a hit. Great service, perfect ambiance... I will be back.
My husband and I gave a gift certificate from Francesca's to my mother-in-law for Christmas, based on the wonderful food we had at Francesca's Forno in Bucktown, where we went for our anniversary. My mother-in-law decided to come into the city to have dinner at Francesca's with us, so we headed to Mia Francesca, since it was closer. I have to say, I didnt think the service was great. The waiter came for our drink order right away, then waited a long time to take our food order. He finally came over, and we ordered calamari for an appetizer. He didn't even ask if we were ready to order our main meals, and he left. Our calamari came out, and I will admit, it was good. Not at all rubbery, as it can be. it wasn't until our appetizer was long gone that the waiter came back over to get our food order, which I thought was odd. In any case, I ordered the linguine with shrimp and scallops, topped with tomato sauce. When I got the plate, my first thought was, "where is the sauce?" The linguine had a very thin coating of sauce on it, and 3-4 pieces of tomato, that was it. The dish itself wasn't very flavorful. My father-in-law, who had ordered the same thing, was the first to mention in was bland and he also noticed the lack of sauce. I'm pretty picky with my Italian food, so perhaps that's part of the problem. I just didn't think this meal was worth the price. I could have made something better at home. My husband did enjoy his spaghetti with mushrooms, and my mother-in-law said her lasagna was just OK.
(3)
Yen L.
I came here with some friends, at the high recommendation of a couple members of our party. To me, I was a little skeptical because one person's idea of a great restaurant will always be different from another, and I also thought, "Italian food is Italian food." But hey, I was going into it more for the time with friends, not necessarily the food. I was not disappointed. The service was fast, though not rushed, and friendly. We all were seated by about 6:45, and we were done eating and had our bill around 7:30, or shortly thereafter. And the restaurant was pretty busy the whole time we were there. The food was delicious and delivered hot. We all shared one order of each type of their bruschetta, and my entree was linguine tossed with prosciutto and a cream sauce. The portions were huge. One couple split their gnocchi and were full, and despite my boyfriend taking a few bites of my food toward the end, I still ended up taking the rest home. The dessert menu looked great, but I was so full I knew that having dessert would have been a poor choice, though I wouldn't mind visiting them again just for the sweets. Four stars because of the excellent service and food. Only four stars because it seemed to be rather loud in the restaurant, which didn't quite match the decor. The decor lends itself toward something quieter, but with an open kitchen and tables close together, we occasionally had to raise our voices a bit to be heard, and the tables aren't even that large. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just prepare yourself because you may initially walk in and think you're in for a quieter dinner, when really, depending on how busy they are, you may need to speak up a bit to be heard by your companions. But overall, I really liked this place and am so glad I took my friends' recommendation. I plan to go back again.
(4)
gabriel m.
Wow! Growing up in an Italian kitchen it makes it difficult to eat Italian food outside my kitchen or family members' kitchens. Despite this I always look for places I can go to and be catered to without having to cook it myself of help with the dishes. Mia Francesca is one of these places. I was visiting friends in Chicago this weekend and happened to see the store front on our way back from buying beer for the weekend. My sister's name is Francesca so it definitely caught my eye. My friend told me the place is awesome an went on and on about it. I then knew this was the place to eat on Saturday. Reservations were made Sat. morning. We got there and the place was packed. The smells were familiar and I started getting excited. As we waited for out table, I gazed at the menu which is nothing to rave about since it's nothing but a printout on recycled paper. This is because their menu is made daily to reflect what they have fresh. I only found a few items that you will find on all Italian menus. Everything else was unique to the ingredients they had at their disposal that were the freshest. I got the Veal along with two other friends. The other dishes we got were the Chicken Parmesan and a pasta dish with portobello mushrooms as the main ingredient. However, for starters we for the Bruschetta which was the freshest I have had period. The place was packed but the service was awesome. They could use a little more Air Conditioning but you can't really complain about it. If you have read my previous reviews, you will see that I have a preference for simple menus. This time I need to add one small complaint. This menu is awesome and uses seasonal ingredients, but I would love for it to have at least one tried and true traditional dish on the menu.
(4)
Jeff R.
It's hard to argue against the original Scott Harris invention that spawned the Francesca empire. The food is dependably great, the atmosphere lively and the prices right. I probably only make it to Mia once a year, but that's only because I'm a little different and need to try new places. More normal people that live so close to a culinary staple that is Mia Francesca likely go here once a month, and I envy them (especially in summer). This visit occurred over Thanksgiving weekend after going to the movies down the street. We had a lateish reservation but the place was still packed (and quite loud with the soundtrack). Our starter was a delicious pizza special. My memory and picture suggest it had garlic, arugula, garlic, shaved Parmesan, olive oil, truffle oil and other cheeses. It was the perfect way to start an Italian dinner and the perfect size to avoid ruining our appetite. The ingredients were fresh and it arrived quickly. Erica and I shared a caesar salad to start, with standard tastiness but with the addition of grilled red peppers. Kind of a weird texture and flavor to throw into a classic salad. Erica was not a huge fan. I liked the salad, including the peppers, though it was different. Continuing with the sharing theme, we ordered a rigatoni with lots of vegetables in a light tomato sauce. Again, I liked the dish more than Erica. The vegetables were well seasoned, which made for a great combination with fresh pasta and tasty shaved cheese. It doesn't take much to please me with pasta but it still has to taste great - something Francesca does extremely well for the price ($12.99). At the end of the day, I agree with 460 people on Urbanspoon that Mia Francesca's is one of the best restaurants in Chicago (#19 on their list). I wouldn't say it's 4 Star dining, but it's not supposed to be. They do a great job of provided great Italian food in a fun, casual, neighborhood setting at affordable prices (and affordable wine list too). Our service was solid, and the only critique was that they like to play dance/pop music throughout the restaurant at high levels (contrary to typical romantic Italian spots). Mia remains a solid choice for local Italian, especially when the patio is open for summer.
(4)
Michelle D.
Just went to Mia Francesca again and had my favorite salmon dish (tomatoes, white wine sauce, lemon, etc.) and remembered how it is not just my favorite dish at Mia's, but the best salmon dish I have ever had. The bread is still warm and tasty and the pastas are excellent. We actually just got back from Rome and Venice, and this confirmed the quality and authenticity of Mia Francesca. I love it. And if you want a quieter place, ask to sit upstairs. My previous review gave them 4 stars simply because of the noise levels. The food significantly makes up for this.
(5)
Ashley M.
Good food and good service. I am not a really big fan of Italian food but would definitely go back here. A great place to bring family, even with a smaller menu they have a lot to choose from. We started with the mussels and fried calamari, I have never had either so good. Our entrees were all really great and you get a good sized portion for what you pay for. It can get crowded pretty quickly so definitely make a reservation.
(4)
Mariah V.
Most girls probably would not go on a carb-fest before going out drinking, because they don't want to look bloated in their dresses. They also would not go eat a huge burger and beignets before going out drinking. Luckily my best friend and I are not like that. We came here for my birthday on a Saturday, arriving promptly at 9pm which was our reservation time. The place was packed, and so we were told there would be a wait. But, isn't not having to wait the point of making a reservation? Luckily a couple chairs freed up at the bar, and we were each given a complimentary glass of wine. The bread and olive oil is just the first part of the carb-fest. The real marathon comes with the pasta, because they give you SO much. I had the Gnocchi in a cream sauce. I would've eaten all of it if there were enough room in my stomach. Gnocchi in a cream sauce were so good. I've also had some arrabbiata sauced pasta which was really great. There are antipasti, insalate and pizze that stay on the menu all the time, but everything is handwritten in because they change all the time. I didn't even have room for dessert on my birthday because I ate so much pasta; I guess I should've just asked for a candle in my gnocchi. The packed dining room doesn't bother me. It almost feels appropriate like we're some huge Italian family eating crazy amounts of pasta and bruschette. They just need to figure out their reservation deal. Having to wait 30 minutes after our reservation time is ridiculous, and if you can't get a seat at the bar, there isn't much space to stand and wait. As a bonus, one Friday night here for dinner I saw Calvin Tran from The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection aka Bravo's feeble attempt to replace Project Runway. Yeah you probably don't know who that is or ever watched that tv show, and I don't blame you.
(4)
Don H.
I FINALLY GOT TO COME HERE! We visited with our foodie friend who was looking for some good Italian food. I remembered this place and finally had a good excuse to come here. Without reservations. And without reservations. First of all, the ambiance. It's cramped. Really cramped. And loud. Oddly loud. And lit funny. It's very beautiful, though, but if they could turn the volume down on the conversation with some acoustic engineering it would've been a far better experience. Or stop service alcohol to loud people. Or just limit it to one table in the restaurant. Sorry. The food. Yes. The food was VERY good. Usually when I have Italian food, especially something like funghetto linguine with a cream sauce, I am expecting it to be heavy and almost pasty. Not the case here. It was so light and ... authentic. That's the only word i can think of, though it's not the right word. Light. Fresh. Flavorful. I love mushrooms and I could taste the mushrooms, that earthiness that I love about eating a raw 'shroom. That's what came out of the food. And that's what balanced this experience for me. I would definitely come back, but not on a weekend night. Definitely worth a return visit.
(3)
Eric S.
I've been going to this establishment for years. It is consistently some of the best Italian food on the north side. Like any good Italian eatery it's louder and tight quarters but I will be back often.
(5)
Kanako I.
We came here on Saturday night, and we enjoyed their foods! We were seated on the second floor of this restaurant. The place reminded us of another Italian restaurant on Halsted. We had prosciutto & fichi, quattro stagioni, and spaghetti fagottaro. All simple yet really good! I particularly liked this pasta. yes I know they only use basil, tomato, garlic, oliveoil and cheese...but this pasta can go so wrong at some restaurants....! and I liked here a lot! Pizza was good, too. We both enjoyed all alot. The con is the waiter service was slow. It took for a long time for our waiter to come to us, and take our orders. Took a while to get our appetizer, and took another long time till we get pizza & pasta. And it took for a long time for him to come see if we want something more or need a check, and yes it took a long time for him to bring our check & bring the card back. If only the service was a bit quicker!
(3)
Karina I.
The food is good but... 1) the staff is unprofessional and 2) it is too cramped. I went here last weekend and sat at the bar. On my way in one of the hostesses was walking ahead of me and almost slammed the door in my face. When I sat down, next to me were two girls who were very annoying and already drunk. I figured out based on their way-too-loud conversations that out one of the girls is dating the guy who seemed to be the restaurant manager (who was working there that night) and the other staff members kept pouring them more drinks which only made them more rowdy. The food though is quite good... Maybe I will just go to a different Francesca's location with better service and ambience.
(2)
Michelle S.
This is still my go to restaurant with my girls when I come back to visit. It never fails, we know the food is always good and so we wind up here. I was beyond disappointed with my visit here which prompted my updated, two less star review. It is LOUD. Like hard to have a conversation with someone right next to you loud. It was so crowded and we had a table right next to the bar which is so annoying. The space is small so anyone waiting at the bar is essentially backed up to your table. Add in servers and other staff trying to get by and someone at our table was getting bumped every 10 seconds. Our sever was meh. It took forever to get drinks refilled and ordering dessert and coffee was painful. Our dinner was 2.5 hours long (not that I minded having time to catch up with friends but that's a long time!) I'm going to agree with Monica W. that it's hit or miss and we must have been there on a miss night but I was more than disappointed since my visits are quite infrequent these days since I live out of state. Bummer!
(3)
Amanda G.
Was here a couple of weeks ago visiting a friend in Chicago. She took me to this restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. A bit crowded, but who could blame them with the incredible food they're dishing up. The service was fantastic, too! Absolutely loved every dish I tried. Will definitely be going back there again next time I am in Chicago.
(5)
Allison S.
Went on a friday night with a reservation at 7:15 and the place was packed and very noisy! We got sat at a two person table right inbetween two other two person tables very close together, which I'm not so fond of. Close as in my ass was in the other tables face as I tried to figure out a way to get back to the booth area. We had to pull the table out significantly because there was no way my legs were going to fit under the table with the way the table was set up. However, as we pulled the table out, so I could actually sit down, my boyfriend was right up at the table behind us. Besides that the table behind us was a group of men who were yelling obnoxiously and being extremely rude. After this rocky beginning, we went ahead and ordered the ham and melon and bruschetta to start with since we were starving. Both were great. I had the chicken salvia with tomato sauce mozzarella, ham and pasta, which was delicious. My boyfriend had a sausage pasta with goat cheese that was amazing from what I tried. we also split a great bottle of wine. I was stuffed because the portions are huge, but got convinced into ordering the vanilla creme brulee which was awesome as well. The food definitely gets 5 stars for Italian, but the ambience has much to be improved on.
(4)
Betsy L.
The food was quite authentic and great; however, the restaurant was awkwardly cramped. We were unfortunately seated at the busiest corner of the restaurant -- service counter and restrooms. This may not bother others as much, but I was over-stimulated. I was in great company though!
(4)
Adriane P.
The dining equivalent of organizing your desk, network tv, or elevator conversation. Just a hodge podge of banality. We ordered: Red Wine Overpriced. Pollo Arrosto alla Romana Roasted half-chicken with garlic, shallots, Rosemary, lemon, and olive oil with roasted potatoes. Bland considering all the savory elements. No idea why. Salmone alla Senape Roasted salmon with portobello mushrooms in a mustard brandy cream sauce on a bed of spinach. He said it was bland and a let down. What is going on? From those descriptions they sound great, right? But I'm not even mad. I'll try it again because it wasn't that bad annnnnnnd the atmosphere is really cozy and romantic. And our server looked and acted just like Charlie from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He even had his delightful laugh and sense of humor. That's enough for me to put on my eatin mittens on and hope I'll be smitten, kittens.
(3)
Rebecca N.
Stumbled upon this gem by accident and boy were we happy! Unique, Itallian brunch menu and 5 dollar mimosas/bloody mary's! I got the chicken hash which was outstanding. I tried my friends Baked Uovo Florintines. Again excellent. Both were a bit heavy and could be shared. Inexpensive, fun, brunch place especially if you are looking to drink!
(4)
Megan E.
My husband and I have been here several times over the past few years, for Valentine's Day dinner and most recently our one year wedding anniversary. We can always count on a good meal here, and the atmosphere is always great. The bread is always delicious--ask for fresh shaved Parmesan to dip it in along with the table olive oil, it's so good! We each had a salad to start and my husband ordered the half chicken and roasted potatoes (his go-to dish) and I ordered the mussels. They were delicious and the tomato sauce is so good, with a little kick to it, that you can sop your bread in it. I literally ate it with a spoon! The prices are what you'd expect for a nice Italian restaurant but if you don't order alcohol it's a lot less. We've never had enough room to order dessert but they have a pretty good selection. Not sure if you can request it but I highly recommend the top level if you're going for a date--it's a lot more quiet and romantic, and the tables aren't as jammed together.
(5)
Justine M.
Service = amazing. Calamari = one of the best calamaris I've had Caprese = SOO GOOD and thick Lobster pasta = DELISH Pesto pasta = not worth the price but still pretty good. Nothing too special. Tirimisu = soft and rich. Would definitely go back. I also love the inside; It's a little small, but it gives the place character.
(5)
Michael W.
I have been going to this place for years. Out of them all this one is still top notch. The service and food are great. You do sometimes have to deal with the volume and sitting on top of other people but its worth it. If your looking for romantic then maybe this isn't your spot. Its loud and rocking almost every night. They print menus every day and have a few specials here and there but the core menu is a staple. Just remember you are going to be seated close to others. Not communal tables but very close. That's my only issue but once your eating who cares.
(5)
Helen H.
This place was decent. Nothing too special. My drink was terrible unless their goal was to come as close as possible to cough syrup. We got the spaghetti which was classic and delicious. The baked chicken was quite filling and had delicious flavor. Overall delicious and decent prices but not something to write home about.
(3)
Sean M.
Ok, let me first say DO NOT SIT UPSTAIRS IF IT'S A COLD NIGHT! I REPEAT, DO NOT SIT UPSTAIRS! You will freeze your a** off! The doors stay open from the outside and the staff keeps coming in and out and there is no "wind-blocker" so the cold air just shoots right into the small dining room. I WILL SAY...the food is really great! Service is good too. The music was odd for a upscale italian place....they had B96 on. How about some classical or Sinatra????
(3)
Courtney M.
Delicious and accommodating! Made my friend a dish that wasn't on the menu :)
(5)
Katie S.
I wish I could write separate reviews for brunch and dinner here. I'd say the brunch was a 2 and the dinner was a 4 - so we'll go with a solid 3 overall. Brunch - I think this is a new deal for them. I went with a group of girlfriends a few weeks ago, and it was just kind of awful. I was so excited because I saw that they make their bloody marys with my favorite mix (Zing Zang! recommended by my brother the bartender ;) ) and it was super bland and watered down. UGH. It took the server forever to take our food order. I got a hash with scrambled eggs, potato, fried chicken and bacon... which should have been heaven... but was DISGUSTING. The dish basically had fried pieces of gristle in it. I couldn't even come close to trying to finish it. Dinner is much better. Service was very attentive even on a busy Saturday night. Pasta was delicious and still good as leftovers the next day as well. I thought their pricing was reasonable too. Work on the brunch, though, Mia Francesca. Please. I think you can do a lot better.
(3)
Lena L.
Noisy and bustling like an Italian family restaurant should be. The menu options were awesome. They had a menu just for gluten-free dishes! The menu was long too! I enjoyed that perk very much! The sauces and pastas were so delectable and tasty. They were not drenched yet they were flavorful. I thought this place did a good job!
(3)
Gerardo H.
Took my wife there for an early valentines day dinner. Awesome food, reasonably priced all things considered. My wife ordered the salmon and I got the veal. Both were extraordinary. We also got the calamari and bruchetta for appetizers, I can't speak for the bruchetta since I've never really liked it (from anywhere) but the calamari was easily the best I've ever had. I had to take away one star because of the seating arrangement. It's kind packed tightly in there so you end up sitting really close to a bunch of strangers... And of course your over hearing their entire conversations, and they yours. If the tables were a little further apart it would definitely get that extra star, but I would still recommend it.
(4)
Amanda H.
This is a great restaurant for date night! They have a fantastic menu. I eat gluten free so I ate off of their gluten free menu and had pasta. I didn't even realize they were gluten free noodles. This restaurant does get very noisy when it is crowded, so it can be hard to hear the people you are sitting at a table with. However, the atmosphere is wonderful. The waiters are very nice and helpful also. If you are looking for a good Italian restaurant in the city try Mia Francesca!
(4)
Adam B.
A favorite of ours since the place opened in the early 90s. Huge and delicious servings of freshly made pasta; quick service; nice "night-out" atmosphere without being formal or stuffy. The fried calamari is simply the most perfectly cooked version you will ever have. Mia Francesca is simply our "go-to" place when the urge strikes. And now they take reservations, so we walked right in to our table. By the way, this is the original location for the Francesca's empire. They got it right here first and the rest followed.
(5)
Tom D.
I have had many different pasta dishes here, and I can never finish the plates! Great sauces.
(4)
Richie D.
Every fourth restaurant in Chicago is Italian (the rest are all split between Thai, Mexican or another cuisine). In other words, competition and expectations are high...while those who have wheat-allergies try to talk their friends into changing their minds set on pleasing their Italian appetites. Thank goodness for the small Francesca chain. Here, anyone can ask and receive. Mia Francesca has an entire menu of gluten-free pastas that are made purely of quinoa (and by that I mean not a quinoa-corn mix). If you're new to the gluten-free/celiac diet, quinoa is not only a lifesaver but a grain that originates in the Andes which is low in sodium, has no cholesterol, contains 16.2% more protein than any other grain and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Yep, a godsend. For other food items, the calamari salad is full of those little guys causing you to get your money's worth. Or the mussels are also not super full of seafood flavor but garlic. I slurped down the Pasta al Pomodorini: linguini sauteed in a 'spicy' cherry tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs. Perfectly flavorful, delicious and GLUTEN-FREE ITALIAN! Purchase yourself one of their wonderful bottles of wine and you're set! For those who doesn't have wheat allergies, don't miss out on their profiteroles with pistachio ice cream. D-Lic! Otherwise, the flourless chocolate cake with fresh berries is your match.
(5)
Ernie C.
Enjoyed the fast service and good food. Had the pesto chicken pasta for $16.99 Very crowded and noisy, but I live in the suburbs and this is city dining.
(3)
Parker K.
Service is superb and ALWAYS consistent (I work in the industry, so I am always analyzing this aspect of the experience). The food is of exceptional quality for the price. Boisterous, New York vibe and atmosphere. I've had the pleasure to eat here more than six times. I promise you, you will never be disappointed about your experience - wether it's your first date or showing your family a little gem of Lakeview.
(5)
Gladys G.
Awesome food! good times :)
(4)
P P.
Great service. Lunch entrees were superb. Very lovely pizza, salad, and I had the salmon on spinach. Very wonderful. Our apple tart desert was a bit of a disappointment ( all crust no apples). But it's easy to overlook when the food and service make you feel like it's worth it to pay. This isn't a a feeling we get that often in the River North area, to be honest..
(4)
Andy B.
This place, with its many locations across the Chicagoland area, never fails to please. I've been to a few of them, and they are always consistent. Right down to the handwriting on the menus. This time we had the bruschetta (amazing,) and I had the rigatoni dei sardi, which was cooked in a delicious red sauce, and had mushrooms and sausage. No matter what pasta I ever get here, it's always great. For dessert, we tried the tiramisu. I'm by no means versed in the ways of tiramisu, but it was nevertheless delicious. We were, however, wishing they would turn up the air. Being the middle of August, and after a couple glasses of wine, it got a little warm. Very minor complaint.
(4)
Claudia D.
The food was excellent. The service was friendly, attentive without being obtrusive, and very detailed. The price point is very similar to Francesca's on Taylor & definitely worth it as far as food & service are concerned. Perhaps we're stuck in our ways, but the space was small, cramped, and totally cacophonous! Perhaps the usual clientele doesn't object, but we prefer a bit more room between tables, and we like to converse with each other at dinner. That said---the husband had a vodka on the rocks with a twist ($6-very reasonable for the area) & the roast chicken. I had chicken breast with a rosemary, garlic white wine sauce. Roast potatoes came with both entrees. We shared 2 scoops of frozen deliciousness for dessert-pistachio gelato for him & raspberry sorbet for me. The waiter (Felix) was wonderful to us. He staged our take-out entree order perfectly so it was still warm when we got home, even though we had to drive clear to the UIC area! Kudos to Felix and the kitchen.
(4)
Christina M.
Mia Francesca = Love, it's that good. My bf and I met some friends at this location and had a wonderful meal. The wine and drinks were great and the appetizers were very tasty. Their menu rotates every week because they use ingredients that are in season, so you usually get something different every time you go (everything has always been fantastic). My pasta was very good and well-flavored, and did I mention that the bread and olive oil is to die for? Well, it is. The best part about Francescas is that they'll accommodate almost any diet, they always whip up something vegan for me. This is really a great chain of restaurants.
(4)
Laura F.
I wish I could tell you how amazing the spinach ravioli is. My fiance took me here for my birthday around 7:30 on a Friday night. It was understandably busy. After making our way through a maze to our table -- seriously, cram any more tables in there and we'd all be sitting on each other's laps -- we ordered. I opted for the aforementioned ravioli, a cab sav (second choice as they were out of my first) and the dude got a pizza and some riesling. The pizza came. He nibbled. We waited. And waited. And waited. About 45 minutes after, the waiter came to check on us. "Is her ravioli going to be out soon?" "What ravioli?" Then we left. Yeah. Thank goodness for GrubHub.
(2)
Desire' M.
I don't think I've ever had anything bad here. Sometimes, I might get a dish that could have used a little more this or that, but it was still delicious regardless. I'm super impressed with their gluten free menu. Most of their regular pasta dishes can be made gluten free. I had their gluten free pizza margherita and was almost concerned it wasn't gluten free it was so good. Finished off dinner with the Torta Lava...mmm. The place can get packed and noisy so try not to go at peak hours.
(4)
Jim P.
Disappointing. I had their pasta w/shrimp + scallops in a spicy tomatoe sauce. It wasnt spicey and it was way too salty. I had the same dish on new yrs eve @ their location near water tower and there was no comparision. Where's the quality control???
(2)
Happiness L.
The best thing that can be improved is to have refills on water and coffee with out asking. Every time I was low/out of something to drink I was the one to ask, and I like the attention of filling my coffee cup or water glass with out me asking for it each and every time. As far as the food....so very delicious! I was there for brunch and the omelet with potatoes were an excellent choice. I got to customize the omelet the way that I like with wonderful ingredients such as Italian sausage, artichoke, and more. It was somewhat cold in there too....perhaps they can turn up the heat during the cold season? My waitress and the entire staff have a very friendly attitude. Super easy to get a table at brunch.
(4)
Sandra W.
Let's just say that I had to figure out how to cross the damn streets during Critical Mass. (throws fist in the air) Mia Francesca is a small quaint and yet exciting restaurant. I had a great time there. Despite the crowdy-feel, the food was great, the staff was super accommodating, and very easy to get to via public transportation. (Belmont stop). My friend got a few cocktails that were strong and delicious and I stuck to my usual beer. They have Oberon's there. Yum. I went with 5 other friends and had a nice meal together. It wasn't too loud and it wasn't too hard to hear each other. We went around 8pm and it was still vibrant. We made reservations so we were sat right away. I ordered Spaghetti. Yes, I know, typical, boring, lame, etc etc. I love Spaghetti and Mia's spaghetti with sausage was excellent! I had a ton left over and ate some the next day. Wow. Still delicious. The sauce was not watery and it was tasty and flavorful. I will come back with my out of town friends (even in town friends) and have a nice dinner. I'd highly recommend this place. Just do it.
(4)
Kristin T.
What place is perfect and deserves a 5star? This place comes close. The bartender and hostess welcomed me in. I was hungry and had an hour to kill. Everyone spoke with me as if they see people alone at the bar all the time in this lovely restaurant. I've been here plenty of times before but never alone. The ambience is wonderfully Italian. Big mirror and B&W photography. Loud and fun to hear kids as well as adults. The bartender didn't push me ordering an entree. I had an appetizer of calamari. One of my fave Italian dishes. This was even better than I expected. Sauteed calamari with shallots butter wine spinach tomatoe capers. What else? Garlic. I sopped it all up with the warm... no... hot bread. Nice and crispy on the outside and dense and soft inside. The calamari was tender and the sauce dripped off my lips. I was constantly wiping them. I needed a bib! Thanks to all who was part of my visit! Ill come alone again! I focused on the food. Yum! I enjoyed it all with 2 glasses of Mark West pinot noir. Not bad for their cheapest glass. I'm stuffed.
(4)
Robb Z.
First time diner. Life long fan. Can't say enough good stuff about Mia. Chill, laid back atmosphere, down to earth service, amazing food(house salad was the only downfall), and the price is easy on the money clip. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Stephanie W.
Love private parties in the upstairs space at Mia Francesca - the family style service totally works, you have your own private bar, and you can essentially set up your party any way you want. But the main dining room experience leaves something to be desired. The seating is incredibly tight and cramped, and it feels like you're either on top of other diners or the wait staff is on top of you. Even if you have a reservation, you typically have to wait a few minutes to be seated and there's seriously nowhere to wait inside the door. Service is mediocre at best, and the food is hit or miss given how often the menu changes. I've had some seriously delicious dishes here, but I've also had plenty of pastas that just aren't worth finishing. I've also had friends get food poisoning after dining here more than once. All in all, I'd recommend the Bryn Mawr location over this one. The service is significantly better and the food is usually much better as well.
(3)
Anna V.
I have been here more than 20 times. It is always PACKED, loud, and happy. The food is 99% of the time great and often spectacular. They have had a few dishes (and the menu has been different almost every time, so when I get to repeat things I usually cherish it) that I would eat every day if I could. Things to watch for: the gnocchi in tomato basil sauce, the rigatoni bolognese, spinach ravioli, arugula and roasted cherry tomato flatbread, mushroom risotto, and the orechiette with sausage crumbles, roasted tomato herb broth and broccoli rabe. The food is REALLY fantastic, the desserts are all good (especially the flourless cake and the peanut butter torte). I usually get a glass of wine or two. Dr. L Reisling was my favorite over the summer. They typically have good Italian blends for a cheap glass fee. Another highlight: the bread. Which we eat entire loaves of before the food comes. I actually like their chaotic dining room. I have almost always gotten a decent table (often the one by the window) and the high rustic urban space is way better than the bland upstairs room. The perfect place for a carb coma. Lately they've been sketchy with seating reservations on time and it's annoying, but before that they were always fine. Definitely make one, though. This place gets crowded really quick for a good reason.
(5)
Katie M.
Decent Italian food. Plenty of tables. Ample portions. Acceptable prices. I wish I had more to say than that; I wasn't impressed by any means, but I wasn't particularly disappointed. I had no specific qualms with the service we received, but our server was very young and seemed inexperienced. Pro-tip: there's tons of tables upstairs, although the vibe is a little different up there.
(3)
Theo J.
This is such a great place. The service was absolutely excellent. The salad was the freshest and had a great flavor. The dinner was excellent. The deserts were homemade great. The wine was perfect. My words for this place would be great food.
(5)
James S.
We went there for a date night and unfortunately on both sides of our table was seated a group of children. They were quite distracting and making a lot of commotion. The wine list was a bit on the pricey side. The cheapest bottles of wine were around $30. The food was overall good Italian food as to be expected for the price. The service was decent although our server seemed too busy to be as attentive as he should have been. Not sure if we will be back given the other options in the area.
(3)
Taylor Z.
Love, love, love this restaurant. I always get their pizza with egg, prosciutto and olives and they're always willing to let me customize it the way I want. I've tried their other dishes that other people I was with ordered and everything is delicious. The only thing that I ever find fault with is, occasionally, they use a bit too much sodium but that can be easily remedied by asking them to go lightly on the salt. Their appetizers I usually skip because their entrees and desserts are so good, I want to devour those and only those but if you have a big appetite, they're all really tasty too, especially their lentils and bruschetta. Their desserts are to die for. Their Tiramisu is almost as good as the one I had in Italy and definitely the best and most authentic I've tasted here in Chicago. But all their desserts are really awesome too. I recently had some kind of cake with pumpkin pie baked into it (I think it's a seasonal thing though) and OMG let me tell you, hands down, best birthday cake I've ever had the privilege to try. I've tried a few other desserts here and have yet to be let down. Service is always prompt and efficient without hovering. Atmosphere is loud and usually busy with the kitchen close by but it works for this kind of place. One thing I can say, is the quality of food here is outstanding. I never leave feeling sick like you can from too much rich Italian food, but always leave satisfied. You can tell they really put care into the ingredients they use and how they prepare the food.
(5)
Erika G.
There's no need to go to any other restaurant. This place, like her sister on Bryn Mawr, is a hit every time. The food is always perfect and delicious. Our waiter, finally a REAL waiter, knowledgeable about the food. Fantastic service. The back patio . . . BELLA! I can't think of a cuter, more charming back patio anywhere in Chicago. And while the front room rocks, and gets very crowded, the back patio is a little oasis. I don't even need to detail what we ate, because everything I've ever ordered at either of the Francesca's has been spot on amazing. It's not adventurous dining by any means, it's just reliable, fresh, well prepared utterly delicious food. Solid 5 stars all around. The appetizers, all good. The bartenders flirty and cute. The waitstaff, world class. The front desk guy, very nice, helpful and flexible, when we suddenly decided to give up our indoor table and opted for the back patio. The entrees, easily enough food for two to share, which makes it the most amazing bargain dinner in the city, bar none. I mean, $26 for dinner for two (not including drinks)?!! That just means we can go twice as often! The company, stars off the charts, but your mileage may vary on that one.
(5)
Laila C.
so I didn't actually order food there but I had bread, olive oil and nibbles of my friend's pasta. considering that i'm generally foodily opposed to eating bread because I think they're bland and boring-the bread + olive oil combo at MF was delicious! I ate almost 2 whole pieces of bread accompanied by almost the entire jar of Olive oil. My friend's plate of lentils, sausage and pasta was far more delicious than I would expect for any pasta plate. The sausage was delectable, the lentils were soft and very flavorful. I'm almost certain I'd return here to eat, even though I hate italian food. I think that says a lot about the restaurant.
(4)
Marissa J.
There isn't an option for a 2.5 so I decided to round down. My fiance would have given this a 3, but Yelp notes a 2 is "Meh. I've experienced better." I think this accurately expresses my feelings. Not bad, but not good. We went for the first time time last night, a Friday. We were able to get reservations on very short notice so that was a plus. We were seated upstairs and where we were the tables were a bit too crowded together; so much so that the servers had trouble navigating between the tables. We ordered a nice bottle of red, mussels in spicy tomato sauce, and the burrata to start. The mussels were good, but a bit cold and the sauce was not spicy. The bur rata was yummy. My fiance ordered the rigatoni with spicy italian sausage and mushrooms. His was good, especially the tomato sauce. I ordered the mushroom risotto and it was terrible. I normally love risotto, but this was like rice and uncooked mushrooms in broth. Very little flavor. My fiance referred to it as "Uncle Ben's with mushrooms." Highly disappointing. Our waitress never came back to check how the food was and the buser picked up our plates without noticing I hadn't touched my food. Overall an okay experience but with so many great restaurants in town, I don't think we'll be back.
(2)
Rebecca H.
I went there a little over a year ago. The lighting was too bright for dinner and I got food poisoning. Needless to say, I haven't and don't plan on going back.
(2)
Rebecca H.
Nice, solid Italian food. The bruschetta was fresh and the gnocchi perfectly prepared.
(4)
Kay S.
Delicious! I've been here 3 or 4 times already and it is amazing. The unique, hand-written menu changes all the time and you can't go wrong with anything you order. Appetizers, pasta, fish, chicken, pizza, etc. I've been meaning to take a picture of my meal before I dig in but it looks so good and fresh when it comes out, I always forget. If you've never been, go here. If you have been, go again.
(5)
Gina F.
We tried this location for the first time on October 5th. We went to celebrate the giant certification exam I had passed the night before & our 1 year anniversary, so we brought a nice bottle of champagne with us. . The food was good--on par with the other Francesca's Restaurants, but the service was not great. We didn't see our server much, and had to fill our own champagne all night. Really, he didn't pick up the bottle ONCE. The server told us at the END of the night that the corkage fee was $25. I new there would be one, but I assumed it would be $10, $12, maybe even $15 like other places. He had the nerve to tell us we ewre luckyt because it used to be $5 more. I really felt taken four a ride. At least at that price he should have served it to us. Soooo disappointed that this happened at a Francesca's!
(2)
Kimberly G.
I was a customer of the Francesca's Intimo (the Lake Forest location) while I was in college - just loved going there! Now that I live in Chicago, I love coming here since I live across the street. I have gotten to know the staff and they are so friendly and welcoming. They are always changing the menu but there are always a few staples to the menu. You are guaranteed to always try something new. Definitely one of my favorite spots!
(5)
RJ W.
We shuttle upstairs where we felt like we were suddenly in glamourous Schaumburg... Boring menu, boring food, boring wine menu.. Service was fine, nothing spectacular... the menu has 10 to 12 choices, none of them spectacularly executed.. and when you have only a few things to make, they should be perfect. The wine menu was EXCEPTIONALLY overpriced. I understand markups but 500%.. really? I honestly think the Olive Garden in your average mall is a better value with better food... and Olive Garden is just sad... so you get my drift....the only reason, in my opinion, this place is busy is because suburbanites and out of towners heard about it and flocked to it.. I was reminded why , as a local, I stopped going here 10 years ago.. way too many better Italian restauarants in the immediate area than this one...
(2)
Deployed R.
Wow! We went on a very cold Monday night, so business was slow. Maybe that had something to do with it, but we were seated right away and everyone we interacted with was very courteous and helpful. The menu is not your run of the mill chain Italian garbage. They have some interesting twists on old standards. We started with the Arugula Brushetta and Asparagus Salad. Both were great but the brushetta was exceptionally good (there was lots of cheese with the tomatoes and arugula). I had a rigatone pasta with veggies that was perfect, but my wife ordered the special and it stole the show! It was a stuffed gnocchi pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. The best gnocchi either of us has ever had, if not one of the best pasta dishes we have ever had. The portions were generous and they were happy to wrap up our leftovers for us.
(5)
Stefanee H.
Y. U. M.! This place was great! To start with, we had the nicest waiter. He was so patient with 3 chatty broads and definitely had some great recommendations. He even overheard my friend and I say we were going to split our dishes and had the kitchen split out dishes for us! Our dishes were good and the portions were very generous, especially for the price. My girl friend is a super picky eater and they made her something that was not on the menu, did not complain about it, and did not charge her extra for it. The desserts were good. Nothing spectacular but very good. We got the creme brulee and these pistachio gelato filled cream puffs covered in chocolate. I am not a huge cream puff fan but the gelato was delish. I cannot wait to go back in the summer and enjoy the patio!
(4)
Mansoor K.
My wife and I love this place. It is our go to spot when we need a place to get dinner. Service is great, the menu is delicious. I recommend getting the bruschetta with arugula as a starter. I've never had anything here that I didn't like. He portions are on her big side, so I do suggest sharing if you want to try a bunch of dishes.
(5)
Katie W.
We were there last weekend for a Bachelorette Party and I must say, Mia Francesca was VERY accommodating. We had 25 people, so I can imagine it would be a bit stressful. Our waiter was nice enough to separate our checks into bills of 4 people, based on who we were sitting by. This made the stress at the end of the dinner (bill splitting) MUCH easier. The menu was preselected by the MOH but the dishes all came out hot and tasty. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the bathroom situation- it took about 10 minutes to get in because of the single stall bathroom! Would definitely recommend for a future large group! :)
(4)
Charles J.
This was probably a case of my expectations being too high coming into my initial visit to Mia's. After all, it is rumored to be a popular spot with Jennifer Aniston, when she's in town. How bad could it be, I asked? Well, it's not bad. It just didn't measure up to my expectations. Here are a few of my observations. Lacking menu. Surprisingly few choices and most this evening weren't very exciting. Drinks too strong. Yep, you heard me. None of us could even drink the martini's we ordered due to the overwhelming alcohol taste. Average tasting food. We started with the Calamari appetizer. An ample amount was served and it was very tasty. Well worth the $7.99 price. Unfortunately for me, it was downhill from there. I ordered the Chicken, which was two small chicken breasts and a side of spinach. The chicken breasts looked like something you'd get in the frozen food section of the grocery. They were cooked in a very uninteresting manner and just seemed to sit there on my plate, with no "presentation". The spinach was fresh and tasty but at $16 for an uninspired chicken dish, I felt I overpaid. Others in my party ordered the Rigatoni with sausage and goat cheese and were complimentary. I sampled it and thought it had decent flavor. The tab for our party of 4 was just over $100 (with drinks) which isn't bad by Chicago standards but, as I have stated in other reviews, it is the quality and the experience that are as important as the price and, at least on this night, the quality and experience fell flat for me. I'd give them another shot because of the number of 4 and 5 star ratings. It wasn't even close to that this time for me.
(2)
Kara B.
Mia Francesca is one of the more creative Italian places I have found so far. They have interesting combinations of flavors to put an original spin on traditional Italian dishes, all while doing this at a reasonable price. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Deena D.
Fabulous Italian fare, huuge portions & cozy little vibe. First off, the Open Table reservation was super helpful, I highly recommend it on any peak night since the restaurant is on the cozier side and there isn't a whole ton of space to wait. Except by the bar which obviously is no twist of the arm for me... My second time here and we sat upstairs which was also very nice, I kind of liked it better because it was more roomy. Our waitress was very sweet and made recommendations since we had some Mia Virgins at the table. Ordered the house red pinot which was good about $45 a bottle. They are notorious for their mussels app but I couldn't resist an authentic caprese salad. They use buffalo mozzarella instead of regular cow's milk which I thought was pretty nifty. I decided to take the road less traveled this time and order a pizza as my entree (yup, ALL for me, so selfish I know). This pizza had olives, prosciutto, artichoke, cheese, and a fried egg on top. OH BABY. When it comes out they do a fun little "pizza dance" if you will where they dice the egg up for you which my friend's boyfriend found mesmerizing. While very delicious it started to get soggy towards the end. I would still highly recommend trying it out, I had no idea they were infamous for pizza as well as pasta/seafood entrees. My friends tried the gnocchi and seemed to really enjoy , I stole a few bites from their dishes as well and thought the gnocchi filling was very rich but not overbearing. Since it was my friends birthday they were nice to bring out a cream puff contraption with vanilla ice cream. Thanks :) Overall: authentic Italian cuisine at very modest prices with awesome vibes (did I mention they had a playlist that contained MJ & The Roots?) MAGNIFICO!
(5)
Jessica S.
Truly phenomenal meal and experience. I was able to book (way in advance) a table for 10 the night before the marathon to carboload and our table was ready within 15 minutes of everyone arriving. We were seated upstairs which is a tad less crowded and were served quite attentively by Erika. It was really busy and I can't say enough good things about the service she gave us. My mom, who is the only person in the world who hates garlic, ordered a chicken dish without asking about how much garlic was in there. When the dish arrived, she could hardly stand the smell and Erika was so wonderful about removing and bagging up the dish to take home (leftovers for me!). She brought my mom a bowl of pasta with a plain tomato sauce and made her very happy. She even took off the pasta from our bill. Then, another diner at our table was really unsatisfied with her pizza - it came out cold and she hated the way it tasted. Erika was, again, kind enough to remove that dish from our table and remove it from the bill. Instead, my friend ordered the mushroom polenta appetizer dish and it was THE HIT OF THE TABLE. One of the best dishes I've ever had. I, personally, ordered a pasta dish with tomatoes, artichoke hearts and goat cheese. It was FABULOUS and I finished the entire thing. To top it off, we shared a flourless chocolate cake and it was probably the best I've ever had.
(4)
Jasmine C.
Love and adore. So much. From the hand-scrawled menus to the cozy little space that is intimate enough for a date and lively enough for friends, there is so much to love about Mia Francesca. My favourite is the Quattro Stagioni pizza: prosciutto, artichoke, mushroom and egg on a delicate thin crust. The waiter places the dish before you, breaks the yolk in the centre and swirls it evenly so it cooks on the hot surface. The result? A lovely symphony of crisp crust and soft silkiness of a perfectly cooked egg. Oh, I will fight anyone for the last slice of this pizza. The menu is updated often and I've never been disappointed with the quality of food here. Sigh, Mia Francesca. Where your water glass will never be empty, and your taste buds will never be let down.
(4)
Bridget K.
I had dinner recently at Mia's while visiting Chicago. The sole reason for me wanting to visit the Clark street restaurant was because the spot was dubbed Jennifer Aniston's favorite restaurant...and obviously I'm starstruck. The ambiance of Mia's is very relaxed and the tables are all fairly close to one another. The seating resembles wooden church pews and you feel as though you are in a dining room at someone's home, which makes it seem cozier. The staff was very friendly, however when we were choosing a bottle of wine the server didn't provide us with feedback or specifics regarding the reds we were interested in. With "grape expectations" we opted on a Malbec and were thoroughly delighted with our choice. When it came time to order food, we went with the scallops and shrimp dish as well as a goat cheese pasta entree. Both of the meals were fantastic and the flavor was mouthgasmic for lack of a better word (go ahead I dare you to find a better one). At the end of our meal we ordered the pistachio ice cream puffs with chocolate drizzle...they were everything and more than expected. The entire experience at Mia's was pleasant and worthwhile. I will be back!
(4)
Lisa C.
Met some friends at Mia Francesca for dinner a few weeks ago. Parking in the area is challenging since it is Lakeview. Shortly realized how tiny and noisy the restaurant is when we were seated near the kitchen. I had a difficult time hearing my friends down the other end of the table. Instead, I felt like I was the third wheel on the first date that was taking place to my left. (Side note, talking about your EX on the first date is not a great idea). On to the food... well, what food? I filled up quickly on the amazing, steaming hot, flaky bread and olive oil. I must have had 2 loaves by myself! It's not my fault that the busboys keep replenishing our basket! I think it may be the best bread I ever had! Found out later that they have their own bread machine in the back. I ordered the pollo arrosto alla romano (half chicken with garlic and roasted potatoes). The chicken was really juicy and flavorful. Most of friends ordered the lobster stuffed ravioli. Judging from their facial expressions and empty plates, they enjoyed it. Overall, good food but noisy atmosphere. Would be back if I was in the neighborhood and felt like carbo loading.
(3)
Julie B.
I normally wouldn't write a review for a random night out for dinner. But our waitress Meredith was great and helped make our experience wonderful. My husband and I had our first date night in 7 months...since the birth of our son. Needless to say - to us, it was a big deal. After giving us great recommendations, and giving us plenty of space while still feeling taken care of, we were ready for our check. But Meredith had heard it was a "big night out" and treated us to a dessert. Even after we told her our big night out was simply a night without our son - not a birthday or anniversary. It made our night that much better! We will definitely be repeat customers.
(4)
Caroline R.
This place is a favorite on restaurant week and during the summer when you can sit outside where it is considerably less loud.
(4)
Conor O.
Bottom Line Up Front: the Notre Dame football team of Chicago Italian Restaurants. Overrated. My girlfriend brought me here for my birthday this year. My birthday is in June, which happens to coincide with wedding season. Instead of pushing back our reservation because the place was overbooked, the hostess seated us upstairs in a room reserved for a rehearsal dinner. Hey, I had an awesome time because I like to party, but I'm pretty sure the Asian couple who were getting married the next day did not enjoy 4 drunken Irishmen, 2 Krauts and an out of place Indian guy shouting about all of the horrible things that used to happen at their Frat house "back in the day." (I can tell you for sure that the aforementioned gentlemen's dates did not appreciate it one bit.) Aside from the seating arrangement, the service was good. Our server was attentive and not too pushy, he definitely knew his stuff about which wine pairings would be best with certain dishes. The food was pretty ok. I got the Lamb Shank. It was medimum rare served over some potatoes and asparagus. Nothing about the food blew me away. I left full, but not really SATISFIED. The little lady dropped some serious coin on a nice dinner, so I felt bad... I'd suggest Rosebud or Bice downtown if you're looking for a really nice Italian dinner.
(2)
Josh V.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. I've been here more times than I can count, and I have had maybe one or two "OK" meals. Everything else has been good to excellent. The servings are generous, but not overly huge. The quality of the food is very high, and everything is usually very tasty. The menu is hand-written and then photocopied. I am not sure if it changes daily or what, but the selection is always fresh. Despite not being very big, there are always multiple things on the menu that sound good to me and it's tough to make a decision! They do a standard brushcetta and a special one that is always changing. They always have several pizzas, pastas and entrees. They are accommodating of special requests; if there is a chicken dish that is not boneless, they'll gladly make it with boneless chicken breast if you ask. The prices are in line with what you get. The service is generally pretty good. The staff is friendly but professional, and they're not attitude-y or stuck up. Now, the downsides: There can be a long wait for a table sometimes, especially on the weekends. In fact, last time I tried to go they said 2.5 hours! Needless to say, I went somewhere else. But that was uncharacteristically long for them, so I don't penalize them for it. The upside of the waiting is that they have three bars (main dining room, coach house and upstairs). The other downside is that the main dining room is VERY loud and VERY crowded. I don't really like to eat down there. Insider tip: Ask to get seated upstairs. Same food and service, but more spacious and less noisy.
(5)
Greta W.
The food was amazing, 5 stars. The menu changes frequently to incorporate fresh ingredients. This is not your typical Olive Garden swill--MF's is authentic, light, and flavorful. I'll never forget when the bartender cracked a fresh egg over my bf's pizza, whipped it up with a fork and spooned it over the sizzling meat and cheese. The bf salivates and his eyes glaze over just at the mere mention of that pizza, even six months later. The bad reviews here mostly revolve around spotty service, which is to be expected. It's packed here. P to the acked. BF & I had made reservations, but apparently those don't mean much here. Usually I think that means a table should be waiting for us, but that was not the case. A line was already forming out the door, and it didn't look like anyone was getting ready to leave. We would have been waiting another 30 min for sure, but my man's smart. He snagged us 2 seats at the bar, and it was the best ever. Pours for drinks were heavy, and it was not a problem getting good service when you have a captive bartender! If you go here, either go when its quiet (which would be never), or just belly up to the bar. You'll forget about it all once the food shows up, anyway.
(4)
Jason G.
I have to say, Sapori Trattoria on Halstead used to be my most favorite Italian in Chicago. And it still is for my neighborhood. But Mia's is definitely an attractive alternative. Service was prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. I had pasta before a half marathon and it was just the right amount. As a vegan, it is hard finding restaurants that offer accommodations. Mia's not only provided them but offered them first. I will be back.
I rarely go out to have pasta because it's pretty damn easy to make at home. Plus, I find that a lot of places tend to keep their sauces on the really acidic side which is actually attributed to them not cooking down the tomatoes long enough to actually develop the sweetness that is naturally found in them. BUT low and behold, Mia Francesca... you do me so well. Can I just say that I'm a sucker for restaurants that have consistently changing menus? I'm someone who likes to try new things often so this definitely caters to my needs. Their carpaccio was decadent. I love the salty bite of the parmigiano reggiano and the briney capers. mmmm and the hearts of palm? yes please. Oh not to mention that you get a huge platter of carpaccio for a (very) modest $8 Let's just say my 5 year old brother LOVES carpaccio because of Mia Francesca... Wow, I just hyped up Mia Francesca a whole lot over one dish but alas, there are some downfalls.. like their salad.. Insalata Francesca.. go away. You're over dressed, over cheesed, and the vegetables need a little perk. I'll forget you ever happened. But onto the Carbonara... soo rich. but oh so tasty. honestly you probably can't eat it too often.. it sticks to your ribs. but man I love a good carbonara and they do it just right. I have no qualms over this other than its adverse effects on your health. but you only live once right? I've also had their conchiglie with smoked mozz. love smoked mozz, can't go wrong. So all in all.. pretty solid pastas (from what I've had so far) and my go to carpaccio spot for boystown. No regrets.. well unless you're one who doesn't like cramped interior b/c they have every intention of meeting the seating capacity set by the fire marshall.
(4)
Anna P.
eh, no thanks. this place is always completely packed (like, don't try to even find your way to the bathroom or you might get something spilled on you by a passing waiter/waitress), the staff is a bit surly and treats you like you should be lucky to be eating there, and the food is decent but it's way overpriced. i personally prefer francesca's forno - or, ya know, any other italian place in the city.
(2)
Nicholas W.
Always a good choice for a traditional Italian meal. Nothing to rave about but I'm never disappointed. Ideal for groups.
(3)
Kate G.
I drank martini's here. like two years ago??? all i can remember is that the curly headed blond hostess here is FINE AS HELL. girl, hit me up with ur digits.
(5)
Julie W.
Amazing Italian! I'll give Mia Francesca that. It definitely has some unbleievably yummy Italian, and probably one of the best Italian spots in the city, but oh Mia...how stupidly crowded you are. If you're looking for a fabulous first date spot, look elsewhere (try Socca down the street! Perfect date spot!). It's super crowded and you will LITERALLY be sitting next to another couple. If you're planning a trip to Mia's, I suggest grabbing an early bite or a late bite (after 8:30/9, it's still crowded around 8!), so that way you can actually talk to the person sitting across from you! So yes, the tables are very smushed together, the noise level can be excessive, but the food is absolutely deelish. The wait staff has been nothing but wonderful every time we came in (and walked in on a weekend! Very accomidating!), but again, if you're looking for somewhere you can cuddle up and whisper sweet nothings, head the other way!
(4)
Dennis L.
I have been wanting to visit a Francesca restaurant since moving to Chicago, and I am so glad that I finally had the opportunity to do so. The bruchette was delicious start to the meal. I also enjoyed my share of bread and olive oil. Yum! For my entree, I ordered the Linguine all' Amatriciana, and it was excellent. The parmesan tomato sauce was flavorful and the pancetta was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere was cozy and quite authentic. I really enjoyed Mia Francesca, and I would definitely return.
Best Italian food place I've been to. Authentic from ambiance to the food :)
(5)
Jen A.
Obsessed with this place! It is the only place I will eat pasta, and I will eat all of them on the menu! It is extremely authentic and fresh and I crave it constantly. A very affordable and pleasant Italian restaurant with generous servings. All of their desserts are also amazing- especially the creme brulee and flourless chocolate cake.
(5)
Travis J.
First off, let me say I'm a little disappointed no one at Mia Francesca has taken the time to claim its Yelp listings. With 265 reviews for this concept alone, they really need to engage with their customers a little more closely. Regardless, I love this place. Me and a friend were visiting Chicago over New Year's and decided to do a late dinner here on New Year's Day. Engaging a little too hard in celebratory shenanigans the night prior, a laid back evening was much needed. I visited Mia Francesca back in July for the first time and loved it. The second time was even better! To start, my friend and I shared the Risotto appetizer special. It was delicious. Risotto is hard to perfect, but this was the closest to perfection I've tasted. Next, I ordered the Insalata alla Francesca. This salad is amazing! Romaine, endive and radicchio with fresh blue cheese crumbles and vegetables. It's definitely large enough to share and, if you're not all that hungry, a great option for a meal. But, I'm glad I opted for a pasta dish for my main entree. I choose the Linguine al Funghello. It was tossed in a veal-brandy sauce with big plump mushrooms. It as absolutely delicious. Hands down, it was the best pasta dish I've ever had. We were too stuffed for dessert, but the tiramisu, I've heard, is delicious. Another plus for this place is I noticed it offers a Gluten-free menu, which many of my friends suffering from this allergy would greatly appreciate. I would grade the service lower than food...maybe a B. The servers need to be a little more attentive. We waited over five minutes for a greeting and waters. Other than that, this place is one of my favorite restaurants in the nation. The seating is typical Chicago-style dining...close and cramped, but possessing a sense of community and charm. It's the type of dining a true foodie appreciates because the chef and/or owners put their money where it matters...into the quality of the food and not dumping all kinds of money into the decorating and interior. Keep that money pushing toward the awesome food! I'll be back again and again.
(5)
Ermin M.
As always their food is amazing. The bread is always fresh, the pasta has the perfect bite and the sauce the perfect slip. I have no complaints except for tonight. My friends and I paid in combination cash and cards and while we should have asked for change we assumed our server would bring it back. She pocketed the $80 which would have given her a 50% tip! We had to ask for our change back. Sorry that's just me griping but seriously? On the plus side when I asked for the wait time for tonight there was an hour and forty five minute wait. That wait was cut to zero when a manager tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wouldn't mind sitting on the patio which they just opened seeing as the rain had stopped. Score! Aside from that over the more than 10 years I've been here, I have always had great service and excellent food!
(4)
courtney p.
Pretty predictable little joint. I've been here a handful of times and it's always just standard. There are for sure better italian places in Chicago. The last time I was there was my worst experience. I was on a date and we had a reservation, they sat us upstairs in the very back corner at a cramped, forgotten about table that the chubby waiter could barely get to. The service was super slow and the food was just standard. I will say that I had a dessert there once that I have never forgotten about, a chocolate chip coffee cake served warm with chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. It was so mouth wateringly delicious, but also simple enough for me to rip off the idea and make at home :)
(3)
Gabe L.
Dennis (fake character): What should we do tonight? Mac (me): I'm so hungry, I wish there was a way to get food for free Dee (my hot date): I have some gift cards to Mia Francesca Mac: Alright let's go! Dennis: I'm in! Dee: Ohhhh about that Dennis ... there's only enough for two Dennis: You're just jealous of my body Dee: Uhhh no ... I'm not. Let's go Mac "The Gang Goes Italian" * Random shots of Philadelphia * (Mac and Dee approach the hostess) Mac: Table for 2 please Hostess: You're not wearing any pants Mac: Actually, they're skin colored pants (I wasn't wearing skin colored pants) Hostess: Right ... (Mac and Dee get seated) (Waiter approaches) (It's Charlie) (It really is) (The waiter actually looks 100% like Charlie) (His name is Felix) (But he does! I told him twice about it) (Then I asked my date if I could take out my phone) (I don't normally pull phones out on dates, but I had to show him Charlie) (I showed him imgur.com/Tyyqs.jpg ) (He agreed with the similarity) (At that point I also decided to write a review as Always Sunny) (We will now return to your regularly scheduled programming) Charlie: So guys, what are you having? Mac: Charlie? Is that you? Charlie: No, I'm Felix your waiter Mac: No, that is you! What's in this moonshine? Charlie: I haven't even brought you your drinks yet Mac: Awkward............ Note 1: I really wish I could have been Dennis but then I'd be going on a date with my sister and that's illegal in IL and 32 other states Note 2: The food at the North Korean restaurant across the street was better ... compared to other Italian in the city, nothing really stood out as great. We shared the chicken and some fish and it was just plain. Charl..err Felix was nice enough to separate it for us so most of the stars are from his good service. Wine list looked long but a little pricey.
(3)
Sarah G.
WOW, this place really knocked my socks off! Every single thing that came to the table was delicious. The bruschette con proscuitto for an appetizer was delish, and the rigattoni alla sicilliana was spicy creamy and amazing. Don't skip dessert either, the banana chocolate chip gelato and flourless chocolate lava cake was exceptional. I can't wait to go back to this place, its my new favorite Italian spot in the city.
(5)
Yousef B.
Loved the place! Staff very nice, service was great, and food was delicious! I will be back there again to try a different entree..ask for the polla Limon, it's not on the menu but its delicious..
(5)
Emily W.
Cute Italian joint just a stones throw from my bro's house. Had a great family bday dinner here. Our appetizers (roasted corn on the cob, carpaccio & burrata) were fantastic. Our pastas were great and huge portions too! The only negative was our hostess...she seemed a little rough around the edges - almost out of it. The bussers were on but almost too much, they tried to clear our plates while we were still using them.
(4)
Betsy R.
Last night, we had reservations to go to a...different place. The reservations fell through, and boy am I glad they did! We called Mia Francesca, sure they would be booked, but they were so accommodating and fit us in at the exact time we wanted. Proving again that this place never disappoints! Every time we come here, we leave happy. I haven't come across a less than stellar thing on the menu, the staff is great, and the price is right! With four of us last night, we had two appetizers (calamari-some of the best I've ever had, and a pizza) and two salads (fresh crunchy peapod salad and the Francesca one), and then split two pastas. It was perfect and delicious. Then came the torta lava. I am a chocolate fiend, and this is one of the best chocolate desserts. Ever. Melts in your mouth. We couldn't get over it, so we just shut up and devoured it. And-with all that food and two drinks, the total bill was a little over $100! For four people! And amazing food! What's not to love?
(5)
Rilindo F.
This is where I lost my alcohol virginity. Oh, sure there was this one time when I drank a small Kalua 10 years ago and that one time when I was 12 when I drank from bowl that was spiked and ended up sleepy for the rest of the night; however, it wasn't really any choice in either matter, so they don't really count. :) Anyway. . .it was fitting that I took this step while partaking of my favorite cuisine - and at fairly well-regarded establishment (yelp-wise). The front of the house was quite loud and noisy, thanks to the Sunday evening pre-Valentine crowd. Fortunately, I was directed towards the back (apparently there is another dining room there), where I sat at the bar, looked at the menu. It was at that moment, that I decided to order wine. I ordered the red wine - Sanguinity "Nessun Dorma". Up to that point, I thought it'll taste sweet, like grape juice. Nope. Whoa. What can I say? When you are about 36 years and drinking wine for the first time in your entire life, its hard to find a frame of reference for the experience. I will say that at first, I wasn't really liking it. Yet, as I finished the glass and ordered the excellent Pollo Arrosto alla Romana, I feel a rather pleasant feeling come over me, even a bit relaxed. I now could see why people would drink wine or alcohol in general.* I could also see how people would get into trouble. So I stopped at just 1 glass. Just one. :) As for the restaurant, I generally enjoyed the place. If I ever back in the general area (and I will in a few months), I probably going back - preferably with somebody else and most likely in the back, where it is more quiet. A solid recommend here. * I wonder. . . nah, I won't go there. :D
(4)
D T.
I love this place. It's consistently excellent food and great service. I love how the menu is always changing, and the basic ingredients they cook with. ( You might leave a little garlicky, but I'm married so that's fine with me.) The atmosphere is VERY hustling and bustling. It's always noisy and packed, so I suggest a reservation. I love everything I have had here...pasta, fish and roast chicken. All of the apps are always delicious as well!! It would be 5 stars if they had a drink list and better wine by the glass....
(4)
Layne S.
Food was ok. Place was overstuffed - too many people. Wait staff was excellent. No need to go back with so many other good choices in Chicago.
(3)
Mel G.
So I made it back (with the help of the rather accommodating management response to my initial experience). I must say, the food is pretty darn good. Went with the prosciutto app plate and the special salad (beets, orange, red onion, pesto), which I split with the SO. The salad was pretty awesome, maybe a touch too much olive oil, but the roasted beets were done right and the mint/orange combo was a nice compliment. The prosciutto was good per my SO, I'm not the biggest fan generally, so I don't feel qualified to judge. I went for the mussels and pasta. There was a lot of mussels in my dish, which rocked. I like when restaurants don't skimp on seafood. I thought the spicy marinara was tasty (though "spicy" perhaps not). But the flavor balanced nicely with the mussels. SO got the sausage ravioli, also tasty, though he thought the pasta was a bit doughy. Both felt like our sauces weren't incorporated into the pasta as well as they could've been. Tasted like the sauce and pasta was cooked separately and then just mixed together last minute. I think that's the primary reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars. Received two complimentary desserts. The flourless chocolate lava cake and an apple turnover/bun/pastry (?), or sorts. I'm not a big dessert eater unless it's ice cream, so I was neither blown away nor underwhelmed. My SO more or less ate both. There was a nice taste of cinnamon to the apply one. And fresh fruit with the chocolate cake (which is mostly what I ate). Our server, (I believe it was Tom), was fantastic. Friendly, but not the interrupting/annoying type. I still think this place crowds in way too many tables. Fortunately, we were next to a window, but I don't think I would go back during Friday dinner with all the noise. Unfortunately instead of making me feel trendy and cool, it makes me feel anti-social and grouchy. I would however order it for take out or go back during the week. Much better.
(4)
Kevin O.
A bit noisy, music too loud and it is very packed which can be a good or bad thing. The food was very good but it is not your "typical" Italian food place so if you are expecting "meat lasagna" go somewhere else. I will say that I loved the food and the service was very good but the cramped seating (as noted by another reviewer) and the noise level made it for a rather unpleasant full dining experience. It does not help that the bar is right in the middle of the dining room. Because it is near Wrigley I would suggest avoiding it near a cubs game. People come in dressed shabby and usually drunk. If the restaurant was in a quieter location and was not so uncomfortable I would have given it 4 stars as I did like the food.
(3)
David P.
Always consistent, and always fun. It's crowded, it's loud, and there's a ton of energy. And that's exactly what I expect from a neighborhood popular restaurant--if the food wasn't great, it would be empty and quiet. The food is always fantastic, and it changes constantly. Whether it's a salad, pasta, or a main course you won't leave hungry and you won't be disappointed. My other favorite part is feeling like your part of multiple conversations along the way. Cozy up to the neighboring table and you'll find something interesting to chat about.
(4)
Sonia C.
Good food, good wine, good value, and GREAT place for groups! I came with 10 other people and we were seated at a nice long table upstairs. We started with the quattro stagioni pizza which had proscuitto, artichoke, mushroom, olive, & egg. It had a crispy crust, lots of savory thinly sliced proscuitto - and the raw egg that cooked on top of the hot pizza just made it awesome. For my main course, I ordered the salmon fresca which came with lots of chopped asparagus, avocado, and tomatoes. Unfortunately, I forgot to tell them to not include the avocado and was not expecting it to be diced in everywhere. Despite this, I managed to enjoy my dish as it was fresh and light-tasting. Of the pasta dishes, I found the gnocchi to be really good - great texture and perfect chewiness. Portions are huge and no one was able to finish any of the pasta dishes. Despite this, a few of us found room for dessert. My friend and I decided to split 2 scoops of gelato and found both the white coffee and the pistachio really delicious. The chocolate lava cake and the banana cake were both too sweet and dense for my taste, but this sentiment's probably compounded because I was so stuffed from my main course. We paid about $45pp including tax, tip, and 3 bottles of wine. Would definitely come here again!
(5)
Bri A.
I came here for my boyfriend's company party. Who can turn down a free dinner at a nice place? :P We had the upstairs area to ourselves and it wasn't too crowded. The appetizers (calamari, bruschetta with goat cheese, pizza, I forget what else) were delicious and the drinks were strong. I ordered a semi-complicated drink which the bartender remembered. He went around asking people if they would like another drink too. Thats what I call excellent service! For dinner, we had rigatoni in marinara with sausage, rigatoni in an creamy sauce with squash and mushrooms, some kind of chicken and potatoes, tilapia with mushrooms and that is it I think. I had one too many drinks at that point but I do remember the food being amazing! We had chianti and pino grigio as well. My glass was never empty since the waiters filled it often. For dessert we had giant profiteroles which is my favorite dessert ever. The fact that they were giant made my night. We were able to take leftovers of the dinner too. You can guess what I had for lunch the next day!
(5)
Brice B.
Staying in a high rise downtown tends to distort your understanding of a city. Sure, the Magnificent Mile is awesome, but if that's all you get, you're not really getting Chicago. I'm glad I grew up in nearby Indiana, and I think my dinner companions were, too. It's hard to impress two people as well traveled as my conference buddies, but I think Mia Francesca did the trick. The menu was so solid that we decided to share. We had a pizza, pasta with mussels, and chicken. Every dish was great, and the bottle of sangiovese we got was a good one. The atmosphere and the service were money, and we got out for around $100. Not bad at all. I would definitely put this in your rotation if you've never been before. It's definitely worth it.
(5)
Kaitlin S.
This place is a great Chicago staple. Entree prices are very reasonable. Nice atmosphere and great wine.
(5)
tina m.
I'm sorry but this place is nothing to jump up and down over. My wonderful husband took me here for Valentines Day (shout out). We were told to go next door and up the stairs to their other dinner/bar seating area. For starters, i'm giving it at least 2 stars because our server was really great. He was super attentive and was great at recommending all kinds of things to try on the menu. But that is where it ends. We had the lobster risotto; meh. Super fishy taste. My hubby loved his pasta. I had some kind of fish, it was unique and I can't remember the name of it, but again; meh. Maybe I should have just gotten the pasta, but our server recommended the fish so I figured I'd try it. Nope, never again. Now the creme brulee at the end? Forget about it...DELISH! But that was about it.
(2)
J O.
We have eaten here a couple of times, but won't be going back. The maitre d' was exceptionally rude and the food simply not enough to make up for being treated poorly. I would encourage the owners to think service-service-service. We saw him refuse to sit a much older couple when their party was incomplete. Ok, that's their policy, but when the husband asked for a chair for his wife, that was also refused. This was at 6:30 on a Wednesday, the place was easily half empty. He then sat our party next to the bus station--again, the place is empty. He very grudgingly and with much eye-rolling moved us, but the night was spoiled. Our waiter was fine, but there are too many other places of similar quality and price to go back here.
(2)
Matt O.
Quite possibly the best Italian food in Chicago. Reasonalble prices, friendly staff and tasty original dishes. No chicken parm served with french fries like some other fake Italian restaurants. In fact they don't even serve chicken parm, they come up with more original dishes that will blow you away and have you coming back for more..even if it means waiting an hour for a table! It's so worth it. Try to make reservations, because they do get busy. Without reservations you will wait so if you show up without reservations and don't have the patience to wait for your table, go down the street and settle for mediocrity at Leona's or Chicago Pizza. You can surly be seated right away at those lovely establishments.
(5)
Shannon H.
This was REALLY good. I wish there were a few more vegetarian options, but the ones they had were really good! The dessert was phenomenal, I highly recommend the lava cake. Our waiter was awesome and clearly loved his job (or the bartender) because he kept dancing at the bar. Very fun vibe.
(4)
Rohit A.
food so so service evil
(2)
Joanna R.
My food was great, it was a chicken with prosciutto and a pasta with a garlic sause. My girlfriend's pasta dumplings in pesto was a bit overcooked and needed more flavor. I was expecting a more romantic ambiance from the reviews, but it was really loud and not romantic at all. The waiter was very attentive which was good and gave us a complimentary desert and liquor drink for my girlfriend's birthday which was very nice.
(4)
Pandora P.
Yes, I know sometimes you don't want to wait for a table but... seriously, you want to wait for a table at this place the food is great! Atmosphere in the garden, coach house or upstairs is wonderful - the main dining room is loud and cramped though. I will put up with anything for the asparagus and blue cheese salad which is a staple on their menu! Everything I have tried is excellent. Mia Francesca is my birthday dinner choice every year! (Occasionally, Mia Francesca offers gift certificates via The Loop WLUP radio station "half-price deals", check their website before you go or better yet, sign up for their email updates.)
(4)
Annie T.
I'm one of those creepy celebrity stalker people. It's time I fess up. Hearing that Mia Francesca was Vince Vaughan's all-time favorite Chicago restaurant intrigued me to take on the experience myself. The best Italian in Chicago-- hands down! We went to Mia Francesca to celebrate my friend's birthday and dined like kings. Everything contributed to our flawless dining experience-- the service, our meals from appetizer to dessert, atmosphere and restaurant decor. We started with Bruschette Alla Romana and Bruschette Tre Formaggi. The mozzarella was so fresh. I felt like I had just ordered from my favorite tabbachi in Paderno del Grappa. The entree portions were generous-- we passed our dishes around the table to share. The sauces are flavorful and creamy but not too heavy. The spicy sausage transformed my dish from good to incredible. The fish (tilapia and salmon) were delectable. The menu changes DAILY at Mia Francesca so you can dine here frequently and never experience monotony! Now as for the grand finale... **drum roll** DESSERT!!!! We ordered the majority of the menu and our favorites came down to the Banana Bread Pudding and Tiramisu. We were left in a state of euphoria and stuffed to the brim!
(5)
Kelli B.
This place NEVER disappoints. It's one of our "go to" places when we don't want to try somewhere new. So we "went to" Mia Francesca for Valentine's Day. Yeah, we should know better than to go out for Valentine's Day, it's always a mad house. However, we were able to get reservations and only waited a short time upon entering. They had many delicious "Valentine's Day Specials" which we took advantage of, one being white chocolate ice cream...Yuuuuummm!! Despite how busy they were the service was excellent as always. Mia Francesca is most definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Until next time....
(5)
Scott B.
Great food at very reasonable prices. Seasonal menu changes but there is always something amazing for everyone. The sauces are perfect and the meats cooked well. Try the bruchetta of the day as they always have some amazing flavors they put together. The dining room gets loud but fun and the patio is perfect when the weather is nice.
(4)
Jacqueline K.
Pretty decent. Good caprese salad, great (and hot) bread. Vegetarian pasta options were limited but decent. Overall, the food was acceptable - though a little heavy on the garlic. Great outdoor patio. Service was good - almost too good - the check was placed in front of me before I even took a sip of my coffee, if you know what I mean. If you happen to be in the area and are looking for Italian food, I would recommend this. Probably not worth a special trip.
(3)
Mike B.
Took my parents here when they were in town and wanted to visit a restaurant in the neighborhood. Service was excellent, the server made many great recommendations on the menu and wine list. Not to mention that the menu is apparently always changed and kept fresh by the chef. I will go back.
(4)
Todd P.
Excellent service, server gave four great suggestions, I'll absolutely return. Appetizer-Bruschette, very good, tons of cheese on it, I've never had mozzarella that was so light and flavorful. Entre 1-Pollo Arrosto, good, juicy and flavorful whole chicken, more than enough food, took home leftovers and had them last night, which prompted me to write this review. Entre2-Penne with Italian sausage, absolutely excellent, served in what I can only describe as a giant bucket, easily two whole meals out of this dish, great as a leftover as well. Plenty of creamy sauce, lots of sausage, and more than enough cheese. Dessert-Tiramisu, the photo is completely accurate, it looked just like the photo and tasted excellent. I'm not a dessert person, but this was very good and I would order it again. Cons-Too crowded, I was getting bumped all night, they tried to put 50 tables in a space for 30. Table was too small for two people, a bottle of wine, appetizer, and dinner plates. A little pricey but not terrible, good for a "one nice night out a week" type of couple. Overall a good experience, I'll go back. Great for kids, the little girl at the table beside us had a sweet mural going on the paper table cloth.
(4)
Lynn O.
Meh, I've experienced better. I guess it depends on what you're looking for, the atmosphere, drinks and service was great. But the food fell flat, like really flat. I ordered linguine with shrimp, while I appreciated the quality of the jumbo shrimp, the entree was relatively bland. The mussels we had as an app weren't bad, nothing about the food was great and when I'm going for Italian..it's all about the food.
(2)
Fumi I.
Great for couples or a night with a group of Friends.
(4)
Jackie R.
Great Italian spot in Wrigley! You really cant go wrong here, especially if you have a group of diverse or picky eaters. The one thing I always hear is "Everyone at my table loved their food!" Now thats a rare find. The service is top-notch too! But besides pleasing the picky eaters, it can please the 'snobbiest' of food critics as well. The prices are good too, especially for the wine...which, for me, always seems to skyrocket our bill (so maybe im a bit of a lush =) I LOVE the creamy tomato vodka sauce here. Deeeeelish!
(5)
Chris H.
Went here again this past Saturday, with a friend. Still like this place. Glad we went.
(4)
Christa R.
Great date place, great place for a nice dinner with friends. The prices were very reasonable. The service was fantastic. The server was very helpful with wine selection and the food was very authentic italian.
(4)
Amy S.
Had a great meal here! I wish I could remember the name of everything that I ate. My friend and I split an appetizer with fresh basil and tomatoes, and a pasta dish with fresh vegetables. Splitting was a good idea because the portions are huge. I also had the cesar salad, which was just okay. The cabernat sauvignon (by the glass) was one of the better that I have tasted. Our waiter was very nice and attentive. The atmosphere was a little loud, but it speaks volumes about the food when it was packed on a Monday night.
(4)
Jeff D.
We used the word, "Wow," quite often last night during dinner at Mia Francesca - as in, "Wow, this wine is awesome!" and "Wow this prociutto is fantastic!" and "Oh my God, this linguine is so good. I could just eat the noodles alone!" This place has some of the best tasting pasta I've had in Chicago. I've always been a big fan of Sappori Trattoria, which is great in its own right, but I have to give the edge to Mia Francesca on just how fresh everything tasted from the mozzarella to the tomatoes in the linguine! We also had a GREAT red wine there - Ajello. It's about $45 for the bottle meaning it's probably about $20 or so if you were to find it at Binny's. It was an excellent wine with the Linguine dishes and the Rigatoni dishes we had! The only knock is that our server took their time to first get to our table to greet us and offer an appetizer and/or drink, but after then the service was friendly and efficient. If you're looking for great food at a good price and good atmosphere without being too stuffy and pretentious, this is a GREAT place to eat!
(5)
E D.
Food is ok. The mussels are great, but the pasta dishes are pretty boring. You wont get a terrible meal, but you wont be that excited either way. The service is average, and the atmosphere is obnoxious. They just try to cram as many people as possible into the uncomfortable tables. I would only go here on a weeknight.
(2)
O O.
I've been here many times and it's one of my favorite italian restaurants because you don't have to leave here feeling stuffed, but usually do because you can't help it. Every experience has been pretty great, except for one time when I made reservations for a 8:30 for a party of eight, and we didn't get seated till around 9:30. It was really frustrating because they kept telling us that it was because one table was just sitting. Well, there's got to be a plan B if a table doesn't get up. They didn't seem really sympathetic, but when we did get seated, they had complimentry appetizers already ordered for the table (calamari and bruschetta..my faves). They majorly redeemed themselves since I had little expectations that they even felt bad and because I was with my parents from out of town. I usually order everything but the entree. I love love love the calamari (probably my favorite in the city), the mia francesca salad, and the chocolate flourless cake. I've tried about five entrees and they've all been good. The wine list is small, but I've always liked my drinks. The only thing that keeps me from coming here more is that it's always crowded and there's no place to really sit and chill while you wait for your table since the bar is always crowded too(sometimes you can get a seat at the upstairs bar).
(4)
DONNA M.
I have never had a bad meal, but several of the waiter's have told me the pizza is not their best dish..........even the scallops taste good! I lived in Miami, FL and S.F., CA - I know good fish! My favorite date place ;) good vegetarian selection and meat....
(5)
Carter G.
The food is pretty good, I'll have to admit, but the servers are mediocre and inattentive. Double check your bill, as ours had errors. It's always crowded, and that means it's always loud. And I don't mean loud as in there's an exciting buzz in the air. On a weekend night, I'm talking shouting-across-the-table-like-you're-in-a-Âhurricane loud. So the best advice if you really want to eat Mia Francesca's food is really just to get your food to go.
One of my favorite italian places in the city. Good service. Definitely need a reservation if you're going on a weekend. Very loud, but fun atmosphere. They change their menu pretty regularly which is a plus. The white fish and risotto are both delicious.
(4)
Irena A.
I have been to this place a few times.. The last time I went with a friend.. I had the Risotto with vegetables from the appetizer selection. It was fresh but not very well cooked. One would think that al dente would be the most common way of cooking pasta! Anyhow, my friend had pasta also.. same thing not very well cooked!! I will go back here cause it has fresh food.. just not impressed from this last time
(3)
Christine N.
I have been going to Mia Francesca for years it used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Always a fresh new menu, and wonderful atmosphere. However, I went for my birthday last night and was greatly disappointed. The food was not that fresh, and the dishes weren't prepared very well. One of my friend's dishes was very cold and overcooked. The service was pretty good, our waiter was very nice. I guess I was just really looking forward to an amazing meal. I don't know if they switched chefs or if they are lowering the quality of ingredients because of the economy, but something was totally off. Hopefully it is better next time!
(3)
Matt R.
Wonderful atmosphere and delicious fare are hallmarks of this wonderful hole in the wall-esque restaurant in Lakeview. The specials are delicious and the waitstaff very knowledgeable. Just make sure to plan ahead during busy hours, as seating can be limited.
(5)
Tim W.
I'm not quite sure why this place has a reputation as such great italian food. The wait was rough, and the bar was tight to squeeze into to wait. The most "meh" part, however, is the food. Standardly priced, and you get a fair portion, but it was the most bland, 'cookie-cutter' italian I have ever eaten. The pasta sauces had no real zing, and the meats and cheeses included were mediocre at best. WAAAAAAAAAAY better italian to be found in this town, folks (cough cough Sapori!)
(2)
Susan L.
People are lemmings. If we stop going here, so will everyone else, so it won't be so insane and we can start going back. It's a vicious cycle, but someone's gotta start it. The wait is too ridic, the crowded tables are too ridic, and I can't handle it anymore.
(3)
Michael G.
I have been a long time fan of Mia and have now created this yelp account just to let people know exactly how horrible the management is at this place. I have been going to Mia regularly for almost 3 years now and will NEVER go back ever again. This really hurts since I enjoy the food there. I had called in and was told there was "no wait". I showed up 20-30 minutes later and was told the wait was "over an hour". I then asked to be put on the waiting list and was told I was the only one on the list. I tried to figure out who I talked to on the phone and the two women at the front made me feel like I was some sort of idiot....and had never been there before. Quite the opposite. I then waited for a bit and there were 2 open tables up front (we were a party of two). The two tables sat empty for about 15 minutes before I walked up and asked what was going on. I was told it would be another 45 minutes still. I honestly felt like I was at a club and some jerkoff door guy was telling me I couldn't get in. I have always loved the food here but customers should not be treated like this under any circumstance. I will NEVER go back to this god awful place and If this yelp causes even one person to not go to this place It will have been worthwhile. DO NOT SUPPORT PLACES LIKE THIS.
(1)
Cathy H.
I got the veal medallions, and true to Yelp reviewers' comments, it was fantastic. The pasta portions were huge and reasonably-priced, so don't be scared away by the multiple dollar signs! I actually really enjoyed the atmosphere--reminds me of a cute little place I used to go in college--and even though I went on a Saturday night at dinnertime, it really wasn't too loud to have a regular-volume conversation. Another plus: I made a reservation two hours in advance on a weekend night, and had no problem getting seated. Yay!
(4)
Eleanor S.
Mia Francesca serves delicious food, the carpaccio appetizer, the Francesca salad and the daily menu are fantastic. I mean 20 years fantastic. Service on the first floor is outstanding. But don't let them put on the second floor unless you willing to wait. I was unaware and had to sit with my salad for 50 minutes, I looked at my phone until the gentleman brought my entree from downstairs. I saw my waitress twice in an hour and a half. Lots of wait people standing around but none could give us butter for the bread. You know it is pretty bad when the manager feels sorry for you. The bread was great but the circus not so much.
(2)
Alison R.
WONDERFUL date place. Excellent food. Great ambiance. Always busy = a good sign for Chicago restaurants. Highly recommended, but make reservations if you have more than 4 people.
(5)
Eliot J.
i've only been here once so i don't know if i can give it the "as good as it gets" fifth star. but, if it's as good as it was last night the next couple times i go (and i definitely plan on going back at least a couple more times), then i'll update it with the 5th star. of the top of my head i am unable to think of a better italian restaurant i've been to in chicago. the staff is very friendly. the food that i had was flawless (gnocchi di ricotta). the menu also changes daily with a plethora of option - much of which is vegetarian. the space is clean and comfortable. i think the wine selection was slightly high in price - if even only applicable to the house chianti at $36/bottle. anyway... very delicious. def going back.
(4)
Blake W.
I'm only giving it two Stars because the server made a great wine recommendation from the Valpolicella region of Italy. We went at 10:30 on New Years Eve not expecting much since we would be the last seating. To start we ordered Mussels and a Zucchini Saffron risotto. The Mussels we're the freshest and the red sauce they were in wasn't even worth dipping bread in for the extra sauce (usually my favorite part of mussel dishes) and the Risotto bland. We did share a Caprese Salad which was decent considering the season, It's actually had a decent profile but could have used some olive oil. For Dinner I had the Portabella/Scallop entree. The scallops that happened to land on my plate look much smaller than what I had scene go by before... I wonder if that had something to do with us being there at the end of the night and that's all they had. Anyways the Scallops were over cooked and the general dish was boring with no thought. My friend had the grouper that was drench in an over powering tarragon butter. My girlfriend's pasta was amazingly flavorless -- some mushroom pasta debacle. Dessert where decent, we had the Tiramisu and their special of the night. Both which were polished off. I'm not sure though were it was because they were that good or just in comparison they rocked and we were hungry from not eating our other food..... OK I admit I ate all of mine but no one else did. I'm just a hungry guy and those scallops were tiny ;). I've got no desire to ever go back, there are way too many other restaurants in this city with this style, price range and much better food. Buyer beware I believed the hype and was extremely disappointed.
(2)
K T.
#2 of the now Francesca mini-empire is still great, but I'm only giving it 3 stars. Why? Because just 5 minutes north is the same thing with no wait at Francesca's at Bryn Mawr. Food is still great (starting with killer bread), martinis are nice and fat and still less than $10, and they still make one of the best red sauces in the city. However, the wait. Went in on a Wednesday, and had a 30 minute wait. Some restaurants are worth it, but the way I figure, why not try to reclaim that 30 minutes of my life by hiking up north a bit? That way, more time for critical activities, such as catching up on my DVR's taped shows. Anyway, Francesca's is still great (loved the pumpkin ravioli), just save some time and head north unless you have a reservation.
(3)
Bina D.
Could not have asked for a better place just a few blocks from my place. Great Italian food (which is very helpful for me as i'm a veggie) and with the rotating menu,you never get tired of it. Wonderful specials and very personable and knowledgeable servers.
(4)
Jacquelyn K.
Made reservations for a big celebration and along with at least 20 others we had to wait for our table for at least an hour. We left after the first "30 minute" quote turned into " probably another "30 minutes" and when showed frustration the teenage host told me that he can't control how long it takes people to eat and that if I didn't like it I could leave. this was after another host told me they over booked the night. So I know I will never go to any of the Francesca restaurants and I know I'm not missing anything. Topogigio, Il Mulino and La Scarola are the best Italian in the city. No need for the unprofessional Francesca's chain.
(1)
Charles L.
Really, really good food. Five star restaurant if you can get a table in the back room; the front area is a little cramped for my tastes. I haven't made it upstairs yet, but I've heard that's a nicer area to sit as well. Of my two trips, I recall that quattro formaggi with the most fondness - but none of the groups I was with complained about any of their dishes, to be sure!
(4)
fab f.
Before writing this review, I read many of the one here under and I wonder if I went to the same place. I check the address again and it is. I am really disappointed from my experience yesterday night. I'm not a fan of the small menu of this place (I already had a bad experience at the Bryn Mawr one:. 6 pastas and 6 main courses, most of them are very similar, so or you like it or you like it). The best part are probably the appetizers. We had a late reservation and we were put in the worse possible table, between the kitchen door and the back door that was constantly opened, with freezing air coming in, but this is not the real problem. We were rushed by our waiter that probably had better things to do, since he kicked out a 4 people table and a 2 people table that came after us and left before us (we left just after 11, not that late). My real disappointment was my "pesce alla livornese", that is a delicious recipe, simple but tasty with olive oil, crushed tomatoes, capers, garlic, olives, olive oil and something else. It was a long time I didn't have this dish, so I ordered it, thinking that since they have such a small menu, they are pretty good at that. They brought me a tilapia with a lot of onions on top and a mild sauce similar to a vodka sauce all around. I really can't believe it. I was hungry and I was just enjoying the nice company of friends that I didn't see for the whole winter, so I let go. They were ok (not happy) with their food, so I didn't care much. The dessert was pushed quickly and I hate when the check is dropped on the table while I'm still sipping my espresso or still having the dessert. I'll probably get back since it's an easy place to go and many of the people I know think they have good Italian food, but I won't make it a suggestion.
(1)
Joscelyn M.
Great, standard Italian fare and very nice place to go with a group. I've had just about everything on the menu (I only have friends who are willing to share with me), and have never been unhappy.
(4)
Colleen S.
Pretty good Italian food but it's not amazing. The staff is really friendly and attentive for being such a busy and crowded place. If you don't like sitting close to the table next to you, then this place might not be for you; it is very cozy seating. I had no idea this place had an outdoor area and back bar. Very cozy as well but it seems like ti would be very romantic. The music was the only odd thing. I expect traditional Italian music to be played here, not "The Humpty Dance." (no, I'm not kidding)
(4)
Jay A.
Little crowded in late evening but it will give you a "party environment" Food is tasty and yummy......but I prefer Tiramisu at Buca.
(4)
Sarah E.
Honestly: five stars for the food (quality + quantity), but only three stars for the service. We arrived at 8 on a Monday night, anticipating that Mia Francesca would be busy, but we were promptly seated at a table toward the back and pleasantly far away from the cold of the front door. However, after being served with bread and water, we waited for 15 minutes before our waitress noticed that she had never seen before, and came over with a start. She was very apologetic, which was nice, but apparently she had never read Bruce Bruschel's piece in the NYTimes on 100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do because she proceeded to touch each of us, twice, as though that was a normal part of a restaurant apology. Maybe I'm too mid-western, but it seemed weird. When it came time to order a wine, we said that we were thinking about one, but curious about two others that we didn't know anything about. Our waitress admitted she didn't know anything about either of the wines, so she went to ask the bartender for his recommendation. She came back with knowledge about the tannic aspect of the wine, per our request, but nothing else (fruity? berry? smoky? throw me a bone here!). Whatever, we chose a wine that was fine, and our food came out within minutes of us placing our order (perhaps she'd bumped us to the front of the line?). But then, as though the entire wait debacle had never occurred, we waited for another ten minutes with an empty dessert plate and near-empty glasses of wine, until our waitress finished a lengthy conversation with other staffers and finally came to bring us our check. Would I go again? Sure. I had the leftovers from my giant portion of rigatoni for lunch the next day. But I won't go if I'm in a rush or trying to show someone Chicago's sophisticated side!
(4)
jamie k.
My new husband and I made the best decision EVER when we decided to take our immediate family to Mia's after our wedding ceremony. It definitely helped that it was the perfect weather day...we were able to sit on the back patio eat our appetizers and sip our wine in the sun before retreating into the precious little private coach house for the rest of our meal. I would suggest this to everyone!!! If you have a small party of 25 or less that you want to take out for an amazing family style dinner - this is the place to go. Guaranteed my family will be raving about this for years to come. The coach house has a little bar in it also. The staff was impeccable - They were at your service at every moment. The food is what really blew us all away though... each course that came out was seriously perfect... and because it's family style, you don't have to stuff yourself silly (well, you could).. but it's really nice to sample all the food, and then at the end you still have room for tirimisu (which is light and fluffy) I could go on and on....but you get the point. A+
(5)
Sarah P.
Cute little place - love the handwritten menu that changes frequently. Had gnocchi (of course) with a bottle of Zinfandel. Compared to SF, the prices were awesome, but I figure I'll be in sticker shock for a while after leaving that city. Loved that the sauces they used are not too heavy and very flavorful. Great service too. Will come back when I move to the area!
(4)
Chrissy F.
Ooooooooooooo great place. Off the Belmont stop and down the street (Clark), is Mia Francesca. Very classy, very expensive. Ok fine, SLIGHTLY expensive. It's one of those weird places where it's classy, but dressing up is optional. I've never been upstairs, but the downstairs is lit...romantically, for lack of a better word. Low lights, etc. My only gripe about this place is how small it is. Whenever I'd go there, I'd have to scooch myself all the way in so that both customers and staff could get by. Needless to say, the food is excellent. It's ALWAYS crowded...ALWAYS. Like the Signature Room, we'd have reservations, but we'd still have to wait. Bias: the family of my best friend in college knows the owner. Definitely a place in Chicago to go to, but also like SR, not often (unless your wallet can handle it)...
(4)
M K.
I really enjoy the food at this place, but what's with the music??? Our food was delicious - flavorful, plentiful (without being gluttonous), and moderately priced. (I had risotto appetizer, tilapia entree, and creme brulee dessert). But it was soooo noisy, and the chatter was compounded by loud and inappropriate music. Justin Timberlake in an Italian restaurant at 7pm? I had to yell across the table to be heard. And pop music doesn't make for a relaxing meal.
(3)
Christy L.
After reading about it in Timeout and then realizing, HELLO, I live around the corner from it, I finally went with a date to Mia Francesca. Our server was friendly and funny, but not overbearing. He had good answers to our questions. I also love the whole concept of changing the menu around the freshest ingredients... makes sense! Our salads were amazing, so was the pasta we had, and we even ate dessert (as well as had a delicious bottle of Chianti). I was impressed with the food, the service, and the friendliness of the place. It is not a ROMANTIC date spot though... definitely loud and alot of fun, so just know that it's not an Italian place like that.
(5)
Suraj S.
Amazing food. Amazing service. I had the spinach ravioli and it was nice and creamy. Menu changes daily, but I'm sure everything is great. There is a very nice patio and house thing in the back
(5)
Nina W.
This place probably doesn't need another good review, but I feel like I found a new favorite place in Chicago, and just want to share my enthusiasm. I am not even a big fan of Italian cuisine, but this restaurant was just spectacular. From the moment I walked in, the delicious smell drove me crazy. It was a Saturday night, and they were packed, and we didn't have a reservation, but they were very graceful about finding us a table and seating us in a timely manner. Fried calamari that we got as an appetizer were a little bland, but the entrees more than compensated for it. My friend ordered a pizza, and it was great: very thin crust, flavorful mozzarella, just what I remember from my trip to Naples. I ordered pasta with mushrooms for $14 (sorry I don't remember the Italian name), and it was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. It was very flavorful, not too oily, simply perfect. My usual concern about pasta dishes is that they are very filling, but not very memorable, but this was not at all the case at Mia Francesca. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Francine P.
This was great! Couldn't ask for anything more. The entrees were creative and tasted wonderful. The service was quick and tentative. The meat and fish were cooked spot on. I highly recommend this to any visitors or locals. It isn't your usual Italian restaurant with only marinara to offer. Even their house red wine was lovely.
(5)
Natasha M.
I love this place. The first time my boyfriend and I passed by, it was completely packed. It was both romantic and suitable for kids and families. The seating area was crowded but I don't mind as the restaurant was so lively and the service was good. There was a path to a patio in the back. It was an outdoor dining space resembling a Venetian patio surrounded by four walls, with a stairs to the house and a fountain in the middle. The food was amazing depending on what you order. I ordered Linguini alle Vongole/White Wine Clams Linguine ($16). It was very slippery linguine in light white wine and garlic sauce with a decent amount of clams. The portion was good enough for a dinner and a late night/brunch. My boyfriend ordered half Spring chicken, and it was indeed a disappointment. It was flavorless and kind of dry. I feel sorry for him. Mia Francesca is good at Pasta, not the meat, so try to avoid if you can. People who go there just look so happy in general. The kids are happy and content and the old couples are sweet and enjoy their long-lasting marriages. I personally did have a great time and great food there, so I give it a 4 star.
(4)
Nate W.
I expected a lot out of this place given the other Yelp reviews and reviews from friends. However, my girlfriend and I went there for dinner and this place fell short. Atmosphere - We ate upstairs as the downstairs area was packed and a little noisy and hectic for our liking. I don't think it has a cozy/personal feeling to it at all. Service - Mediocre at best. Our waiter didn't take the time to explain anything to us. He was curt with us the whole meal. He even started getting a little mouthy with my girlfriend when she didn't hear/understand something he said. Food - Everythign else can be forgiven about a place if the food can seal the deal. We were not sold on it. I got the roasted chicken and the gf got a pasta dish, both of which we could have made at home. Overall, I think there are cozier places with better service and food then this place. We would have had a better meal had we made one ourselves at home.
(2)
Jeremy T.
Mia Francesca is cute neighborhood spot with good food, fairly friendly service, and fun ambiance. The back patio is very romantic and just a great experience overall (have sat out there on previous occasions). The only complaint we had was that the dining room was a bit loud and made conversation difficult at times (although it gave the restaurant an energetic feel).
(4)
Carol C.
This restaurant is like every other Francesca's - good food, decent prices, good service. The only difference is that his location is really cramped and loud. If you want a nicer facility, hop on the el and go to the Francesca's on Bryn Mawr Avenue. Same great food, quieter and larger restaurant. However, we still had a great dinner and our Saturday night reservations were honored within five minutes of arriving and there was valet parking.
(4)
anne p.
oh my goodness. i wish i could give this place more stars. with a gluten allergy, i never get to eat pasta anymore unless i make it myself (and since i conveniently hate cooking, that never happens). i was so excited to get an enormous bowl of delicious pasta with fresh vegetables placed in front of me! the vegetables tasted like they'd literally been picked from some garden they had growing out back, rinsed, cooked and thrown into my food. ohhh so good. the wine was delish, service was excellent, lovely ambiance - just can't complain. everyone must go!
(5)
Bex F.
Any time I've eaten here it's been fantastic. Tables are crammed together, always packed, but never disappoints.
(4)
Don B.
We stopped in for lunch on a Sunday and had a great experience here. I ordered the Quattro Stagioni pizza (the one with the egg), which was delicious. The waiter was extremely friendly, and the prices were very reasonable. Highly recommended.
(4)
Fern D.
During my visit to Chicago, I had a couple of friends recommend Mia Francesca for Italian food. OMG! Vite dell'Italia! This place cooks up some awesome Italian! Like the reviewer down below, I also had the quattro formaggi ravioli. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, it was so friggin' good. The appetizers we started with were the calamari fritti, the bruschetta and the insalata alla francesca. All were sooo good. The calamari was light and not greasy, the bruschetta had great flavor and the salad kicked ass. We were so full from our meal, that unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert. The place definitely gets packed--it's sort of a small restaurant, but damn is it good! Our server was attentive and gave us some good suggestions for cocktails. The host was very friendly and even stopped by our table to see how we liked our food since he knew I was from out of town. Couldn't complain. This place does Italian right!
(5)
Bridget J.
One of Chicago's finest restaurants minus the attitude. Pleasant, efficient staff. Everything was good. Ths is a place you can take a friend or relative visiting from out of town with pride and you know won't be disappointed. I've had some experiences where I took my mom or friend visiting to a 'hot spot' or 'heavily hyped' (Gibson's anyone?) only to be let down or embarrassed. My mom loved Mia Francesca then she loved the picture I showed her afterwards of John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston on a gossip blog coyly \ leaving of Mia Francesca .
(5)
Tanya A.
OMG! I love this place, its been my favourite for years, this is another place i try to get back to whenever im in chi town! I never pick anything off the menu, i order my own thing (not much vegetarian stuff on the menu), great place for a get together, but does get kinda loud and sometimes the wait is a bit long! but worth it!
(5)
Christopher H.
I don't get the hype. It's okay. Good food, but way over-hyped. I'm not a huge fan of the atmosphere & tables on top of one another either.
(3)
Gerard B.
Phenomenal food. The Bolognese is perfect. The one problem was the wine that was paired was not very good. But aside from that, it was delicious and very satisfying.
(4)
John D.
so good and so reliable experiences. A little noisy, overcrowded for its own good, but the food merits all the people.
(4)
Rochelle W.
This rating has nothing to do with the food as I never got to try it. I (skeptically based on other reviews) made a reservation for 9:00 pm on Saturday night. We arrived at 9:05 pm and on the way in I heard a woman on her way out saying they were running a half hour behind on reservations. I went up to the front and gave my name and the hostess said it would be a couple of minutes. Had I not just heard this other woman, I would have taken that to mean, we will seat you in a couple of minutes. Since I had heard this other woman I asked what she meant by a couple of minutes. She proceeded to tell me, well, we still have to seat some 8:30 tables. So I said it'll be more than a couple of minutes then? We proceeded to stand in the ridiculously crowded "bar area" for about 5-10 minutes. We kept getting pushed by people walking by as there really is no where to stand and then decided to leave. I think it would have been well over half an hour before we would have been seated. I mean how long has this place been in business and they can't figure out how to keep reservations? We went to Socca a couple of doors down, got seated right away, had awesome service and the food was amazing. I will NOT be going back to Mia Francesca. I don't care how good the reviews say the food is. I should not have to wait more than 5-10 minutes if I have a reservation.
(1)
Kathleen C.
The best Italian in the city. I love that the menu changes weekly, and the service is always good. I concur that its often better to sit upstairs as its more intimate and less crowded. The only complaint I have is their reservation policy - they seat only the entire party, and if not all are arrived 15 minutes after the reservation time, the reservation is released. This policy is not the problem, but the management should do a better job communicating it to patrons. We had reservations once for a large group, and unbeknownst to us our reservation was "released" while we waited at the bar for our last person to arrive. Overall though, I love the restaurant and will continue to go back, happier now that I know the policy!
(4)
Danielle P.
Our carry-out order arrived packaged nicely and piping hot, even after the 10-minute walk home. Each pasta dish we ordered was AMAZING in flavor; even the simple red sauce was incredible. The prices were reasonable, and I'm looking forward to trying a dine-in experience soon, not to mention another carry-out dinner! =)
(4)
Amy R.
I went here to carb-load before the Chicago Triathlon last August, and apparently wasn't the only one who chose this place. The waits for this restaurant are notoriously long, but that's why reservations were invented. A long line also usually means the place is worth visiting at least once. While it's not overwhelmingly fantastic Italian food to write home to your Sicilian grandmother about, the meal I had was fantastic. I usually rate Italian restaurants by the bread and olive oil (or lack thereof) that they set at the table, and this place does not disappoint in the least. The menu is always changing, too, which makes it a place to come back again and again.
(4)
Bella D.
Enjoyed my time here with dinner and just great chit chatting with old highschool friends..goodness time passes. Great service, food and lovely atmosphere. Don't pass this place up and geez I gotta get back here soon!
(4)
Neal P.
It's all probably be said before. But this place is consistently packed no matter the day of the week. The food is always reliable and good. Make sure you make reservations on weekends!!
(5)
Kara G.
This is a mainstay in terms of a solid Italian restaurant to recommend to friends and family. It's crowded and loud, but it reminds me of the Italian side of my family that is exactly the same way. The food is absolutely delicious- I have never been disappointed with anything I have ordered here! Service is great as well, so stop in!
(4)
Jane D.
Been here twice, food and service are solid, and we always come away with leftovers. A little tight seating-wise, but the food trumps it.
(4)
Chayla B.
Love this place! Great date place, although it is pretty cramped. It's nice, though. Great menu, the food is wonderful, weekends are busy. I can't get enough of this place. Four stars instead of five only because it's so cramped...
(4)
Nick S.
I am certainly a fan of this place and would come back. The food was fair in price, although we bought the most expensive item on the menu, the Vitello M'Briaco. It was $29, unlike the $26 it said on the menu from the website, but some of the best veal I've ever had. Topped off with a bottle of red wine. The meal was well worth the price and the place wasn't too busy. I still recommend getting a reservation on Open Table if you plan on visiting during the weekend.
(4)
AxeMe A.
Always a solid place. It's fun, fresh, and friendly. The wait is about the only thing I don't like about it. You'll notice you're not the only one checking out other people's dishes as they come out! Definitely start with an app. and salad. You'll want to taste as much as possible. Decent wines, too.
(5)
Selin D.
I am a big fan of Italian food but Mia Francesca had an American touch to it, understandable and completely no problem. However, they took it a little to far. We first ordered the bruschetta which had way too much cheese we could hardly find the cherry tomatoes! My boyfriend had a chicken dish for his main and enjoyed it. I on the other hand was looking forward to my vegetarian pasta that was disappointing. Although the pasta was cooked to perfect al dente, it was over- seasoned with salt. I had 1-2 bites and I was done. The worst part about this was how our waiter reacted. He came by when I had a bite to ask how everything was. In the middle of a bite I nodded politely. But by the end when he asked again ( after a bus boy had taken my dish away) I told him the truth and he got back to me saying ' but you said it was fine at the beginning.' wow, really? He apologized, sure, but I was left blank asking myself if he really did just say that. That's when I knew my experience was not worth a return no matter how many free lemon cello's.
(1)
Aimee C.
Mia Francesca was excellent. I arrived after a long flight, hungry and exhausted, only to be wisked away to a delicious little joint just around the corner.. Where the staff are kind, the portions are enormous and the flavor and experience, classy.. A great date night followed by a great night date. :) Start at Mia Francesca to have a night to remember.
(4)
ade m.
OMG. Amazing Italian food from the appetizers to dessert. Come hungry! Lovely white table cloths add an elegance, and service was superb. A fun place for groups, although it is rather loud and hard to hear whomever you're not sitting next to already -- not a good place to take the grandparents for this reason. I recommend splitting entrees.
(5)
Robyn F.
i had a pretty good experience here. the service was friendly, food was above average, wine was spectacular, and atmosphere was warm. Linguine con frutti del mare -- I tried this dish -- the portion size was so large that I couldn't even finish it. Mixture of mussels, clams, shrimp, fish. I would recommend this dish. Gnocchi - My friend ordered this and it was fantastic. I'm not a huge gnocchi fan, but it was absolutely delicious and enormous. Pizza -- the pizzas have an egg in the center, adding a little extra flavor and moisture Penne alla paesana - My friend got this and it was pretty average. I think she was disappointed by her choice. Coffee -- Not hot enough Overall, a good experience, and I would definitely come again
(4)
Ebru Y.
After spending a good few days looking for a restaurant to celebrate our 3 year anniversary and seeing Mia Francesca had great reviews, I went ahead and made a reservation on opentable. Our anniversary fell on a Saturday this year so when we got there....guess what? It was beyond packed, I think I saw a few people sitting on other people's laps! Of course I had no idea they had this secret back patio with plenty of space and I have to admit it was much more romantic than the front of the restaurant, so it was perfect! They have an open space and a closed space with open doors in the back. We sat in the closed part but because the doors were wide open we really had the best of both worlds. Our server was very attentive and nice enough to bring us a few different red wines for us to taste and choose. Their bruschetta was out-of-this world, and our entrees were very delicious. I had the penne primavera and he had some chicken dish with pasta. They don't have a huge menu which is nice because then it's easier to pick. I have no doubt everything is delicious here. I couldn't have been happier! Mia Francesca is definitely one of my favorite places for Italian at this point.
(5)
Julie H.
A long time favorite of mine, Mia Francesca is my go-to restaurant for any occasion. Most recently, I needed a place to eat where I could carbo-load the night before my half-marathon. I typically don't eat much pasta, but when I do, I go for the best. Mia is consistently the best: service, food, and fun!
(5)
Diana N.
Like most Italian restaurants, Mia Francesca can accommodate large groups - which was perfect for a mini-reunion dinner for 10 people! The pastas and main dishes were delicious (and HUGE!). I enjoyed the gnocci and a pizza as an appetizer (it had an egg in the middle! +5). The desserts were also tasty, and the wine list was fairly extensive. Good reds. Service was attentive. Call ahead for reservations.
(4)
Jason S.
Always a good meal at MF. Had the quatro formaggi ravioli smothered in a thin vodka sauce and shallots. So good! Def get the brownie and vanilla gellato for dessert. This place is always packed so make a reservation.
(4)
Megan G.
I think I have been here before. In fact I am sure I have. I remember the inside, but I was probably 16 and more interested in sneaking a cig when my parents weren't looking then actually eating the food. Anyway, I decided to give this place a shot and made a reservation for 12 on a Saturday evening. I was not impressed with the woman who booked the reservations for a few reasons. A) You are a restaurant; I am not trying to book an appointment to meet the Pope. Get over yourself. B) Yes, it's a birthday and yes there will be kids there. That is why I am coming early. Booster seats please, and I will pass on the attitude. And finally C) You seriously want to charge me $2.50 per person to bring in a cake, then you proceed to tell me to call your preferred bakery, Sweet Mandy B's, and spend 35 bones on a cake, bringing the total to a cool $65 to celebrate my mothers 6 and a half decades of life? Ummm, no. Needless to say, going into this I was a little leery. We got there and the place was empty and besides the semi snotty host man at the door, I was extremely impressed with our dining experience. The bread and fresh basil olive oil was great. The bruschetta and calamari apps went down faster than Christmas decorations on January 10th. Everyone was satisfied with his or her entrees. Service was decent, but our waiter maybe could have gotten a bigger shirt because we were all staring at the outline to his nipple rings all night. He was friendly and helpful otherwise. They brought out a tiny little dessert, we sang happy birthday and then went back to my place to enjoy cake and ice cream, minus the $65 charge!
(4)
M M.
My favorite restaurant in L Park! We arrive early and ask to eat upstairs. Great food and great service! I always bring guests from out of town here and they are never disappointed. Good wine selection as well.
(5)
E A.
This place has excellent Italian food, and their menu changes weekly, which shows that they serve fresh, new creative dishes. I had Tilapia with tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers in a Tarragon butter. They serve you hot Italian bread with a side of cheese. While I dont recommend the Caesar salad, the bruscetta looked great. Also, I dont usually order dessert, but save room for their incredible Tiramisu!!!!
(4)
Christine M.
I've never been unimpressed with a Francesca restaurant... The food is always reliable and service excellent. If you are looking for one that is a bit less cramped, though, check out Francesca's on Taylor in Little Italy. But I can never have enough Francesca!
(5)
Brandon C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The food is good, the service is good, the cooks are quick so you're not waiting too long. I definitely recommend making a reservation at least one day in advance if you're planning on going Thursday-Saturday. The dining room is kind of small and moderately loud, but the overall gets a top ranking from me.
(5)
JL S.
I have not eaten here in a while, but when I did, it was some of the very best in Chicago Italian. Once it caught on, you couldnt get a table for daze so be prepared to cocktail for some time. I do not embibe, so it was a long sometime. We did apps instead. Nice tomato basil and mozzarella. Just perfect. The pasta is to die for and the sauces always great. I always send people here. I hope it still holds up. I noticed that it now has a bunch of locations, but Clark and downtown are the only ones I have attended and appreciably. There it is. Ciao!
(4)
Lauren H.
I had been dying to try Mia Francesca for years, as I've always heard it is some of the best Italian food in Lakeview. Hmm, I'm going to have to disagree. Their menu is pretty limited, and while everything was good, I wasn't impressed. Add to that the fact that they were blasting what sounded like someone's ipod playlist, and we had to repeatedly ask our waiter to turn down the music so we could hear each other. I just found that odd, as it is a nicer restaurant-so the music seemed really out of place. I think there are much better Italian restaurants out there, I wouldn't waste my money going back here.
(2)
Randal A.
My girlfriend and I consider this our go to spot for great Italian food on the north side. I love that the menu is changed often, making it a new experience each time we go.
(5)
Amy C.
Oh how I miss this place. When I lived in Chicago about a decade ago, I ate here about once a week. I know it seems silly to write a review ten years later, but this place will always hold a special place in my heart. The food was always reliably yummy and copious, and the atmosphere was always lively and unpretentious. Oddly, Mia Francesca was also the scene of several celebrity sightings back in the day -- I sat next to bald Billy Corgan, dorky David Schwimmer, and about half of the totally fabulous US Olympic figure skating team.
(5)
Maura S.
Just went to Mia Francesca's for the second time. It was delish again... the service was amazing, the calamari and my chicken dish were divine, and the wine was flowing! However, and I'm trying not to feel bad about saying this but I feel its important to let you all know that at the end of the meal, I did see a large black bug, about an inch long, fly across the floor. I alerted the waiter and they squashed it and promised to bring in the exterminators. I hope they do because I want to be able to go back soon! So I give the food and service a 5 but overall a 2 because of the bug.
(2)
Lauren T.
Good Italian - and elegant considering the neighborhood. However, the dining room really is crowded so it isn't the most romantic date locale. I would go next door to Andalous Moroccan if I actually wanted to hear what my date was saying.
(3)
Molly G.
Great spot for a first date or just a simple meal. Decent wine list for their cuisine. Service is friendly but rushed...you get the feeling they just want to flip your table and seat the next guest before you have your first bite. Food is basic Italian...nothing remarkable. Just comfort food...I continue to go back for that reason alone.
(3)
Alexis H.
Mmmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about Mia Francesca's food. Just like every other Francesca restaurant in the city, the food here is absolutely fabulous! If you want quality Italian food this is definitely the place to go. The seating here is tight and the volume gets a little loud, but I love restaurants like this. It's lively because people are genuinely enjoying their dining experience. A friend and I arrived at the restaurant at 7 on a Friday evening, and although the restaurant was crowded, we were seated immediately. The menu for the evening had a wide variety of salad/pasta/meat/pizza options, and everything looked great! I had the caprese salad which had juicy, fresh tomatoes and flavorful mozzarella. I also had the quatro stagio (sp?) pizza which was a delicious combination of prosciutto, olives, mushrooms, and artichokes. My friend had gnocchi made to order: she's a vegetarian and the restaurant made a completely new gnocchi dish at her request. Our total for 2 people was $34 without wine. Expect to spend more if you're drinking, and another $10 for the valet because parking in Wrigleyville can be nearly impossible.
(5)
M M.
This place was just OK. I got the white fish, which was the most expensive thing on the menu. There wasn't anything special about it. We went after a Cub's game so it was pretty crowded, but I feel like the service was not attentive, they didn't even bring out plates for our bread and no cheese... what?! We got the banana bread dessert which was good, however :) They also got my date's order wrong... I don't know, I think prices should be lower for the quality of service and food.
(3)
Mia P.
This place is great. Definitely one of the best Francesca restaurants. The only downside is that it can get quite loud and almost claustrophobic. If you don't mind noise and cramped-ness, then you will love it. The food is great and the desserts are probably my favorite part. They had this apple bread pudding that was to die for and their tiramisu is one of my favorites.
(5)
Steve R.
Yeah ok, it's a local chain. I like it. The ambiance is nothing special, but the food is quite nice. Every dish I have had here has been pretty good, though I don't have a specific recommendation. If I'm in the area and want Italian, I'll probably end up here. Long waits sometimes, but that's because it's good.
(4)
Joe H.
After a few visits I must rave about Mia Francesca's. Although the menu is not very extensive, I think that's because they have mostly daily specials. It may not be on the menu every day but ask for the spinach ravioli with vodka creme sauce, you will not be disappointed. Also a very plentiful wine list and very friendly service. Be advised the tables are close together, so you may get friendly with your dining neighbors, which can be fun unless your fighting with your girlfriend or a hermit. I did not see any bugs running across the floor so they must have taken care of that problem, although don't fool yourselves there are probably bugs in every restaurant you eat at!
(4)
John S.
Been here a few times now, and the food has not failed to deliver yet. The service has been generally prompt and friendly. They pack the tables a bit close sometimes, which can be kind of awkward. The patio is nice in the summer. The four cheese pizza is incredibly delicious! Haven't tried much else.
(4)
A. M.
Mia Francesca is a Chicago institution. While I can pass on bread if it's not something special, the bread here is so yummy. It is always hot (sometimes too hot!), and their olive oil is delicious as well. Being the pizza girl, I usually order one of their pizzas for my meal. I have had a few pastas and the salmon, and those were all good. The desserts are also great here. The cheesecake is to die for, as is the chocolate lava cake.
(4)
Mala K.
Since we were going there for the first time, we decided to make a reservation. Had no trouble doing that, and we were seated promptly and given a good table once we got there. My husband and I loved our Caesar salads, the veggies were just so fresh! He had the tilapia and really liked it. I found my pasta with multiple veggies very tasty, and was very impressed by the dessert--a chocolate tart with peanut butter filling and whipped cream. We didn't make that good a choice from the very extensive wine list, though. The place was a bit noisy, and the service could've been a bit more prompt, but it was overall a good experience, and not too expensive.
(4)
Rachelle T.
Fabulous Italian food. Mia Francesca is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city and is a great date spot or place to bring out of town visitors since it doesn't disappoint. The service is great and the open kitchen makes the experience completely authentic. I dropped it down to 4 stars because the restaurant itself is very small and somewhat crowded and there is almost always a wait (can't they expand out a bit?!?). But their food really is hard to beat!
(4)
Mrs. E.
We live in the neighborhood and have been to Mia Francesca many times. While we find that eating inside the restaurant can be distracting and extremely loud, the backyard outdoor patio is great in warm weather. We have also discovered that ordering take-out is fast and easy, and another way to enjoy the food in a quieter setting. I am a big fan of the bolognese pasta sauce - I think it's the best in the city. Overall, our experience at Mia Francesca is consistently good, especially if we stick to eating outdoors and/or at home.
(4)
Yujin A.
I first went there because I had a gift certificate from North Community Bank, and I keep going back because they serve decent Italian food in my neighborhood. Their menu changes frequently, so don't make a mistake of going back there for a specific dish without checking with them first like I did. I have tried 7-8 different dishes, and I think your best bets are pizzas, pork chops, and flourless chocolate cake(or whatever they call it there) I tried a couple of seafood dishes. They were pretty good, but not the best I've had in the city. The best pizza in the city is served at Spacca Napoli (if you like Italian style pizza). For two, you will easily spend 70 or more. There is room for improvement when it comes to service.
(4)
ali a.
I had been dying to go here since I moved to Chicago, so I went for the first time this weekend. I know the menu changes, but for some reason on the night that I went, I wasn't that impressed. When I finally did get my meal though, it was delicious! The only complaints I had were that the music was a little loud and the service was okay. It was a very busy saturday night though so I will definitely see myself back there in the future.
(4)
elizabeth s.
Ate here for a small private dinner party (around 20-25 people). We sat in the coach house, which I must say has to be one of the best venues for a small private party. We had the room to ourselves with a bar, apps, etc. It was perfect for the noisy group we had and we didn't need to worry about offending the rest of the restaurant. Staff was incredibly attentive and nice. And the food... WONDERFUL. The Gnocci was to die for, the caper chicken amazing, I could go on and on. It was a perfect evening - great food, great venue, great wait staff. Highly recommend you check out for a group event.
(5)
Lauren P.
cute little italian place on clark. went here for my birthday and had a wonderful time. we showed up for our reservations and were promptly seated by the windows - it got a little chilly after awhile, but that's really the only bad thing i have to say about the experience. i didn't notice the restaurant being too loud or too quiet, or the service being too pushy or not attentive enough. everything seemed to be just right. our food was very good, and tasted freshly made. i love that the menu is handwritten every two weeks; not only does the menu change throughout the year, but it's a nice little touch. word on the street is it's jennifer aniston's favorite restaurant in chicago.
(4)
Jennifer H.
Mia Francesca's is always a good time. I've never had a bad dish here and the service is always lovely and the ambiance fun. I have to say, though, my favorite part of Mia Francesca's is the carriage house in the back. I had my birthday party here last year and it's fantastic. It's a private little room out back with its own bar and everything. The staff was so helpful, both before the party guiding me on menu choices and at the party itself. I would highly highly recommend Mia Francesca's to throw a party or at least a great night out!
(5)
M M.
My favorite neighborhood spot! The food is out of this world and the menu changes weekly, so there's always something new to try. Definitely make reservations because its always packed (and there's a reason!)
(5)
Kelly S.
Despite all the hype about Mia Francesca, I have had much better Italian food in the same neighborhood over the years. The food is good but the atmosphere can be tough. It is very crowded and loud which is fine for group dinners. However, I stopped going after the last time when pretty much every 10 minutes, a waiter would bump into my chair because it was so crowded. The Mia Francesca on Bryn Mawr is less crowded (more space) and seems to offer more options. I recommend going there instead of the Clark St location.
(3)
Rian K.
My favorite Italian restaurant in the city! The pasta is always so fresh and even their simplest dishes taste unlike anything that you can make yourself. Even after eating at a bunch of great restaurants in Italy, I can't complain--it upholds the basic elements that I experienced there--fresh, simple, delicious. The menu is always different, and it's a great place to go on a date or with friends. If you want a little peace and quiet, try to get a spot in the coach house out back, which only has a few tables and is attended to by one great server/bartender, who has given us free shots with dessert every time I've dined back there. He's the best! Make a reservation if you can, because even when you have, you'll have to wait a bit.
(5)
Aubrey K.
Mia Francesca's is a wonderful, dependable, Italian feed. An added bonus is that they now take reservations. Years ago I had to suffer waiting in long lines. On my last visit we sat upstairs which was quieter it seemed. We had a great Caesar salad. I was satisfied with my Linguine Vongole but even more impressed with my Mom's Salmon and Shrimp special. I love how the menu is hand-written and the service is not stuffy.
(4)
eileen f.
I went to this restaurant tonight and the food was good. HOWEVER, the waitstaff left something to be desired. I felt like we were annoying our waitress and hostess. The food was good, but I've had better. Actually i went to the branch in forest park and it was a completely different experience-it was pleasant. I don't recommend this place
(1)
Marissa D.
I really like the food at Mia Francesca. I am not as much a fan of the atmosphere but for the most part I am a fan. I have to say that they do a great job accomodating special requests...for instance, every time I go I ask for penne pasta in their creamy tomato vodka sauce, with sausage and goat cheese on top. Amazing. And they will always make it for me.
(4)
Stephanie B.
I've been to this place a handful of times, and here's the skinny: Pasta is always on point. Actually have never had a bad entree for the most part. However, it is always packed on weekends and is rock concert, can't-hear-yourself-think loud. I don't know if it's the acoustics in the place, or the fact that they have 999 tables crammed in there, but it's so loud you literally have to shout to the person next to you. It's also super bright in there. So, the ambiance factor is shot. I also always feel like I'm being rushed through my meal, which I don't love. I think upstairs might be a little more chill, but for the most part it's not usually a particularly enjoyable or relaxing experience, which is kind of a shame because the food is actually very good. I'd hit up Angelina or Rosangelis if I wanted to linger over dinner in a nicer atmosphere. However, I will probably continue to go back to this place... I'll just bring a megaphone. PS: if you get the calamari, get it grilled. The fried version always comes out soggy. And if you order pasta, split it w/your buddy across the table - they give you a trough for a serving.
(3)
Leang E.
This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city. You will not be disappointed with anything you get, if you can get past the wait. I had tried to go here a couple of times when I first heard about the place, but the wait was so long I would go elsewhere. Now, I make sure I get there early so I can eat there and not have to wait. Our waiter told us that they have a different menu every day. I am not sure if this is true, and whether or not they have a different menu for each day of the week and just randomly select or how they do it. I just can't believe someone takes the time to do that. Sometimes I don't like deciding on what to make for dinner, myself. I loved the cheese ravioli with sausage! I brought my out of town coworkers here, and one of them had said they would go here to eat if they were coming in town again. Yes, all I could say was, "Too bad, you don't live in Chicago!"
(5)
Dee W.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago - they have excellent service and fantastic food. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. A great place to hit up on a date, or with a group of friends, or even on a family outing.
(4)
Amanda G.
Delicious Italian Food! Went here with my New York in-laws and we all enjoyed tremendously. Had an 8:30p reservation and although it was packed, we were seated immediately upstairs. Only issue was very tight table-space. We literally had to shift our table everytime someone around us got up, but strangely, we didn't mind. Great service, great food, great wine. For a more limited menu, try their little sister restaurant 'Francesca's Forno' in Bucktown/Wicker Park.
(4)
Dan B.
I'm a big fan of bread at restaurants and these guys keep them coming, and they're nice and warm. The food is great and the atmosphere is more on the romantic side. I also like their desserts.
(5)
Jaime C.
I love this place, it has consistently good food and the atmosphere is cozy and fun. There is always a wait which makes it kinda irritating, but it is a great date place and I always love eating here.
(4)
James G.
Consistantly great food, lively atmosphere and informed, approachable servers. My favorite standby restaurant in my neighborhood!
(4)
Matt N.
Great food and always packed becasue others know just how good this place is. The food is very reasonable.
(4)
Robyn N.
Mia Francesca has excellent Italian food! The downstairs can get pretty crowded and noisy..so, if you are looking for a more peaceful meal, I would recommend sitting upstairs. Be sure to make reservations, or you could be waiting quite a while.
(4)
Katie M.
I was excited to go to Mia Francesca not only because it was close to my house & I had a gift card to it, but it received lots of great reviews. However, after dining out a bunch of times to various Italian restaurants, I had to give it a 2. The reasons are simple and important in my books: the menu was very small. Supposedly in changes once a month and this month seemed to be almost all chicken and seafood entrees. Not bad, but 2 of us had our hearts set on a cheese & pasta platter like manicotti or gnocci. They didn't have either! The meal I ended up getting was good, but when you have your heart set on something else, it's a little sad! Also, the place is LOUD. I went with my boyfriend and his family. Part of the conversation I couldn't hear so I just had to nod and hope they weren't asking me questions! So, I would say this place is not good for big parties. Also, I'm big on the bread while you wait which was just okay. The oil was okay and there was no cheese. In a nutshell, I think there are better places to go for Italian.
(2)
W W.
Really great Italian restaurant. I went here a few months ago and had a fabulous meal. I really recommend this place to anyone...who knows, you might see Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston there!
(4)
Mark P.
Excellent pastas. Always a solid bet. But cramped space and long waits.
(4)
Linda L.
this is also one of my favorite italian restaurants in chicago!! the food, the wine, the ambiance....all great! its quite noisy in there tho, so be prepared to flex ur voice box. =) great for friends, family and lovers. it can be a bit pricey depending on what you order. expect (with bottle of wine and appetizers) to pay $60-100+ for dinner for 2. make sure u call ahead for reservations!!
(5)
Julie G.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. Though the dining room is a bit over crowded, the energetic atmosphere is contagious and adds to the charm. Reservations are a must, though there is a nice bar where you can have a drink prior to being seated. The wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing. The food is excellent from the bruchetta and tomato and mozzarella salad to the pastas and chicken marsala. Don't leave without trying the chocolate souffle. It's unforgettable.
(5)
Becca L.
It's always crowded because everyone knows Mia Francesca serves the best Italian food in the city. I was just here recently and ordered the chicken marsala for dinner. I loved it and would get it again except there are so many good dishes to try at this restaurant. I also had the chocolate souffle for dessert. Not many desserts can't compare to this!
(4)
Phoenician G.
Has excellent dishes and we love the food but HATE the slow service. Even with a reservation we waited 10 minutes to get a table. We waited so long for the waiter to come to our table that we had to ask someone to get him so he can take our order. Finally to top it all off, for dessert we ordered creme brulee that tasted like Jalapeno peppers...I think the strawberries on the creme brulee were cut with a knife used for jalapenos :)) We told the waiter but got no apologies!!!
(3)
Emily D.
Service was great. Food was passable at best. Room's very loud. I can't figure out why this place is always packed. I was very underwhelmed.
(2)
Kristine K.
I love the food here. Never been disappointed. The only bummer is that it does tend to get crowded and loud. Wouldn't recommend going here for an intimate dinner. Service has always been on point, but they should think about adding another bathroom.
(4)
Misse D.
Everytime I come here, everyone at the table loves their food. How often does that happen? Besides, the excellent food, the service is consistently good. The space is tight, but it makes me feel like I'm back in Italy.
(5)
Sarah S.
I went there during my first week in Chicago and I was not happy at all! I found it very Americanized and it was not good Italian food. i thought it was just because at the time I just moved from Italy, so my expectations were too high and I still had to get used to Italian food abroad. Went back again a few months ago, after 3 years, and I still have the same opinion! There are a lot of decent, if not good, Italian restaurants in the city and, as far as I'm concerned, Mia Francesca is not one of them
(1)
Franky D.
Why does everyone love this place so much? Everyone I know takes visiting friends and relatives here as if it is the showpiece restaurant of the city. I got fooled into doing this about a year ago. I took my aunt and uncle there with my girlfriend. The food is fine, even good I guess, but... About halfway through my meal (some kind of pasta with meat) I bit into something hard. I pulled it out of my mouth to discover that I had bitten into a string of STEEL WOOL. I showed it to the waiter, and he said "I'm sorry, that is from one of our scrub brushes in the kitchen, it happens every once in a while." He asked me if I would like another meal. I did not because I was halfway finished and this sort of thing doesn't really effect my desire to finish the meal. I was just glad that it happened to me and not one of the people that I had invited there. Of course my meal was free, but that does not change the fact that they were not surprised to find BRILLO PADS in the food.
(2)
Lana M.
Wonderful restaurant, great food and I really like the out door garden. Nice date place.
(5)
Jessica G.
I was taken here for my birthday in October and had a great experience. Though the restaurant is on the small side, the food and service are great. We had reservations so it wasn't a problem getting a table. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Ashley M.
Great Italian food! Make reservations or wait for awhile in an awkwardly tight bar. Good place for dates, although it's a little crowded. You may feel like the strangers next to you are also sitting at your table. The menu changes frequently with a variety of great dishes.
(4)
Ellen R.
This is the only Italian place worth anything in Chicago. Finally a place that serves a real sauce, not some watery, non-flavored tomato concoction. You get great, true al dente pasta, great sauces and even better value. Portions are huge, costs are low and atmosphere is relaxed. if you are looking for a relaxing, casual Italian dining spot this is it. Service is pleasant as well. And they threw in the extra veggie I asked for into my pasta dish, love it!
(5)
Kate N.
Loved the food! The service was fantastic. Although I would reccomend making reservations. I went on Friday night and they had to sit us upstairs because didn't have a reservation, but it was still fantastic!
(4)
L V.
I went here since it was highly recommended by my cousin and sister. It definitely lived up to the expectations. The scallop dish I had was delish. My boyfriend had a salmon dish which was also very good. Service was excellent. Because of how much we loved this restaurant, we are so excited. Francesca's on chestnut opened downtown. We plan on definitely trying it soon.
(4)
Jennifer H.
This is another one of my favorite neighborhood places. I often take out of town guests here for dinner. This place has great drinks and good food. I've never had a bad meal here. In the summer I enjoy sitting outside on the back patio. The only draw back to this place is it's small and can get quite loud during peak times. If your looking for a great meal, look no further, you will not be disappointed.
(4)
Heather S.
Man is this place good! One of the top restaurants in Chicago. I just ate here last week w/ my sister and we had the best waiter and food! Definately try the carpaccio, quattro stagione pizza (sp?), and the tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad. We shared these three dishes and didnt' have room for desert! The room downstairs does get noisy and busy. My husband and I often eat at the upstairs bar which is a room you can rent out. In fact, we held our wedding reception here. It is perfect for a small party - 75 max. They treat you like a queen and the pricing is very reasonable and the food of course amazing!
(5)
dave c.
Excellent!!! Always an awesome meal. Have been going here for about 12 or 13 year now and have never had a bad experience. I've also been to several other locations including a few in the burbs and have always had great food and excellent service. If you're looking for great, authentic italian food look no further. The locations on Taylor and Bryn Mawr are equally good as well
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Mariah V.
Most girls probably would not go on a carb-fest before going out drinking, because they don't want to look bloated in their dresses. They also would not go eat a huge burger and beignets before going out drinking. Luckily my best friend and I are not like that. We came here for my birthday on a Saturday, arriving promptly at 9pm which was our reservation time. The place was packed, and so we were told there would be a wait. But, isn't not having to wait the point of making a reservation? Luckily a couple chairs freed up at the bar, and we were each given a complimentary glass of wine. The bread and olive oil is just the first part of the carb-fest. The real marathon comes with the pasta, because they give you SO much. I had the Gnocchi in a cream sauce. I would've eaten all of it if there were enough room in my stomach. Gnocchi in a cream sauce were so good. I've also had some arrabbiata sauced pasta which was really great. There are antipasti, insalate and pizze that stay on the menu all the time, but everything is handwritten in because they change all the time. I didn't even have room for dessert on my birthday because I ate so much pasta; I guess I should've just asked for a candle in my gnocchi. The packed dining room doesn't bother me. It almost feels appropriate like we're some huge Italian family eating crazy amounts of pasta and bruschette. They just need to figure out their reservation deal. Having to wait 30 minutes after our reservation time is ridiculous, and if you can't get a seat at the bar, there isn't much space to stand and wait. As a bonus, one Friday night here for dinner I saw Calvin Tran from The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection aka Bravo's feeble attempt to replace Project Runway. Yeah you probably don't know who that is or ever watched that tv show, and I don't blame you.
(4)Don H.
I FINALLY GOT TO COME HERE! We visited with our foodie friend who was looking for some good Italian food. I remembered this place and finally had a good excuse to come here. Without reservations. And without reservations. First of all, the ambiance. It's cramped. Really cramped. And loud. Oddly loud. And lit funny. It's very beautiful, though, but if they could turn the volume down on the conversation with some acoustic engineering it would've been a far better experience. Or stop service alcohol to loud people. Or just limit it to one table in the restaurant. Sorry. The food. Yes. The food was VERY good. Usually when I have Italian food, especially something like funghetto linguine with a cream sauce, I am expecting it to be heavy and almost pasty. Not the case here. It was so light and ... authentic. That's the only word i can think of, though it's not the right word. Light. Fresh. Flavorful. I love mushrooms and I could taste the mushrooms, that earthiness that I love about eating a raw 'shroom. That's what came out of the food. And that's what balanced this experience for me. I would definitely come back, but not on a weekend night. Definitely worth a return visit.
(3)Kay S.
Delicious! I've been here 3 or 4 times already and it is amazing. The unique, hand-written menu changes all the time and you can't go wrong with anything you order. Appetizers, pasta, fish, chicken, pizza, etc. I've been meaning to take a picture of my meal before I dig in but it looks so good and fresh when it comes out, I always forget. If you've never been, go here. If you have been, go again.
(5)Gina F.
We tried this location for the first time on October 5th. We went to celebrate the giant certification exam I had passed the night before & our 1 year anniversary, so we brought a nice bottle of champagne with us. . The food was good--on par with the other Francesca's Restaurants, but the service was not great. We didn't see our server much, and had to fill our own champagne all night. Really, he didn't pick up the bottle ONCE. The server told us at the END of the night that the corkage fee was $25. I new there would be one, but I assumed it would be $10, $12, maybe even $15 like other places. He had the nerve to tell us we ewre luckyt because it used to be $5 more. I really felt taken four a ride. At least at that price he should have served it to us. Soooo disappointed that this happened at a Francesca's!
(2)Michael W.
I have been going to this place for years. Out of them all this one is still top notch. The service and food are great. You do sometimes have to deal with the volume and sitting on top of other people but its worth it. If your looking for romantic then maybe this isn't your spot. Its loud and rocking almost every night. They print menus every day and have a few specials here and there but the core menu is a staple. Just remember you are going to be seated close to others. Not communal tables but very close. That's my only issue but once your eating who cares.
(5)Helen H.
This place was decent. Nothing too special. My drink was terrible unless their goal was to come as close as possible to cough syrup. We got the spaghetti which was classic and delicious. The baked chicken was quite filling and had delicious flavor. Overall delicious and decent prices but not something to write home about.
(3)Sean M.
Ok, let me first say DO NOT SIT UPSTAIRS IF IT'S A COLD NIGHT! I REPEAT, DO NOT SIT UPSTAIRS! You will freeze your a** off! The doors stay open from the outside and the staff keeps coming in and out and there is no "wind-blocker" so the cold air just shoots right into the small dining room. I WILL SAY...the food is really great! Service is good too. The music was odd for a upscale italian place....they had B96 on. How about some classical or Sinatra????
(3)Courtney M.
Delicious and accommodating! Made my friend a dish that wasn't on the menu :)
(5)Katie S.
I wish I could write separate reviews for brunch and dinner here. I'd say the brunch was a 2 and the dinner was a 4 - so we'll go with a solid 3 overall. Brunch - I think this is a new deal for them. I went with a group of girlfriends a few weeks ago, and it was just kind of awful. I was so excited because I saw that they make their bloody marys with my favorite mix (Zing Zang! recommended by my brother the bartender ;) ) and it was super bland and watered down. UGH. It took the server forever to take our food order. I got a hash with scrambled eggs, potato, fried chicken and bacon... which should have been heaven... but was DISGUSTING. The dish basically had fried pieces of gristle in it. I couldn't even come close to trying to finish it. Dinner is much better. Service was very attentive even on a busy Saturday night. Pasta was delicious and still good as leftovers the next day as well. I thought their pricing was reasonable too. Work on the brunch, though, Mia Francesca. Please. I think you can do a lot better.
(3)Amanda G.
Was here a couple of weeks ago visiting a friend in Chicago. She took me to this restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. A bit crowded, but who could blame them with the incredible food they're dishing up. The service was fantastic, too! Absolutely loved every dish I tried. Will definitely be going back there again next time I am in Chicago.
(5)Richie D.
Every fourth restaurant in Chicago is Italian (the rest are all split between Thai, Mexican or another cuisine). In other words, competition and expectations are high...while those who have wheat-allergies try to talk their friends into changing their minds set on pleasing their Italian appetites. Thank goodness for the small Francesca chain. Here, anyone can ask and receive. Mia Francesca has an entire menu of gluten-free pastas that are made purely of quinoa (and by that I mean not a quinoa-corn mix). If you're new to the gluten-free/celiac diet, quinoa is not only a lifesaver but a grain that originates in the Andes which is low in sodium, has no cholesterol, contains 16.2% more protein than any other grain and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Yep, a godsend. For other food items, the calamari salad is full of those little guys causing you to get your money's worth. Or the mussels are also not super full of seafood flavor but garlic. I slurped down the Pasta al Pomodorini: linguini sauteed in a 'spicy' cherry tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs. Perfectly flavorful, delicious and GLUTEN-FREE ITALIAN! Purchase yourself one of their wonderful bottles of wine and you're set! For those who doesn't have wheat allergies, don't miss out on their profiteroles with pistachio ice cream. D-Lic! Otherwise, the flourless chocolate cake with fresh berries is your match.
(5)Ernie C.
Enjoyed the fast service and good food. Had the pesto chicken pasta for $16.99 Very crowded and noisy, but I live in the suburbs and this is city dining.
(3)Parker K.
Service is superb and ALWAYS consistent (I work in the industry, so I am always analyzing this aspect of the experience). The food is of exceptional quality for the price. Boisterous, New York vibe and atmosphere. I've had the pleasure to eat here more than six times. I promise you, you will never be disappointed about your experience - wether it's your first date or showing your family a little gem of Lakeview.
(5)Gladys G.
Awesome food! good times :)
(4)P P.
Great service. Lunch entrees were superb. Very lovely pizza, salad, and I had the salmon on spinach. Very wonderful. Our apple tart desert was a bit of a disappointment ( all crust no apples). But it's easy to overlook when the food and service make you feel like it's worth it to pay. This isn't a a feeling we get that often in the River North area, to be honest..
(4)Andy B.
This place, with its many locations across the Chicagoland area, never fails to please. I've been to a few of them, and they are always consistent. Right down to the handwriting on the menus. This time we had the bruschetta (amazing,) and I had the rigatoni dei sardi, which was cooked in a delicious red sauce, and had mushrooms and sausage. No matter what pasta I ever get here, it's always great. For dessert, we tried the tiramisu. I'm by no means versed in the ways of tiramisu, but it was nevertheless delicious. We were, however, wishing they would turn up the air. Being the middle of August, and after a couple glasses of wine, it got a little warm. Very minor complaint.
(4)Claudia D.
The food was excellent. The service was friendly, attentive without being obtrusive, and very detailed. The price point is very similar to Francesca's on Taylor & definitely worth it as far as food & service are concerned. Perhaps we're stuck in our ways, but the space was small, cramped, and totally cacophonous! Perhaps the usual clientele doesn't object, but we prefer a bit more room between tables, and we like to converse with each other at dinner. That said---the husband had a vodka on the rocks with a twist ($6-very reasonable for the area) & the roast chicken. I had chicken breast with a rosemary, garlic white wine sauce. Roast potatoes came with both entrees. We shared 2 scoops of frozen deliciousness for dessert-pistachio gelato for him & raspberry sorbet for me. The waiter (Felix) was wonderful to us. He staged our take-out entree order perfectly so it was still warm when we got home, even though we had to drive clear to the UIC area! Kudos to Felix and the kitchen.
(4)Christina M.
Mia Francesca = Love, it's that good. My bf and I met some friends at this location and had a wonderful meal. The wine and drinks were great and the appetizers were very tasty. Their menu rotates every week because they use ingredients that are in season, so you usually get something different every time you go (everything has always been fantastic). My pasta was very good and well-flavored, and did I mention that the bread and olive oil is to die for? Well, it is. The best part about Francescas is that they'll accommodate almost any diet, they always whip up something vegan for me. This is really a great chain of restaurants.
(4)Laura F.
I wish I could tell you how amazing the spinach ravioli is. My fiance took me here for my birthday around 7:30 on a Friday night. It was understandably busy. After making our way through a maze to our table -- seriously, cram any more tables in there and we'd all be sitting on each other's laps -- we ordered. I opted for the aforementioned ravioli, a cab sav (second choice as they were out of my first) and the dude got a pizza and some riesling. The pizza came. He nibbled. We waited. And waited. And waited. About 45 minutes after, the waiter came to check on us. "Is her ravioli going to be out soon?" "What ravioli?" Then we left. Yeah. Thank goodness for GrubHub.
(2)Desire' M.
I don't think I've ever had anything bad here. Sometimes, I might get a dish that could have used a little more this or that, but it was still delicious regardless. I'm super impressed with their gluten free menu. Most of their regular pasta dishes can be made gluten free. I had their gluten free pizza margherita and was almost concerned it wasn't gluten free it was so good. Finished off dinner with the Torta Lava...mmm. The place can get packed and noisy so try not to go at peak hours.
(4)Jim P.
Disappointing. I had their pasta w/shrimp + scallops in a spicy tomatoe sauce. It wasnt spicey and it was way too salty. I had the same dish on new yrs eve @ their location near water tower and there was no comparision. Where's the quality control???
(2)Happiness L.
The best thing that can be improved is to have refills on water and coffee with out asking. Every time I was low/out of something to drink I was the one to ask, and I like the attention of filling my coffee cup or water glass with out me asking for it each and every time. As far as the food....so very delicious! I was there for brunch and the omelet with potatoes were an excellent choice. I got to customize the omelet the way that I like with wonderful ingredients such as Italian sausage, artichoke, and more. It was somewhat cold in there too....perhaps they can turn up the heat during the cold season? My waitress and the entire staff have a very friendly attitude. Super easy to get a table at brunch.
(4)Sandra W.
Let's just say that I had to figure out how to cross the damn streets during Critical Mass. (throws fist in the air) Mia Francesca is a small quaint and yet exciting restaurant. I had a great time there. Despite the crowdy-feel, the food was great, the staff was super accommodating, and very easy to get to via public transportation. (Belmont stop). My friend got a few cocktails that were strong and delicious and I stuck to my usual beer. They have Oberon's there. Yum. I went with 5 other friends and had a nice meal together. It wasn't too loud and it wasn't too hard to hear each other. We went around 8pm and it was still vibrant. We made reservations so we were sat right away. I ordered Spaghetti. Yes, I know, typical, boring, lame, etc etc. I love Spaghetti and Mia's spaghetti with sausage was excellent! I had a ton left over and ate some the next day. Wow. Still delicious. The sauce was not watery and it was tasty and flavorful. I will come back with my out of town friends (even in town friends) and have a nice dinner. I'd highly recommend this place. Just do it.
(4)Julie B.
I normally wouldn't write a review for a random night out for dinner. But our waitress Meredith was great and helped make our experience wonderful. My husband and I had our first date night in 7 months...since the birth of our son. Needless to say - to us, it was a big deal. After giving us great recommendations, and giving us plenty of space while still feeling taken care of, we were ready for our check. But Meredith had heard it was a "big night out" and treated us to a dessert. Even after we told her our big night out was simply a night without our son - not a birthday or anniversary. It made our night that much better! We will definitely be repeat customers.
(4)Caroline R.
This place is a favorite on restaurant week and during the summer when you can sit outside where it is considerably less loud.
(4)Kristin T.
What place is perfect and deserves a 5star? This place comes close. The bartender and hostess welcomed me in. I was hungry and had an hour to kill. Everyone spoke with me as if they see people alone at the bar all the time in this lovely restaurant. I've been here plenty of times before but never alone. The ambience is wonderfully Italian. Big mirror and B&W photography. Loud and fun to hear kids as well as adults. The bartender didn't push me ordering an entree. I had an appetizer of calamari. One of my fave Italian dishes. This was even better than I expected. Sauteed calamari with shallots butter wine spinach tomatoe capers. What else? Garlic. I sopped it all up with the warm... no... hot bread. Nice and crispy on the outside and dense and soft inside. The calamari was tender and the sauce dripped off my lips. I was constantly wiping them. I needed a bib! Thanks to all who was part of my visit! Ill come alone again! I focused on the food. Yum! I enjoyed it all with 2 glasses of Mark West pinot noir. Not bad for their cheapest glass. I'm stuffed.
(4)Robb Z.
First time diner. Life long fan. Can't say enough good stuff about Mia. Chill, laid back atmosphere, down to earth service, amazing food(house salad was the only downfall), and the price is easy on the money clip. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Beth B.
One of my new favorite places in Chicago to eat Italian. I went to the Lincoln Park location with my mother. It was a last minute decision after a long day of shopping. I am so glad we went here. Food was fresh, delicious and completely authentic. We had a beautifully plated Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella appetizer and shared an entree since we are both light eaters. After trying to decide on many different options we asked for a recommendation, we decided on the Gnocchi with Bolognese. This is seriously the best Gnocchi I HAVE EVER HAD. I will be coming back again and again for this little gem. Great find!
(4)Stephanie W.
Love private parties in the upstairs space at Mia Francesca - the family style service totally works, you have your own private bar, and you can essentially set up your party any way you want. But the main dining room experience leaves something to be desired. The seating is incredibly tight and cramped, and it feels like you're either on top of other diners or the wait staff is on top of you. Even if you have a reservation, you typically have to wait a few minutes to be seated and there's seriously nowhere to wait inside the door. Service is mediocre at best, and the food is hit or miss given how often the menu changes. I've had some seriously delicious dishes here, but I've also had plenty of pastas that just aren't worth finishing. I've also had friends get food poisoning after dining here more than once. All in all, I'd recommend the Bryn Mawr location over this one. The service is significantly better and the food is usually much better as well.
(3)Anna V.
I have been here more than 20 times. It is always PACKED, loud, and happy. The food is 99% of the time great and often spectacular. They have had a few dishes (and the menu has been different almost every time, so when I get to repeat things I usually cherish it) that I would eat every day if I could. Things to watch for: the gnocchi in tomato basil sauce, the rigatoni bolognese, spinach ravioli, arugula and roasted cherry tomato flatbread, mushroom risotto, and the orechiette with sausage crumbles, roasted tomato herb broth and broccoli rabe. The food is REALLY fantastic, the desserts are all good (especially the flourless cake and the peanut butter torte). I usually get a glass of wine or two. Dr. L Reisling was my favorite over the summer. They typically have good Italian blends for a cheap glass fee. Another highlight: the bread. Which we eat entire loaves of before the food comes. I actually like their chaotic dining room. I have almost always gotten a decent table (often the one by the window) and the high rustic urban space is way better than the bland upstairs room. The perfect place for a carb coma. Lately they've been sketchy with seating reservations on time and it's annoying, but before that they were always fine. Definitely make one, though. This place gets crowded really quick for a good reason.
(5)Taylor Z.
Love, love, love this restaurant. I always get their pizza with egg, prosciutto and olives and they're always willing to let me customize it the way I want. I've tried their other dishes that other people I was with ordered and everything is delicious. The only thing that I ever find fault with is, occasionally, they use a bit too much sodium but that can be easily remedied by asking them to go lightly on the salt. Their appetizers I usually skip because their entrees and desserts are so good, I want to devour those and only those but if you have a big appetite, they're all really tasty too, especially their lentils and bruschetta. Their desserts are to die for. Their Tiramisu is almost as good as the one I had in Italy and definitely the best and most authentic I've tasted here in Chicago. But all their desserts are really awesome too. I recently had some kind of cake with pumpkin pie baked into it (I think it's a seasonal thing though) and OMG let me tell you, hands down, best birthday cake I've ever had the privilege to try. I've tried a few other desserts here and have yet to be let down. Service is always prompt and efficient without hovering. Atmosphere is loud and usually busy with the kitchen close by but it works for this kind of place. One thing I can say, is the quality of food here is outstanding. I never leave feeling sick like you can from too much rich Italian food, but always leave satisfied. You can tell they really put care into the ingredients they use and how they prepare the food.
(5)Tammy M.
Love this place and it is one of my Chicago favorites! Went here last weekend when my sisters were in town visiting and everyone loved their food. My sister said that it was one of the best meals that she has ever had and when it came time to go out to dinner the following night she said wherever we go she knows she is going to be disappointed and sure enough she loved her dinner at Mia's so much more. It seems to be much less crowded that it was in years past, not sure why that is but I really enjoyed that I was able to get a last minute reservation.
(4)Erika G.
There's no need to go to any other restaurant. This place, like her sister on Bryn Mawr, is a hit every time. The food is always perfect and delicious. Our waiter, finally a REAL waiter, knowledgeable about the food. Fantastic service. The back patio . . . BELLA! I can't think of a cuter, more charming back patio anywhere in Chicago. And while the front room rocks, and gets very crowded, the back patio is a little oasis. I don't even need to detail what we ate, because everything I've ever ordered at either of the Francesca's has been spot on amazing. It's not adventurous dining by any means, it's just reliable, fresh, well prepared utterly delicious food. Solid 5 stars all around. The appetizers, all good. The bartenders flirty and cute. The waitstaff, world class. The front desk guy, very nice, helpful and flexible, when we suddenly decided to give up our indoor table and opted for the back patio. The entrees, easily enough food for two to share, which makes it the most amazing bargain dinner in the city, bar none. I mean, $26 for dinner for two (not including drinks)?!! That just means we can go twice as often! The company, stars off the charts, but your mileage may vary on that one.
(5)Laila C.
so I didn't actually order food there but I had bread, olive oil and nibbles of my friend's pasta. considering that i'm generally foodily opposed to eating bread because I think they're bland and boring-the bread + olive oil combo at MF was delicious! I ate almost 2 whole pieces of bread accompanied by almost the entire jar of Olive oil. My friend's plate of lentils, sausage and pasta was far more delicious than I would expect for any pasta plate. The sausage was delectable, the lentils were soft and very flavorful. I'm almost certain I'd return here to eat, even though I hate italian food. I think that says a lot about the restaurant.
(4)Katie M.
Decent Italian food. Plenty of tables. Ample portions. Acceptable prices. I wish I had more to say than that; I wasn't impressed by any means, but I wasn't particularly disappointed. I had no specific qualms with the service we received, but our server was very young and seemed inexperienced. Pro-tip: there's tons of tables upstairs, although the vibe is a little different up there.
(3)Theo J.
This is such a great place. The service was absolutely excellent. The salad was the freshest and had a great flavor. The dinner was excellent. The deserts were homemade great. The wine was perfect. My words for this place would be great food.
(5)James S.
We went there for a date night and unfortunately on both sides of our table was seated a group of children. They were quite distracting and making a lot of commotion. The wine list was a bit on the pricey side. The cheapest bottles of wine were around $30. The food was overall good Italian food as to be expected for the price. The service was decent although our server seemed too busy to be as attentive as he should have been. Not sure if we will be back given the other options in the area.
(3)Rits T.
This place is awesome. I ordered seafood pasta and I was so happy with my meal. It made me full for 2 days.. Def order more..
(4)Marissa J.
There isn't an option for a 2.5 so I decided to round down. My fiance would have given this a 3, but Yelp notes a 2 is "Meh. I've experienced better." I think this accurately expresses my feelings. Not bad, but not good. We went for the first time time last night, a Friday. We were able to get reservations on very short notice so that was a plus. We were seated upstairs and where we were the tables were a bit too crowded together; so much so that the servers had trouble navigating between the tables. We ordered a nice bottle of red, mussels in spicy tomato sauce, and the burrata to start. The mussels were good, but a bit cold and the sauce was not spicy. The bur rata was yummy. My fiance ordered the rigatoni with spicy italian sausage and mushrooms. His was good, especially the tomato sauce. I ordered the mushroom risotto and it was terrible. I normally love risotto, but this was like rice and uncooked mushrooms in broth. Very little flavor. My fiance referred to it as "Uncle Ben's with mushrooms." Highly disappointing. Our waitress never came back to check how the food was and the buser picked up our plates without noticing I hadn't touched my food. Overall an okay experience but with so many great restaurants in town, I don't think we'll be back.
(2)Rebecca H.
I went there a little over a year ago. The lighting was too bright for dinner and I got food poisoning. Needless to say, I haven't and don't plan on going back.
(2)Rebecca H.
Nice, solid Italian food. The bruschetta was fresh and the gnocchi perfectly prepared.
(4)Kimberly G.
I was a customer of the Francesca's Intimo (the Lake Forest location) while I was in college - just loved going there! Now that I live in Chicago, I love coming here since I live across the street. I have gotten to know the staff and they are so friendly and welcoming. They are always changing the menu but there are always a few staples to the menu. You are guaranteed to always try something new. Definitely one of my favorite spots!
(5)RJ W.
We shuttle upstairs where we felt like we were suddenly in glamourous Schaumburg... Boring menu, boring food, boring wine menu.. Service was fine, nothing spectacular... the menu has 10 to 12 choices, none of them spectacularly executed.. and when you have only a few things to make, they should be perfect. The wine menu was EXCEPTIONALLY overpriced. I understand markups but 500%.. really? I honestly think the Olive Garden in your average mall is a better value with better food... and Olive Garden is just sad... so you get my drift....the only reason, in my opinion, this place is busy is because suburbanites and out of towners heard about it and flocked to it.. I was reminded why , as a local, I stopped going here 10 years ago.. way too many better Italian restauarants in the immediate area than this one...
(2)Deployed R.
Wow! We went on a very cold Monday night, so business was slow. Maybe that had something to do with it, but we were seated right away and everyone we interacted with was very courteous and helpful. The menu is not your run of the mill chain Italian garbage. They have some interesting twists on old standards. We started with the Arugula Brushetta and Asparagus Salad. Both were great but the brushetta was exceptionally good (there was lots of cheese with the tomatoes and arugula). I had a rigatone pasta with veggies that was perfect, but my wife ordered the special and it stole the show! It was a stuffed gnocchi pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. The best gnocchi either of us has ever had, if not one of the best pasta dishes we have ever had. The portions were generous and they were happy to wrap up our leftovers for us.
(5)Stefanee H.
Y. U. M.! This place was great! To start with, we had the nicest waiter. He was so patient with 3 chatty broads and definitely had some great recommendations. He even overheard my friend and I say we were going to split our dishes and had the kitchen split out dishes for us! Our dishes were good and the portions were very generous, especially for the price. My girl friend is a super picky eater and they made her something that was not on the menu, did not complain about it, and did not charge her extra for it. The desserts were good. Nothing spectacular but very good. We got the creme brulee and these pistachio gelato filled cream puffs covered in chocolate. I am not a huge cream puff fan but the gelato was delish. I cannot wait to go back in the summer and enjoy the patio!
(4)Charles J.
This was probably a case of my expectations being too high coming into my initial visit to Mia's. After all, it is rumored to be a popular spot with Jennifer Aniston, when she's in town. How bad could it be, I asked? Well, it's not bad. It just didn't measure up to my expectations. Here are a few of my observations. Lacking menu. Surprisingly few choices and most this evening weren't very exciting. Drinks too strong. Yep, you heard me. None of us could even drink the martini's we ordered due to the overwhelming alcohol taste. Average tasting food. We started with the Calamari appetizer. An ample amount was served and it was very tasty. Well worth the $7.99 price. Unfortunately for me, it was downhill from there. I ordered the Chicken, which was two small chicken breasts and a side of spinach. The chicken breasts looked like something you'd get in the frozen food section of the grocery. They were cooked in a very uninteresting manner and just seemed to sit there on my plate, with no "presentation". The spinach was fresh and tasty but at $16 for an uninspired chicken dish, I felt I overpaid. Others in my party ordered the Rigatoni with sausage and goat cheese and were complimentary. I sampled it and thought it had decent flavor. The tab for our party of 4 was just over $100 (with drinks) which isn't bad by Chicago standards but, as I have stated in other reviews, it is the quality and the experience that are as important as the price and, at least on this night, the quality and experience fell flat for me. I'd give them another shot because of the number of 4 and 5 star ratings. It wasn't even close to that this time for me.
(2)Kara B.
Mia Francesca is one of the more creative Italian places I have found so far. They have interesting combinations of flavors to put an original spin on traditional Italian dishes, all while doing this at a reasonable price. I will definitely be back!
(5)Deena D.
Fabulous Italian fare, huuge portions & cozy little vibe. First off, the Open Table reservation was super helpful, I highly recommend it on any peak night since the restaurant is on the cozier side and there isn't a whole ton of space to wait. Except by the bar which obviously is no twist of the arm for me... My second time here and we sat upstairs which was also very nice, I kind of liked it better because it was more roomy. Our waitress was very sweet and made recommendations since we had some Mia Virgins at the table. Ordered the house red pinot which was good about $45 a bottle. They are notorious for their mussels app but I couldn't resist an authentic caprese salad. They use buffalo mozzarella instead of regular cow's milk which I thought was pretty nifty. I decided to take the road less traveled this time and order a pizza as my entree (yup, ALL for me, so selfish I know). This pizza had olives, prosciutto, artichoke, cheese, and a fried egg on top. OH BABY. When it comes out they do a fun little "pizza dance" if you will where they dice the egg up for you which my friend's boyfriend found mesmerizing. While very delicious it started to get soggy towards the end. I would still highly recommend trying it out, I had no idea they were infamous for pizza as well as pasta/seafood entrees. My friends tried the gnocchi and seemed to really enjoy , I stole a few bites from their dishes as well and thought the gnocchi filling was very rich but not overbearing. Since it was my friends birthday they were nice to bring out a cream puff contraption with vanilla ice cream. Thanks :) Overall: authentic Italian cuisine at very modest prices with awesome vibes (did I mention they had a playlist that contained MJ & The Roots?) MAGNIFICO!
(5)Mansoor K.
My wife and I love this place. It is our go to spot when we need a place to get dinner. Service is great, the menu is delicious. I recommend getting the bruschetta with arugula as a starter. I've never had anything here that I didn't like. He portions are on her big side, so I do suggest sharing if you want to try a bunch of dishes.
(5)Jessica S.
Truly phenomenal meal and experience. I was able to book (way in advance) a table for 10 the night before the marathon to carboload and our table was ready within 15 minutes of everyone arriving. We were seated upstairs which is a tad less crowded and were served quite attentively by Erika. It was really busy and I can't say enough good things about the service she gave us. My mom, who is the only person in the world who hates garlic, ordered a chicken dish without asking about how much garlic was in there. When the dish arrived, she could hardly stand the smell and Erika was so wonderful about removing and bagging up the dish to take home (leftovers for me!). She brought my mom a bowl of pasta with a plain tomato sauce and made her very happy. She even took off the pasta from our bill. Then, another diner at our table was really unsatisfied with her pizza - it came out cold and she hated the way it tasted. Erika was, again, kind enough to remove that dish from our table and remove it from the bill. Instead, my friend ordered the mushroom polenta appetizer dish and it was THE HIT OF THE TABLE. One of the best dishes I've ever had. I, personally, ordered a pasta dish with tomatoes, artichoke hearts and goat cheese. It was FABULOUS and I finished the entire thing. To top it off, we shared a flourless chocolate cake and it was probably the best I've ever had.
(4)Jasmine C.
Love and adore. So much. From the hand-scrawled menus to the cozy little space that is intimate enough for a date and lively enough for friends, there is so much to love about Mia Francesca. My favourite is the Quattro Stagioni pizza: prosciutto, artichoke, mushroom and egg on a delicate thin crust. The waiter places the dish before you, breaks the yolk in the centre and swirls it evenly so it cooks on the hot surface. The result? A lovely symphony of crisp crust and soft silkiness of a perfectly cooked egg. Oh, I will fight anyone for the last slice of this pizza. The menu is updated often and I've never been disappointed with the quality of food here. Sigh, Mia Francesca. Where your water glass will never be empty, and your taste buds will never be let down.
(4)Bridget K.
I had dinner recently at Mia's while visiting Chicago. The sole reason for me wanting to visit the Clark street restaurant was because the spot was dubbed Jennifer Aniston's favorite restaurant...and obviously I'm starstruck. The ambiance of Mia's is very relaxed and the tables are all fairly close to one another. The seating resembles wooden church pews and you feel as though you are in a dining room at someone's home, which makes it seem cozier. The staff was very friendly, however when we were choosing a bottle of wine the server didn't provide us with feedback or specifics regarding the reds we were interested in. With "grape expectations" we opted on a Malbec and were thoroughly delighted with our choice. When it came time to order food, we went with the scallops and shrimp dish as well as a goat cheese pasta entree. Both of the meals were fantastic and the flavor was mouthgasmic for lack of a better word (go ahead I dare you to find a better one). At the end of our meal we ordered the pistachio ice cream puffs with chocolate drizzle...they were everything and more than expected. The entire experience at Mia's was pleasant and worthwhile. I will be back!
(4)Lisa C.
Met some friends at Mia Francesca for dinner a few weeks ago. Parking in the area is challenging since it is Lakeview. Shortly realized how tiny and noisy the restaurant is when we were seated near the kitchen. I had a difficult time hearing my friends down the other end of the table. Instead, I felt like I was the third wheel on the first date that was taking place to my left. (Side note, talking about your EX on the first date is not a great idea). On to the food... well, what food? I filled up quickly on the amazing, steaming hot, flaky bread and olive oil. I must have had 2 loaves by myself! It's not my fault that the busboys keep replenishing our basket! I think it may be the best bread I ever had! Found out later that they have their own bread machine in the back. I ordered the pollo arrosto alla romano (half chicken with garlic and roasted potatoes). The chicken was really juicy and flavorful. Most of friends ordered the lobster stuffed ravioli. Judging from their facial expressions and empty plates, they enjoyed it. Overall, good food but noisy atmosphere. Would be back if I was in the neighborhood and felt like carbo loading.
(3)Conor O.
Bottom Line Up Front: the Notre Dame football team of Chicago Italian Restaurants. Overrated. My girlfriend brought me here for my birthday this year. My birthday is in June, which happens to coincide with wedding season. Instead of pushing back our reservation because the place was overbooked, the hostess seated us upstairs in a room reserved for a rehearsal dinner. Hey, I had an awesome time because I like to party, but I'm pretty sure the Asian couple who were getting married the next day did not enjoy 4 drunken Irishmen, 2 Krauts and an out of place Indian guy shouting about all of the horrible things that used to happen at their Frat house "back in the day." (I can tell you for sure that the aforementioned gentlemen's dates did not appreciate it one bit.) Aside from the seating arrangement, the service was good. Our server was attentive and not too pushy, he definitely knew his stuff about which wine pairings would be best with certain dishes. The food was pretty ok. I got the Lamb Shank. It was medimum rare served over some potatoes and asparagus. Nothing about the food blew me away. I left full, but not really SATISFIED. The little lady dropped some serious coin on a nice dinner, so I felt bad... I'd suggest Rosebud or Bice downtown if you're looking for a really nice Italian dinner.
(2)Katie W.
We were there last weekend for a Bachelorette Party and I must say, Mia Francesca was VERY accommodating. We had 25 people, so I can imagine it would be a bit stressful. Our waiter was nice enough to separate our checks into bills of 4 people, based on who we were sitting by. This made the stress at the end of the dinner (bill splitting) MUCH easier. The menu was preselected by the MOH but the dishes all came out hot and tasty. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the bathroom situation- it took about 10 minutes to get in because of the single stall bathroom! Would definitely recommend for a future large group! :)
(4)Josh V.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. I've been here more times than I can count, and I have had maybe one or two "OK" meals. Everything else has been good to excellent. The servings are generous, but not overly huge. The quality of the food is very high, and everything is usually very tasty. The menu is hand-written and then photocopied. I am not sure if it changes daily or what, but the selection is always fresh. Despite not being very big, there are always multiple things on the menu that sound good to me and it's tough to make a decision! They do a standard brushcetta and a special one that is always changing. They always have several pizzas, pastas and entrees. They are accommodating of special requests; if there is a chicken dish that is not boneless, they'll gladly make it with boneless chicken breast if you ask. The prices are in line with what you get. The service is generally pretty good. The staff is friendly but professional, and they're not attitude-y or stuck up. Now, the downsides: There can be a long wait for a table sometimes, especially on the weekends. In fact, last time I tried to go they said 2.5 hours! Needless to say, I went somewhere else. But that was uncharacteristically long for them, so I don't penalize them for it. The upside of the waiting is that they have three bars (main dining room, coach house and upstairs). The other downside is that the main dining room is VERY loud and VERY crowded. I don't really like to eat down there. Insider tip: Ask to get seated upstairs. Same food and service, but more spacious and less noisy.
(5)Greta W.
The food was amazing, 5 stars. The menu changes frequently to incorporate fresh ingredients. This is not your typical Olive Garden swill--MF's is authentic, light, and flavorful. I'll never forget when the bartender cracked a fresh egg over my bf's pizza, whipped it up with a fork and spooned it over the sizzling meat and cheese. The bf salivates and his eyes glaze over just at the mere mention of that pizza, even six months later. The bad reviews here mostly revolve around spotty service, which is to be expected. It's packed here. P to the acked. BF & I had made reservations, but apparently those don't mean much here. Usually I think that means a table should be waiting for us, but that was not the case. A line was already forming out the door, and it didn't look like anyone was getting ready to leave. We would have been waiting another 30 min for sure, but my man's smart. He snagged us 2 seats at the bar, and it was the best ever. Pours for drinks were heavy, and it was not a problem getting good service when you have a captive bartender! If you go here, either go when its quiet (which would be never), or just belly up to the bar. You'll forget about it all once the food shows up, anyway.
(4)Jason G.
I have to say, Sapori Trattoria on Halstead used to be my most favorite Italian in Chicago. And it still is for my neighborhood. But Mia's is definitely an attractive alternative. Service was prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. I had pasta before a half marathon and it was just the right amount. As a vegan, it is hard finding restaurants that offer accommodations. Mia's not only provided them but offered them first. I will be back.
(4)Federica L.
The place needs a makeover. The atmosphere is nothing special. We had carpaccio for appetizer and it was outstanding, with fresh arugula and real Parmigiano. After that, we had high expectations for the entreés but everything was really disappointing: even if the ingredients tasted fresh and flavorful, the base of our pizza had a strange garlicky taste and seemed to be frozen or/and precooked. One of us had spaghetti alla diavola con pollo wich looked like a soup: the sauce filled half of the bowl and spaghetti were flouting in it. When we ask about the food, we told our server that we were disappointed, so the manager showed up and promptly offered 50% off our check. We found it to be kind and professional.
(2)Dennis L.
I have been wanting to visit a Francesca restaurant since moving to Chicago, and I am so glad that I finally had the opportunity to do so. The bruchette was delicious start to the meal. I also enjoyed my share of bread and olive oil. Yum! For my entree, I ordered the Linguine all' Amatriciana, and it was excellent. The parmesan tomato sauce was flavorful and the pancetta was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere was cozy and quite authentic. I really enjoyed Mia Francesca, and I would definitely return.
(5)Nick S.
I rarely go out to have pasta because it's pretty damn easy to make at home. Plus, I find that a lot of places tend to keep their sauces on the really acidic side which is actually attributed to them not cooking down the tomatoes long enough to actually develop the sweetness that is naturally found in them. BUT low and behold, Mia Francesca... you do me so well. Can I just say that I'm a sucker for restaurants that have consistently changing menus? I'm someone who likes to try new things often so this definitely caters to my needs. Their carpaccio was decadent. I love the salty bite of the parmigiano reggiano and the briney capers. mmmm and the hearts of palm? yes please. Oh not to mention that you get a huge platter of carpaccio for a (very) modest $8 Let's just say my 5 year old brother LOVES carpaccio because of Mia Francesca... Wow, I just hyped up Mia Francesca a whole lot over one dish but alas, there are some downfalls.. like their salad.. Insalata Francesca.. go away. You're over dressed, over cheesed, and the vegetables need a little perk. I'll forget you ever happened. But onto the Carbonara... soo rich. but oh so tasty. honestly you probably can't eat it too often.. it sticks to your ribs. but man I love a good carbonara and they do it just right. I have no qualms over this other than its adverse effects on your health. but you only live once right? I've also had their conchiglie with smoked mozz. love smoked mozz, can't go wrong. So all in all.. pretty solid pastas (from what I've had so far) and my go to carpaccio spot for boystown. No regrets.. well unless you're one who doesn't like cramped interior b/c they have every intention of meeting the seating capacity set by the fire marshall.
(4)Anna P.
eh, no thanks. this place is always completely packed (like, don't try to even find your way to the bathroom or you might get something spilled on you by a passing waiter/waitress), the staff is a bit surly and treats you like you should be lucky to be eating there, and the food is decent but it's way overpriced. i personally prefer francesca's forno - or, ya know, any other italian place in the city.
(2)Nicholas W.
Always a good choice for a traditional Italian meal. Nothing to rave about but I'm never disappointed. Ideal for groups.
(3)Kate G.
I drank martini's here. like two years ago??? all i can remember is that the curly headed blond hostess here is FINE AS HELL. girl, hit me up with ur digits.
(5)Julie W.
Amazing Italian! I'll give Mia Francesca that. It definitely has some unbleievably yummy Italian, and probably one of the best Italian spots in the city, but oh Mia...how stupidly crowded you are. If you're looking for a fabulous first date spot, look elsewhere (try Socca down the street! Perfect date spot!). It's super crowded and you will LITERALLY be sitting next to another couple. If you're planning a trip to Mia's, I suggest grabbing an early bite or a late bite (after 8:30/9, it's still crowded around 8!), so that way you can actually talk to the person sitting across from you! So yes, the tables are very smushed together, the noise level can be excessive, but the food is absolutely deelish. The wait staff has been nothing but wonderful every time we came in (and walked in on a weekend! Very accomidating!), but again, if you're looking for somewhere you can cuddle up and whisper sweet nothings, head the other way!
(4)Atul J.
I came here for the first time for an early Friday night dinner with my fiancé. We usually tend to keep our meals simple and especially don't like to feel weighed down after eating so we decided to split both a salad and a pasta dish. Wandering around Boystown trying to find a place to eat, most places pretty were empty. Except for Mia Francesca which was buzzing with activity. After being seated without having to wait, we found our server to be very prompt and attentive. We started with the Insalata alla Francesca. The salad was very simple-almost rustic-yet all the different parts put together formed a synergy which tasted excellent. Next we had the orecchiette. This was light pasta dish but very flavorful. The small cherry tomatoes had an excellent subtle spice to them and the pasta were cooked to a perfect al dente. We enjoyed the meal so much that despite not initially planning on ordering dessert we decided to stick around and try the tiramisu. It was definitely one of the best that I've had but my favorite part was the amazing chocolate sauce that was drizzled around it on the plate. We left the restaurant with a greater satisfaction than we had expected. Only two days later I found myself wanting to go back again!
(5)Renee A.
Best Italian food place I've been to. Authentic from ambiance to the food :)
(5)Travis J.
First off, let me say I'm a little disappointed no one at Mia Francesca has taken the time to claim its Yelp listings. With 265 reviews for this concept alone, they really need to engage with their customers a little more closely. Regardless, I love this place. Me and a friend were visiting Chicago over New Year's and decided to do a late dinner here on New Year's Day. Engaging a little too hard in celebratory shenanigans the night prior, a laid back evening was much needed. I visited Mia Francesca back in July for the first time and loved it. The second time was even better! To start, my friend and I shared the Risotto appetizer special. It was delicious. Risotto is hard to perfect, but this was the closest to perfection I've tasted. Next, I ordered the Insalata alla Francesca. This salad is amazing! Romaine, endive and radicchio with fresh blue cheese crumbles and vegetables. It's definitely large enough to share and, if you're not all that hungry, a great option for a meal. But, I'm glad I opted for a pasta dish for my main entree. I choose the Linguine al Funghello. It was tossed in a veal-brandy sauce with big plump mushrooms. It as absolutely delicious. Hands down, it was the best pasta dish I've ever had. We were too stuffed for dessert, but the tiramisu, I've heard, is delicious. Another plus for this place is I noticed it offers a Gluten-free menu, which many of my friends suffering from this allergy would greatly appreciate. I would grade the service lower than food...maybe a B. The servers need to be a little more attentive. We waited over five minutes for a greeting and waters. Other than that, this place is one of my favorite restaurants in the nation. The seating is typical Chicago-style dining...close and cramped, but possessing a sense of community and charm. It's the type of dining a true foodie appreciates because the chef and/or owners put their money where it matters...into the quality of the food and not dumping all kinds of money into the decorating and interior. Keep that money pushing toward the awesome food! I'll be back again and again.
(5)Ermin M.
As always their food is amazing. The bread is always fresh, the pasta has the perfect bite and the sauce the perfect slip. I have no complaints except for tonight. My friends and I paid in combination cash and cards and while we should have asked for change we assumed our server would bring it back. She pocketed the $80 which would have given her a 50% tip! We had to ask for our change back. Sorry that's just me griping but seriously? On the plus side when I asked for the wait time for tonight there was an hour and forty five minute wait. That wait was cut to zero when a manager tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wouldn't mind sitting on the patio which they just opened seeing as the rain had stopped. Score! Aside from that over the more than 10 years I've been here, I have always had great service and excellent food!
(4)courtney p.
Pretty predictable little joint. I've been here a handful of times and it's always just standard. There are for sure better italian places in Chicago. The last time I was there was my worst experience. I was on a date and we had a reservation, they sat us upstairs in the very back corner at a cramped, forgotten about table that the chubby waiter could barely get to. The service was super slow and the food was just standard. I will say that I had a dessert there once that I have never forgotten about, a chocolate chip coffee cake served warm with chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. It was so mouth wateringly delicious, but also simple enough for me to rip off the idea and make at home :)
(3)Gabe L.
Dennis (fake character): What should we do tonight? Mac (me): I'm so hungry, I wish there was a way to get food for free Dee (my hot date): I have some gift cards to Mia Francesca Mac: Alright let's go! Dennis: I'm in! Dee: Ohhhh about that Dennis ... there's only enough for two Dennis: You're just jealous of my body Dee: Uhhh no ... I'm not. Let's go Mac "The Gang Goes Italian" * Random shots of Philadelphia * (Mac and Dee approach the hostess) Mac: Table for 2 please Hostess: You're not wearing any pants Mac: Actually, they're skin colored pants (I wasn't wearing skin colored pants) Hostess: Right ... (Mac and Dee get seated) (Waiter approaches) (It's Charlie) (It really is) (The waiter actually looks 100% like Charlie) (His name is Felix) (But he does! I told him twice about it) (Then I asked my date if I could take out my phone) (I don't normally pull phones out on dates, but I had to show him Charlie) (I showed him imgur.com/Tyyqs.jpg ) (He agreed with the similarity) (At that point I also decided to write a review as Always Sunny) (We will now return to your regularly scheduled programming) Charlie: So guys, what are you having? Mac: Charlie? Is that you? Charlie: No, I'm Felix your waiter Mac: No, that is you! What's in this moonshine? Charlie: I haven't even brought you your drinks yet Mac: Awkward............ Note 1: I really wish I could have been Dennis but then I'd be going on a date with my sister and that's illegal in IL and 32 other states Note 2: The food at the North Korean restaurant across the street was better ... compared to other Italian in the city, nothing really stood out as great. We shared the chicken and some fish and it was just plain. Charl..err Felix was nice enough to separate it for us so most of the stars are from his good service. Wine list looked long but a little pricey.
(3)Sarah G.
WOW, this place really knocked my socks off! Every single thing that came to the table was delicious. The bruschette con proscuitto for an appetizer was delish, and the rigattoni alla sicilliana was spicy creamy and amazing. Don't skip dessert either, the banana chocolate chip gelato and flourless chocolate lava cake was exceptional. I can't wait to go back to this place, its my new favorite Italian spot in the city.
(5)Yousef B.
Loved the place! Staff very nice, service was great, and food was delicious! I will be back there again to try a different entree..ask for the polla Limon, it's not on the menu but its delicious..
(5)Emily W.
Cute Italian joint just a stones throw from my bro's house. Had a great family bday dinner here. Our appetizers (roasted corn on the cob, carpaccio & burrata) were fantastic. Our pastas were great and huge portions too! The only negative was our hostess...she seemed a little rough around the edges - almost out of it. The bussers were on but almost too much, they tried to clear our plates while we were still using them.
(4)Betsy R.
Last night, we had reservations to go to a...different place. The reservations fell through, and boy am I glad they did! We called Mia Francesca, sure they would be booked, but they were so accommodating and fit us in at the exact time we wanted. Proving again that this place never disappoints! Every time we come here, we leave happy. I haven't come across a less than stellar thing on the menu, the staff is great, and the price is right! With four of us last night, we had two appetizers (calamari-some of the best I've ever had, and a pizza) and two salads (fresh crunchy peapod salad and the Francesca one), and then split two pastas. It was perfect and delicious. Then came the torta lava. I am a chocolate fiend, and this is one of the best chocolate desserts. Ever. Melts in your mouth. We couldn't get over it, so we just shut up and devoured it. And-with all that food and two drinks, the total bill was a little over $100! For four people! And amazing food! What's not to love?
(5)Jenny T.
YUUUUUM! Now that's what I'm talking 'bout! A group of four lovely ladies showed up for our 8 pm reservation & were told it would be a few moments, but to have a seat at the bar. We look over and 4 seats had just opened up - score! We all ordered a glass of wine & ooo'd & ahhh'd over all the food that was on other tables. I was starting to get a bit cranky due to the wait, but just as that happened I heard "Jennifer? Your table is ready." YYYYEEESS! We walked outside & then upstairs to a perfect 4 person table. We already had our beverages, so we were ready to order in a flash! One order of mussels please! One order of caprese salad too! Mmmm, they came out together & were finished within minutes. The tomatoes & mozzarella were absolutely divine. Just the right amount of fresh, thick tomato slices with the perfect amount of mozzarella & basil. YUM! The mussels were good too, but I was too wrapped up in my salad to have more than a few. We then ordered our entrees. One order of spaghetti with a tomato cream sauce & scallops please! One order of rigatoni with sausage, tomatoes, and garlic please! Yes, we'd like to split those. The entrees came out in record time, which I was totally ok with. The split the dishes accordingly & we all began to chow down. The spaghetti with scallops was absolutely divine. The tomato cream sauce was perfectly creamy, salty, and delicious. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente, while the scallops were cooked just the way I like them - firm, but also easy to cut with a fork. I mean this is a dish I will crave for the years to come (luckily I live in Chicago!). The rigatoni was just ok - I feel as if I've had it before, you know? We then ordered two desserts. One order of puff pastry with pistachio ice cream in the middle please! One creme brulee too! Both were delicious & devoured in seconds. While I ended up getting chocolate ALL over me, it was totally worth it. All in all Mia Francesca was delicious & definitely worth going to again & again & again! To top it off our bill was only $115.00 for the 4 of us. What's that you say? Yes, too good to be true!
(5)Molly R.
After five or six visits, Mia Francesca has become a neighborhood favorite. Whether dining with family, a group of girls, or date night, it's a great place to go. I typically order a pasta dish and have never been disappointed - they have a constantly changing menu and I always ask the waiter what he likes best right now. Huge portion sizes, average prices ($13-$17 entrees), and good wine keep me coming back. The place is very crowded, so if that bothers you, I'd pick another place. And if you're there in the summer, try getting a spot on their tiny little back patio.
(4)Mike P.
An excellent Italian restaurant. Quality can be found in every part of the meal. Went for the first time on a Sunday afternoon, with no one in the place. The chicken saltamboca was excellent and my wife loved her ravioli. The chocolate tort desert was very good. We didn't see Aniston, however. Francesca has about 11 restaurants in the Chicago area. I can also recommend Francesca Fiore in Forest Park. It's a tad more upscale than the Clark Street location, but just as good.
(5)Danielle C.
Stopped in to meet my brother, SIL, and niece for a quick bite before the game. They were already seated and had ordered by the time I got there. (Not my fault, my bro called me when they were parking- I cannot transport myself 5 miles in the blink of an eye, especially on a cubs game day!) I opted not to order- I wanted to get to the game ASAP. Instead, I got to nibble off their plates. The ravioli was cheesy. It had a nice and mellow vodka type sauce- not too red (I appreciate that). My sister in law ordered a flat bread pizza with fontina cheese and mushrooms. It was great. The combination of flavors and textures really popped in my mouth! (my niece, being 4, did not like it, it was too crunchy for her, but she was holding out for game food). Service was handy but not hovering. They were great with my niece too! They were a bit slow on the refills, but hey, no complaints! My experience yesterday is pretty much parallel to the ones I have had here in the past. Solid food, good service.
(4)Brian S.
In my price range, Italian cuisine often resembles -- and tastes like -- the sloppy contents of a dented can of Chef Boyardee. Somehow American palates don't discriminate between once-frozen, sodium-packed "marinara" and complex, long-simmering sauces, and dime-a-dozen Italian restaurants know this and cater to the disability. Not Francesca. Imagine: a local chain that offers ever-changing menus filled plate after plate of reasonably priced, varied Italian dishes. To celebrate his new assignment, Daniel and I dined here last night. We were ushered through the deafening main dining room to the quiet, dark, "romantic" (the quotations can be translated as: "pleasant, in the way that romance is described in rom-coms and bodice-rippers") patio. Lovely. I ordered the caprese martini, which came with an all-too-liberal dusting of celery salt (I certainly don't associate the taste of celery with caprese, but perhaps I'm mistaken?) and no discernible basil or tomato notes. The saving grace was the vodka-soaked mozzarella ball -- a trick I will treat guests to in the future. Daniel has the Four Roses Manhattan, which came perfectly balanced with Pun e Mes vermouth (the best vermouth to use in a Manhattan, of course). Our meals were above average -- not the best I've had at Mia Francesca, but good. My chicken with mushrooms, prosciutto, and lake of gravy was tender, moist, but on the bland side of "good." Daniel's tilapia with green beans and sweet potato puree (in the darkness, it took me awhile to figure out what I was tasting here) hit all the right notes. Another great thing about Francesca restaurants? The desserts. We passed (I had fig and honey ice cream, freshly churned, waiting at home), but I did spy the chocolate peanut butter torte that has warmed my heart before. Trust me -- it's a great finale for these Puccini-worthy meals.
(4)Debbie F.
Francesca's chain of restaurants are definitely something I will miss when I leave America someday. Mia Francesca's branch is better than the one in Little Italy because the ambiance is brighter, quieter and overall more comfortable. My family and I ordered: Appetizers - Fried Calamari and Carpaccio Pasta - Fettucine with Eggplant, bell peppers. Gnocchi. Scrambled eggs with italian sausage. Sounds simple enough? It was the best calamari we ever had. Thinly cut and delicately fried, the marinara sauce that came with it was well done and not spicy at all. My carpaccio, served with capers, mushrooms and other relishes, was fresh and did not stick to the plate. The waiter might've mistaken my mother's order but he realized his mistake before she could and delivered the right dish within 7-10 minutes. The pasta had lots of herbs and was just the right portion for lunch. Even the scrambled eggs was innovative in presentation! Doused with sauce/gravy and sausage pieces on the side. Perfect lunch dining! No leftovers! Valet parking: $8
(5)Kathy L.
Just came here again last night...I love this place and its changing menu! My boyfriend and I started off with the mussels because that was all he was really wanted. These are on the permanent menu. They sauce was superb, but the mussels themselves were not too good. There were a couple juicy ones that were great, but the rest were small and sort of lacking...I didn't think there was anyway that Mia Francesca would bounce back from this. For dinner we decided to get something off the seasonal menu (handwritten) and I got the spaghetti and clams in an olive oil, garlic sauce and he got the shrimp and scallops in a white wine sauce. Both of these dishes hit it out of the ballpark! The clams were amazingly fresh and the shrimp and scallops that I stole from his plate were divine. At this point in the night...they had regained 4 star status of my good restaurants that were consistently good. They asked us if we wanted dessert, I usually say I want a peak at the menu but never order a dessert unless it pops out at me. And there was one that popped out at me. The cream puff pastry, filled with pistachio gelato and topped with a dark chocolate syrup. SIGN ME UP FOR THAT!! It was heavenly. The service was exceptional. Which is what really pushed it over the edge to give this place a 5-star rating. Just a tip though, order off the seasonal handwritten menu, the combination of flavors and the freshness of the ingredients is what makes this place so great -- I wouldn't order from their permanent menu because the ingredients might not be as fresh but what they can control in those dishes, like the seasoning and sauces they do an excellent job at.
(5)Art K.
Excellent food and excellent service. While we weren't a fan of the featured sauvingnon blanc wine, the food was amazing and the service matched well. Beside the wine, our only other issue was they started playing loud hip hop/dance music near the end of our meal around 930pm. It brought my rating down from a 5 to a 4.
(4)Ed H.
About the only thing I remember about this restaurant was that it was extremely noisy. The noise level was so high, it almost hurt. The music is played very loudly so everyone has to yell to be heard over it. I asked the waitress to have the music turned down, and if anything, it got even louder. I could barely understand what was being said by the other three people at my table. I don't know how anyone could enjoy their food in this type of an atmosphere. Update: I have gone back a few times and agree they have good food. But I would recommend going during not peak hours because of the loudness. Everyone I go with agrees that the noise levels are unacceptable
(2)Bridget J.
One of Chicago's finest restaurants minus the attitude. Pleasant, efficient staff. Everything was good. Ths is a place you can take a friend or relative visiting from out of town with pride and you know won't be disappointed. I've had some experiences where I took my mom or friend visiting to a 'hot spot' or 'heavily hyped' (Gibson's anyone?) only to be let down or embarrassed. My mom loved Mia Francesca then she loved the picture I showed her afterwards of John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston on a gossip blog coyly \ leaving of Mia Francesca .
(5)Tanya A.
OMG! I love this place, its been my favourite for years, this is another place i try to get back to whenever im in chi town! I never pick anything off the menu, i order my own thing (not much vegetarian stuff on the menu), great place for a get together, but does get kinda loud and sometimes the wait is a bit long! but worth it!
(5)Christopher H.
I don't get the hype. It's okay. Good food, but way over-hyped. I'm not a huge fan of the atmosphere & tables on top of one another either.
(3)Gerard B.
Phenomenal food. The Bolognese is perfect. The one problem was the wine that was paired was not very good. But aside from that, it was delicious and very satisfying.
(4)John D.
so good and so reliable experiences. A little noisy, overcrowded for its own good, but the food merits all the people.
(4)Rochelle W.
This rating has nothing to do with the food as I never got to try it. I (skeptically based on other reviews) made a reservation for 9:00 pm on Saturday night. We arrived at 9:05 pm and on the way in I heard a woman on her way out saying they were running a half hour behind on reservations. I went up to the front and gave my name and the hostess said it would be a couple of minutes. Had I not just heard this other woman, I would have taken that to mean, we will seat you in a couple of minutes. Since I had heard this other woman I asked what she meant by a couple of minutes. She proceeded to tell me, well, we still have to seat some 8:30 tables. So I said it'll be more than a couple of minutes then? We proceeded to stand in the ridiculously crowded "bar area" for about 5-10 minutes. We kept getting pushed by people walking by as there really is no where to stand and then decided to leave. I think it would have been well over half an hour before we would have been seated. I mean how long has this place been in business and they can't figure out how to keep reservations? We went to Socca a couple of doors down, got seated right away, had awesome service and the food was amazing. I will NOT be going back to Mia Francesca. I don't care how good the reviews say the food is. I should not have to wait more than 5-10 minutes if I have a reservation.
(1)Kathleen C.
The best Italian in the city. I love that the menu changes weekly, and the service is always good. I concur that its often better to sit upstairs as its more intimate and less crowded. The only complaint I have is their reservation policy - they seat only the entire party, and if not all are arrived 15 minutes after the reservation time, the reservation is released. This policy is not the problem, but the management should do a better job communicating it to patrons. We had reservations once for a large group, and unbeknownst to us our reservation was "released" while we waited at the bar for our last person to arrive. Overall though, I love the restaurant and will continue to go back, happier now that I know the policy!
(4)Danielle P.
Our carry-out order arrived packaged nicely and piping hot, even after the 10-minute walk home. Each pasta dish we ordered was AMAZING in flavor; even the simple red sauce was incredible. The prices were reasonable, and I'm looking forward to trying a dine-in experience soon, not to mention another carry-out dinner! =)
(4)Amy R.
I went here to carb-load before the Chicago Triathlon last August, and apparently wasn't the only one who chose this place. The waits for this restaurant are notoriously long, but that's why reservations were invented. A long line also usually means the place is worth visiting at least once. While it's not overwhelmingly fantastic Italian food to write home to your Sicilian grandmother about, the meal I had was fantastic. I usually rate Italian restaurants by the bread and olive oil (or lack thereof) that they set at the table, and this place does not disappoint in the least. The menu is always changing, too, which makes it a place to come back again and again.
(4)Bella D.
Enjoyed my time here with dinner and just great chit chatting with old highschool friends..goodness time passes. Great service, food and lovely atmosphere. Don't pass this place up and geez I gotta get back here soon!
(4)Neal P.
It's all probably be said before. But this place is consistently packed no matter the day of the week. The food is always reliable and good. Make sure you make reservations on weekends!!
(5)Kara G.
This is a mainstay in terms of a solid Italian restaurant to recommend to friends and family. It's crowded and loud, but it reminds me of the Italian side of my family that is exactly the same way. The food is absolutely delicious- I have never been disappointed with anything I have ordered here! Service is great as well, so stop in!
(4)Jane D.
Been here twice, food and service are solid, and we always come away with leftovers. A little tight seating-wise, but the food trumps it.
(4)Chayla B.
Love this place! Great date place, although it is pretty cramped. It's nice, though. Great menu, the food is wonderful, weekends are busy. I can't get enough of this place. Four stars instead of five only because it's so cramped...
(4)Nick S.
I am certainly a fan of this place and would come back. The food was fair in price, although we bought the most expensive item on the menu, the Vitello M'Briaco. It was $29, unlike the $26 it said on the menu from the website, but some of the best veal I've ever had. Topped off with a bottle of red wine. The meal was well worth the price and the place wasn't too busy. I still recommend getting a reservation on Open Table if you plan on visiting during the weekend.
(4)AxeMe A.
Always a solid place. It's fun, fresh, and friendly. The wait is about the only thing I don't like about it. You'll notice you're not the only one checking out other people's dishes as they come out! Definitely start with an app. and salad. You'll want to taste as much as possible. Decent wines, too.
(5)Selin D.
I am a big fan of Italian food but Mia Francesca had an American touch to it, understandable and completely no problem. However, they took it a little to far. We first ordered the bruschetta which had way too much cheese we could hardly find the cherry tomatoes! My boyfriend had a chicken dish for his main and enjoyed it. I on the other hand was looking forward to my vegetarian pasta that was disappointing. Although the pasta was cooked to perfect al dente, it was over- seasoned with salt. I had 1-2 bites and I was done. The worst part about this was how our waiter reacted. He came by when I had a bite to ask how everything was. In the middle of a bite I nodded politely. But by the end when he asked again ( after a bus boy had taken my dish away) I told him the truth and he got back to me saying ' but you said it was fine at the beginning.' wow, really? He apologized, sure, but I was left blank asking myself if he really did just say that. That's when I knew my experience was not worth a return no matter how many free lemon cello's.
(1)Aimee C.
Mia Francesca was excellent. I arrived after a long flight, hungry and exhausted, only to be wisked away to a delicious little joint just around the corner.. Where the staff are kind, the portions are enormous and the flavor and experience, classy.. A great date night followed by a great night date. :) Start at Mia Francesca to have a night to remember.
(4)ade m.
OMG. Amazing Italian food from the appetizers to dessert. Come hungry! Lovely white table cloths add an elegance, and service was superb. A fun place for groups, although it is rather loud and hard to hear whomever you're not sitting next to already -- not a good place to take the grandparents for this reason. I recommend splitting entrees.
(5)Robyn F.
i had a pretty good experience here. the service was friendly, food was above average, wine was spectacular, and atmosphere was warm. Linguine con frutti del mare -- I tried this dish -- the portion size was so large that I couldn't even finish it. Mixture of mussels, clams, shrimp, fish. I would recommend this dish. Gnocchi - My friend ordered this and it was fantastic. I'm not a huge gnocchi fan, but it was absolutely delicious and enormous. Pizza -- the pizzas have an egg in the center, adding a little extra flavor and moisture Penne alla paesana - My friend got this and it was pretty average. I think she was disappointed by her choice. Coffee -- Not hot enough Overall, a good experience, and I would definitely come again
(4)JL S.
I have not eaten here in a while, but when I did, it was some of the very best in Chicago Italian. Once it caught on, you couldnt get a table for daze so be prepared to cocktail for some time. I do not embibe, so it was a long sometime. We did apps instead. Nice tomato basil and mozzarella. Just perfect. The pasta is to die for and the sauces always great. I always send people here. I hope it still holds up. I noticed that it now has a bunch of locations, but Clark and downtown are the only ones I have attended and appreciably. There it is. Ciao!
(4)Leang E.
This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city. You will not be disappointed with anything you get, if you can get past the wait. I had tried to go here a couple of times when I first heard about the place, but the wait was so long I would go elsewhere. Now, I make sure I get there early so I can eat there and not have to wait. Our waiter told us that they have a different menu every day. I am not sure if this is true, and whether or not they have a different menu for each day of the week and just randomly select or how they do it. I just can't believe someone takes the time to do that. Sometimes I don't like deciding on what to make for dinner, myself. I loved the cheese ravioli with sausage! I brought my out of town coworkers here, and one of them had said they would go here to eat if they were coming in town again. Yes, all I could say was, "Too bad, you don't live in Chicago!"
(5)Dee W.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago - they have excellent service and fantastic food. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. A great place to hit up on a date, or with a group of friends, or even on a family outing.
(4)Amanda G.
Delicious Italian Food! Went here with my New York in-laws and we all enjoyed tremendously. Had an 8:30p reservation and although it was packed, we were seated immediately upstairs. Only issue was very tight table-space. We literally had to shift our table everytime someone around us got up, but strangely, we didn't mind. Great service, great food, great wine. For a more limited menu, try their little sister restaurant 'Francesca's Forno' in Bucktown/Wicker Park.
(4)Dan B.
I'm a big fan of bread at restaurants and these guys keep them coming, and they're nice and warm. The food is great and the atmosphere is more on the romantic side. I also like their desserts.
(5)Jaime C.
I love this place, it has consistently good food and the atmosphere is cozy and fun. There is always a wait which makes it kinda irritating, but it is a great date place and I always love eating here.
(4)eileen f.
I went to this restaurant tonight and the food was good. HOWEVER, the waitstaff left something to be desired. I felt like we were annoying our waitress and hostess. The food was good, but I've had better. Actually i went to the branch in forest park and it was a completely different experience-it was pleasant. I don't recommend this place
(1)Marissa D.
I really like the food at Mia Francesca. I am not as much a fan of the atmosphere but for the most part I am a fan. I have to say that they do a great job accomodating special requests...for instance, every time I go I ask for penne pasta in their creamy tomato vodka sauce, with sausage and goat cheese on top. Amazing. And they will always make it for me.
(4)James G.
Consistantly great food, lively atmosphere and informed, approachable servers. My favorite standby restaurant in my neighborhood!
(4)Matt N.
Great food and always packed becasue others know just how good this place is. The food is very reasonable.
(4)Robyn N.
Mia Francesca has excellent Italian food! The downstairs can get pretty crowded and noisy..so, if you are looking for a more peaceful meal, I would recommend sitting upstairs. Be sure to make reservations, or you could be waiting quite a while.
(4)Katie M.
I was excited to go to Mia Francesca not only because it was close to my house & I had a gift card to it, but it received lots of great reviews. However, after dining out a bunch of times to various Italian restaurants, I had to give it a 2. The reasons are simple and important in my books: the menu was very small. Supposedly in changes once a month and this month seemed to be almost all chicken and seafood entrees. Not bad, but 2 of us had our hearts set on a cheese & pasta platter like manicotti or gnocci. They didn't have either! The meal I ended up getting was good, but when you have your heart set on something else, it's a little sad! Also, the place is LOUD. I went with my boyfriend and his family. Part of the conversation I couldn't hear so I just had to nod and hope they weren't asking me questions! So, I would say this place is not good for big parties. Also, I'm big on the bread while you wait which was just okay. The oil was okay and there was no cheese. In a nutshell, I think there are better places to go for Italian.
(2)W W.
Really great Italian restaurant. I went here a few months ago and had a fabulous meal. I really recommend this place to anyone...who knows, you might see Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston there!
(4)Mark P.
Excellent pastas. Always a solid bet. But cramped space and long waits.
(4)Linda L.
this is also one of my favorite italian restaurants in chicago!! the food, the wine, the ambiance....all great! its quite noisy in there tho, so be prepared to flex ur voice box. =) great for friends, family and lovers. it can be a bit pricey depending on what you order. expect (with bottle of wine and appetizers) to pay $60-100+ for dinner for 2. make sure u call ahead for reservations!!
(5)Julie G.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. Though the dining room is a bit over crowded, the energetic atmosphere is contagious and adds to the charm. Reservations are a must, though there is a nice bar where you can have a drink prior to being seated. The wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing. The food is excellent from the bruchetta and tomato and mozzarella salad to the pastas and chicken marsala. Don't leave without trying the chocolate souffle. It's unforgettable.
(5)Becca L.
It's always crowded because everyone knows Mia Francesca serves the best Italian food in the city. I was just here recently and ordered the chicken marsala for dinner. I loved it and would get it again except there are so many good dishes to try at this restaurant. I also had the chocolate souffle for dessert. Not many desserts can't compare to this!
(4)Monica W.
This place is always hit or miss and I am not into surprises. What a bummer because when they're good, they're great and when they're not, they really disappoint. The last time I was here it was so loud that I just wanted to leave because the noise level was just unpleasant, but we were there for someone's birthday and wanted to make the best of it. Boo!
(2)Lia V.
Mama Mia! Fill my belly with some pasta and you've got yourself a happy Italian girl. Vino! The wines at this place are wonderful. You can't go wrong. Get yourself a bottle between a couple people and call it a night. Food: Now let's talk about the simplest salad ever, but has always been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. The caprese salad - big slices of ripe beefsteak tomatoes topped with an equally big slice of fresh mozzarella cheese finished off with some fresh basil and olive oil = perfection. And don't forget to soak up the leftover olive oil with the warm crusty italian bread. It's so fresh and a wonderful way to start off your food frenzy. I've never had an entrée there - I always get pasta and their pasta dishes are just... awesome. I've never had something I didn't like from there. Their menu changes every few weeks depending on what vegetables are in season. I had this creamy mushroom pasta dish that was to die for. The pasta is family style (huge bowls) so it can be shared between a few people... especially if you get an entrée to share as well. The desserts are amazing as well. We had this peanut butter chocolate cake with a cookie type crust - WOW. It was so good. I literally leave here in a food coma every time, but I don't mind it because it's delicious and I always have a great time. It's a small place with a lot of tables so it is crowded and it's always busy so don't go here if you're looking for a nice and quiet atmosphere. But you should go!!! This is definitely one of my favorite spots in my neighborhood
(5)Christina G.
My husband and I gave a gift certificate from Francesca's to my mother-in-law for Christmas, based on the wonderful food we had at Francesca's Forno in Bucktown, where we went for our anniversary. My mother-in-law decided to come into the city to have dinner at Francesca's with us, so we headed to Mia Francesca, since it was closer. I have to say, I didnt think the service was great. The waiter came for our drink order right away, then waited a long time to take our food order. He finally came over, and we ordered calamari for an appetizer. He didn't even ask if we were ready to order our main meals, and he left. Our calamari came out, and I will admit, it was good. Not at all rubbery, as it can be. it wasn't until our appetizer was long gone that the waiter came back over to get our food order, which I thought was odd. In any case, I ordered the linguine with shrimp and scallops, topped with tomato sauce. When I got the plate, my first thought was, "where is the sauce?" The linguine had a very thin coating of sauce on it, and 3-4 pieces of tomato, that was it. The dish itself wasn't very flavorful. My father-in-law, who had ordered the same thing, was the first to mention in was bland and he also noticed the lack of sauce. I'm pretty picky with my Italian food, so perhaps that's part of the problem. I just didn't think this meal was worth the price. I could have made something better at home. My husband did enjoy his spaghetti with mushrooms, and my mother-in-law said her lasagna was just OK.
(3)Heather M.
Wow, this place was amazing! We had a private dinner in the coach house, and it was course after course of excellent food. The calamari was perfect with a nice marinara, the bruschetta had a topping of excellent (homemade?!?) ricotta and a medley of well-seasoned vegetables. The asparagus salad with blue cheese was simple but really tasty. Gnocchi with tomato cream sauce also delicious. We had a couple of chicken dishes, one with a lemony sauce and one with capers, that don't seem to be on the menu, but they were so well-cooked and flavorful that I imagine any chicken course you get will be a hit. Great service, perfect ambiance... I will be back.
(5)Lena L.
Noisy and bustling like an Italian family restaurant should be. The menu options were awesome. They had a menu just for gluten-free dishes! The menu was long too! I enjoyed that perk very much! The sauces and pastas were so delectable and tasty. They were not drenched yet they were flavorful. I thought this place did a good job!
(3)Gerardo H.
Took my wife there for an early valentines day dinner. Awesome food, reasonably priced all things considered. My wife ordered the salmon and I got the veal. Both were extraordinary. We also got the calamari and bruchetta for appetizers, I can't speak for the bruchetta since I've never really liked it (from anywhere) but the calamari was easily the best I've ever had. I had to take away one star because of the seating arrangement. It's kind packed tightly in there so you end up sitting really close to a bunch of strangers... And of course your over hearing their entire conversations, and they yours. If the tables were a little further apart it would definitely get that extra star, but I would still recommend it.
(4)Yen L.
I came here with some friends, at the high recommendation of a couple members of our party. To me, I was a little skeptical because one person's idea of a great restaurant will always be different from another, and I also thought, "Italian food is Italian food." But hey, I was going into it more for the time with friends, not necessarily the food. I was not disappointed. The service was fast, though not rushed, and friendly. We all were seated by about 6:45, and we were done eating and had our bill around 7:30, or shortly thereafter. And the restaurant was pretty busy the whole time we were there. The food was delicious and delivered hot. We all shared one order of each type of their bruschetta, and my entree was linguine tossed with prosciutto and a cream sauce. The portions were huge. One couple split their gnocchi and were full, and despite my boyfriend taking a few bites of my food toward the end, I still ended up taking the rest home. The dessert menu looked great, but I was so full I knew that having dessert would have been a poor choice, though I wouldn't mind visiting them again just for the sweets. Four stars because of the excellent service and food. Only four stars because it seemed to be rather loud in the restaurant, which didn't quite match the decor. The decor lends itself toward something quieter, but with an open kitchen and tables close together, we occasionally had to raise our voices a bit to be heard, and the tables aren't even that large. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just prepare yourself because you may initially walk in and think you're in for a quieter dinner, when really, depending on how busy they are, you may need to speak up a bit to be heard by your companions. But overall, I really liked this place and am so glad I took my friends' recommendation. I plan to go back again.
(4)gabriel m.
Wow! Growing up in an Italian kitchen it makes it difficult to eat Italian food outside my kitchen or family members' kitchens. Despite this I always look for places I can go to and be catered to without having to cook it myself of help with the dishes. Mia Francesca is one of these places. I was visiting friends in Chicago this weekend and happened to see the store front on our way back from buying beer for the weekend. My sister's name is Francesca so it definitely caught my eye. My friend told me the place is awesome an went on and on about it. I then knew this was the place to eat on Saturday. Reservations were made Sat. morning. We got there and the place was packed. The smells were familiar and I started getting excited. As we waited for out table, I gazed at the menu which is nothing to rave about since it's nothing but a printout on recycled paper. This is because their menu is made daily to reflect what they have fresh. I only found a few items that you will find on all Italian menus. Everything else was unique to the ingredients they had at their disposal that were the freshest. I got the Veal along with two other friends. The other dishes we got were the Chicken Parmesan and a pasta dish with portobello mushrooms as the main ingredient. However, for starters we for the Bruschetta which was the freshest I have had period. The place was packed but the service was awesome. They could use a little more Air Conditioning but you can't really complain about it. If you have read my previous reviews, you will see that I have a preference for simple menus. This time I need to add one small complaint. This menu is awesome and uses seasonal ingredients, but I would love for it to have at least one tried and true traditional dish on the menu.
(4)Jeff R.
It's hard to argue against the original Scott Harris invention that spawned the Francesca empire. The food is dependably great, the atmosphere lively and the prices right. I probably only make it to Mia once a year, but that's only because I'm a little different and need to try new places. More normal people that live so close to a culinary staple that is Mia Francesca likely go here once a month, and I envy them (especially in summer). This visit occurred over Thanksgiving weekend after going to the movies down the street. We had a lateish reservation but the place was still packed (and quite loud with the soundtrack). Our starter was a delicious pizza special. My memory and picture suggest it had garlic, arugula, garlic, shaved Parmesan, olive oil, truffle oil and other cheeses. It was the perfect way to start an Italian dinner and the perfect size to avoid ruining our appetite. The ingredients were fresh and it arrived quickly. Erica and I shared a caesar salad to start, with standard tastiness but with the addition of grilled red peppers. Kind of a weird texture and flavor to throw into a classic salad. Erica was not a huge fan. I liked the salad, including the peppers, though it was different. Continuing with the sharing theme, we ordered a rigatoni with lots of vegetables in a light tomato sauce. Again, I liked the dish more than Erica. The vegetables were well seasoned, which made for a great combination with fresh pasta and tasty shaved cheese. It doesn't take much to please me with pasta but it still has to taste great - something Francesca does extremely well for the price ($12.99). At the end of the day, I agree with 460 people on Urbanspoon that Mia Francesca's is one of the best restaurants in Chicago (#19 on their list). I wouldn't say it's 4 Star dining, but it's not supposed to be. They do a great job of provided great Italian food in a fun, casual, neighborhood setting at affordable prices (and affordable wine list too). Our service was solid, and the only critique was that they like to play dance/pop music throughout the restaurant at high levels (contrary to typical romantic Italian spots). Mia remains a solid choice for local Italian, especially when the patio is open for summer.
(4)Amanda H.
This is a great restaurant for date night! They have a fantastic menu. I eat gluten free so I ate off of their gluten free menu and had pasta. I didn't even realize they were gluten free noodles. This restaurant does get very noisy when it is crowded, so it can be hard to hear the people you are sitting at a table with. However, the atmosphere is wonderful. The waiters are very nice and helpful also. If you are looking for a good Italian restaurant in the city try Mia Francesca!
(4)Adam B.
A favorite of ours since the place opened in the early 90s. Huge and delicious servings of freshly made pasta; quick service; nice "night-out" atmosphere without being formal or stuffy. The fried calamari is simply the most perfectly cooked version you will ever have. Mia Francesca is simply our "go-to" place when the urge strikes. And now they take reservations, so we walked right in to our table. By the way, this is the original location for the Francesca's empire. They got it right here first and the rest followed.
(5)Tom D.
I have had many different pasta dishes here, and I can never finish the plates! Great sauces.
(4)Ebru Y.
After spending a good few days looking for a restaurant to celebrate our 3 year anniversary and seeing Mia Francesca had great reviews, I went ahead and made a reservation on opentable. Our anniversary fell on a Saturday this year so when we got there....guess what? It was beyond packed, I think I saw a few people sitting on other people's laps! Of course I had no idea they had this secret back patio with plenty of space and I have to admit it was much more romantic than the front of the restaurant, so it was perfect! They have an open space and a closed space with open doors in the back. We sat in the closed part but because the doors were wide open we really had the best of both worlds. Our server was very attentive and nice enough to bring us a few different red wines for us to taste and choose. Their bruschetta was out-of-this world, and our entrees were very delicious. I had the penne primavera and he had some chicken dish with pasta. They don't have a huge menu which is nice because then it's easier to pick. I have no doubt everything is delicious here. I couldn't have been happier! Mia Francesca is definitely one of my favorite places for Italian at this point.
(5)Julie H.
A long time favorite of mine, Mia Francesca is my go-to restaurant for any occasion. Most recently, I needed a place to eat where I could carbo-load the night before my half-marathon. I typically don't eat much pasta, but when I do, I go for the best. Mia is consistently the best: service, food, and fun!
(5)Diana N.
Like most Italian restaurants, Mia Francesca can accommodate large groups - which was perfect for a mini-reunion dinner for 10 people! The pastas and main dishes were delicious (and HUGE!). I enjoyed the gnocci and a pizza as an appetizer (it had an egg in the middle! +5). The desserts were also tasty, and the wine list was fairly extensive. Good reds. Service was attentive. Call ahead for reservations.
(4)Jason S.
Always a good meal at MF. Had the quatro formaggi ravioli smothered in a thin vodka sauce and shallots. So good! Def get the brownie and vanilla gellato for dessert. This place is always packed so make a reservation.
(4)Lauren H.
I had been dying to try Mia Francesca for years, as I've always heard it is some of the best Italian food in Lakeview. Hmm, I'm going to have to disagree. Their menu is pretty limited, and while everything was good, I wasn't impressed. Add to that the fact that they were blasting what sounded like someone's ipod playlist, and we had to repeatedly ask our waiter to turn down the music so we could hear each other. I just found that odd, as it is a nicer restaurant-so the music seemed really out of place. I think there are much better Italian restaurants out there, I wouldn't waste my money going back here.
(2)Randal A.
My girlfriend and I consider this our go to spot for great Italian food on the north side. I love that the menu is changed often, making it a new experience each time we go.
(5)Megan G.
I think I have been here before. In fact I am sure I have. I remember the inside, but I was probably 16 and more interested in sneaking a cig when my parents weren't looking then actually eating the food. Anyway, I decided to give this place a shot and made a reservation for 12 on a Saturday evening. I was not impressed with the woman who booked the reservations for a few reasons. A) You are a restaurant; I am not trying to book an appointment to meet the Pope. Get over yourself. B) Yes, it's a birthday and yes there will be kids there. That is why I am coming early. Booster seats please, and I will pass on the attitude. And finally C) You seriously want to charge me $2.50 per person to bring in a cake, then you proceed to tell me to call your preferred bakery, Sweet Mandy B's, and spend 35 bones on a cake, bringing the total to a cool $65 to celebrate my mothers 6 and a half decades of life? Ummm, no. Needless to say, going into this I was a little leery. We got there and the place was empty and besides the semi snotty host man at the door, I was extremely impressed with our dining experience. The bread and fresh basil olive oil was great. The bruschetta and calamari apps went down faster than Christmas decorations on January 10th. Everyone was satisfied with his or her entrees. Service was decent, but our waiter maybe could have gotten a bigger shirt because we were all staring at the outline to his nipple rings all night. He was friendly and helpful otherwise. They brought out a tiny little dessert, we sang happy birthday and then went back to my place to enjoy cake and ice cream, minus the $65 charge!
(4)M M.
My favorite restaurant in L Park! We arrive early and ask to eat upstairs. Great food and great service! I always bring guests from out of town here and they are never disappointed. Good wine selection as well.
(5)E A.
This place has excellent Italian food, and their menu changes weekly, which shows that they serve fresh, new creative dishes. I had Tilapia with tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers in a Tarragon butter. They serve you hot Italian bread with a side of cheese. While I dont recommend the Caesar salad, the bruscetta looked great. Also, I dont usually order dessert, but save room for their incredible Tiramisu!!!!
(4)Christine M.
I've never been unimpressed with a Francesca restaurant... The food is always reliable and service excellent. If you are looking for one that is a bit less cramped, though, check out Francesca's on Taylor in Little Italy. But I can never have enough Francesca!
(5)Brandon C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The food is good, the service is good, the cooks are quick so you're not waiting too long. I definitely recommend making a reservation at least one day in advance if you're planning on going Thursday-Saturday. The dining room is kind of small and moderately loud, but the overall gets a top ranking from me.
(5)Amy C.
Oh how I miss this place. When I lived in Chicago about a decade ago, I ate here about once a week. I know it seems silly to write a review ten years later, but this place will always hold a special place in my heart. The food was always reliably yummy and copious, and the atmosphere was always lively and unpretentious. Oddly, Mia Francesca was also the scene of several celebrity sightings back in the day -- I sat next to bald Billy Corgan, dorky David Schwimmer, and about half of the totally fabulous US Olympic figure skating team.
(5)Maura S.
Just went to Mia Francesca's for the second time. It was delish again... the service was amazing, the calamari and my chicken dish were divine, and the wine was flowing! However, and I'm trying not to feel bad about saying this but I feel its important to let you all know that at the end of the meal, I did see a large black bug, about an inch long, fly across the floor. I alerted the waiter and they squashed it and promised to bring in the exterminators. I hope they do because I want to be able to go back soon! So I give the food and service a 5 but overall a 2 because of the bug.
(2)Lauren T.
Good Italian - and elegant considering the neighborhood. However, the dining room really is crowded so it isn't the most romantic date locale. I would go next door to Andalous Moroccan if I actually wanted to hear what my date was saying.
(3)Molly G.
Great spot for a first date or just a simple meal. Decent wine list for their cuisine. Service is friendly but rushed...you get the feeling they just want to flip your table and seat the next guest before you have your first bite. Food is basic Italian...nothing remarkable. Just comfort food...I continue to go back for that reason alone.
(3)Alexis H.
Mmmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about Mia Francesca's food. Just like every other Francesca restaurant in the city, the food here is absolutely fabulous! If you want quality Italian food this is definitely the place to go. The seating here is tight and the volume gets a little loud, but I love restaurants like this. It's lively because people are genuinely enjoying their dining experience. A friend and I arrived at the restaurant at 7 on a Friday evening, and although the restaurant was crowded, we were seated immediately. The menu for the evening had a wide variety of salad/pasta/meat/pizza options, and everything looked great! I had the caprese salad which had juicy, fresh tomatoes and flavorful mozzarella. I also had the quatro stagio (sp?) pizza which was a delicious combination of prosciutto, olives, mushrooms, and artichokes. My friend had gnocchi made to order: she's a vegetarian and the restaurant made a completely new gnocchi dish at her request. Our total for 2 people was $34 without wine. Expect to spend more if you're drinking, and another $10 for the valet because parking in Wrigleyville can be nearly impossible.
(5)M M.
This place was just OK. I got the white fish, which was the most expensive thing on the menu. There wasn't anything special about it. We went after a Cub's game so it was pretty crowded, but I feel like the service was not attentive, they didn't even bring out plates for our bread and no cheese... what?! We got the banana bread dessert which was good, however :) They also got my date's order wrong... I don't know, I think prices should be lower for the quality of service and food.
(3)Mia P.
This place is great. Definitely one of the best Francesca restaurants. The only downside is that it can get quite loud and almost claustrophobic. If you don't mind noise and cramped-ness, then you will love it. The food is great and the desserts are probably my favorite part. They had this apple bread pudding that was to die for and their tiramisu is one of my favorites.
(5)Steve R.
Yeah ok, it's a local chain. I like it. The ambiance is nothing special, but the food is quite nice. Every dish I have had here has been pretty good, though I don't have a specific recommendation. If I'm in the area and want Italian, I'll probably end up here. Long waits sometimes, but that's because it's good.
(4)Joe H.
After a few visits I must rave about Mia Francesca's. Although the menu is not very extensive, I think that's because they have mostly daily specials. It may not be on the menu every day but ask for the spinach ravioli with vodka creme sauce, you will not be disappointed. Also a very plentiful wine list and very friendly service. Be advised the tables are close together, so you may get friendly with your dining neighbors, which can be fun unless your fighting with your girlfriend or a hermit. I did not see any bugs running across the floor so they must have taken care of that problem, although don't fool yourselves there are probably bugs in every restaurant you eat at!
(4)John S.
Been here a few times now, and the food has not failed to deliver yet. The service has been generally prompt and friendly. They pack the tables a bit close sometimes, which can be kind of awkward. The patio is nice in the summer. The four cheese pizza is incredibly delicious! Haven't tried much else.
(4)A. M.
Mia Francesca is a Chicago institution. While I can pass on bread if it's not something special, the bread here is so yummy. It is always hot (sometimes too hot!), and their olive oil is delicious as well. Being the pizza girl, I usually order one of their pizzas for my meal. I have had a few pastas and the salmon, and those were all good. The desserts are also great here. The cheesecake is to die for, as is the chocolate lava cake.
(4)Mala K.
Since we were going there for the first time, we decided to make a reservation. Had no trouble doing that, and we were seated promptly and given a good table once we got there. My husband and I loved our Caesar salads, the veggies were just so fresh! He had the tilapia and really liked it. I found my pasta with multiple veggies very tasty, and was very impressed by the dessert--a chocolate tart with peanut butter filling and whipped cream. We didn't make that good a choice from the very extensive wine list, though. The place was a bit noisy, and the service could've been a bit more prompt, but it was overall a good experience, and not too expensive.
(4)Rachelle T.
Fabulous Italian food. Mia Francesca is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city and is a great date spot or place to bring out of town visitors since it doesn't disappoint. The service is great and the open kitchen makes the experience completely authentic. I dropped it down to 4 stars because the restaurant itself is very small and somewhat crowded and there is almost always a wait (can't they expand out a bit?!?). But their food really is hard to beat!
(4)Mrs. E.
We live in the neighborhood and have been to Mia Francesca many times. While we find that eating inside the restaurant can be distracting and extremely loud, the backyard outdoor patio is great in warm weather. We have also discovered that ordering take-out is fast and easy, and another way to enjoy the food in a quieter setting. I am a big fan of the bolognese pasta sauce - I think it's the best in the city. Overall, our experience at Mia Francesca is consistently good, especially if we stick to eating outdoors and/or at home.
(4)Yujin A.
I first went there because I had a gift certificate from North Community Bank, and I keep going back because they serve decent Italian food in my neighborhood. Their menu changes frequently, so don't make a mistake of going back there for a specific dish without checking with them first like I did. I have tried 7-8 different dishes, and I think your best bets are pizzas, pork chops, and flourless chocolate cake(or whatever they call it there) I tried a couple of seafood dishes. They were pretty good, but not the best I've had in the city. The best pizza in the city is served at Spacca Napoli (if you like Italian style pizza). For two, you will easily spend 70 or more. There is room for improvement when it comes to service.
(4)ali a.
I had been dying to go here since I moved to Chicago, so I went for the first time this weekend. I know the menu changes, but for some reason on the night that I went, I wasn't that impressed. When I finally did get my meal though, it was delicious! The only complaints I had were that the music was a little loud and the service was okay. It was a very busy saturday night though so I will definitely see myself back there in the future.
(4)elizabeth s.
Ate here for a small private dinner party (around 20-25 people). We sat in the coach house, which I must say has to be one of the best venues for a small private party. We had the room to ourselves with a bar, apps, etc. It was perfect for the noisy group we had and we didn't need to worry about offending the rest of the restaurant. Staff was incredibly attentive and nice. And the food... WONDERFUL. The Gnocci was to die for, the caper chicken amazing, I could go on and on. It was a perfect evening - great food, great venue, great wait staff. Highly recommend you check out for a group event.
(5)M M.
My favorite neighborhood spot! The food is out of this world and the menu changes weekly, so there's always something new to try. Definitely make reservations because its always packed (and there's a reason!)
(5)Phoenician G.
Has excellent dishes and we love the food but HATE the slow service. Even with a reservation we waited 10 minutes to get a table. We waited so long for the waiter to come to our table that we had to ask someone to get him so he can take our order. Finally to top it all off, for dessert we ordered creme brulee that tasted like Jalapeno peppers...I think the strawberries on the creme brulee were cut with a knife used for jalapenos :)) We told the waiter but got no apologies!!!
(3)Emily D.
Service was great. Food was passable at best. Room's very loud. I can't figure out why this place is always packed. I was very underwhelmed.
(2)Kristine K.
I love the food here. Never been disappointed. The only bummer is that it does tend to get crowded and loud. Wouldn't recommend going here for an intimate dinner. Service has always been on point, but they should think about adding another bathroom.
(4)Misse D.
Everytime I come here, everyone at the table loves their food. How often does that happen? Besides, the excellent food, the service is consistently good. The space is tight, but it makes me feel like I'm back in Italy.
(5)Sarah S.
I went there during my first week in Chicago and I was not happy at all! I found it very Americanized and it was not good Italian food. i thought it was just because at the time I just moved from Italy, so my expectations were too high and I still had to get used to Italian food abroad. Went back again a few months ago, after 3 years, and I still have the same opinion! There are a lot of decent, if not good, Italian restaurants in the city and, as far as I'm concerned, Mia Francesca is not one of them
(1)Franky D.
Why does everyone love this place so much? Everyone I know takes visiting friends and relatives here as if it is the showpiece restaurant of the city. I got fooled into doing this about a year ago. I took my aunt and uncle there with my girlfriend. The food is fine, even good I guess, but... About halfway through my meal (some kind of pasta with meat) I bit into something hard. I pulled it out of my mouth to discover that I had bitten into a string of STEEL WOOL. I showed it to the waiter, and he said "I'm sorry, that is from one of our scrub brushes in the kitchen, it happens every once in a while." He asked me if I would like another meal. I did not because I was halfway finished and this sort of thing doesn't really effect my desire to finish the meal. I was just glad that it happened to me and not one of the people that I had invited there. Of course my meal was free, but that does not change the fact that they were not surprised to find BRILLO PADS in the food.
(2)Lana M.
Wonderful restaurant, great food and I really like the out door garden. Nice date place.
(5)Jessica G.
I was taken here for my birthday in October and had a great experience. Though the restaurant is on the small side, the food and service are great. We had reservations so it wasn't a problem getting a table. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Shannon H.
I adore this Italian joint! It's the perfect place to sit back with good company, enjoy a bottle of wine, and - of course - a delicious Italian meal. It's a fun go-to, although reservations are definitely recommended! It's always packed on a weekend night. I tend to gravitate toward their raviolis... particularly the rich and creamy dishes, like lobster ravioli. Everything I've had there is wonderful, though. It's always nice to have a place where you can't go wrong with whatever you order. They've got an amazing Caesar salad, as well!
(5)Jennifer E.
Absolutely wonderful. Great service, tasty food, cozy environment and I love that they change their menu every two weeks. I went here with my boyfriend last night for dinner. We ordered a bottle of wine and split everything we ordered including, the Bruschette w/ prosciutto and mozzarella, which was an insane explosion of flavors. The Insalta alla Francesca was delicious with unique veggies and a light vinaigrette. Pasta dish and tiramisu for dessert. Delish! I'd recommend splitting the pasta dishes, because they are huge. We're big eaters and splitting an app, salad, pasta and dessert was plenty for both of us. Total bill with a cheaper bottle of wine was $67 plus tip. I think this is totally worth it for a pleasant dining experience.
(5)Rilindo F.
This is where I lost my alcohol virginity. Oh, sure there was this one time when I drank a small Kalua 10 years ago and that one time when I was 12 when I drank from bowl that was spiked and ended up sleepy for the rest of the night; however, it wasn't really any choice in either matter, so they don't really count. :) Anyway. . .it was fitting that I took this step while partaking of my favorite cuisine - and at fairly well-regarded establishment (yelp-wise). The front of the house was quite loud and noisy, thanks to the Sunday evening pre-Valentine crowd. Fortunately, I was directed towards the back (apparently there is another dining room there), where I sat at the bar, looked at the menu. It was at that moment, that I decided to order wine. I ordered the red wine - Sanguinity "Nessun Dorma". Up to that point, I thought it'll taste sweet, like grape juice. Nope. Whoa. What can I say? When you are about 36 years and drinking wine for the first time in your entire life, its hard to find a frame of reference for the experience. I will say that at first, I wasn't really liking it. Yet, as I finished the glass and ordered the excellent Pollo Arrosto alla Romana, I feel a rather pleasant feeling come over me, even a bit relaxed. I now could see why people would drink wine or alcohol in general.* I could also see how people would get into trouble. So I stopped at just 1 glass. Just one. :) As for the restaurant, I generally enjoyed the place. If I ever back in the general area (and I will in a few months), I probably going back - preferably with somebody else and most likely in the back, where it is more quiet. A solid recommend here. * I wonder. . . nah, I won't go there. :D
(4)Mel G.
So I made it back (with the help of the rather accommodating management response to my initial experience). I must say, the food is pretty darn good. Went with the prosciutto app plate and the special salad (beets, orange, red onion, pesto), which I split with the SO. The salad was pretty awesome, maybe a touch too much olive oil, but the roasted beets were done right and the mint/orange combo was a nice compliment. The prosciutto was good per my SO, I'm not the biggest fan generally, so I don't feel qualified to judge. I went for the mussels and pasta. There was a lot of mussels in my dish, which rocked. I like when restaurants don't skimp on seafood. I thought the spicy marinara was tasty (though "spicy" perhaps not). But the flavor balanced nicely with the mussels. SO got the sausage ravioli, also tasty, though he thought the pasta was a bit doughy. Both felt like our sauces weren't incorporated into the pasta as well as they could've been. Tasted like the sauce and pasta was cooked separately and then just mixed together last minute. I think that's the primary reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars. Received two complimentary desserts. The flourless chocolate lava cake and an apple turnover/bun/pastry (?), or sorts. I'm not a big dessert eater unless it's ice cream, so I was neither blown away nor underwhelmed. My SO more or less ate both. There was a nice taste of cinnamon to the apply one. And fresh fruit with the chocolate cake (which is mostly what I ate). Our server, (I believe it was Tom), was fantastic. Friendly, but not the interrupting/annoying type. I still think this place crowds in way too many tables. Fortunately, we were next to a window, but I don't think I would go back during Friday dinner with all the noise. Unfortunately instead of making me feel trendy and cool, it makes me feel anti-social and grouchy. I would however order it for take out or go back during the week. Much better.
(4)Kevin O.
A bit noisy, music too loud and it is very packed which can be a good or bad thing. The food was very good but it is not your "typical" Italian food place so if you are expecting "meat lasagna" go somewhere else. I will say that I loved the food and the service was very good but the cramped seating (as noted by another reviewer) and the noise level made it for a rather unpleasant full dining experience. It does not help that the bar is right in the middle of the dining room. Because it is near Wrigley I would suggest avoiding it near a cubs game. People come in dressed shabby and usually drunk. If the restaurant was in a quieter location and was not so uncomfortable I would have given it 4 stars as I did like the food.
(3)Sonia C.
Good food, good wine, good value, and GREAT place for groups! I came with 10 other people and we were seated at a nice long table upstairs. We started with the quattro stagioni pizza which had proscuitto, artichoke, mushroom, olive, & egg. It had a crispy crust, lots of savory thinly sliced proscuitto - and the raw egg that cooked on top of the hot pizza just made it awesome. For my main course, I ordered the salmon fresca which came with lots of chopped asparagus, avocado, and tomatoes. Unfortunately, I forgot to tell them to not include the avocado and was not expecting it to be diced in everywhere. Despite this, I managed to enjoy my dish as it was fresh and light-tasting. Of the pasta dishes, I found the gnocchi to be really good - great texture and perfect chewiness. Portions are huge and no one was able to finish any of the pasta dishes. Despite this, a few of us found room for dessert. My friend and I decided to split 2 scoops of gelato and found both the white coffee and the pistachio really delicious. The chocolate lava cake and the banana cake were both too sweet and dense for my taste, but this sentiment's probably compounded because I was so stuffed from my main course. We paid about $45pp including tax, tip, and 3 bottles of wine. Would definitely come here again!
(5)Scott C.
Francesca's is like a good friend - always there when you need it for a good Italian meal. I've been going here for years and have yet to be disappointed with the food or service here. I think you have to take it as a given that you are going to cramped and on top of the nearest table in this cozy place, but I'd say that's part of the charm to it. That is, of course, unless you get seated upstairs where there is much more arm room and it's a quieter atmosphere. Last night a group of us dined here. We had two bottles of wine - both recommended by our server and they were reasonably priced (for restaurant wine...) and complimented our meals well. We had the mussels in a red broth for an appetizer - which was good. I'm so used to always having mussels in a wine or garlic sauce that this was a nice change. We shared a capresi salad and prosciutto which were also done well - the capresi having blue cheese instead of the typical mozzarella. Everyone enjoyed their dinners, one sausage and mushroom pizza, chicken with mushroom and prosciutto, and two of the pasta dishes. All were cooked well and very flavorful. We capped off the night with tiramisu and the warm banana bread with gelato. The tiramisu here is excellent - light and tasty but the warm banana bread dessert was outstanding! As usual another great dinner here!
(4)KC M.
Went here for round two of boyfriend's birthday recently. Arrived on a Monday at about 6:45 and was so glad that our table had been reserved because this place was packed! Interesting set up with large windows on the left and a fairly rectangular room that darkens as it stretches towards kitchen in back. Beautiful mahogany bar frames the front of room and would be great for people watching or waiting for a table. We were seated along the bench style row to the right and even though we had a fairly large group, we were able to carve out a small corner of the restaurant, which was nice. Restaurant has a rotating menu so specifics change weekly. We enjoyed some calamari and bruchetta (with and without the pancetta) to start, both of which were nice and fresh. For main course I had a light broccoli rigatoni dish with a simple olive oil sauce that was a little heavy on the garlic. And trust me I loves me some garlic. Lets just say that if you are here on a first date, go for the red sauce. Boyfriend had a goat cheese and tomato pasta dish that really didn't wow either of us. But could just have been our choices as we heard good things from the table about the butternut ravioli (seasonal), frutti di mare and chicken diavolo. We did both note that the pasta was perfectly al dente. For the birthday they brought out a simple dessert (chocolate sauce smothering something small) with a candle, which was nice. Service was fine. Overall a great spot for a larger family dinner. The bench style seating and extensive wine list lends to a bustling atmosphere which may exceed a decent decibel for more intimate dining.
(3)Kolyan D.
We held an event here in their back upstairs room. Everyone raved about the food and our server Armando was great. He really knew his stuff about the food and the area. Our order: Bruschette, calamari, risotto fungi - appetizers Caprese and another kind of salads Ravioli Spinaci and Gnocci Ricotta - pastas Pollo Romano, Filetto Funghi - entrees Profiteroles w/vanilla gelato - dessert I recommend this place if you are looking for a place that can host a large group.
(5)Catherine T.
I first came here years ago! Since I was back visiting (I used to live in the Chicago area), I was very excited when my friend suggested meeting up here for dinner. I ordered the spinach/cheese ravioli with marinara and it had a distinct "seafoody" taste to it, which is pretty odd to say the least. If I go back, I would order something totally different!
(2)I M.
The customer service was okish... they were super busy. The food was decent. Would go back.
(4)Lauren B.
I used to go here all of the time many years ago and for some reason I thought they've gone down-hill, but the food sure hasn't! I came here recently on a very crowded night. The restaurant was so loud that I could barely have a conversation with the person who was sitting across my tiny table. The tables were sooooo crammed together I don't even know how the waiters could bring food to the tables. At the end of the night I TRIED to use the restroom located in the back. The tables were so close together that I couldn't get through and just left instead. Clearly not a comfortable atmosphere. But! My pasta was very good, would give it 4 stars. I had a great penne pasta with a spicy tomato sauce, the bread was very good too.
(3)chris l.
Looking through the reviews of this place has irritated me. I think it's important that people realize that this is a small neighborhood restaurant residing in the third largest city in the country. Yes, the space is small. Yes, the wait can be long. Yes, the room can be loud. And yes, the kitchen puts out some of the best food in the city, thus insuring the small room remains packed and loud with a line out the door. The Olive Garden probably has a quiet table available right now where you can sit and talk privately as you wait for the rest of your party to arrive. Mia Francesca is a gem, and in the decade I've been going there, I've never had a bad meal, or a negative experience.
(5)Eric C.
oh yea...i really liked this place....I blew in from the west coast and have an Italian uncle from Brooklyn as my background so I know good Italian. My unc can cook! Carpaccio Con Arugola, Asparagus, Blue Cheese, Tomato, salad, salmon, chicken picatta and Parmesan were great! Had another salad w/ great dressing Cernia con Asparagi - Pan-roasted red grouper with wild mushrooms, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, garlic, lemon and balsamico is incredible. I used to live in FL...I know grouper...and this grouper deserved a diamond ring! If i lived in Chi town I'd be here ...like....all da time!
(4)Gordon B.
I took my parents here for a celebratory dinner. The food and atmosphere lived up to the occasion. It was very busy but our waitress was still very attentive to us. The portions were large and delicious. Some times you go to places where you think they give you a lot of food but it's cheap, poor quality. Not at Mia Francesca. On the contrary, everything tasted fresh and homemade. I'll definitely go back.
(4)Mike L.
Still the best of the Francesca chain in my opinion. We were a party of 4 last night and the food and service was perfect! Never thought you could combine avocado and chopped tomatoes over Salmon, but it was one of the best combos I have ever had. I'm still amazed how they serve so many people so quickly - they are ALWAYS packed and it works. Been coming here since they opened and have NEVER had a bad meal!
(5)Stephanie L.
I used to love this restaurant. I haven't been here in years...like 7-8 years. But it wasn't how I remembered it. Definitely still bustling. It's loud. It's crowded. It's crammed. Service was really meh. Server wasn't engaging & didn't really offer up much for suggestions when asked. The food wasn't how I remembered either. It tasted like a step above OG or Magiannos. Very plain, very cookie cutter, very meh. Overall, there are about a million other Italian places I would rather spend my $$ on. It's really just ok. I probably won't go back.
(3)Aj A.
I was here for my birthday dinner. I was impressed by the nice and courteous behavior of the host and wait staff. Have I had better Italian food elsewhere? Yes of course, but their service was award winning! The bread was served warm fresh from the oven-so delicious. The bruschetta and Neapolitans pizza were great too. The lentil appetizer was a-ok. The eggplant rigatoni, spinach ravioli were fantastic too. The pesto cavatelli lacked some flavor. Wine list was superb. My friends had the mussels and the chicken+shrimp entree and they loved it. They dimmed the lights for the cake cutting creating a beautiful atmosphere Ruth the candle lit cake. Overall had a fantastic experience!
(4)Patrick K.
Have been coming to francescas for years and have been to nearly every location. By far the best service, personality and hospitality is done by Fernando and Terry at this location. They really make you feel like you are at home. If I could give 6 stars I would.
(5)Svetlana M.
I walked in with my boyfriend and we were seated right away even though the restaurant was busy. I was very pleased with the good food and attentive staff! A nice place for romantic dinner!
(5)Ben B.
My first visit to Mia Francesca was on New Year's Eve, 2014. We sat next to a very loud table of 12. It was nearly impossible to get our waiter's attention. I checked my phone and he didn't come around to get our entree orders for 50 minutes. Five-oh. Fifty. Minutes. Granted, the place was packed for New Year's, but that table told us they pre-booked a package. We, too, had made reservations, so it's not like they didn't know they'd be busy. You'd think a manager would swoop in when they saw us waving at the oblivious waiter. It seemed like a total breakdown of operations. I'm trying to take that with a grain of salt. Too often on Yelp, people blast a restaurant for circumstances out of its control. Yes, they should have been more heavily staffed. Or they could have apologized. Or comped a glass of wine. But they didn't. And that put an unfortunate bad taste in my mouth. Now, to the food... * Prosciutto con Burrata - prosciutto di parma with creamy burrata cheese, basil-pine nut pesto, balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil. I loved this. The prosciutto was great. I used it to roll up some burrata bites. Most excellent. * Pollo Arrosto alla Romano ($17) - Roasted half chicken with garlic, shallots, rosemary, lemon and olive oil, served with roasted potatoes. Quite good. An enormous serving for $17. The chicken sits in a pool of delicious gravy-type goodness. I couldn't eat much of this because I went to town on the complimentary bread while waiting a minor eternity to get our entrees. I believe Mia Francesca could be an awesome place on a quieter night. I may revisit it in the future.
(3)Sean W.
My wife and I have gone to Mia Francescas since the night we got engaged. Every year since (5) we have returned on our anniversary and the experience is great every time. The food is outstanding and so is the service. The staff is very welcoming and treated us to complimentary champagne and desert for our special occasion...you can't beat that! Another great quality I enjoy about Mia Francescas is the perfect amount of service. This is a personal quality I enjoy, and my opinion may vary from others, but I'm going to put it out there anyway. The service is much like it is in Europe, the waiter/waitress comes by very little, and I LOVE that. I cannot stand it when a server comes over 12 times during my dinner and interrupts a conversation, reaches in front of me while I'm still eating my salad, or filling up my water so many times that the table looks like the mens room floor. Our waiter was perfect in his timing and the staff cleared our table at the appropriate times. Some people like it when the waiter is coming by every minute...not me, so I appreciate the way Mia Francesca operates. As always, my wife and I will continue to dine at Mia Francesca every anniversary, and even date nights.
(5)Kay B.
The ravioli is very yummy. The service was good. It was a little squished. but good food + great service + blue jeans = a good place for a date night!
(4)Jamie B.
Another 5 star experience for food, service, and atmosphere at Francesca's. Nothing to do with my dining experience, but as a nice person, I let someone go ahead of me to the women's room. There is only one on the main floor, so I decided to be nice and let her go ahead of me. Dumb move on my part...that idiot in the red satin shirt who decided to take a dump in the only women's room on the main floor clogged the toilet!! She knows who she is if she is reading this review. So gross. I notified the busboys, they should get employee of the year award because they ran right in there to begin unclogging it.
(5)Frankie C.
Service: I decided to dine at this restaurant on a whim, so unfortunately I didn't make a reservation, like most. Despite no reservation, I was seated under the estimated time (waited 45 mins ish, quoted an hour plus). The food came out rather quickly, too. Drinks served promptly. Service gets two thumbs up!! Ambience: Casual environment, but ridiculously loud. Carrying on a simple conversation across the table seems almost impossible. For this reason, I do not recommend this restaurant for groups or intimate gatherings. Food: I have received numerous recommendations from the locals in the area to dine at this spot because of the authentic cuisine. To be honest..it's average. If you do not frequently cook delicious Italian food, like myself, perhaps it will appeal to you more than me. The ONLY dish I will rave about is their goat cheese appetizer - YUM! Cost: Unless your getting a dish that has a hodgepodge of seafood, I would say this place is too expensive for average pasta bathed in mediocre sauces. Save your money, buy box pasta, and doctor up some jarred sauce. Overall: Aforementioned, if you don't cook Italian food, I think this restaurant will [potentially] rock your socks.
(3)Luis O.
The Clark location continues to deliver a 5 star experience in all fronts: professionalism of the staff, food quality,, etc...a solid and consistent neighborhood classic not to be missed!
(5)Elaine S.
Food and ambiance was great! We had the dessert special - Limoncello Tiramisu - it was heavenly!
(4)Christina C.
Honestly, I found this place by mistake. I was planning on going to a different restaurant I found on Yelp, but ended up taking the wrong street and walked by Mia Francesca! First of all, their menu is awesome. They switch it up every now and then so you might have to get something different every time you go there! We started off with the bruschetta - the fancier one that is a dollar more than the original - totally worth the extra dollar. It came with arugula and avocado on top. It was one of the best bruschetta I've ever had. For my entree, I ordered the special ravioli. I want to say I tasted some goat cheese in the ravioli, but I'm not sure. It was delicious though! Super filling, so I thought the price was just right. On Thursdays, they do $5 martinis. I ordered the Blood Orange martini. It was good at first, but granted, Svedka... not the best. For dessert, the special was a peanut butter cream pie with peanut butter whipped cream and an Oreo crust. I wish I were eating it now. Service is good. There are many servers around who can assist you. Also, definitely sit in the back patio! I love the mural!
(5)Thomas Z.
Good service, good food. Ordered a pesto dish and a rigatoni broccoli and cream sauce dish. Portions were slightly smaller than expected for America but still acceptable. Vibes were a little crowded but still not too overbearing. Would return, though slightly out of my personal price range.
(4)Ken O.
It's been many years since I had dinner at Mia Francesca and I had time so I thought what the heck.... I was able to find a seat at the bar. Byron, bartender, had greeted with a smile and presented the menus. At the same time, asked about a cocktail which I just ordered a coke since I had to work a double shift the next day. While Byron was working on some drinks, Cosme had dropped off the coke and took my order. He was very pleasant - actually, both of the gentlemen were very personable. The menu is very well planned out - a little bit of everything. I decided order the New York Strip and Potato special. While waiting for my meal, I had turned and gobbled up the great bread. The oil had a little bit to it, but very good. No bread or oil was left when I was done. The meal was delivered to me within a reasonable time. There was just enough grilse left on the steak to keep the meat juicy and favorable. The melted garlic butter over the steak was incredible!!! The potatoes were crispy on the outside and tender inside. Both gentlemen had checked in with me regarding the meal without being overbearing. Of course, I did save room for dessert. The dessert menu has about eight different items to choose from. I had ordered the Apple Crostrada. Very good to end the evening with. Overall, Mia Francesca is a great restaurant on the north side of the city.
(5)Stephanie A.
Somewhat limited menu but very reasonably priced and in a great location. Mixed group of people dining...from families in very casual attire to couples celebrating something. Overall a good experience.
(3)Lauren B.
A little overpriced for cold pasta. My dish was personally the best out of everyone I was dining with (it was also a special and the most expensive). I thought the ambiance was very traditional, warm and personable. However, I have had better Italian worth more of the price, not that it was outrageous... Just not what I was expecting for $17.
(3)Jen K.
I have to say how disappointed I am in this restaurant. I've tried other Francesca's before in the burbs and they were all great but I sat at the table for a half hour waiting for someone to wait on me. When he did, I asked what the soup of the day, he couldn't tell me and left for another 5 minutes. Then I proceeded to sit at my seat and watched all the staff members hang out for a while. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but the service will make it so I never go back
(1)Erin M.
Went here for a surprise bday party and the food and service were fantastic! We had the carriage house in the back and it was great! Had spinach cheese pizza, gnocchi, and s chicken potato dish and the main meals were great! For dessert We had cheesecake and these chocolate gelato puffs that were too die for!!! Highly recommend this place!!
(5)Maria P.
I rarely write Yelp reviews as I feel I should only do so to add something valuable to anyone reading them. In this case (and I apologize for the ALL CAPS), I think this problem needs to be noted: THIS PLACE DOES NOT HONOR THEIR RESERVATIONS!! If you're like most people, you probably have the silly belief that making a reservation at a restaurant serves to ensure that you have a table at (or very near) the requested time. As someone who gets irked by even a five minute wait for a reserved table, the fact I waited nearly an hour for my table only speaks to the mendacity of both the hostesses and the manager who kept insisting that a table would free up "in a manner of minutes". This obvious lie was repeated so many times that I began to feel as if I was being unreasonable by checking on my reservation - even though it was clear from the dining room that no one was leaving soon given no checks were visible on any table. It became rather clear that "reservation" to Mia's was simply a way to reserve your space in the "wait queue". When we were finally seated after 9pm (for an 8:15pm) reservation, there was nary a word of apology from either the hostess or waiter. The manager eventually stopped by and apologized for the wait and offered a free appetizer to both my friend and I. My friend did not want an appetizer and the manager obnoxiously pointed out that he would only comp an appetizer and nothing else, clearly stressing this was all that would be offered. Given we hadn't even asked for a comp, it was infuriating to have him set limitations on something that wasn't wanted or needed. What we really wanted was an hour of our lives back but it was obvious that the manager didn't seem to care about the fact he had wasted our time and screwed up our plans for the night. I quickly ordered a soup because I felt we should get *something* . Rather predictably, the $6 soup appeared to totally absolve the manager of having to care about the situation any further. He never checked in again -- and so was blissfully unaware that the lobster bisque soup that was eventually served was partially cold and didn't have any lobster! It was just a bowl of heavy cream with tomato sauce. Given how hungry we were at this point, we choked it down. To add insult to injury, I then had to suit up to go outside and walk 4 blocks in sub-zero weather to add extra time to the meter since it had run out. I stupidly only put an hour in the meter thinking we couldn't possibly be staying for that much longer. Our food did not come for another forty-five minutes. When it arrived, my hungry friend and I started shoving it in our mouths only to stop dead at the taste. The sauce of the salmon had a strange acidic flavor that made the dish taste weird and wrong. Despite being ravenous, we both frustratingly switched back to the bread and tried to spot the waiter to send it back. He was nowhere to be found, so we were stuck eating bread. When he finally reappeared much later it was only to ask if we wanted to take the dish home, taking no note of the fact barely anything was eaten. When I emphatically stated No!, he simply whisked the dish away with no comment. We declined dessert as we just wanted to leave at this point since the meter had run out and we had just spent our entire night waiting around to eat cold soup and bread. But once again, we were kept waiting for the check to get picked up. It was now going on 11pm. I'm usually a person that doesn't complain (as I find voting with my feet to be effective), but I was so angry at this point that I had actually decided to make a comment to the staff before I left about how horrible the whole experience had been - and how our plans for the night were ruined. Of course, I was denied even this small consolation as there was no one around to complain to. The hostesses had both disappeared and the manager was nowhere to be found. We left without fanfare after almost three hours of being treated with something akin to contempt and getting an expensive bill shoved under our noses at the end of it. The lack of even a Thank You from anyone in the restaurant as we left seemed to say it all about how they feel about their customers. While Mia's will probably always be busy - their location allows them to recycle through customers relatively easily - it's clear this is not due to good food or service. I will end my post the way I begin since this essentially encapsulates how they feel about their customers and it's rather useful information to anyone trying to plan their night: THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR RESERVATIONS. And the food and service is just inexcusable on top of that.
(1)Enzo D.
No italian food at all. ..im from italy and I really know my country food sorry but this plaste made my italy s...start with fried calamari Brown crost mean dirty oil.carpaccio no seasoned at all. .meatballs pasta the sauce was bland and meatballs test like older or maybe frozen....please call this food with another name but never call it italian cousine. ..
(1)Joe S.
Went here for Sunday brunch with my wife and daughter. Wow very bad!!!! It took 10 min. For a server to come by, with the place empty don't understand that. My daughter ordered warm tee and honey. After 15 min. The tea came out ice cold with no honey. I told the waiter the water for the tea was cold can you please bring it back with hot water and honey please. 10 more min later tea came back out still cold and no honey. I finally told the server to put the water in the microwave and hit high for 3 min. Needless to say kitchen did not know how to boil water. LOL!!! We ordered omelets nothing hard to cook for breakfast. Omelets were undercooked and greasy. Outside tables dirty and poor service to match will not be coming back.
(1)Peter g.
This is my first visit to this Francesca location. I would normally not write a review of a chain's second location but this one is worth warning winter patrons about the upstairs. The food is as good as the location over on Taylor in little Italy. That site I have been to numerous times, and they say inside the menus are somewhat different between sites, but not that I could notice. The food here was just as good. Which is to say very good. The 3 star rating is earned by the design of the upstairs. This is a small place so they have a second door leading to a nice looking bar and seating area upstairs, however they have no easy access to the kitchen so they have to use a rear upper deck which gives them some kind of dumbwaiter access for dishes and return items to the kitchen from an exterior rear porch. The problem is the door was swung open at least 3 to 5 times per minute in the dinner rush, and it was 23 degrees outside. There is no exterior protection in this deck area so the wind swept thru 20 feet of bar and right onto the dinner floor, people everywhere were wearing coats, everyone at the bar felt it, several complained including myself, and they said there is nothing they can do about it. There is noothing blocking this whatso ever and its an automatic door, so it opens all the way, and hangs open for 5 to 10 seconds before it starts closing. Truly this will ruin the experience for you on cold winter nights. If you can't get a table in the main floor area, as good as this place is for dinner I would avoid the upstairs at all costs. The chicken and the Caprase were fresh, very well prepared and cooked, and I will go back, just not to this location.
(3)Bailey S.
We missed our reservation because of traffic so we had to dine late after a comedy show. This place was amazing and the waiter was very accommodating (It might have been cause it was so late and there were only a few tables filled but whatever). The food was excellent, we ordered the bruschetta and we both got the rosemary chicken. Everything was superb. The music they were playing didn't really fit the ambiance but we personally didn't care. All and all this place was great and I would totally go again.
(5)Tim S.
It has been years since I have been and was not impressed I have to say. WAY TO LOUD, kind of cramped, food was perfectly fine but the service just fell below what should be expected from them.
(2)Kyle D.
Went here on a date, and we had a great time. If you come at peak hours, expect a wait. Luckily I made reservations. The service was fast and friendly and they have a good wine list. The menu is only 1 page but it covers all of the bases and has good options, but be ready to eat and eat hearty. Nothing seemed super healthy, and I had the primavera. That said, the food was awesome. My primavera was great and my date's chicken was good (according to her). The portions are huge, and of course there is bread beforehand. We skipped on appetizers and desserts but they sounded great. The only complaint I had was that the atmosphere is just okay. Everything was clean, but I could see the all non-italian cooking staff right there. Overall a great experience, just not 5 star. Atmosphere: 7/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 8/10
(4)Kelly J.
Very authentic Italian food, complete with Italian waiter with a thick, heavy accent. Charming little place with a second story that was quieter than the downstairs. Great photos on the walls on Italians in the 'old country'. The bread and olive oil was addicting. We actually had to ask them to take it away from us. Deliciously fresh and soft bread and herbed olive oil. We started with a beautiful antipasta salad served on a pizza board - so cute! Full of meat and cheese and crunchy veggies, it was excellent. We shared the risotto with shrimp, zuchini, tomato in a light saffron sauce and an order of the wild mushroom stuff ravioli in a tomato mushroom sauce. Both had freshy made pasta and had excellent flavor.Too stuffed for dessert, but there's always room for another glass of red. Good wine list here filled with lots of italian wine. Loved it!
(4)R J.
Lackluster on all counts. Sunday, Nov 10 Service is "meh- can I take your order" attitude by server. Food was moderate in flavor. Highly over salted! (All dishes at our table). Way, way over sauced. Swimming in sauce. Tables so incredibly cramped that if you aren't bumping the person behind / next to you, the staff most certainly is repeatedly every time they squeeze by a 6" gap to pretend to service the poor folks against the wall. Which brings me to the biggest gripe of the night: walked into a nearly empty restaurant at 530pm, and were given the table nearest the drafty door on a cold windy night. Before touching anything on our table I very pleasantly asked the host if we could please be seated elsewhere away from the cold air. I pointed out a number of tables away from the door. She claimed, "oh, those are all saved for a party of 9", and another, "that's saved for another party". See picture I posted (and taken an hour later.... Still empty) By late in the meal, no big parties came in. But she seated a party of 3 in the table area I asked to sit at (party of 9) If you want to be a snooty, rotten hostess- fine. I'll go elsewhere. But don't outright LIE so frivolously to my face. As such- I would never return to such a restaurant. Not for the salty food. Mediocre service, and especially this host. There are SO many Italian restaurants nearby with better food, service and more character (and integrity)
(1)Chicago T.
The experience was very good and we would go back to this spot. But know that the food prepared their is not the Italian fare you would fine at some of Chicago's popular Italian restaurants. Our first visit resulted in delicious food and friendly service. We ordered the Pollo Arrostro all Romano, Cavetti con Pesto y Pollo, and the bow tie pasta with salmon. Everyone enjoyed their respective main course. However the best dish that all enjoyed was the melted goat cheese with marinara sauce appetizer. Awesome! The fried calamari was fresh, light and crisp. Not greasy. The pear and blue cheese salad was uneventful. The poached pear was too, too sweet and the pear to greens ratio was off. Too little greens for the amount of pear. The blue cheese they use for the salad is delicious. For me, its a well executed Americanized version of Italian food. For example; no eggplant or chicken parmesan, sausage and peppers, Bucatini all'Amatriciana, pasta Carbonara or seafood apps. Yet, want we ordered was well executed and enjoyed.
(3)Jon S.
"May I re-chill your cosmo?" With these words, Mia Francesca on Clark has become my favorite restaurant. In my many years of ordering and consuming cosmos, in restaurants around the United States (and London and Montreal and on international waters and island ports of call), I have never experienced this level of outstanding customer service. In fact, this statement has reached a new, previously unknown level of favored phrase status. Prior to this, my favorite word combination was "Dinner is served." Today, a new combination of letters, spaces, and punctuation has become my new favorite, and it's very difficult to imagine anything overtaking it-- except perhaps "Your private jet is waiting." Terry approached our table, while my martini glass was still 3/4ths full, and somehow anticipated that my drink might no longer be at the ideal temperature. If you love martinis, you know what the ideal temperature is-- it's that condition where there is a thin layer, almost just a hint; of ice at the top of the drink-- allowing the contents to be beautifully, perfectly chilled. The glass itself, of course, also must be chilled-- frosted, actually. Unfortunately, this condition only lasts for a few moments. Perhaps ten, if you're lucky. It had been ten minutes. The frost had disappeared, there was no more layer of thin ice at the top of the drink. Terry identified this tragedy and corrected it immediately with his magic words. A few minutes later, my drink re-appeared, with the glass freshly frosted, and the temperature again perfect. May you re-chill my cosmo? Yes. Will I be back? Yes. Thank you Terry.
(5)Brian B.
After 18 years, another superb dinner at Mia's. We've been enjoying Mia Francesca at this location for an unbelievable 18 years. Last night's dinner was surreal in the fact that it was the same magical experience we had on our first visit years ago. The pasta was superb, as was the carpaccio and calamari. Service was spot on. Eat in the main dining room (not upstairs) for the real energy. Note - tables are packed tight so expect to meet your neighbors... and enjoy the evening.
(5)Stephanie M.
Great pasta! This place was really great - the pasta was super tasty, but the buratta left something to be desired. Not amazing quality. Its a little cramped inside and there are lots of families - wouldn't recommend for a date or a relaxing night out. Price point a touch higher than you'd expect given the scene.
(3)Matt M.
I am not exactly sure what the thrill of this place is. It is not the food, not the ambience, not the service.. it is just there. For starters you will be crammed in very uncomfortably - no ifs/and/buts. Then you will get slow service. And by slow service... I mean sloooooooooooooooow. We saw our waitress 3 times. Were slapped with the mandatory tip and that was that. So for essentially 10 minutes of work she got a $40 tip (no waiters dont send me an angry "open letter" about the tedious nature and hardwork of your industry). I mean really, drinks were always empty, no one cared to ask how the food was - it was like a barely useful robot in a crammed store front was giving us middle of the road food with a preprogrammed notion of what is going to happen.
(2)Taylor M.
There are some really great Francesca locations and others that are overcrowded and they cram you in and forget about you. Let's just say I am lucky I am not claustrophobic! This Francesca's was super crowded and I felt stuffed into a table that was too small and right by the bathroom. No fun. The food was okay for Italian food. The drinks were good. The service was not very good. My review is short to illustrate my experience at Mia Francesca's...lacking...
(3)Christina N.
Before you read on, I feel I should say that this is the third time I've dined here, and the first two times were great....tonight, not so much. We live in the neighborhood and felt like italian last minute, so hopped on open table and Mia Francesca was wide-open for reservations. When we walked in to check in, the place was packed, lively and bustling as we expected. Assuming we would be seated at one of the few open tables, they quickly informed us we would be seated upstairs, where we had to go outside and through another door. Turns out, the "upstairs dining room" is really their overflow dining room, which was a few small two tops surrounded by a long table seating a giant party in which the majority of people were under the age of 10. As we sat there deciding on what wine/apps to order we had 3 or 4 kindergartners with sugar highs sprinting laps around our table and running back and forth along the banister that we were sitting against. The parents were oblivious and the staff didn't seem to care either. The upstairs dining room was literally the kids table. The food was good, but the atmosphere ruined it. Not something I would have expected from an 8:30 reservation on a saturday night at Mia Francesca. It was like being at TGI Friday's with Mia Francesca's food. Maybe they should let you know when reserving that you'll be in the overflow room to avoid this issue!!
(2)Meg S.
Excellent food, great atmosphere. Really enjoyed and will definitely go back next time I'm in the city!!
(5)Thomas B.
I've eaten here several times. Very nice rustic seasonal menu and great prices. If you can make a reservation, do so, as waiting at the bar can be quite the ordeal. Great fresh pasta, also the carpaccio is fantastic. Definitely worth the visit.
(4)Kelly D.
I have been coming here for years and I have yet to be disappointed. This is one italian restaurant I love dining at, and it has stayed on my top 3 ever since I started! The bread has always been warm and fresh and the food is always on point. A lot of their main menu items stick around - but there are quite a few entrees that switch their ways in and out with the seasons and popularity. There is always a specials menu that changes every night I believe. The cooking here is impeccable and I cannot stress enough that everything here is done really well. I've never had a bad server experience either, which can be a rare feat for this near-Wrigley location. Everyone I have had has been helpful and excellent at suggestions, accommodations, and wine/drink pairings. What sparked my review after all of this time was my reservation around 9pm (we arrived early) and had to leave by 9:30. Our waitress was attentive even though this place was packed (Saturday evening), and everything was brought out super fast, and we were done at 9:24. I will say I am REALLY DISAPPOINTED that there is no more peanut butter chocolate tart dessert anymore. I guess they took it off a few months ago. I was seriously devastated - a girl has to have her dessert! I will be writing to hopefully encourage them to bring it back (or give me the recipe!)
(5)Steph U.
I came here for Restaurant Week, and overall I was underwhelmed by not only the selection (or lack there of), but by also what was served when I ordered off the special menu. I don't remember the specific name, but it was something osso buco (veal). Basically, it was ground veal wrapped in pasta. Not only was the portion small for the price ($16.99) (especially in comparison to their normal dishes), it was also chewy and didn't have much taste. We ordered Malbec wine; I thought it was whatever. My friend ordered the chicken alla salvia, which looked much bigger and better than my meal and was only a dollar more! I think if I were ever to come back, I'd want to try their regular menu, but not worth it for Restaurant Week in my opinion.
(2)Dan L.
can't believe I've never reviewed this place before. Have been here about 5 times over the years and never dissapointed. the only drawback I have always had is the noise level. If you are sitting at a two top you are kind of on top of the people next to you and hear everyone's conversations. I have never had a bad glass of wine, bad appetizer, bad entree or bad service. I do agree to avoid the restaurant on game day nights but it is just far south enough to get away from the foot traffic of wrigley. Will always go back and was just there two weeks ago.
(5)Gio S.
After a six-year hiatus, returned to Mia Francesca for an anniversary dinner, wanting, hoping to like it. Sadly, no luck. This place combines bland, soulless "Corporate Italian" food with efficient but cold service. The pesto was completely tasteless (tip: at least add some GARLIC), and the chicken in the pasta tasted like it had been frozen (and the suspiciously identical strips suggested it was). With so many outstanding options for Italian on the north side, can't see coming back, again. Under-flavored, over-priced, and way too pleased with itself.
(1)Michele R.
My friend has been raving about the food at Mia Francesca's for years... so I was elated to be traveling to Chicago and make a reservation with my girlfriends. The staff was very friendly, attentive and prompt. The menu had lots to offer without being overbearing. You can tell the put a lot into their menu and each dish is crafted with though and creativity. We started with the Bruschetta alla Sorella- toast with avocado, radicchio, arugula, endive, tomato and fresh mozzarella. It was a fantastic choice. Beautiful, fresh and tasty. Lots of flavor packed into little bites. My dinner was the Pollo alla Fiorentina. I suppose that it sounds rather simple- it was anything but. Juicy, succulent chicken perfectly breaded and sautéed. Light lemon sauce over the chicken and spinach made it to die for. I had leftovers from the hearty portion and sadly never finished them. My friends had the Gnocchi alla Bavosa which was fantastic. Perfect, pillowy gnocchi with an appropriate sauce. The portion on this was fulfilling, but not quite as large as other plates. It also could have used a little more mozzarella. I also sampled the Linguine mare e Monti- with shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus with a nice garlicky, light tomato sauce. The linguine alone was a masterpiece. I'm always suprised at how many restaurants can't cook pasta right, but Mia's knows. The sauce was excellent. My only complaint is that we were seated in a back corner by the kitchen, bathrooms and server station. It was so noisy, we could hardly hold conversation. The servers were yelling to eachother over our tables, we had to duck several times to avoid being smashed by a plate of food and the kitchen was notably loud. It's not enough to keep me from going back, I'll probably just ask for a different table. This was one of the best meals I have ever had.
(5)Jeff A.
Choose when you go carefully. Avoid game days (unless you're a game attender and are looking for a lively and cramped vibe). It's not the drunken Clark St crowd. Rather, it's the grown-up version. Don't avoid Sunday brunch. They've only been doing it about a year and, in my opinion, are nailing it. It's become a regular spot for me (I live close). Food is better than average Italian. Not the best, but solid and consistent. Service is consistently good...even when they're slammed.
(3)Minnie G.
I've dined at other Francesca's restaurants and have always had a great experience. This time not so much. First off always ask for a table in the front. We were in the back separate area and it wasn't great. I ordered a Black Label and was told they don't offer that brand of Scotch. No biggy, but what they had was awful. I thought they had a full bar. The food was just OK. I had a chicken pasta dish and the chicken was dry and bland. My friend had an eggplant pasta dish and it was just OK. The service was good but I probably would choose a different Francesca restaurant next time.
(2)T W.
Best Italian restaurant in Chicago! Be sure to sit outside in the back! Feels like Italy!!!
(5)Brooke B.
Yum!! Came here with the boyfriend for date night on Saturday and was soo pleased! Everything was sooo delicious from our bread and olive oil, to both our pasta dishes, and even our Pinot Noir wine that was recommended by our waiter! I have to give our waiter even more credit because we weren't going to order a dessert (even though I wanted to, but the boyfriend isn't a dessert fan), but he talked us into getting the pumpkin pie that was a special of the day! So mouth watering good! I would definitely come back in a heart beat! The only reason why I have to give this place 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the fact that you are seriously packed into here like a sardine! I couldn't get to my seat without banging into the table next to us. Then feeling like you were in the middle of the conversations next to you since you are seated so close to each other... But the waiter was awesome, food was awesome, service was super fast (in an out within an hour!); so definitely worth it!
(4)Pattie U.
Good food, the wine is on the pricey side.
(4)Tricia D.
Mia Francesca gets the upgrade to 5 stars for a few reasons: 1) The quality of food is fantastic, fresh, and consistently meets/exceeds expectations! On my latest visit, I inhaled the roasted pork chop entree in approximately 7.2 minutes. It was juicy, well balanced in flavor, and left me happy and full. 2) Service is prompt, friendly, and attentive. 3) The menu is continually evolving. Change is the one constant in life! Expect it to be an energetic atmosphere, with the tables rather closely spaced together. Definitely want to try dessert here sometime.
(5)Susy P.
MIA FRANCESCA, THE LAND OF TRUFFLE-Y WONDER I love this place. I love the hustle and bustle of the atmosphere (although sitting in a long line of other couples where they can definitely hear everything I'm saying is a little too romcom-ish for me) because you can tell that when a restaurant keeps bringing tons of people back, it's worth it! I had the truffle ravioli which seriously blew. my. mind. I've had dreams about this ravioli. It is all that I want out of life. My boyfriend got the half chicken and it was just melt-in-your-mouth goodness.... I never knew simple chicken could taste that good! We will definitely be back because although the menu changes, I am completely okay with whatever they are willing to serve me.
(5)Tim C.
Found the place by accident, looking for Italian while in Lakeview with a friend from out of town. Figured more memorable places might somewhere else but we stumbled on this through Googling and so glad we did. Discovered a long wait in the early evening (a good sign) but we took a seat at the bar and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the attentive staff while we dined. I WILL be back. A good local place to know.
(4)Imani B.
OMG! Restaurant Week 2014 dream come true...4 courses that provides ample food choices. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th course meal was extremely DELISH. 1st course was an awesome salad, 2nd course was the seafood pasta, 3rd course was a chicken option that included rosemary with white wine. Yummy! The service was great. The delivery of the meals were right on time. The host was pleasant and the waiter was extremely handsome...(which made the food taste better). The Overall experience was great!
(5)Lizz M.
I had just completed my first 5K and part of the incentive for its completion was the promise of brunch. After a futile attempt at going to Socca (if your hours say 10:30am you should be open at that time, right?), we walked over to Mia Francesa and I'm so glad we did. Because the place had just opened, we were welcomed to a fairly empty restaurant where we were promptly seated. We were still waiting for two other friends to arrive so we settled in, ordered some mimosas and ate some fresh bread. Now, the food. I ordered the pollo e ouvo, which is a chicken and bacon hash. It was very tasty. I think the potatoes were my favorite part of this dish as they were extra crispy and seasoned perfectly. The other vegetables were also nice and tender, and my eggs were fluffy. I also ordered the blush mimosa which was refreshing and very much needed. Excellent food and service, would definitely come back. The owner even came over and chatted with us.
(4)Elise K.
Mia Francesca is certainly one of the better Italian restaurants in the city and probably the best in the neighborhood. I prefer going for a weekend lunch rather than dinners because dinners are crowded and noisy. Lunches are quiet and peaceful with lots of love and attention from the servers. My first visit was when I had just started dating my current back in 2010. We had a late lunch on a Saturday. We split an appetizer and each had an entree. I got a veggie pasta dish and it was better the the bolagnase dish that he had. The service was fantastic - the owner served us himself. My most recent visit was on a Saturday night for a girls' night. Dinner for 8. They put us upstairs where it was pretty noisy. The service was just okay, but the place was so busy and it was hard to get a chance to get in the bathroom - a long line for the single toilet. Overall our food was good - not as great as previous visits however.
(4)T V.
Really enjoyed the restaurant week dinner menu - too much food! The bruschetta and the chicken were amazing. We also really liked sitting upstairs - quieter than the main dining room. Would def go back.
(4)Jeanette S.
The food is good, but the portions are a bit too big. Like, JUMBO size! The service is excellent too and they make killer cocktails. It's also reasonably priced. The place was fully booked, but they let us in anyway since one of the tables just left. We were surrounded by noise but I just chose to ignore it and focus on my date. Still, it gets quite loud in there, so be forewarned.
(4)Brittany H.
When it comes to Italian food, I want it as flavorful and authentic as possible, and Mia Francesca definitely delivered. The restaurant is small but romantic and quaint, perfect for date night. I've only gone during the week, but I've never needed to make a reservation. The food was delish and the portions were huge. I got chicken vesuvio, and was literally served half of a chicken on top of potatoes. I've also had the gnocchi which was again, huge, and delicious. Mia francesca is a hidden italian gem in lakeview, definitely worth trying.
(5)Judy W.
I came here with a group for a bachelorette dinner. Our table wasn't completely ready when we arrived, but we didn't have to wait long The seating in this place is horrible. The tables are so close together, even the very skinny one in our group had a difficult time getting around the table to sit in back. But after she got back there, she had to move to a chair. The bench along the wall sits very high and nobody wanted to sit back there. The place is very loud because the kitchen is open to the restaurant and the staff was constantly clanking the china. There was also a server near the front who was cleaning the silverware. As he cleaned each one, he loudly dropped it into a tub. They also had very loud background music, and everyone had to talk over all these other sounds. Our server had a very broken English and was having trouble understanding us as much as we had difficulty understanding him. Service was slow - very slow. They had a full bar inside the very small restaurant. I think they would be better off using the space instead for seating. The had a nice selection of specialty drinks. Our food was good, but nothing to brag about. Everyone had something a little different, so I won't pick out any specific food item. Again, service was slow, so it took a long time before the server came back to ask if we wanted dessert. A couple people ordered dessert, and said it was also good. Since our bride-to-be had a sash stating she was the bachelorette, it was nice of the restaurant to send a round of after dinner shots to the table, however only one or two of the people in my party liked the taste.
(1)Megan H.
Really really good!!! I had some kind of pasta with pot roast and the pot roast was great! Very tender. My boyfriend ordered something that wasn't even on the menu and they made it for him happily. The wait was long but it was a Saturday night and the food was excellent, as was the wine. Great date spot too!
(4)Jay D.
Excellent Dinner and tablecloth art on night of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Follow the link: yelp.com/biz_photos/6PQT…
(4)Eric S.
I've been going to this establishment for years. It is consistently some of the best Italian food on the north side. Like any good Italian eatery it's louder and tight quarters but I will be back often.
(5)Kanako I.
We came here on Saturday night, and we enjoyed their foods! We were seated on the second floor of this restaurant. The place reminded us of another Italian restaurant on Halsted. We had prosciutto & fichi, quattro stagioni, and spaghetti fagottaro. All simple yet really good! I particularly liked this pasta. yes I know they only use basil, tomato, garlic, oliveoil and cheese...but this pasta can go so wrong at some restaurants....! and I liked here a lot! Pizza was good, too. We both enjoyed all alot. The con is the waiter service was slow. It took for a long time for our waiter to come to us, and take our orders. Took a while to get our appetizer, and took another long time till we get pizza & pasta. And it took for a long time for him to come see if we want something more or need a check, and yes it took a long time for him to bring our check & bring the card back. If only the service was a bit quicker!
(3)Karina I.
The food is good but... 1) the staff is unprofessional and 2) it is too cramped. I went here last weekend and sat at the bar. On my way in one of the hostesses was walking ahead of me and almost slammed the door in my face. When I sat down, next to me were two girls who were very annoying and already drunk. I figured out based on their way-too-loud conversations that out one of the girls is dating the guy who seemed to be the restaurant manager (who was working there that night) and the other staff members kept pouring them more drinks which only made them more rowdy. The food though is quite good... Maybe I will just go to a different Francesca's location with better service and ambience.
(2)Michelle S.
This is still my go to restaurant with my girls when I come back to visit. It never fails, we know the food is always good and so we wind up here. I was beyond disappointed with my visit here which prompted my updated, two less star review. It is LOUD. Like hard to have a conversation with someone right next to you loud. It was so crowded and we had a table right next to the bar which is so annoying. The space is small so anyone waiting at the bar is essentially backed up to your table. Add in servers and other staff trying to get by and someone at our table was getting bumped every 10 seconds. Our sever was meh. It took forever to get drinks refilled and ordering dessert and coffee was painful. Our dinner was 2.5 hours long (not that I minded having time to catch up with friends but that's a long time!) I'm going to agree with Monica W. that it's hit or miss and we must have been there on a miss night but I was more than disappointed since my visits are quite infrequent these days since I live out of state. Bummer!
(3)Allison S.
Went on a friday night with a reservation at 7:15 and the place was packed and very noisy! We got sat at a two person table right inbetween two other two person tables very close together, which I'm not so fond of. Close as in my ass was in the other tables face as I tried to figure out a way to get back to the booth area. We had to pull the table out significantly because there was no way my legs were going to fit under the table with the way the table was set up. However, as we pulled the table out, so I could actually sit down, my boyfriend was right up at the table behind us. Besides that the table behind us was a group of men who were yelling obnoxiously and being extremely rude. After this rocky beginning, we went ahead and ordered the ham and melon and bruschetta to start with since we were starving. Both were great. I had the chicken salvia with tomato sauce mozzarella, ham and pasta, which was delicious. My boyfriend had a sausage pasta with goat cheese that was amazing from what I tried. we also split a great bottle of wine. I was stuffed because the portions are huge, but got convinced into ordering the vanilla creme brulee which was awesome as well. The food definitely gets 5 stars for Italian, but the ambience has much to be improved on.
(4)Betsy L.
The food was quite authentic and great; however, the restaurant was awkwardly cramped. We were unfortunately seated at the busiest corner of the restaurant -- service counter and restrooms. This may not bother others as much, but I was over-stimulated. I was in great company though!
(4)Adriane P.
The dining equivalent of organizing your desk, network tv, or elevator conversation. Just a hodge podge of banality. We ordered: Red Wine Overpriced. Pollo Arrosto alla Romana Roasted half-chicken with garlic, shallots, Rosemary, lemon, and olive oil with roasted potatoes. Bland considering all the savory elements. No idea why. Salmone alla Senape Roasted salmon with portobello mushrooms in a mustard brandy cream sauce on a bed of spinach. He said it was bland and a let down. What is going on? From those descriptions they sound great, right? But I'm not even mad. I'll try it again because it wasn't that bad annnnnnnd the atmosphere is really cozy and romantic. And our server looked and acted just like Charlie from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He even had his delightful laugh and sense of humor. That's enough for me to put on my eatin mittens on and hope I'll be smitten, kittens.
(3)Rebecca N.
Stumbled upon this gem by accident and boy were we happy! Unique, Itallian brunch menu and 5 dollar mimosas/bloody mary's! I got the chicken hash which was outstanding. I tried my friends Baked Uovo Florintines. Again excellent. Both were a bit heavy and could be shared. Inexpensive, fun, brunch place especially if you are looking to drink!
(4)Megan E.
My husband and I have been here several times over the past few years, for Valentine's Day dinner and most recently our one year wedding anniversary. We can always count on a good meal here, and the atmosphere is always great. The bread is always delicious--ask for fresh shaved Parmesan to dip it in along with the table olive oil, it's so good! We each had a salad to start and my husband ordered the half chicken and roasted potatoes (his go-to dish) and I ordered the mussels. They were delicious and the tomato sauce is so good, with a little kick to it, that you can sop your bread in it. I literally ate it with a spoon! The prices are what you'd expect for a nice Italian restaurant but if you don't order alcohol it's a lot less. We've never had enough room to order dessert but they have a pretty good selection. Not sure if you can request it but I highly recommend the top level if you're going for a date--it's a lot more quiet and romantic, and the tables aren't as jammed together.
(5)Justine M.
Service = amazing. Calamari = one of the best calamaris I've had Caprese = SOO GOOD and thick Lobster pasta = DELISH Pesto pasta = not worth the price but still pretty good. Nothing too special. Tirimisu = soft and rich. Would definitely go back. I also love the inside; It's a little small, but it gives the place character.
(5)Katie H.
The service was great, the atmosphere was intimate (but not too romantic for a sister date), the food was phenomenal, and the portions weren't insanely large like some Italian places. They were enough to make you just slightly uncomfortably full if you ate it all - after eating some delicious warm bread as a starter, of course. I really can't say enough good things about Mia Francesca. I'll certainly be back to try a new dish!
(5)Katherine M.
You know how your mom would make spaghetti that wasn't always the most amazing thing in the world, but in that moment it was exactly what you needed and completely delicious? That is how I think of Mia Francesca. The first time I went there I had a lentils starter that was freaking amazing, I wish that was a standard on the menu. I just went again for the second time and I was equally as pleased. Based on the menu last night they switch out dishes pretty regularly so the actual pasta dishes and entrees won't ever be the same. Regardless, the variety is great. The food itself is always really solid. The flavors are consistent and well balanced. The service is pretty prompt and fairly good at keeping your water filled, table clean etc. Overall if you are feeling like Italian food and don't want a long wait, this is your go-to place. It's a intimate space where it's easy to score a table, and better yet, the food is pretty solid across the board.
(4)N E.
Mia Francesca is one the best date night spots. From the hand written menu, to the always changing selection of food to order. Keeps me coming back for years. With most Italian restaurants making the same meals year after year... This is a fresh take on dinning draws you back for years to come. Over the past ten years, I have never come out of here unhappy. That is a lot to be said. They have always had a great helpful staff, which makes ordering a pleasure!
(4)Jason A.
I don't even know where to begin with this total disaster other than to tell you in one sentence to skip this place don't even waste your time. Normally I'm a critic of cheesy Chicago Italian restaurants, this place tries to bust that stigma by having several local locations and a rotating seasonable menu. Unfortunately the boring menu and horrendous execution lack in every possible way. First, we were seated up stairs in the midst of a rehearsal party, loud, couldn't walk, annoying. Several tables were seated at once and our server was slow to come to us after going to a table next to us twice. His utter incompetence continued to show through the rest of the meal. We asked for more bread it arrived 10 minutes later. The table side olive oil is nice as it has a touch of heat from chilis. Appetizers of prosciutto and asparagus and calamari were ok, if not a touch too small. I enjoyed the marinara sauce. Once entrees came this mess went even further downhill. 1 of 7 diners didn't receive his food. When he did after complaining, it was the wrong dish. Then we just said forget about it, then it came out anyway. What a waste of food. My skate wing was inedible. The spinach was so salty I thought I was at McDonald's. The fish looked like it was covered in puke and was also so salty a couple bites was all I could muster. No one at the restaurant asked why I inexplicably only had two bites. Hilariously the service was such a joke they brought the wrong food to other tables 3 times, just seemed totally lost. Management at least tried but at that point who cares. We got a free entrees and 4 free desserts. When I'm starving, free dessert doesn't cut it. Dinning wear looked like plastic plates from a cafeteria. Very strange. Horrendous experience I'll never be back.
(1)Chris H.
Italian restaurants fall into three buckets: 1) "fine" dining establishments where you fear the server might break into a French accent, 2) The Olive Garden and its ilk and 3) homey neighborhood joints with solid menus where the chef /owner doesn't take risks, but neither does he/she take credit cards. Mia Francesca is the ideal combination of #1 and #3 with nary a hint of #2. They absorbed our large-ish party of seven and timed the servings perfectly, kept our glasses full and still got us out the door before we could ruin any dates at adjacent tables. They're not "rustic" or even remotely chi-chi here, but they do rotate the menu and the specials were outstanding. It isn't quiet or romantic, but you will feel comfortable and you won't feel intimidated.
(4)Shane C.
I have been to all of the Francesca locations and this location, of course, met all the standards that the other locations had previously set. My girlfriend and I had a reservation here on Valentines Day and it was not hard to acquire as I had requested a table through Open Table, the app for smartphones which is amazing. We arrived a little early so they sent us up to a different level where there was a full bar and more dining space. Full bar? It was not stocked with what was on their menu. I wanted a Two Brothers and the bartender spent almost 10 minutes searching for one until he finally told me they were out. Not the biggest deal in the world but the knowledge upfront would have been nice. Our waitress failed to mention her name as well as offer us anything more to drink. That was a bit of a decline in service. Also, the busboys are sloppy. When they are refilling water at your table and around your table, there is water spilling everywhere and it was extremely annoying. I don't know if it was because the tables were so close together or it's a common occurrence. Same with cleaning tables and adding cheese to dishes. They don't realize that their careless, face-paced methods are effecting other people around them. It's the smaller things that many don't pay attention to that can really dissatisfy a customer. Anyways, I'm done complaining. The food was extraordinary. The carpaccio was fantastic. My girlfriend and I get it every chance we get. As for the main courses, my girlfriend ordered a artichoke ravioli and I ordered the 4 cheese pizza (which was shaped like a heart, how cute). My girlfriend said that the ravioli was good, and that was all she really said so I'm assuming it was just okay. I should have tried it. As for the pizza, it was pretty good. I would recommend it to those who REALLY LIKE CHEESE. I can't stress that enough. The pizza is so rich. Mozzarella, goat, gouda, and blue cheese. I'm sure you can imagine what that tastes like. Yes, you need to pace yourself because that bad boy is RICH. But it is good. So, 3 stars all around. Yes, the fact that the service was slower because of a holiday has been taken into consideration. There are other contributing facts that brought this place down in scale. Far from a 5 and somewhat close to a 4. Give this place a try but it's not a "go-to".
(3)Ana W.
I actually want to rant and rave about this place - went for my first time for Sunday brunch around noon with friends from out of town. We were asked if we wanted to sit outside, which I never say no to! The patio is great, it's closed off so it's cute and quiet. Inside of the restaurant, although I didn't spend much time in there, looked really nice, clean and organized. I ordered a bloody Mary (actually 2, but that's beside the point) and good lord, it was good! Perfect amount of spice, not too watery or vodka-y with lots of snacks in it, which I love. For my meal I got the eggs in a frame, which was toast with an egg on it that came with potatoes, bacon and sausage - all really delicious and just what I wanted. My friends all liked their food as well (none of us were able to finish, we were so full on bloody Mary snacks). Everything was reasonable price-wise; the drinks were five bucks a piece(!) and the average price for our meals was around 11 dollars; not bad for a relatively large portion. The staff was really great, a man who I believe was the owner or manager led us to our seats and checked back with us on how everything was once we finished. The only complaint I have is the constant filling of water. I appreciate it if my glass is almost empty, but filling it up every time I take a couple drinks is unnecessary. Other than that - fast, friendly service! I haven't been for dinner here, but I will definitely be back again for brunch.
(4)Christopher H.
I have been dining at Mia Francesca for 10+ years and have usually enjoyed it. The last three times, however, service has been very poor. The kitchen churns out food so fast and it's slung at you like in a diner -- on every visit, I've had entrees show up before I'm even done with a starter -- in one case, less than 5 minutes after the starter had been put down. The timing and air of service is wildly off, and the kitchen exhaust no longer seems to work -- I've left each time reeking of grease and cooking smell. I would say avoid for now, or try Francesca's on Bryn Mawr, which seems to still be OK.
(2)Alan K.
I really like the casual feel of this restaurant compared to the other location adjacent to the Hancock Tower. The menu is similar in style to the other location where their menu changes constantly so you never really have the same thing twice. It was a great for Sunday brunch where we imbibed on some fantastic $5 Bloody Mary's. I had the rigatoni with an assortment of vegetables. It was quite delicious with just the right portion size. Also, before our main dishes came out, we were given a nice warm loaf of bread. I believe that in front of this location, there was an option for valet parking available for $8.
(4)BF K.
Reliable Italian dinner- great place to go if you're looking for a delicious menu that switches up every week or so to keep things interesting. Small space, if you're planning to go in for dinner, better to make a reservation so you aren't disappointed if they're booked up (which it seems they usually are! they have a great following)- but making a same day reservation has always been pretty do-able for me. Tables in the downstairs area are pretty tight-knit and close together- if you can get upstairs for dinner, there seems like a bit more space to breath. Definitely worth a visit for a change of place in the Wrigleyville area!
(4)Kris R.
mia francesca holds a real special place in my heart. when i was about 14, my sister and i took my mom here for her birthday, which was the last time we'd celebrate with her. back then, i think this was the only location, and it was always packed. loud, bustling - but i was 14 and this was all fabulous, and i considered myself lucky for being there. consistency - it's been the same all these years (i will not age myself, as you may all i think i look younger than i am, thanks) and i can always count on a great italian dinner, no matter what. but most recently i came with a good friend, who desperately needed to carbo load for the marathon, and like a good sport, i'm always looking for an excuse to do so. it makes me feel like a good friend and a fat ass at the same time. a good, fat, friend. i ordered the rigatoni con scarola (but with fettucine) - sausage, cherry tomatoes, oregano, white beans, escarole, garlic + pine nuts in a light herb sauce. it was delicious and light. i was eating leftovers for like, a week - it seemed like an never-ending bowl. she ordered something similar, but without the sausage (i am always the less dainty one). again, another winner. this place is really no frills, straight-forward, straight-up italian food. nothing fancy, not gimmicky. if you don't know, they change their menu on the regular, so it never gets old, yet it always stays loyal and consistent.
(4)Lisa Z.
I'd been to a different Francesca location, but had heard the greatest things about this one! I went with a friend who, coincidentally, had been to the same location earlier that week. A mere 2 days earlier. I said we could go elsewhere, but she wanted to go again -- must be a good sign! First, we were asked if we wanted to sit upstairs. That worked, but it was kind of weird. Just seat us! We had a reservation (made on Open Table -- bonus points for restaurants where you can make a reservation on Open Table!). I had just made the 6:45 reservation earlier that day (around 4), so it was great. Not that crowded when we came, but crowded when we left. Surprisingly, we had no problem finding street parking either. When we were seated, my friend said that our waiter was the same waiter she'd had earlier that week. He didn't even give her crap when she ordered the same dish she'd ordered 2 nights ago! Must not have remembered. We skipped the appetizer because they served fresh warm bread, always a bonus. The only downside (though this would be a downside for lots of Italian spots) was they didn't have parmesan to put in the olive oil for bread dipping. That's my fave. I ordered a primavera pasta, chocked full of fresh veggies and a light tomato cream sauce. It was PERFECTION! I have been attempting to eat healthy lately, so this helped me feel that way (though I probably wasn't that healthy... who knows). It was such a big serving that I took home enough for another big meal of leftovers! Too bad I don't like leftovers. My friend ordered a rigatoni with braised pot roast, which was very good. But I liked mine better! Ordered a post meal latte and that was excellent too. No complaints about this place -- I will definitely be back.
(5)Andrea P.
Francesca's in Lakeview has great food, always large crowds (not first date appropriate, at least not the Lakeview location), a cozy feel, and just damn great prices. I wouldn't claim Francesca's as being the most authentic Italian in the city but their food is awesome and they have very wallet friendly prices. Their mussels in tomato sauce are so yummy! The sauce was so good that I sneakily added some into my non-tomato sauce pasta. Their wine selection is okay but nothing to be excited about. I can only speak for the Creme Brule when talking deserts but it was creamy, perfectly caramelized, and just the right size (okay, I like my things a bit bigger but hey, the longer the time I can spend with such a wonderfully crafted dessert, the better).
(4)Jessica V.
Let me start off by saying, I LOVE Italian food. I was brought up on it, and I'd have to say, it's probably my favorite type of food to eat, make, etc. My boyfriend and I had been trying to find a good, solid Italian restaurant since we moved here and we had been talking about going to Mia Francesca FOREVER. We always would have intentions on going and either ordered in or opted for something closer to home. We FINALLY made it this weekend. Such a let down. We made reservations on OpenTable for Friday night at 830. We got there on time and the place was jam packed with people. We ended up having to wait about 20 minutes until we were seated, and ended up being seated in the "coach house". At first we thought it was actually better than being in the main dining room because it was much quieter, except that we were seated right in front of the door so everytime anyone came in or out it was freezing! As soon as we sat down we ordered a bottle of wine. We looked over the menu and opted for the stuffed pepper appetizer. The service was going well at this point, however about 10 minutes passed after the appetizer order was placed and still no wine. Then the appetizer came, we ate it. It was pretty good, a little too oily, but good nonetheless, but still no wine. We ordered our entrees....and still... no wine. Finally my boyfriend went to the bar and asked the waiter what the deal was with the wine, and he gave him some explanation about having to get the wine from the main restaurant. Really? 30 minutes to get a bottle of wine??? Anyway, the entrees came... I got the tilapia and my boyfriend got the rigatoni with sausage. My entree... Was okay. The brown butter sauce and balsamic glaze combined had this strange taste, almost like breakfast syrup. It was kind of unappealing. The portion of fish was massive, with a few scattered artichoke heart pieces and tomatoes. I felt it was odd that there was no starch with it, but that wasn't a deal breaker. My boyfriend's entree was about a pound of rigatoni swimming in about a half gallon of milk. It was the runniest cheese sauce I had ever seen and it had no taste to it whatsoever. All and all it was a bit of a disappointment. Mediocre Italian at a pretty hefty pricetag. We will no be back
(2)steve l.
solid.
(4)Sean C.
I've loved this place for years. Before I even moved to Chicago, my Dad and I would always go here to eat. Now, it's become my go-to Italian restaurant - PERFECT for a date. They support the Open Table reservation system, which works like a gem - on this note, when they make a reservation for you, they hold it for you. Absolutely no waiting. This is a HUGE +1 for them - they keep their word. Firstly, the place is well laid out. Their primary dining area is a little tight and loud (some may find this a negative), but that's all the fun of it. I actually enjoy being around so many people, laughing, and enjoying themselves. It has a great, well-lit vibe. If you're looking for moody and quiet, this isn't the place. The staff has always been so friendly and never stressed - which could play into poor service. Food comes relatively fast, as expected, water / wine is filled quickly, and they're always considerate of your experience. Overall the food is great. I don't think I've ever ordered something that I didn't like - I always take leftovers. The menu itself is limited - probably 6-10 items per section, but who needs extreme quantities of options? They have everything, your taste may want. FYI, the tiramisu is phenom. In the summer the also have a patio area in the back. This is my one gripe. I once took a date here who crashed onto her knees because she tripped and fell down the almost unnoticeable steps leading out to the patio. Gotta have that fixed or otherwise make them more apparent. They're so small and short that one wouldn't even call them stairs or steps. They also have a secondary, upstairs dining area, but it doesn't take away from the experience and doesn't feel like you'd be sitting in some "economy class" dining room, to put it in perspective. Top notch place, not overly expensive, but just right and the food will always please.
(5)J W.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a Sunday night, it was our first time and we were not disappointed! There are a lot of Italian restaurants in Lakeview, and I would say Mia Francesca is up to par with the others I've visited. Like most Italian restaurants in the area- Mia Francesca is small, moderately lit, and has some traditional and creative offerings on the menu. Yes you will be sitting nearby another diner, and you will probably hear some of their conversation, if that's not what you're in the mood for then hike on over to Olive Garden, because this is Chicago and space is limited. Olive oil has flakes of basil marinating inside, it pairs nicely with their warm bread and parmesan. We shared the Bocconcini de Mozzarella which was delish! The mozzarella was so fresh and the peppers added a nice taste, it was very light and clean. I had their Valentine's Day special with seabass and vegetables, it was a perfect piece of fish and the vegetables were crunchy and perfectly sauced. The seabass was lightly fried on the outside, so those bites were a bit oily which I didn't prefer. My boyfriend had the filet with mushrooms and spinach, we had to send it back because it was a little undercooked, but once they got the temperature correct it was so good! Our server Meredith was so sweet, she checked in on us appropriately and made fantastic wine pairing recommendations. She was honest with our inquiries about food taste and popularity, I am pleased she steered me in a good direction for my meal. We would go back, Mia Francesca will go into our rotation of Italian dinner spots for sure!
(4)Flo J.
You are delicious and your staff amazing! I went here with my sister and mom a year ago and they offered us a round of champange and a dessert on the house just because we had to wait a little while for a table. Now THAT is service! The food was awesome too,
(4)Erica K.
I had really delicious pork chops here for a friend's b-day. That was about a year ago now, and I have heard a lot of people talking about Mia Francesca. Many of their comments are negative: too loud, crowded, bad atmosphere, expensive. Now, it has been a while for me, but I don't remember having any of these issues. We made a reservation for a Friday night, were seated right away, all enjoyed our food, and I didn't notice excessive noise at all. And they brought a special individual portion of our dessert with a candle in it for the b-day girl. So in short, I can't support the negative things I've been hearing, but you might want a reservation on a busy night.
(4)Alisonbzz z.
A warm, friendly place perfect for a private function, a date or even take out. A real find. This place is busy, even on a Monday night, and I see why. It has wonderful family vibe (without the family bickering). The food is really good, and although I find the portions - especially the desserts - WAAAY too big, I know lots of folks like that. I'd recommend trying their margarita made with honey. An unexpected ingredient that creates a great flavor. The service is also on point; from the bartender to the bus boys, everyone worked to make our event in their private room a success. They have a few wonderful private dining rooms for special events. The Coach House has real character but with some creative table arranging and candles, the larger space can be transformed into something special too. This second space is large and has its own private entrance so that's pretty cool. Dining room can get loud, especially when it's full (as it was when I was there). They can do family style meals upon request and their wine list is Italian. Look forward to going back.
(4)amy h.
Hadn't been in over a year. Same great food, service, and time had by all. I had the biggest bowl of linguine and seafood you've ever seen. Had a delicious glass of red wine recommended by the server. There isn't another Italian place in town that can rival Mia's.
(5)June P.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago and every friend that I have recommended it to has agreed. My first time was 3 years ago when a couple college friends who came visited Chicago made reservations to meet up with my wife and me because they had heard Vince V. and Jennifer A. had recently dined there. I've gone 2 times since and each time is equally impressive. I recommend the spicy spaghetti dish with seafood. I've tried their other dishes and they're great too. They have a decent selection of wine and local beers and above average dessert. The decor is respectable and service has always been superb, even with a party of 12. Reservations are a highly recommended. Mia Francesca is a fun and consistent place whether on a date or a group of friends with great Italian cuisine. ***** FIVE STARS
(5)Garrett A.
You really can't get better than this! One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Their bread is delicious, and the pasta is always good, especially if their homemade gnocci is on the menu. The only detraction from this place may be the fact that their tables seem to be too close together and give the feeling that you're packed in like sardines -- also makes the servers flub up more easily with water and drinks.
(4)L. A.
Mia Francesca is a favorite of my Fiance's and now it's a favorite of mine. Wow had I been "slumming it" at Italian restaurants until coming here. The food, the atmosphere,... the food!!! There was an alfredo type cream sauce on my dish that was soo good, I wanted to lick the bowl. Anyway, From appetizers... to salad ... to entree... to wine... to dessert... Mia Francesca is top-notch in my opinion!
(5)Dean K.
In the past 12 or so years, I have probably been here more than any other single restaurant in Lakeview and I have never, ever been disappointed. Bread and herbed oil to start - so good. Then, whatever. The lentils with cheese, calamari, CARPACCIO, pizza. I love it all. My favorite dish is called Salmon a la Francesca. They sometimes don't have it on the menu but if you ask, they'll usually make it. They don't even get annoyed when you ask. When there is room, I go for pistachio or white chocolate gelato. My only caveat is this. When they opened up the 2nd floor dining room years ago, the place started to attract a lot of drunken post-game Cubs fans. So, if you go there on a game day and they seat you upstairs, buckle up for some loud people in Sosa jerseys asking the waitress for "the closhesst you have to a Budwiiisser."
(5)Eric G.
I had a nice meal here on Wednesday night. There were no appetizers that caught my eye, however there were many entrees that looked good. I went with the quattro formaggi ravioli in a vodka creme sauce. It was delicious! The menu was handwritten and changes frequently. By 730PM, this place was packed and LOUD. I want to sit outside when I return in the future.
(4)Dustin C.
Great food, reasonable pricing, and nice atmosphere. Not much more you can ask for.
(5)Angie C.
Was very disappointed with this place. We're looking for a private luncheon spot so we wanted to sample the menu. We came in for a late lunch on Sunday afternoon. We were one of 3 groups at the entire place, and the service was horribly slow. No customers; slow service? Wasn't a fan. We hoped the food would make up for it but we were not impressed. We ordered fried calamari to start and it was awful - the oil tasted like it had been reused and old. Bad flavor. I tried the fish special with sauteed veggies which was good, but nothing special. My friends got pizzas and the crust tasted off...definitely not freshly made. Overall just not impressed at all with this place. Wouldn't come back.
(2)Johnny B.
Wow, do they pack 'em in in the dining room here. Squeezing into my bench seat, I thought for sure I would knock over our neighbors' wine/olive oil/etc with my ass. Luckily the table next to ours went unscathed (save the potential loss of appetite from their table's near brush with my rear). Despite, the seating, which made for a very loud dining room, we had a wonderful experience (something I've come to expect from the Francesca restaurants). Our server was excellent - he was knowledgeable (with wine and the menu), attentive, and a great help in making our choices. Our pizza and salad were very good, but the pasta was out of this world. It was a linguine with a fresh garlic and tomato sauce that was more like salsa-with-broth in consistency than a red sauce. They apparently only make it in the summer when they can get super fresh tomatoes. Sweet Jesus, it was fantastic. I'll have to return before the end of summer, so I don't have to wait another year for this amazing dish.
(5)Ken L.
Had dinner there on 11/16/10 for the first time in a couple years. Not the best experience. Service was mediocre at best. Food below average. Had steamed mussel appetizer that was almost inedible, almost like they weren't cooked, if that was possible. Salad of pancetta and lots of ricotta was ok. All in all, not sure why people like this place.
(2)Vickie L.
LOVE this place. Mia Francesca can do no wrong. What a beeotch, I probably gained 2 lbs after my meal here. No matter which location I've been to, food and service (typically) is stellar. We made 7pm reservations on a Friday night, and we were going to be late because we couldn't catch the purple or brown lines to save our life! So I called at 6:50pm hoping they'd be able to push us back to 7:30, and they did! The guy at the host stand was so super nice about it, I was completely surprised since it's Francesca's and they are always packed (but I guess it was still early for a Friday). So we get there at 7:30pm and they seat us right away and bring us water and menus. And yummy fresh warm bread - love the oil and herbs! They actually forgot to bring us the calamari we ordered, but they didn't charge us for it so I guess they forgot about it entirely. Oh well. Our entrees came out really quickly. One girl got the risotto dinner portion. It had too many veggies for my taste, but she loved it and said it was awesome. I don't know the name, but another friend and I both ordered the shell pasta with prosciutto, peas and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce. I've had this before, and it was exactly the same as I remembered. The sauce is to die for, it was a wonderful mix of flavors, the perfect proportion of pasta to meat/veggies. Our other friend got the white fish and she said it was also very good, it looked huge, it covered the whole plate. All of us ate every single last bite. Too bad we ate all our bread, because I wanted to sop up every last bit of sauce. We got 2 desserts to share between the 4 of us. We got the puff pastry with apple and caramel ice cream on top. This dessert was really good, but it was really hard to split because the puff pastry was difficult to cut. So I didn't get to enjoy this dessert as much because it was on the other side of the table - boo. We also got this cappuccino mousse that was shaped in a ball, and covered in this chocolate magic shell with whipped cream and hazelnuts. It was really good, but a little too rich. It would have been awesome with coffee though, which we didn't get. Our bill came out to be about $22/person after tax, but not including tip. This was a steal for as much as we enjoyed the food. Service - our waiter was really nice, pretty attentive, but we did have to flag him down a few times, but not because we were waiting all that long, but because we were impatient and had to catch a show. Water glasses were filled regularly. They brought our food and desserts out a lot quicker than I thought they would since it was so busy. One con that I can mention is that this place is frickin' LOUD. We were sitting right by the door, at a small table for 4, and we had to yell at the person across the table from us. I could barely hear what my friend sitting right next to me was saying! I can only imagine how loud it is in the back of the restaurant where there were more people. So I would say this is definitely a place for a small to medium sized group. It's also a good first date night with someone you're on the fence with, because it's so loud, if the date isn't going so well you can just blame it on the noise that you can't converse :)
(5)Maggie G.
Wow, I definitely can now see what all the hype is about! Fun, romantic, and cute atmosphere - very attentive waiting staff and amazing food! Cooked perfectly al dente! Menu changes weekly so there is always something new to try, love it!
(5)Jeffrey S.
My meal could have been a bit better seasoned. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)Adam K.
Mia Francesca was a great little Italian place. It was recommended to me by THIS site and my friend who lives nearby. Upon arrival my date and I were seated immediately...and by immediately, I mean we never stopped moving until we got to our seat. Our server was very attentive but not annoyingly so. I ordered the Halibut dish and I believe my date had the Salmon dish which she claimed to like very much. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. It wasn't too quiet and it wasn't too loud. Some might even say it was perfect! I noticed that some people complained about the service of this restaurant...I do not understand why. I would say the service we received was impeccable! The only reason I do not give Mia 5 stars is because I usually have to visit a restaurant more than once to give it that distinction OR my whole experience must knock my friggin socks off! Mia was great but not "this is the best meal I've ever had" great. I definitely recommend Mia Francesca to anyone seeking Italian food for dinner in the Lakeview area.
(4)Michael H.
It's wildly popular and has lots of reviews. But it's cute and the food is actually really good.
(4)Liz P.
I absolutely love this place. One of my favorite Italian restaurant so far. The wine was poured generously, the bread was super hot, the olive oil infused with basil. Shell pasta+ Parmesan cream sauce+ prosciutto +truffle oil=pure food bliss. Our server was awesome, very friendly and helpful, and the decor/ambiance were great. This would be an awesome spot for a first date because it's freaking AMAZING and really well priced.
(5)Hallie B.
I have heard great things about this place and was going to a friend's house not far from there, so I figured this would be perfect. It was pretty much what I expected... It was pretty small, but we got there with three around 6:15 on a Tuesday (Cubs game day) and were seated right away. I was surprised at how small the menu was... I had no problem finding something delicious, but I just expected more to choose from! It was quick and inexpensive and delicious... can't beat that. I'll definitely go back.
(4)Rebekka L.
Mia Francesca's has mouth-watering itialian food, from thier lobster bisque to thier over-roasted chicken and everything in between! Although the seating was a little tight, it makes for a delicate intimate atmosphere. The service in Lakeview was not as delightful as I would have liked but the food made up for it. :) Definately recommend this place!
(4)Rick M.
Always good!
(4)John G.
A great place you can go to again and again!
(5)Michael S.
The food here was excellent, and the service was above average. I had a rigatoni dish with Italian sausage and goat cheese in a tomato cream sauce. Delish! And while it's perhaps a standard-bordering-on-cliche at any self-respecting Italian joint, the warm bread served before dinner with olive oil and freshly-grated parmesan was nonetheless fantastic, as well. I couldn't believe how packed it was on a weeknight, and the flow of paying customers didn't ebb until late in the evening. In quasi-celebrity spotting news, Cubs announcer (and 2001 World Series champion manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, for you baseball fans) Bob Brenly was dining there when I arrived, after the ballgame that afternoon. And yes, he brought his full-on porn 'stache and slicked-back mini-mullet with him! My only gripe about the place is how loud it was, and how closely packed together the tables were. But I suppose those are problems you run into at any Chicago neighborhood restaurant that's tucked into a long-and-narrow brick flat. All in all, a pleasant dining experience. I'd go back, but I'd definitely make a reservation first to avoid having to wait, even on a weeknight.
(4)Eric S.
I love Mia! It's frequently modified menu (about every two weeks), and it's excellently prepared pastas and entrees. An excellent waitstaff and all of this for a reasonable price.... I don't know what else to tell you except, go soon, and return often!
(5)Marco H.
hands down the best italian in Chicago. Excellent selection of wines. Prosciutto app is great. Calamari app just OK. order anything with the bolonese sauce. Lava torta for dessert a must.
(4)Timothy W.
I had Friday night reservations for 3 at 9:00 pm which I made 2 weeks in advance - I heard this place was great and one of my friends visiting for the weekend said she wanted good Italian... We had to wait for 30 minutes in a cramped doorway. When we were seating, we had a table in the back corner closest to the curtain that hides the restrooms. The food was not anything great, but perhaps I ordered the wrong dish. I will try to come back once more beause I know it's highly recommended. Funghi Con Polenta Rigatoni Asparagi Con Ricotta Linguine Con Broccoli $50
(2)Careth T.
Very close dining space, but the perfect fit for somewhere to take the in-laws for dinner when they were in town. Lovely italian fare, with generous portions and great specials. I love the idea of the menu changing every few months. Our waiter was nice, but I saw more of the backwaiter staff than I did of our actual staff. I hope that they get a good portion of the tip. The food was scrumptious and the whole experience would bring me back again.
(4)Andrea C.
mia francesca is pretty darn good. i really enjoyed francescas forno for brunch over in wicker park, so was excited to try another restaurant in their group. ended up here last night w/my aunt and roommate and we had a great time! had no trouble walking right in at about 6:30 (though it does look to get quite crowded around 8 or 9) and picked a wine right away, a red on special...and very tasty...we wound up having 2 bottles! the staff is very helpful with wine choices, since most are from italy, so likely somewhat unfamiliar. when it came down to ordering...i got a caprese salad and the 4 cheese pizza (very unique cheeses, btw...which was nice. bleu cheese, goat cheese, mozzerella and one other i cannot remember), my roommate got a caprese sandwich and the mussells and my aunt got the house salad and the roasted half chicken...and all of us walked away stuffed and satisfied. all of the ingredients were extremely fresh (esp the mozzerella & tomatos in the caprese salads) and everything else was just great! i hope to visit again when the craving for italian food strikes!
(4)danielle r.
Yes! Yes! been going there for the last 6 years! ahhh Mia Mia ,every time i come in, you always make me feel welcome,your food is amazing, staff is so friendly everyone just works together so well! love it here! even tho you get so crowded,still love ,love you anyways Mia Francesca,please continue to stay so awesome:))))
(5)Paul B.
We love it som much the first time we ended up having our rehearsal dinner there. The food is always great yet we realized that the best experience is had upstairs our out back. The main floor is very noisy and if you get seated near the back you are bound to get continuously bumped by the wait staff. If you can get the squash ravioli, chances are you'll be very satisfied.
(4)Eugenio P.
This place is excellent. The food is beyond delicious, probably the best Italian food I've had in my life.
(5)Meagan S.
Slightly better then ok (so maybe 3.5 stars). Everyone raves about this restaurant, so I must have expected something way above the norm. I visited this restaurant on a Saturday night for a girls night out. The restaurant was of course packed and there is very little room between the tables, but the service was great and the food was served quickly. Our waiter even recommended a different glass of wine when I chose one that he thought was sub par. I had mushroom ravioli for dinner, which was good, but not excellent. I have heard that the restaurant change their menu often, so I will have to give this restaurant a second chance in the future.
(3)Kevin A.
CONFESSION: I ATE CARBS Yes, I admit it. I ate carbs for Mia Francesca, and damn it was worth it. When my giant bowl of spaghetti abruzzese arrived, teaming with sausage and pancetta, it was 'so long' Atkins. I must admit that I was a bit concerned when I found out that the Mia Francesca empire includes 15 locations in Chicago-land. Would this be some sort of Olive Garden/Bucca di Beppo high-on-quantity-low-on-taste experience? Not at all. Mia won me over from start to finish with fresh, piping hot bread, attentive service, a great wine recommendation, a menu that changes weekly, and most importantly excellent food. I'm hitting the treadmill now to earn my next visit!
(5)Leslie P.
I gave Mia Francesca a second chance last night, and I'm glad I did. I've been there before and left feeling like, "Meh...I've had better." That was due in part to the place being really overcrowded and the waitstaff seeming overwhelmed. I don't know if we came at a better time last night, but the place seemed busy without feeling claustrophobic. (I really think they might have taken out a table which was a great idea.) Everyone was having a great time including the wait staff, and our food seemed better, too. Also, I've recently realized that I have a gluten intolerance. (It's so trendy now!) Who knew that an Italian restaurant would cater to a gluten sensitivity? Not only did our waiter point out items on the regular menu that were gluten-free, he also brought over Mia Francesca's special gluten-free menu. He was super nice about it. I'm not sure I would be as understanding about people's weird food issues, but he was genuinely happy to help. What a great surprise. Mia Francesca is certainly not the most amazing restaurant in town in terms of innovation or fanciness, but they serve good food and provide excellent service. Oh, and the booze is might good, too!
(4)jeff c.
Probably some of the best grilled calamari and carpaccio I've ever had. House chianti was fantastic and the olive oil and parmesan were served in abundance. Only negative is tables are placed very close to one another and the place is always packed so don't plan on any private conversations.
(4)Stephanie F.
We went last night [Friday], and it was a pleasant experience--as always. Service is always top-notch, and the food was excellent. Though I will agree with others, it can be (and was) quite loud. But I'll take a little noise if it means enjoying their food. I'll definitely be back again...and again...and again.
(5)Megan H.
Yay! Even though it took me 8 years to make it to this place, I"m so glad that I finally did. I came here with a large group and they were so accomodating. They were about 30 minutes late seating us which wasn't a problem since a few of our party were about 30 minutes late. They ushered back through the restaurant through the courtyard and into a small backroom that only had one unsuspecting couple finishing up their meal. Lucky for them they were leaving soon as we were quite the boisterous crowd. To make up for seating us late, they sent out some comped appetizers that were delicious. My friend and I split the pasta with mussels and the mushroom and cheese stuffed pasta with mushroom sauce. I think we agreed that the sauce on the mushroom dish was amazing but the pasta itself wasn't. Not that it was bad but it was just eh. However, the mussels and the spicy marinara sauce was so good. I ended up taking home the leftovers of both along with my friend's dish and ate for a few more days. The only thing that concerned me was the oil that set up in my leftovers that you know is there but you don't want to see. Then you have the dilemna of whether you should pour it out or mix it back in when you reheat it. The service was fantastic throughout the entire meal. All in all, it was a great experience and I will definitely be back.
(4)Fabian D.
great time. great service. great drinks. a little loud. but overall great.
(4)David N.
Yum!! Italian food! Delicious pasta and wonderful bread with olive oil. I came here on a date this past weekend, I have never been to this place before. We walked in and had no reservations, so that was a mistake. Very crowded and there was an hour wait. So what I thought was just one main dining area, we actually walked to the back, out to an outdoor seating area, then into another section of the restaurant that had a bar and smaller dining area. We ordered our dinner at the bar, and ate there. We ordered a bottle of red wine, which was delicious. I ordered this delicious pasta dish that had a tomato base sauce.....incredible! The spices and flavors in this sauce were so good. Since we were at the bar, the bartender waited on us and was very friendly and attentive. This place is worth checking out! But make sure you make a reservation! It gets crowded.
(4)Kista W.
Amazing pasta. Just go. It gets crowded. Make reservations and talk loud!
(5)Anthony B.
I don't have any complaints about the service. It wasn't the best service in the world, and it certainly wasn't the worst service I ever had. One complaint I have is the noise. The place gets overly packed with people we couldn't even have a conversation during dinner it was so loud. I took my parents here when they were in town for the weekend. This was a Saturday night around 630pm. There was a mob of people outside waiting for seats and inside that stood in the waiting area and and hovered over our table so we felt somewhat rushed. If you're looking for a quaint, quiet place to take a date, this definitely isn't the place. As far as the food, I am a full bled Italian, and grew up eating in Mom and Pop style restaurants in NY. The food was definitely better than The Olive Garden, but wasn't spectacular like I am reading these reviews that have said. We ordered three entrees and an appetizer to get a full take on the menu. The calamari was decent, and the dinner entrees were above average at best. I didn't walk out of there feeling disappointed, nor impressed. I have definitely had better Italian food in the past, and environment is key - and this was too loud and crowded place for me to truly enjoy it. But if you're looking for a decent Italian meal this is your place.
(3)Jonathan K.
My host described this as "arguably the best Italian food in Chicago.". We got the price fixe menu. The short of it: It wasn't, it was mediocre at best. It wasn't bad, mind you. It was just wasn't that great, and if you do "conventional" Italian you've got tons of competition. You can tell a lot about Italian restaurants from the quality of the bread and the quality of the olive oil and canned tomatoes. None of these was above average so all the food tasted blah. If it were cheaper it would be okay but they charge a lot for medium food. I see they have variations of this restaurant all over Chicago. Did it used to be better?
(3)Eme L.
What a perfect meal. This is pretty much as good as it gets. Great service (on a holiday night to boot), lovely space, and superb food. We had: seafood linguine - each component was impeccably fresh and the pasta was perfectly cooked. Also ordered the rigatoni w/ sausage and peas - so good that the husband ate the entire bowl (with my help, of course.) To top it off, we shared the tiramisu dessert. Confession: I am usually not a fan. The alcohol used to soak the ladyfingers or sponge cake is usually too "sharp" and the coffee flavor too strong. The one here? So perfect that I had my spoon in the bowl until the last bite. Even the iced tea was good! This place is certainly on my list of favorite neighborhood restaurants - can't wait for a return visit!
(5)Nick B.
Love the Italian food here. I pulled back a star only 'cause this location is too small and its a pain in the *ss sometimes to find parking/reservation (i live six blocks away from this location, so i'm in a "no man's land" where it is kind of a waste of $$$ to take a cab but inconvenient to drive and look for parking). Anyway, the food is five stars.
(4)Kaase K.
Divine! Absoultely wonderful Italian food. The downfall is that its a very tiny restaurant... the tables are too close together and it is VERY LOUD. If you're looking for a nice, quaint place to dine, this is not the place. The food is outstanding and they have a great selection of beverages, but it is simply TOO loud. The service is hit or miss. Sometimes, we have great service, other times, not as great... depends on how busy they are. Regardless, if yo'ure looking for GOOD Italian food, Mia Francesca's is your place-- BUT don't go on a Cubs game night!
(4)Yoshi Y.
this place is pricy but not too pricy compared to other fancy italian restaurants, but is definitely worth the price. carpaccio is my favorite dish, i always order this for my appetizer. i also like cream based pasta dish, as it gives very delicate and complexed taste. the atmosphere is nice, it is kinda noisy, which reminds me of local restaurants in italian cities. if i want to eat good italian food that is worth for its price, i always pick here!
(5)Bridget L.
I just love this place. It is one of my favorities. It's small and exciting and the food is delicious. The portions are big and the prices are very reasonable. I always get great service too. They will customize dishes for you, which is great if you have certain dietary concerns or requests. Obviously there's usually a wait, but it's worth it! Try it out!
(5)Olivia B.
Best Italian restaurant in the city!
(5)Corrie N.
My husband and I love this place. The food is consistently good and the service has been fab. The only thing holding me back from giving it five starts is the wine selection. The last time we went there, the first glass we got was corked, the second of the same wine was off, and so we asked for something else, which they graciously gave us on the house, so A+ for service. Additionally on my birthday, our server brought me tiramisu with a candle in it. And I don't like tiramisu, but I gotta say this was amazing. My husband and I practically licked the bowl. So, my advice to you is to bring your own wine and eat a bunch of food, 'cause it is tasty!
(4)Chad T.
Went out for a late meal after a night of clubbin, expecting a nice quiet meal. This was my first, and last meal to be had here. My friends and I ordered orecchiette, an individual pizza and spaghetti with clams and mussels. Both bowls of orecchiette were undercooked to the point of being crunchy inside. They were replaced, one made with orecchiette as before and the other made with spaghetti. The spaghetti was as undercooked as the first dish, and the replaced orecchiette bowl was just barely cooked enough to be edible, but now came out being terribly over-salted. So much so that it made the roof of my mouth tender! Instead of comping the entrees in question, they gave a pitiful discount that didn't even cover the cost of the tip. Additionally, aside from the food, the restaurant is small, the wait staff seemingly unhappy and omg...it could not have been any louder in there! In the words of my friend...never again.
(1)Lauren P.
cute little italian place on clark. went here for my birthday and had a wonderful time. we showed up for our reservations and were promptly seated by the windows - it got a little chilly after awhile, but that's really the only bad thing i have to say about the experience. i didn't notice the restaurant being too loud or too quiet, or the service being too pushy or not attentive enough. everything seemed to be just right. our food was very good, and tasted freshly made. i love that the menu is handwritten every two weeks; not only does the menu change throughout the year, but it's a nice little touch. word on the street is it's jennifer aniston's favorite restaurant in chicago.
(4)Mike D.
Went last night for the first time with a date, called the day before to make reservations and when we got there we were greeted by a kind host who took our coats and and seated us ASAP. The restaurant was slam packed, full to capacity. The server was great and attentive, the food was fantastic, as an Italian who grew up on grandma's homemade Pasta, this was great. The menu changes every week or so, so it is good to point out that menus you find online may not match. I do need to mention that the restaurant is small so if you can request seating against the wall you will have a better time. All the tables are right on top of each other which adds to the character of the restaurant. Everyone I saw was enjoying themselves except for the uppity snot nose table behind us who had issues with the poor bus boy bumping one of their chairs. I looked the idiot was seated way out of the table he refused to push his seat in, so he deserved it. I recommend it and will definitely go back
(4)Jackie P.
Very, very yummy! I was so impressed with the food and atmosphere. I was afraid it would be a stuffy uptight place but I was definitely proven wrong. The only reason that this place isn't getting 5 stars is because the waiter was a really slow and kind of rude at first but lightened up after a bit! The food was amazing and the drinks were delicious. I took my mom and sister here and both are use to the Olive Garden type Italian food. Needless to say I don't think the Olive Garden is going to cut it for them anymore! The pasta was delicious, the pizza was yummy and the calimari was too die for! I will be back!
(4)Mai T.
What can I say....We spent a wonderful Girls' Night Out with great dinner plans. A girlfriend of mine researched this place on none other than YELP and she decided to have dinner here with us all. Though we made reservations, we still had to wait when we arrived (typical of many restaurants nowadays). The entry way is literally at the door, so as you entry, you're already in the doorway for people to get in and out. I was quite weary when I had entered. Once we sat down, I noticed the tables were very tight. Then again, we did go here on a Saturday evening, and anywhere in the city at that time would be packed no matter if they are a bigger chain restaurant. Anyhow, we took one look at the menu and decided to order "family style" where we would all share the dishes instead of having one all to ourselves. We could have have been anymore right in that choice. Man-O-Man, when the waiter came to our tablet o serve our meals, we looked at them with BIG EYES, as if they were popping out! These dishes are enormous. There is no way (unless you are capable) to finish a dish per person. Appetizer - Mussels, Spicy Tomato Sauce: WOW. I can't eat spicy and I devoured this thing. We attacked it like we've never had mussels before. The sauce was fabulous, and the mussels...you sure get your moneys worth. There was so much flavor in each individual mussel that you could NOT go wrong on which ever one you chose. We ended up sipping on the sauce buy scooping it up with the mussel shells (shhh, can you tell we're heifers?! :)) Meals - ALL 3 were FABULOUSLY TASTING!!! I can go into specific details, but words can't explain the magnificent taste you get. 1. Pollo Arrosto alla Romana 2. Salmone ala Fresca 3. Linguine al Sugo di Gamberi We were so full that we were all disappointed that we weren't able to try their dessert. :( We are definitely coming back to try new items on their menu as it seems to change often (possibly due to what is available in the markets) The staff is great as well. They are so considerate. Granted the place was already small, but they were VERy careful in where they stood and how they got by from table to table. Each person was so nice! Though we sat near the entry, the hostess and bartenders would continuously give us a generous smile to not make it awkward that we were sitting so close (i felt less uncomfortable) This is my favorite little restaurant in the city for sure.
(5)Kathleen O.
This is one of my all time favorite places for dinner. GREAT ambiance and the service is always good. They also have a cute outdoor back patio and a separate coach house. Been here tons of times and I would give this 5 stars, excpet last night the food was just OK...The pasta selection was not the usual and we all were just ok with our food. The bruchetta with arugula is one of my favorites and that was delicious, as always. The waiter also did a nice job of recommending a nice bottle of red that we all enjoyed. I will be back again!
(4)J K.
The only thing Italian about this place is the name. THe Mexican cooks did the best they could with lousy ingredients. The lasagna was watery and tasteless . The salad was yesterday's lettuce. But, if you have no interest in hearing your wife or friend talk then it's perfect, the acoustics are designed to guarantee. O one can hear a thing in this overcrowded spot
(1)Matt O.
Quite possibly the best Italian food in Chicago. Reasonalble prices, friendly staff and tasty original dishes. No chicken parm served with french fries like some other fake Italian restaurants. In fact they don't even serve chicken parm, they come up with more original dishes that will blow you away and have you coming back for more..even if it means waiting an hour for a table! It's so worth it. Try to make reservations, because they do get busy. Without reservations you will wait so if you show up without reservations and don't have the patience to wait for your table, go down the street and settle for mediocrity at Leona's or Chicago Pizza. You can surly be seated right away at those lovely establishments.
(5)Shannon H.
This was REALLY good. I wish there were a few more vegetarian options, but the ones they had were really good! The dessert was phenomenal, I highly recommend the lava cake. Our waiter was awesome and clearly loved his job (or the bartender) because he kept dancing at the bar. Very fun vibe.
(4)Rohit A.
food so so service evil
(2)Joanna R.
My food was great, it was a chicken with prosciutto and a pasta with a garlic sause. My girlfriend's pasta dumplings in pesto was a bit overcooked and needed more flavor. I was expecting a more romantic ambiance from the reviews, but it was really loud and not romantic at all. The waiter was very attentive which was good and gave us a complimentary desert and liquor drink for my girlfriend's birthday which was very nice.
(4)Pandora P.
Yes, I know sometimes you don't want to wait for a table but... seriously, you want to wait for a table at this place the food is great! Atmosphere in the garden, coach house or upstairs is wonderful - the main dining room is loud and cramped though. I will put up with anything for the asparagus and blue cheese salad which is a staple on their menu! Everything I have tried is excellent. Mia Francesca is my birthday dinner choice every year! (Occasionally, Mia Francesca offers gift certificates via The Loop WLUP radio station "half-price deals", check their website before you go or better yet, sign up for their email updates.)
(4)Annie T.
I'm one of those creepy celebrity stalker people. It's time I fess up. Hearing that Mia Francesca was Vince Vaughan's all-time favorite Chicago restaurant intrigued me to take on the experience myself. The best Italian in Chicago-- hands down! We went to Mia Francesca to celebrate my friend's birthday and dined like kings. Everything contributed to our flawless dining experience-- the service, our meals from appetizer to dessert, atmosphere and restaurant decor. We started with Bruschette Alla Romana and Bruschette Tre Formaggi. The mozzarella was so fresh. I felt like I had just ordered from my favorite tabbachi in Paderno del Grappa. The entree portions were generous-- we passed our dishes around the table to share. The sauces are flavorful and creamy but not too heavy. The spicy sausage transformed my dish from good to incredible. The fish (tilapia and salmon) were delectable. The menu changes DAILY at Mia Francesca so you can dine here frequently and never experience monotony! Now as for the grand finale... **drum roll** DESSERT!!!! We ordered the majority of the menu and our favorites came down to the Banana Bread Pudding and Tiramisu. We were left in a state of euphoria and stuffed to the brim!
(5)Kelli B.
This place NEVER disappoints. It's one of our "go to" places when we don't want to try somewhere new. So we "went to" Mia Francesca for Valentine's Day. Yeah, we should know better than to go out for Valentine's Day, it's always a mad house. However, we were able to get reservations and only waited a short time upon entering. They had many delicious "Valentine's Day Specials" which we took advantage of, one being white chocolate ice cream...Yuuuuummm!! Despite how busy they were the service was excellent as always. Mia Francesca is most definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Until next time....
(5)Scott B.
Great food at very reasonable prices. Seasonal menu changes but there is always something amazing for everyone. The sauces are perfect and the meats cooked well. Try the bruchetta of the day as they always have some amazing flavors they put together. The dining room gets loud but fun and the patio is perfect when the weather is nice.
(4)Jacqueline K.
Pretty decent. Good caprese salad, great (and hot) bread. Vegetarian pasta options were limited but decent. Overall, the food was acceptable - though a little heavy on the garlic. Great outdoor patio. Service was good - almost too good - the check was placed in front of me before I even took a sip of my coffee, if you know what I mean. If you happen to be in the area and are looking for Italian food, I would recommend this. Probably not worth a special trip.
(3)Mike B.
Took my parents here when they were in town and wanted to visit a restaurant in the neighborhood. Service was excellent, the server made many great recommendations on the menu and wine list. Not to mention that the menu is apparently always changed and kept fresh by the chef. I will go back.
(4)giggity G.
Nothing but love for this place. It's right outside my door and never disappoints. The secret is to come with a large party so you get the coach house---the most charming magic!! I also love dining outside in the back under the adorable string lighting. I do not enjoy being on top of people inside, so I tend to not come here a lot in the winter. The ever-changing menu is great--but pales in comparison to the main event----warm bread, olive oil and fresh-grated parmesan. This is what keeps me coming back. Tip - if you order take-out - they will include fresh bread, oil and parmesan so you don't have to be sad that you missed it!
(5)Don B.
We stopped in for lunch on a Sunday and had a great experience here. I ordered the Quattro Stagioni pizza (the one with the egg), which was delicious. The waiter was extremely friendly, and the prices were very reasonable. Highly recommended.
(4)Fern D.
During my visit to Chicago, I had a couple of friends recommend Mia Francesca for Italian food. OMG! Vite dell'Italia! This place cooks up some awesome Italian! Like the reviewer down below, I also had the quattro formaggi ravioli. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, it was so friggin' good. The appetizers we started with were the calamari fritti, the bruschetta and the insalata alla francesca. All were sooo good. The calamari was light and not greasy, the bruschetta had great flavor and the salad kicked ass. We were so full from our meal, that unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert. The place definitely gets packed--it's sort of a small restaurant, but damn is it good! Our server was attentive and gave us some good suggestions for cocktails. The host was very friendly and even stopped by our table to see how we liked our food since he knew I was from out of town. Couldn't complain. This place does Italian right!
(5)Todd P.
Excellent service, server gave four great suggestions, I'll absolutely return. Appetizer-Bruschette, very good, tons of cheese on it, I've never had mozzarella that was so light and flavorful. Entre 1-Pollo Arrosto, good, juicy and flavorful whole chicken, more than enough food, took home leftovers and had them last night, which prompted me to write this review. Entre2-Penne with Italian sausage, absolutely excellent, served in what I can only describe as a giant bucket, easily two whole meals out of this dish, great as a leftover as well. Plenty of creamy sauce, lots of sausage, and more than enough cheese. Dessert-Tiramisu, the photo is completely accurate, it looked just like the photo and tasted excellent. I'm not a dessert person, but this was very good and I would order it again. Cons-Too crowded, I was getting bumped all night, they tried to put 50 tables in a space for 30. Table was too small for two people, a bottle of wine, appetizer, and dinner plates. A little pricey but not terrible, good for a "one nice night out a week" type of couple. Overall a good experience, I'll go back. Great for kids, the little girl at the table beside us had a sweet mural going on the paper table cloth.
(4)Lynn O.
Meh, I've experienced better. I guess it depends on what you're looking for, the atmosphere, drinks and service was great. But the food fell flat, like really flat. I ordered linguine with shrimp, while I appreciated the quality of the jumbo shrimp, the entree was relatively bland. The mussels we had as an app weren't bad, nothing about the food was great and when I'm going for Italian..it's all about the food.
(2)Fumi I.
Great for couples or a night with a group of Friends.
(4)Jackie R.
Great Italian spot in Wrigley! You really cant go wrong here, especially if you have a group of diverse or picky eaters. The one thing I always hear is "Everyone at my table loved their food!" Now thats a rare find. The service is top-notch too! But besides pleasing the picky eaters, it can please the 'snobbiest' of food critics as well. The prices are good too, especially for the wine...which, for me, always seems to skyrocket our bill (so maybe im a bit of a lush =) I LOVE the creamy tomato vodka sauce here. Deeeeelish!
(5)Chris H.
Went here again this past Saturday, with a friend. Still like this place. Glad we went.
(4)Jeff D.
We used the word, "Wow," quite often last night during dinner at Mia Francesca - as in, "Wow, this wine is awesome!" and "Wow this prociutto is fantastic!" and "Oh my God, this linguine is so good. I could just eat the noodles alone!" This place has some of the best tasting pasta I've had in Chicago. I've always been a big fan of Sappori Trattoria, which is great in its own right, but I have to give the edge to Mia Francesca on just how fresh everything tasted from the mozzarella to the tomatoes in the linguine! We also had a GREAT red wine there - Ajello. It's about $45 for the bottle meaning it's probably about $20 or so if you were to find it at Binny's. It was an excellent wine with the Linguine dishes and the Rigatoni dishes we had! The only knock is that our server took their time to first get to our table to greet us and offer an appetizer and/or drink, but after then the service was friendly and efficient. If you're looking for great food at a good price and good atmosphere without being too stuffy and pretentious, this is a GREAT place to eat!
(5)E D.
Food is ok. The mussels are great, but the pasta dishes are pretty boring. You wont get a terrible meal, but you wont be that excited either way. The service is average, and the atmosphere is obnoxious. They just try to cram as many people as possible into the uncomfortable tables. I would only go here on a weeknight.
(2)O O.
I've been here many times and it's one of my favorite italian restaurants because you don't have to leave here feeling stuffed, but usually do because you can't help it. Every experience has been pretty great, except for one time when I made reservations for a 8:30 for a party of eight, and we didn't get seated till around 9:30. It was really frustrating because they kept telling us that it was because one table was just sitting. Well, there's got to be a plan B if a table doesn't get up. They didn't seem really sympathetic, but when we did get seated, they had complimentry appetizers already ordered for the table (calamari and bruschetta..my faves). They majorly redeemed themselves since I had little expectations that they even felt bad and because I was with my parents from out of town. I usually order everything but the entree. I love love love the calamari (probably my favorite in the city), the mia francesca salad, and the chocolate flourless cake. I've tried about five entrees and they've all been good. The wine list is small, but I've always liked my drinks. The only thing that keeps me from coming here more is that it's always crowded and there's no place to really sit and chill while you wait for your table since the bar is always crowded too(sometimes you can get a seat at the upstairs bar).
(4)DONNA M.
I have never had a bad meal, but several of the waiter's have told me the pizza is not their best dish..........even the scallops taste good! I lived in Miami, FL and S.F., CA - I know good fish! My favorite date place ;) good vegetarian selection and meat....
(5)Carter G.
The food is pretty good, I'll have to admit, but the servers are mediocre and inattentive. Double check your bill, as ours had errors. It's always crowded, and that means it's always loud. And I don't mean loud as in there's an exciting buzz in the air. On a weekend night, I'm talking shouting-across-the-table-like-you're-in-a-Âhurricane loud. So the best advice if you really want to eat Mia Francesca's food is really just to get your food to go.
(2)Christa R.
Great date place, great place for a nice dinner with friends. The prices were very reasonable. The service was fantastic. The server was very helpful with wine selection and the food was very authentic italian.
(4)MaryAnne M.
I was brought here for a pre-birthday dinner on a Tuesday night. I hadn't been in a while and now wish I hadn't stayed away for so long. They change the menu daily which is great for variety, but not if you fall in love with a dish. You may have to put an APB out on it as you may never see it again. On the past dates I've been on here I always thought it was too loud, but seeing as it was 2 days before Xmas it was mostly families having dinner. I had the penne alla paesana - sautéed Italian sausage with mushrooms and peas in a tomato cream sauce. Again, sure I'll never see it again. My date had the gnocchi with a light tomato basil sauce, with melted mozzarella olive oil & parmesan. The wine by the glass list seems a bit skimpy, so we opted for a bottle. But just because the by the glass list was skimpy.....
(4)Allison B.
One of my favorite italian places in the city. Good service. Definitely need a reservation if you're going on a weekend. Very loud, but fun atmosphere. They change their menu pretty regularly which is a plus. The white fish and risotto are both delicious.
(4)Irena A.
I have been to this place a few times.. The last time I went with a friend.. I had the Risotto with vegetables from the appetizer selection. It was fresh but not very well cooked. One would think that al dente would be the most common way of cooking pasta! Anyhow, my friend had pasta also.. same thing not very well cooked!! I will go back here cause it has fresh food.. just not impressed from this last time
(3)Christine N.
I have been going to Mia Francesca for years it used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Always a fresh new menu, and wonderful atmosphere. However, I went for my birthday last night and was greatly disappointed. The food was not that fresh, and the dishes weren't prepared very well. One of my friend's dishes was very cold and overcooked. The service was pretty good, our waiter was very nice. I guess I was just really looking forward to an amazing meal. I don't know if they switched chefs or if they are lowering the quality of ingredients because of the economy, but something was totally off. Hopefully it is better next time!
(3)Matt R.
Wonderful atmosphere and delicious fare are hallmarks of this wonderful hole in the wall-esque restaurant in Lakeview. The specials are delicious and the waitstaff very knowledgeable. Just make sure to plan ahead during busy hours, as seating can be limited.
(5)Tim W.
I'm not quite sure why this place has a reputation as such great italian food. The wait was rough, and the bar was tight to squeeze into to wait. The most "meh" part, however, is the food. Standardly priced, and you get a fair portion, but it was the most bland, 'cookie-cutter' italian I have ever eaten. The pasta sauces had no real zing, and the meats and cheeses included were mediocre at best. WAAAAAAAAAAY better italian to be found in this town, folks (cough cough Sapori!)
(2)Susan L.
People are lemmings. If we stop going here, so will everyone else, so it won't be so insane and we can start going back. It's a vicious cycle, but someone's gotta start it. The wait is too ridic, the crowded tables are too ridic, and I can't handle it anymore.
(3)Amy S.
Had a great meal here! I wish I could remember the name of everything that I ate. My friend and I split an appetizer with fresh basil and tomatoes, and a pasta dish with fresh vegetables. Splitting was a good idea because the portions are huge. I also had the cesar salad, which was just okay. The cabernat sauvignon (by the glass) was one of the better that I have tasted. Our waiter was very nice and attentive. The atmosphere was a little loud, but it speaks volumes about the food when it was packed on a Monday night.
(4)Michael G.
I have been a long time fan of Mia and have now created this yelp account just to let people know exactly how horrible the management is at this place. I have been going to Mia regularly for almost 3 years now and will NEVER go back ever again. This really hurts since I enjoy the food there. I had called in and was told there was "no wait". I showed up 20-30 minutes later and was told the wait was "over an hour". I then asked to be put on the waiting list and was told I was the only one on the list. I tried to figure out who I talked to on the phone and the two women at the front made me feel like I was some sort of idiot....and had never been there before. Quite the opposite. I then waited for a bit and there were 2 open tables up front (we were a party of two). The two tables sat empty for about 15 minutes before I walked up and asked what was going on. I was told it would be another 45 minutes still. I honestly felt like I was at a club and some jerkoff door guy was telling me I couldn't get in. I have always loved the food here but customers should not be treated like this under any circumstance. I will NEVER go back to this god awful place and If this yelp causes even one person to not go to this place It will have been worthwhile. DO NOT SUPPORT PLACES LIKE THIS.
(1)Cathy H.
I got the veal medallions, and true to Yelp reviewers' comments, it was fantastic. The pasta portions were huge and reasonably-priced, so don't be scared away by the multiple dollar signs! I actually really enjoyed the atmosphere--reminds me of a cute little place I used to go in college--and even though I went on a Saturday night at dinnertime, it really wasn't too loud to have a regular-volume conversation. Another plus: I made a reservation two hours in advance on a weekend night, and had no problem getting seated. Yay!
(4)Eleanor S.
Mia Francesca serves delicious food, the carpaccio appetizer, the Francesca salad and the daily menu are fantastic. I mean 20 years fantastic. Service on the first floor is outstanding. But don't let them put on the second floor unless you willing to wait. I was unaware and had to sit with my salad for 50 minutes, I looked at my phone until the gentleman brought my entree from downstairs. I saw my waitress twice in an hour and a half. Lots of wait people standing around but none could give us butter for the bread. You know it is pretty bad when the manager feels sorry for you. The bread was great but the circus not so much.
(2)Alison R.
WONDERFUL date place. Excellent food. Great ambiance. Always busy = a good sign for Chicago restaurants. Highly recommended, but make reservations if you have more than 4 people.
(5)Eliot J.
i've only been here once so i don't know if i can give it the "as good as it gets" fifth star. but, if it's as good as it was last night the next couple times i go (and i definitely plan on going back at least a couple more times), then i'll update it with the 5th star. of the top of my head i am unable to think of a better italian restaurant i've been to in chicago. the staff is very friendly. the food that i had was flawless (gnocchi di ricotta). the menu also changes daily with a plethora of option - much of which is vegetarian. the space is clean and comfortable. i think the wine selection was slightly high in price - if even only applicable to the house chianti at $36/bottle. anyway... very delicious. def going back.
(4)Jennifer H.
Mia Francesca's is always a good time. I've never had a bad dish here and the service is always lovely and the ambiance fun. I have to say, though, my favorite part of Mia Francesca's is the carriage house in the back. I had my birthday party here last year and it's fantastic. It's a private little room out back with its own bar and everything. The staff was so helpful, both before the party guiding me on menu choices and at the party itself. I would highly highly recommend Mia Francesca's to throw a party or at least a great night out!
(5)Blake W.
I'm only giving it two Stars because the server made a great wine recommendation from the Valpolicella region of Italy. We went at 10:30 on New Years Eve not expecting much since we would be the last seating. To start we ordered Mussels and a Zucchini Saffron risotto. The Mussels we're the freshest and the red sauce they were in wasn't even worth dipping bread in for the extra sauce (usually my favorite part of mussel dishes) and the Risotto bland. We did share a Caprese Salad which was decent considering the season, It's actually had a decent profile but could have used some olive oil. For Dinner I had the Portabella/Scallop entree. The scallops that happened to land on my plate look much smaller than what I had scene go by before... I wonder if that had something to do with us being there at the end of the night and that's all they had. Anyways the Scallops were over cooked and the general dish was boring with no thought. My friend had the grouper that was drench in an over powering tarragon butter. My girlfriend's pasta was amazingly flavorless -- some mushroom pasta debacle. Dessert where decent, we had the Tiramisu and their special of the night. Both which were polished off. I'm not sure though were it was because they were that good or just in comparison they rocked and we were hungry from not eating our other food..... OK I admit I ate all of mine but no one else did. I'm just a hungry guy and those scallops were tiny ;). I've got no desire to ever go back, there are way too many other restaurants in this city with this style, price range and much better food. Buyer beware I believed the hype and was extremely disappointed.
(2)K T.
#2 of the now Francesca mini-empire is still great, but I'm only giving it 3 stars. Why? Because just 5 minutes north is the same thing with no wait at Francesca's at Bryn Mawr. Food is still great (starting with killer bread), martinis are nice and fat and still less than $10, and they still make one of the best red sauces in the city. However, the wait. Went in on a Wednesday, and had a 30 minute wait. Some restaurants are worth it, but the way I figure, why not try to reclaim that 30 minutes of my life by hiking up north a bit? That way, more time for critical activities, such as catching up on my DVR's taped shows. Anyway, Francesca's is still great (loved the pumpkin ravioli), just save some time and head north unless you have a reservation.
(3)Bina D.
Could not have asked for a better place just a few blocks from my place. Great Italian food (which is very helpful for me as i'm a veggie) and with the rotating menu,you never get tired of it. Wonderful specials and very personable and knowledgeable servers.
(4)Jacquelyn K.
Made reservations for a big celebration and along with at least 20 others we had to wait for our table for at least an hour. We left after the first "30 minute" quote turned into " probably another "30 minutes" and when showed frustration the teenage host told me that he can't control how long it takes people to eat and that if I didn't like it I could leave. this was after another host told me they over booked the night. So I know I will never go to any of the Francesca restaurants and I know I'm not missing anything. Topogigio, Il Mulino and La Scarola are the best Italian in the city. No need for the unprofessional Francesca's chain.
(1)Sarah Z.
I love this place, and I've been many times. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is fun and lively yet relaxed and casual. The outdoor patio is wonderful and makes for a great date place. The service has always been great too. Don't go on the weekends, it's way too busy. This is one of those places you should go on a Tuesday night or early Sunday evening when you want great food and in a nice setting (fancier than a dive; more easy going than fine dining). I will definitely be back!
(4)Charles L.
Really, really good food. Five star restaurant if you can get a table in the back room; the front area is a little cramped for my tastes. I haven't made it upstairs yet, but I've heard that's a nicer area to sit as well. Of my two trips, I recall that quattro formaggi with the most fondness - but none of the groups I was with complained about any of their dishes, to be sure!
(4)Suraj S.
Amazing food. Amazing service. I had the spinach ravioli and it was nice and creamy. Menu changes daily, but I'm sure everything is great. There is a very nice patio and house thing in the back
(5)fab f.
Before writing this review, I read many of the one here under and I wonder if I went to the same place. I check the address again and it is. I am really disappointed from my experience yesterday night. I'm not a fan of the small menu of this place (I already had a bad experience at the Bryn Mawr one:. 6 pastas and 6 main courses, most of them are very similar, so or you like it or you like it). The best part are probably the appetizers. We had a late reservation and we were put in the worse possible table, between the kitchen door and the back door that was constantly opened, with freezing air coming in, but this is not the real problem. We were rushed by our waiter that probably had better things to do, since he kicked out a 4 people table and a 2 people table that came after us and left before us (we left just after 11, not that late). My real disappointment was my "pesce alla livornese", that is a delicious recipe, simple but tasty with olive oil, crushed tomatoes, capers, garlic, olives, olive oil and something else. It was a long time I didn't have this dish, so I ordered it, thinking that since they have such a small menu, they are pretty good at that. They brought me a tilapia with a lot of onions on top and a mild sauce similar to a vodka sauce all around. I really can't believe it. I was hungry and I was just enjoying the nice company of friends that I didn't see for the whole winter, so I let go. They were ok (not happy) with their food, so I didn't care much. The dessert was pushed quickly and I hate when the check is dropped on the table while I'm still sipping my espresso or still having the dessert. I'll probably get back since it's an easy place to go and many of the people I know think they have good Italian food, but I won't make it a suggestion.
(1)Sarah E.
Honestly: five stars for the food (quality + quantity), but only three stars for the service. We arrived at 8 on a Monday night, anticipating that Mia Francesca would be busy, but we were promptly seated at a table toward the back and pleasantly far away from the cold of the front door. However, after being served with bread and water, we waited for 15 minutes before our waitress noticed that she had never seen before, and came over with a start. She was very apologetic, which was nice, but apparently she had never read Bruce Bruschel's piece in the NYTimes on 100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do because she proceeded to touch each of us, twice, as though that was a normal part of a restaurant apology. Maybe I'm too mid-western, but it seemed weird. When it came time to order a wine, we said that we were thinking about one, but curious about two others that we didn't know anything about. Our waitress admitted she didn't know anything about either of the wines, so she went to ask the bartender for his recommendation. She came back with knowledge about the tannic aspect of the wine, per our request, but nothing else (fruity? berry? smoky? throw me a bone here!). Whatever, we chose a wine that was fine, and our food came out within minutes of us placing our order (perhaps she'd bumped us to the front of the line?). But then, as though the entire wait debacle had never occurred, we waited for another ten minutes with an empty dessert plate and near-empty glasses of wine, until our waitress finished a lengthy conversation with other staffers and finally came to bring us our check. Would I go again? Sure. I had the leftovers from my giant portion of rigatoni for lunch the next day. But I won't go if I'm in a rush or trying to show someone Chicago's sophisticated side!
(4)jamie k.
My new husband and I made the best decision EVER when we decided to take our immediate family to Mia's after our wedding ceremony. It definitely helped that it was the perfect weather day...we were able to sit on the back patio eat our appetizers and sip our wine in the sun before retreating into the precious little private coach house for the rest of our meal. I would suggest this to everyone!!! If you have a small party of 25 or less that you want to take out for an amazing family style dinner - this is the place to go. Guaranteed my family will be raving about this for years to come. The coach house has a little bar in it also. The staff was impeccable - They were at your service at every moment. The food is what really blew us all away though... each course that came out was seriously perfect... and because it's family style, you don't have to stuff yourself silly (well, you could).. but it's really nice to sample all the food, and then at the end you still have room for tirimisu (which is light and fluffy) I could go on and on....but you get the point. A+
(5)Sarah P.
Cute little place - love the handwritten menu that changes frequently. Had gnocchi (of course) with a bottle of Zinfandel. Compared to SF, the prices were awesome, but I figure I'll be in sticker shock for a while after leaving that city. Loved that the sauces they used are not too heavy and very flavorful. Great service too. Will come back when I move to the area!
(4)Chrissy F.
Ooooooooooooo great place. Off the Belmont stop and down the street (Clark), is Mia Francesca. Very classy, very expensive. Ok fine, SLIGHTLY expensive. It's one of those weird places where it's classy, but dressing up is optional. I've never been upstairs, but the downstairs is lit...romantically, for lack of a better word. Low lights, etc. My only gripe about this place is how small it is. Whenever I'd go there, I'd have to scooch myself all the way in so that both customers and staff could get by. Needless to say, the food is excellent. It's ALWAYS crowded...ALWAYS. Like the Signature Room, we'd have reservations, but we'd still have to wait. Bias: the family of my best friend in college knows the owner. Definitely a place in Chicago to go to, but also like SR, not often (unless your wallet can handle it)...
(4)M K.
I really enjoy the food at this place, but what's with the music??? Our food was delicious - flavorful, plentiful (without being gluttonous), and moderately priced. (I had risotto appetizer, tilapia entree, and creme brulee dessert). But it was soooo noisy, and the chatter was compounded by loud and inappropriate music. Justin Timberlake in an Italian restaurant at 7pm? I had to yell across the table to be heard. And pop music doesn't make for a relaxing meal.
(3)Christy L.
After reading about it in Timeout and then realizing, HELLO, I live around the corner from it, I finally went with a date to Mia Francesca. Our server was friendly and funny, but not overbearing. He had good answers to our questions. I also love the whole concept of changing the menu around the freshest ingredients... makes sense! Our salads were amazing, so was the pasta we had, and we even ate dessert (as well as had a delicious bottle of Chianti). I was impressed with the food, the service, and the friendliness of the place. It is not a ROMANTIC date spot though... definitely loud and alot of fun, so just know that it's not an Italian place like that.
(5)Nina W.
This place probably doesn't need another good review, but I feel like I found a new favorite place in Chicago, and just want to share my enthusiasm. I am not even a big fan of Italian cuisine, but this restaurant was just spectacular. From the moment I walked in, the delicious smell drove me crazy. It was a Saturday night, and they were packed, and we didn't have a reservation, but they were very graceful about finding us a table and seating us in a timely manner. Fried calamari that we got as an appetizer were a little bland, but the entrees more than compensated for it. My friend ordered a pizza, and it was great: very thin crust, flavorful mozzarella, just what I remember from my trip to Naples. I ordered pasta with mushrooms for $14 (sorry I don't remember the Italian name), and it was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. It was very flavorful, not too oily, simply perfect. My usual concern about pasta dishes is that they are very filling, but not very memorable, but this was not at all the case at Mia Francesca. Will definitely be back!
(5)Joscelyn M.
Great, standard Italian fare and very nice place to go with a group. I've had just about everything on the menu (I only have friends who are willing to share with me), and have never been unhappy.
(4)Colleen S.
Pretty good Italian food but it's not amazing. The staff is really friendly and attentive for being such a busy and crowded place. If you don't like sitting close to the table next to you, then this place might not be for you; it is very cozy seating. I had no idea this place had an outdoor area and back bar. Very cozy as well but it seems like ti would be very romantic. The music was the only odd thing. I expect traditional Italian music to be played here, not "The Humpty Dance." (no, I'm not kidding)
(4)Jay A.
Little crowded in late evening but it will give you a "party environment" Food is tasty and yummy......but I prefer Tiramisu at Buca.
(4)Francine P.
This was great! Couldn't ask for anything more. The entrees were creative and tasted wonderful. The service was quick and tentative. The meat and fish were cooked spot on. I highly recommend this to any visitors or locals. It isn't your usual Italian restaurant with only marinara to offer. Even their house red wine was lovely.
(5)Bex F.
Any time I've eaten here it's been fantastic. Tables are crammed together, always packed, but never disappoints.
(4)Ashley M.
Great Italian food! Make reservations or wait for awhile in an awkwardly tight bar. Good place for dates, although it's a little crowded. You may feel like the strangers next to you are also sitting at your table. The menu changes frequently with a variety of great dishes.
(4)Ellen R.
This is the only Italian place worth anything in Chicago. Finally a place that serves a real sauce, not some watery, non-flavored tomato concoction. You get great, true al dente pasta, great sauces and even better value. Portions are huge, costs are low and atmosphere is relaxed. if you are looking for a relaxing, casual Italian dining spot this is it. Service is pleasant as well. And they threw in the extra veggie I asked for into my pasta dish, love it!
(5)Natasha M.
I love this place. The first time my boyfriend and I passed by, it was completely packed. It was both romantic and suitable for kids and families. The seating area was crowded but I don't mind as the restaurant was so lively and the service was good. There was a path to a patio in the back. It was an outdoor dining space resembling a Venetian patio surrounded by four walls, with a stairs to the house and a fountain in the middle. The food was amazing depending on what you order. I ordered Linguini alle Vongole/White Wine Clams Linguine ($16). It was very slippery linguine in light white wine and garlic sauce with a decent amount of clams. The portion was good enough for a dinner and a late night/brunch. My boyfriend ordered half Spring chicken, and it was indeed a disappointment. It was flavorless and kind of dry. I feel sorry for him. Mia Francesca is good at Pasta, not the meat, so try to avoid if you can. People who go there just look so happy in general. The kids are happy and content and the old couples are sweet and enjoy their long-lasting marriages. I personally did have a great time and great food there, so I give it a 4 star.
(4)Nate W.
I expected a lot out of this place given the other Yelp reviews and reviews from friends. However, my girlfriend and I went there for dinner and this place fell short. Atmosphere - We ate upstairs as the downstairs area was packed and a little noisy and hectic for our liking. I don't think it has a cozy/personal feeling to it at all. Service - Mediocre at best. Our waiter didn't take the time to explain anything to us. He was curt with us the whole meal. He even started getting a little mouthy with my girlfriend when she didn't hear/understand something he said. Food - Everythign else can be forgiven about a place if the food can seal the deal. We were not sold on it. I got the roasted chicken and the gf got a pasta dish, both of which we could have made at home. Overall, I think there are cozier places with better service and food then this place. We would have had a better meal had we made one ourselves at home.
(2)Jeremy T.
Mia Francesca is cute neighborhood spot with good food, fairly friendly service, and fun ambiance. The back patio is very romantic and just a great experience overall (have sat out there on previous occasions). The only complaint we had was that the dining room was a bit loud and made conversation difficult at times (although it gave the restaurant an energetic feel).
(4)Carol C.
This restaurant is like every other Francesca's - good food, decent prices, good service. The only difference is that his location is really cramped and loud. If you want a nicer facility, hop on the el and go to the Francesca's on Bryn Mawr Avenue. Same great food, quieter and larger restaurant. However, we still had a great dinner and our Saturday night reservations were honored within five minutes of arriving and there was valet parking.
(4)Jaime W.
This Mia Francesca is one of my favorite restaurants because of the great food and service. Pros: Excellent food (my favorites are the bruschetta with goat cheese and argula and pasta with vegetables in herb broth). Good prices and attentive wait staff. In the summer, try out the back patio. Cons: This location packs you in like sardines. Definitely an authentic urban restaurant experience but for more privacy try the one on Bryn Mawr. Equally good food and service.
(4)Frances X.
I have loved the food there for at least 10 years now. I couldn't remember how many birthdays and special occasions my friends and I have celebrated there. Food is still good. But my recent visit revealed me to that their calamari appetizer's size has got significantly smaller, while the price is not any cheaper! Given that was my favorite appetizer, I am disappointed.
(3)Aaron B.
The Food: I've been a number of times and it's consistently been the best Italian in its price range I've ever had! Their menu is hand-written and changes frequently according to the availability of fresh ingredients. The only complaint I can offer is that, on one occasion, the sauce on my friend's chicken alfredo was rather thin. I'll chalk that up to a matter of taste though, and given the great wine selection, the great dishes (try the bruschetta appetizer), and the mouth-watering desserts, I'll let it slide. ;) The Atmosphere: The dining room is tastefully decorated and classy. Definitely a date-worthy place. White tablecloths and candles. The Service: The servers are very helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable.
(5)Michael S.
Why are waiters called waiters? Think about it. It's no accident. Bugs are called bugs because they bug you. Judges are called judges because they judge. Cookies are called cookies because you cook them. Movies are called movies because they move. Your back is called your back because it's in back of you. Flies are called flies because they fly. Lawyers are called lawyers because they "lawy." Oops; that last one doesn't work. The service here is so first class. The waiters are truly waiters. Earlier this week I was here on the patio and my dining partner and I took some time relaxing and enjoying the quiet patio before we ordered. There was no rush act. Our waiter was patient and superb. Last night I was back on the patio with a different dining partner, whose approach to ordering dinner is the stuff of SNL skits. Only her self-deprecating fun-poking could better describe her sending asparagus back for being "too shiny" with olive oil, and asking approximately 10 questions about the string bean salad before ordering. Our waiter could not have been more accomodating, good natured, knowledgable and patient: a true gentleman "waiter." Oh, and the food: awesome as usual. Too much to say; but for that you can read the other 150 reviews. Waiters are called waiters because they wait.
(5)Esther L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. We were meeting a friend for dinner and she suggested we go to Mia Francesca. When we arrived, I asked to be seated on the patio (beautiful weather!) and they happily accommodated. The waiter was so nice, not fake nice, genuinely nice. He didn't rush us at all even though all we had was one appetizer, entrees and a bottle of wine. We got the calamari which was a nice start. It wasn't anything mind blowing but it was good. All of us got different pastas as entrees and they were ALL amazing. We all enjoyed it so much. My linguine al Sugo di Gambari was sooo good. The shrimp was juicy, plump and fresh. The scallops were so sweet and perfectly cooked. It was amazing. I attempted to eat everything but alas, I only have one stomach. They're incredibly large portions so all of us ended up with leftovers. After we were done, we sat there and chatted and they let us! Probably because it wasn't as busy and it was a Wednesday night. Since we were on the patio, we started seeing helicopters everywhere. One of the waiter then announced that the Blackhawks had won the Stanley Cup. IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT! Delicious food at great prices, friendly waiters, and a quaint patio. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Justin B.
A decent, long-standing Italian restaurant in the heart of Lakeview. First off, we were able to get in on a Friday night at 8pm - a rare occurrence (or just sheer luck). This was my second time here, the first being about 10 years back. The main dining room was crowded but we somehow managed to get a patio table, which was extremely quaint and allowed for decent conversation. The menu was a hand-written, single sheet of paper, which I'm certain was run off on the Xerox machine that day (note: if they invested a little in nicer handwriting or even type it out on a computer, it would elevate the professional look). I ordered the frutta de mari, which came fairly quick and packed full of seafood. The sauce was labeled "spicy" but didn't have much of a kick. $16.95 for the entree and $5.00 for a dinner salad wasn't bad. (I've ordered similar dishes elsewhere and paid a lot more). The portions were large and the company was great. Waitstaff were attentive, initially. When we wanted to get the bill, however, it was a chore to track him down. Plenty of service staff around, so glasses were never empty and used tableware was quickly cleared. Overall, I'd visit again. Good for larger groups as well. Reservations encouraged.
(4)Matt K.
Had a 9:00pm reservation and we weren't seated until 9:45. To be honest, I didn't mind all that much. However, the place was packed to the brim with people (definitely violating fire code) and the staff does absolutely nothing to try to restore order or control the crowd. Everyone packs in like sardines into any open space they can, so that half the diners have a crowd of people practically hovering over their meals. Might be worth eating here when it isn't crowded, but I have no idea when that is, and don't really care to find out.
(2)Samantha L.
My shell pasta dish with asparagus and a cream sauce was pretty good. I would say 4 stars for my food. However, this place is INSANELY loud and crowded! The loudest Italian restaurant I've ever been to in my life. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're wanting a romantic Italian dinner, or if you have poor hearing. If you have solid hearing, unlike me, go right on ahead!
(3)Norman R.
Great experience. We had the in-laws in town. That was our second time there. The bottle of chianti was really good. Portions on the dinners and desserts were huge, so plan on left overs!
(5)Daniel H.
Took the parents here, so it was one of those experiences of just hoping that no Seinfeld-esque moments happen with the waiter. Only a few did, so it wasn't so bad... Anyway on to the review. Food: the food was solid but far from spectacular, a little on the oily side, especially the pizza. However, they have some interesting pizza combinations. Some of the pasta dishes we had worked out and some didn't. In general, the seafood dishes were better than the landfood ones. The bread, though crusty, didn't taste like anything other than white bread. Ambiance: a busy restaurant on the loud side. Upstairs is a bit more quiet and intimate. Not bad all around.
(3)Dane K.
I think this place thrives off of the name; overall I was a little unimpressed based off of that. I've been to other locations of the Francesca franchise, and this one is at the bottom of the list easy. The menu was a bit more limited than I would have liked. I really like menus that aren't longer than a page, but I found myself struggling to find anything I wanted to order. Also, the waiter's recommendations almost seemed like it was something the kitchen was pushing more than anything. Our waiter at first tried to put on this big thick Italian accent, but he wasn't Italian? Very strange. Service really wasn't that great. Overall food was "OK" but nothing wow about it. Once our food was dropped we didn't hear back from our waiter and he stopped pouring us our wine. For my entree I had a gnocci in a marinara sauce. I kind of wish it were sauteed just a bit more than it was. It was much better cold as leftovers. The service worked like a machine, a bit too mechanical which led to a perception of being rushed. Their patio out back is nice. Food-wise, you can get Italian food like this in many places, though for the neighborhood this is your best bet for Italian (unless you're wanting fusion Italian--Socca would be better IMO). Overall nothing was bad, but nothing was better than "just OK" ... P.S. Dear Mia Management: Your sidewalk awning is too low. I shouldn't have to duck to walk across the public sidewalk. I see people ducking to walk down the Clark Street sidewalk every day, it's really obnoxious. Just because your valet guys are short and don't seem to notice, doesn't mean others don't.
(3)Christopher L.
OMG soooo good! This is my favorite place in Chicago/Lakeview! Its a MuSt try!
(5)Ang R.
Solidly unspectacular. My fish dish was tasty, but underseasoned and pedestrian. The salad was completely uninspired--even the vinaigrette wasn't great, and I usually love all vinaigrettes. And I absolutely HATED the spinach ravioli. I don't want to go back.
(2)Rich K.
I would completely agree with Samantha L., this place is way too loud. Even though we were pre-warned about the sound level, I was unable to carry a conversation with my guests. The food was good; we shared the Ravioli and Cavatelli. The banana bread pudding was very good. Probably won't be back, too many other choices in the city that have a lower decibel level.
(3)Jonathan H.
Sometimes you just want something a little nicer. That's why I go to Mia Francesca's. You don't have to dress up and be fancy, but MF is always a nice local Italian restaurant to get a great meal. The menu is also very nice and they change up their dishes so if you've eaten there a lot, you can try a lot of different things. Call ahead for reservations because they fill up quickly. I have eaten both in the main dining room and upstairs. Both are very nice. I recommend it to my friends all the time.
(4)Mike S.
solid itialian cuisine! having recently visited rome and pompei i wasnt sure what to expect at mia. the reviews are very good and i would agree with them. i read a lot of complaints about the space and the tables being on top of one another. i felt there was adequate room and actually this place is quite spacious as compared with restaurants in rome so this was a non issue. we went here with a party of 12 and had extremely good service. the drinks were never empty and the serving of the food was timed right. we went with teh fantasia pizza and half chicken and potatoes. the chicken portion was quite generous and did not get completely eaten. the pizza hit the spot - very very good thin crust pizza. the serving sizes did not seem consistent - the spaghetti was an extremely large portion where as the tortellini was quite small. appetizers were all worthwhile from the calamari to different types of bruschette.
(4)Christina F.
My bf and I went here for dinner and it was my first time there. He has been there a lot and highly recommended it. The food was really good and the service was great. We ate upstairs and although the seating is quite umm... "cozy" we still had a good time. By the way, "cozy" is a nice way of saying, the stranger next to me was practically sitting on my lap and we had to fight for arm room like at the movie theatre. Alas, I'd highly suggest going at a non-peak dinner time hour to take advantage of some of their delicious specials.
(4)Susan F.
Yum Yum, how have I never been here before, esp since it's so close! Came here for Sunday brunch around 12:30 and surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded. They have a great fresh italian type menu as well as a small brunch menu. I got the sausage fritatta which was great! They also had an awesome bruschetta app that had lots of feta and arugula. They had great desserts, too--try the creme brulee or the Torta Lava cake--covered in strawberries too! The service was great. 5 stars all around.
(5)Jen L.
Solid little Italian place in Lakeview. Went here with the boy and the father (who's Sicilian) while he was in town. We all got various pasta dishes and they were all very good. The house wine was a little expensive for my tastes, but you can't go wrong here overall. We went on a Friday evening without a reservation and it was packed. I recommend a reservation for you all.
(4)B O.
They really didn't pull out any stops for restaurant week. The menu was just ok and the food was passable. Service was decent but I have had much better Italian all around. Will likely not return.
(2)Eliza E.
food was okay - very loud and tables were close.
(2)Sao-Mai N.
My friend and I were looking for a nice place for dinner while she was in town and we found Mia Francesca on Yelp. I can't say anymore than what the other reviews have stated. It's just a great restaurant to bring friends, family, or a date. The food was flavorful and the staff was attentive. I don't know much about wine, but their selection is decent. The space is a little small but that's Chicago for you. We split the Bruschetta. The mozzarella was amazing, but the tomatoes were a little bland. I ordered the tilapia, which was delicious. I'm actually not a fan of tilapia (don't ask me why I ordered it), but it was cooked to perfection and absolutely swimming with flavor (no pun intended). I was boring and got the creme brulee for dessert, but the Banana bread pudding my friend had was very good and not too strong on the banana. Overall, I recommend giving this place a chance and do make reservations!
(4)Matthew G.
The food at Mia Francesca is always fresh and seasonally appropriate. I really enjoy that they have an adventurous and exciting menu that is truly a departure from most Italian restaurants. I have never had a bad meal (they also make a mean Manhattan). The only thing that kept Mia Francesca from 'five stars' is the inconsistency in service. I would love a little more attentive service, especially in a restaurant of this size. However, I will keep going back to Mia Francesca again and again.
(4)Ryan B.
I've always had a nice time at the numerous Francesca's locations, but we had a really great experience at the original location on Clark and just had to share. Our server was friendly and knew not only the menu but the history of the restaurant well, so we had a great time chatting with her. The food was great as usual, and I love that their menu changes often, so you can try something new each time should you want to. Also appreciate that they're open to customization of their dishes upon request. Their appetizers are some of my favorite - we had their fabulous sauteed calamari and brushcetta, then decided on a number of great pasta and seafood dishes and shared around. Great for a romantic dinner or a big group - looking forward to dining in their outdoor space this summer!
(5)Vivian Y.
While I didn't have actual dinner here, I have nothing but amazing things to say about this restaurant. My girlfriend and I ended up here after being fed up with the crowds over at the Belmont Sheffield Music Festival across the street and nestled ourselves in the cozy patio in the back of the restaurant. I was a little agast at how busy the restaurant was inside and was worried I'd be in more the same in the patio but was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and cute the back area was. Our waiter (sorry forgot your name) was so helpful in helping us decide on a bottle. He suggested one of the specials at $44 which was also available by the glass. We asked if we could take a small taste of it before we ordered that bottle. Luckily we did because we didn't like it at all! He said it could be that the bottle had been opened for a while so he went and got us another fresh bottle of the same just to try. While the new bottle was better, it was still not what we were looking for. Still our waiter was happy to send us what we wanted and we ordered appetizers to go along with our wine. We had the carpaccio *YUM* and the spicy mussels. both were so delicious and simple. Exactly what I was looking for and more. I will definitely be back for dinner but may avoid the main part of the restaurant as I prefer the cozy back patio instead.
(5)Caz S.
My gf and I went here the first night we moved back to Chicago. Friends here said it was the best Italian place by Wrigley, so naturally we wanted to scope out place to go since we'd just received season tickets from her company. Awesome. It was...awesome. In the true fashion of the original sense of the meaning awesome...it was incredible. Not just saying this cuz I spent a lot of time around surfers, but really that it was insanely awesome. The service was excellent, we had a Tuscan syrah, calamari appetizer, she had the salmon, I had some gnocchi, we shared the creme brulee and things were amazing. We walked out of that restaurant thinking we'd found the best spot ever. After a Cubs game with our 2 friends we decided to share the magical goodness of Mia Frencesca. After waiting no more than 15 minutes the 4 of us were seated in the worst table in the restaurant...in the traffic between the kitchen and rest of the restaurant. Okay whatever, bad tables happen, there are at least 2 of those in every restaurant, but that somehow doomed the entire evening. We got a bottle of pinot grigio, a cab and 2 appetizers...to get those 4 things it took almost 45 minutes. Granted the restaurant was full of drunk Cubs fans, like ourselves, so it was probably not the best night for great service but man...it was horrible. Finally after 45 minutes of being completely done with the appetizers and almost done with the wine, we ordered another bottle and entree when our server finally came back. A half an hour after ordering, I finally had to flag down a random busser and ask him where our entrees were. He promised us it would be out, even came back every 5 minutes for 20 minutes promising us our entrees. I'm so timid about asking for a manager, as is my girlfriend, but our friend we went with was not so much. The manager came over and assured us that our entrees would be out in less than 5 minutes and that dessert was on the house...great, right? 20 minutes later our entrees arrived stale and cold. I know they'd sat in the heating window for an hour. I had my dried up pork chops, my gf had her disgusting whitefish and after that we took our complimentary dessert to go. Lesson learned. Do not go after a Cubs game. Second thoughts are even that we never want to go back again, but after the bruising of that meal heals, we'll probably go back and try again for that first experience, that Cubs game experience will never be forgotten.
(3)Michael S.
I feel like a stalwart has just let me down....like a Chicago institution just showed signs of being a "chain," and until proven otherwise, like a long established friendship just turned into an acquaintance. Service and food are behind this less than stellar impression. Cheese pizza - boring (but it usually is in my book), Pork chops sent back due to being overcooked, and then unimpressive. The Tilapia, an unfortunate mess of sauce invoking a transfer to an unspoiled plate, and finally, the half a roast chicken clearly got a bad batch of steroids as that guy was tiny! Then, our server almost made me want to pull my hair out. Maybe she was really clueless, but I will give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was new. Ask her a question and......"Ummmmm" (crickets chirping), make a request..."Ummmmm" (grass growing).....I swear, I am never one to get riled up over service, but I wanted to stand up and just scream, "spit it our already!" I'm sad.
(3)Lois A.
I love Mia Francesca! Having never had dinner in the coach house part of the restaurant the last time I was there I was wondering, "where the hell are they taking us" as we walked through the restaurant into this seating area. There are only a few tables back there and a bar and it was wonderful!! And warm even in this freezing weather. It made for a very romantic dinner and walking back through the crowded and extremely LOUD restaurant on our way out I was thanking god we'd been seated where we had. This place fills up fast so come early. This is the kind of place where everything I've ever ordered has been fantastic. Last time I had roasted chicken and while I wished I'd been more adventurous it tasted great. The calamari is soooo good. They let us have it grilled instead of fried which was so nice of them. Other than the crowds, who are only there because the food is fantastic, I have no complaints.
(4)Nicole A.
I had heard from several friends that it Mia Francesca was delicious and I must say that this little restaurant was quite a delight. I ventured over here with my parents and boyfriend on Sunday evening and we all had a fabulous meal as well as plenty o' cocktails. We made reservations (highly recommended) but ended up waiting about 20 minutes in the coach house in the back. Where in most cases this would have been a minor irritation, the bubbly and beer made the time fly. Our appetizers (fried calamari - lightly breaded and fried perfectly so you could still admire the true fish taste; bruschetta - loved the variation and fresh bread) came quickly as did our entrée's despite a packed house. I had a taste for salmon but our server recommended a variation on what was offered on the menu. I tend to trust servers with opinions deterring from the menu, and she nailed it with salmon covered in a wild mushroom medley that I just loved. No one was disappointed in their food, although my dad said he would have enjoyed a bit more sausage in his pasta dish. The desserts were a grand slam too... All in all with about 2 drinks a piece, 2 appetizers, an entrée and 2 desserts for the table to share we left there having spent about $250, including tax and tip. Definitely a value for the quality and atmosphere. I will gladly return.
(5)Julia R.
brought my family here because my mom has a gluten allergy and they do gluten free pasta. it was really loud and crowded but the food was good and the staff was very attentive and accomodating to my mother's allergies. i didn't particularly care for my dish (i had the ravioli), but i tried everyone elses and they were very good. i enjoyed our experience but would probably go elsewhere before i'd come back here due to the environment.
(3)Naveen S.
We received a gift card for any of the Francesca's restaurants and I'm so glad we picked Mia Francesca to go to. We've been to Francesca's on Taylor which was also fantastic but were surprised to show up to Mia Francesca and find a boisterous environment since Francesca's on Taylor is a lot more quiet and subdued. The service was great, we didn't feel rushed at all. It is slightly cramped but I believe that's part of the charm of the open kitchen restaurant. I had the Mahi Mahi which was sautéed and garnished perfectly. The husband had the Tilapia which, as I heard, was also delicious. For dessert we had their Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee... oh so good. It is loud, it's a good date place if you know the person you're with and enjoy to laugh a lot but don't expect an intimate conversation.
(5)Patty S.
This is a solid 4.5 star restaurant - that says a lot as I'm not one to give such high marks for a restaurant. I've always heard good things about thus restaurant and have even tried a couple of the sister restaurants, but I don't think all are created equal. With that said, I'm really happy that we made the decision to go there. It wad a Monday night and I was expecting a 1/2 empty restaurant, but I was surprisingly wrong! The atmosphere is very inviting and the kitchen is open to the dining room which can make it quite loud. We ordered the beef carpaccio with shaved peccorino cheese and capers, and arugula for appetizer. It was very tasty and a great way to start a meal! For dinner I got the pan seared walleye and it also had jumbo shrimp on top as if the walleye wasn't enough by itself! The presentation was very appetizing as well with colors of green, red, and white. (Hum.. I guess they were trying to mimic the colors of the Italian flag!) My dinner date ordered the liguine with scallops in a light tomato cream sauce and it was SOOO GOOD!!! It came in a bowl with lots of noodles and as I was taking a bit (or several), I was thinking that it was a good thing I didn't order that because I would have ate the whole thing by myself!!! The best part of the meal was the desert! Of course we asked for a recommendation as the other suggestions turned out great. Our waiter suggested the chocolate peanut torte (not sure of the exact name). OMG, even though I was stuffed, I couldn't stop eating!!! It tasted like a Reese's peanut butter cup on top of a crust that was made out of a Crunch bar! I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I usually don't take deserts home, but I couldn't see it go to waste and asked for the small piece that was left to be boxed up. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Italian food. Although I would suggest reservations or go when it's not their peak hours because I'm sure this place gets packed on Fri & Sat nights!
(4)Job E.
The price, food and atmosphere is all excellent. The menu has plenty of variety with lots of creative dishes. The toughest part of a visit here is picking out what to eat. Every dish I've gotten there has been well balanced and full of flavor. One of these days I'll dare to try the pizza with a raw egg.
(5)Nikki L.
Nothing blew me away. I am not dying to come back, and the food was OK. We ordered the fried calamari which had a nice, light and crispy batter. For an entree we shared a pasta with wild mushrooms in a brown butter sauce. It sounded so much better then what we actually got. Not terrible, not outstanding, just good. However, not good enough for me to come back anytime soon.
(3)D A.
Great food as always, we were rushed out the door, this place is like a well oiled machine, I will give them that, but on a weekday evening, I dont think they need to rush as much as the do. Looking forward to their new Wicker park location!
(3)Alex D.
The food was excellent! The biggest gripe I had with this restaurant, which is admittedly small, is that their menu is relatively limited. All of my friends loved their food, and they have valet parking for $10 dollars!
(4)Kathy T.
My friends and I stopped by here for dinner on the way to a Cubs game (it was recommended to us as a must try if you're in the area). We were so glad we did! We were running late and called in a few times to move around our reservation. They were very nice about it. Food: - Bread with herb infused olive oil: very good and held us over until the rest of the food arrived. - Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta and Wild Mushrooms: I ordered this dish and was surprised at how tasty everything turned out. I didn't realized this dish had mushrooms, but the flavors were so good I didn't even mind it! The polenta was too creamy and had the texture of mashed potatoes so I didn't enjoy that part of my dish too much. - Pollo alla Florentina: the-juiciest-chicken breast-i-have-ever-tasted. lemon butter sauce..not too big of a fan, but WOW. JUICY and TENDER! - Rigatone con Melanzane: the sauce was out of this world. - Spaghetti with Sausage: ehh...not much I can say. It's spaghetti.... - Cavatelli con Pesto: cavatelli was a little too doughy for my taste, but the pesto was good. Service was impeccable. Our server was warm and friendly. We told him we were in a hurry because we had to get to the game, so he brought everything out super fast! This was one of our favorite dining experiences during our trip to Chicago.
(4)James L.
Bad Italian restaurants are all over the suburban Midwest. You can always recognize one by the staff (usually Spanish-speaking) and the menu (the meals are usually not preceded by salads). They typically rear their ugly heads in strip malls, in the form of Olive Garden, Carrabas, Zios and Bravos. Now they have apparently invaded the urban 'hoods of Chicago as cute and intimate little restaurants like Mia Francesca. Like the chains, the food sucks. I don't know how hard it is to replicate a Chef Boyardee spaghetti sauce, but I don't think a restaurant should try to either. And the service sucked too. The waiter gave me a glass of Merlot and insisted it was White Zinfandel. Bad food and bad service. It's definitely your typical Midwestern Italian.
(1)Bill S.
I held a surprise party for my partner's 50th birthday for 21 guests in January 2014. It was upstairs. The party planner Katherine was great, filled with helpful suggestions. The servers were very attentive, and stayed late. The food was excellent. This location was an old favorite we hadn't been to in many years, and it still is a great restaurant. I heartily recommend it.
(5)Jim B.
We had six in our party with a table in the courtyard. Highly recommend the courtyard if the weather is nice due to the noise inside. Everyone was very happy with their meals and the waiter was very helpfull. Food is terrific and the prices are reasonable. Also they have a large gluten free menu as well.
(5)Mark Y.
This little gem is within walking distance to our house. This was my first time and it far exceeded any expectations I had. Ordered the Risotto and Bruschetta for appetizer followed by the Ravioli and Pollo Arrosto Alla Romana. Everything was very fresh but the Pollo Arrosto was a home run!. My wife and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Damian C.
Ladies and gentleman, this is Mia Francesca No. 1 One, two, three, four, five, everybody on the Clark bus, so come on Let's ride to the Italian joint up the corner The boy says he wants some carbo loading But I really don't want the Same old pasta like I have each week I found myself a hot spot that's yum and cheap I like wining, and dining, red drinker, big eater And thanks to VillageVines, 30% off makes it sweeter Two-top in the back, I really thank you my Lord Some great Italian I love to engorge Hot crusty bread, fresh rosemary oil, let me dump it A little bit of Cabernet in my glass, Bruschette con Rucola I won't pass Rigatoni alla Pollo is what I need, big enough for two people to feed Gnocchi Bolognese a bite I'll steal, Italian overload is how I feel A huge Torta di Ciccolata I'm a fan, dinner under $70 makes me your man! I'll spare you the rest. It's delicious. You must eat here. Even if this review doesn't get you to go to Mia Francesca right away, I hope it gets that awful Mambo No. 5 song stuck in your head, and you may be risking additional lyrics written my yours truly.
(5)Kim C.
Oh so good Italian food. Our large party shared bruschetta and calamari. Each was good, and while the breaded deep fried calamari rings have lost their luster at most restaurants, these were light but flavorful. My pasta and seafood dish was great -- it came as ordered (changes to the menu seem totally okay), the scallops were perfectly cooked (not raw but not chewy either) and the pasta had a great firm texture that was worth going back for. Everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy their dishes that ranged from the half roasted chicken (ordered by the regulars) and a couple of pizzas that looked phenomenal. I was too full to order dessert, but I'd go back just to try the tiramisu that someone ordered and promptly devoured. And they handled my 6yo very well. Hard to give 5 stars on the basis of one visit, but if they do this well on my next time around, they'll have that extra star for sure.
(4)Liam B.
If you don't like Mia's there might be something wrong with you. I've been there for brunch and dinner and everything has always been delicious. Like other such places if you get wine and a bunch of food you will be spending some $$ but overall the prices are pretty standard. Excellent service, great food, good prices, and great wine selection, probably best Italian restaurant in Wrigleyville.
(5)Mat M.
Mia Francesca is a good for Italian. The service is good, the food is consistent and they have a few locations. If you're looking for something easy and tasty, give them a chance
(4)Jan S.
We hosted our son's rehearsal dinner in the upstairs private room at Mia Francesca's. WOW it was amazing. From the 1st phone call to the event coordinator to the actual event I was treated so pleasantly and so accomodating. The food was incredible and very generous portions. On a 5 star rating I would give a 6.....The atmosphere was quaint and the staff so pleasant. Would recommend highly. Jan S
(5)Jon W.
First off, this is coming from a former employee of Mia Francesca's. SCOTT HARRIS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD AND LIAR. This guy gets away with paying his busboys $2.50 an hour and makes his staff tip out in cash the difference to make up for the minimum wage he does not pay them. Also, if you work for this company, be expected as a server to dole out 50% of YOUR tips to foodrunners, busboys, and the bartender. It's a total SCAM, and I am highly shocked that the IRS has not got a hold of Scott Harris' nuts by now. See, the devil is in the details. Every night, as a server, you have to claim all of your credit card tips. But, you tip everyone out in cash tips. When your taxes come at the beginning of the year, you will owe a shit ton of money, close to double what you ACTUALLY earned. My tax return said I made $40,000, I actually made about $28,000, all clear, and I owed the government. This company is a complete disgrace, and highly illegal.
(1)Eric C.
Nice and cozy,but a bit on the loud side. Tables fairly close together,one person restrooms. Nice backyard patio area. Ok now to the food. 5 of us for dinner,we had two of the spaghetti specials, soup of pepper was good, not spicy or hot. Spaghetti was dry,pasta under cooked a bit. Someone had the sausage pizza which was light on the sausage,but overall not bad. Server was terrific though. Later fellow yelpers!
(3)Nikki K.
Went with the boyfriend on a date night. Food was decent, service was fine. But my god, the water guy was ON FIRE. This man was DEDICATED. He refilled our waters 3 times in the first 15 minutes we were there. You couldn't go longer than 10 minutes with a gap between the top of your water and the rim of the glass - this man wouldn't allow such a travesty. I kept a tally: our waitress visited us 10 times, and the water guy visited us 7 TIMES. 40% of the attention we were given was just for water!! Amazing. I hope he ended up with our whole tip for the night. Not that our waitress wasn't good too, but just.. wow. Water guys should really take a lesson from this man. Will definitely go back next time I'm thirsty.
(3)Shaundra N.
One word: Delicious! I haven't been here for years and I am happy to say that they are still serving great food. I love the calamari appetizer complete with marinara sauce. I also love the bread and olive oil. The main course for both me and my companion was also delicious. I had pasta with Italian sausage and it was all very fresh. We took the Tiramisu home with us and enjoyed it later. It was a great meal from the top to the bottom. I will be back! I gave 4 STARS instead of 5 because of the "too close" seating. I loved the ambiance, but the seating was uncomfortably close to other patrons.
(4)A.J. M.
I had come here about a year earlier, but had forgotten what i had in specifics. But I do recall it was good. So i got my chance at round two and boy, it was a fantastic experience. The waitstaff was very friendly and helpful. The wine pours were generous, plus the chianti I ordered was excellent. For the appetizers the calamari (which is hard to screw up) was very good, but the prosciutto was unbelievable. I would be content with just eating that all day. For dinner, my linguine with mussels and spicy marinara sauce was some of the finest pasta i've consumed in a while. Oh my. Can't wait to go back
(5)Amanda H.
My boyfriend and I decided on this place last minute yesterday on Valentine's Day, thanks to you yelpers, and because it is literally right around the corner from my street. We walked in and I had an immediate bad feeling because it was incredibley crowded and tiny, smelled like something was burning, and the hostess was very flustered and frustrated. We told her we had no reservations and she said she would take us to a seat. We followed her but didn't go very far, because there were no seats. She then told us to go upstairs. Bf and I proceeded to leave and go up some random, obscure set of stairs next door and we were seated on the second level, which I want to comment on and say that it was not cold at all, and perhaps even a bit warm. But it was also very busy. Our table seemed to be a bit in the way and I got bumped a lot, but I didn't really mind because it is a popular night. We proceeded to have a nice Valentine's Day dinner and were able to talk without yelling. I had the most delicious red wine and I loved my meal (linguine with pesto and potatoes/string beans). I even had leftovers for two meals. The bf seemed to enjoy his meal, and we relaxed and didn't feel rushed at all. I would return for sure on a less busy night.
(4)Beth B.
I have been here several times, especially since my parents request we go every time they're in town. Haven't had any reasonably priced Italian better than Mia's in the city yet. Num num!!
(5)Leslie S.
I had a perfectly fine time at Mia Francesca - it wasn't the best Italian I've ever had, but it certainly wasn't the worst either. The caprese salad was just what you'd expect: tomatoes with mozzarella medallions and a bit of basil and evoo on top. The ravioli con spinaci was nicely done, though I would have substituted the four-cheese sauce for a butter and herb sauce. The wine selection was what you typically find at Italian restaurants in the city - nothing to rave about. Tables are spaced quite close to each other, which probably makes the noise level seem louder than it actually is. It also means that the servers can't always see if you're out of water or finished with the meal. They do what they can, but you might wait awhile if you need service. Reservations probably aren't necessary, but I always think it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dining out. You can usually make same-day reservations on OpenTable without a problem.
(3)Michelle D.
Just went to Mia Francesca again and had my favorite salmon dish (tomatoes, white wine sauce, lemon, etc.) and remembered how it is not just my favorite dish at Mia's, but the best salmon dish I have ever had. The bread is still warm and tasty and the pastas are excellent. We actually just got back from Rome and Venice, and this confirmed the quality and authenticity of Mia Francesca. I love it. And if you want a quieter place, ask to sit upstairs. My previous review gave them 4 stars simply because of the noise levels. The food significantly makes up for this.
(5)Ashley M.
Good food and good service. I am not a really big fan of Italian food but would definitely go back here. A great place to bring family, even with a smaller menu they have a lot to choose from. We started with the mussels and fried calamari, I have never had either so good. Our entrees were all really great and you get a good sized portion for what you pay for. It can get crowded pretty quickly so definitely make a reservation.
(4)Team B.
We scored the last walk-in reservation of the evening around 6:30 on a Saturday. The place was packed and loud, and the staff were young and a bit overwhelmed. Still, the food was quite tasty. We enjoyed some bread and olive oil along with a small bowl of parmesan cheese that one of the staff brought over for us. I ordered a Twisted Negroni, though it turned out that I preferred the original. We also ordered an appetizer of fried cauliflower and brussels sprouts (despite the fact that Heather dislikes brussels sprouts). The dish worked pretty well; we were pleased. We got an order of Ravioli Tartufati for our main course. The cream sauce and truffle oil paired very well with the pasta and tomatoes. Despite the noise, we stuck around to try the tiramisu. We are suckers for good tiramisu, and Francesca's rendition was solid. It was creamy with enough of a cocoa dusting to cut through the sweetness of the cheese. Recommended! Given that the Bryn Mawr location is not that far away (closer to our place in Evanston, for sure) and much larger, I'd imagine future Francesca's trips will target that location. The Clark Street room was too loud and crowded considering identical menus at both locations (as far as I could tell, anyway).
(4)Drew B.
By far one of the best Italian restaurants not only in Lakeview, but in the city. Wonderful food, great atmosphere and hasty service with a smile. It also helped that I had an amazing dinner companion that evening. I'll be back Mrs. Francesca
(5)Casey Z.
Love, love, love Mia! This restaurant is so cute (perfect for a first date). Very rustic. They have wonderful Italian food. Everything is very fresh and homemade. I remember reading somewhere that when Jennifer Aniston was in town filming "The Breakup," she listed Mia Francesca as one of her favorite restaurants in the city.
(4)David P.
Always consistent, and always fun. It's crowded, it's loud, and there's a ton of energy. And that's exactly what I expect from a neighborhood popular restaurant--if the food wasn't great, it would be empty and quiet. The food is always fantastic, and it changes constantly. Whether it's a salad, pasta, or a main course you won't leave hungry and you won't be disappointed. My other favorite part is feeling like your part of multiple conversations along the way. Cozy up to the neighboring table and you'll find something interesting to chat about.
(4)Kyle K.
Ate here last Thursday and the food was excellent! Sooooooo good! Very pleased with the service and the back patio is small but very nice. The only thing is I would reccomment staying away from their coffee Martini, tastes like straight up coffee beans. I didn't have the heart to return it but they added some sweetner so that is was somewhat drinkable. The Cucumber Mint Martini was pretty good though.
(5)Kris A.
Yum yum yum. This is a great little Italian place with friendly, knowledgeable waiters and incredible food. I ordered the salmon and it was fantastic (and I normally don't even like salmon that much). Additionally, I was forced to try some of this spinach appetizer thing, and it was insanely good. Very much enjoyed my wine as well. One problem: I don't like how tightly packed you are in there - this isn't New York - we have room! But I deal with it because the food is delish!
(4)Morgan C.
This is a great restaurant, one of our favorites. The service is quite good. They change the menu each week. Why is it missing a star? They have become a little impersonal in service and inconsistent with the food since they went corporate. We have gotten to know the new managers since then. However, we have also gone in at times when most of the items on the menue are gone, and it's not even marathon season! The patch job for it doesn't make up. They also don't have certain items that were developed through permitted chef creativity. The corporate piece has cut back on that. I've tried to recreate that celery and leek salad that the chef created right before the take over. How miserable that it has never returned! The waiters who would call us when a favorite item has returned are gone now as well. They didn't want the corporate homogenization to the service. They liked the input they could give on kitchen matters. It's sad. We go less often, but I would still recommend it to others. It's not as reliably consistent as before, but until we get a new favorite Italian restaurant. It is our stand by. It is no longer THE go to for us though. We used to take every out of town guest here and eat at least once a week. Our daughter grew up in it. She was even "saved" by a bus boy as she pushed back from the table in a fit and started to fall backward to the floor in her chair. A regular bus boy was there in a flash and caught the chair just as it was about to hit the floor. She was in shock. We were relieved, and it was an awesome move! He is no longer there either. What a bummer! It does get crowded. They do pack you in. It can get smelly as well. To manage Go during the week If you must go on a busy night, usually they have the upstairs open, ask for a table there. You have more space, and you won't end up smelling like the kitchen. If none of the above are possible, just plan the night in a way in which you can shower right after lest you smell like the kitchen or everyone else's fried food.
(4)Bri A.
I came here for my boyfriend's company party. Who can turn down a free dinner at a nice place? :P We had the upstairs area to ourselves and it wasn't too crowded. The appetizers (calamari, bruschetta with goat cheese, pizza, I forget what else) were delicious and the drinks were strong. I ordered a semi-complicated drink which the bartender remembered. He went around asking people if they would like another drink too. Thats what I call excellent service! For dinner, we had rigatoni in marinara with sausage, rigatoni in an creamy sauce with squash and mushrooms, some kind of chicken and potatoes, tilapia with mushrooms and that is it I think. I had one too many drinks at that point but I do remember the food being amazing! We had chianti and pino grigio as well. My glass was never empty since the waiters filled it often. For dessert we had giant profiteroles which is my favorite dessert ever. The fact that they were giant made my night. We were able to take leftovers of the dinner too. You can guess what I had for lunch the next day!
(5)Brice B.
Staying in a high rise downtown tends to distort your understanding of a city. Sure, the Magnificent Mile is awesome, but if that's all you get, you're not really getting Chicago. I'm glad I grew up in nearby Indiana, and I think my dinner companions were, too. It's hard to impress two people as well traveled as my conference buddies, but I think Mia Francesca did the trick. The menu was so solid that we decided to share. We had a pizza, pasta with mussels, and chicken. Every dish was great, and the bottle of sangiovese we got was a good one. The atmosphere and the service were money, and we got out for around $100. Not bad at all. I would definitely put this in your rotation if you've never been before. It's definitely worth it.
(5)Kaitlin S.
This place is a great Chicago staple. Entree prices are very reasonable. Nice atmosphere and great wine.
(5)tina m.
I'm sorry but this place is nothing to jump up and down over. My wonderful husband took me here for Valentines Day (shout out). We were told to go next door and up the stairs to their other dinner/bar seating area. For starters, i'm giving it at least 2 stars because our server was really great. He was super attentive and was great at recommending all kinds of things to try on the menu. But that is where it ends. We had the lobster risotto; meh. Super fishy taste. My hubby loved his pasta. I had some kind of fish, it was unique and I can't remember the name of it, but again; meh. Maybe I should have just gotten the pasta, but our server recommended the fish so I figured I'd try it. Nope, never again. Now the creme brulee at the end? Forget about it...DELISH! But that was about it.
(2)Jen D.
I went to Mia Francesca on a Friday night with 4 of my girlfriends for 7pm reservations. We were seated promptly at 7pm. As mentioned by other yelpers, the dining room is packed tight and the volume is fairly loud - but not so loud we couldn't carry a conversation with everyone at the table! Decor is simple/classy. Our server was a little slow to take our orders, but was very pleasant to deal with. Service the rest of the night was fine. The food was great. 2 of us had the Spaghetti Carbonara - a dish that is often tough to find. It was pretty good. The pancetta could have been a little better (more flavorful), but the dish was still fine. We also had the calamari appetizer. The breading was too light for my taste, but the sauce was delicious. This is always a reliable choice in Chicago for Italian! On technical merits alone, I'd rate this a 3 - but I'll round up to 4 bcs it's consistent and reliable!
(4)Jen A.
Obsessed with this place! It is the only place I will eat pasta, and I will eat all of them on the menu! It is extremely authentic and fresh and I crave it constantly. A very affordable and pleasant Italian restaurant with generous servings. All of their desserts are also amazing- especially the creme brulee and flourless chocolate cake.
(5)Carrie W.
Geez, what happened? Mia Francesca's used to be one of my go-to restaurants for solid Italian food and last night I felt like I had been tricked into going to Olive Garden, though I feel that the food might actually be better there. To start, the herbs in the olive oil served at the table were dried, not fresh, which is really disappointing. I don' t like woody bits in my olive oil. It messes up the tasty bread they serve. Minorish point, that. More importantly, all three pasta dishes we ordered were really sub-par. The pasta was way overcooked in each dish; one of my friend's cavatappi was just falling into mush. On top of that, all dishes were way oversauced, to the point it was like pasta in soup and didn't resemble anything you would find in a "real" Italian restaurant. Sure, the flavors were still good--it's kind of difficult to mess up the awesomeness natively present in basil, garlic, or tomatoes. But darned if they didn't try. On the plus side, the service is super friendly and they do make you feel welcome. Now if only they would step the pasta dishes up. I don't like paying so much for food I can make better at home. That's kind of the point of eating out.
(3)Francesca L.
It's been my second time to dine in at Mia Francesca, Lakeview. The waitress had a good sense of recommending the menu that wasn't on the menu list. I built my own pasta based on her suggestions, and it was yummy. Service is fairly good, and the atmosphere is quite nice.
(4)Erica M.
Great service, great food, over excellent experience! Went here for my anniversary after a colleague recommended it and I'm sure glad I took her advice! We had the squash ravioli and a chicken dish and to this day my boyfriend and I still talk about how delicious it was!
(5)Jeff H.
Mia is one of my long time favorites. I live around the corner, and it's one of the best in lakeview. The rotating pasta dishes and entrees are almost all wonderful and fresh. The atmosphere is extremely lively and loud, with the kitchen in the back corner of the restaurant. I love bringing people from out of town for a true Chicago neighborhood experience. Most of the servers have been with the restaurant for years and remember you when you dine. Felix is our favorite!
(4)J O.
We have eaten here a couple of times, but won't be going back. The maitre d' was exceptionally rude and the food simply not enough to make up for being treated poorly. I would encourage the owners to think service-service-service. We saw him refuse to sit a much older couple when their party was incomplete. Ok, that's their policy, but when the husband asked for a chair for his wife, that was also refused. This was at 6:30 on a Wednesday, the place was easily half empty. He then sat our party next to the bus station--again, the place is empty. He very grudgingly and with much eye-rolling moved us, but the night was spoiled. Our waiter was fine, but there are too many other places of similar quality and price to go back here.
(2)Katherine R.
Mia, Mia, Mia....you were the next sister on the list of Francesca's I had to meet. You and your sister forno must be like the Jan and Marcia Brady of restaurants eh? Trying to one up each other all the time... neck in neck to be the best?? Well MIA, your bianco fish was fabulous. Absolutely, hands down, the best fish I have ever eaten. Super flaky, full of flavor and very moist...the white wine sauce and all the vegetables that complemented the fish were fantastic. I cannot say enough about this dish! I normally order gnocchi or something...but I took a chance and I am SO happy I did. It was AWESOME. Also Mia, huge props to you for having a gluten-free menu- that is the reason we dined here that night. My sister absolutely loved the linguine dish she had; she's never had linguine style pasta! My mom and I both tried it and it was awesome...definitely the best gluten free pasta we've ever had. SO SO SO GOOD. It's few and far between you find an Italian place, or ANY place for that matter that serves gluten free. I'm happy and appreciative the Francesca's family is keepin up with the Jones'. Our waiter was super cool on the gluten free thing and was a very enthusiastic waiter...props to that. Our drinks did run empty on more than one occasion...but that could have been because of the very needy table of women behind us. Does every dish HAVE to be altered?? Seriously ladies, COME ON. My Mom had the gnocchi with meat sauce...I'm not a fan of meat sauce, but I did try a gnocchi or two and they were very good. They weren't too mushy or too dry...they were...perfect. Yes. I said it. The place is PICCOLO, molto, molto piccolo, (very small). If you don't have a reservation on a weekend or any night for that matter...you must not care waiting. The bar area is more of a nuisance than anything. People cram up there 2-3 deep while a table of diners is inches behind you. It's loud and crazy but the food is fabulous and definitely worth it.
(5)Jaime S.
I went with a group of 6 people. We had 7 p.m. reservations on a Friday night. We waited less than 3 minutes for our table. Sat and ordered 3 bottles of wine between all of us (hey - we were on vacation)! We all ordered something different. I had the shells in a cream sauce (menu changes occasionally) and it was very good! The only thing I didn't care for was the pizza. It looked and tasted like a gluten-free pizza. Grainy texture, but overall flavor was not bad. We split our bill 3 ways and they did not seem to care. Reasonably priced food and wine. The thing I loved is that you can come casual or dressed up. The place is loud (like typical Italians) and great for big groups of people!
(4)Bob H.
Mia Francesca is one of my favorite Italian spots in the city. While the menu always changes some, there are always some staples that always make an appearance. My personal favorite is the Pollo Romana, and the Pollo Limone if its on the menu. This place is usually packed and can sometimes require you to use a louder voice in conversation. However, the service is always on point. I also recommend dessert here as its always a good ending to a fine dinner. The prices aren't too hateful, and the wine list isn't too bad. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for good Italian in the city.
(5)Amy J.
I've been to Francesca restaurants a lot, but I'd actually never been to this particular location. I knew I was probably in for something good, but everything was even better that I remembered. The bread is warm and served with basil infused olive oil, so good. We had the calamari to start--and let me say, easily the best calamari that I have ever had. It wasn't heavily breaded and it was full of flavor. It was delcious. I noticed that every table around us was ordering it as well so it must be a favorite there. Although the menu changes from day to day, they always have calamari so I really recommend trying it if you go there. It's the best I've ever had. I got scallops and linguini in a light tomato sauce and it was excellent. I was almost full by the time I got my meal but the scallops were prepared perfectly and I ate what I could. The portions here are HUGE though. I brought home what I had left and it's easily another 2 meals. Everything was delicious though and reasonably priced. I really love this place, it's fantastic.
(4)Lorraine D.
Yummy! We ate dinner at Mia on friday and my husband has been saying "my pasta was delicious" every five minutes since.
(4)Andrea M.
I've been here and the one in Elmhurst- both are great. I always get the carpaccio as the appetizer. It's a nice starter if you want something light, yet delicious. I would definitely recommend something else if you expect a more substantial filler. I've also ordered a salmon special that was out of this world. Depending on what you order, it can start to get pricey (especially if you order wine like my sister and I do). This location in particular is on the smaller side, but it doesn't take away from anything. I went with a large group of people (about 12) and service was excellent for the limited space the waiter had to move around us.
(4)Ashley K.
Good food... But I don't like being a sardine. I could barely hear my companion and felt awkward eavesdropping on the people literally a foot to my right or left. In case you were wondering: To my left - a young professional couple, just starting out in their relationship - excited to go to a concert To my right - two single/divorced 30 somethings gossiping about other couples problems. Too bad I was actually interested in conversing with my date... weird... I know.
(2)D T.
I love this place. It's consistently excellent food and great service. I love how the menu is always changing, and the basic ingredients they cook with. ( You might leave a little garlicky, but I'm married so that's fine with me.) The atmosphere is VERY hustling and bustling. It's always noisy and packed, so I suggest a reservation. I love everything I have had here...pasta, fish and roast chicken. All of the apps are always delicious as well!! It would be 5 stars if they had a drink list and better wine by the glass....
(4)Layne S.
Food was ok. Place was overstuffed - too many people. Wait staff was excellent. No need to go back with so many other good choices in Chicago.
(3)Heather R.
Mrs. Francesca can cook, but she can't deliver service... My girl friend and I met up for dinner here this evening and the food could've not been more perfect. I made extra room in my tummy to finish my entree' and that doesn't happen much at Italian restaurants, but I just couldn't stop eating.They absolutely deserve 5 stars based on the deliciousness and freshness of the food. However, due to the service and the cramped seating space, they generously get 2 stars. My girlfriend and I ordered: 2 glasses of wine (each) Some amazing bruschetta app to share A chicken, mozzarella prosciutto tomato pasta entree (each) And what was supposed to be 2 Tiramasu's (one each, but our waitress mistakenly only brought us one, so we shared...which was fine, but the point being is we ordered 2) which would've been great with coffee which she never offered to us like the other tables around us were!!! The wine was perfect---refreshing, light, and smooth. Bruschetta was perfecto There are no words for how over the moon we were about the entree And the Tiramasu was hands down the best I've ever had--perfection! With what we ordered, you would think our waitress would have paid attention to us, but no such luck. She started out OK, but then PROGRESSIVELY declined...granted all the tables were full, but she only had a few tables to watch and there were 7 bus boys (we counted!) that allowed finished dirty plates to sit in front of us for over 15 minutes, water glasses (that were finally fillled at the end of the meal) and wine glasses that remained empty and never topped off, and we basically had to flag our waitress down to get her attention when we wanted more drinks, dessert (which she messed up), and our check. We did get our food fairly quickly, but we ended up waiting more than we did eating the full meal. She appeared to be more interested in 4 tops and tables with kids rather than 2 professional women dining over a 3 course meal...I was unimpressed with the service and it didn't help that we were crammed into a corner with no room to move and when bus boys were clearing plates and tables they were pretty much in your lap since there was no room to move. Normally, I am an incredibly good tipper and it is RARE for me to leave a 10% tip. Unfortunately, our lady Mrs. Francesca got to feel what that is like this evening. I am one of those people who feel you earn your tip. You shouldn't just be given a tip because you work in food service and you deal with crappy people...why? Because I work in customer service and I deal with crappy people all the time. I am expected to earn my raise; therefore, you are expected to earn your tip. You start out with 22-20% and based on the service it remains or decreases. It's surprising how much a great meal and restaurant can quickly go down in points based on a bad service experience. If you want great food and could careless about service this is your place. I haven't decided if I'll be back. If I do, I will ask to not be in her section, or sit outside....rumor is they cater, so I may use them for some of my events. We shall see...
(2)Michael P.
Not sure what all the fuss is about. It's a good Italian restaurant, don't get me wrong, but I've had better. I also don't love how claustrophobic it feels, or how I watched non-customers walk in the unlocked back door and cut me in line for the bathroom. The food was OK, but the price for the size of the portions left something to be desired. I'll probably try other Italian places in the city before coming back here.
(3)Matthew S.
LOVE this place. I've been here several times. I go for the roasted chicken with potatoes. I've been bitter in the past when ordering this on a Sunday - and the Senior Citizens have wiped them out at lunch time, when it was the special. I'd suggest making reservations. Great for dates, a little loud, but then you have to sit closer. Vegetarian friendly - vegan gets a little tough. The parking situation can be tough, if you are cheap like me and don't want to valet or take the train. But the place is clean, and has great dim lighting. I've never had a bad seat, but I don't like sitting by the front door or kitchen of ANY restaurant. I'd totally suggest this place. Its not that pricey, and its classy to boot.
(4)Nancy V.
Enjoyed another fabulous dinner last night. Jumbo tortellini with chicken, mushrooms, prosciutto & ricotta cheese was wonderful. Service was attentive & friendly. Mia Francesca is one of my favs!
(5)Shweta N.
Love Mia Francesca! I've come here quite a few times and it's definitely my favorite place for Italian food in Chicago. The food is always consistently delicious and seasonal. The staples to definitely try are the ravioli con spinaci, the salmon alla fresca, and the carpaccio.
(4)Cynthia B.
Food was very good. The reason I gave it 2 stars though is because I didn't invite the cock roach to dinner with me. I know they are "everywhere" but when you actually see one it's a different story.
(2)Janet X.
First of all, I've tried two other restaurants in the Francesca's chain already -- Forno and Campagna -- but this is the first time I've been on a crowded night. I really enjoyed the homemade dumplings with pesto and chicken, and it was really reasonably priced compared to some of the other Italian places I've gone to in the city. Portions, as usual, were more than generous... the friend that I went with eats like there's no tomorrow and there was still a full lunch's worth of food left over on the plate. Only things that kept this from being a five star experience: 1) Do NOT go for any kind of romantic experience, unless you're on a first date. Tables were very close together and it was very loud; more than a few times the person sitting behind me knocked into my chair. Also, lots and lots of children around. I guess it would help you to think about not making any bad decisions that night? 2) What's up with the musical selection? I'm usually not one to notice, but why were they playing the entire "That's What I Call Music" album from 2009 on loop? 3) My server was REALLY rushed! If you ever order a beer during a busy time, tell them you'll pour it yourself...
(4)Vanessa V.
Perfect service. Perfect pesto ravioli with mushrooms. Perfect dining experience. My boyfriend and I were in Chicago on a weekend vacation and Mia Francesca epitomized exquisite Italian cuisine. Highly recommended. Wish Miami would open up a similar restaurant.
(5)Grey W.
This place is pretty good. The food has never disappointed by any means, and the service has always been great. The only downside is that the dining room seems pretty crowded, as the tables are pretty close together and it seems like I am constantly running into people. But the atmosphere is otherwise pretty good. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for good Italian food on the North Side.
(4)Char Y.
I was quite skeptical of this place due to the fact that it is a chain, but decided to give it a try after watching it on Check Please. Now I know why it is a chain, because the original is GOOD. The handwritten menu looks homey with interesting choices and lots of seafood dishes. We ordered calamari fritt - tender and juicy and just right bruschette alla toscana - i never knew a simple combo of tomato basil cheese and ham could be so good, and not soggy linguine alla sora assonata - pasta with scallops & spinish - yum linguine al funghetto - very mushroomy and good rigatoni dei sardi ravioli con pesto pollo arrosto alla romana - need salt tiramisu - super light & fluffy molten chocolate cake - with bits of chocolate in the middle, wow profiterole - giant puffs with ice cream in the middle peanut butter chocolate cake - salty and sweet white chocolate gelato - tasted like coconut to me! in one world, DELICIOUS! The pastas were cooked al dente, which I loved, and all the sauces were good. I have to say, I thought the other restaurant from last week had more flavorful sauces, but the desserts were EXCELLENT.
(4)Anna G.
We went here because my mom got a gift certificate. And I'm so happy that she did! The food was AMAZING. Everything tasted so fresh, like they just go out the back and pick the ingredients from their own garden. It was a party in my mouth! And it didn't take long for the food to arrive at our table, either. I would definitely go here again and would definitely recommend it to others. My only complaint was that the atmosphere was a bit lacking. The music was a bit odd for this kind of restaurant. They had some kind of classic rock soundtrack going, with AC/DC and Kiss. And the tables were pretty close together. But I don't care about that as much as I care about the food!
(4)Jess E.
This is my go-to Italian restaurant in the city. In my many, many visits I have always had great food and even better service. I recommend sitting downstairs if you're a party of less than four and don't mind the tight quarters and loud atmosphere. I kind of love that feel, but when we want a quieter experience, we move upstairs to the much quieter dining/bar area. It is a totally different feel than downstairs and great for parties larger than four or that prefer a more mellow dining experience. I love that the menu is always changing. In all of my visits, I try a different entree each time. The carpaccio is fantastic as is the blue cheese and tomato salad. The creme brulee is also a nice treat to top off the meal. My parents always love going here when in town, as well. Since they are borderline wine snobs (kidding...sort of), my mom emails the manager to request the option of bringing one bottle of wine for our table if we order one from the restaurant, too. He always waives the corkage byob fee for us. I think that attention to customer service is what keeps us coming back again and again. It is rare to find reasonably priced restaurants in the city that go that extra mile to keep their customers really happy (and that put up with requests like that)! I've always had great wait staff service and food to please everyone in our party. Will keep going again and again!
(4)Andrea B.
I give this place four stars because although the food is great, this place is small and can get so crowded to the point that you have to shout at people in your own group. It's also quite common for everyone--including the wait staff and customers--to consistently bump into your table or chairs. Not exactly what i want to happen when I'm sipping wine or trying to eat dinner. Anyway. I came here with my boyfriend and his co-worker who also brought his wife. Yes, it was crowded because we decided to go on a Saturday night, but hey...we were seated right away (we had made reservations, which I suggest highly), so no big deal. Our waitress came back three separate times to take our drink, appetizer, and then dinner orders. I felt that was a waste of time considering I was starving, but we were warned the kitchen was crazy, so ordering in intervals seemed to make sense, I don't know. We had bruschetta as an appetizer that came with arugula and I think goat cheese, which was amazing. very good and light, and just enough for all four of us. Our entrees were also good, rave reviews all around. The swordfish is recommended, and I had linguini tossed in a basil pesto sauce with scallops and shrimp. Delicious. Everything from the pasta to the fish was cooked wonderfully. They serve big portions here, so if you are a light eater like I am, be prepared to take your food home. It won't go to waste, I promise you. We did not have desert, as we were full and tired of hearing everyone else's conversation except ours. However, we eyed some sorbet at another table, and we were quite intrigued by it, so perhaps I shall save that for another visit. all in all, good food, tiny space. The wait staff is nice and quick, and I don't care what anyone else might say, I loved the food. yes, i did.
(4)anne p.
oh my goodness. i wish i could give this place more stars. with a gluten allergy, i never get to eat pasta anymore unless i make it myself (and since i conveniently hate cooking, that never happens). i was so excited to get an enormous bowl of delicious pasta with fresh vegetables placed in front of me! the vegetables tasted like they'd literally been picked from some garden they had growing out back, rinsed, cooked and thrown into my food. ohhh so good. the wine was delish, service was excellent, lovely ambiance - just can't complain. everyone must go!
(5)Kate N.
Loved the food! The service was fantastic. Although I would reccomend making reservations. I went on Friday night and they had to sit us upstairs because didn't have a reservation, but it was still fantastic!
(4)L V.
I went here since it was highly recommended by my cousin and sister. It definitely lived up to the expectations. The scallop dish I had was delish. My boyfriend had a salmon dish which was also very good. Service was excellent. Because of how much we loved this restaurant, we are so excited. Francesca's on chestnut opened downtown. We plan on definitely trying it soon.
(4)Jennifer H.
This is another one of my favorite neighborhood places. I often take out of town guests here for dinner. This place has great drinks and good food. I've never had a bad meal here. In the summer I enjoy sitting outside on the back patio. The only draw back to this place is it's small and can get quite loud during peak times. If your looking for a great meal, look no further, you will not be disappointed.
(4)Heather S.
Man is this place good! One of the top restaurants in Chicago. I just ate here last week w/ my sister and we had the best waiter and food! Definately try the carpaccio, quattro stagione pizza (sp?), and the tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad. We shared these three dishes and didnt' have room for desert! The room downstairs does get noisy and busy. My husband and I often eat at the upstairs bar which is a room you can rent out. In fact, we held our wedding reception here. It is perfect for a small party - 75 max. They treat you like a queen and the pricing is very reasonable and the food of course amazing!
(5)dave c.
Excellent!!! Always an awesome meal. Have been going here for about 12 or 13 year now and have never had a bad experience. I've also been to several other locations including a few in the burbs and have always had great food and excellent service. If you're looking for great, authentic italian food look no further. The locations on Taylor and Bryn Mawr are equally good as well
(5)Lauren M.
From their veggies to their seafood, the food is fantastically fresh. Great flavors in each of the different sauces, plus I love the flexibility of getting my favorite pasta in any of their delicious sauces.
(4)Kelly S.
Despite all the hype about Mia Francesca, I have had much better Italian food in the same neighborhood over the years. The food is good but the atmosphere can be tough. It is very crowded and loud which is fine for group dinners. However, I stopped going after the last time when pretty much every 10 minutes, a waiter would bump into my chair because it was so crowded. The Mia Francesca on Bryn Mawr is less crowded (more space) and seems to offer more options. I recommend going there instead of the Clark St location.
(3)Rian K.
My favorite Italian restaurant in the city! The pasta is always so fresh and even their simplest dishes taste unlike anything that you can make yourself. Even after eating at a bunch of great restaurants in Italy, I can't complain--it upholds the basic elements that I experienced there--fresh, simple, delicious. The menu is always different, and it's a great place to go on a date or with friends. If you want a little peace and quiet, try to get a spot in the coach house out back, which only has a few tables and is attended to by one great server/bartender, who has given us free shots with dessert every time I've dined back there. He's the best! Make a reservation if you can, because even when you have, you'll have to wait a bit.
(5)Aubrey K.
Mia Francesca's is a wonderful, dependable, Italian feed. An added bonus is that they now take reservations. Years ago I had to suffer waiting in long lines. On my last visit we sat upstairs which was quieter it seemed. We had a great Caesar salad. I was satisfied with my Linguine Vongole but even more impressed with my Mom's Salmon and Shrimp special. I love how the menu is hand-written and the service is not stuffy.
(4)Erin T.
My boyfriend and I decided to go to Mia Francesca on a random Friday night. We didn't have reservations, but we agreed to sit at the bar in the back little coach house. The bartender/ waiter was very accommodating; however, there was a lot of confusion about seating. We were wedged between another couple and the end of the bar. The waiter wasn't able to pass through, so he moved us down even close to the couple. Totally not his fault, but I wish the host would have just told us to wait until someone sitting at the bar was finished. The waiter/ bartender recommended an excellent red wine. My boyfriend ordered the ravioli, which was absolutely delicious. I ordered a linguine dish with pancetta and onions. My food was so so. I definitely could have prepared it at home myself, which is kind of disappointing. I would go back to Mia Francesca. But I would know what to order and definitely call for reservations.
(3)Clare K.
eh. it was ok. i had heard nothing but amazing things about this place, but i have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. maybe the build up killed it? and the bread was...bread. i read some of the other reviews about how great the bread was, but it was just plain bread. my pasta had a decent flavor, but seemed one dimensional. i was tired of eating it about 1/4 of the way through. the pasta sauce also had a weird texture to it...slimy almost? i don't know how to describe it, but i have not encountered it before. definitely not the best italian in town and nothing even to write home about. i would have been very disappointed if i had had to wait to be seated, which i was even counting on, but the place was absolutely deserted. i doubt i will be back and definitely not if i have to wait like everyone else has to, apparently.
(3)J V.
Like its neigbor across the street, Thai Classic, the food is good, but inconsistent. My experience came from a super salty pasta dish. Good service.
(3)Stephanie B.
I've been to this place a handful of times, and here's the skinny: Pasta is always on point. Actually have never had a bad entree for the most part. However, it is always packed on weekends and is rock concert, can't-hear-yourself-think loud. I don't know if it's the acoustics in the place, or the fact that they have 999 tables crammed in there, but it's so loud you literally have to shout to the person next to you. It's also super bright in there. So, the ambiance factor is shot. I also always feel like I'm being rushed through my meal, which I don't love. I think upstairs might be a little more chill, but for the most part it's not usually a particularly enjoyable or relaxing experience, which is kind of a shame because the food is actually very good. I'd hit up Angelina or Rosangelis if I wanted to linger over dinner in a nicer atmosphere. However, I will probably continue to go back to this place... I'll just bring a megaphone. PS: if you get the calamari, get it grilled. The fried version always comes out soggy. And if you order pasta, split it w/your buddy across the table - they give you a trough for a serving.
(3)Kate S.
Mia Francesca is absolutely my favorite Italian place in Chicago. I love the changing menu, and have never been disappointed by a meal. The pasta is perfectly cooked, the sauces are fresh, and the portions allow me enough for lunch the next day. The main room is crowded and noisy, which gives it a nice neighborhood feel, but if you're interested in a more intimate and quiet dining experience, ask to sit upstairs or in the carriage house.
(5)Nikki L.
Nothing blew me away. I am not dying to come back, and the food was OK. We ordered the fried calamari which had a nice, light and crispy batter. For an entree we shared a pasta with wild mushrooms in a brown butter sauce. It sounded so much better then what we actually got. Not terrible, not outstanding, just good. However, not good enough for me to come back anytime soon.
(3)D A.
Great food as always, we were rushed out the door, this place is like a well oiled machine, I will give them that, but on a weekday evening, I dont think they need to rush as much as the do. Looking forward to their new Wicker park location!
(3)A.J. M.
I had come here about a year earlier, but had forgotten what i had in specifics. But I do recall it was good. So i got my chance at round two and boy, it was a fantastic experience. The waitstaff was very friendly and helpful. The wine pours were generous, plus the chianti I ordered was excellent. For the appetizers the calamari (which is hard to screw up) was very good, but the prosciutto was unbelievable. I would be content with just eating that all day. For dinner, my linguine with mussels and spicy marinara sauce was some of the finest pasta i've consumed in a while. Oh my. Can't wait to go back
(5)Kathleen O.
This is one of my all time favorite places for dinner. GREAT ambiance and the service is always good. They also have a cute outdoor back patio and a separate coach house. Been here tons of times and I would give this 5 stars, excpet last night the food was just OK...The pasta selection was not the usual and we all were just ok with our food. The bruchetta with arugula is one of my favorites and that was delicious, as always. The waiter also did a nice job of recommending a nice bottle of red that we all enjoyed. I will be back again!
(4)J K.
The only thing Italian about this place is the name. THe Mexican cooks did the best they could with lousy ingredients. The lasagna was watery and tasteless . The salad was yesterday's lettuce. But, if you have no interest in hearing your wife or friend talk then it's perfect, the acoustics are designed to guarantee. O one can hear a thing in this overcrowded spot
(1)Jackie P.
Very, very yummy! I was so impressed with the food and atmosphere. I was afraid it would be a stuffy uptight place but I was definitely proven wrong. The only reason that this place isn't getting 5 stars is because the waiter was a really slow and kind of rude at first but lightened up after a bit! The food was amazing and the drinks were delicious. I took my mom and sister here and both are use to the Olive Garden type Italian food. Needless to say I don't think the Olive Garden is going to cut it for them anymore! The pasta was delicious, the pizza was yummy and the calimari was too die for! I will be back!
(4)Jeff H.
Mia is one of my long time favorites. I live around the corner, and it's one of the best in lakeview. The rotating pasta dishes and entrees are almost all wonderful and fresh. The atmosphere is extremely lively and loud, with the kitchen in the back corner of the restaurant. I love bringing people from out of town for a true Chicago neighborhood experience. Most of the servers have been with the restaurant for years and remember you when you dine. Felix is our favorite!
(4)giggity G.
Nothing but love for this place. It's right outside my door and never disappoints. The secret is to come with a large party so you get the coach house---the most charming magic!! I also love dining outside in the back under the adorable string lighting. I do not enjoy being on top of people inside, so I tend to not come here a lot in the winter. The ever-changing menu is great--but pales in comparison to the main event----warm bread, olive oil and fresh-grated parmesan. This is what keeps me coming back. Tip - if you order take-out - they will include fresh bread, oil and parmesan so you don't have to be sad that you missed it!
(5)Sarah Z.
I love this place, and I've been many times. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is fun and lively yet relaxed and casual. The outdoor patio is wonderful and makes for a great date place. The service has always been great too. Don't go on the weekends, it's way too busy. This is one of those places you should go on a Tuesday night or early Sunday evening when you want great food and in a nice setting (fancier than a dive; more easy going than fine dining). I will definitely be back!
(4)Jen D.
I went to Mia Francesca on a Friday night with 4 of my girlfriends for 7pm reservations. We were seated promptly at 7pm. As mentioned by other yelpers, the dining room is packed tight and the volume is fairly loud - but not so loud we couldn't carry a conversation with everyone at the table! Decor is simple/classy. Our server was a little slow to take our orders, but was very pleasant to deal with. Service the rest of the night was fine. The food was great. 2 of us had the Spaghetti Carbonara - a dish that is often tough to find. It was pretty good. The pancetta could have been a little better (more flavorful), but the dish was still fine. We also had the calamari appetizer. The breading was too light for my taste, but the sauce was delicious. This is always a reliable choice in Chicago for Italian! On technical merits alone, I'd rate this a 3 - but I'll round up to 4 bcs it's consistent and reliable!
(4)Mike P.
An excellent Italian restaurant. Quality can be found in every part of the meal. Went for the first time on a Sunday afternoon, with no one in the place. The chicken saltamboca was excellent and my wife loved her ravioli. The chocolate tort desert was very good. We didn't see Aniston, however. Francesca has about 11 restaurants in the Chicago area. I can also recommend Francesca Fiore in Forest Park. It's a tad more upscale than the Clark Street location, but just as good.
(5)Danielle C.
Stopped in to meet my brother, SIL, and niece for a quick bite before the game. They were already seated and had ordered by the time I got there. (Not my fault, my bro called me when they were parking- I cannot transport myself 5 miles in the blink of an eye, especially on a cubs game day!) I opted not to order- I wanted to get to the game ASAP. Instead, I got to nibble off their plates. The ravioli was cheesy. It had a nice and mellow vodka type sauce- not too red (I appreciate that). My sister in law ordered a flat bread pizza with fontina cheese and mushrooms. It was great. The combination of flavors and textures really popped in my mouth! (my niece, being 4, did not like it, it was too crunchy for her, but she was holding out for game food). Service was handy but not hovering. They were great with my niece too! They were a bit slow on the refills, but hey, no complaints! My experience yesterday is pretty much parallel to the ones I have had here in the past. Solid food, good service.
(4)Brian S.
In my price range, Italian cuisine often resembles -- and tastes like -- the sloppy contents of a dented can of Chef Boyardee. Somehow American palates don't discriminate between once-frozen, sodium-packed "marinara" and complex, long-simmering sauces, and dime-a-dozen Italian restaurants know this and cater to the disability. Not Francesca. Imagine: a local chain that offers ever-changing menus filled plate after plate of reasonably priced, varied Italian dishes. To celebrate his new assignment, Daniel and I dined here last night. We were ushered through the deafening main dining room to the quiet, dark, "romantic" (the quotations can be translated as: "pleasant, in the way that romance is described in rom-coms and bodice-rippers") patio. Lovely. I ordered the caprese martini, which came with an all-too-liberal dusting of celery salt (I certainly don't associate the taste of celery with caprese, but perhaps I'm mistaken?) and no discernible basil or tomato notes. The saving grace was the vodka-soaked mozzarella ball -- a trick I will treat guests to in the future. Daniel has the Four Roses Manhattan, which came perfectly balanced with Pun e Mes vermouth (the best vermouth to use in a Manhattan, of course). Our meals were above average -- not the best I've had at Mia Francesca, but good. My chicken with mushrooms, prosciutto, and lake of gravy was tender, moist, but on the bland side of "good." Daniel's tilapia with green beans and sweet potato puree (in the darkness, it took me awhile to figure out what I was tasting here) hit all the right notes. Another great thing about Francesca restaurants? The desserts. We passed (I had fig and honey ice cream, freshly churned, waiting at home), but I did spy the chocolate peanut butter torte that has warmed my heart before. Trust me -- it's a great finale for these Puccini-worthy meals.
(4)Debbie F.
Francesca's chain of restaurants are definitely something I will miss when I leave America someday. Mia Francesca's branch is better than the one in Little Italy because the ambiance is brighter, quieter and overall more comfortable. My family and I ordered: Appetizers - Fried Calamari and Carpaccio Pasta - Fettucine with Eggplant, bell peppers. Gnocchi. Scrambled eggs with italian sausage. Sounds simple enough? It was the best calamari we ever had. Thinly cut and delicately fried, the marinara sauce that came with it was well done and not spicy at all. My carpaccio, served with capers, mushrooms and other relishes, was fresh and did not stick to the plate. The waiter might've mistaken my mother's order but he realized his mistake before she could and delivered the right dish within 7-10 minutes. The pasta had lots of herbs and was just the right portion for lunch. Even the scrambled eggs was innovative in presentation! Doused with sauce/gravy and sausage pieces on the side. Perfect lunch dining! No leftovers! Valet parking: $8
(5)Kathy L.
Just came here again last night...I love this place and its changing menu! My boyfriend and I started off with the mussels because that was all he was really wanted. These are on the permanent menu. They sauce was superb, but the mussels themselves were not too good. There were a couple juicy ones that were great, but the rest were small and sort of lacking...I didn't think there was anyway that Mia Francesca would bounce back from this. For dinner we decided to get something off the seasonal menu (handwritten) and I got the spaghetti and clams in an olive oil, garlic sauce and he got the shrimp and scallops in a white wine sauce. Both of these dishes hit it out of the ballpark! The clams were amazingly fresh and the shrimp and scallops that I stole from his plate were divine. At this point in the night...they had regained 4 star status of my good restaurants that were consistently good. They asked us if we wanted dessert, I usually say I want a peak at the menu but never order a dessert unless it pops out at me. And there was one that popped out at me. The cream puff pastry, filled with pistachio gelato and topped with a dark chocolate syrup. SIGN ME UP FOR THAT!! It was heavenly. The service was exceptional. Which is what really pushed it over the edge to give this place a 5-star rating. Just a tip though, order off the seasonal handwritten menu, the combination of flavors and the freshness of the ingredients is what makes this place so great -- I wouldn't order from their permanent menu because the ingredients might not be as fresh but what they can control in those dishes, like the seasoning and sauces they do an excellent job at.
(5)Carrie W.
Geez, what happened? Mia Francesca's used to be one of my go-to restaurants for solid Italian food and last night I felt like I had been tricked into going to Olive Garden, though I feel that the food might actually be better there. To start, the herbs in the olive oil served at the table were dried, not fresh, which is really disappointing. I don' t like woody bits in my olive oil. It messes up the tasty bread they serve. Minorish point, that. More importantly, all three pasta dishes we ordered were really sub-par. The pasta was way overcooked in each dish; one of my friend's cavatappi was just falling into mush. On top of that, all dishes were way oversauced, to the point it was like pasta in soup and didn't resemble anything you would find in a "real" Italian restaurant. Sure, the flavors were still good--it's kind of difficult to mess up the awesomeness natively present in basil, garlic, or tomatoes. But darned if they didn't try. On the plus side, the service is super friendly and they do make you feel welcome. Now if only they would step the pasta dishes up. I don't like paying so much for food I can make better at home. That's kind of the point of eating out.
(3)Francesca L.
It's been my second time to dine in at Mia Francesca, Lakeview. The waitress had a good sense of recommending the menu that wasn't on the menu list. I built my own pasta based on her suggestions, and it was yummy. Service is fairly good, and the atmosphere is quite nice.
(4)Erica M.
Great service, great food, over excellent experience! Went here for my anniversary after a colleague recommended it and I'm sure glad I took her advice! We had the squash ravioli and a chicken dish and to this day my boyfriend and I still talk about how delicious it was!
(5)Katherine R.
Mia, Mia, Mia....you were the next sister on the list of Francesca's I had to meet. You and your sister forno must be like the Jan and Marcia Brady of restaurants eh? Trying to one up each other all the time... neck in neck to be the best?? Well MIA, your bianco fish was fabulous. Absolutely, hands down, the best fish I have ever eaten. Super flaky, full of flavor and very moist...the white wine sauce and all the vegetables that complemented the fish were fantastic. I cannot say enough about this dish! I normally order gnocchi or something...but I took a chance and I am SO happy I did. It was AWESOME. Also Mia, huge props to you for having a gluten-free menu- that is the reason we dined here that night. My sister absolutely loved the linguine dish she had; she's never had linguine style pasta! My mom and I both tried it and it was awesome...definitely the best gluten free pasta we've ever had. SO SO SO GOOD. It's few and far between you find an Italian place, or ANY place for that matter that serves gluten free. I'm happy and appreciative the Francesca's family is keepin up with the Jones'. Our waiter was super cool on the gluten free thing and was a very enthusiastic waiter...props to that. Our drinks did run empty on more than one occasion...but that could have been because of the very needy table of women behind us. Does every dish HAVE to be altered?? Seriously ladies, COME ON. My Mom had the gnocchi with meat sauce...I'm not a fan of meat sauce, but I did try a gnocchi or two and they were very good. They weren't too mushy or too dry...they were...perfect. Yes. I said it. The place is PICCOLO, molto, molto piccolo, (very small). If you don't have a reservation on a weekend or any night for that matter...you must not care waiting. The bar area is more of a nuisance than anything. People cram up there 2-3 deep while a table of diners is inches behind you. It's loud and crazy but the food is fabulous and definitely worth it.
(5)Jaime S.
I went with a group of 6 people. We had 7 p.m. reservations on a Friday night. We waited less than 3 minutes for our table. Sat and ordered 3 bottles of wine between all of us (hey - we were on vacation)! We all ordered something different. I had the shells in a cream sauce (menu changes occasionally) and it was very good! The only thing I didn't care for was the pizza. It looked and tasted like a gluten-free pizza. Grainy texture, but overall flavor was not bad. We split our bill 3 ways and they did not seem to care. Reasonably priced food and wine. The thing I loved is that you can come casual or dressed up. The place is loud (like typical Italians) and great for big groups of people!
(4)Amy J.
I've been to Francesca restaurants a lot, but I'd actually never been to this particular location. I knew I was probably in for something good, but everything was even better that I remembered. The bread is warm and served with basil infused olive oil, so good. We had the calamari to start--and let me say, easily the best calamari that I have ever had. It wasn't heavily breaded and it was full of flavor. It was delcious. I noticed that every table around us was ordering it as well so it must be a favorite there. Although the menu changes from day to day, they always have calamari so I really recommend trying it if you go there. It's the best I've ever had. I got scallops and linguini in a light tomato sauce and it was excellent. I was almost full by the time I got my meal but the scallops were prepared perfectly and I ate what I could. The portions here are HUGE though. I brought home what I had left and it's easily another 2 meals. Everything was delicious though and reasonably priced. I really love this place, it's fantastic.
(4)Lorraine D.
Yummy! We ate dinner at Mia on friday and my husband has been saying "my pasta was delicious" every five minutes since.
(4)Andrea M.
I've been here and the one in Elmhurst- both are great. I always get the carpaccio as the appetizer. It's a nice starter if you want something light, yet delicious. I would definitely recommend something else if you expect a more substantial filler. I've also ordered a salmon special that was out of this world. Depending on what you order, it can start to get pricey (especially if you order wine like my sister and I do). This location in particular is on the smaller side, but it doesn't take away from anything. I went with a large group of people (about 12) and service was excellent for the limited space the waiter had to move around us.
(4)Heather R.
Mrs. Francesca can cook, but she can't deliver service... My girl friend and I met up for dinner here this evening and the food could've not been more perfect. I made extra room in my tummy to finish my entree' and that doesn't happen much at Italian restaurants, but I just couldn't stop eating.They absolutely deserve 5 stars based on the deliciousness and freshness of the food. However, due to the service and the cramped seating space, they generously get 2 stars. My girlfriend and I ordered: 2 glasses of wine (each) Some amazing bruschetta app to share A chicken, mozzarella prosciutto tomato pasta entree (each) And what was supposed to be 2 Tiramasu's (one each, but our waitress mistakenly only brought us one, so we shared...which was fine, but the point being is we ordered 2) which would've been great with coffee which she never offered to us like the other tables around us were!!! The wine was perfect---refreshing, light, and smooth. Bruschetta was perfecto There are no words for how over the moon we were about the entree And the Tiramasu was hands down the best I've ever had--perfection! With what we ordered, you would think our waitress would have paid attention to us, but no such luck. She started out OK, but then PROGRESSIVELY declined...granted all the tables were full, but she only had a few tables to watch and there were 7 bus boys (we counted!) that allowed finished dirty plates to sit in front of us for over 15 minutes, water glasses (that were finally fillled at the end of the meal) and wine glasses that remained empty and never topped off, and we basically had to flag our waitress down to get her attention when we wanted more drinks, dessert (which she messed up), and our check. We did get our food fairly quickly, but we ended up waiting more than we did eating the full meal. She appeared to be more interested in 4 tops and tables with kids rather than 2 professional women dining over a 3 course meal...I was unimpressed with the service and it didn't help that we were crammed into a corner with no room to move and when bus boys were clearing plates and tables they were pretty much in your lap since there was no room to move. Normally, I am an incredibly good tipper and it is RARE for me to leave a 10% tip. Unfortunately, our lady Mrs. Francesca got to feel what that is like this evening. I am one of those people who feel you earn your tip. You shouldn't just be given a tip because you work in food service and you deal with crappy people...why? Because I work in customer service and I deal with crappy people all the time. I am expected to earn my raise; therefore, you are expected to earn your tip. You start out with 22-20% and based on the service it remains or decreases. It's surprising how much a great meal and restaurant can quickly go down in points based on a bad service experience. If you want great food and could careless about service this is your place. I haven't decided if I'll be back. If I do, I will ask to not be in her section, or sit outside....rumor is they cater, so I may use them for some of my events. We shall see...
(2)Michael P.
Not sure what all the fuss is about. It's a good Italian restaurant, don't get me wrong, but I've had better. I also don't love how claustrophobic it feels, or how I watched non-customers walk in the unlocked back door and cut me in line for the bathroom. The food was OK, but the price for the size of the portions left something to be desired. I'll probably try other Italian places in the city before coming back here.
(3)Matthew S.
LOVE this place. I've been here several times. I go for the roasted chicken with potatoes. I've been bitter in the past when ordering this on a Sunday - and the Senior Citizens have wiped them out at lunch time, when it was the special. I'd suggest making reservations. Great for dates, a little loud, but then you have to sit closer. Vegetarian friendly - vegan gets a little tough. The parking situation can be tough, if you are cheap like me and don't want to valet or take the train. But the place is clean, and has great dim lighting. I've never had a bad seat, but I don't like sitting by the front door or kitchen of ANY restaurant. I'd totally suggest this place. Its not that pricey, and its classy to boot.
(4)Nancy V.
Enjoyed another fabulous dinner last night. Jumbo tortellini with chicken, mushrooms, prosciutto & ricotta cheese was wonderful. Service was attentive & friendly. Mia Francesca is one of my favs!
(5)Shweta N.
Love Mia Francesca! I've come here quite a few times and it's definitely my favorite place for Italian food in Chicago. The food is always consistently delicious and seasonal. The staples to definitely try are the ravioli con spinaci, the salmon alla fresca, and the carpaccio.
(4)Cynthia B.
Food was very good. The reason I gave it 2 stars though is because I didn't invite the cock roach to dinner with me. I know they are "everywhere" but when you actually see one it's a different story.
(2)Janet X.
First of all, I've tried two other restaurants in the Francesca's chain already -- Forno and Campagna -- but this is the first time I've been on a crowded night. I really enjoyed the homemade dumplings with pesto and chicken, and it was really reasonably priced compared to some of the other Italian places I've gone to in the city. Portions, as usual, were more than generous... the friend that I went with eats like there's no tomorrow and there was still a full lunch's worth of food left over on the plate. Only things that kept this from being a five star experience: 1) Do NOT go for any kind of romantic experience, unless you're on a first date. Tables were very close together and it was very loud; more than a few times the person sitting behind me knocked into my chair. Also, lots and lots of children around. I guess it would help you to think about not making any bad decisions that night? 2) What's up with the musical selection? I'm usually not one to notice, but why were they playing the entire "That's What I Call Music" album from 2009 on loop? 3) My server was REALLY rushed! If you ever order a beer during a busy time, tell them you'll pour it yourself...
(4)Vanessa V.
Perfect service. Perfect pesto ravioli with mushrooms. Perfect dining experience. My boyfriend and I were in Chicago on a weekend vacation and Mia Francesca epitomized exquisite Italian cuisine. Highly recommended. Wish Miami would open up a similar restaurant.
(5)Grey W.
This place is pretty good. The food has never disappointed by any means, and the service has always been great. The only downside is that the dining room seems pretty crowded, as the tables are pretty close together and it seems like I am constantly running into people. But the atmosphere is otherwise pretty good. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for good Italian food on the North Side.
(4)Char Y.
I was quite skeptical of this place due to the fact that it is a chain, but decided to give it a try after watching it on Check Please. Now I know why it is a chain, because the original is GOOD. The handwritten menu looks homey with interesting choices and lots of seafood dishes. We ordered calamari fritt - tender and juicy and just right bruschette alla toscana - i never knew a simple combo of tomato basil cheese and ham could be so good, and not soggy linguine alla sora assonata - pasta with scallops & spinish - yum linguine al funghetto - very mushroomy and good rigatoni dei sardi ravioli con pesto pollo arrosto alla romana - need salt tiramisu - super light & fluffy molten chocolate cake - with bits of chocolate in the middle, wow profiterole - giant puffs with ice cream in the middle peanut butter chocolate cake - salty and sweet white chocolate gelato - tasted like coconut to me! in one world, DELICIOUS! The pastas were cooked al dente, which I loved, and all the sauces were good. I have to say, I thought the other restaurant from last week had more flavorful sauces, but the desserts were EXCELLENT.
(4)Anna G.
We went here because my mom got a gift certificate. And I'm so happy that she did! The food was AMAZING. Everything tasted so fresh, like they just go out the back and pick the ingredients from their own garden. It was a party in my mouth! And it didn't take long for the food to arrive at our table, either. I would definitely go here again and would definitely recommend it to others. My only complaint was that the atmosphere was a bit lacking. The music was a bit odd for this kind of restaurant. They had some kind of classic rock soundtrack going, with AC/DC and Kiss. And the tables were pretty close together. But I don't care about that as much as I care about the food!
(4)Jess E.
This is my go-to Italian restaurant in the city. In my many, many visits I have always had great food and even better service. I recommend sitting downstairs if you're a party of less than four and don't mind the tight quarters and loud atmosphere. I kind of love that feel, but when we want a quieter experience, we move upstairs to the much quieter dining/bar area. It is a totally different feel than downstairs and great for parties larger than four or that prefer a more mellow dining experience. I love that the menu is always changing. In all of my visits, I try a different entree each time. The carpaccio is fantastic as is the blue cheese and tomato salad. The creme brulee is also a nice treat to top off the meal. My parents always love going here when in town, as well. Since they are borderline wine snobs (kidding...sort of), my mom emails the manager to request the option of bringing one bottle of wine for our table if we order one from the restaurant, too. He always waives the corkage byob fee for us. I think that attention to customer service is what keeps us coming back again and again. It is rare to find reasonably priced restaurants in the city that go that extra mile to keep their customers really happy (and that put up with requests like that)! I've always had great wait staff service and food to please everyone in our party. Will keep going again and again!
(4)Andrea B.
I give this place four stars because although the food is great, this place is small and can get so crowded to the point that you have to shout at people in your own group. It's also quite common for everyone--including the wait staff and customers--to consistently bump into your table or chairs. Not exactly what i want to happen when I'm sipping wine or trying to eat dinner. Anyway. I came here with my boyfriend and his co-worker who also brought his wife. Yes, it was crowded because we decided to go on a Saturday night, but hey...we were seated right away (we had made reservations, which I suggest highly), so no big deal. Our waitress came back three separate times to take our drink, appetizer, and then dinner orders. I felt that was a waste of time considering I was starving, but we were warned the kitchen was crazy, so ordering in intervals seemed to make sense, I don't know. We had bruschetta as an appetizer that came with arugula and I think goat cheese, which was amazing. very good and light, and just enough for all four of us. Our entrees were also good, rave reviews all around. The swordfish is recommended, and I had linguini tossed in a basil pesto sauce with scallops and shrimp. Delicious. Everything from the pasta to the fish was cooked wonderfully. They serve big portions here, so if you are a light eater like I am, be prepared to take your food home. It won't go to waste, I promise you. We did not have desert, as we were full and tired of hearing everyone else's conversation except ours. However, we eyed some sorbet at another table, and we were quite intrigued by it, so perhaps I shall save that for another visit. all in all, good food, tiny space. The wait staff is nice and quick, and I don't care what anyone else might say, I loved the food. yes, i did.
(4)Jaime W.
This Mia Francesca is one of my favorite restaurants because of the great food and service. Pros: Excellent food (my favorites are the bruschetta with goat cheese and argula and pasta with vegetables in herb broth). Good prices and attentive wait staff. In the summer, try out the back patio. Cons: This location packs you in like sardines. Definitely an authentic urban restaurant experience but for more privacy try the one on Bryn Mawr. Equally good food and service.
(4)Frances X.
I have loved the food there for at least 10 years now. I couldn't remember how many birthdays and special occasions my friends and I have celebrated there. Food is still good. But my recent visit revealed me to that their calamari appetizer's size has got significantly smaller, while the price is not any cheaper! Given that was my favorite appetizer, I am disappointed.
(3)Aaron B.
The Food: I've been a number of times and it's consistently been the best Italian in its price range I've ever had! Their menu is hand-written and changes frequently according to the availability of fresh ingredients. The only complaint I can offer is that, on one occasion, the sauce on my friend's chicken alfredo was rather thin. I'll chalk that up to a matter of taste though, and given the great wine selection, the great dishes (try the bruschetta appetizer), and the mouth-watering desserts, I'll let it slide. ;) The Atmosphere: The dining room is tastefully decorated and classy. Definitely a date-worthy place. White tablecloths and candles. The Service: The servers are very helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable.
(5)Michael S.
Why are waiters called waiters? Think about it. It's no accident. Bugs are called bugs because they bug you. Judges are called judges because they judge. Cookies are called cookies because you cook them. Movies are called movies because they move. Your back is called your back because it's in back of you. Flies are called flies because they fly. Lawyers are called lawyers because they "lawy." Oops; that last one doesn't work. The service here is so first class. The waiters are truly waiters. Earlier this week I was here on the patio and my dining partner and I took some time relaxing and enjoying the quiet patio before we ordered. There was no rush act. Our waiter was patient and superb. Last night I was back on the patio with a different dining partner, whose approach to ordering dinner is the stuff of SNL skits. Only her self-deprecating fun-poking could better describe her sending asparagus back for being "too shiny" with olive oil, and asking approximately 10 questions about the string bean salad before ordering. Our waiter could not have been more accomodating, good natured, knowledgable and patient: a true gentleman "waiter." Oh, and the food: awesome as usual. Too much to say; but for that you can read the other 150 reviews. Waiters are called waiters because they wait.
(5)Esther L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. We were meeting a friend for dinner and she suggested we go to Mia Francesca. When we arrived, I asked to be seated on the patio (beautiful weather!) and they happily accommodated. The waiter was so nice, not fake nice, genuinely nice. He didn't rush us at all even though all we had was one appetizer, entrees and a bottle of wine. We got the calamari which was a nice start. It wasn't anything mind blowing but it was good. All of us got different pastas as entrees and they were ALL amazing. We all enjoyed it so much. My linguine al Sugo di Gambari was sooo good. The shrimp was juicy, plump and fresh. The scallops were so sweet and perfectly cooked. It was amazing. I attempted to eat everything but alas, I only have one stomach. They're incredibly large portions so all of us ended up with leftovers. After we were done, we sat there and chatted and they let us! Probably because it wasn't as busy and it was a Wednesday night. Since we were on the patio, we started seeing helicopters everywhere. One of the waiter then announced that the Blackhawks had won the Stanley Cup. IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT! Delicious food at great prices, friendly waiters, and a quaint patio. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Justin B.
A decent, long-standing Italian restaurant in the heart of Lakeview. First off, we were able to get in on a Friday night at 8pm - a rare occurrence (or just sheer luck). This was my second time here, the first being about 10 years back. The main dining room was crowded but we somehow managed to get a patio table, which was extremely quaint and allowed for decent conversation. The menu was a hand-written, single sheet of paper, which I'm certain was run off on the Xerox machine that day (note: if they invested a little in nicer handwriting or even type it out on a computer, it would elevate the professional look). I ordered the frutta de mari, which came fairly quick and packed full of seafood. The sauce was labeled "spicy" but didn't have much of a kick. $16.95 for the entree and $5.00 for a dinner salad wasn't bad. (I've ordered similar dishes elsewhere and paid a lot more). The portions were large and the company was great. Waitstaff were attentive, initially. When we wanted to get the bill, however, it was a chore to track him down. Plenty of service staff around, so glasses were never empty and used tableware was quickly cleared. Overall, I'd visit again. Good for larger groups as well. Reservations encouraged.
(4)Matt K.
Had a 9:00pm reservation and we weren't seated until 9:45. To be honest, I didn't mind all that much. However, the place was packed to the brim with people (definitely violating fire code) and the staff does absolutely nothing to try to restore order or control the crowd. Everyone packs in like sardines into any open space they can, so that half the diners have a crowd of people practically hovering over their meals. Might be worth eating here when it isn't crowded, but I have no idea when that is, and don't really care to find out.
(2)Samantha L.
My shell pasta dish with asparagus and a cream sauce was pretty good. I would say 4 stars for my food. However, this place is INSANELY loud and crowded! The loudest Italian restaurant I've ever been to in my life. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're wanting a romantic Italian dinner, or if you have poor hearing. If you have solid hearing, unlike me, go right on ahead!
(3)Norman R.
Great experience. We had the in-laws in town. That was our second time there. The bottle of chianti was really good. Portions on the dinners and desserts were huge, so plan on left overs!
(5)Daniel H.
Took the parents here, so it was one of those experiences of just hoping that no Seinfeld-esque moments happen with the waiter. Only a few did, so it wasn't so bad... Anyway on to the review. Food: the food was solid but far from spectacular, a little on the oily side, especially the pizza. However, they have some interesting pizza combinations. Some of the pasta dishes we had worked out and some didn't. In general, the seafood dishes were better than the landfood ones. The bread, though crusty, didn't taste like anything other than white bread. Ambiance: a busy restaurant on the loud side. Upstairs is a bit more quiet and intimate. Not bad all around.
(3)Dane K.
I think this place thrives off of the name; overall I was a little unimpressed based off of that. I've been to other locations of the Francesca franchise, and this one is at the bottom of the list easy. The menu was a bit more limited than I would have liked. I really like menus that aren't longer than a page, but I found myself struggling to find anything I wanted to order. Also, the waiter's recommendations almost seemed like it was something the kitchen was pushing more than anything. Our waiter at first tried to put on this big thick Italian accent, but he wasn't Italian? Very strange. Service really wasn't that great. Overall food was "OK" but nothing wow about it. Once our food was dropped we didn't hear back from our waiter and he stopped pouring us our wine. For my entree I had a gnocci in a marinara sauce. I kind of wish it were sauteed just a bit more than it was. It was much better cold as leftovers. The service worked like a machine, a bit too mechanical which led to a perception of being rushed. Their patio out back is nice. Food-wise, you can get Italian food like this in many places, though for the neighborhood this is your best bet for Italian (unless you're wanting fusion Italian--Socca would be better IMO). Overall nothing was bad, but nothing was better than "just OK" ... P.S. Dear Mia Management: Your sidewalk awning is too low. I shouldn't have to duck to walk across the public sidewalk. I see people ducking to walk down the Clark Street sidewalk every day, it's really obnoxious. Just because your valet guys are short and don't seem to notice, doesn't mean others don't.
(3)Christopher L.
OMG soooo good! This is my favorite place in Chicago/Lakeview! Its a MuSt try!
(5)Ang R.
Solidly unspectacular. My fish dish was tasty, but underseasoned and pedestrian. The salad was completely uninspired--even the vinaigrette wasn't great, and I usually love all vinaigrettes. And I absolutely HATED the spinach ravioli. I don't want to go back.
(2)Rich K.
I would completely agree with Samantha L., this place is way too loud. Even though we were pre-warned about the sound level, I was unable to carry a conversation with my guests. The food was good; we shared the Ravioli and Cavatelli. The banana bread pudding was very good. Probably won't be back, too many other choices in the city that have a lower decibel level.
(3)Jonathan H.
Sometimes you just want something a little nicer. That's why I go to Mia Francesca's. You don't have to dress up and be fancy, but MF is always a nice local Italian restaurant to get a great meal. The menu is also very nice and they change up their dishes so if you've eaten there a lot, you can try a lot of different things. Call ahead for reservations because they fill up quickly. I have eaten both in the main dining room and upstairs. Both are very nice. I recommend it to my friends all the time.
(4)Mike S.
solid itialian cuisine! having recently visited rome and pompei i wasnt sure what to expect at mia. the reviews are very good and i would agree with them. i read a lot of complaints about the space and the tables being on top of one another. i felt there was adequate room and actually this place is quite spacious as compared with restaurants in rome so this was a non issue. we went here with a party of 12 and had extremely good service. the drinks were never empty and the serving of the food was timed right. we went with teh fantasia pizza and half chicken and potatoes. the chicken portion was quite generous and did not get completely eaten. the pizza hit the spot - very very good thin crust pizza. the serving sizes did not seem consistent - the spaghetti was an extremely large portion where as the tortellini was quite small. appetizers were all worthwhile from the calamari to different types of bruschette.
(4)Christina F.
My bf and I went here for dinner and it was my first time there. He has been there a lot and highly recommended it. The food was really good and the service was great. We ate upstairs and although the seating is quite umm... "cozy" we still had a good time. By the way, "cozy" is a nice way of saying, the stranger next to me was practically sitting on my lap and we had to fight for arm room like at the movie theatre. Alas, I'd highly suggest going at a non-peak dinner time hour to take advantage of some of their delicious specials.
(4)Susan F.
Yum Yum, how have I never been here before, esp since it's so close! Came here for Sunday brunch around 12:30 and surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded. They have a great fresh italian type menu as well as a small brunch menu. I got the sausage fritatta which was great! They also had an awesome bruschetta app that had lots of feta and arugula. They had great desserts, too--try the creme brulee or the Torta Lava cake--covered in strawberries too! The service was great. 5 stars all around.
(5)Scott C.
Francesca's is like a good friend - always there when you need it for a good Italian meal. I've been going here for years and have yet to be disappointed with the food or service here. I think you have to take it as a given that you are going to cramped and on top of the nearest table in this cozy place, but I'd say that's part of the charm to it. That is, of course, unless you get seated upstairs where there is much more arm room and it's a quieter atmosphere. Last night a group of us dined here. We had two bottles of wine - both recommended by our server and they were reasonably priced (for restaurant wine...) and complimented our meals well. We had the mussels in a red broth for an appetizer - which was good. I'm so used to always having mussels in a wine or garlic sauce that this was a nice change. We shared a capresi salad and prosciutto which were also done well - the capresi having blue cheese instead of the typical mozzarella. Everyone enjoyed their dinners, one sausage and mushroom pizza, chicken with mushroom and prosciutto, and two of the pasta dishes. All were cooked well and very flavorful. We capped off the night with tiramisu and the warm banana bread with gelato. The tiramisu here is excellent - light and tasty but the warm banana bread dessert was outstanding! As usual another great dinner here!
(4)KC M.
Went here for round two of boyfriend's birthday recently. Arrived on a Monday at about 6:45 and was so glad that our table had been reserved because this place was packed! Interesting set up with large windows on the left and a fairly rectangular room that darkens as it stretches towards kitchen in back. Beautiful mahogany bar frames the front of room and would be great for people watching or waiting for a table. We were seated along the bench style row to the right and even though we had a fairly large group, we were able to carve out a small corner of the restaurant, which was nice. Restaurant has a rotating menu so specifics change weekly. We enjoyed some calamari and bruchetta (with and without the pancetta) to start, both of which were nice and fresh. For main course I had a light broccoli rigatoni dish with a simple olive oil sauce that was a little heavy on the garlic. And trust me I loves me some garlic. Lets just say that if you are here on a first date, go for the red sauce. Boyfriend had a goat cheese and tomato pasta dish that really didn't wow either of us. But could just have been our choices as we heard good things from the table about the butternut ravioli (seasonal), frutti di mare and chicken diavolo. We did both note that the pasta was perfectly al dente. For the birthday they brought out a simple dessert (chocolate sauce smothering something small) with a candle, which was nice. Service was fine. Overall a great spot for a larger family dinner. The bench style seating and extensive wine list lends to a bustling atmosphere which may exceed a decent decibel for more intimate dining.
(3)Kolyan D.
We held an event here in their back upstairs room. Everyone raved about the food and our server Armando was great. He really knew his stuff about the food and the area. Our order: Bruschette, calamari, risotto fungi - appetizers Caprese and another kind of salads Ravioli Spinaci and Gnocci Ricotta - pastas Pollo Romano, Filetto Funghi - entrees Profiteroles w/vanilla gelato - dessert I recommend this place if you are looking for a place that can host a large group.
(5)Catherine T.
I first came here years ago! Since I was back visiting (I used to live in the Chicago area), I was very excited when my friend suggested meeting up here for dinner. I ordered the spinach/cheese ravioli with marinara and it had a distinct "seafoody" taste to it, which is pretty odd to say the least. If I go back, I would order something totally different!
(2)I M.
The customer service was okish... they were super busy. The food was decent. Would go back.
(4)Lauren B.
I used to go here all of the time many years ago and for some reason I thought they've gone down-hill, but the food sure hasn't! I came here recently on a very crowded night. The restaurant was so loud that I could barely have a conversation with the person who was sitting across my tiny table. The tables were sooooo crammed together I don't even know how the waiters could bring food to the tables. At the end of the night I TRIED to use the restroom located in the back. The tables were so close together that I couldn't get through and just left instead. Clearly not a comfortable atmosphere. But! My pasta was very good, would give it 4 stars. I had a great penne pasta with a spicy tomato sauce, the bread was very good too.
(3)Jenny T.
YUUUUUM! Now that's what I'm talking 'bout! A group of four lovely ladies showed up for our 8 pm reservation & were told it would be a few moments, but to have a seat at the bar. We look over and 4 seats had just opened up - score! We all ordered a glass of wine & ooo'd & ahhh'd over all the food that was on other tables. I was starting to get a bit cranky due to the wait, but just as that happened I heard "Jennifer? Your table is ready." YYYYEEESS! We walked outside & then upstairs to a perfect 4 person table. We already had our beverages, so we were ready to order in a flash! One order of mussels please! One order of caprese salad too! Mmmm, they came out together & were finished within minutes. The tomatoes & mozzarella were absolutely divine. Just the right amount of fresh, thick tomato slices with the perfect amount of mozzarella & basil. YUM! The mussels were good too, but I was too wrapped up in my salad to have more than a few. We then ordered our entrees. One order of spaghetti with a tomato cream sauce & scallops please! One order of rigatoni with sausage, tomatoes, and garlic please! Yes, we'd like to split those. The entrees came out in record time, which I was totally ok with. The split the dishes accordingly & we all began to chow down. The spaghetti with scallops was absolutely divine. The tomato cream sauce was perfectly creamy, salty, and delicious. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente, while the scallops were cooked just the way I like them - firm, but also easy to cut with a fork. I mean this is a dish I will crave for the years to come (luckily I live in Chicago!). The rigatoni was just ok - I feel as if I've had it before, you know? We then ordered two desserts. One order of puff pastry with pistachio ice cream in the middle please! One creme brulee too! Both were delicious & devoured in seconds. While I ended up getting chocolate ALL over me, it was totally worth it. All in all Mia Francesca was delicious & definitely worth going to again & again & again! To top it off our bill was only $115.00 for the 4 of us. What's that you say? Yes, too good to be true!
(5)Molly R.
After five or six visits, Mia Francesca has become a neighborhood favorite. Whether dining with family, a group of girls, or date night, it's a great place to go. I typically order a pasta dish and have never been disappointed - they have a constantly changing menu and I always ask the waiter what he likes best right now. Huge portion sizes, average prices ($13-$17 entrees), and good wine keep me coming back. The place is very crowded, so if that bothers you, I'd pick another place. And if you're there in the summer, try getting a spot on their tiny little back patio.
(4)Erica K.
I had really delicious pork chops here for a friend's b-day. That was about a year ago now, and I have heard a lot of people talking about Mia Francesca. Many of their comments are negative: too loud, crowded, bad atmosphere, expensive. Now, it has been a while for me, but I don't remember having any of these issues. We made a reservation for a Friday night, were seated right away, all enjoyed our food, and I didn't notice excessive noise at all. And they brought a special individual portion of our dessert with a candle in it for the b-day girl. So in short, I can't support the negative things I've been hearing, but you might want a reservation on a busy night.
(4)Nicole A.
I had heard from several friends that it Mia Francesca was delicious and I must say that this little restaurant was quite a delight. I ventured over here with my parents and boyfriend on Sunday evening and we all had a fabulous meal as well as plenty o' cocktails. We made reservations (highly recommended) but ended up waiting about 20 minutes in the coach house in the back. Where in most cases this would have been a minor irritation, the bubbly and beer made the time fly. Our appetizers (fried calamari - lightly breaded and fried perfectly so you could still admire the true fish taste; bruschetta - loved the variation and fresh bread) came quickly as did our entrée's despite a packed house. I had a taste for salmon but our server recommended a variation on what was offered on the menu. I tend to trust servers with opinions deterring from the menu, and she nailed it with salmon covered in a wild mushroom medley that I just loved. No one was disappointed in their food, although my dad said he would have enjoyed a bit more sausage in his pasta dish. The desserts were a grand slam too... All in all with about 2 drinks a piece, 2 appetizers, an entrée and 2 desserts for the table to share we left there having spent about $250, including tax and tip. Definitely a value for the quality and atmosphere. I will gladly return.
(5)Julia R.
brought my family here because my mom has a gluten allergy and they do gluten free pasta. it was really loud and crowded but the food was good and the staff was very attentive and accomodating to my mother's allergies. i didn't particularly care for my dish (i had the ravioli), but i tried everyone elses and they were very good. i enjoyed our experience but would probably go elsewhere before i'd come back here due to the environment.
(3)Naveen S.
We received a gift card for any of the Francesca's restaurants and I'm so glad we picked Mia Francesca to go to. We've been to Francesca's on Taylor which was also fantastic but were surprised to show up to Mia Francesca and find a boisterous environment since Francesca's on Taylor is a lot more quiet and subdued. The service was great, we didn't feel rushed at all. It is slightly cramped but I believe that's part of the charm of the open kitchen restaurant. I had the Mahi Mahi which was sautéed and garnished perfectly. The husband had the Tilapia which, as I heard, was also delicious. For dessert we had their Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee... oh so good. It is loud, it's a good date place if you know the person you're with and enjoy to laugh a lot but don't expect an intimate conversation.
(5)Ashley K.
Good food... But I don't like being a sardine. I could barely hear my companion and felt awkward eavesdropping on the people literally a foot to my right or left. In case you were wondering: To my left - a young professional couple, just starting out in their relationship - excited to go to a concert To my right - two single/divorced 30 somethings gossiping about other couples problems. Too bad I was actually interested in conversing with my date... weird... I know.
(2)Patty S.
This is a solid 4.5 star restaurant - that says a lot as I'm not one to give such high marks for a restaurant. I've always heard good things about thus restaurant and have even tried a couple of the sister restaurants, but I don't think all are created equal. With that said, I'm really happy that we made the decision to go there. It wad a Monday night and I was expecting a 1/2 empty restaurant, but I was surprisingly wrong! The atmosphere is very inviting and the kitchen is open to the dining room which can make it quite loud. We ordered the beef carpaccio with shaved peccorino cheese and capers, and arugula for appetizer. It was very tasty and a great way to start a meal! For dinner I got the pan seared walleye and it also had jumbo shrimp on top as if the walleye wasn't enough by itself! The presentation was very appetizing as well with colors of green, red, and white. (Hum.. I guess they were trying to mimic the colors of the Italian flag!) My dinner date ordered the liguine with scallops in a light tomato cream sauce and it was SOOO GOOD!!! It came in a bowl with lots of noodles and as I was taking a bit (or several), I was thinking that it was a good thing I didn't order that because I would have ate the whole thing by myself!!! The best part of the meal was the desert! Of course we asked for a recommendation as the other suggestions turned out great. Our waiter suggested the chocolate peanut torte (not sure of the exact name). OMG, even though I was stuffed, I couldn't stop eating!!! It tasted like a Reese's peanut butter cup on top of a crust that was made out of a Crunch bar! I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I usually don't take deserts home, but I couldn't see it go to waste and asked for the small piece that was left to be boxed up. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Italian food. Although I would suggest reservations or go when it's not their peak hours because I'm sure this place gets packed on Fri & Sat nights!
(4)Job E.
The price, food and atmosphere is all excellent. The menu has plenty of variety with lots of creative dishes. The toughest part of a visit here is picking out what to eat. Every dish I've gotten there has been well balanced and full of flavor. One of these days I'll dare to try the pizza with a raw egg.
(5)Flo J.
You are delicious and your staff amazing! I went here with my sister and mom a year ago and they offered us a round of champange and a dessert on the house just because we had to wait a little while for a table. Now THAT is service! The food was awesome too,
(4)Alisonbzz z.
A warm, friendly place perfect for a private function, a date or even take out. A real find. This place is busy, even on a Monday night, and I see why. It has wonderful family vibe (without the family bickering). The food is really good, and although I find the portions - especially the desserts - WAAAY too big, I know lots of folks like that. I'd recommend trying their margarita made with honey. An unexpected ingredient that creates a great flavor. The service is also on point; from the bartender to the bus boys, everyone worked to make our event in their private room a success. They have a few wonderful private dining rooms for special events. The Coach House has real character but with some creative table arranging and candles, the larger space can be transformed into something special too. This second space is large and has its own private entrance so that's pretty cool. Dining room can get loud, especially when it's full (as it was when I was there). They can do family style meals upon request and their wine list is Italian. Look forward to going back.
(4)amy h.
Hadn't been in over a year. Same great food, service, and time had by all. I had the biggest bowl of linguine and seafood you've ever seen. Had a delicious glass of red wine recommended by the server. There isn't another Italian place in town that can rival Mia's.
(5)June P.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago and every friend that I have recommended it to has agreed. My first time was 3 years ago when a couple college friends who came visited Chicago made reservations to meet up with my wife and me because they had heard Vince V. and Jennifer A. had recently dined there. I've gone 2 times since and each time is equally impressive. I recommend the spicy spaghetti dish with seafood. I've tried their other dishes and they're great too. They have a decent selection of wine and local beers and above average dessert. The decor is respectable and service has always been superb, even with a party of 12. Reservations are a highly recommended. Mia Francesca is a fun and consistent place whether on a date or a group of friends with great Italian cuisine. ***** FIVE STARS
(5)Garrett A.
You really can't get better than this! One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Their bread is delicious, and the pasta is always good, especially if their homemade gnocci is on the menu. The only detraction from this place may be the fact that their tables seem to be too close together and give the feeling that you're packed in like sardines -- also makes the servers flub up more easily with water and drinks.
(4)L. A.
Mia Francesca is a favorite of my Fiance's and now it's a favorite of mine. Wow had I been "slumming it" at Italian restaurants until coming here. The food, the atmosphere,... the food!!! There was an alfredo type cream sauce on my dish that was soo good, I wanted to lick the bowl. Anyway, From appetizers... to salad ... to entree... to wine... to dessert... Mia Francesca is top-notch in my opinion!
(5)Dean K.
In the past 12 or so years, I have probably been here more than any other single restaurant in Lakeview and I have never, ever been disappointed. Bread and herbed oil to start - so good. Then, whatever. The lentils with cheese, calamari, CARPACCIO, pizza. I love it all. My favorite dish is called Salmon a la Francesca. They sometimes don't have it on the menu but if you ask, they'll usually make it. They don't even get annoyed when you ask. When there is room, I go for pistachio or white chocolate gelato. My only caveat is this. When they opened up the 2nd floor dining room years ago, the place started to attract a lot of drunken post-game Cubs fans. So, if you go there on a game day and they seat you upstairs, buckle up for some loud people in Sosa jerseys asking the waitress for "the closhesst you have to a Budwiiisser."
(5)Eric G.
I had a nice meal here on Wednesday night. There were no appetizers that caught my eye, however there were many entrees that looked good. I went with the quattro formaggi ravioli in a vodka creme sauce. It was delicious! The menu was handwritten and changes frequently. By 730PM, this place was packed and LOUD. I want to sit outside when I return in the future.
(4)Dustin C.
Great food, reasonable pricing, and nice atmosphere. Not much more you can ask for.
(5)Erin T.
My boyfriend and I decided to go to Mia Francesca on a random Friday night. We didn't have reservations, but we agreed to sit at the bar in the back little coach house. The bartender/ waiter was very accommodating; however, there was a lot of confusion about seating. We were wedged between another couple and the end of the bar. The waiter wasn't able to pass through, so he moved us down even close to the couple. Totally not his fault, but I wish the host would have just told us to wait until someone sitting at the bar was finished. The waiter/ bartender recommended an excellent red wine. My boyfriend ordered the ravioli, which was absolutely delicious. I ordered a linguine dish with pancetta and onions. My food was so so. I definitely could have prepared it at home myself, which is kind of disappointing. I would go back to Mia Francesca. But I would know what to order and definitely call for reservations.
(3)Clare K.
eh. it was ok. i had heard nothing but amazing things about this place, but i have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. maybe the build up killed it? and the bread was...bread. i read some of the other reviews about how great the bread was, but it was just plain bread. my pasta had a decent flavor, but seemed one dimensional. i was tired of eating it about 1/4 of the way through. the pasta sauce also had a weird texture to it...slimy almost? i don't know how to describe it, but i have not encountered it before. definitely not the best italian in town and nothing even to write home about. i would have been very disappointed if i had had to wait to be seated, which i was even counting on, but the place was absolutely deserted. i doubt i will be back and definitely not if i have to wait like everyone else has to, apparently.
(3)J V.
Like its neigbor across the street, Thai Classic, the food is good, but inconsistent. My experience came from a super salty pasta dish. Good service.
(3)Vickie L.
LOVE this place. Mia Francesca can do no wrong. What a beeotch, I probably gained 2 lbs after my meal here. No matter which location I've been to, food and service (typically) is stellar. We made 7pm reservations on a Friday night, and we were going to be late because we couldn't catch the purple or brown lines to save our life! So I called at 6:50pm hoping they'd be able to push us back to 7:30, and they did! The guy at the host stand was so super nice about it, I was completely surprised since it's Francesca's and they are always packed (but I guess it was still early for a Friday). So we get there at 7:30pm and they seat us right away and bring us water and menus. And yummy fresh warm bread - love the oil and herbs! They actually forgot to bring us the calamari we ordered, but they didn't charge us for it so I guess they forgot about it entirely. Oh well. Our entrees came out really quickly. One girl got the risotto dinner portion. It had too many veggies for my taste, but she loved it and said it was awesome. I don't know the name, but another friend and I both ordered the shell pasta with prosciutto, peas and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce. I've had this before, and it was exactly the same as I remembered. The sauce is to die for, it was a wonderful mix of flavors, the perfect proportion of pasta to meat/veggies. Our other friend got the white fish and she said it was also very good, it looked huge, it covered the whole plate. All of us ate every single last bite. Too bad we ate all our bread, because I wanted to sop up every last bit of sauce. We got 2 desserts to share between the 4 of us. We got the puff pastry with apple and caramel ice cream on top. This dessert was really good, but it was really hard to split because the puff pastry was difficult to cut. So I didn't get to enjoy this dessert as much because it was on the other side of the table - boo. We also got this cappuccino mousse that was shaped in a ball, and covered in this chocolate magic shell with whipped cream and hazelnuts. It was really good, but a little too rich. It would have been awesome with coffee though, which we didn't get. Our bill came out to be about $22/person after tax, but not including tip. This was a steal for as much as we enjoyed the food. Service - our waiter was really nice, pretty attentive, but we did have to flag him down a few times, but not because we were waiting all that long, but because we were impatient and had to catch a show. Water glasses were filled regularly. They brought our food and desserts out a lot quicker than I thought they would since it was so busy. One con that I can mention is that this place is frickin' LOUD. We were sitting right by the door, at a small table for 4, and we had to yell at the person across the table from us. I could barely hear what my friend sitting right next to me was saying! I can only imagine how loud it is in the back of the restaurant where there were more people. So I would say this is definitely a place for a small to medium sized group. It's also a good first date night with someone you're on the fence with, because it's so loud, if the date isn't going so well you can just blame it on the noise that you can't converse :)
(5)Maggie G.
Wow, I definitely can now see what all the hype is about! Fun, romantic, and cute atmosphere - very attentive waiting staff and amazing food! Cooked perfectly al dente! Menu changes weekly so there is always something new to try, love it!
(5)Jeffrey S.
My meal could have been a bit better seasoned. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)Adam K.
Mia Francesca was a great little Italian place. It was recommended to me by THIS site and my friend who lives nearby. Upon arrival my date and I were seated immediately...and by immediately, I mean we never stopped moving until we got to our seat. Our server was very attentive but not annoyingly so. I ordered the Halibut dish and I believe my date had the Salmon dish which she claimed to like very much. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. It wasn't too quiet and it wasn't too loud. Some might even say it was perfect! I noticed that some people complained about the service of this restaurant...I do not understand why. I would say the service we received was impeccable! The only reason I do not give Mia 5 stars is because I usually have to visit a restaurant more than once to give it that distinction OR my whole experience must knock my friggin socks off! Mia was great but not "this is the best meal I've ever had" great. I definitely recommend Mia Francesca to anyone seeking Italian food for dinner in the Lakeview area.
(4)Michael H.
It's wildly popular and has lots of reviews. But it's cute and the food is actually really good.
(4)Liz P.
I absolutely love this place. One of my favorite Italian restaurant so far. The wine was poured generously, the bread was super hot, the olive oil infused with basil. Shell pasta+ Parmesan cream sauce+ prosciutto +truffle oil=pure food bliss. Our server was awesome, very friendly and helpful, and the decor/ambiance were great. This would be an awesome spot for a first date because it's freaking AMAZING and really well priced.
(5)Hallie B.
I have heard great things about this place and was going to a friend's house not far from there, so I figured this would be perfect. It was pretty much what I expected... It was pretty small, but we got there with three around 6:15 on a Tuesday (Cubs game day) and were seated right away. I was surprised at how small the menu was... I had no problem finding something delicious, but I just expected more to choose from! It was quick and inexpensive and delicious... can't beat that. I'll definitely go back.
(4)Rebekka L.
Mia Francesca's has mouth-watering itialian food, from thier lobster bisque to thier over-roasted chicken and everything in between! Although the seating was a little tight, it makes for a delicate intimate atmosphere. The service in Lakeview was not as delightful as I would have liked but the food made up for it. :) Definately recommend this place!
(4)Rick M.
Always good!
(4)John G.
A great place you can go to again and again!
(5)Michael S.
The food here was excellent, and the service was above average. I had a rigatoni dish with Italian sausage and goat cheese in a tomato cream sauce. Delish! And while it's perhaps a standard-bordering-on-cliche at any self-respecting Italian joint, the warm bread served before dinner with olive oil and freshly-grated parmesan was nonetheless fantastic, as well. I couldn't believe how packed it was on a weeknight, and the flow of paying customers didn't ebb until late in the evening. In quasi-celebrity spotting news, Cubs announcer (and 2001 World Series champion manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, for you baseball fans) Bob Brenly was dining there when I arrived, after the ballgame that afternoon. And yes, he brought his full-on porn 'stache and slicked-back mini-mullet with him! My only gripe about the place is how loud it was, and how closely packed together the tables were. But I suppose those are problems you run into at any Chicago neighborhood restaurant that's tucked into a long-and-narrow brick flat. All in all, a pleasant dining experience. I'd go back, but I'd definitely make a reservation first to avoid having to wait, even on a weeknight.
(4)Eric S.
I love Mia! It's frequently modified menu (about every two weeks), and it's excellently prepared pastas and entrees. An excellent waitstaff and all of this for a reasonable price.... I don't know what else to tell you except, go soon, and return often!
(5)Marco H.
hands down the best italian in Chicago. Excellent selection of wines. Prosciutto app is great. Calamari app just OK. order anything with the bolonese sauce. Lava torta for dessert a must.
(4)Timothy W.
I had Friday night reservations for 3 at 9:00 pm which I made 2 weeks in advance - I heard this place was great and one of my friends visiting for the weekend said she wanted good Italian... We had to wait for 30 minutes in a cramped doorway. When we were seating, we had a table in the back corner closest to the curtain that hides the restrooms. The food was not anything great, but perhaps I ordered the wrong dish. I will try to come back once more beause I know it's highly recommended. Funghi Con Polenta Rigatoni Asparagi Con Ricotta Linguine Con Broccoli $50
(2)Careth T.
Very close dining space, but the perfect fit for somewhere to take the in-laws for dinner when they were in town. Lovely italian fare, with generous portions and great specials. I love the idea of the menu changing every few months. Our waiter was nice, but I saw more of the backwaiter staff than I did of our actual staff. I hope that they get a good portion of the tip. The food was scrumptious and the whole experience would bring me back again.
(4)Andrea C.
mia francesca is pretty darn good. i really enjoyed francescas forno for brunch over in wicker park, so was excited to try another restaurant in their group. ended up here last night w/my aunt and roommate and we had a great time! had no trouble walking right in at about 6:30 (though it does look to get quite crowded around 8 or 9) and picked a wine right away, a red on special...and very tasty...we wound up having 2 bottles! the staff is very helpful with wine choices, since most are from italy, so likely somewhat unfamiliar. when it came down to ordering...i got a caprese salad and the 4 cheese pizza (very unique cheeses, btw...which was nice. bleu cheese, goat cheese, mozzerella and one other i cannot remember), my roommate got a caprese sandwich and the mussells and my aunt got the house salad and the roasted half chicken...and all of us walked away stuffed and satisfied. all of the ingredients were extremely fresh (esp the mozzerella & tomatos in the caprese salads) and everything else was just great! i hope to visit again when the craving for italian food strikes!
(4)danielle r.
Yes! Yes! been going there for the last 6 years! ahhh Mia Mia ,every time i come in, you always make me feel welcome,your food is amazing, staff is so friendly everyone just works together so well! love it here! even tho you get so crowded,still love ,love you anyways Mia Francesca,please continue to stay so awesome:))))
(5)Paul B.
We love it som much the first time we ended up having our rehearsal dinner there. The food is always great yet we realized that the best experience is had upstairs our out back. The main floor is very noisy and if you get seated near the back you are bound to get continuously bumped by the wait staff. If you can get the squash ravioli, chances are you'll be very satisfied.
(4)Eugenio P.
This place is excellent. The food is beyond delicious, probably the best Italian food I've had in my life.
(5)Meagan S.
Slightly better then ok (so maybe 3.5 stars). Everyone raves about this restaurant, so I must have expected something way above the norm. I visited this restaurant on a Saturday night for a girls night out. The restaurant was of course packed and there is very little room between the tables, but the service was great and the food was served quickly. Our waiter even recommended a different glass of wine when I chose one that he thought was sub par. I had mushroom ravioli for dinner, which was good, but not excellent. I have heard that the restaurant change their menu often, so I will have to give this restaurant a second chance in the future.
(3)Kevin A.
CONFESSION: I ATE CARBS Yes, I admit it. I ate carbs for Mia Francesca, and damn it was worth it. When my giant bowl of spaghetti abruzzese arrived, teaming with sausage and pancetta, it was 'so long' Atkins. I must admit that I was a bit concerned when I found out that the Mia Francesca empire includes 15 locations in Chicago-land. Would this be some sort of Olive Garden/Bucca di Beppo high-on-quantity-low-on-taste experience? Not at all. Mia won me over from start to finish with fresh, piping hot bread, attentive service, a great wine recommendation, a menu that changes weekly, and most importantly excellent food. I'm hitting the treadmill now to earn my next visit!
(5)Leslie P.
I gave Mia Francesca a second chance last night, and I'm glad I did. I've been there before and left feeling like, "Meh...I've had better." That was due in part to the place being really overcrowded and the waitstaff seeming overwhelmed. I don't know if we came at a better time last night, but the place seemed busy without feeling claustrophobic. (I really think they might have taken out a table which was a great idea.) Everyone was having a great time including the wait staff, and our food seemed better, too. Also, I've recently realized that I have a gluten intolerance. (It's so trendy now!) Who knew that an Italian restaurant would cater to a gluten sensitivity? Not only did our waiter point out items on the regular menu that were gluten-free, he also brought over Mia Francesca's special gluten-free menu. He was super nice about it. I'm not sure I would be as understanding about people's weird food issues, but he was genuinely happy to help. What a great surprise. Mia Francesca is certainly not the most amazing restaurant in town in terms of innovation or fanciness, but they serve good food and provide excellent service. Oh, and the booze is might good, too!
(4)jeff c.
Probably some of the best grilled calamari and carpaccio I've ever had. House chianti was fantastic and the olive oil and parmesan were served in abundance. Only negative is tables are placed very close to one another and the place is always packed so don't plan on any private conversations.
(4)Stephanie F.
We went last night [Friday], and it was a pleasant experience--as always. Service is always top-notch, and the food was excellent. Though I will agree with others, it can be (and was) quite loud. But I'll take a little noise if it means enjoying their food. I'll definitely be back again...and again...and again.
(5)Megan H.
Yay! Even though it took me 8 years to make it to this place, I"m so glad that I finally did. I came here with a large group and they were so accomodating. They were about 30 minutes late seating us which wasn't a problem since a few of our party were about 30 minutes late. They ushered back through the restaurant through the courtyard and into a small backroom that only had one unsuspecting couple finishing up their meal. Lucky for them they were leaving soon as we were quite the boisterous crowd. To make up for seating us late, they sent out some comped appetizers that were delicious. My friend and I split the pasta with mussels and the mushroom and cheese stuffed pasta with mushroom sauce. I think we agreed that the sauce on the mushroom dish was amazing but the pasta itself wasn't. Not that it was bad but it was just eh. However, the mussels and the spicy marinara sauce was so good. I ended up taking home the leftovers of both along with my friend's dish and ate for a few more days. The only thing that concerned me was the oil that set up in my leftovers that you know is there but you don't want to see. Then you have the dilemna of whether you should pour it out or mix it back in when you reheat it. The service was fantastic throughout the entire meal. All in all, it was a great experience and I will definitely be back.
(4)Fabian D.
great time. great service. great drinks. a little loud. but overall great.
(4)David N.
Yum!! Italian food! Delicious pasta and wonderful bread with olive oil. I came here on a date this past weekend, I have never been to this place before. We walked in and had no reservations, so that was a mistake. Very crowded and there was an hour wait. So what I thought was just one main dining area, we actually walked to the back, out to an outdoor seating area, then into another section of the restaurant that had a bar and smaller dining area. We ordered our dinner at the bar, and ate there. We ordered a bottle of red wine, which was delicious. I ordered this delicious pasta dish that had a tomato base sauce.....incredible! The spices and flavors in this sauce were so good. Since we were at the bar, the bartender waited on us and was very friendly and attentive. This place is worth checking out! But make sure you make a reservation! It gets crowded.
(4)Kista W.
Amazing pasta. Just go. It gets crowded. Make reservations and talk loud!
(5)Jen L.
Solid little Italian place in Lakeview. Went here with the boy and the father (who's Sicilian) while he was in town. We all got various pasta dishes and they were all very good. The house wine was a little expensive for my tastes, but you can't go wrong here overall. We went on a Friday evening without a reservation and it was packed. I recommend a reservation for you all.
(4)B O.
They really didn't pull out any stops for restaurant week. The menu was just ok and the food was passable. Service was decent but I have had much better Italian all around. Will likely not return.
(2)Eliza E.
food was okay - very loud and tables were close.
(2)Sao-Mai N.
My friend and I were looking for a nice place for dinner while she was in town and we found Mia Francesca on Yelp. I can't say anymore than what the other reviews have stated. It's just a great restaurant to bring friends, family, or a date. The food was flavorful and the staff was attentive. I don't know much about wine, but their selection is decent. The space is a little small but that's Chicago for you. We split the Bruschetta. The mozzarella was amazing, but the tomatoes were a little bland. I ordered the tilapia, which was delicious. I'm actually not a fan of tilapia (don't ask me why I ordered it), but it was cooked to perfection and absolutely swimming with flavor (no pun intended). I was boring and got the creme brulee for dessert, but the Banana bread pudding my friend had was very good and not too strong on the banana. Overall, I recommend giving this place a chance and do make reservations!
(4)Matthew G.
The food at Mia Francesca is always fresh and seasonally appropriate. I really enjoy that they have an adventurous and exciting menu that is truly a departure from most Italian restaurants. I have never had a bad meal (they also make a mean Manhattan). The only thing that kept Mia Francesca from 'five stars' is the inconsistency in service. I would love a little more attentive service, especially in a restaurant of this size. However, I will keep going back to Mia Francesca again and again.
(4)Ryan B.
I've always had a nice time at the numerous Francesca's locations, but we had a really great experience at the original location on Clark and just had to share. Our server was friendly and knew not only the menu but the history of the restaurant well, so we had a great time chatting with her. The food was great as usual, and I love that their menu changes often, so you can try something new each time should you want to. Also appreciate that they're open to customization of their dishes upon request. Their appetizers are some of my favorite - we had their fabulous sauteed calamari and brushcetta, then decided on a number of great pasta and seafood dishes and shared around. Great for a romantic dinner or a big group - looking forward to dining in their outdoor space this summer!
(5)Vivian Y.
While I didn't have actual dinner here, I have nothing but amazing things to say about this restaurant. My girlfriend and I ended up here after being fed up with the crowds over at the Belmont Sheffield Music Festival across the street and nestled ourselves in the cozy patio in the back of the restaurant. I was a little agast at how busy the restaurant was inside and was worried I'd be in more the same in the patio but was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and cute the back area was. Our waiter (sorry forgot your name) was so helpful in helping us decide on a bottle. He suggested one of the specials at $44 which was also available by the glass. We asked if we could take a small taste of it before we ordered that bottle. Luckily we did because we didn't like it at all! He said it could be that the bottle had been opened for a while so he went and got us another fresh bottle of the same just to try. While the new bottle was better, it was still not what we were looking for. Still our waiter was happy to send us what we wanted and we ordered appetizers to go along with our wine. We had the carpaccio *YUM* and the spicy mussels. both were so delicious and simple. Exactly what I was looking for and more. I will definitely be back for dinner but may avoid the main part of the restaurant as I prefer the cozy back patio instead.
(5)Shannon H.
I adore this Italian joint! It's the perfect place to sit back with good company, enjoy a bottle of wine, and - of course - a delicious Italian meal. It's a fun go-to, although reservations are definitely recommended! It's always packed on a weekend night. I tend to gravitate toward their raviolis... particularly the rich and creamy dishes, like lobster ravioli. Everything I've had there is wonderful, though. It's always nice to have a place where you can't go wrong with whatever you order. They've got an amazing Caesar salad, as well!
(5)Jennifer E.
Absolutely wonderful. Great service, tasty food, cozy environment and I love that they change their menu every two weeks. I went here with my boyfriend last night for dinner. We ordered a bottle of wine and split everything we ordered including, the Bruschette w/ prosciutto and mozzarella, which was an insane explosion of flavors. The Insalta alla Francesca was delicious with unique veggies and a light vinaigrette. Pasta dish and tiramisu for dessert. Delish! I'd recommend splitting the pasta dishes, because they are huge. We're big eaters and splitting an app, salad, pasta and dessert was plenty for both of us. Total bill with a cheaper bottle of wine was $67 plus tip. I think this is totally worth it for a pleasant dining experience.
(5)Caz S.
My gf and I went here the first night we moved back to Chicago. Friends here said it was the best Italian place by Wrigley, so naturally we wanted to scope out place to go since we'd just received season tickets from her company. Awesome. It was...awesome. In the true fashion of the original sense of the meaning awesome...it was incredible. Not just saying this cuz I spent a lot of time around surfers, but really that it was insanely awesome. The service was excellent, we had a Tuscan syrah, calamari appetizer, she had the salmon, I had some gnocchi, we shared the creme brulee and things were amazing. We walked out of that restaurant thinking we'd found the best spot ever. After a Cubs game with our 2 friends we decided to share the magical goodness of Mia Frencesca. After waiting no more than 15 minutes the 4 of us were seated in the worst table in the restaurant...in the traffic between the kitchen and rest of the restaurant. Okay whatever, bad tables happen, there are at least 2 of those in every restaurant, but that somehow doomed the entire evening. We got a bottle of pinot grigio, a cab and 2 appetizers...to get those 4 things it took almost 45 minutes. Granted the restaurant was full of drunk Cubs fans, like ourselves, so it was probably not the best night for great service but man...it was horrible. Finally after 45 minutes of being completely done with the appetizers and almost done with the wine, we ordered another bottle and entree when our server finally came back. A half an hour after ordering, I finally had to flag down a random busser and ask him where our entrees were. He promised us it would be out, even came back every 5 minutes for 20 minutes promising us our entrees. I'm so timid about asking for a manager, as is my girlfriend, but our friend we went with was not so much. The manager came over and assured us that our entrees would be out in less than 5 minutes and that dessert was on the house...great, right? 20 minutes later our entrees arrived stale and cold. I know they'd sat in the heating window for an hour. I had my dried up pork chops, my gf had her disgusting whitefish and after that we took our complimentary dessert to go. Lesson learned. Do not go after a Cubs game. Second thoughts are even that we never want to go back again, but after the bruising of that meal heals, we'll probably go back and try again for that first experience, that Cubs game experience will never be forgotten.
(3)Michael S.
I feel like a stalwart has just let me down....like a Chicago institution just showed signs of being a "chain," and until proven otherwise, like a long established friendship just turned into an acquaintance. Service and food are behind this less than stellar impression. Cheese pizza - boring (but it usually is in my book), Pork chops sent back due to being overcooked, and then unimpressive. The Tilapia, an unfortunate mess of sauce invoking a transfer to an unspoiled plate, and finally, the half a roast chicken clearly got a bad batch of steroids as that guy was tiny! Then, our server almost made me want to pull my hair out. Maybe she was really clueless, but I will give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was new. Ask her a question and......"Ummmmm" (crickets chirping), make a request..."Ummmmm" (grass growing).....I swear, I am never one to get riled up over service, but I wanted to stand up and just scream, "spit it our already!" I'm sad.
(3)Lois A.
I love Mia Francesca! Having never had dinner in the coach house part of the restaurant the last time I was there I was wondering, "where the hell are they taking us" as we walked through the restaurant into this seating area. There are only a few tables back there and a bar and it was wonderful!! And warm even in this freezing weather. It made for a very romantic dinner and walking back through the crowded and extremely LOUD restaurant on our way out I was thanking god we'd been seated where we had. This place fills up fast so come early. This is the kind of place where everything I've ever ordered has been fantastic. Last time I had roasted chicken and while I wished I'd been more adventurous it tasted great. The calamari is soooo good. They let us have it grilled instead of fried which was so nice of them. Other than the crowds, who are only there because the food is fantastic, I have no complaints.
(4)Anthony B.
I don't have any complaints about the service. It wasn't the best service in the world, and it certainly wasn't the worst service I ever had. One complaint I have is the noise. The place gets overly packed with people we couldn't even have a conversation during dinner it was so loud. I took my parents here when they were in town for the weekend. This was a Saturday night around 630pm. There was a mob of people outside waiting for seats and inside that stood in the waiting area and and hovered over our table so we felt somewhat rushed. If you're looking for a quaint, quiet place to take a date, this definitely isn't the place. As far as the food, I am a full bled Italian, and grew up eating in Mom and Pop style restaurants in NY. The food was definitely better than The Olive Garden, but wasn't spectacular like I am reading these reviews that have said. We ordered three entrees and an appetizer to get a full take on the menu. The calamari was decent, and the dinner entrees were above average at best. I didn't walk out of there feeling disappointed, nor impressed. I have definitely had better Italian food in the past, and environment is key - and this was too loud and crowded place for me to truly enjoy it. But if you're looking for a decent Italian meal this is your place.
(3)Jonathan K.
My host described this as "arguably the best Italian food in Chicago.". We got the price fixe menu. The short of it: It wasn't, it was mediocre at best. It wasn't bad, mind you. It was just wasn't that great, and if you do "conventional" Italian you've got tons of competition. You can tell a lot about Italian restaurants from the quality of the bread and the quality of the olive oil and canned tomatoes. None of these was above average so all the food tasted blah. If it were cheaper it would be okay but they charge a lot for medium food. I see they have variations of this restaurant all over Chicago. Did it used to be better?
(3)chris l.
Looking through the reviews of this place has irritated me. I think it's important that people realize that this is a small neighborhood restaurant residing in the third largest city in the country. Yes, the space is small. Yes, the wait can be long. Yes, the room can be loud. And yes, the kitchen puts out some of the best food in the city, thus insuring the small room remains packed and loud with a line out the door. The Olive Garden probably has a quiet table available right now where you can sit and talk privately as you wait for the rest of your party to arrive. Mia Francesca is a gem, and in the decade I've been going there, I've never had a bad meal, or a negative experience.
(5)Eme L.
What a perfect meal. This is pretty much as good as it gets. Great service (on a holiday night to boot), lovely space, and superb food. We had: seafood linguine - each component was impeccably fresh and the pasta was perfectly cooked. Also ordered the rigatoni w/ sausage and peas - so good that the husband ate the entire bowl (with my help, of course.) To top it off, we shared the tiramisu dessert. Confession: I am usually not a fan. The alcohol used to soak the ladyfingers or sponge cake is usually too "sharp" and the coffee flavor too strong. The one here? So perfect that I had my spoon in the bowl until the last bite. Even the iced tea was good! This place is certainly on my list of favorite neighborhood restaurants - can't wait for a return visit!
(5)Nick B.
Love the Italian food here. I pulled back a star only 'cause this location is too small and its a pain in the *ss sometimes to find parking/reservation (i live six blocks away from this location, so i'm in a "no man's land" where it is kind of a waste of $$$ to take a cab but inconvenient to drive and look for parking). Anyway, the food is five stars.
(4)Kaase K.
Divine! Absoultely wonderful Italian food. The downfall is that its a very tiny restaurant... the tables are too close together and it is VERY LOUD. If you're looking for a nice, quaint place to dine, this is not the place. The food is outstanding and they have a great selection of beverages, but it is simply TOO loud. The service is hit or miss. Sometimes, we have great service, other times, not as great... depends on how busy they are. Regardless, if yo'ure looking for GOOD Italian food, Mia Francesca's is your place-- BUT don't go on a Cubs game night!
(4)Yoshi Y.
this place is pricy but not too pricy compared to other fancy italian restaurants, but is definitely worth the price. carpaccio is my favorite dish, i always order this for my appetizer. i also like cream based pasta dish, as it gives very delicate and complexed taste. the atmosphere is nice, it is kinda noisy, which reminds me of local restaurants in italian cities. if i want to eat good italian food that is worth for its price, i always pick here!
(5)Bridget L.
I just love this place. It is one of my favorities. It's small and exciting and the food is delicious. The portions are big and the prices are very reasonable. I always get great service too. They will customize dishes for you, which is great if you have certain dietary concerns or requests. Obviously there's usually a wait, but it's worth it! Try it out!
(5)Olivia B.
Best Italian restaurant in the city!
(5)Corrie N.
My husband and I love this place. The food is consistently good and the service has been fab. The only thing holding me back from giving it five starts is the wine selection. The last time we went there, the first glass we got was corked, the second of the same wine was off, and so we asked for something else, which they graciously gave us on the house, so A+ for service. Additionally on my birthday, our server brought me tiramisu with a candle in it. And I don't like tiramisu, but I gotta say this was amazing. My husband and I practically licked the bowl. So, my advice to you is to bring your own wine and eat a bunch of food, 'cause it is tasty!
(4)Angie C.
Was very disappointed with this place. We're looking for a private luncheon spot so we wanted to sample the menu. We came in for a late lunch on Sunday afternoon. We were one of 3 groups at the entire place, and the service was horribly slow. No customers; slow service? Wasn't a fan. We hoped the food would make up for it but we were not impressed. We ordered fried calamari to start and it was awful - the oil tasted like it had been reused and old. Bad flavor. I tried the fish special with sauteed veggies which was good, but nothing special. My friends got pizzas and the crust tasted off...definitely not freshly made. Overall just not impressed at all with this place. Wouldn't come back.
(2)Johnny B.
Wow, do they pack 'em in in the dining room here. Squeezing into my bench seat, I thought for sure I would knock over our neighbors' wine/olive oil/etc with my ass. Luckily the table next to ours went unscathed (save the potential loss of appetite from their table's near brush with my rear). Despite, the seating, which made for a very loud dining room, we had a wonderful experience (something I've come to expect from the Francesca restaurants). Our server was excellent - he was knowledgeable (with wine and the menu), attentive, and a great help in making our choices. Our pizza and salad were very good, but the pasta was out of this world. It was a linguine with a fresh garlic and tomato sauce that was more like salsa-with-broth in consistency than a red sauce. They apparently only make it in the summer when they can get super fresh tomatoes. Sweet Jesus, it was fantastic. I'll have to return before the end of summer, so I don't have to wait another year for this amazing dish.
(5)Ken L.
Had dinner there on 11/16/10 for the first time in a couple years. Not the best experience. Service was mediocre at best. Food below average. Had steamed mussel appetizer that was almost inedible, almost like they weren't cooked, if that was possible. Salad of pancetta and lots of ricotta was ok. All in all, not sure why people like this place.
(2)Chad T.
Went out for a late meal after a night of clubbin, expecting a nice quiet meal. This was my first, and last meal to be had here. My friends and I ordered orecchiette, an individual pizza and spaghetti with clams and mussels. Both bowls of orecchiette were undercooked to the point of being crunchy inside. They were replaced, one made with orecchiette as before and the other made with spaghetti. The spaghetti was as undercooked as the first dish, and the replaced orecchiette bowl was just barely cooked enough to be edible, but now came out being terribly over-salted. So much so that it made the roof of my mouth tender! Instead of comping the entrees in question, they gave a pitiful discount that didn't even cover the cost of the tip. Additionally, aside from the food, the restaurant is small, the wait staff seemingly unhappy and omg...it could not have been any louder in there! In the words of my friend...never again.
(1)Mike D.
Went last night for the first time with a date, called the day before to make reservations and when we got there we were greeted by a kind host who took our coats and and seated us ASAP. The restaurant was slam packed, full to capacity. The server was great and attentive, the food was fantastic, as an Italian who grew up on grandma's homemade Pasta, this was great. The menu changes every week or so, so it is good to point out that menus you find online may not match. I do need to mention that the restaurant is small so if you can request seating against the wall you will have a better time. All the tables are right on top of each other which adds to the character of the restaurant. Everyone I saw was enjoying themselves except for the uppity snot nose table behind us who had issues with the poor bus boy bumping one of their chairs. I looked the idiot was seated way out of the table he refused to push his seat in, so he deserved it. I recommend it and will definitely go back
(4)Mai T.
What can I say....We spent a wonderful Girls' Night Out with great dinner plans. A girlfriend of mine researched this place on none other than YELP and she decided to have dinner here with us all. Though we made reservations, we still had to wait when we arrived (typical of many restaurants nowadays). The entry way is literally at the door, so as you entry, you're already in the doorway for people to get in and out. I was quite weary when I had entered. Once we sat down, I noticed the tables were very tight. Then again, we did go here on a Saturday evening, and anywhere in the city at that time would be packed no matter if they are a bigger chain restaurant. Anyhow, we took one look at the menu and decided to order "family style" where we would all share the dishes instead of having one all to ourselves. We could have have been anymore right in that choice. Man-O-Man, when the waiter came to our tablet o serve our meals, we looked at them with BIG EYES, as if they were popping out! These dishes are enormous. There is no way (unless you are capable) to finish a dish per person. Appetizer - Mussels, Spicy Tomato Sauce: WOW. I can't eat spicy and I devoured this thing. We attacked it like we've never had mussels before. The sauce was fabulous, and the mussels...you sure get your moneys worth. There was so much flavor in each individual mussel that you could NOT go wrong on which ever one you chose. We ended up sipping on the sauce buy scooping it up with the mussel shells (shhh, can you tell we're heifers?! :)) Meals - ALL 3 were FABULOUSLY TASTING!!! I can go into specific details, but words can't explain the magnificent taste you get. 1. Pollo Arrosto alla Romana 2. Salmone ala Fresca 3. Linguine al Sugo di Gamberi We were so full that we were all disappointed that we weren't able to try their dessert. :( We are definitely coming back to try new items on their menu as it seems to change often (possibly due to what is available in the markets) The staff is great as well. They are so considerate. Granted the place was already small, but they were VERy careful in where they stood and how they got by from table to table. Each person was so nice! Though we sat near the entry, the hostess and bartenders would continuously give us a generous smile to not make it awkward that we were sitting so close (i felt less uncomfortable) This is my favorite little restaurant in the city for sure.
(5)Lauren M.
From their veggies to their seafood, the food is fantastically fresh. Great flavors in each of the different sauces, plus I love the flexibility of getting my favorite pasta in any of their delicious sauces.
(4)Art K.
Excellent food and excellent service. While we weren't a fan of the featured sauvingnon blanc wine, the food was amazing and the service matched well. Beside the wine, our only other issue was they started playing loud hip hop/dance music near the end of our meal around 930pm. It brought my rating down from a 5 to a 4.
(4)Ed H.
About the only thing I remember about this restaurant was that it was extremely noisy. The noise level was so high, it almost hurt. The music is played very loudly so everyone has to yell to be heard over it. I asked the waitress to have the music turned down, and if anything, it got even louder. I could barely understand what was being said by the other three people at my table. I don't know how anyone could enjoy their food in this type of an atmosphere. Update: I have gone back a few times and agree they have good food. But I would recommend going during not peak hours because of the loudness. Everyone I go with agrees that the noise levels are unacceptable
(2)Elaine S.
Food and ambiance was great! We had the dessert special - Limoncello Tiramisu - it was heavenly!
(4)Christina C.
Honestly, I found this place by mistake. I was planning on going to a different restaurant I found on Yelp, but ended up taking the wrong street and walked by Mia Francesca! First of all, their menu is awesome. They switch it up every now and then so you might have to get something different every time you go there! We started off with the bruschetta - the fancier one that is a dollar more than the original - totally worth the extra dollar. It came with arugula and avocado on top. It was one of the best bruschetta I've ever had. For my entree, I ordered the special ravioli. I want to say I tasted some goat cheese in the ravioli, but I'm not sure. It was delicious though! Super filling, so I thought the price was just right. On Thursdays, they do $5 martinis. I ordered the Blood Orange martini. It was good at first, but granted, Svedka... not the best. For dessert, the special was a peanut butter cream pie with peanut butter whipped cream and an Oreo crust. I wish I were eating it now. Service is good. There are many servers around who can assist you. Also, definitely sit in the back patio! I love the mural!
(5)Thomas Z.
Good service, good food. Ordered a pesto dish and a rigatoni broccoli and cream sauce dish. Portions were slightly smaller than expected for America but still acceptable. Vibes were a little crowded but still not too overbearing. Would return, though slightly out of my personal price range.
(4)Aj A.
I was here for my birthday dinner. I was impressed by the nice and courteous behavior of the host and wait staff. Have I had better Italian food elsewhere? Yes of course, but their service was award winning! The bread was served warm fresh from the oven-so delicious. The bruschetta and Neapolitans pizza were great too. The lentil appetizer was a-ok. The eggplant rigatoni, spinach ravioli were fantastic too. The pesto cavatelli lacked some flavor. Wine list was superb. My friends had the mussels and the chicken+shrimp entree and they loved it. They dimmed the lights for the cake cutting creating a beautiful atmosphere Ruth the candle lit cake. Overall had a fantastic experience!
(4)Patrick K.
Have been coming to francescas for years and have been to nearly every location. By far the best service, personality and hospitality is done by Fernando and Terry at this location. They really make you feel like you are at home. If I could give 6 stars I would.
(5)Svetlana M.
I walked in with my boyfriend and we were seated right away even though the restaurant was busy. I was very pleased with the good food and attentive staff! A nice place for romantic dinner!
(5)Ken O.
It's been many years since I had dinner at Mia Francesca and I had time so I thought what the heck.... I was able to find a seat at the bar. Byron, bartender, had greeted with a smile and presented the menus. At the same time, asked about a cocktail which I just ordered a coke since I had to work a double shift the next day. While Byron was working on some drinks, Cosme had dropped off the coke and took my order. He was very pleasant - actually, both of the gentlemen were very personable. The menu is very well planned out - a little bit of everything. I decided order the New York Strip and Potato special. While waiting for my meal, I had turned and gobbled up the great bread. The oil had a little bit to it, but very good. No bread or oil was left when I was done. The meal was delivered to me within a reasonable time. There was just enough grilse left on the steak to keep the meat juicy and favorable. The melted garlic butter over the steak was incredible!!! The potatoes were crispy on the outside and tender inside. Both gentlemen had checked in with me regarding the meal without being overbearing. Of course, I did save room for dessert. The dessert menu has about eight different items to choose from. I had ordered the Apple Crostrada. Very good to end the evening with. Overall, Mia Francesca is a great restaurant on the north side of the city.
(5)Stephanie A.
Somewhat limited menu but very reasonably priced and in a great location. Mixed group of people dining...from families in very casual attire to couples celebrating something. Overall a good experience.
(3)Lauren B.
A little overpriced for cold pasta. My dish was personally the best out of everyone I was dining with (it was also a special and the most expensive). I thought the ambiance was very traditional, warm and personable. However, I have had better Italian worth more of the price, not that it was outrageous... Just not what I was expecting for $17.
(3)Jen K.
I have to say how disappointed I am in this restaurant. I've tried other Francesca's before in the burbs and they were all great but I sat at the table for a half hour waiting for someone to wait on me. When he did, I asked what the soup of the day, he couldn't tell me and left for another 5 minutes. Then I proceeded to sit at my seat and watched all the staff members hang out for a while. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but the service will make it so I never go back
(1)Erin M.
Went here for a surprise bday party and the food and service were fantastic! We had the carriage house in the back and it was great! Had spinach cheese pizza, gnocchi, and s chicken potato dish and the main meals were great! For dessert We had cheesecake and these chocolate gelato puffs that were too die for!!! Highly recommend this place!!
(5)Maria P.
I rarely write Yelp reviews as I feel I should only do so to add something valuable to anyone reading them. In this case (and I apologize for the ALL CAPS), I think this problem needs to be noted: THIS PLACE DOES NOT HONOR THEIR RESERVATIONS!! If you're like most people, you probably have the silly belief that making a reservation at a restaurant serves to ensure that you have a table at (or very near) the requested time. As someone who gets irked by even a five minute wait for a reserved table, the fact I waited nearly an hour for my table only speaks to the mendacity of both the hostesses and the manager who kept insisting that a table would free up "in a manner of minutes". This obvious lie was repeated so many times that I began to feel as if I was being unreasonable by checking on my reservation - even though it was clear from the dining room that no one was leaving soon given no checks were visible on any table. It became rather clear that "reservation" to Mia's was simply a way to reserve your space in the "wait queue". When we were finally seated after 9pm (for an 8:15pm) reservation, there was nary a word of apology from either the hostess or waiter. The manager eventually stopped by and apologized for the wait and offered a free appetizer to both my friend and I. My friend did not want an appetizer and the manager obnoxiously pointed out that he would only comp an appetizer and nothing else, clearly stressing this was all that would be offered. Given we hadn't even asked for a comp, it was infuriating to have him set limitations on something that wasn't wanted or needed. What we really wanted was an hour of our lives back but it was obvious that the manager didn't seem to care about the fact he had wasted our time and screwed up our plans for the night. I quickly ordered a soup because I felt we should get *something* . Rather predictably, the $6 soup appeared to totally absolve the manager of having to care about the situation any further. He never checked in again -- and so was blissfully unaware that the lobster bisque soup that was eventually served was partially cold and didn't have any lobster! It was just a bowl of heavy cream with tomato sauce. Given how hungry we were at this point, we choked it down. To add insult to injury, I then had to suit up to go outside and walk 4 blocks in sub-zero weather to add extra time to the meter since it had run out. I stupidly only put an hour in the meter thinking we couldn't possibly be staying for that much longer. Our food did not come for another forty-five minutes. When it arrived, my hungry friend and I started shoving it in our mouths only to stop dead at the taste. The sauce of the salmon had a strange acidic flavor that made the dish taste weird and wrong. Despite being ravenous, we both frustratingly switched back to the bread and tried to spot the waiter to send it back. He was nowhere to be found, so we were stuck eating bread. When he finally reappeared much later it was only to ask if we wanted to take the dish home, taking no note of the fact barely anything was eaten. When I emphatically stated No!, he simply whisked the dish away with no comment. We declined dessert as we just wanted to leave at this point since the meter had run out and we had just spent our entire night waiting around to eat cold soup and bread. But once again, we were kept waiting for the check to get picked up. It was now going on 11pm. I'm usually a person that doesn't complain (as I find voting with my feet to be effective), but I was so angry at this point that I had actually decided to make a comment to the staff before I left about how horrible the whole experience had been - and how our plans for the night were ruined. Of course, I was denied even this small consolation as there was no one around to complain to. The hostesses had both disappeared and the manager was nowhere to be found. We left without fanfare after almost three hours of being treated with something akin to contempt and getting an expensive bill shoved under our noses at the end of it. The lack of even a Thank You from anyone in the restaurant as we left seemed to say it all about how they feel about their customers. While Mia's will probably always be busy - their location allows them to recycle through customers relatively easily - it's clear this is not due to good food or service. I will end my post the way I begin since this essentially encapsulates how they feel about their customers and it's rather useful information to anyone trying to plan their night: THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR RESERVATIONS. And the food and service is just inexcusable on top of that.
(1)Enzo D.
No italian food at all. ..im from italy and I really know my country food sorry but this plaste made my italy s...start with fried calamari Brown crost mean dirty oil.carpaccio no seasoned at all. .meatballs pasta the sauce was bland and meatballs test like older or maybe frozen....please call this food with another name but never call it italian cousine. ..
(1)Joe S.
Went here for Sunday brunch with my wife and daughter. Wow very bad!!!! It took 10 min. For a server to come by, with the place empty don't understand that. My daughter ordered warm tee and honey. After 15 min. The tea came out ice cold with no honey. I told the waiter the water for the tea was cold can you please bring it back with hot water and honey please. 10 more min later tea came back out still cold and no honey. I finally told the server to put the water in the microwave and hit high for 3 min. Needless to say kitchen did not know how to boil water. LOL!!! We ordered omelets nothing hard to cook for breakfast. Omelets were undercooked and greasy. Outside tables dirty and poor service to match will not be coming back.
(1)Peter g.
This is my first visit to this Francesca location. I would normally not write a review of a chain's second location but this one is worth warning winter patrons about the upstairs. The food is as good as the location over on Taylor in little Italy. That site I have been to numerous times, and they say inside the menus are somewhat different between sites, but not that I could notice. The food here was just as good. Which is to say very good. The 3 star rating is earned by the design of the upstairs. This is a small place so they have a second door leading to a nice looking bar and seating area upstairs, however they have no easy access to the kitchen so they have to use a rear upper deck which gives them some kind of dumbwaiter access for dishes and return items to the kitchen from an exterior rear porch. The problem is the door was swung open at least 3 to 5 times per minute in the dinner rush, and it was 23 degrees outside. There is no exterior protection in this deck area so the wind swept thru 20 feet of bar and right onto the dinner floor, people everywhere were wearing coats, everyone at the bar felt it, several complained including myself, and they said there is nothing they can do about it. There is noothing blocking this whatso ever and its an automatic door, so it opens all the way, and hangs open for 5 to 10 seconds before it starts closing. Truly this will ruin the experience for you on cold winter nights. If you can't get a table in the main floor area, as good as this place is for dinner I would avoid the upstairs at all costs. The chicken and the Caprase were fresh, very well prepared and cooked, and I will go back, just not to this location.
(3)Bailey S.
We missed our reservation because of traffic so we had to dine late after a comedy show. This place was amazing and the waiter was very accommodating (It might have been cause it was so late and there were only a few tables filled but whatever). The food was excellent, we ordered the bruschetta and we both got the rosemary chicken. Everything was superb. The music they were playing didn't really fit the ambiance but we personally didn't care. All and all this place was great and I would totally go again.
(5)Tim S.
It has been years since I have been and was not impressed I have to say. WAY TO LOUD, kind of cramped, food was perfectly fine but the service just fell below what should be expected from them.
(2)Kyle D.
Went here on a date, and we had a great time. If you come at peak hours, expect a wait. Luckily I made reservations. The service was fast and friendly and they have a good wine list. The menu is only 1 page but it covers all of the bases and has good options, but be ready to eat and eat hearty. Nothing seemed super healthy, and I had the primavera. That said, the food was awesome. My primavera was great and my date's chicken was good (according to her). The portions are huge, and of course there is bread beforehand. We skipped on appetizers and desserts but they sounded great. The only complaint I had was that the atmosphere is just okay. Everything was clean, but I could see the all non-italian cooking staff right there. Overall a great experience, just not 5 star. Atmosphere: 7/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 8/10
(4)Kelly J.
Very authentic Italian food, complete with Italian waiter with a thick, heavy accent. Charming little place with a second story that was quieter than the downstairs. Great photos on the walls on Italians in the 'old country'. The bread and olive oil was addicting. We actually had to ask them to take it away from us. Deliciously fresh and soft bread and herbed olive oil. We started with a beautiful antipasta salad served on a pizza board - so cute! Full of meat and cheese and crunchy veggies, it was excellent. We shared the risotto with shrimp, zuchini, tomato in a light saffron sauce and an order of the wild mushroom stuff ravioli in a tomato mushroom sauce. Both had freshy made pasta and had excellent flavor.Too stuffed for dessert, but there's always room for another glass of red. Good wine list here filled with lots of italian wine. Loved it!
(4)R J.
Lackluster on all counts. Sunday, Nov 10 Service is "meh- can I take your order" attitude by server. Food was moderate in flavor. Highly over salted! (All dishes at our table). Way, way over sauced. Swimming in sauce. Tables so incredibly cramped that if you aren't bumping the person behind / next to you, the staff most certainly is repeatedly every time they squeeze by a 6" gap to pretend to service the poor folks against the wall. Which brings me to the biggest gripe of the night: walked into a nearly empty restaurant at 530pm, and were given the table nearest the drafty door on a cold windy night. Before touching anything on our table I very pleasantly asked the host if we could please be seated elsewhere away from the cold air. I pointed out a number of tables away from the door. She claimed, "oh, those are all saved for a party of 9", and another, "that's saved for another party". See picture I posted (and taken an hour later.... Still empty) By late in the meal, no big parties came in. But she seated a party of 3 in the table area I asked to sit at (party of 9) If you want to be a snooty, rotten hostess- fine. I'll go elsewhere. But don't outright LIE so frivolously to my face. As such- I would never return to such a restaurant. Not for the salty food. Mediocre service, and especially this host. There are SO many Italian restaurants nearby with better food, service and more character (and integrity)
(1)Chicago T.
The experience was very good and we would go back to this spot. But know that the food prepared their is not the Italian fare you would fine at some of Chicago's popular Italian restaurants. Our first visit resulted in delicious food and friendly service. We ordered the Pollo Arrostro all Romano, Cavetti con Pesto y Pollo, and the bow tie pasta with salmon. Everyone enjoyed their respective main course. However the best dish that all enjoyed was the melted goat cheese with marinara sauce appetizer. Awesome! The fried calamari was fresh, light and crisp. Not greasy. The pear and blue cheese salad was uneventful. The poached pear was too, too sweet and the pear to greens ratio was off. Too little greens for the amount of pear. The blue cheese they use for the salad is delicious. For me, its a well executed Americanized version of Italian food. For example; no eggplant or chicken parmesan, sausage and peppers, Bucatini all'Amatriciana, pasta Carbonara or seafood apps. Yet, want we ordered was well executed and enjoyed.
(3)Jon S.
"May I re-chill your cosmo?" With these words, Mia Francesca on Clark has become my favorite restaurant. In my many years of ordering and consuming cosmos, in restaurants around the United States (and London and Montreal and on international waters and island ports of call), I have never experienced this level of outstanding customer service. In fact, this statement has reached a new, previously unknown level of favored phrase status. Prior to this, my favorite word combination was "Dinner is served." Today, a new combination of letters, spaces, and punctuation has become my new favorite, and it's very difficult to imagine anything overtaking it-- except perhaps "Your private jet is waiting." Terry approached our table, while my martini glass was still 3/4ths full, and somehow anticipated that my drink might no longer be at the ideal temperature. If you love martinis, you know what the ideal temperature is-- it's that condition where there is a thin layer, almost just a hint; of ice at the top of the drink-- allowing the contents to be beautifully, perfectly chilled. The glass itself, of course, also must be chilled-- frosted, actually. Unfortunately, this condition only lasts for a few moments. Perhaps ten, if you're lucky. It had been ten minutes. The frost had disappeared, there was no more layer of thin ice at the top of the drink. Terry identified this tragedy and corrected it immediately with his magic words. A few minutes later, my drink re-appeared, with the glass freshly frosted, and the temperature again perfect. May you re-chill my cosmo? Yes. Will I be back? Yes. Thank you Terry.
(5)Brian B.
After 18 years, another superb dinner at Mia's. We've been enjoying Mia Francesca at this location for an unbelievable 18 years. Last night's dinner was surreal in the fact that it was the same magical experience we had on our first visit years ago. The pasta was superb, as was the carpaccio and calamari. Service was spot on. Eat in the main dining room (not upstairs) for the real energy. Note - tables are packed tight so expect to meet your neighbors... and enjoy the evening.
(5)Stephanie M.
Great pasta! This place was really great - the pasta was super tasty, but the buratta left something to be desired. Not amazing quality. Its a little cramped inside and there are lots of families - wouldn't recommend for a date or a relaxing night out. Price point a touch higher than you'd expect given the scene.
(3)Matt M.
I am not exactly sure what the thrill of this place is. It is not the food, not the ambience, not the service.. it is just there. For starters you will be crammed in very uncomfortably - no ifs/and/buts. Then you will get slow service. And by slow service... I mean sloooooooooooooooow. We saw our waitress 3 times. Were slapped with the mandatory tip and that was that. So for essentially 10 minutes of work she got a $40 tip (no waiters dont send me an angry "open letter" about the tedious nature and hardwork of your industry). I mean really, drinks were always empty, no one cared to ask how the food was - it was like a barely useful robot in a crammed store front was giving us middle of the road food with a preprogrammed notion of what is going to happen.
(2)Taylor M.
There are some really great Francesca locations and others that are overcrowded and they cram you in and forget about you. Let's just say I am lucky I am not claustrophobic! This Francesca's was super crowded and I felt stuffed into a table that was too small and right by the bathroom. No fun. The food was okay for Italian food. The drinks were good. The service was not very good. My review is short to illustrate my experience at Mia Francesca's...lacking...
(3)Christina N.
Before you read on, I feel I should say that this is the third time I've dined here, and the first two times were great....tonight, not so much. We live in the neighborhood and felt like italian last minute, so hopped on open table and Mia Francesca was wide-open for reservations. When we walked in to check in, the place was packed, lively and bustling as we expected. Assuming we would be seated at one of the few open tables, they quickly informed us we would be seated upstairs, where we had to go outside and through another door. Turns out, the "upstairs dining room" is really their overflow dining room, which was a few small two tops surrounded by a long table seating a giant party in which the majority of people were under the age of 10. As we sat there deciding on what wine/apps to order we had 3 or 4 kindergartners with sugar highs sprinting laps around our table and running back and forth along the banister that we were sitting against. The parents were oblivious and the staff didn't seem to care either. The upstairs dining room was literally the kids table. The food was good, but the atmosphere ruined it. Not something I would have expected from an 8:30 reservation on a saturday night at Mia Francesca. It was like being at TGI Friday's with Mia Francesca's food. Maybe they should let you know when reserving that you'll be in the overflow room to avoid this issue!!
(2)Meg S.
Excellent food, great atmosphere. Really enjoyed and will definitely go back next time I'm in the city!!
(5)Mike L.
Still the best of the Francesca chain in my opinion. We were a party of 4 last night and the food and service was perfect! Never thought you could combine avocado and chopped tomatoes over Salmon, but it was one of the best combos I have ever had. I'm still amazed how they serve so many people so quickly - they are ALWAYS packed and it works. Been coming here since they opened and have NEVER had a bad meal!
(5)Kelly D.
I have been coming here for years and I have yet to be disappointed. This is one italian restaurant I love dining at, and it has stayed on my top 3 ever since I started! The bread has always been warm and fresh and the food is always on point. A lot of their main menu items stick around - but there are quite a few entrees that switch their ways in and out with the seasons and popularity. There is always a specials menu that changes every night I believe. The cooking here is impeccable and I cannot stress enough that everything here is done really well. I've never had a bad server experience either, which can be a rare feat for this near-Wrigley location. Everyone I have had has been helpful and excellent at suggestions, accommodations, and wine/drink pairings. What sparked my review after all of this time was my reservation around 9pm (we arrived early) and had to leave by 9:30. Our waitress was attentive even though this place was packed (Saturday evening), and everything was brought out super fast, and we were done at 9:24. I will say I am REALLY DISAPPOINTED that there is no more peanut butter chocolate tart dessert anymore. I guess they took it off a few months ago. I was seriously devastated - a girl has to have her dessert! I will be writing to hopefully encourage them to bring it back (or give me the recipe!)
(5)Steph U.
I came here for Restaurant Week, and overall I was underwhelmed by not only the selection (or lack there of), but by also what was served when I ordered off the special menu. I don't remember the specific name, but it was something osso buco (veal). Basically, it was ground veal wrapped in pasta. Not only was the portion small for the price ($16.99) (especially in comparison to their normal dishes), it was also chewy and didn't have much taste. We ordered Malbec wine; I thought it was whatever. My friend ordered the chicken alla salvia, which looked much bigger and better than my meal and was only a dollar more! I think if I were ever to come back, I'd want to try their regular menu, but not worth it for Restaurant Week in my opinion.
(2)Dan L.
can't believe I've never reviewed this place before. Have been here about 5 times over the years and never dissapointed. the only drawback I have always had is the noise level. If you are sitting at a two top you are kind of on top of the people next to you and hear everyone's conversations. I have never had a bad glass of wine, bad appetizer, bad entree or bad service. I do agree to avoid the restaurant on game day nights but it is just far south enough to get away from the foot traffic of wrigley. Will always go back and was just there two weeks ago.
(5)Gio S.
After a six-year hiatus, returned to Mia Francesca for an anniversary dinner, wanting, hoping to like it. Sadly, no luck. This place combines bland, soulless "Corporate Italian" food with efficient but cold service. The pesto was completely tasteless (tip: at least add some GARLIC), and the chicken in the pasta tasted like it had been frozen (and the suspiciously identical strips suggested it was). With so many outstanding options for Italian on the north side, can't see coming back, again. Under-flavored, over-priced, and way too pleased with itself.
(1)Michele R.
My friend has been raving about the food at Mia Francesca's for years... so I was elated to be traveling to Chicago and make a reservation with my girlfriends. The staff was very friendly, attentive and prompt. The menu had lots to offer without being overbearing. You can tell the put a lot into their menu and each dish is crafted with though and creativity. We started with the Bruschetta alla Sorella- toast with avocado, radicchio, arugula, endive, tomato and fresh mozzarella. It was a fantastic choice. Beautiful, fresh and tasty. Lots of flavor packed into little bites. My dinner was the Pollo alla Fiorentina. I suppose that it sounds rather simple- it was anything but. Juicy, succulent chicken perfectly breaded and sautéed. Light lemon sauce over the chicken and spinach made it to die for. I had leftovers from the hearty portion and sadly never finished them. My friends had the Gnocchi alla Bavosa which was fantastic. Perfect, pillowy gnocchi with an appropriate sauce. The portion on this was fulfilling, but not quite as large as other plates. It also could have used a little more mozzarella. I also sampled the Linguine mare e Monti- with shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus with a nice garlicky, light tomato sauce. The linguine alone was a masterpiece. I'm always suprised at how many restaurants can't cook pasta right, but Mia's knows. The sauce was excellent. My only complaint is that we were seated in a back corner by the kitchen, bathrooms and server station. It was so noisy, we could hardly hold conversation. The servers were yelling to eachother over our tables, we had to duck several times to avoid being smashed by a plate of food and the kitchen was notably loud. It's not enough to keep me from going back, I'll probably just ask for a different table. This was one of the best meals I have ever had.
(5)Jeff A.
Choose when you go carefully. Avoid game days (unless you're a game attender and are looking for a lively and cramped vibe). It's not the drunken Clark St crowd. Rather, it's the grown-up version. Don't avoid Sunday brunch. They've only been doing it about a year and, in my opinion, are nailing it. It's become a regular spot for me (I live close). Food is better than average Italian. Not the best, but solid and consistent. Service is consistently good...even when they're slammed.
(3)Minnie G.
I've dined at other Francesca's restaurants and have always had a great experience. This time not so much. First off always ask for a table in the front. We were in the back separate area and it wasn't great. I ordered a Black Label and was told they don't offer that brand of Scotch. No biggy, but what they had was awful. I thought they had a full bar. The food was just OK. I had a chicken pasta dish and the chicken was dry and bland. My friend had an eggplant pasta dish and it was just OK. The service was good but I probably would choose a different Francesca restaurant next time.
(2)T W.
Best Italian restaurant in Chicago! Be sure to sit outside in the back! Feels like Italy!!!
(5)Brooke B.
Yum!! Came here with the boyfriend for date night on Saturday and was soo pleased! Everything was sooo delicious from our bread and olive oil, to both our pasta dishes, and even our Pinot Noir wine that was recommended by our waiter! I have to give our waiter even more credit because we weren't going to order a dessert (even though I wanted to, but the boyfriend isn't a dessert fan), but he talked us into getting the pumpkin pie that was a special of the day! So mouth watering good! I would definitely come back in a heart beat! The only reason why I have to give this place 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the fact that you are seriously packed into here like a sardine! I couldn't get to my seat without banging into the table next to us. Then feeling like you were in the middle of the conversations next to you since you are seated so close to each other... But the waiter was awesome, food was awesome, service was super fast (in an out within an hour!); so definitely worth it!
(4)Pattie U.
Good food, the wine is on the pricey side.
(4)Tricia D.
Mia Francesca gets the upgrade to 5 stars for a few reasons: 1) The quality of food is fantastic, fresh, and consistently meets/exceeds expectations! On my latest visit, I inhaled the roasted pork chop entree in approximately 7.2 minutes. It was juicy, well balanced in flavor, and left me happy and full. 2) Service is prompt, friendly, and attentive. 3) The menu is continually evolving. Change is the one constant in life! Expect it to be an energetic atmosphere, with the tables rather closely spaced together. Definitely want to try dessert here sometime.
(5)Susy P.
MIA FRANCESCA, THE LAND OF TRUFFLE-Y WONDER I love this place. I love the hustle and bustle of the atmosphere (although sitting in a long line of other couples where they can definitely hear everything I'm saying is a little too romcom-ish for me) because you can tell that when a restaurant keeps bringing tons of people back, it's worth it! I had the truffle ravioli which seriously blew. my. mind. I've had dreams about this ravioli. It is all that I want out of life. My boyfriend got the half chicken and it was just melt-in-your-mouth goodness.... I never knew simple chicken could taste that good! We will definitely be back because although the menu changes, I am completely okay with whatever they are willing to serve me.
(5)Tim C.
Found the place by accident, looking for Italian while in Lakeview with a friend from out of town. Figured more memorable places might somewhere else but we stumbled on this through Googling and so glad we did. Discovered a long wait in the early evening (a good sign) but we took a seat at the bar and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the attentive staff while we dined. I WILL be back. A good local place to know.
(4)Imani B.
OMG! Restaurant Week 2014 dream come true...4 courses that provides ample food choices. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th course meal was extremely DELISH. 1st course was an awesome salad, 2nd course was the seafood pasta, 3rd course was a chicken option that included rosemary with white wine. Yummy! The service was great. The delivery of the meals were right on time. The host was pleasant and the waiter was extremely handsome...(which made the food taste better). The Overall experience was great!
(5)Lizz M.
I had just completed my first 5K and part of the incentive for its completion was the promise of brunch. After a futile attempt at going to Socca (if your hours say 10:30am you should be open at that time, right?), we walked over to Mia Francesa and I'm so glad we did. Because the place had just opened, we were welcomed to a fairly empty restaurant where we were promptly seated. We were still waiting for two other friends to arrive so we settled in, ordered some mimosas and ate some fresh bread. Now, the food. I ordered the pollo e ouvo, which is a chicken and bacon hash. It was very tasty. I think the potatoes were my favorite part of this dish as they were extra crispy and seasoned perfectly. The other vegetables were also nice and tender, and my eggs were fluffy. I also ordered the blush mimosa which was refreshing and very much needed. Excellent food and service, would definitely come back. The owner even came over and chatted with us.
(4)Elise K.
Mia Francesca is certainly one of the better Italian restaurants in the city and probably the best in the neighborhood. I prefer going for a weekend lunch rather than dinners because dinners are crowded and noisy. Lunches are quiet and peaceful with lots of love and attention from the servers. My first visit was when I had just started dating my current back in 2010. We had a late lunch on a Saturday. We split an appetizer and each had an entree. I got a veggie pasta dish and it was better the the bolagnase dish that he had. The service was fantastic - the owner served us himself. My most recent visit was on a Saturday night for a girls' night. Dinner for 8. They put us upstairs where it was pretty noisy. The service was just okay, but the place was so busy and it was hard to get a chance to get in the bathroom - a long line for the single toilet. Overall our food was good - not as great as previous visits however.
(4)T V.
Really enjoyed the restaurant week dinner menu - too much food! The bruschetta and the chicken were amazing. We also really liked sitting upstairs - quieter than the main dining room. Would def go back.
(4)Jeanette S.
The food is good, but the portions are a bit too big. Like, JUMBO size! The service is excellent too and they make killer cocktails. It's also reasonably priced. The place was fully booked, but they let us in anyway since one of the tables just left. We were surrounded by noise but I just chose to ignore it and focus on my date. Still, it gets quite loud in there, so be forewarned.
(4)Brittany H.
When it comes to Italian food, I want it as flavorful and authentic as possible, and Mia Francesca definitely delivered. The restaurant is small but romantic and quaint, perfect for date night. I've only gone during the week, but I've never needed to make a reservation. The food was delish and the portions were huge. I got chicken vesuvio, and was literally served half of a chicken on top of potatoes. I've also had the gnocchi which was again, huge, and delicious. Mia francesca is a hidden italian gem in lakeview, definitely worth trying.
(5)Judy W.
I came here with a group for a bachelorette dinner. Our table wasn't completely ready when we arrived, but we didn't have to wait long The seating in this place is horrible. The tables are so close together, even the very skinny one in our group had a difficult time getting around the table to sit in back. But after she got back there, she had to move to a chair. The bench along the wall sits very high and nobody wanted to sit back there. The place is very loud because the kitchen is open to the restaurant and the staff was constantly clanking the china. There was also a server near the front who was cleaning the silverware. As he cleaned each one, he loudly dropped it into a tub. They also had very loud background music, and everyone had to talk over all these other sounds. Our server had a very broken English and was having trouble understanding us as much as we had difficulty understanding him. Service was slow - very slow. They had a full bar inside the very small restaurant. I think they would be better off using the space instead for seating. The had a nice selection of specialty drinks. Our food was good, but nothing to brag about. Everyone had something a little different, so I won't pick out any specific food item. Again, service was slow, so it took a long time before the server came back to ask if we wanted dessert. A couple people ordered dessert, and said it was also good. Since our bride-to-be had a sash stating she was the bachelorette, it was nice of the restaurant to send a round of after dinner shots to the table, however only one or two of the people in my party liked the taste.
(1)Megan H.
Really really good!!! I had some kind of pasta with pot roast and the pot roast was great! Very tender. My boyfriend ordered something that wasn't even on the menu and they made it for him happily. The wait was long but it was a Saturday night and the food was excellent, as was the wine. Great date spot too!
(4)Jay D.
Excellent Dinner and tablecloth art on night of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Follow the link: yelp.com/biz_photos/6PQT…
(4)Eric C.
oh yea...i really liked this place....I blew in from the west coast and have an Italian uncle from Brooklyn as my background so I know good Italian. My unc can cook! Carpaccio Con Arugola, Asparagus, Blue Cheese, Tomato, salad, salmon, chicken picatta and Parmesan were great! Had another salad w/ great dressing Cernia con Asparagi - Pan-roasted red grouper with wild mushrooms, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, garlic, lemon and balsamico is incredible. I used to live in FL...I know grouper...and this grouper deserved a diamond ring! If i lived in Chi town I'd be here ...like....all da time!
(4)Gordon B.
I took my parents here for a celebratory dinner. The food and atmosphere lived up to the occasion. It was very busy but our waitress was still very attentive to us. The portions were large and delicious. Some times you go to places where you think they give you a lot of food but it's cheap, poor quality. Not at Mia Francesca. On the contrary, everything tasted fresh and homemade. I'll definitely go back.
(4)Stephanie L.
I used to love this restaurant. I haven't been here in years...like 7-8 years. But it wasn't how I remembered it. Definitely still bustling. It's loud. It's crowded. It's crammed. Service was really meh. Server wasn't engaging & didn't really offer up much for suggestions when asked. The food wasn't how I remembered either. It tasted like a step above OG or Magiannos. Very plain, very cookie cutter, very meh. Overall, there are about a million other Italian places I would rather spend my $$ on. It's really just ok. I probably won't go back.
(3)Ben B.
My first visit to Mia Francesca was on New Year's Eve, 2014. We sat next to a very loud table of 12. It was nearly impossible to get our waiter's attention. I checked my phone and he didn't come around to get our entree orders for 50 minutes. Five-oh. Fifty. Minutes. Granted, the place was packed for New Year's, but that table told us they pre-booked a package. We, too, had made reservations, so it's not like they didn't know they'd be busy. You'd think a manager would swoop in when they saw us waving at the oblivious waiter. It seemed like a total breakdown of operations. I'm trying to take that with a grain of salt. Too often on Yelp, people blast a restaurant for circumstances out of its control. Yes, they should have been more heavily staffed. Or they could have apologized. Or comped a glass of wine. But they didn't. And that put an unfortunate bad taste in my mouth. Now, to the food... * Prosciutto con Burrata - prosciutto di parma with creamy burrata cheese, basil-pine nut pesto, balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil. I loved this. The prosciutto was great. I used it to roll up some burrata bites. Most excellent. * Pollo Arrosto alla Romano ($17) - Roasted half chicken with garlic, shallots, rosemary, lemon and olive oil, served with roasted potatoes. Quite good. An enormous serving for $17. The chicken sits in a pool of delicious gravy-type goodness. I couldn't eat much of this because I went to town on the complimentary bread while waiting a minor eternity to get our entrees. I believe Mia Francesca could be an awesome place on a quieter night. I may revisit it in the future.
(3)Sean W.
My wife and I have gone to Mia Francescas since the night we got engaged. Every year since (5) we have returned on our anniversary and the experience is great every time. The food is outstanding and so is the service. The staff is very welcoming and treated us to complimentary champagne and desert for our special occasion...you can't beat that! Another great quality I enjoy about Mia Francescas is the perfect amount of service. This is a personal quality I enjoy, and my opinion may vary from others, but I'm going to put it out there anyway. The service is much like it is in Europe, the waiter/waitress comes by very little, and I LOVE that. I cannot stand it when a server comes over 12 times during my dinner and interrupts a conversation, reaches in front of me while I'm still eating my salad, or filling up my water so many times that the table looks like the mens room floor. Our waiter was perfect in his timing and the staff cleared our table at the appropriate times. Some people like it when the waiter is coming by every minute...not me, so I appreciate the way Mia Francesca operates. As always, my wife and I will continue to dine at Mia Francesca every anniversary, and even date nights.
(5)Frankie C.
Service: I decided to dine at this restaurant on a whim, so unfortunately I didn't make a reservation, like most. Despite no reservation, I was seated under the estimated time (waited 45 mins ish, quoted an hour plus). The food came out rather quickly, too. Drinks served promptly. Service gets two thumbs up!! Ambience: Casual environment, but ridiculously loud. Carrying on a simple conversation across the table seems almost impossible. For this reason, I do not recommend this restaurant for groups or intimate gatherings. Food: I have received numerous recommendations from the locals in the area to dine at this spot because of the authentic cuisine. To be honest..it's average. If you do not frequently cook delicious Italian food, like myself, perhaps it will appeal to you more than me. The ONLY dish I will rave about is their goat cheese appetizer - YUM! Cost: Unless your getting a dish that has a hodgepodge of seafood, I would say this place is too expensive for average pasta bathed in mediocre sauces. Save your money, buy box pasta, and doctor up some jarred sauce. Overall: Aforementioned, if you don't cook Italian food, I think this restaurant will [potentially] rock your socks.
(3)Luis O.
The Clark location continues to deliver a 5 star experience in all fronts: professionalism of the staff, food quality,, etc...a solid and consistent neighborhood classic not to be missed!
(5)Katie H.
The service was great, the atmosphere was intimate (but not too romantic for a sister date), the food was phenomenal, and the portions weren't insanely large like some Italian places. They were enough to make you just slightly uncomfortably full if you ate it all - after eating some delicious warm bread as a starter, of course. I really can't say enough good things about Mia Francesca. I'll certainly be back to try a new dish!
(5)Katherine M.
You know how your mom would make spaghetti that wasn't always the most amazing thing in the world, but in that moment it was exactly what you needed and completely delicious? That is how I think of Mia Francesca. The first time I went there I had a lentils starter that was freaking amazing, I wish that was a standard on the menu. I just went again for the second time and I was equally as pleased. Based on the menu last night they switch out dishes pretty regularly so the actual pasta dishes and entrees won't ever be the same. Regardless, the variety is great. The food itself is always really solid. The flavors are consistent and well balanced. The service is pretty prompt and fairly good at keeping your water filled, table clean etc. Overall if you are feeling like Italian food and don't want a long wait, this is your go-to place. It's a intimate space where it's easy to score a table, and better yet, the food is pretty solid across the board.
(4)N E.
Mia Francesca is one the best date night spots. From the hand written menu, to the always changing selection of food to order. Keeps me coming back for years. With most Italian restaurants making the same meals year after year... This is a fresh take on dinning draws you back for years to come. Over the past ten years, I have never come out of here unhappy. That is a lot to be said. They have always had a great helpful staff, which makes ordering a pleasure!
(4)Jason A.
I don't even know where to begin with this total disaster other than to tell you in one sentence to skip this place don't even waste your time. Normally I'm a critic of cheesy Chicago Italian restaurants, this place tries to bust that stigma by having several local locations and a rotating seasonable menu. Unfortunately the boring menu and horrendous execution lack in every possible way. First, we were seated up stairs in the midst of a rehearsal party, loud, couldn't walk, annoying. Several tables were seated at once and our server was slow to come to us after going to a table next to us twice. His utter incompetence continued to show through the rest of the meal. We asked for more bread it arrived 10 minutes later. The table side olive oil is nice as it has a touch of heat from chilis. Appetizers of prosciutto and asparagus and calamari were ok, if not a touch too small. I enjoyed the marinara sauce. Once entrees came this mess went even further downhill. 1 of 7 diners didn't receive his food. When he did after complaining, it was the wrong dish. Then we just said forget about it, then it came out anyway. What a waste of food. My skate wing was inedible. The spinach was so salty I thought I was at McDonald's. The fish looked like it was covered in puke and was also so salty a couple bites was all I could muster. No one at the restaurant asked why I inexplicably only had two bites. Hilariously the service was such a joke they brought the wrong food to other tables 3 times, just seemed totally lost. Management at least tried but at that point who cares. We got a free entrees and 4 free desserts. When I'm starving, free dessert doesn't cut it. Dinning wear looked like plastic plates from a cafeteria. Very strange. Horrendous experience I'll never be back.
(1)Chris H.
Italian restaurants fall into three buckets: 1) "fine" dining establishments where you fear the server might break into a French accent, 2) The Olive Garden and its ilk and 3) homey neighborhood joints with solid menus where the chef /owner doesn't take risks, but neither does he/she take credit cards. Mia Francesca is the ideal combination of #1 and #3 with nary a hint of #2. They absorbed our large-ish party of seven and timed the servings perfectly, kept our glasses full and still got us out the door before we could ruin any dates at adjacent tables. They're not "rustic" or even remotely chi-chi here, but they do rotate the menu and the specials were outstanding. It isn't quiet or romantic, but you will feel comfortable and you won't feel intimidated.
(4)Christopher H.
I have been dining at Mia Francesca for 10+ years and have usually enjoyed it. The last three times, however, service has been very poor. The kitchen churns out food so fast and it's slung at you like in a diner -- on every visit, I've had entrees show up before I'm even done with a starter -- in one case, less than 5 minutes after the starter had been put down. The timing and air of service is wildly off, and the kitchen exhaust no longer seems to work -- I've left each time reeking of grease and cooking smell. I would say avoid for now, or try Francesca's on Bryn Mawr, which seems to still be OK.
(2)Shane C.
I have been to all of the Francesca locations and this location, of course, met all the standards that the other locations had previously set. My girlfriend and I had a reservation here on Valentines Day and it was not hard to acquire as I had requested a table through Open Table, the app for smartphones which is amazing. We arrived a little early so they sent us up to a different level where there was a full bar and more dining space. Full bar? It was not stocked with what was on their menu. I wanted a Two Brothers and the bartender spent almost 10 minutes searching for one until he finally told me they were out. Not the biggest deal in the world but the knowledge upfront would have been nice. Our waitress failed to mention her name as well as offer us anything more to drink. That was a bit of a decline in service. Also, the busboys are sloppy. When they are refilling water at your table and around your table, there is water spilling everywhere and it was extremely annoying. I don't know if it was because the tables were so close together or it's a common occurrence. Same with cleaning tables and adding cheese to dishes. They don't realize that their careless, face-paced methods are effecting other people around them. It's the smaller things that many don't pay attention to that can really dissatisfy a customer. Anyways, I'm done complaining. The food was extraordinary. The carpaccio was fantastic. My girlfriend and I get it every chance we get. As for the main courses, my girlfriend ordered a artichoke ravioli and I ordered the 4 cheese pizza (which was shaped like a heart, how cute). My girlfriend said that the ravioli was good, and that was all she really said so I'm assuming it was just okay. I should have tried it. As for the pizza, it was pretty good. I would recommend it to those who REALLY LIKE CHEESE. I can't stress that enough. The pizza is so rich. Mozzarella, goat, gouda, and blue cheese. I'm sure you can imagine what that tastes like. Yes, you need to pace yourself because that bad boy is RICH. But it is good. So, 3 stars all around. Yes, the fact that the service was slower because of a holiday has been taken into consideration. There are other contributing facts that brought this place down in scale. Far from a 5 and somewhat close to a 4. Give this place a try but it's not a "go-to".
(3)Ana W.
I actually want to rant and rave about this place - went for my first time for Sunday brunch around noon with friends from out of town. We were asked if we wanted to sit outside, which I never say no to! The patio is great, it's closed off so it's cute and quiet. Inside of the restaurant, although I didn't spend much time in there, looked really nice, clean and organized. I ordered a bloody Mary (actually 2, but that's beside the point) and good lord, it was good! Perfect amount of spice, not too watery or vodka-y with lots of snacks in it, which I love. For my meal I got the eggs in a frame, which was toast with an egg on it that came with potatoes, bacon and sausage - all really delicious and just what I wanted. My friends all liked their food as well (none of us were able to finish, we were so full on bloody Mary snacks). Everything was reasonable price-wise; the drinks were five bucks a piece(!) and the average price for our meals was around 11 dollars; not bad for a relatively large portion. The staff was really great, a man who I believe was the owner or manager led us to our seats and checked back with us on how everything was once we finished. The only complaint I have is the constant filling of water. I appreciate it if my glass is almost empty, but filling it up every time I take a couple drinks is unnecessary. Other than that - fast, friendly service! I haven't been for dinner here, but I will definitely be back again for brunch.
(4)Alan K.
I really like the casual feel of this restaurant compared to the other location adjacent to the Hancock Tower. The menu is similar in style to the other location where their menu changes constantly so you never really have the same thing twice. It was a great for Sunday brunch where we imbibed on some fantastic $5 Bloody Mary's. I had the rigatoni with an assortment of vegetables. It was quite delicious with just the right portion size. Also, before our main dishes came out, we were given a nice warm loaf of bread. I believe that in front of this location, there was an option for valet parking available for $8.
(4)Kris R.
mia francesca holds a real special place in my heart. when i was about 14, my sister and i took my mom here for her birthday, which was the last time we'd celebrate with her. back then, i think this was the only location, and it was always packed. loud, bustling - but i was 14 and this was all fabulous, and i considered myself lucky for being there. consistency - it's been the same all these years (i will not age myself, as you may all i think i look younger than i am, thanks) and i can always count on a great italian dinner, no matter what. but most recently i came with a good friend, who desperately needed to carbo load for the marathon, and like a good sport, i'm always looking for an excuse to do so. it makes me feel like a good friend and a fat ass at the same time. a good, fat, friend. i ordered the rigatoni con scarola (but with fettucine) - sausage, cherry tomatoes, oregano, white beans, escarole, garlic + pine nuts in a light herb sauce. it was delicious and light. i was eating leftovers for like, a week - it seemed like an never-ending bowl. she ordered something similar, but without the sausage (i am always the less dainty one). again, another winner. this place is really no frills, straight-forward, straight-up italian food. nothing fancy, not gimmicky. if you don't know, they change their menu on the regular, so it never gets old, yet it always stays loyal and consistent.
(4)Jamie B.
Another 5 star experience for food, service, and atmosphere at Francesca's. Nothing to do with my dining experience, but as a nice person, I let someone go ahead of me to the women's room. There is only one on the main floor, so I decided to be nice and let her go ahead of me. Dumb move on my part...that idiot in the red satin shirt who decided to take a dump in the only women's room on the main floor clogged the toilet!! She knows who she is if she is reading this review. So gross. I notified the busboys, they should get employee of the year award because they ran right in there to begin unclogging it.
(5)Thomas B.
I've eaten here several times. Very nice rustic seasonal menu and great prices. If you can make a reservation, do so, as waiting at the bar can be quite the ordeal. Great fresh pasta, also the carpaccio is fantastic. Definitely worth the visit.
(4)Lisa Z.
I'd been to a different Francesca location, but had heard the greatest things about this one! I went with a friend who, coincidentally, had been to the same location earlier that week. A mere 2 days earlier. I said we could go elsewhere, but she wanted to go again -- must be a good sign! First, we were asked if we wanted to sit upstairs. That worked, but it was kind of weird. Just seat us! We had a reservation (made on Open Table -- bonus points for restaurants where you can make a reservation on Open Table!). I had just made the 6:45 reservation earlier that day (around 4), so it was great. Not that crowded when we came, but crowded when we left. Surprisingly, we had no problem finding street parking either. When we were seated, my friend said that our waiter was the same waiter she'd had earlier that week. He didn't even give her crap when she ordered the same dish she'd ordered 2 nights ago! Must not have remembered. We skipped the appetizer because they served fresh warm bread, always a bonus. The only downside (though this would be a downside for lots of Italian spots) was they didn't have parmesan to put in the olive oil for bread dipping. That's my fave. I ordered a primavera pasta, chocked full of fresh veggies and a light tomato cream sauce. It was PERFECTION! I have been attempting to eat healthy lately, so this helped me feel that way (though I probably wasn't that healthy... who knows). It was such a big serving that I took home enough for another big meal of leftovers! Too bad I don't like leftovers. My friend ordered a rigatoni with braised pot roast, which was very good. But I liked mine better! Ordered a post meal latte and that was excellent too. No complaints about this place -- I will definitely be back.
(5)Andrea P.
Francesca's in Lakeview has great food, always large crowds (not first date appropriate, at least not the Lakeview location), a cozy feel, and just damn great prices. I wouldn't claim Francesca's as being the most authentic Italian in the city but their food is awesome and they have very wallet friendly prices. Their mussels in tomato sauce are so yummy! The sauce was so good that I sneakily added some into my non-tomato sauce pasta. Their wine selection is okay but nothing to be excited about. I can only speak for the Creme Brule when talking deserts but it was creamy, perfectly caramelized, and just the right size (okay, I like my things a bit bigger but hey, the longer the time I can spend with such a wonderfully crafted dessert, the better).
(4)Kate S.
Mia Francesca is absolutely my favorite Italian place in Chicago. I love the changing menu, and have never been disappointed by a meal. The pasta is perfectly cooked, the sauces are fresh, and the portions allow me enough for lunch the next day. The main room is crowded and noisy, which gives it a nice neighborhood feel, but if you're interested in a more intimate and quiet dining experience, ask to sit upstairs or in the carriage house.
(5)Jessica V.
Let me start off by saying, I LOVE Italian food. I was brought up on it, and I'd have to say, it's probably my favorite type of food to eat, make, etc. My boyfriend and I had been trying to find a good, solid Italian restaurant since we moved here and we had been talking about going to Mia Francesca FOREVER. We always would have intentions on going and either ordered in or opted for something closer to home. We FINALLY made it this weekend. Such a let down. We made reservations on OpenTable for Friday night at 830. We got there on time and the place was jam packed with people. We ended up having to wait about 20 minutes until we were seated, and ended up being seated in the "coach house". At first we thought it was actually better than being in the main dining room because it was much quieter, except that we were seated right in front of the door so everytime anyone came in or out it was freezing! As soon as we sat down we ordered a bottle of wine. We looked over the menu and opted for the stuffed pepper appetizer. The service was going well at this point, however about 10 minutes passed after the appetizer order was placed and still no wine. Then the appetizer came, we ate it. It was pretty good, a little too oily, but good nonetheless, but still no wine. We ordered our entrees....and still... no wine. Finally my boyfriend went to the bar and asked the waiter what the deal was with the wine, and he gave him some explanation about having to get the wine from the main restaurant. Really? 30 minutes to get a bottle of wine??? Anyway, the entrees came... I got the tilapia and my boyfriend got the rigatoni with sausage. My entree... Was okay. The brown butter sauce and balsamic glaze combined had this strange taste, almost like breakfast syrup. It was kind of unappealing. The portion of fish was massive, with a few scattered artichoke heart pieces and tomatoes. I felt it was odd that there was no starch with it, but that wasn't a deal breaker. My boyfriend's entree was about a pound of rigatoni swimming in about a half gallon of milk. It was the runniest cheese sauce I had ever seen and it had no taste to it whatsoever. All and all it was a bit of a disappointment. Mediocre Italian at a pretty hefty pricetag. We will no be back
(2)steve l.
solid.
(4)BF K.
Reliable Italian dinner- great place to go if you're looking for a delicious menu that switches up every week or so to keep things interesting. Small space, if you're planning to go in for dinner, better to make a reservation so you aren't disappointed if they're booked up (which it seems they usually are! they have a great following)- but making a same day reservation has always been pretty do-able for me. Tables in the downstairs area are pretty tight-knit and close together- if you can get upstairs for dinner, there seems like a bit more space to breath. Definitely worth a visit for a change of place in the Wrigleyville area!
(4)Kay B.
The ravioli is very yummy. The service was good. It was a little squished. but good food + great service + blue jeans = a good place for a date night!
(4)Sean C.
I've loved this place for years. Before I even moved to Chicago, my Dad and I would always go here to eat. Now, it's become my go-to Italian restaurant - PERFECT for a date. They support the Open Table reservation system, which works like a gem - on this note, when they make a reservation for you, they hold it for you. Absolutely no waiting. This is a HUGE +1 for them - they keep their word. Firstly, the place is well laid out. Their primary dining area is a little tight and loud (some may find this a negative), but that's all the fun of it. I actually enjoy being around so many people, laughing, and enjoying themselves. It has a great, well-lit vibe. If you're looking for moody and quiet, this isn't the place. The staff has always been so friendly and never stressed - which could play into poor service. Food comes relatively fast, as expected, water / wine is filled quickly, and they're always considerate of your experience. Overall the food is great. I don't think I've ever ordered something that I didn't like - I always take leftovers. The menu itself is limited - probably 6-10 items per section, but who needs extreme quantities of options? They have everything, your taste may want. FYI, the tiramisu is phenom. In the summer the also have a patio area in the back. This is my one gripe. I once took a date here who crashed onto her knees because she tripped and fell down the almost unnoticeable steps leading out to the patio. Gotta have that fixed or otherwise make them more apparent. They're so small and short that one wouldn't even call them stairs or steps. They also have a secondary, upstairs dining area, but it doesn't take away from the experience and doesn't feel like you'd be sitting in some "economy class" dining room, to put it in perspective. Top notch place, not overly expensive, but just right and the food will always please.
(5)J W.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a Sunday night, it was our first time and we were not disappointed! There are a lot of Italian restaurants in Lakeview, and I would say Mia Francesca is up to par with the others I've visited. Like most Italian restaurants in the area- Mia Francesca is small, moderately lit, and has some traditional and creative offerings on the menu. Yes you will be sitting nearby another diner, and you will probably hear some of their conversation, if that's not what you're in the mood for then hike on over to Olive Garden, because this is Chicago and space is limited. Olive oil has flakes of basil marinating inside, it pairs nicely with their warm bread and parmesan. We shared the Bocconcini de Mozzarella which was delish! The mozzarella was so fresh and the peppers added a nice taste, it was very light and clean. I had their Valentine's Day special with seabass and vegetables, it was a perfect piece of fish and the vegetables were crunchy and perfectly sauced. The seabass was lightly fried on the outside, so those bites were a bit oily which I didn't prefer. My boyfriend had the filet with mushrooms and spinach, we had to send it back because it was a little undercooked, but once they got the temperature correct it was so good! Our server Meredith was so sweet, she checked in on us appropriately and made fantastic wine pairing recommendations. She was honest with our inquiries about food taste and popularity, I am pleased she steered me in a good direction for my meal. We would go back, Mia Francesca will go into our rotation of Italian dinner spots for sure!
(4)Alex D.
The food was excellent! The biggest gripe I had with this restaurant, which is admittedly small, is that their menu is relatively limited. All of my friends loved their food, and they have valet parking for $10 dollars!
(4)Kathy T.
My friends and I stopped by here for dinner on the way to a Cubs game (it was recommended to us as a must try if you're in the area). We were so glad we did! We were running late and called in a few times to move around our reservation. They were very nice about it. Food: - Bread with herb infused olive oil: very good and held us over until the rest of the food arrived. - Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta and Wild Mushrooms: I ordered this dish and was surprised at how tasty everything turned out. I didn't realized this dish had mushrooms, but the flavors were so good I didn't even mind it! The polenta was too creamy and had the texture of mashed potatoes so I didn't enjoy that part of my dish too much. - Pollo alla Florentina: the-juiciest-chicken breast-i-have-ever-tasted. lemon butter sauce..not too big of a fan, but WOW. JUICY and TENDER! - Rigatone con Melanzane: the sauce was out of this world. - Spaghetti with Sausage: ehh...not much I can say. It's spaghetti.... - Cavatelli con Pesto: cavatelli was a little too doughy for my taste, but the pesto was good. Service was impeccable. Our server was warm and friendly. We told him we were in a hurry because we had to get to the game, so he brought everything out super fast! This was one of our favorite dining experiences during our trip to Chicago.
(4)James L.
Bad Italian restaurants are all over the suburban Midwest. You can always recognize one by the staff (usually Spanish-speaking) and the menu (the meals are usually not preceded by salads). They typically rear their ugly heads in strip malls, in the form of Olive Garden, Carrabas, Zios and Bravos. Now they have apparently invaded the urban 'hoods of Chicago as cute and intimate little restaurants like Mia Francesca. Like the chains, the food sucks. I don't know how hard it is to replicate a Chef Boyardee spaghetti sauce, but I don't think a restaurant should try to either. And the service sucked too. The waiter gave me a glass of Merlot and insisted it was White Zinfandel. Bad food and bad service. It's definitely your typical Midwestern Italian.
(1)Bill S.
I held a surprise party for my partner's 50th birthday for 21 guests in January 2014. It was upstairs. The party planner Katherine was great, filled with helpful suggestions. The servers were very attentive, and stayed late. The food was excellent. This location was an old favorite we hadn't been to in many years, and it still is a great restaurant. I heartily recommend it.
(5)Jim B.
We had six in our party with a table in the courtyard. Highly recommend the courtyard if the weather is nice due to the noise inside. Everyone was very happy with their meals and the waiter was very helpfull. Food is terrific and the prices are reasonable. Also they have a large gluten free menu as well.
(5)Mark Y.
This little gem is within walking distance to our house. This was my first time and it far exceeded any expectations I had. Ordered the Risotto and Bruschetta for appetizer followed by the Ravioli and Pollo Arrosto Alla Romana. Everything was very fresh but the Pollo Arrosto was a home run!. My wife and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Damian C.
Ladies and gentleman, this is Mia Francesca No. 1 One, two, three, four, five, everybody on the Clark bus, so come on Let's ride to the Italian joint up the corner The boy says he wants some carbo loading But I really don't want the Same old pasta like I have each week I found myself a hot spot that's yum and cheap I like wining, and dining, red drinker, big eater And thanks to VillageVines, 30% off makes it sweeter Two-top in the back, I really thank you my Lord Some great Italian I love to engorge Hot crusty bread, fresh rosemary oil, let me dump it A little bit of Cabernet in my glass, Bruschette con Rucola I won't pass Rigatoni alla Pollo is what I need, big enough for two people to feed Gnocchi Bolognese a bite I'll steal, Italian overload is how I feel A huge Torta di Ciccolata I'm a fan, dinner under $70 makes me your man! I'll spare you the rest. It's delicious. You must eat here. Even if this review doesn't get you to go to Mia Francesca right away, I hope it gets that awful Mambo No. 5 song stuck in your head, and you may be risking additional lyrics written my yours truly.
(5)Kim C.
Oh so good Italian food. Our large party shared bruschetta and calamari. Each was good, and while the breaded deep fried calamari rings have lost their luster at most restaurants, these were light but flavorful. My pasta and seafood dish was great -- it came as ordered (changes to the menu seem totally okay), the scallops were perfectly cooked (not raw but not chewy either) and the pasta had a great firm texture that was worth going back for. Everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy their dishes that ranged from the half roasted chicken (ordered by the regulars) and a couple of pizzas that looked phenomenal. I was too full to order dessert, but I'd go back just to try the tiramisu that someone ordered and promptly devoured. And they handled my 6yo very well. Hard to give 5 stars on the basis of one visit, but if they do this well on my next time around, they'll have that extra star for sure.
(4)Liam B.
If you don't like Mia's there might be something wrong with you. I've been there for brunch and dinner and everything has always been delicious. Like other such places if you get wine and a bunch of food you will be spending some $$ but overall the prices are pretty standard. Excellent service, great food, good prices, and great wine selection, probably best Italian restaurant in Wrigleyville.
(5)Mat M.
Mia Francesca is a good for Italian. The service is good, the food is consistent and they have a few locations. If you're looking for something easy and tasty, give them a chance
(4)Kris A.
Yum yum yum. This is a great little Italian place with friendly, knowledgeable waiters and incredible food. I ordered the salmon and it was fantastic (and I normally don't even like salmon that much). Additionally, I was forced to try some of this spinach appetizer thing, and it was insanely good. Very much enjoyed my wine as well. One problem: I don't like how tightly packed you are in there - this isn't New York - we have room! But I deal with it because the food is delish!
(4)Jon W.
First off, this is coming from a former employee of Mia Francesca's. SCOTT HARRIS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD AND LIAR. This guy gets away with paying his busboys $2.50 an hour and makes his staff tip out in cash the difference to make up for the minimum wage he does not pay them. Also, if you work for this company, be expected as a server to dole out 50% of YOUR tips to foodrunners, busboys, and the bartender. It's a total SCAM, and I am highly shocked that the IRS has not got a hold of Scott Harris' nuts by now. See, the devil is in the details. Every night, as a server, you have to claim all of your credit card tips. But, you tip everyone out in cash tips. When your taxes come at the beginning of the year, you will owe a shit ton of money, close to double what you ACTUALLY earned. My tax return said I made $40,000, I actually made about $28,000, all clear, and I owed the government. This company is a complete disgrace, and highly illegal.
(1)Eric C.
Nice and cozy,but a bit on the loud side. Tables fairly close together,one person restrooms. Nice backyard patio area. Ok now to the food. 5 of us for dinner,we had two of the spaghetti specials, soup of pepper was good, not spicy or hot. Spaghetti was dry,pasta under cooked a bit. Someone had the sausage pizza which was light on the sausage,but overall not bad. Server was terrific though. Later fellow yelpers!
(3)Nikki K.
Went with the boyfriend on a date night. Food was decent, service was fine. But my god, the water guy was ON FIRE. This man was DEDICATED. He refilled our waters 3 times in the first 15 minutes we were there. You couldn't go longer than 10 minutes with a gap between the top of your water and the rim of the glass - this man wouldn't allow such a travesty. I kept a tally: our waitress visited us 10 times, and the water guy visited us 7 TIMES. 40% of the attention we were given was just for water!! Amazing. I hope he ended up with our whole tip for the night. Not that our waitress wasn't good too, but just.. wow. Water guys should really take a lesson from this man. Will definitely go back next time I'm thirsty.
(3)Shaundra N.
One word: Delicious! I haven't been here for years and I am happy to say that they are still serving great food. I love the calamari appetizer complete with marinara sauce. I also love the bread and olive oil. The main course for both me and my companion was also delicious. I had pasta with Italian sausage and it was all very fresh. We took the Tiramisu home with us and enjoyed it later. It was a great meal from the top to the bottom. I will be back! I gave 4 STARS instead of 5 because of the "too close" seating. I loved the ambiance, but the seating was uncomfortably close to other patrons.
(4)Beth B.
One of my new favorite places in Chicago to eat Italian. I went to the Lincoln Park location with my mother. It was a last minute decision after a long day of shopping. I am so glad we went here. Food was fresh, delicious and completely authentic. We had a beautifully plated Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella appetizer and shared an entree since we are both light eaters. After trying to decide on many different options we asked for a recommendation, we decided on the Gnocchi with Bolognese. This is seriously the best Gnocchi I HAVE EVER HAD. I will be coming back again and again for this little gem. Great find!
(4)Amanda H.
My boyfriend and I decided on this place last minute yesterday on Valentine's Day, thanks to you yelpers, and because it is literally right around the corner from my street. We walked in and I had an immediate bad feeling because it was incredibley crowded and tiny, smelled like something was burning, and the hostess was very flustered and frustrated. We told her we had no reservations and she said she would take us to a seat. We followed her but didn't go very far, because there were no seats. She then told us to go upstairs. Bf and I proceeded to leave and go up some random, obscure set of stairs next door and we were seated on the second level, which I want to comment on and say that it was not cold at all, and perhaps even a bit warm. But it was also very busy. Our table seemed to be a bit in the way and I got bumped a lot, but I didn't really mind because it is a popular night. We proceeded to have a nice Valentine's Day dinner and were able to talk without yelling. I had the most delicious red wine and I loved my meal (linguine with pesto and potatoes/string beans). I even had leftovers for two meals. The bf seemed to enjoy his meal, and we relaxed and didn't feel rushed at all. I would return for sure on a less busy night.
(4)Beth B.
I have been here several times, especially since my parents request we go every time they're in town. Haven't had any reasonably priced Italian better than Mia's in the city yet. Num num!!
(5)Leslie S.
I had a perfectly fine time at Mia Francesca - it wasn't the best Italian I've ever had, but it certainly wasn't the worst either. The caprese salad was just what you'd expect: tomatoes with mozzarella medallions and a bit of basil and evoo on top. The ravioli con spinaci was nicely done, though I would have substituted the four-cheese sauce for a butter and herb sauce. The wine selection was what you typically find at Italian restaurants in the city - nothing to rave about. Tables are spaced quite close to each other, which probably makes the noise level seem louder than it actually is. It also means that the servers can't always see if you're out of water or finished with the meal. They do what they can, but you might wait awhile if you need service. Reservations probably aren't necessary, but I always think it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dining out. You can usually make same-day reservations on OpenTable without a problem.
(3)Bob H.
Mia Francesca is one of my favorite Italian spots in the city. While the menu always changes some, there are always some staples that always make an appearance. My personal favorite is the Pollo Romana, and the Pollo Limone if its on the menu. This place is usually packed and can sometimes require you to use a louder voice in conversation. However, the service is always on point. I also recommend dessert here as its always a good ending to a fine dinner. The prices aren't too hateful, and the wine list isn't too bad. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for good Italian in the city.
(5)Jan S.
We hosted our son's rehearsal dinner in the upstairs private room at Mia Francesca's. WOW it was amazing. From the 1st phone call to the event coordinator to the actual event I was treated so pleasantly and so accomodating. The food was incredible and very generous portions. On a 5 star rating I would give a 6.....The atmosphere was quaint and the staff so pleasant. Would recommend highly. Jan S
(5)Team B.
We scored the last walk-in reservation of the evening around 6:30 on a Saturday. The place was packed and loud, and the staff were young and a bit overwhelmed. Still, the food was quite tasty. We enjoyed some bread and olive oil along with a small bowl of parmesan cheese that one of the staff brought over for us. I ordered a Twisted Negroni, though it turned out that I preferred the original. We also ordered an appetizer of fried cauliflower and brussels sprouts (despite the fact that Heather dislikes brussels sprouts). The dish worked pretty well; we were pleased. We got an order of Ravioli Tartufati for our main course. The cream sauce and truffle oil paired very well with the pasta and tomatoes. Despite the noise, we stuck around to try the tiramisu. We are suckers for good tiramisu, and Francesca's rendition was solid. It was creamy with enough of a cocoa dusting to cut through the sweetness of the cheese. Recommended! Given that the Bryn Mawr location is not that far away (closer to our place in Evanston, for sure) and much larger, I'd imagine future Francesca's trips will target that location. The Clark Street room was too loud and crowded considering identical menus at both locations (as far as I could tell, anyway).
(4)Drew B.
By far one of the best Italian restaurants not only in Lakeview, but in the city. Wonderful food, great atmosphere and hasty service with a smile. It also helped that I had an amazing dinner companion that evening. I'll be back Mrs. Francesca
(5)Casey Z.
Love, love, love Mia! This restaurant is so cute (perfect for a first date). Very rustic. They have wonderful Italian food. Everything is very fresh and homemade. I remember reading somewhere that when Jennifer Aniston was in town filming "The Breakup," she listed Mia Francesca as one of her favorite restaurants in the city.
(4)Rits T.
This place is awesome. I ordered seafood pasta and I was so happy with my meal. It made me full for 2 days.. Def order more..
(4)Tammy M.
Love this place and it is one of my Chicago favorites! Went here last weekend when my sisters were in town visiting and everyone loved their food. My sister said that it was one of the best meals that she has ever had and when it came time to go out to dinner the following night she said wherever we go she knows she is going to be disappointed and sure enough she loved her dinner at Mia's so much more. It seems to be much less crowded that it was in years past, not sure why that is but I really enjoyed that I was able to get a last minute reservation.
(4)Kyle K.
Ate here last Thursday and the food was excellent! Sooooooo good! Very pleased with the service and the back patio is small but very nice. The only thing is I would reccomment staying away from their coffee Martini, tastes like straight up coffee beans. I didn't have the heart to return it but they added some sweetner so that is was somewhat drinkable. The Cucumber Mint Martini was pretty good though.
(5)Morgan C.
This is a great restaurant, one of our favorites. The service is quite good. They change the menu each week. Why is it missing a star? They have become a little impersonal in service and inconsistent with the food since they went corporate. We have gotten to know the new managers since then. However, we have also gone in at times when most of the items on the menue are gone, and it's not even marathon season! The patch job for it doesn't make up. They also don't have certain items that were developed through permitted chef creativity. The corporate piece has cut back on that. I've tried to recreate that celery and leek salad that the chef created right before the take over. How miserable that it has never returned! The waiters who would call us when a favorite item has returned are gone now as well. They didn't want the corporate homogenization to the service. They liked the input they could give on kitchen matters. It's sad. We go less often, but I would still recommend it to others. It's not as reliably consistent as before, but until we get a new favorite Italian restaurant. It is our stand by. It is no longer THE go to for us though. We used to take every out of town guest here and eat at least once a week. Our daughter grew up in it. She was even "saved" by a bus boy as she pushed back from the table in a fit and started to fall backward to the floor in her chair. A regular bus boy was there in a flash and caught the chair just as it was about to hit the floor. She was in shock. We were relieved, and it was an awesome move! He is no longer there either. What a bummer! It does get crowded. They do pack you in. It can get smelly as well. To manage Go during the week If you must go on a busy night, usually they have the upstairs open, ask for a table there. You have more space, and you won't end up smelling like the kitchen. If none of the above are possible, just plan the night in a way in which you can shower right after lest you smell like the kitchen or everyone else's fried food.
(4)Monica W.
This place is always hit or miss and I am not into surprises. What a bummer because when they're good, they're great and when they're not, they really disappoint. The last time I was here it was so loud that I just wanted to leave because the noise level was just unpleasant, but we were there for someone's birthday and wanted to make the best of it. Boo!
(2)Heather M.
Wow, this place was amazing! We had a private dinner in the coach house, and it was course after course of excellent food. The calamari was perfect with a nice marinara, the bruschetta had a topping of excellent (homemade?!?) ricotta and a medley of well-seasoned vegetables. The asparagus salad with blue cheese was simple but really tasty. Gnocchi with tomato cream sauce also delicious. We had a couple of chicken dishes, one with a lemony sauce and one with capers, that don't seem to be on the menu, but they were so well-cooked and flavorful that I imagine any chicken course you get will be a hit. Great service, perfect ambiance... I will be back.
(5)Lia V.
Mama Mia! Fill my belly with some pasta and you've got yourself a happy Italian girl. Vino! The wines at this place are wonderful. You can't go wrong. Get yourself a bottle between a couple people and call it a night. Food: Now let's talk about the simplest salad ever, but has always been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. The caprese salad - big slices of ripe beefsteak tomatoes topped with an equally big slice of fresh mozzarella cheese finished off with some fresh basil and olive oil = perfection. And don't forget to soak up the leftover olive oil with the warm crusty italian bread. It's so fresh and a wonderful way to start off your food frenzy. I've never had an entrée there - I always get pasta and their pasta dishes are just... awesome. I've never had something I didn't like from there. Their menu changes every few weeks depending on what vegetables are in season. I had this creamy mushroom pasta dish that was to die for. The pasta is family style (huge bowls) so it can be shared between a few people... especially if you get an entrée to share as well. The desserts are amazing as well. We had this peanut butter chocolate cake with a cookie type crust - WOW. It was so good. I literally leave here in a food coma every time, but I don't mind it because it's delicious and I always have a great time. It's a small place with a lot of tables so it is crowded and it's always busy so don't go here if you're looking for a nice and quiet atmosphere. But you should go!!! This is definitely one of my favorite spots in my neighborhood
(5)Christina G.
My husband and I gave a gift certificate from Francesca's to my mother-in-law for Christmas, based on the wonderful food we had at Francesca's Forno in Bucktown, where we went for our anniversary. My mother-in-law decided to come into the city to have dinner at Francesca's with us, so we headed to Mia Francesca, since it was closer. I have to say, I didnt think the service was great. The waiter came for our drink order right away, then waited a long time to take our food order. He finally came over, and we ordered calamari for an appetizer. He didn't even ask if we were ready to order our main meals, and he left. Our calamari came out, and I will admit, it was good. Not at all rubbery, as it can be. it wasn't until our appetizer was long gone that the waiter came back over to get our food order, which I thought was odd. In any case, I ordered the linguine with shrimp and scallops, topped with tomato sauce. When I got the plate, my first thought was, "where is the sauce?" The linguine had a very thin coating of sauce on it, and 3-4 pieces of tomato, that was it. The dish itself wasn't very flavorful. My father-in-law, who had ordered the same thing, was the first to mention in was bland and he also noticed the lack of sauce. I'm pretty picky with my Italian food, so perhaps that's part of the problem. I just didn't think this meal was worth the price. I could have made something better at home. My husband did enjoy his spaghetti with mushrooms, and my mother-in-law said her lasagna was just OK.
(3)Yen L.
I came here with some friends, at the high recommendation of a couple members of our party. To me, I was a little skeptical because one person's idea of a great restaurant will always be different from another, and I also thought, "Italian food is Italian food." But hey, I was going into it more for the time with friends, not necessarily the food. I was not disappointed. The service was fast, though not rushed, and friendly. We all were seated by about 6:45, and we were done eating and had our bill around 7:30, or shortly thereafter. And the restaurant was pretty busy the whole time we were there. The food was delicious and delivered hot. We all shared one order of each type of their bruschetta, and my entree was linguine tossed with prosciutto and a cream sauce. The portions were huge. One couple split their gnocchi and were full, and despite my boyfriend taking a few bites of my food toward the end, I still ended up taking the rest home. The dessert menu looked great, but I was so full I knew that having dessert would have been a poor choice, though I wouldn't mind visiting them again just for the sweets. Four stars because of the excellent service and food. Only four stars because it seemed to be rather loud in the restaurant, which didn't quite match the decor. The decor lends itself toward something quieter, but with an open kitchen and tables close together, we occasionally had to raise our voices a bit to be heard, and the tables aren't even that large. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just prepare yourself because you may initially walk in and think you're in for a quieter dinner, when really, depending on how busy they are, you may need to speak up a bit to be heard by your companions. But overall, I really liked this place and am so glad I took my friends' recommendation. I plan to go back again.
(4)gabriel m.
Wow! Growing up in an Italian kitchen it makes it difficult to eat Italian food outside my kitchen or family members' kitchens. Despite this I always look for places I can go to and be catered to without having to cook it myself of help with the dishes. Mia Francesca is one of these places. I was visiting friends in Chicago this weekend and happened to see the store front on our way back from buying beer for the weekend. My sister's name is Francesca so it definitely caught my eye. My friend told me the place is awesome an went on and on about it. I then knew this was the place to eat on Saturday. Reservations were made Sat. morning. We got there and the place was packed. The smells were familiar and I started getting excited. As we waited for out table, I gazed at the menu which is nothing to rave about since it's nothing but a printout on recycled paper. This is because their menu is made daily to reflect what they have fresh. I only found a few items that you will find on all Italian menus. Everything else was unique to the ingredients they had at their disposal that were the freshest. I got the Veal along with two other friends. The other dishes we got were the Chicken Parmesan and a pasta dish with portobello mushrooms as the main ingredient. However, for starters we for the Bruschetta which was the freshest I have had period. The place was packed but the service was awesome. They could use a little more Air Conditioning but you can't really complain about it. If you have read my previous reviews, you will see that I have a preference for simple menus. This time I need to add one small complaint. This menu is awesome and uses seasonal ingredients, but I would love for it to have at least one tried and true traditional dish on the menu.
(4)Jeff R.
It's hard to argue against the original Scott Harris invention that spawned the Francesca empire. The food is dependably great, the atmosphere lively and the prices right. I probably only make it to Mia once a year, but that's only because I'm a little different and need to try new places. More normal people that live so close to a culinary staple that is Mia Francesca likely go here once a month, and I envy them (especially in summer). This visit occurred over Thanksgiving weekend after going to the movies down the street. We had a lateish reservation but the place was still packed (and quite loud with the soundtrack). Our starter was a delicious pizza special. My memory and picture suggest it had garlic, arugula, garlic, shaved Parmesan, olive oil, truffle oil and other cheeses. It was the perfect way to start an Italian dinner and the perfect size to avoid ruining our appetite. The ingredients were fresh and it arrived quickly. Erica and I shared a caesar salad to start, with standard tastiness but with the addition of grilled red peppers. Kind of a weird texture and flavor to throw into a classic salad. Erica was not a huge fan. I liked the salad, including the peppers, though it was different. Continuing with the sharing theme, we ordered a rigatoni with lots of vegetables in a light tomato sauce. Again, I liked the dish more than Erica. The vegetables were well seasoned, which made for a great combination with fresh pasta and tasty shaved cheese. It doesn't take much to please me with pasta but it still has to taste great - something Francesca does extremely well for the price ($12.99). At the end of the day, I agree with 460 people on Urbanspoon that Mia Francesca's is one of the best restaurants in Chicago (#19 on their list). I wouldn't say it's 4 Star dining, but it's not supposed to be. They do a great job of provided great Italian food in a fun, casual, neighborhood setting at affordable prices (and affordable wine list too). Our service was solid, and the only critique was that they like to play dance/pop music throughout the restaurant at high levels (contrary to typical romantic Italian spots). Mia remains a solid choice for local Italian, especially when the patio is open for summer.
(4)Michelle D.
Just went to Mia Francesca again and had my favorite salmon dish (tomatoes, white wine sauce, lemon, etc.) and remembered how it is not just my favorite dish at Mia's, but the best salmon dish I have ever had. The bread is still warm and tasty and the pastas are excellent. We actually just got back from Rome and Venice, and this confirmed the quality and authenticity of Mia Francesca. I love it. And if you want a quieter place, ask to sit upstairs. My previous review gave them 4 stars simply because of the noise levels. The food significantly makes up for this.
(5)Ashley M.
Good food and good service. I am not a really big fan of Italian food but would definitely go back here. A great place to bring family, even with a smaller menu they have a lot to choose from. We started with the mussels and fried calamari, I have never had either so good. Our entrees were all really great and you get a good sized portion for what you pay for. It can get crowded pretty quickly so definitely make a reservation.
(4)Mariah V.
Most girls probably would not go on a carb-fest before going out drinking, because they don't want to look bloated in their dresses. They also would not go eat a huge burger and beignets before going out drinking. Luckily my best friend and I are not like that. We came here for my birthday on a Saturday, arriving promptly at 9pm which was our reservation time. The place was packed, and so we were told there would be a wait. But, isn't not having to wait the point of making a reservation? Luckily a couple chairs freed up at the bar, and we were each given a complimentary glass of wine. The bread and olive oil is just the first part of the carb-fest. The real marathon comes with the pasta, because they give you SO much. I had the Gnocchi in a cream sauce. I would've eaten all of it if there were enough room in my stomach. Gnocchi in a cream sauce were so good. I've also had some arrabbiata sauced pasta which was really great. There are antipasti, insalate and pizze that stay on the menu all the time, but everything is handwritten in because they change all the time. I didn't even have room for dessert on my birthday because I ate so much pasta; I guess I should've just asked for a candle in my gnocchi. The packed dining room doesn't bother me. It almost feels appropriate like we're some huge Italian family eating crazy amounts of pasta and bruschette. They just need to figure out their reservation deal. Having to wait 30 minutes after our reservation time is ridiculous, and if you can't get a seat at the bar, there isn't much space to stand and wait. As a bonus, one Friday night here for dinner I saw Calvin Tran from The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection aka Bravo's feeble attempt to replace Project Runway. Yeah you probably don't know who that is or ever watched that tv show, and I don't blame you.
(4)Don H.
I FINALLY GOT TO COME HERE! We visited with our foodie friend who was looking for some good Italian food. I remembered this place and finally had a good excuse to come here. Without reservations. And without reservations. First of all, the ambiance. It's cramped. Really cramped. And loud. Oddly loud. And lit funny. It's very beautiful, though, but if they could turn the volume down on the conversation with some acoustic engineering it would've been a far better experience. Or stop service alcohol to loud people. Or just limit it to one table in the restaurant. Sorry. The food. Yes. The food was VERY good. Usually when I have Italian food, especially something like funghetto linguine with a cream sauce, I am expecting it to be heavy and almost pasty. Not the case here. It was so light and ... authentic. That's the only word i can think of, though it's not the right word. Light. Fresh. Flavorful. I love mushrooms and I could taste the mushrooms, that earthiness that I love about eating a raw 'shroom. That's what came out of the food. And that's what balanced this experience for me. I would definitely come back, but not on a weekend night. Definitely worth a return visit.
(3)Eric S.
I've been going to this establishment for years. It is consistently some of the best Italian food on the north side. Like any good Italian eatery it's louder and tight quarters but I will be back often.
(5)Kanako I.
We came here on Saturday night, and we enjoyed their foods! We were seated on the second floor of this restaurant. The place reminded us of another Italian restaurant on Halsted. We had prosciutto & fichi, quattro stagioni, and spaghetti fagottaro. All simple yet really good! I particularly liked this pasta. yes I know they only use basil, tomato, garlic, oliveoil and cheese...but this pasta can go so wrong at some restaurants....! and I liked here a lot! Pizza was good, too. We both enjoyed all alot. The con is the waiter service was slow. It took for a long time for our waiter to come to us, and take our orders. Took a while to get our appetizer, and took another long time till we get pizza & pasta. And it took for a long time for him to come see if we want something more or need a check, and yes it took a long time for him to bring our check & bring the card back. If only the service was a bit quicker!
(3)Karina I.
The food is good but... 1) the staff is unprofessional and 2) it is too cramped. I went here last weekend and sat at the bar. On my way in one of the hostesses was walking ahead of me and almost slammed the door in my face. When I sat down, next to me were two girls who were very annoying and already drunk. I figured out based on their way-too-loud conversations that out one of the girls is dating the guy who seemed to be the restaurant manager (who was working there that night) and the other staff members kept pouring them more drinks which only made them more rowdy. The food though is quite good... Maybe I will just go to a different Francesca's location with better service and ambience.
(2)Michelle S.
This is still my go to restaurant with my girls when I come back to visit. It never fails, we know the food is always good and so we wind up here. I was beyond disappointed with my visit here which prompted my updated, two less star review. It is LOUD. Like hard to have a conversation with someone right next to you loud. It was so crowded and we had a table right next to the bar which is so annoying. The space is small so anyone waiting at the bar is essentially backed up to your table. Add in servers and other staff trying to get by and someone at our table was getting bumped every 10 seconds. Our sever was meh. It took forever to get drinks refilled and ordering dessert and coffee was painful. Our dinner was 2.5 hours long (not that I minded having time to catch up with friends but that's a long time!) I'm going to agree with Monica W. that it's hit or miss and we must have been there on a miss night but I was more than disappointed since my visits are quite infrequent these days since I live out of state. Bummer!
(3)Amanda G.
Was here a couple of weeks ago visiting a friend in Chicago. She took me to this restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. A bit crowded, but who could blame them with the incredible food they're dishing up. The service was fantastic, too! Absolutely loved every dish I tried. Will definitely be going back there again next time I am in Chicago.
(5)Allison S.
Went on a friday night with a reservation at 7:15 and the place was packed and very noisy! We got sat at a two person table right inbetween two other two person tables very close together, which I'm not so fond of. Close as in my ass was in the other tables face as I tried to figure out a way to get back to the booth area. We had to pull the table out significantly because there was no way my legs were going to fit under the table with the way the table was set up. However, as we pulled the table out, so I could actually sit down, my boyfriend was right up at the table behind us. Besides that the table behind us was a group of men who were yelling obnoxiously and being extremely rude. After this rocky beginning, we went ahead and ordered the ham and melon and bruschetta to start with since we were starving. Both were great. I had the chicken salvia with tomato sauce mozzarella, ham and pasta, which was delicious. My boyfriend had a sausage pasta with goat cheese that was amazing from what I tried. we also split a great bottle of wine. I was stuffed because the portions are huge, but got convinced into ordering the vanilla creme brulee which was awesome as well. The food definitely gets 5 stars for Italian, but the ambience has much to be improved on.
(4)Betsy L.
The food was quite authentic and great; however, the restaurant was awkwardly cramped. We were unfortunately seated at the busiest corner of the restaurant -- service counter and restrooms. This may not bother others as much, but I was over-stimulated. I was in great company though!
(4)Adriane P.
The dining equivalent of organizing your desk, network tv, or elevator conversation. Just a hodge podge of banality. We ordered: Red Wine Overpriced. Pollo Arrosto alla Romana Roasted half-chicken with garlic, shallots, Rosemary, lemon, and olive oil with roasted potatoes. Bland considering all the savory elements. No idea why. Salmone alla Senape Roasted salmon with portobello mushrooms in a mustard brandy cream sauce on a bed of spinach. He said it was bland and a let down. What is going on? From those descriptions they sound great, right? But I'm not even mad. I'll try it again because it wasn't that bad annnnnnnd the atmosphere is really cozy and romantic. And our server looked and acted just like Charlie from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He even had his delightful laugh and sense of humor. That's enough for me to put on my eatin mittens on and hope I'll be smitten, kittens.
(3)Rebecca N.
Stumbled upon this gem by accident and boy were we happy! Unique, Itallian brunch menu and 5 dollar mimosas/bloody mary's! I got the chicken hash which was outstanding. I tried my friends Baked Uovo Florintines. Again excellent. Both were a bit heavy and could be shared. Inexpensive, fun, brunch place especially if you are looking to drink!
(4)Megan E.
My husband and I have been here several times over the past few years, for Valentine's Day dinner and most recently our one year wedding anniversary. We can always count on a good meal here, and the atmosphere is always great. The bread is always delicious--ask for fresh shaved Parmesan to dip it in along with the table olive oil, it's so good! We each had a salad to start and my husband ordered the half chicken and roasted potatoes (his go-to dish) and I ordered the mussels. They were delicious and the tomato sauce is so good, with a little kick to it, that you can sop your bread in it. I literally ate it with a spoon! The prices are what you'd expect for a nice Italian restaurant but if you don't order alcohol it's a lot less. We've never had enough room to order dessert but they have a pretty good selection. Not sure if you can request it but I highly recommend the top level if you're going for a date--it's a lot more quiet and romantic, and the tables aren't as jammed together.
(5)Justine M.
Service = amazing. Calamari = one of the best calamaris I've had Caprese = SOO GOOD and thick Lobster pasta = DELISH Pesto pasta = not worth the price but still pretty good. Nothing too special. Tirimisu = soft and rich. Would definitely go back. I also love the inside; It's a little small, but it gives the place character.
(5)Michael W.
I have been going to this place for years. Out of them all this one is still top notch. The service and food are great. You do sometimes have to deal with the volume and sitting on top of other people but its worth it. If your looking for romantic then maybe this isn't your spot. Its loud and rocking almost every night. They print menus every day and have a few specials here and there but the core menu is a staple. Just remember you are going to be seated close to others. Not communal tables but very close. That's my only issue but once your eating who cares.
(5)Helen H.
This place was decent. Nothing too special. My drink was terrible unless their goal was to come as close as possible to cough syrup. We got the spaghetti which was classic and delicious. The baked chicken was quite filling and had delicious flavor. Overall delicious and decent prices but not something to write home about.
(3)Sean M.
Ok, let me first say DO NOT SIT UPSTAIRS IF IT'S A COLD NIGHT! I REPEAT, DO NOT SIT UPSTAIRS! You will freeze your a** off! The doors stay open from the outside and the staff keeps coming in and out and there is no "wind-blocker" so the cold air just shoots right into the small dining room. I WILL SAY...the food is really great! Service is good too. The music was odd for a upscale italian place....they had B96 on. How about some classical or Sinatra????
(3)Courtney M.
Delicious and accommodating! Made my friend a dish that wasn't on the menu :)
(5)Katie S.
I wish I could write separate reviews for brunch and dinner here. I'd say the brunch was a 2 and the dinner was a 4 - so we'll go with a solid 3 overall. Brunch - I think this is a new deal for them. I went with a group of girlfriends a few weeks ago, and it was just kind of awful. I was so excited because I saw that they make their bloody marys with my favorite mix (Zing Zang! recommended by my brother the bartender ;) ) and it was super bland and watered down. UGH. It took the server forever to take our food order. I got a hash with scrambled eggs, potato, fried chicken and bacon... which should have been heaven... but was DISGUSTING. The dish basically had fried pieces of gristle in it. I couldn't even come close to trying to finish it. Dinner is much better. Service was very attentive even on a busy Saturday night. Pasta was delicious and still good as leftovers the next day as well. I thought their pricing was reasonable too. Work on the brunch, though, Mia Francesca. Please. I think you can do a lot better.
(3)Lena L.
Noisy and bustling like an Italian family restaurant should be. The menu options were awesome. They had a menu just for gluten-free dishes! The menu was long too! I enjoyed that perk very much! The sauces and pastas were so delectable and tasty. They were not drenched yet they were flavorful. I thought this place did a good job!
(3)Gerardo H.
Took my wife there for an early valentines day dinner. Awesome food, reasonably priced all things considered. My wife ordered the salmon and I got the veal. Both were extraordinary. We also got the calamari and bruchetta for appetizers, I can't speak for the bruchetta since I've never really liked it (from anywhere) but the calamari was easily the best I've ever had. I had to take away one star because of the seating arrangement. It's kind packed tightly in there so you end up sitting really close to a bunch of strangers... And of course your over hearing their entire conversations, and they yours. If the tables were a little further apart it would definitely get that extra star, but I would still recommend it.
(4)Amanda H.
This is a great restaurant for date night! They have a fantastic menu. I eat gluten free so I ate off of their gluten free menu and had pasta. I didn't even realize they were gluten free noodles. This restaurant does get very noisy when it is crowded, so it can be hard to hear the people you are sitting at a table with. However, the atmosphere is wonderful. The waiters are very nice and helpful also. If you are looking for a good Italian restaurant in the city try Mia Francesca!
(4)Adam B.
A favorite of ours since the place opened in the early 90s. Huge and delicious servings of freshly made pasta; quick service; nice "night-out" atmosphere without being formal or stuffy. The fried calamari is simply the most perfectly cooked version you will ever have. Mia Francesca is simply our "go-to" place when the urge strikes. And now they take reservations, so we walked right in to our table. By the way, this is the original location for the Francesca's empire. They got it right here first and the rest followed.
(5)Tom D.
I have had many different pasta dishes here, and I can never finish the plates! Great sauces.
(4)Richie D.
Every fourth restaurant in Chicago is Italian (the rest are all split between Thai, Mexican or another cuisine). In other words, competition and expectations are high...while those who have wheat-allergies try to talk their friends into changing their minds set on pleasing their Italian appetites. Thank goodness for the small Francesca chain. Here, anyone can ask and receive. Mia Francesca has an entire menu of gluten-free pastas that are made purely of quinoa (and by that I mean not a quinoa-corn mix). If you're new to the gluten-free/celiac diet, quinoa is not only a lifesaver but a grain that originates in the Andes which is low in sodium, has no cholesterol, contains 16.2% more protein than any other grain and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Yep, a godsend. For other food items, the calamari salad is full of those little guys causing you to get your money's worth. Or the mussels are also not super full of seafood flavor but garlic. I slurped down the Pasta al Pomodorini: linguini sauteed in a 'spicy' cherry tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs. Perfectly flavorful, delicious and GLUTEN-FREE ITALIAN! Purchase yourself one of their wonderful bottles of wine and you're set! For those who doesn't have wheat allergies, don't miss out on their profiteroles with pistachio ice cream. D-Lic! Otherwise, the flourless chocolate cake with fresh berries is your match.
(5)Ernie C.
Enjoyed the fast service and good food. Had the pesto chicken pasta for $16.99 Very crowded and noisy, but I live in the suburbs and this is city dining.
(3)Parker K.
Service is superb and ALWAYS consistent (I work in the industry, so I am always analyzing this aspect of the experience). The food is of exceptional quality for the price. Boisterous, New York vibe and atmosphere. I've had the pleasure to eat here more than six times. I promise you, you will never be disappointed about your experience - wether it's your first date or showing your family a little gem of Lakeview.
(5)Gladys G.
Awesome food! good times :)
(4)P P.
Great service. Lunch entrees were superb. Very lovely pizza, salad, and I had the salmon on spinach. Very wonderful. Our apple tart desert was a bit of a disappointment ( all crust no apples). But it's easy to overlook when the food and service make you feel like it's worth it to pay. This isn't a a feeling we get that often in the River North area, to be honest..
(4)Andy B.
This place, with its many locations across the Chicagoland area, never fails to please. I've been to a few of them, and they are always consistent. Right down to the handwriting on the menus. This time we had the bruschetta (amazing,) and I had the rigatoni dei sardi, which was cooked in a delicious red sauce, and had mushrooms and sausage. No matter what pasta I ever get here, it's always great. For dessert, we tried the tiramisu. I'm by no means versed in the ways of tiramisu, but it was nevertheless delicious. We were, however, wishing they would turn up the air. Being the middle of August, and after a couple glasses of wine, it got a little warm. Very minor complaint.
(4)Claudia D.
The food was excellent. The service was friendly, attentive without being obtrusive, and very detailed. The price point is very similar to Francesca's on Taylor & definitely worth it as far as food & service are concerned. Perhaps we're stuck in our ways, but the space was small, cramped, and totally cacophonous! Perhaps the usual clientele doesn't object, but we prefer a bit more room between tables, and we like to converse with each other at dinner. That said---the husband had a vodka on the rocks with a twist ($6-very reasonable for the area) & the roast chicken. I had chicken breast with a rosemary, garlic white wine sauce. Roast potatoes came with both entrees. We shared 2 scoops of frozen deliciousness for dessert-pistachio gelato for him & raspberry sorbet for me. The waiter (Felix) was wonderful to us. He staged our take-out entree order perfectly so it was still warm when we got home, even though we had to drive clear to the UIC area! Kudos to Felix and the kitchen.
(4)Christina M.
Mia Francesca = Love, it's that good. My bf and I met some friends at this location and had a wonderful meal. The wine and drinks were great and the appetizers were very tasty. Their menu rotates every week because they use ingredients that are in season, so you usually get something different every time you go (everything has always been fantastic). My pasta was very good and well-flavored, and did I mention that the bread and olive oil is to die for? Well, it is. The best part about Francescas is that they'll accommodate almost any diet, they always whip up something vegan for me. This is really a great chain of restaurants.
(4)Laura F.
I wish I could tell you how amazing the spinach ravioli is. My fiance took me here for my birthday around 7:30 on a Friday night. It was understandably busy. After making our way through a maze to our table -- seriously, cram any more tables in there and we'd all be sitting on each other's laps -- we ordered. I opted for the aforementioned ravioli, a cab sav (second choice as they were out of my first) and the dude got a pizza and some riesling. The pizza came. He nibbled. We waited. And waited. And waited. About 45 minutes after, the waiter came to check on us. "Is her ravioli going to be out soon?" "What ravioli?" Then we left. Yeah. Thank goodness for GrubHub.
(2)Desire' M.
I don't think I've ever had anything bad here. Sometimes, I might get a dish that could have used a little more this or that, but it was still delicious regardless. I'm super impressed with their gluten free menu. Most of their regular pasta dishes can be made gluten free. I had their gluten free pizza margherita and was almost concerned it wasn't gluten free it was so good. Finished off dinner with the Torta Lava...mmm. The place can get packed and noisy so try not to go at peak hours.
(4)Jim P.
Disappointing. I had their pasta w/shrimp + scallops in a spicy tomatoe sauce. It wasnt spicey and it was way too salty. I had the same dish on new yrs eve @ their location near water tower and there was no comparision. Where's the quality control???
(2)Happiness L.
The best thing that can be improved is to have refills on water and coffee with out asking. Every time I was low/out of something to drink I was the one to ask, and I like the attention of filling my coffee cup or water glass with out me asking for it each and every time. As far as the food....so very delicious! I was there for brunch and the omelet with potatoes were an excellent choice. I got to customize the omelet the way that I like with wonderful ingredients such as Italian sausage, artichoke, and more. It was somewhat cold in there too....perhaps they can turn up the heat during the cold season? My waitress and the entire staff have a very friendly attitude. Super easy to get a table at brunch.
(4)Sandra W.
Let's just say that I had to figure out how to cross the damn streets during Critical Mass. (throws fist in the air) Mia Francesca is a small quaint and yet exciting restaurant. I had a great time there. Despite the crowdy-feel, the food was great, the staff was super accommodating, and very easy to get to via public transportation. (Belmont stop). My friend got a few cocktails that were strong and delicious and I stuck to my usual beer. They have Oberon's there. Yum. I went with 5 other friends and had a nice meal together. It wasn't too loud and it wasn't too hard to hear each other. We went around 8pm and it was still vibrant. We made reservations so we were sat right away. I ordered Spaghetti. Yes, I know, typical, boring, lame, etc etc. I love Spaghetti and Mia's spaghetti with sausage was excellent! I had a ton left over and ate some the next day. Wow. Still delicious. The sauce was not watery and it was tasty and flavorful. I will come back with my out of town friends (even in town friends) and have a nice dinner. I'd highly recommend this place. Just do it.
(4)Kristin T.
What place is perfect and deserves a 5star? This place comes close. The bartender and hostess welcomed me in. I was hungry and had an hour to kill. Everyone spoke with me as if they see people alone at the bar all the time in this lovely restaurant. I've been here plenty of times before but never alone. The ambience is wonderfully Italian. Big mirror and B&W photography. Loud and fun to hear kids as well as adults. The bartender didn't push me ordering an entree. I had an appetizer of calamari. One of my fave Italian dishes. This was even better than I expected. Sauteed calamari with shallots butter wine spinach tomatoe capers. What else? Garlic. I sopped it all up with the warm... no... hot bread. Nice and crispy on the outside and dense and soft inside. The calamari was tender and the sauce dripped off my lips. I was constantly wiping them. I needed a bib! Thanks to all who was part of my visit! Ill come alone again! I focused on the food. Yum! I enjoyed it all with 2 glasses of Mark West pinot noir. Not bad for their cheapest glass. I'm stuffed.
(4)Robb Z.
First time diner. Life long fan. Can't say enough good stuff about Mia. Chill, laid back atmosphere, down to earth service, amazing food(house salad was the only downfall), and the price is easy on the money clip. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Stephanie W.
Love private parties in the upstairs space at Mia Francesca - the family style service totally works, you have your own private bar, and you can essentially set up your party any way you want. But the main dining room experience leaves something to be desired. The seating is incredibly tight and cramped, and it feels like you're either on top of other diners or the wait staff is on top of you. Even if you have a reservation, you typically have to wait a few minutes to be seated and there's seriously nowhere to wait inside the door. Service is mediocre at best, and the food is hit or miss given how often the menu changes. I've had some seriously delicious dishes here, but I've also had plenty of pastas that just aren't worth finishing. I've also had friends get food poisoning after dining here more than once. All in all, I'd recommend the Bryn Mawr location over this one. The service is significantly better and the food is usually much better as well.
(3)Anna V.
I have been here more than 20 times. It is always PACKED, loud, and happy. The food is 99% of the time great and often spectacular. They have had a few dishes (and the menu has been different almost every time, so when I get to repeat things I usually cherish it) that I would eat every day if I could. Things to watch for: the gnocchi in tomato basil sauce, the rigatoni bolognese, spinach ravioli, arugula and roasted cherry tomato flatbread, mushroom risotto, and the orechiette with sausage crumbles, roasted tomato herb broth and broccoli rabe. The food is REALLY fantastic, the desserts are all good (especially the flourless cake and the peanut butter torte). I usually get a glass of wine or two. Dr. L Reisling was my favorite over the summer. They typically have good Italian blends for a cheap glass fee. Another highlight: the bread. Which we eat entire loaves of before the food comes. I actually like their chaotic dining room. I have almost always gotten a decent table (often the one by the window) and the high rustic urban space is way better than the bland upstairs room. The perfect place for a carb coma. Lately they've been sketchy with seating reservations on time and it's annoying, but before that they were always fine. Definitely make one, though. This place gets crowded really quick for a good reason.
(5)Katie M.
Decent Italian food. Plenty of tables. Ample portions. Acceptable prices. I wish I had more to say than that; I wasn't impressed by any means, but I wasn't particularly disappointed. I had no specific qualms with the service we received, but our server was very young and seemed inexperienced. Pro-tip: there's tons of tables upstairs, although the vibe is a little different up there.
(3)Theo J.
This is such a great place. The service was absolutely excellent. The salad was the freshest and had a great flavor. The dinner was excellent. The deserts were homemade great. The wine was perfect. My words for this place would be great food.
(5)James S.
We went there for a date night and unfortunately on both sides of our table was seated a group of children. They were quite distracting and making a lot of commotion. The wine list was a bit on the pricey side. The cheapest bottles of wine were around $30. The food was overall good Italian food as to be expected for the price. The service was decent although our server seemed too busy to be as attentive as he should have been. Not sure if we will be back given the other options in the area.
(3)Taylor Z.
Love, love, love this restaurant. I always get their pizza with egg, prosciutto and olives and they're always willing to let me customize it the way I want. I've tried their other dishes that other people I was with ordered and everything is delicious. The only thing that I ever find fault with is, occasionally, they use a bit too much sodium but that can be easily remedied by asking them to go lightly on the salt. Their appetizers I usually skip because their entrees and desserts are so good, I want to devour those and only those but if you have a big appetite, they're all really tasty too, especially their lentils and bruschetta. Their desserts are to die for. Their Tiramisu is almost as good as the one I had in Italy and definitely the best and most authentic I've tasted here in Chicago. But all their desserts are really awesome too. I recently had some kind of cake with pumpkin pie baked into it (I think it's a seasonal thing though) and OMG let me tell you, hands down, best birthday cake I've ever had the privilege to try. I've tried a few other desserts here and have yet to be let down. Service is always prompt and efficient without hovering. Atmosphere is loud and usually busy with the kitchen close by but it works for this kind of place. One thing I can say, is the quality of food here is outstanding. I never leave feeling sick like you can from too much rich Italian food, but always leave satisfied. You can tell they really put care into the ingredients they use and how they prepare the food.
(5)Erika G.
There's no need to go to any other restaurant. This place, like her sister on Bryn Mawr, is a hit every time. The food is always perfect and delicious. Our waiter, finally a REAL waiter, knowledgeable about the food. Fantastic service. The back patio . . . BELLA! I can't think of a cuter, more charming back patio anywhere in Chicago. And while the front room rocks, and gets very crowded, the back patio is a little oasis. I don't even need to detail what we ate, because everything I've ever ordered at either of the Francesca's has been spot on amazing. It's not adventurous dining by any means, it's just reliable, fresh, well prepared utterly delicious food. Solid 5 stars all around. The appetizers, all good. The bartenders flirty and cute. The waitstaff, world class. The front desk guy, very nice, helpful and flexible, when we suddenly decided to give up our indoor table and opted for the back patio. The entrees, easily enough food for two to share, which makes it the most amazing bargain dinner in the city, bar none. I mean, $26 for dinner for two (not including drinks)?!! That just means we can go twice as often! The company, stars off the charts, but your mileage may vary on that one.
(5)Laila C.
so I didn't actually order food there but I had bread, olive oil and nibbles of my friend's pasta. considering that i'm generally foodily opposed to eating bread because I think they're bland and boring-the bread + olive oil combo at MF was delicious! I ate almost 2 whole pieces of bread accompanied by almost the entire jar of Olive oil. My friend's plate of lentils, sausage and pasta was far more delicious than I would expect for any pasta plate. The sausage was delectable, the lentils were soft and very flavorful. I'm almost certain I'd return here to eat, even though I hate italian food. I think that says a lot about the restaurant.
(4)Marissa J.
There isn't an option for a 2.5 so I decided to round down. My fiance would have given this a 3, but Yelp notes a 2 is "Meh. I've experienced better." I think this accurately expresses my feelings. Not bad, but not good. We went for the first time time last night, a Friday. We were able to get reservations on very short notice so that was a plus. We were seated upstairs and where we were the tables were a bit too crowded together; so much so that the servers had trouble navigating between the tables. We ordered a nice bottle of red, mussels in spicy tomato sauce, and the burrata to start. The mussels were good, but a bit cold and the sauce was not spicy. The bur rata was yummy. My fiance ordered the rigatoni with spicy italian sausage and mushrooms. His was good, especially the tomato sauce. I ordered the mushroom risotto and it was terrible. I normally love risotto, but this was like rice and uncooked mushrooms in broth. Very little flavor. My fiance referred to it as "Uncle Ben's with mushrooms." Highly disappointing. Our waitress never came back to check how the food was and the buser picked up our plates without noticing I hadn't touched my food. Overall an okay experience but with so many great restaurants in town, I don't think we'll be back.
(2)Rebecca H.
I went there a little over a year ago. The lighting was too bright for dinner and I got food poisoning. Needless to say, I haven't and don't plan on going back.
(2)Rebecca H.
Nice, solid Italian food. The bruschetta was fresh and the gnocchi perfectly prepared.
(4)Kay S.
Delicious! I've been here 3 or 4 times already and it is amazing. The unique, hand-written menu changes all the time and you can't go wrong with anything you order. Appetizers, pasta, fish, chicken, pizza, etc. I've been meaning to take a picture of my meal before I dig in but it looks so good and fresh when it comes out, I always forget. If you've never been, go here. If you have been, go again.
(5)Gina F.
We tried this location for the first time on October 5th. We went to celebrate the giant certification exam I had passed the night before & our 1 year anniversary, so we brought a nice bottle of champagne with us. . The food was good--on par with the other Francesca's Restaurants, but the service was not great. We didn't see our server much, and had to fill our own champagne all night. Really, he didn't pick up the bottle ONCE. The server told us at the END of the night that the corkage fee was $25. I new there would be one, but I assumed it would be $10, $12, maybe even $15 like other places. He had the nerve to tell us we ewre luckyt because it used to be $5 more. I really felt taken four a ride. At least at that price he should have served it to us. Soooo disappointed that this happened at a Francesca's!
(2)Kimberly G.
I was a customer of the Francesca's Intimo (the Lake Forest location) while I was in college - just loved going there! Now that I live in Chicago, I love coming here since I live across the street. I have gotten to know the staff and they are so friendly and welcoming. They are always changing the menu but there are always a few staples to the menu. You are guaranteed to always try something new. Definitely one of my favorite spots!
(5)RJ W.
We shuttle upstairs where we felt like we were suddenly in glamourous Schaumburg... Boring menu, boring food, boring wine menu.. Service was fine, nothing spectacular... the menu has 10 to 12 choices, none of them spectacularly executed.. and when you have only a few things to make, they should be perfect. The wine menu was EXCEPTIONALLY overpriced. I understand markups but 500%.. really? I honestly think the Olive Garden in your average mall is a better value with better food... and Olive Garden is just sad... so you get my drift....the only reason, in my opinion, this place is busy is because suburbanites and out of towners heard about it and flocked to it.. I was reminded why , as a local, I stopped going here 10 years ago.. way too many better Italian restauarants in the immediate area than this one...
(2)Deployed R.
Wow! We went on a very cold Monday night, so business was slow. Maybe that had something to do with it, but we were seated right away and everyone we interacted with was very courteous and helpful. The menu is not your run of the mill chain Italian garbage. They have some interesting twists on old standards. We started with the Arugula Brushetta and Asparagus Salad. Both were great but the brushetta was exceptionally good (there was lots of cheese with the tomatoes and arugula). I had a rigatone pasta with veggies that was perfect, but my wife ordered the special and it stole the show! It was a stuffed gnocchi pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. The best gnocchi either of us has ever had, if not one of the best pasta dishes we have ever had. The portions were generous and they were happy to wrap up our leftovers for us.
(5)Stefanee H.
Y. U. M.! This place was great! To start with, we had the nicest waiter. He was so patient with 3 chatty broads and definitely had some great recommendations. He even overheard my friend and I say we were going to split our dishes and had the kitchen split out dishes for us! Our dishes were good and the portions were very generous, especially for the price. My girl friend is a super picky eater and they made her something that was not on the menu, did not complain about it, and did not charge her extra for it. The desserts were good. Nothing spectacular but very good. We got the creme brulee and these pistachio gelato filled cream puffs covered in chocolate. I am not a huge cream puff fan but the gelato was delish. I cannot wait to go back in the summer and enjoy the patio!
(4)Mansoor K.
My wife and I love this place. It is our go to spot when we need a place to get dinner. Service is great, the menu is delicious. I recommend getting the bruschetta with arugula as a starter. I've never had anything here that I didn't like. He portions are on her big side, so I do suggest sharing if you want to try a bunch of dishes.
(5)Katie W.
We were there last weekend for a Bachelorette Party and I must say, Mia Francesca was VERY accommodating. We had 25 people, so I can imagine it would be a bit stressful. Our waiter was nice enough to separate our checks into bills of 4 people, based on who we were sitting by. This made the stress at the end of the dinner (bill splitting) MUCH easier. The menu was preselected by the MOH but the dishes all came out hot and tasty. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the bathroom situation- it took about 10 minutes to get in because of the single stall bathroom! Would definitely recommend for a future large group! :)
(4)Charles J.
This was probably a case of my expectations being too high coming into my initial visit to Mia's. After all, it is rumored to be a popular spot with Jennifer Aniston, when she's in town. How bad could it be, I asked? Well, it's not bad. It just didn't measure up to my expectations. Here are a few of my observations. Lacking menu. Surprisingly few choices and most this evening weren't very exciting. Drinks too strong. Yep, you heard me. None of us could even drink the martini's we ordered due to the overwhelming alcohol taste. Average tasting food. We started with the Calamari appetizer. An ample amount was served and it was very tasty. Well worth the $7.99 price. Unfortunately for me, it was downhill from there. I ordered the Chicken, which was two small chicken breasts and a side of spinach. The chicken breasts looked like something you'd get in the frozen food section of the grocery. They were cooked in a very uninteresting manner and just seemed to sit there on my plate, with no "presentation". The spinach was fresh and tasty but at $16 for an uninspired chicken dish, I felt I overpaid. Others in my party ordered the Rigatoni with sausage and goat cheese and were complimentary. I sampled it and thought it had decent flavor. The tab for our party of 4 was just over $100 (with drinks) which isn't bad by Chicago standards but, as I have stated in other reviews, it is the quality and the experience that are as important as the price and, at least on this night, the quality and experience fell flat for me. I'd give them another shot because of the number of 4 and 5 star ratings. It wasn't even close to that this time for me.
(2)Kara B.
Mia Francesca is one of the more creative Italian places I have found so far. They have interesting combinations of flavors to put an original spin on traditional Italian dishes, all while doing this at a reasonable price. I will definitely be back!
(5)Deena D.
Fabulous Italian fare, huuge portions & cozy little vibe. First off, the Open Table reservation was super helpful, I highly recommend it on any peak night since the restaurant is on the cozier side and there isn't a whole ton of space to wait. Except by the bar which obviously is no twist of the arm for me... My second time here and we sat upstairs which was also very nice, I kind of liked it better because it was more roomy. Our waitress was very sweet and made recommendations since we had some Mia Virgins at the table. Ordered the house red pinot which was good about $45 a bottle. They are notorious for their mussels app but I couldn't resist an authentic caprese salad. They use buffalo mozzarella instead of regular cow's milk which I thought was pretty nifty. I decided to take the road less traveled this time and order a pizza as my entree (yup, ALL for me, so selfish I know). This pizza had olives, prosciutto, artichoke, cheese, and a fried egg on top. OH BABY. When it comes out they do a fun little "pizza dance" if you will where they dice the egg up for you which my friend's boyfriend found mesmerizing. While very delicious it started to get soggy towards the end. I would still highly recommend trying it out, I had no idea they were infamous for pizza as well as pasta/seafood entrees. My friends tried the gnocchi and seemed to really enjoy , I stole a few bites from their dishes as well and thought the gnocchi filling was very rich but not overbearing. Since it was my friends birthday they were nice to bring out a cream puff contraption with vanilla ice cream. Thanks :) Overall: authentic Italian cuisine at very modest prices with awesome vibes (did I mention they had a playlist that contained MJ & The Roots?) MAGNIFICO!
(5)Jessica S.
Truly phenomenal meal and experience. I was able to book (way in advance) a table for 10 the night before the marathon to carboload and our table was ready within 15 minutes of everyone arriving. We were seated upstairs which is a tad less crowded and were served quite attentively by Erika. It was really busy and I can't say enough good things about the service she gave us. My mom, who is the only person in the world who hates garlic, ordered a chicken dish without asking about how much garlic was in there. When the dish arrived, she could hardly stand the smell and Erika was so wonderful about removing and bagging up the dish to take home (leftovers for me!). She brought my mom a bowl of pasta with a plain tomato sauce and made her very happy. She even took off the pasta from our bill. Then, another diner at our table was really unsatisfied with her pizza - it came out cold and she hated the way it tasted. Erika was, again, kind enough to remove that dish from our table and remove it from the bill. Instead, my friend ordered the mushroom polenta appetizer dish and it was THE HIT OF THE TABLE. One of the best dishes I've ever had. I, personally, ordered a pasta dish with tomatoes, artichoke hearts and goat cheese. It was FABULOUS and I finished the entire thing. To top it off, we shared a flourless chocolate cake and it was probably the best I've ever had.
(4)Jasmine C.
Love and adore. So much. From the hand-scrawled menus to the cozy little space that is intimate enough for a date and lively enough for friends, there is so much to love about Mia Francesca. My favourite is the Quattro Stagioni pizza: prosciutto, artichoke, mushroom and egg on a delicate thin crust. The waiter places the dish before you, breaks the yolk in the centre and swirls it evenly so it cooks on the hot surface. The result? A lovely symphony of crisp crust and soft silkiness of a perfectly cooked egg. Oh, I will fight anyone for the last slice of this pizza. The menu is updated often and I've never been disappointed with the quality of food here. Sigh, Mia Francesca. Where your water glass will never be empty, and your taste buds will never be let down.
(4)Bridget K.
I had dinner recently at Mia's while visiting Chicago. The sole reason for me wanting to visit the Clark street restaurant was because the spot was dubbed Jennifer Aniston's favorite restaurant...and obviously I'm starstruck. The ambiance of Mia's is very relaxed and the tables are all fairly close to one another. The seating resembles wooden church pews and you feel as though you are in a dining room at someone's home, which makes it seem cozier. The staff was very friendly, however when we were choosing a bottle of wine the server didn't provide us with feedback or specifics regarding the reds we were interested in. With "grape expectations" we opted on a Malbec and were thoroughly delighted with our choice. When it came time to order food, we went with the scallops and shrimp dish as well as a goat cheese pasta entree. Both of the meals were fantastic and the flavor was mouthgasmic for lack of a better word (go ahead I dare you to find a better one). At the end of our meal we ordered the pistachio ice cream puffs with chocolate drizzle...they were everything and more than expected. The entire experience at Mia's was pleasant and worthwhile. I will be back!
(4)Lisa C.
Met some friends at Mia Francesca for dinner a few weeks ago. Parking in the area is challenging since it is Lakeview. Shortly realized how tiny and noisy the restaurant is when we were seated near the kitchen. I had a difficult time hearing my friends down the other end of the table. Instead, I felt like I was the third wheel on the first date that was taking place to my left. (Side note, talking about your EX on the first date is not a great idea). On to the food... well, what food? I filled up quickly on the amazing, steaming hot, flaky bread and olive oil. I must have had 2 loaves by myself! It's not my fault that the busboys keep replenishing our basket! I think it may be the best bread I ever had! Found out later that they have their own bread machine in the back. I ordered the pollo arrosto alla romano (half chicken with garlic and roasted potatoes). The chicken was really juicy and flavorful. Most of friends ordered the lobster stuffed ravioli. Judging from their facial expressions and empty plates, they enjoyed it. Overall, good food but noisy atmosphere. Would be back if I was in the neighborhood and felt like carbo loading.
(3)Julie B.
I normally wouldn't write a review for a random night out for dinner. But our waitress Meredith was great and helped make our experience wonderful. My husband and I had our first date night in 7 months...since the birth of our son. Needless to say - to us, it was a big deal. After giving us great recommendations, and giving us plenty of space while still feeling taken care of, we were ready for our check. But Meredith had heard it was a "big night out" and treated us to a dessert. Even after we told her our big night out was simply a night without our son - not a birthday or anniversary. It made our night that much better! We will definitely be repeat customers.
(4)Caroline R.
This place is a favorite on restaurant week and during the summer when you can sit outside where it is considerably less loud.
(4)Conor O.
Bottom Line Up Front: the Notre Dame football team of Chicago Italian Restaurants. Overrated. My girlfriend brought me here for my birthday this year. My birthday is in June, which happens to coincide with wedding season. Instead of pushing back our reservation because the place was overbooked, the hostess seated us upstairs in a room reserved for a rehearsal dinner. Hey, I had an awesome time because I like to party, but I'm pretty sure the Asian couple who were getting married the next day did not enjoy 4 drunken Irishmen, 2 Krauts and an out of place Indian guy shouting about all of the horrible things that used to happen at their Frat house "back in the day." (I can tell you for sure that the aforementioned gentlemen's dates did not appreciate it one bit.) Aside from the seating arrangement, the service was good. Our server was attentive and not too pushy, he definitely knew his stuff about which wine pairings would be best with certain dishes. The food was pretty ok. I got the Lamb Shank. It was medimum rare served over some potatoes and asparagus. Nothing about the food blew me away. I left full, but not really SATISFIED. The little lady dropped some serious coin on a nice dinner, so I felt bad... I'd suggest Rosebud or Bice downtown if you're looking for a really nice Italian dinner.
(2)Josh V.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. I've been here more times than I can count, and I have had maybe one or two "OK" meals. Everything else has been good to excellent. The servings are generous, but not overly huge. The quality of the food is very high, and everything is usually very tasty. The menu is hand-written and then photocopied. I am not sure if it changes daily or what, but the selection is always fresh. Despite not being very big, there are always multiple things on the menu that sound good to me and it's tough to make a decision! They do a standard brushcetta and a special one that is always changing. They always have several pizzas, pastas and entrees. They are accommodating of special requests; if there is a chicken dish that is not boneless, they'll gladly make it with boneless chicken breast if you ask. The prices are in line with what you get. The service is generally pretty good. The staff is friendly but professional, and they're not attitude-y or stuck up. Now, the downsides: There can be a long wait for a table sometimes, especially on the weekends. In fact, last time I tried to go they said 2.5 hours! Needless to say, I went somewhere else. But that was uncharacteristically long for them, so I don't penalize them for it. The upside of the waiting is that they have three bars (main dining room, coach house and upstairs). The other downside is that the main dining room is VERY loud and VERY crowded. I don't really like to eat down there. Insider tip: Ask to get seated upstairs. Same food and service, but more spacious and less noisy.
(5)Greta W.
The food was amazing, 5 stars. The menu changes frequently to incorporate fresh ingredients. This is not your typical Olive Garden swill--MF's is authentic, light, and flavorful. I'll never forget when the bartender cracked a fresh egg over my bf's pizza, whipped it up with a fork and spooned it over the sizzling meat and cheese. The bf salivates and his eyes glaze over just at the mere mention of that pizza, even six months later. The bad reviews here mostly revolve around spotty service, which is to be expected. It's packed here. P to the acked. BF & I had made reservations, but apparently those don't mean much here. Usually I think that means a table should be waiting for us, but that was not the case. A line was already forming out the door, and it didn't look like anyone was getting ready to leave. We would have been waiting another 30 min for sure, but my man's smart. He snagged us 2 seats at the bar, and it was the best ever. Pours for drinks were heavy, and it was not a problem getting good service when you have a captive bartender! If you go here, either go when its quiet (which would be never), or just belly up to the bar. You'll forget about it all once the food shows up, anyway.
(4)Jason G.
I have to say, Sapori Trattoria on Halstead used to be my most favorite Italian in Chicago. And it still is for my neighborhood. But Mia's is definitely an attractive alternative. Service was prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. I had pasta before a half marathon and it was just the right amount. As a vegan, it is hard finding restaurants that offer accommodations. Mia's not only provided them but offered them first. I will be back.
(4)Federica L.
The place needs a makeover. The atmosphere is nothing special. We had carpaccio for appetizer and it was outstanding, with fresh arugula and real Parmigiano. After that, we had high expectations for the entreés but everything was really disappointing: even if the ingredients tasted fresh and flavorful, the base of our pizza had a strange garlicky taste and seemed to be frozen or/and precooked. One of us had spaghetti alla diavola con pollo wich looked like a soup: the sauce filled half of the bowl and spaghetti were flouting in it. When we ask about the food, we told our server that we were disappointed, so the manager showed up and promptly offered 50% off our check. We found it to be kind and professional.
(2)Nick S.
I rarely go out to have pasta because it's pretty damn easy to make at home. Plus, I find that a lot of places tend to keep their sauces on the really acidic side which is actually attributed to them not cooking down the tomatoes long enough to actually develop the sweetness that is naturally found in them. BUT low and behold, Mia Francesca... you do me so well. Can I just say that I'm a sucker for restaurants that have consistently changing menus? I'm someone who likes to try new things often so this definitely caters to my needs. Their carpaccio was decadent. I love the salty bite of the parmigiano reggiano and the briney capers. mmmm and the hearts of palm? yes please. Oh not to mention that you get a huge platter of carpaccio for a (very) modest $8 Let's just say my 5 year old brother LOVES carpaccio because of Mia Francesca... Wow, I just hyped up Mia Francesca a whole lot over one dish but alas, there are some downfalls.. like their salad.. Insalata Francesca.. go away. You're over dressed, over cheesed, and the vegetables need a little perk. I'll forget you ever happened. But onto the Carbonara... soo rich. but oh so tasty. honestly you probably can't eat it too often.. it sticks to your ribs. but man I love a good carbonara and they do it just right. I have no qualms over this other than its adverse effects on your health. but you only live once right? I've also had their conchiglie with smoked mozz. love smoked mozz, can't go wrong. So all in all.. pretty solid pastas (from what I've had so far) and my go to carpaccio spot for boystown. No regrets.. well unless you're one who doesn't like cramped interior b/c they have every intention of meeting the seating capacity set by the fire marshall.
(4)Anna P.
eh, no thanks. this place is always completely packed (like, don't try to even find your way to the bathroom or you might get something spilled on you by a passing waiter/waitress), the staff is a bit surly and treats you like you should be lucky to be eating there, and the food is decent but it's way overpriced. i personally prefer francesca's forno - or, ya know, any other italian place in the city.
(2)Nicholas W.
Always a good choice for a traditional Italian meal. Nothing to rave about but I'm never disappointed. Ideal for groups.
(3)Kate G.
I drank martini's here. like two years ago??? all i can remember is that the curly headed blond hostess here is FINE AS HELL. girl, hit me up with ur digits.
(5)Julie W.
Amazing Italian! I'll give Mia Francesca that. It definitely has some unbleievably yummy Italian, and probably one of the best Italian spots in the city, but oh Mia...how stupidly crowded you are. If you're looking for a fabulous first date spot, look elsewhere (try Socca down the street! Perfect date spot!). It's super crowded and you will LITERALLY be sitting next to another couple. If you're planning a trip to Mia's, I suggest grabbing an early bite or a late bite (after 8:30/9, it's still crowded around 8!), so that way you can actually talk to the person sitting across from you! So yes, the tables are very smushed together, the noise level can be excessive, but the food is absolutely deelish. The wait staff has been nothing but wonderful every time we came in (and walked in on a weekend! Very accomidating!), but again, if you're looking for somewhere you can cuddle up and whisper sweet nothings, head the other way!
(4)Dennis L.
I have been wanting to visit a Francesca restaurant since moving to Chicago, and I am so glad that I finally had the opportunity to do so. The bruchette was delicious start to the meal. I also enjoyed my share of bread and olive oil. Yum! For my entree, I ordered the Linguine all' Amatriciana, and it was excellent. The parmesan tomato sauce was flavorful and the pancetta was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere was cozy and quite authentic. I really enjoyed Mia Francesca, and I would definitely return.
(5)Atul J.
I came here for the first time for an early Friday night dinner with my fiancé. We usually tend to keep our meals simple and especially don't like to feel weighed down after eating so we decided to split both a salad and a pasta dish. Wandering around Boystown trying to find a place to eat, most places pretty were empty. Except for Mia Francesca which was buzzing with activity. After being seated without having to wait, we found our server to be very prompt and attentive. We started with the Insalata alla Francesca. The salad was very simple-almost rustic-yet all the different parts put together formed a synergy which tasted excellent. Next we had the orecchiette. This was light pasta dish but very flavorful. The small cherry tomatoes had an excellent subtle spice to them and the pasta were cooked to a perfect al dente. We enjoyed the meal so much that despite not initially planning on ordering dessert we decided to stick around and try the tiramisu. It was definitely one of the best that I've had but my favorite part was the amazing chocolate sauce that was drizzled around it on the plate. We left the restaurant with a greater satisfaction than we had expected. Only two days later I found myself wanting to go back again!
(5)Renee A.
Best Italian food place I've been to. Authentic from ambiance to the food :)
(5)Jen A.
Obsessed with this place! It is the only place I will eat pasta, and I will eat all of them on the menu! It is extremely authentic and fresh and I crave it constantly. A very affordable and pleasant Italian restaurant with generous servings. All of their desserts are also amazing- especially the creme brulee and flourless chocolate cake.
(5)Travis J.
First off, let me say I'm a little disappointed no one at Mia Francesca has taken the time to claim its Yelp listings. With 265 reviews for this concept alone, they really need to engage with their customers a little more closely. Regardless, I love this place. Me and a friend were visiting Chicago over New Year's and decided to do a late dinner here on New Year's Day. Engaging a little too hard in celebratory shenanigans the night prior, a laid back evening was much needed. I visited Mia Francesca back in July for the first time and loved it. The second time was even better! To start, my friend and I shared the Risotto appetizer special. It was delicious. Risotto is hard to perfect, but this was the closest to perfection I've tasted. Next, I ordered the Insalata alla Francesca. This salad is amazing! Romaine, endive and radicchio with fresh blue cheese crumbles and vegetables. It's definitely large enough to share and, if you're not all that hungry, a great option for a meal. But, I'm glad I opted for a pasta dish for my main entree. I choose the Linguine al Funghello. It was tossed in a veal-brandy sauce with big plump mushrooms. It as absolutely delicious. Hands down, it was the best pasta dish I've ever had. We were too stuffed for dessert, but the tiramisu, I've heard, is delicious. Another plus for this place is I noticed it offers a Gluten-free menu, which many of my friends suffering from this allergy would greatly appreciate. I would grade the service lower than food...maybe a B. The servers need to be a little more attentive. We waited over five minutes for a greeting and waters. Other than that, this place is one of my favorite restaurants in the nation. The seating is typical Chicago-style dining...close and cramped, but possessing a sense of community and charm. It's the type of dining a true foodie appreciates because the chef and/or owners put their money where it matters...into the quality of the food and not dumping all kinds of money into the decorating and interior. Keep that money pushing toward the awesome food! I'll be back again and again.
(5)Ermin M.
As always their food is amazing. The bread is always fresh, the pasta has the perfect bite and the sauce the perfect slip. I have no complaints except for tonight. My friends and I paid in combination cash and cards and while we should have asked for change we assumed our server would bring it back. She pocketed the $80 which would have given her a 50% tip! We had to ask for our change back. Sorry that's just me griping but seriously? On the plus side when I asked for the wait time for tonight there was an hour and forty five minute wait. That wait was cut to zero when a manager tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wouldn't mind sitting on the patio which they just opened seeing as the rain had stopped. Score! Aside from that over the more than 10 years I've been here, I have always had great service and excellent food!
(4)courtney p.
Pretty predictable little joint. I've been here a handful of times and it's always just standard. There are for sure better italian places in Chicago. The last time I was there was my worst experience. I was on a date and we had a reservation, they sat us upstairs in the very back corner at a cramped, forgotten about table that the chubby waiter could barely get to. The service was super slow and the food was just standard. I will say that I had a dessert there once that I have never forgotten about, a chocolate chip coffee cake served warm with chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. It was so mouth wateringly delicious, but also simple enough for me to rip off the idea and make at home :)
(3)Gabe L.
Dennis (fake character): What should we do tonight? Mac (me): I'm so hungry, I wish there was a way to get food for free Dee (my hot date): I have some gift cards to Mia Francesca Mac: Alright let's go! Dennis: I'm in! Dee: Ohhhh about that Dennis ... there's only enough for two Dennis: You're just jealous of my body Dee: Uhhh no ... I'm not. Let's go Mac "The Gang Goes Italian" * Random shots of Philadelphia * (Mac and Dee approach the hostess) Mac: Table for 2 please Hostess: You're not wearing any pants Mac: Actually, they're skin colored pants (I wasn't wearing skin colored pants) Hostess: Right ... (Mac and Dee get seated) (Waiter approaches) (It's Charlie) (It really is) (The waiter actually looks 100% like Charlie) (His name is Felix) (But he does! I told him twice about it) (Then I asked my date if I could take out my phone) (I don't normally pull phones out on dates, but I had to show him Charlie) (I showed him imgur.com/Tyyqs.jpg ) (He agreed with the similarity) (At that point I also decided to write a review as Always Sunny) (We will now return to your regularly scheduled programming) Charlie: So guys, what are you having? Mac: Charlie? Is that you? Charlie: No, I'm Felix your waiter Mac: No, that is you! What's in this moonshine? Charlie: I haven't even brought you your drinks yet Mac: Awkward............ Note 1: I really wish I could have been Dennis but then I'd be going on a date with my sister and that's illegal in IL and 32 other states Note 2: The food at the North Korean restaurant across the street was better ... compared to other Italian in the city, nothing really stood out as great. We shared the chicken and some fish and it was just plain. Charl..err Felix was nice enough to separate it for us so most of the stars are from his good service. Wine list looked long but a little pricey.
(3)Sarah G.
WOW, this place really knocked my socks off! Every single thing that came to the table was delicious. The bruschette con proscuitto for an appetizer was delish, and the rigattoni alla sicilliana was spicy creamy and amazing. Don't skip dessert either, the banana chocolate chip gelato and flourless chocolate lava cake was exceptional. I can't wait to go back to this place, its my new favorite Italian spot in the city.
(5)Yousef B.
Loved the place! Staff very nice, service was great, and food was delicious! I will be back there again to try a different entree..ask for the polla Limon, it's not on the menu but its delicious..
(5)Emily W.
Cute Italian joint just a stones throw from my bro's house. Had a great family bday dinner here. Our appetizers (roasted corn on the cob, carpaccio & burrata) were fantastic. Our pastas were great and huge portions too! The only negative was our hostess...she seemed a little rough around the edges - almost out of it. The bussers were on but almost too much, they tried to clear our plates while we were still using them.
(4)Betsy R.
Last night, we had reservations to go to a...different place. The reservations fell through, and boy am I glad they did! We called Mia Francesca, sure they would be booked, but they were so accommodating and fit us in at the exact time we wanted. Proving again that this place never disappoints! Every time we come here, we leave happy. I haven't come across a less than stellar thing on the menu, the staff is great, and the price is right! With four of us last night, we had two appetizers (calamari-some of the best I've ever had, and a pizza) and two salads (fresh crunchy peapod salad and the Francesca one), and then split two pastas. It was perfect and delicious. Then came the torta lava. I am a chocolate fiend, and this is one of the best chocolate desserts. Ever. Melts in your mouth. We couldn't get over it, so we just shut up and devoured it. And-with all that food and two drinks, the total bill was a little over $100! For four people! And amazing food! What's not to love?
(5)Rilindo F.
This is where I lost my alcohol virginity. Oh, sure there was this one time when I drank a small Kalua 10 years ago and that one time when I was 12 when I drank from bowl that was spiked and ended up sleepy for the rest of the night; however, it wasn't really any choice in either matter, so they don't really count. :) Anyway. . .it was fitting that I took this step while partaking of my favorite cuisine - and at fairly well-regarded establishment (yelp-wise). The front of the house was quite loud and noisy, thanks to the Sunday evening pre-Valentine crowd. Fortunately, I was directed towards the back (apparently there is another dining room there), where I sat at the bar, looked at the menu. It was at that moment, that I decided to order wine. I ordered the red wine - Sanguinity "Nessun Dorma". Up to that point, I thought it'll taste sweet, like grape juice. Nope. Whoa. What can I say? When you are about 36 years and drinking wine for the first time in your entire life, its hard to find a frame of reference for the experience. I will say that at first, I wasn't really liking it. Yet, as I finished the glass and ordered the excellent Pollo Arrosto alla Romana, I feel a rather pleasant feeling come over me, even a bit relaxed. I now could see why people would drink wine or alcohol in general.* I could also see how people would get into trouble. So I stopped at just 1 glass. Just one. :) As for the restaurant, I generally enjoyed the place. If I ever back in the general area (and I will in a few months), I probably going back - preferably with somebody else and most likely in the back, where it is more quiet. A solid recommend here. * I wonder. . . nah, I won't go there. :D
(4)D T.
I love this place. It's consistently excellent food and great service. I love how the menu is always changing, and the basic ingredients they cook with. ( You might leave a little garlicky, but I'm married so that's fine with me.) The atmosphere is VERY hustling and bustling. It's always noisy and packed, so I suggest a reservation. I love everything I have had here...pasta, fish and roast chicken. All of the apps are always delicious as well!! It would be 5 stars if they had a drink list and better wine by the glass....
(4)Layne S.
Food was ok. Place was overstuffed - too many people. Wait staff was excellent. No need to go back with so many other good choices in Chicago.
(3)Mel G.
So I made it back (with the help of the rather accommodating management response to my initial experience). I must say, the food is pretty darn good. Went with the prosciutto app plate and the special salad (beets, orange, red onion, pesto), which I split with the SO. The salad was pretty awesome, maybe a touch too much olive oil, but the roasted beets were done right and the mint/orange combo was a nice compliment. The prosciutto was good per my SO, I'm not the biggest fan generally, so I don't feel qualified to judge. I went for the mussels and pasta. There was a lot of mussels in my dish, which rocked. I like when restaurants don't skimp on seafood. I thought the spicy marinara was tasty (though "spicy" perhaps not). But the flavor balanced nicely with the mussels. SO got the sausage ravioli, also tasty, though he thought the pasta was a bit doughy. Both felt like our sauces weren't incorporated into the pasta as well as they could've been. Tasted like the sauce and pasta was cooked separately and then just mixed together last minute. I think that's the primary reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars. Received two complimentary desserts. The flourless chocolate lava cake and an apple turnover/bun/pastry (?), or sorts. I'm not a big dessert eater unless it's ice cream, so I was neither blown away nor underwhelmed. My SO more or less ate both. There was a nice taste of cinnamon to the apply one. And fresh fruit with the chocolate cake (which is mostly what I ate). Our server, (I believe it was Tom), was fantastic. Friendly, but not the interrupting/annoying type. I still think this place crowds in way too many tables. Fortunately, we were next to a window, but I don't think I would go back during Friday dinner with all the noise. Unfortunately instead of making me feel trendy and cool, it makes me feel anti-social and grouchy. I would however order it for take out or go back during the week. Much better.
(4)Kevin O.
A bit noisy, music too loud and it is very packed which can be a good or bad thing. The food was very good but it is not your "typical" Italian food place so if you are expecting "meat lasagna" go somewhere else. I will say that I loved the food and the service was very good but the cramped seating (as noted by another reviewer) and the noise level made it for a rather unpleasant full dining experience. It does not help that the bar is right in the middle of the dining room. Because it is near Wrigley I would suggest avoiding it near a cubs game. People come in dressed shabby and usually drunk. If the restaurant was in a quieter location and was not so uncomfortable I would have given it 4 stars as I did like the food.
(3)David P.
Always consistent, and always fun. It's crowded, it's loud, and there's a ton of energy. And that's exactly what I expect from a neighborhood popular restaurant--if the food wasn't great, it would be empty and quiet. The food is always fantastic, and it changes constantly. Whether it's a salad, pasta, or a main course you won't leave hungry and you won't be disappointed. My other favorite part is feeling like your part of multiple conversations along the way. Cozy up to the neighboring table and you'll find something interesting to chat about.
(4)Sonia C.
Good food, good wine, good value, and GREAT place for groups! I came with 10 other people and we were seated at a nice long table upstairs. We started with the quattro stagioni pizza which had proscuitto, artichoke, mushroom, olive, & egg. It had a crispy crust, lots of savory thinly sliced proscuitto - and the raw egg that cooked on top of the hot pizza just made it awesome. For my main course, I ordered the salmon fresca which came with lots of chopped asparagus, avocado, and tomatoes. Unfortunately, I forgot to tell them to not include the avocado and was not expecting it to be diced in everywhere. Despite this, I managed to enjoy my dish as it was fresh and light-tasting. Of the pasta dishes, I found the gnocchi to be really good - great texture and perfect chewiness. Portions are huge and no one was able to finish any of the pasta dishes. Despite this, a few of us found room for dessert. My friend and I decided to split 2 scoops of gelato and found both the white coffee and the pistachio really delicious. The chocolate lava cake and the banana cake were both too sweet and dense for my taste, but this sentiment's probably compounded because I was so stuffed from my main course. We paid about $45pp including tax, tip, and 3 bottles of wine. Would definitely come here again!
(5)Bri A.
I came here for my boyfriend's company party. Who can turn down a free dinner at a nice place? :P We had the upstairs area to ourselves and it wasn't too crowded. The appetizers (calamari, bruschetta with goat cheese, pizza, I forget what else) were delicious and the drinks were strong. I ordered a semi-complicated drink which the bartender remembered. He went around asking people if they would like another drink too. Thats what I call excellent service! For dinner, we had rigatoni in marinara with sausage, rigatoni in an creamy sauce with squash and mushrooms, some kind of chicken and potatoes, tilapia with mushrooms and that is it I think. I had one too many drinks at that point but I do remember the food being amazing! We had chianti and pino grigio as well. My glass was never empty since the waiters filled it often. For dessert we had giant profiteroles which is my favorite dessert ever. The fact that they were giant made my night. We were able to take leftovers of the dinner too. You can guess what I had for lunch the next day!
(5)Brice B.
Staying in a high rise downtown tends to distort your understanding of a city. Sure, the Magnificent Mile is awesome, but if that's all you get, you're not really getting Chicago. I'm glad I grew up in nearby Indiana, and I think my dinner companions were, too. It's hard to impress two people as well traveled as my conference buddies, but I think Mia Francesca did the trick. The menu was so solid that we decided to share. We had a pizza, pasta with mussels, and chicken. Every dish was great, and the bottle of sangiovese we got was a good one. The atmosphere and the service were money, and we got out for around $100. Not bad at all. I would definitely put this in your rotation if you've never been before. It's definitely worth it.
(5)Kaitlin S.
This place is a great Chicago staple. Entree prices are very reasonable. Nice atmosphere and great wine.
(5)tina m.
I'm sorry but this place is nothing to jump up and down over. My wonderful husband took me here for Valentines Day (shout out). We were told to go next door and up the stairs to their other dinner/bar seating area. For starters, i'm giving it at least 2 stars because our server was really great. He was super attentive and was great at recommending all kinds of things to try on the menu. But that is where it ends. We had the lobster risotto; meh. Super fishy taste. My hubby loved his pasta. I had some kind of fish, it was unique and I can't remember the name of it, but again; meh. Maybe I should have just gotten the pasta, but our server recommended the fish so I figured I'd try it. Nope, never again. Now the creme brulee at the end? Forget about it...DELISH! But that was about it.
(2)J O.
We have eaten here a couple of times, but won't be going back. The maitre d' was exceptionally rude and the food simply not enough to make up for being treated poorly. I would encourage the owners to think service-service-service. We saw him refuse to sit a much older couple when their party was incomplete. Ok, that's their policy, but when the husband asked for a chair for his wife, that was also refused. This was at 6:30 on a Wednesday, the place was easily half empty. He then sat our party next to the bus station--again, the place is empty. He very grudgingly and with much eye-rolling moved us, but the night was spoiled. Our waiter was fine, but there are too many other places of similar quality and price to go back here.
(2)Matt O.
Quite possibly the best Italian food in Chicago. Reasonalble prices, friendly staff and tasty original dishes. No chicken parm served with french fries like some other fake Italian restaurants. In fact they don't even serve chicken parm, they come up with more original dishes that will blow you away and have you coming back for more..even if it means waiting an hour for a table! It's so worth it. Try to make reservations, because they do get busy. Without reservations you will wait so if you show up without reservations and don't have the patience to wait for your table, go down the street and settle for mediocrity at Leona's or Chicago Pizza. You can surly be seated right away at those lovely establishments.
(5)Shannon H.
This was REALLY good. I wish there were a few more vegetarian options, but the ones they had were really good! The dessert was phenomenal, I highly recommend the lava cake. Our waiter was awesome and clearly loved his job (or the bartender) because he kept dancing at the bar. Very fun vibe.
(4)Rohit A.
food so so service evil
(2)Joanna R.
My food was great, it was a chicken with prosciutto and a pasta with a garlic sause. My girlfriend's pasta dumplings in pesto was a bit overcooked and needed more flavor. I was expecting a more romantic ambiance from the reviews, but it was really loud and not romantic at all. The waiter was very attentive which was good and gave us a complimentary desert and liquor drink for my girlfriend's birthday which was very nice.
(4)Pandora P.
Yes, I know sometimes you don't want to wait for a table but... seriously, you want to wait for a table at this place the food is great! Atmosphere in the garden, coach house or upstairs is wonderful - the main dining room is loud and cramped though. I will put up with anything for the asparagus and blue cheese salad which is a staple on their menu! Everything I have tried is excellent. Mia Francesca is my birthday dinner choice every year! (Occasionally, Mia Francesca offers gift certificates via The Loop WLUP radio station "half-price deals", check their website before you go or better yet, sign up for their email updates.)
(4)Annie T.
I'm one of those creepy celebrity stalker people. It's time I fess up. Hearing that Mia Francesca was Vince Vaughan's all-time favorite Chicago restaurant intrigued me to take on the experience myself. The best Italian in Chicago-- hands down! We went to Mia Francesca to celebrate my friend's birthday and dined like kings. Everything contributed to our flawless dining experience-- the service, our meals from appetizer to dessert, atmosphere and restaurant decor. We started with Bruschette Alla Romana and Bruschette Tre Formaggi. The mozzarella was so fresh. I felt like I had just ordered from my favorite tabbachi in Paderno del Grappa. The entree portions were generous-- we passed our dishes around the table to share. The sauces are flavorful and creamy but not too heavy. The spicy sausage transformed my dish from good to incredible. The fish (tilapia and salmon) were delectable. The menu changes DAILY at Mia Francesca so you can dine here frequently and never experience monotony! Now as for the grand finale... **drum roll** DESSERT!!!! We ordered the majority of the menu and our favorites came down to the Banana Bread Pudding and Tiramisu. We were left in a state of euphoria and stuffed to the brim!
(5)Kelli B.
This place NEVER disappoints. It's one of our "go to" places when we don't want to try somewhere new. So we "went to" Mia Francesca for Valentine's Day. Yeah, we should know better than to go out for Valentine's Day, it's always a mad house. However, we were able to get reservations and only waited a short time upon entering. They had many delicious "Valentine's Day Specials" which we took advantage of, one being white chocolate ice cream...Yuuuuummm!! Despite how busy they were the service was excellent as always. Mia Francesca is most definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Until next time....
(5)Scott B.
Great food at very reasonable prices. Seasonal menu changes but there is always something amazing for everyone. The sauces are perfect and the meats cooked well. Try the bruchetta of the day as they always have some amazing flavors they put together. The dining room gets loud but fun and the patio is perfect when the weather is nice.
(4)Jacqueline K.
Pretty decent. Good caprese salad, great (and hot) bread. Vegetarian pasta options were limited but decent. Overall, the food was acceptable - though a little heavy on the garlic. Great outdoor patio. Service was good - almost too good - the check was placed in front of me before I even took a sip of my coffee, if you know what I mean. If you happen to be in the area and are looking for Italian food, I would recommend this. Probably not worth a special trip.
(3)Mike B.
Took my parents here when they were in town and wanted to visit a restaurant in the neighborhood. Service was excellent, the server made many great recommendations on the menu and wine list. Not to mention that the menu is apparently always changed and kept fresh by the chef. I will go back.
(4)Todd P.
Excellent service, server gave four great suggestions, I'll absolutely return. Appetizer-Bruschette, very good, tons of cheese on it, I've never had mozzarella that was so light and flavorful. Entre 1-Pollo Arrosto, good, juicy and flavorful whole chicken, more than enough food, took home leftovers and had them last night, which prompted me to write this review. Entre2-Penne with Italian sausage, absolutely excellent, served in what I can only describe as a giant bucket, easily two whole meals out of this dish, great as a leftover as well. Plenty of creamy sauce, lots of sausage, and more than enough cheese. Dessert-Tiramisu, the photo is completely accurate, it looked just like the photo and tasted excellent. I'm not a dessert person, but this was very good and I would order it again. Cons-Too crowded, I was getting bumped all night, they tried to put 50 tables in a space for 30. Table was too small for two people, a bottle of wine, appetizer, and dinner plates. A little pricey but not terrible, good for a "one nice night out a week" type of couple. Overall a good experience, I'll go back. Great for kids, the little girl at the table beside us had a sweet mural going on the paper table cloth.
(4)Lynn O.
Meh, I've experienced better. I guess it depends on what you're looking for, the atmosphere, drinks and service was great. But the food fell flat, like really flat. I ordered linguine with shrimp, while I appreciated the quality of the jumbo shrimp, the entree was relatively bland. The mussels we had as an app weren't bad, nothing about the food was great and when I'm going for Italian..it's all about the food.
(2)Fumi I.
Great for couples or a night with a group of Friends.
(4)Jackie R.
Great Italian spot in Wrigley! You really cant go wrong here, especially if you have a group of diverse or picky eaters. The one thing I always hear is "Everyone at my table loved their food!" Now thats a rare find. The service is top-notch too! But besides pleasing the picky eaters, it can please the 'snobbiest' of food critics as well. The prices are good too, especially for the wine...which, for me, always seems to skyrocket our bill (so maybe im a bit of a lush =) I LOVE the creamy tomato vodka sauce here. Deeeeelish!
(5)Chris H.
Went here again this past Saturday, with a friend. Still like this place. Glad we went.
(4)Christa R.
Great date place, great place for a nice dinner with friends. The prices were very reasonable. The service was fantastic. The server was very helpful with wine selection and the food was very authentic italian.
(4)Amy S.
Had a great meal here! I wish I could remember the name of everything that I ate. My friend and I split an appetizer with fresh basil and tomatoes, and a pasta dish with fresh vegetables. Splitting was a good idea because the portions are huge. I also had the cesar salad, which was just okay. The cabernat sauvignon (by the glass) was one of the better that I have tasted. Our waiter was very nice and attentive. The atmosphere was a little loud, but it speaks volumes about the food when it was packed on a Monday night.
(4)Jeff D.
We used the word, "Wow," quite often last night during dinner at Mia Francesca - as in, "Wow, this wine is awesome!" and "Wow this prociutto is fantastic!" and "Oh my God, this linguine is so good. I could just eat the noodles alone!" This place has some of the best tasting pasta I've had in Chicago. I've always been a big fan of Sappori Trattoria, which is great in its own right, but I have to give the edge to Mia Francesca on just how fresh everything tasted from the mozzarella to the tomatoes in the linguine! We also had a GREAT red wine there - Ajello. It's about $45 for the bottle meaning it's probably about $20 or so if you were to find it at Binny's. It was an excellent wine with the Linguine dishes and the Rigatoni dishes we had! The only knock is that our server took their time to first get to our table to greet us and offer an appetizer and/or drink, but after then the service was friendly and efficient. If you're looking for great food at a good price and good atmosphere without being too stuffy and pretentious, this is a GREAT place to eat!
(5)E D.
Food is ok. The mussels are great, but the pasta dishes are pretty boring. You wont get a terrible meal, but you wont be that excited either way. The service is average, and the atmosphere is obnoxious. They just try to cram as many people as possible into the uncomfortable tables. I would only go here on a weeknight.
(2)O O.
I've been here many times and it's one of my favorite italian restaurants because you don't have to leave here feeling stuffed, but usually do because you can't help it. Every experience has been pretty great, except for one time when I made reservations for a 8:30 for a party of eight, and we didn't get seated till around 9:30. It was really frustrating because they kept telling us that it was because one table was just sitting. Well, there's got to be a plan B if a table doesn't get up. They didn't seem really sympathetic, but when we did get seated, they had complimentry appetizers already ordered for the table (calamari and bruschetta..my faves). They majorly redeemed themselves since I had little expectations that they even felt bad and because I was with my parents from out of town. I usually order everything but the entree. I love love love the calamari (probably my favorite in the city), the mia francesca salad, and the chocolate flourless cake. I've tried about five entrees and they've all been good. The wine list is small, but I've always liked my drinks. The only thing that keeps me from coming here more is that it's always crowded and there's no place to really sit and chill while you wait for your table since the bar is always crowded too(sometimes you can get a seat at the upstairs bar).
(4)DONNA M.
I have never had a bad meal, but several of the waiter's have told me the pizza is not their best dish..........even the scallops taste good! I lived in Miami, FL and S.F., CA - I know good fish! My favorite date place ;) good vegetarian selection and meat....
(5)Carter G.
The food is pretty good, I'll have to admit, but the servers are mediocre and inattentive. Double check your bill, as ours had errors. It's always crowded, and that means it's always loud. And I don't mean loud as in there's an exciting buzz in the air. On a weekend night, I'm talking shouting-across-the-table-like-you're-in-a-Âhurricane loud. So the best advice if you really want to eat Mia Francesca's food is really just to get your food to go.
(2)MaryAnne M.
I was brought here for a pre-birthday dinner on a Tuesday night. I hadn't been in a while and now wish I hadn't stayed away for so long. They change the menu daily which is great for variety, but not if you fall in love with a dish. You may have to put an APB out on it as you may never see it again. On the past dates I've been on here I always thought it was too loud, but seeing as it was 2 days before Xmas it was mostly families having dinner. I had the penne alla paesana - sautéed Italian sausage with mushrooms and peas in a tomato cream sauce. Again, sure I'll never see it again. My date had the gnocchi with a light tomato basil sauce, with melted mozzarella olive oil & parmesan. The wine by the glass list seems a bit skimpy, so we opted for a bottle. But just because the by the glass list was skimpy.....
(4)Allison B.
One of my favorite italian places in the city. Good service. Definitely need a reservation if you're going on a weekend. Very loud, but fun atmosphere. They change their menu pretty regularly which is a plus. The white fish and risotto are both delicious.
(4)Irena A.
I have been to this place a few times.. The last time I went with a friend.. I had the Risotto with vegetables from the appetizer selection. It was fresh but not very well cooked. One would think that al dente would be the most common way of cooking pasta! Anyhow, my friend had pasta also.. same thing not very well cooked!! I will go back here cause it has fresh food.. just not impressed from this last time
(3)Christine N.
I have been going to Mia Francesca for years it used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Always a fresh new menu, and wonderful atmosphere. However, I went for my birthday last night and was greatly disappointed. The food was not that fresh, and the dishes weren't prepared very well. One of my friend's dishes was very cold and overcooked. The service was pretty good, our waiter was very nice. I guess I was just really looking forward to an amazing meal. I don't know if they switched chefs or if they are lowering the quality of ingredients because of the economy, but something was totally off. Hopefully it is better next time!
(3)Matt R.
Wonderful atmosphere and delicious fare are hallmarks of this wonderful hole in the wall-esque restaurant in Lakeview. The specials are delicious and the waitstaff very knowledgeable. Just make sure to plan ahead during busy hours, as seating can be limited.
(5)Tim W.
I'm not quite sure why this place has a reputation as such great italian food. The wait was rough, and the bar was tight to squeeze into to wait. The most "meh" part, however, is the food. Standardly priced, and you get a fair portion, but it was the most bland, 'cookie-cutter' italian I have ever eaten. The pasta sauces had no real zing, and the meats and cheeses included were mediocre at best. WAAAAAAAAAAY better italian to be found in this town, folks (cough cough Sapori!)
(2)Susan L.
People are lemmings. If we stop going here, so will everyone else, so it won't be so insane and we can start going back. It's a vicious cycle, but someone's gotta start it. The wait is too ridic, the crowded tables are too ridic, and I can't handle it anymore.
(3)Michael G.
I have been a long time fan of Mia and have now created this yelp account just to let people know exactly how horrible the management is at this place. I have been going to Mia regularly for almost 3 years now and will NEVER go back ever again. This really hurts since I enjoy the food there. I had called in and was told there was "no wait". I showed up 20-30 minutes later and was told the wait was "over an hour". I then asked to be put on the waiting list and was told I was the only one on the list. I tried to figure out who I talked to on the phone and the two women at the front made me feel like I was some sort of idiot....and had never been there before. Quite the opposite. I then waited for a bit and there were 2 open tables up front (we were a party of two). The two tables sat empty for about 15 minutes before I walked up and asked what was going on. I was told it would be another 45 minutes still. I honestly felt like I was at a club and some jerkoff door guy was telling me I couldn't get in. I have always loved the food here but customers should not be treated like this under any circumstance. I will NEVER go back to this god awful place and If this yelp causes even one person to not go to this place It will have been worthwhile. DO NOT SUPPORT PLACES LIKE THIS.
(1)Cathy H.
I got the veal medallions, and true to Yelp reviewers' comments, it was fantastic. The pasta portions were huge and reasonably-priced, so don't be scared away by the multiple dollar signs! I actually really enjoyed the atmosphere--reminds me of a cute little place I used to go in college--and even though I went on a Saturday night at dinnertime, it really wasn't too loud to have a regular-volume conversation. Another plus: I made a reservation two hours in advance on a weekend night, and had no problem getting seated. Yay!
(4)Eleanor S.
Mia Francesca serves delicious food, the carpaccio appetizer, the Francesca salad and the daily menu are fantastic. I mean 20 years fantastic. Service on the first floor is outstanding. But don't let them put on the second floor unless you willing to wait. I was unaware and had to sit with my salad for 50 minutes, I looked at my phone until the gentleman brought my entree from downstairs. I saw my waitress twice in an hour and a half. Lots of wait people standing around but none could give us butter for the bread. You know it is pretty bad when the manager feels sorry for you. The bread was great but the circus not so much.
(2)Alison R.
WONDERFUL date place. Excellent food. Great ambiance. Always busy = a good sign for Chicago restaurants. Highly recommended, but make reservations if you have more than 4 people.
(5)Eliot J.
i've only been here once so i don't know if i can give it the "as good as it gets" fifth star. but, if it's as good as it was last night the next couple times i go (and i definitely plan on going back at least a couple more times), then i'll update it with the 5th star. of the top of my head i am unable to think of a better italian restaurant i've been to in chicago. the staff is very friendly. the food that i had was flawless (gnocchi di ricotta). the menu also changes daily with a plethora of option - much of which is vegetarian. the space is clean and comfortable. i think the wine selection was slightly high in price - if even only applicable to the house chianti at $36/bottle. anyway... very delicious. def going back.
(4)Blake W.
I'm only giving it two Stars because the server made a great wine recommendation from the Valpolicella region of Italy. We went at 10:30 on New Years Eve not expecting much since we would be the last seating. To start we ordered Mussels and a Zucchini Saffron risotto. The Mussels we're the freshest and the red sauce they were in wasn't even worth dipping bread in for the extra sauce (usually my favorite part of mussel dishes) and the Risotto bland. We did share a Caprese Salad which was decent considering the season, It's actually had a decent profile but could have used some olive oil. For Dinner I had the Portabella/Scallop entree. The scallops that happened to land on my plate look much smaller than what I had scene go by before... I wonder if that had something to do with us being there at the end of the night and that's all they had. Anyways the Scallops were over cooked and the general dish was boring with no thought. My friend had the grouper that was drench in an over powering tarragon butter. My girlfriend's pasta was amazingly flavorless -- some mushroom pasta debacle. Dessert where decent, we had the Tiramisu and their special of the night. Both which were polished off. I'm not sure though were it was because they were that good or just in comparison they rocked and we were hungry from not eating our other food..... OK I admit I ate all of mine but no one else did. I'm just a hungry guy and those scallops were tiny ;). I've got no desire to ever go back, there are way too many other restaurants in this city with this style, price range and much better food. Buyer beware I believed the hype and was extremely disappointed.
(2)K T.
#2 of the now Francesca mini-empire is still great, but I'm only giving it 3 stars. Why? Because just 5 minutes north is the same thing with no wait at Francesca's at Bryn Mawr. Food is still great (starting with killer bread), martinis are nice and fat and still less than $10, and they still make one of the best red sauces in the city. However, the wait. Went in on a Wednesday, and had a 30 minute wait. Some restaurants are worth it, but the way I figure, why not try to reclaim that 30 minutes of my life by hiking up north a bit? That way, more time for critical activities, such as catching up on my DVR's taped shows. Anyway, Francesca's is still great (loved the pumpkin ravioli), just save some time and head north unless you have a reservation.
(3)Bina D.
Could not have asked for a better place just a few blocks from my place. Great Italian food (which is very helpful for me as i'm a veggie) and with the rotating menu,you never get tired of it. Wonderful specials and very personable and knowledgeable servers.
(4)Jacquelyn K.
Made reservations for a big celebration and along with at least 20 others we had to wait for our table for at least an hour. We left after the first "30 minute" quote turned into " probably another "30 minutes" and when showed frustration the teenage host told me that he can't control how long it takes people to eat and that if I didn't like it I could leave. this was after another host told me they over booked the night. So I know I will never go to any of the Francesca restaurants and I know I'm not missing anything. Topogigio, Il Mulino and La Scarola are the best Italian in the city. No need for the unprofessional Francesca's chain.
(1)Charles L.
Really, really good food. Five star restaurant if you can get a table in the back room; the front area is a little cramped for my tastes. I haven't made it upstairs yet, but I've heard that's a nicer area to sit as well. Of my two trips, I recall that quattro formaggi with the most fondness - but none of the groups I was with complained about any of their dishes, to be sure!
(4)fab f.
Before writing this review, I read many of the one here under and I wonder if I went to the same place. I check the address again and it is. I am really disappointed from my experience yesterday night. I'm not a fan of the small menu of this place (I already had a bad experience at the Bryn Mawr one:. 6 pastas and 6 main courses, most of them are very similar, so or you like it or you like it). The best part are probably the appetizers. We had a late reservation and we were put in the worse possible table, between the kitchen door and the back door that was constantly opened, with freezing air coming in, but this is not the real problem. We were rushed by our waiter that probably had better things to do, since he kicked out a 4 people table and a 2 people table that came after us and left before us (we left just after 11, not that late). My real disappointment was my "pesce alla livornese", that is a delicious recipe, simple but tasty with olive oil, crushed tomatoes, capers, garlic, olives, olive oil and something else. It was a long time I didn't have this dish, so I ordered it, thinking that since they have such a small menu, they are pretty good at that. They brought me a tilapia with a lot of onions on top and a mild sauce similar to a vodka sauce all around. I really can't believe it. I was hungry and I was just enjoying the nice company of friends that I didn't see for the whole winter, so I let go. They were ok (not happy) with their food, so I didn't care much. The dessert was pushed quickly and I hate when the check is dropped on the table while I'm still sipping my espresso or still having the dessert. I'll probably get back since it's an easy place to go and many of the people I know think they have good Italian food, but I won't make it a suggestion.
(1)Joscelyn M.
Great, standard Italian fare and very nice place to go with a group. I've had just about everything on the menu (I only have friends who are willing to share with me), and have never been unhappy.
(4)Colleen S.
Pretty good Italian food but it's not amazing. The staff is really friendly and attentive for being such a busy and crowded place. If you don't like sitting close to the table next to you, then this place might not be for you; it is very cozy seating. I had no idea this place had an outdoor area and back bar. Very cozy as well but it seems like ti would be very romantic. The music was the only odd thing. I expect traditional Italian music to be played here, not "The Humpty Dance." (no, I'm not kidding)
(4)Jay A.
Little crowded in late evening but it will give you a "party environment" Food is tasty and yummy......but I prefer Tiramisu at Buca.
(4)Sarah E.
Honestly: five stars for the food (quality + quantity), but only three stars for the service. We arrived at 8 on a Monday night, anticipating that Mia Francesca would be busy, but we were promptly seated at a table toward the back and pleasantly far away from the cold of the front door. However, after being served with bread and water, we waited for 15 minutes before our waitress noticed that she had never seen before, and came over with a start. She was very apologetic, which was nice, but apparently she had never read Bruce Bruschel's piece in the NYTimes on 100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do because she proceeded to touch each of us, twice, as though that was a normal part of a restaurant apology. Maybe I'm too mid-western, but it seemed weird. When it came time to order a wine, we said that we were thinking about one, but curious about two others that we didn't know anything about. Our waitress admitted she didn't know anything about either of the wines, so she went to ask the bartender for his recommendation. She came back with knowledge about the tannic aspect of the wine, per our request, but nothing else (fruity? berry? smoky? throw me a bone here!). Whatever, we chose a wine that was fine, and our food came out within minutes of us placing our order (perhaps she'd bumped us to the front of the line?). But then, as though the entire wait debacle had never occurred, we waited for another ten minutes with an empty dessert plate and near-empty glasses of wine, until our waitress finished a lengthy conversation with other staffers and finally came to bring us our check. Would I go again? Sure. I had the leftovers from my giant portion of rigatoni for lunch the next day. But I won't go if I'm in a rush or trying to show someone Chicago's sophisticated side!
(4)jamie k.
My new husband and I made the best decision EVER when we decided to take our immediate family to Mia's after our wedding ceremony. It definitely helped that it was the perfect weather day...we were able to sit on the back patio eat our appetizers and sip our wine in the sun before retreating into the precious little private coach house for the rest of our meal. I would suggest this to everyone!!! If you have a small party of 25 or less that you want to take out for an amazing family style dinner - this is the place to go. Guaranteed my family will be raving about this for years to come. The coach house has a little bar in it also. The staff was impeccable - They were at your service at every moment. The food is what really blew us all away though... each course that came out was seriously perfect... and because it's family style, you don't have to stuff yourself silly (well, you could).. but it's really nice to sample all the food, and then at the end you still have room for tirimisu (which is light and fluffy) I could go on and on....but you get the point. A+
(5)Sarah P.
Cute little place - love the handwritten menu that changes frequently. Had gnocchi (of course) with a bottle of Zinfandel. Compared to SF, the prices were awesome, but I figure I'll be in sticker shock for a while after leaving that city. Loved that the sauces they used are not too heavy and very flavorful. Great service too. Will come back when I move to the area!
(4)Chrissy F.
Ooooooooooooo great place. Off the Belmont stop and down the street (Clark), is Mia Francesca. Very classy, very expensive. Ok fine, SLIGHTLY expensive. It's one of those weird places where it's classy, but dressing up is optional. I've never been upstairs, but the downstairs is lit...romantically, for lack of a better word. Low lights, etc. My only gripe about this place is how small it is. Whenever I'd go there, I'd have to scooch myself all the way in so that both customers and staff could get by. Needless to say, the food is excellent. It's ALWAYS crowded...ALWAYS. Like the Signature Room, we'd have reservations, but we'd still have to wait. Bias: the family of my best friend in college knows the owner. Definitely a place in Chicago to go to, but also like SR, not often (unless your wallet can handle it)...
(4)M K.
I really enjoy the food at this place, but what's with the music??? Our food was delicious - flavorful, plentiful (without being gluttonous), and moderately priced. (I had risotto appetizer, tilapia entree, and creme brulee dessert). But it was soooo noisy, and the chatter was compounded by loud and inappropriate music. Justin Timberlake in an Italian restaurant at 7pm? I had to yell across the table to be heard. And pop music doesn't make for a relaxing meal.
(3)Christy L.
After reading about it in Timeout and then realizing, HELLO, I live around the corner from it, I finally went with a date to Mia Francesca. Our server was friendly and funny, but not overbearing. He had good answers to our questions. I also love the whole concept of changing the menu around the freshest ingredients... makes sense! Our salads were amazing, so was the pasta we had, and we even ate dessert (as well as had a delicious bottle of Chianti). I was impressed with the food, the service, and the friendliness of the place. It is not a ROMANTIC date spot though... definitely loud and alot of fun, so just know that it's not an Italian place like that.
(5)Suraj S.
Amazing food. Amazing service. I had the spinach ravioli and it was nice and creamy. Menu changes daily, but I'm sure everything is great. There is a very nice patio and house thing in the back
(5)Nina W.
This place probably doesn't need another good review, but I feel like I found a new favorite place in Chicago, and just want to share my enthusiasm. I am not even a big fan of Italian cuisine, but this restaurant was just spectacular. From the moment I walked in, the delicious smell drove me crazy. It was a Saturday night, and they were packed, and we didn't have a reservation, but they were very graceful about finding us a table and seating us in a timely manner. Fried calamari that we got as an appetizer were a little bland, but the entrees more than compensated for it. My friend ordered a pizza, and it was great: very thin crust, flavorful mozzarella, just what I remember from my trip to Naples. I ordered pasta with mushrooms for $14 (sorry I don't remember the Italian name), and it was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. It was very flavorful, not too oily, simply perfect. My usual concern about pasta dishes is that they are very filling, but not very memorable, but this was not at all the case at Mia Francesca. Will definitely be back!
(5)Francine P.
This was great! Couldn't ask for anything more. The entrees were creative and tasted wonderful. The service was quick and tentative. The meat and fish were cooked spot on. I highly recommend this to any visitors or locals. It isn't your usual Italian restaurant with only marinara to offer. Even their house red wine was lovely.
(5)Natasha M.
I love this place. The first time my boyfriend and I passed by, it was completely packed. It was both romantic and suitable for kids and families. The seating area was crowded but I don't mind as the restaurant was so lively and the service was good. There was a path to a patio in the back. It was an outdoor dining space resembling a Venetian patio surrounded by four walls, with a stairs to the house and a fountain in the middle. The food was amazing depending on what you order. I ordered Linguini alle Vongole/White Wine Clams Linguine ($16). It was very slippery linguine in light white wine and garlic sauce with a decent amount of clams. The portion was good enough for a dinner and a late night/brunch. My boyfriend ordered half Spring chicken, and it was indeed a disappointment. It was flavorless and kind of dry. I feel sorry for him. Mia Francesca is good at Pasta, not the meat, so try to avoid if you can. People who go there just look so happy in general. The kids are happy and content and the old couples are sweet and enjoy their long-lasting marriages. I personally did have a great time and great food there, so I give it a 4 star.
(4)Nate W.
I expected a lot out of this place given the other Yelp reviews and reviews from friends. However, my girlfriend and I went there for dinner and this place fell short. Atmosphere - We ate upstairs as the downstairs area was packed and a little noisy and hectic for our liking. I don't think it has a cozy/personal feeling to it at all. Service - Mediocre at best. Our waiter didn't take the time to explain anything to us. He was curt with us the whole meal. He even started getting a little mouthy with my girlfriend when she didn't hear/understand something he said. Food - Everythign else can be forgiven about a place if the food can seal the deal. We were not sold on it. I got the roasted chicken and the gf got a pasta dish, both of which we could have made at home. Overall, I think there are cozier places with better service and food then this place. We would have had a better meal had we made one ourselves at home.
(2)Jeremy T.
Mia Francesca is cute neighborhood spot with good food, fairly friendly service, and fun ambiance. The back patio is very romantic and just a great experience overall (have sat out there on previous occasions). The only complaint we had was that the dining room was a bit loud and made conversation difficult at times (although it gave the restaurant an energetic feel).
(4)Carol C.
This restaurant is like every other Francesca's - good food, decent prices, good service. The only difference is that his location is really cramped and loud. If you want a nicer facility, hop on the el and go to the Francesca's on Bryn Mawr Avenue. Same great food, quieter and larger restaurant. However, we still had a great dinner and our Saturday night reservations were honored within five minutes of arriving and there was valet parking.
(4)anne p.
oh my goodness. i wish i could give this place more stars. with a gluten allergy, i never get to eat pasta anymore unless i make it myself (and since i conveniently hate cooking, that never happens). i was so excited to get an enormous bowl of delicious pasta with fresh vegetables placed in front of me! the vegetables tasted like they'd literally been picked from some garden they had growing out back, rinsed, cooked and thrown into my food. ohhh so good. the wine was delish, service was excellent, lovely ambiance - just can't complain. everyone must go!
(5)Bex F.
Any time I've eaten here it's been fantastic. Tables are crammed together, always packed, but never disappoints.
(4)Don B.
We stopped in for lunch on a Sunday and had a great experience here. I ordered the Quattro Stagioni pizza (the one with the egg), which was delicious. The waiter was extremely friendly, and the prices were very reasonable. Highly recommended.
(4)Fern D.
During my visit to Chicago, I had a couple of friends recommend Mia Francesca for Italian food. OMG! Vite dell'Italia! This place cooks up some awesome Italian! Like the reviewer down below, I also had the quattro formaggi ravioli. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, it was so friggin' good. The appetizers we started with were the calamari fritti, the bruschetta and the insalata alla francesca. All were sooo good. The calamari was light and not greasy, the bruschetta had great flavor and the salad kicked ass. We were so full from our meal, that unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert. The place definitely gets packed--it's sort of a small restaurant, but damn is it good! Our server was attentive and gave us some good suggestions for cocktails. The host was very friendly and even stopped by our table to see how we liked our food since he knew I was from out of town. Couldn't complain. This place does Italian right!
(5)Bridget J.
One of Chicago's finest restaurants minus the attitude. Pleasant, efficient staff. Everything was good. Ths is a place you can take a friend or relative visiting from out of town with pride and you know won't be disappointed. I've had some experiences where I took my mom or friend visiting to a 'hot spot' or 'heavily hyped' (Gibson's anyone?) only to be let down or embarrassed. My mom loved Mia Francesca then she loved the picture I showed her afterwards of John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston on a gossip blog coyly \ leaving of Mia Francesca .
(5)Tanya A.
OMG! I love this place, its been my favourite for years, this is another place i try to get back to whenever im in chi town! I never pick anything off the menu, i order my own thing (not much vegetarian stuff on the menu), great place for a get together, but does get kinda loud and sometimes the wait is a bit long! but worth it!
(5)Christopher H.
I don't get the hype. It's okay. Good food, but way over-hyped. I'm not a huge fan of the atmosphere & tables on top of one another either.
(3)Gerard B.
Phenomenal food. The Bolognese is perfect. The one problem was the wine that was paired was not very good. But aside from that, it was delicious and very satisfying.
(4)John D.
so good and so reliable experiences. A little noisy, overcrowded for its own good, but the food merits all the people.
(4)Rochelle W.
This rating has nothing to do with the food as I never got to try it. I (skeptically based on other reviews) made a reservation for 9:00 pm on Saturday night. We arrived at 9:05 pm and on the way in I heard a woman on her way out saying they were running a half hour behind on reservations. I went up to the front and gave my name and the hostess said it would be a couple of minutes. Had I not just heard this other woman, I would have taken that to mean, we will seat you in a couple of minutes. Since I had heard this other woman I asked what she meant by a couple of minutes. She proceeded to tell me, well, we still have to seat some 8:30 tables. So I said it'll be more than a couple of minutes then? We proceeded to stand in the ridiculously crowded "bar area" for about 5-10 minutes. We kept getting pushed by people walking by as there really is no where to stand and then decided to leave. I think it would have been well over half an hour before we would have been seated. I mean how long has this place been in business and they can't figure out how to keep reservations? We went to Socca a couple of doors down, got seated right away, had awesome service and the food was amazing. I will NOT be going back to Mia Francesca. I don't care how good the reviews say the food is. I should not have to wait more than 5-10 minutes if I have a reservation.
(1)Kathleen C.
The best Italian in the city. I love that the menu changes weekly, and the service is always good. I concur that its often better to sit upstairs as its more intimate and less crowded. The only complaint I have is their reservation policy - they seat only the entire party, and if not all are arrived 15 minutes after the reservation time, the reservation is released. This policy is not the problem, but the management should do a better job communicating it to patrons. We had reservations once for a large group, and unbeknownst to us our reservation was "released" while we waited at the bar for our last person to arrive. Overall though, I love the restaurant and will continue to go back, happier now that I know the policy!
(4)Danielle P.
Our carry-out order arrived packaged nicely and piping hot, even after the 10-minute walk home. Each pasta dish we ordered was AMAZING in flavor; even the simple red sauce was incredible. The prices were reasonable, and I'm looking forward to trying a dine-in experience soon, not to mention another carry-out dinner! =)
(4)Amy R.
I went here to carb-load before the Chicago Triathlon last August, and apparently wasn't the only one who chose this place. The waits for this restaurant are notoriously long, but that's why reservations were invented. A long line also usually means the place is worth visiting at least once. While it's not overwhelmingly fantastic Italian food to write home to your Sicilian grandmother about, the meal I had was fantastic. I usually rate Italian restaurants by the bread and olive oil (or lack thereof) that they set at the table, and this place does not disappoint in the least. The menu is always changing, too, which makes it a place to come back again and again.
(4)Bella D.
Enjoyed my time here with dinner and just great chit chatting with old highschool friends..goodness time passes. Great service, food and lovely atmosphere. Don't pass this place up and geez I gotta get back here soon!
(4)Neal P.
It's all probably be said before. But this place is consistently packed no matter the day of the week. The food is always reliable and good. Make sure you make reservations on weekends!!
(5)Kara G.
This is a mainstay in terms of a solid Italian restaurant to recommend to friends and family. It's crowded and loud, but it reminds me of the Italian side of my family that is exactly the same way. The food is absolutely delicious- I have never been disappointed with anything I have ordered here! Service is great as well, so stop in!
(4)Jane D.
Been here twice, food and service are solid, and we always come away with leftovers. A little tight seating-wise, but the food trumps it.
(4)Chayla B.
Love this place! Great date place, although it is pretty cramped. It's nice, though. Great menu, the food is wonderful, weekends are busy. I can't get enough of this place. Four stars instead of five only because it's so cramped...
(4)Nick S.
I am certainly a fan of this place and would come back. The food was fair in price, although we bought the most expensive item on the menu, the Vitello M'Briaco. It was $29, unlike the $26 it said on the menu from the website, but some of the best veal I've ever had. Topped off with a bottle of red wine. The meal was well worth the price and the place wasn't too busy. I still recommend getting a reservation on Open Table if you plan on visiting during the weekend.
(4)AxeMe A.
Always a solid place. It's fun, fresh, and friendly. The wait is about the only thing I don't like about it. You'll notice you're not the only one checking out other people's dishes as they come out! Definitely start with an app. and salad. You'll want to taste as much as possible. Decent wines, too.
(5)Selin D.
I am a big fan of Italian food but Mia Francesca had an American touch to it, understandable and completely no problem. However, they took it a little to far. We first ordered the bruschetta which had way too much cheese we could hardly find the cherry tomatoes! My boyfriend had a chicken dish for his main and enjoyed it. I on the other hand was looking forward to my vegetarian pasta that was disappointing. Although the pasta was cooked to perfect al dente, it was over- seasoned with salt. I had 1-2 bites and I was done. The worst part about this was how our waiter reacted. He came by when I had a bite to ask how everything was. In the middle of a bite I nodded politely. But by the end when he asked again ( after a bus boy had taken my dish away) I told him the truth and he got back to me saying ' but you said it was fine at the beginning.' wow, really? He apologized, sure, but I was left blank asking myself if he really did just say that. That's when I knew my experience was not worth a return no matter how many free lemon cello's.
(1)Aimee C.
Mia Francesca was excellent. I arrived after a long flight, hungry and exhausted, only to be wisked away to a delicious little joint just around the corner.. Where the staff are kind, the portions are enormous and the flavor and experience, classy.. A great date night followed by a great night date. :) Start at Mia Francesca to have a night to remember.
(4)ade m.
OMG. Amazing Italian food from the appetizers to dessert. Come hungry! Lovely white table cloths add an elegance, and service was superb. A fun place for groups, although it is rather loud and hard to hear whomever you're not sitting next to already -- not a good place to take the grandparents for this reason. I recommend splitting entrees.
(5)Robyn F.
i had a pretty good experience here. the service was friendly, food was above average, wine was spectacular, and atmosphere was warm. Linguine con frutti del mare -- I tried this dish -- the portion size was so large that I couldn't even finish it. Mixture of mussels, clams, shrimp, fish. I would recommend this dish. Gnocchi - My friend ordered this and it was fantastic. I'm not a huge gnocchi fan, but it was absolutely delicious and enormous. Pizza -- the pizzas have an egg in the center, adding a little extra flavor and moisture Penne alla paesana - My friend got this and it was pretty average. I think she was disappointed by her choice. Coffee -- Not hot enough Overall, a good experience, and I would definitely come again
(4)Ebru Y.
After spending a good few days looking for a restaurant to celebrate our 3 year anniversary and seeing Mia Francesca had great reviews, I went ahead and made a reservation on opentable. Our anniversary fell on a Saturday this year so when we got there....guess what? It was beyond packed, I think I saw a few people sitting on other people's laps! Of course I had no idea they had this secret back patio with plenty of space and I have to admit it was much more romantic than the front of the restaurant, so it was perfect! They have an open space and a closed space with open doors in the back. We sat in the closed part but because the doors were wide open we really had the best of both worlds. Our server was very attentive and nice enough to bring us a few different red wines for us to taste and choose. Their bruschetta was out-of-this world, and our entrees were very delicious. I had the penne primavera and he had some chicken dish with pasta. They don't have a huge menu which is nice because then it's easier to pick. I have no doubt everything is delicious here. I couldn't have been happier! Mia Francesca is definitely one of my favorite places for Italian at this point.
(5)Julie H.
A long time favorite of mine, Mia Francesca is my go-to restaurant for any occasion. Most recently, I needed a place to eat where I could carbo-load the night before my half-marathon. I typically don't eat much pasta, but when I do, I go for the best. Mia is consistently the best: service, food, and fun!
(5)Diana N.
Like most Italian restaurants, Mia Francesca can accommodate large groups - which was perfect for a mini-reunion dinner for 10 people! The pastas and main dishes were delicious (and HUGE!). I enjoyed the gnocci and a pizza as an appetizer (it had an egg in the middle! +5). The desserts were also tasty, and the wine list was fairly extensive. Good reds. Service was attentive. Call ahead for reservations.
(4)Jason S.
Always a good meal at MF. Had the quatro formaggi ravioli smothered in a thin vodka sauce and shallots. So good! Def get the brownie and vanilla gellato for dessert. This place is always packed so make a reservation.
(4)Megan G.
I think I have been here before. In fact I am sure I have. I remember the inside, but I was probably 16 and more interested in sneaking a cig when my parents weren't looking then actually eating the food. Anyway, I decided to give this place a shot and made a reservation for 12 on a Saturday evening. I was not impressed with the woman who booked the reservations for a few reasons. A) You are a restaurant; I am not trying to book an appointment to meet the Pope. Get over yourself. B) Yes, it's a birthday and yes there will be kids there. That is why I am coming early. Booster seats please, and I will pass on the attitude. And finally C) You seriously want to charge me $2.50 per person to bring in a cake, then you proceed to tell me to call your preferred bakery, Sweet Mandy B's, and spend 35 bones on a cake, bringing the total to a cool $65 to celebrate my mothers 6 and a half decades of life? Ummm, no. Needless to say, going into this I was a little leery. We got there and the place was empty and besides the semi snotty host man at the door, I was extremely impressed with our dining experience. The bread and fresh basil olive oil was great. The bruschetta and calamari apps went down faster than Christmas decorations on January 10th. Everyone was satisfied with his or her entrees. Service was decent, but our waiter maybe could have gotten a bigger shirt because we were all staring at the outline to his nipple rings all night. He was friendly and helpful otherwise. They brought out a tiny little dessert, we sang happy birthday and then went back to my place to enjoy cake and ice cream, minus the $65 charge!
(4)M M.
My favorite restaurant in L Park! We arrive early and ask to eat upstairs. Great food and great service! I always bring guests from out of town here and they are never disappointed. Good wine selection as well.
(5)E A.
This place has excellent Italian food, and their menu changes weekly, which shows that they serve fresh, new creative dishes. I had Tilapia with tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers in a Tarragon butter. They serve you hot Italian bread with a side of cheese. While I dont recommend the Caesar salad, the bruscetta looked great. Also, I dont usually order dessert, but save room for their incredible Tiramisu!!!!
(4)Christine M.
I've never been unimpressed with a Francesca restaurant... The food is always reliable and service excellent. If you are looking for one that is a bit less cramped, though, check out Francesca's on Taylor in Little Italy. But I can never have enough Francesca!
(5)Brandon C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The food is good, the service is good, the cooks are quick so you're not waiting too long. I definitely recommend making a reservation at least one day in advance if you're planning on going Thursday-Saturday. The dining room is kind of small and moderately loud, but the overall gets a top ranking from me.
(5)JL S.
I have not eaten here in a while, but when I did, it was some of the very best in Chicago Italian. Once it caught on, you couldnt get a table for daze so be prepared to cocktail for some time. I do not embibe, so it was a long sometime. We did apps instead. Nice tomato basil and mozzarella. Just perfect. The pasta is to die for and the sauces always great. I always send people here. I hope it still holds up. I noticed that it now has a bunch of locations, but Clark and downtown are the only ones I have attended and appreciably. There it is. Ciao!
(4)Lauren H.
I had been dying to try Mia Francesca for years, as I've always heard it is some of the best Italian food in Lakeview. Hmm, I'm going to have to disagree. Their menu is pretty limited, and while everything was good, I wasn't impressed. Add to that the fact that they were blasting what sounded like someone's ipod playlist, and we had to repeatedly ask our waiter to turn down the music so we could hear each other. I just found that odd, as it is a nicer restaurant-so the music seemed really out of place. I think there are much better Italian restaurants out there, I wouldn't waste my money going back here.
(2)Randal A.
My girlfriend and I consider this our go to spot for great Italian food on the north side. I love that the menu is changed often, making it a new experience each time we go.
(5)Amy C.
Oh how I miss this place. When I lived in Chicago about a decade ago, I ate here about once a week. I know it seems silly to write a review ten years later, but this place will always hold a special place in my heart. The food was always reliably yummy and copious, and the atmosphere was always lively and unpretentious. Oddly, Mia Francesca was also the scene of several celebrity sightings back in the day -- I sat next to bald Billy Corgan, dorky David Schwimmer, and about half of the totally fabulous US Olympic figure skating team.
(5)Maura S.
Just went to Mia Francesca's for the second time. It was delish again... the service was amazing, the calamari and my chicken dish were divine, and the wine was flowing! However, and I'm trying not to feel bad about saying this but I feel its important to let you all know that at the end of the meal, I did see a large black bug, about an inch long, fly across the floor. I alerted the waiter and they squashed it and promised to bring in the exterminators. I hope they do because I want to be able to go back soon! So I give the food and service a 5 but overall a 2 because of the bug.
(2)Lauren T.
Good Italian - and elegant considering the neighborhood. However, the dining room really is crowded so it isn't the most romantic date locale. I would go next door to Andalous Moroccan if I actually wanted to hear what my date was saying.
(3)Molly G.
Great spot for a first date or just a simple meal. Decent wine list for their cuisine. Service is friendly but rushed...you get the feeling they just want to flip your table and seat the next guest before you have your first bite. Food is basic Italian...nothing remarkable. Just comfort food...I continue to go back for that reason alone.
(3)Alexis H.
Mmmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about Mia Francesca's food. Just like every other Francesca restaurant in the city, the food here is absolutely fabulous! If you want quality Italian food this is definitely the place to go. The seating here is tight and the volume gets a little loud, but I love restaurants like this. It's lively because people are genuinely enjoying their dining experience. A friend and I arrived at the restaurant at 7 on a Friday evening, and although the restaurant was crowded, we were seated immediately. The menu for the evening had a wide variety of salad/pasta/meat/pizza options, and everything looked great! I had the caprese salad which had juicy, fresh tomatoes and flavorful mozzarella. I also had the quatro stagio (sp?) pizza which was a delicious combination of prosciutto, olives, mushrooms, and artichokes. My friend had gnocchi made to order: she's a vegetarian and the restaurant made a completely new gnocchi dish at her request. Our total for 2 people was $34 without wine. Expect to spend more if you're drinking, and another $10 for the valet because parking in Wrigleyville can be nearly impossible.
(5)M M.
This place was just OK. I got the white fish, which was the most expensive thing on the menu. There wasn't anything special about it. We went after a Cub's game so it was pretty crowded, but I feel like the service was not attentive, they didn't even bring out plates for our bread and no cheese... what?! We got the banana bread dessert which was good, however :) They also got my date's order wrong... I don't know, I think prices should be lower for the quality of service and food.
(3)Mia P.
This place is great. Definitely one of the best Francesca restaurants. The only downside is that it can get quite loud and almost claustrophobic. If you don't mind noise and cramped-ness, then you will love it. The food is great and the desserts are probably my favorite part. They had this apple bread pudding that was to die for and their tiramisu is one of my favorites.
(5)Steve R.
Yeah ok, it's a local chain. I like it. The ambiance is nothing special, but the food is quite nice. Every dish I have had here has been pretty good, though I don't have a specific recommendation. If I'm in the area and want Italian, I'll probably end up here. Long waits sometimes, but that's because it's good.
(4)Joe H.
After a few visits I must rave about Mia Francesca's. Although the menu is not very extensive, I think that's because they have mostly daily specials. It may not be on the menu every day but ask for the spinach ravioli with vodka creme sauce, you will not be disappointed. Also a very plentiful wine list and very friendly service. Be advised the tables are close together, so you may get friendly with your dining neighbors, which can be fun unless your fighting with your girlfriend or a hermit. I did not see any bugs running across the floor so they must have taken care of that problem, although don't fool yourselves there are probably bugs in every restaurant you eat at!
(4)John S.
Been here a few times now, and the food has not failed to deliver yet. The service has been generally prompt and friendly. They pack the tables a bit close sometimes, which can be kind of awkward. The patio is nice in the summer. The four cheese pizza is incredibly delicious! Haven't tried much else.
(4)A. M.
Mia Francesca is a Chicago institution. While I can pass on bread if it's not something special, the bread here is so yummy. It is always hot (sometimes too hot!), and their olive oil is delicious as well. Being the pizza girl, I usually order one of their pizzas for my meal. I have had a few pastas and the salmon, and those were all good. The desserts are also great here. The cheesecake is to die for, as is the chocolate lava cake.
(4)Mala K.
Since we were going there for the first time, we decided to make a reservation. Had no trouble doing that, and we were seated promptly and given a good table once we got there. My husband and I loved our Caesar salads, the veggies were just so fresh! He had the tilapia and really liked it. I found my pasta with multiple veggies very tasty, and was very impressed by the dessert--a chocolate tart with peanut butter filling and whipped cream. We didn't make that good a choice from the very extensive wine list, though. The place was a bit noisy, and the service could've been a bit more prompt, but it was overall a good experience, and not too expensive.
(4)Rachelle T.
Fabulous Italian food. Mia Francesca is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city and is a great date spot or place to bring out of town visitors since it doesn't disappoint. The service is great and the open kitchen makes the experience completely authentic. I dropped it down to 4 stars because the restaurant itself is very small and somewhat crowded and there is almost always a wait (can't they expand out a bit?!?). But their food really is hard to beat!
(4)Mrs. E.
We live in the neighborhood and have been to Mia Francesca many times. While we find that eating inside the restaurant can be distracting and extremely loud, the backyard outdoor patio is great in warm weather. We have also discovered that ordering take-out is fast and easy, and another way to enjoy the food in a quieter setting. I am a big fan of the bolognese pasta sauce - I think it's the best in the city. Overall, our experience at Mia Francesca is consistently good, especially if we stick to eating outdoors and/or at home.
(4)Yujin A.
I first went there because I had a gift certificate from North Community Bank, and I keep going back because they serve decent Italian food in my neighborhood. Their menu changes frequently, so don't make a mistake of going back there for a specific dish without checking with them first like I did. I have tried 7-8 different dishes, and I think your best bets are pizzas, pork chops, and flourless chocolate cake(or whatever they call it there) I tried a couple of seafood dishes. They were pretty good, but not the best I've had in the city. The best pizza in the city is served at Spacca Napoli (if you like Italian style pizza). For two, you will easily spend 70 or more. There is room for improvement when it comes to service.
(4)ali a.
I had been dying to go here since I moved to Chicago, so I went for the first time this weekend. I know the menu changes, but for some reason on the night that I went, I wasn't that impressed. When I finally did get my meal though, it was delicious! The only complaints I had were that the music was a little loud and the service was okay. It was a very busy saturday night though so I will definitely see myself back there in the future.
(4)elizabeth s.
Ate here for a small private dinner party (around 20-25 people). We sat in the coach house, which I must say has to be one of the best venues for a small private party. We had the room to ourselves with a bar, apps, etc. It was perfect for the noisy group we had and we didn't need to worry about offending the rest of the restaurant. Staff was incredibly attentive and nice. And the food... WONDERFUL. The Gnocci was to die for, the caper chicken amazing, I could go on and on. It was a perfect evening - great food, great venue, great wait staff. Highly recommend you check out for a group event.
(5)Lauren P.
cute little italian place on clark. went here for my birthday and had a wonderful time. we showed up for our reservations and were promptly seated by the windows - it got a little chilly after awhile, but that's really the only bad thing i have to say about the experience. i didn't notice the restaurant being too loud or too quiet, or the service being too pushy or not attentive enough. everything seemed to be just right. our food was very good, and tasted freshly made. i love that the menu is handwritten every two weeks; not only does the menu change throughout the year, but it's a nice little touch. word on the street is it's jennifer aniston's favorite restaurant in chicago.
(4)Jennifer H.
Mia Francesca's is always a good time. I've never had a bad dish here and the service is always lovely and the ambiance fun. I have to say, though, my favorite part of Mia Francesca's is the carriage house in the back. I had my birthday party here last year and it's fantastic. It's a private little room out back with its own bar and everything. The staff was so helpful, both before the party guiding me on menu choices and at the party itself. I would highly highly recommend Mia Francesca's to throw a party or at least a great night out!
(5)M M.
My favorite neighborhood spot! The food is out of this world and the menu changes weekly, so there's always something new to try. Definitely make reservations because its always packed (and there's a reason!)
(5)Kelly S.
Despite all the hype about Mia Francesca, I have had much better Italian food in the same neighborhood over the years. The food is good but the atmosphere can be tough. It is very crowded and loud which is fine for group dinners. However, I stopped going after the last time when pretty much every 10 minutes, a waiter would bump into my chair because it was so crowded. The Mia Francesca on Bryn Mawr is less crowded (more space) and seems to offer more options. I recommend going there instead of the Clark St location.
(3)Rian K.
My favorite Italian restaurant in the city! The pasta is always so fresh and even their simplest dishes taste unlike anything that you can make yourself. Even after eating at a bunch of great restaurants in Italy, I can't complain--it upholds the basic elements that I experienced there--fresh, simple, delicious. The menu is always different, and it's a great place to go on a date or with friends. If you want a little peace and quiet, try to get a spot in the coach house out back, which only has a few tables and is attended to by one great server/bartender, who has given us free shots with dessert every time I've dined back there. He's the best! Make a reservation if you can, because even when you have, you'll have to wait a bit.
(5)Aubrey K.
Mia Francesca's is a wonderful, dependable, Italian feed. An added bonus is that they now take reservations. Years ago I had to suffer waiting in long lines. On my last visit we sat upstairs which was quieter it seemed. We had a great Caesar salad. I was satisfied with my Linguine Vongole but even more impressed with my Mom's Salmon and Shrimp special. I love how the menu is hand-written and the service is not stuffy.
(4)eileen f.
I went to this restaurant tonight and the food was good. HOWEVER, the waitstaff left something to be desired. I felt like we were annoying our waitress and hostess. The food was good, but I've had better. Actually i went to the branch in forest park and it was a completely different experience-it was pleasant. I don't recommend this place
(1)Marissa D.
I really like the food at Mia Francesca. I am not as much a fan of the atmosphere but for the most part I am a fan. I have to say that they do a great job accomodating special requests...for instance, every time I go I ask for penne pasta in their creamy tomato vodka sauce, with sausage and goat cheese on top. Amazing. And they will always make it for me.
(4)Stephanie B.
I've been to this place a handful of times, and here's the skinny: Pasta is always on point. Actually have never had a bad entree for the most part. However, it is always packed on weekends and is rock concert, can't-hear-yourself-think loud. I don't know if it's the acoustics in the place, or the fact that they have 999 tables crammed in there, but it's so loud you literally have to shout to the person next to you. It's also super bright in there. So, the ambiance factor is shot. I also always feel like I'm being rushed through my meal, which I don't love. I think upstairs might be a little more chill, but for the most part it's not usually a particularly enjoyable or relaxing experience, which is kind of a shame because the food is actually very good. I'd hit up Angelina or Rosangelis if I wanted to linger over dinner in a nicer atmosphere. However, I will probably continue to go back to this place... I'll just bring a megaphone. PS: if you get the calamari, get it grilled. The fried version always comes out soggy. And if you order pasta, split it w/your buddy across the table - they give you a trough for a serving.
(3)Leang E.
This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city. You will not be disappointed with anything you get, if you can get past the wait. I had tried to go here a couple of times when I first heard about the place, but the wait was so long I would go elsewhere. Now, I make sure I get there early so I can eat there and not have to wait. Our waiter told us that they have a different menu every day. I am not sure if this is true, and whether or not they have a different menu for each day of the week and just randomly select or how they do it. I just can't believe someone takes the time to do that. Sometimes I don't like deciding on what to make for dinner, myself. I loved the cheese ravioli with sausage! I brought my out of town coworkers here, and one of them had said they would go here to eat if they were coming in town again. Yes, all I could say was, "Too bad, you don't live in Chicago!"
(5)Dee W.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago - they have excellent service and fantastic food. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. A great place to hit up on a date, or with a group of friends, or even on a family outing.
(4)Amanda G.
Delicious Italian Food! Went here with my New York in-laws and we all enjoyed tremendously. Had an 8:30p reservation and although it was packed, we were seated immediately upstairs. Only issue was very tight table-space. We literally had to shift our table everytime someone around us got up, but strangely, we didn't mind. Great service, great food, great wine. For a more limited menu, try their little sister restaurant 'Francesca's Forno' in Bucktown/Wicker Park.
(4)Dan B.
I'm a big fan of bread at restaurants and these guys keep them coming, and they're nice and warm. The food is great and the atmosphere is more on the romantic side. I also like their desserts.
(5)Jaime C.
I love this place, it has consistently good food and the atmosphere is cozy and fun. There is always a wait which makes it kinda irritating, but it is a great date place and I always love eating here.
(4)James G.
Consistantly great food, lively atmosphere and informed, approachable servers. My favorite standby restaurant in my neighborhood!
(4)Matt N.
Great food and always packed becasue others know just how good this place is. The food is very reasonable.
(4)Robyn N.
Mia Francesca has excellent Italian food! The downstairs can get pretty crowded and noisy..so, if you are looking for a more peaceful meal, I would recommend sitting upstairs. Be sure to make reservations, or you could be waiting quite a while.
(4)Katie M.
I was excited to go to Mia Francesca not only because it was close to my house & I had a gift card to it, but it received lots of great reviews. However, after dining out a bunch of times to various Italian restaurants, I had to give it a 2. The reasons are simple and important in my books: the menu was very small. Supposedly in changes once a month and this month seemed to be almost all chicken and seafood entrees. Not bad, but 2 of us had our hearts set on a cheese & pasta platter like manicotti or gnocci. They didn't have either! The meal I ended up getting was good, but when you have your heart set on something else, it's a little sad! Also, the place is LOUD. I went with my boyfriend and his family. Part of the conversation I couldn't hear so I just had to nod and hope they weren't asking me questions! So, I would say this place is not good for big parties. Also, I'm big on the bread while you wait which was just okay. The oil was okay and there was no cheese. In a nutshell, I think there are better places to go for Italian.
(2)W W.
Really great Italian restaurant. I went here a few months ago and had a fabulous meal. I really recommend this place to anyone...who knows, you might see Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston there!
(4)Mark P.
Excellent pastas. Always a solid bet. But cramped space and long waits.
(4)Linda L.
this is also one of my favorite italian restaurants in chicago!! the food, the wine, the ambiance....all great! its quite noisy in there tho, so be prepared to flex ur voice box. =) great for friends, family and lovers. it can be a bit pricey depending on what you order. expect (with bottle of wine and appetizers) to pay $60-100+ for dinner for 2. make sure u call ahead for reservations!!
(5)Julie G.
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. Though the dining room is a bit over crowded, the energetic atmosphere is contagious and adds to the charm. Reservations are a must, though there is a nice bar where you can have a drink prior to being seated. The wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing. The food is excellent from the bruchetta and tomato and mozzarella salad to the pastas and chicken marsala. Don't leave without trying the chocolate souffle. It's unforgettable.
(5)Becca L.
It's always crowded because everyone knows Mia Francesca serves the best Italian food in the city. I was just here recently and ordered the chicken marsala for dinner. I loved it and would get it again except there are so many good dishes to try at this restaurant. I also had the chocolate souffle for dessert. Not many desserts can't compare to this!
(4)Phoenician G.
Has excellent dishes and we love the food but HATE the slow service. Even with a reservation we waited 10 minutes to get a table. We waited so long for the waiter to come to our table that we had to ask someone to get him so he can take our order. Finally to top it all off, for dessert we ordered creme brulee that tasted like Jalapeno peppers...I think the strawberries on the creme brulee were cut with a knife used for jalapenos :)) We told the waiter but got no apologies!!!
(3)Emily D.
Service was great. Food was passable at best. Room's very loud. I can't figure out why this place is always packed. I was very underwhelmed.
(2)Kristine K.
I love the food here. Never been disappointed. The only bummer is that it does tend to get crowded and loud. Wouldn't recommend going here for an intimate dinner. Service has always been on point, but they should think about adding another bathroom.
(4)Misse D.
Everytime I come here, everyone at the table loves their food. How often does that happen? Besides, the excellent food, the service is consistently good. The space is tight, but it makes me feel like I'm back in Italy.
(5)Sarah S.
I went there during my first week in Chicago and I was not happy at all! I found it very Americanized and it was not good Italian food. i thought it was just because at the time I just moved from Italy, so my expectations were too high and I still had to get used to Italian food abroad. Went back again a few months ago, after 3 years, and I still have the same opinion! There are a lot of decent, if not good, Italian restaurants in the city and, as far as I'm concerned, Mia Francesca is not one of them
(1)Franky D.
Why does everyone love this place so much? Everyone I know takes visiting friends and relatives here as if it is the showpiece restaurant of the city. I got fooled into doing this about a year ago. I took my aunt and uncle there with my girlfriend. The food is fine, even good I guess, but... About halfway through my meal (some kind of pasta with meat) I bit into something hard. I pulled it out of my mouth to discover that I had bitten into a string of STEEL WOOL. I showed it to the waiter, and he said "I'm sorry, that is from one of our scrub brushes in the kitchen, it happens every once in a while." He asked me if I would like another meal. I did not because I was halfway finished and this sort of thing doesn't really effect my desire to finish the meal. I was just glad that it happened to me and not one of the people that I had invited there. Of course my meal was free, but that does not change the fact that they were not surprised to find BRILLO PADS in the food.
(2)Lana M.
Wonderful restaurant, great food and I really like the out door garden. Nice date place.
(5)Jessica G.
I was taken here for my birthday in October and had a great experience. Though the restaurant is on the small side, the food and service are great. We had reservations so it wasn't a problem getting a table. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Ashley M.
Great Italian food! Make reservations or wait for awhile in an awkwardly tight bar. Good place for dates, although it's a little crowded. You may feel like the strangers next to you are also sitting at your table. The menu changes frequently with a variety of great dishes.
(4)Ellen R.
This is the only Italian place worth anything in Chicago. Finally a place that serves a real sauce, not some watery, non-flavored tomato concoction. You get great, true al dente pasta, great sauces and even better value. Portions are huge, costs are low and atmosphere is relaxed. if you are looking for a relaxing, casual Italian dining spot this is it. Service is pleasant as well. And they threw in the extra veggie I asked for into my pasta dish, love it!
(5)Kate N.
Loved the food! The service was fantastic. Although I would reccomend making reservations. I went on Friday night and they had to sit us upstairs because didn't have a reservation, but it was still fantastic!
(4)L V.
I went here since it was highly recommended by my cousin and sister. It definitely lived up to the expectations. The scallop dish I had was delish. My boyfriend had a salmon dish which was also very good. Service was excellent. Because of how much we loved this restaurant, we are so excited. Francesca's on chestnut opened downtown. We plan on definitely trying it soon.
(4)Jennifer H.
This is another one of my favorite neighborhood places. I often take out of town guests here for dinner. This place has great drinks and good food. I've never had a bad meal here. In the summer I enjoy sitting outside on the back patio. The only draw back to this place is it's small and can get quite loud during peak times. If your looking for a great meal, look no further, you will not be disappointed.
(4)Heather S.
Man is this place good! One of the top restaurants in Chicago. I just ate here last week w/ my sister and we had the best waiter and food! Definately try the carpaccio, quattro stagione pizza (sp?), and the tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad. We shared these three dishes and didnt' have room for desert! The room downstairs does get noisy and busy. My husband and I often eat at the upstairs bar which is a room you can rent out. In fact, we held our wedding reception here. It is perfect for a small party - 75 max. They treat you like a queen and the pricing is very reasonable and the food of course amazing!
(5)dave c.
Excellent!!! Always an awesome meal. Have been going here for about 12 or 13 year now and have never had a bad experience. I've also been to several other locations including a few in the burbs and have always had great food and excellent service. If you're looking for great, authentic italian food look no further. The locations on Taylor and Bryn Mawr are equally good as well
(5)