Mia Francesca Trattoria
4100 Main at North Hills St,Ste 115, Raleigh, NC, 27609
Mia Francesca Trattoria Menu
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Address :
4100 Main at North Hills St,Ste 115
Raleigh, NC, 27609 - Phone (919) 278-1525
- Website https://miafrancescaraleigh.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
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.
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Chenel C.
Arrived @MiaFrancescaNH for their Sunday brunch and it was probably the worst experience I've had in all of RDU. My Mom and I arrived at 11:00 AM and the host who greeted us was obviously very annoyed that we were there. There wasn't a line and the place was nearly empty. He literally rolled his eyes when I asked him if they were serving brunch and replied that of course they were. I asked to be seated for brunch, and he asked how many, and when I said it was just myself and my mother, he directed us to have a seat while he found us a table?? There were maybe 1 or 2 other people dining in the whole restaurant. What in the world?? 15 minutes later (I'm not joking) he returned and walked us to our table and explained that our server Chip would be with us in a moment. Cue awkard moment as the other party in the restaurant was leaving and suddenly the host transformed into a completely giddy and conversational ideal host with the party who was leaving. We sat down at our table and waited for our server for another few minutes before the only other party other than ourselves left. Again said host transforms into a completely different persona. At this point, I thought maybe he was only happy when people leave. He made a point to stop by and carry on a 5 minute conversation with them. At this point, we still haven't seen our waiter so I politely reminded my host that we were still waiting. This was embarrassing (as we were honestly the only customers in the restaurant) and he replied to let me know that Chip would be right with us. Finally, Chip arrives and we were really thrown off when he was even less than engaging than the host. He said he was just arriving from his workout and had to get it in that morning. Okay, great but we were hungry and wanted to order Mimosas. Chip brought out our drinks but we had to ask for a glass of water as well. My Mom and I ordered our food which was a remarkable feat considering that our waiter had very little ability to describe the items on the menu. I had the french toast with the vanilla bean and my Mom ordered a cheese omelette. We were appalled when it was brought out cold. How is that possible when we were the ONLY people in the restaurant? We should have sent it back but it just didn't seem worth it. We did inform our waiter who offered to return it but it just didn't seem worth it as it now after 12:30 and there was only maybe one or two other customers there. You could hear napkins drop. I was glad when it was over. And the host NEVER came over and talked to us or ask us how we enjoyed our experience which he took the time to do with everyone else. It was so very clear that for whatever reason, we were not very welcome there at that time. It's a pity because this really is a beautiful facility. It has two private dining areas, one downstairs with doors that could be closed off, and a second one upstairs that overlooked the main dining area. The hardwoods practically gleam and I'd love to host a bachelorette or birthday party there. Sadly, I will not return. I don't want to have that kind of poor service again. If you do choose to go to this restaurant, just hope that the host is nice and greets you properly.
(1)Rob A.
Had the sunday brunch, prime rib and shrimp were cooked perfect. Would of given a 5 if more italian dishes were available. Wait staff was friendly and get the table clear and drinks full.
(4)Bryant W.
Went on a date to Mia Francesca and we both left satisfied but a little disappointed. I got a pasta dish (I apologize I cannot remember which one and my date got a salmon dish. My pasta was ok but just lacking a lot of flavor. I feel like it was one good ingredient away from being a much better dish. My date's salmon dish was a little better than mine. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and is very upbeat on Saturday nights and of course is in a great location. And I will say our server was great. I wouldn't say I would never go back but I'm not in a rush to go back real soon with all the great restaurants in Raleigh!
(3)Kristy A.
I got out-ordered! Hate it when that happens. Tried Mia Francesca out for restaurant week with two friends. Had been there before for breakfast and brunch, with mixed reviews. Overall, it's a solid three. Some outstanding dishes, but some that are less than stellar. Here's what we had: -Insalata di Cesare - Classic Caesar salad with croutons and parmesan -Bruschette alla Romano - Garlic toast with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil -Veal Cappellacci - Braised Veal and Prosciutto filled pasta, savoy cabbage, chopped tomatoes, pancetta, fontina cream sauce -Penne Pastore - Fennel Sausage, sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, tomato basil sauce, penne, olive oil - Tiramisu - House made with Lady fingers soaked in espresso and rum with mascarpone cheese and cocoa -White Chocolate Cheesecake - White chocolate shavings, raspberry agrodolce, crushed pistacios The dish of the day was the Penne Pastore - fantastic and HUGE! Perfect pasta with a rich red sauce, goat cheese, sausage, mmmmm.... Would go back for that dish again and again. $16 on the regular menu and well worth it. The appetizers were good - not overly special, but worth eating. Same with the desserts. I was pretty disappointed with my veal dish - It was smothered in a bland cream sauce and I might have tasted one little bite of veal. I ate half of that and then made a dent in my companion's penne dish. She still took some home. Service was average - not stellar, not bad.
(3)Russell M.
My wife and I finally tried this place for the first time this past Friday evening. We had a wonderful experience. The atmosphere of the restaurant was great. Nice interior design that feels like a mix of fancy and country dining at the same time. The wait staff were very kind and attentive. Most importantly, the food was superb. The house bread and olive oil were very flavorful. My wife had a Caesar salad and the Gnocchi while I had the Dinner salad and Fettuccine con Zuca. Everything was great. My wife really enjoyed her dishes and mine were awesome. The portion size was just right with having ordered a salad. I had to help my wife finish her gnocchi. Just enough to fill you up but not leaving you feeling stuffed. The fettuccine defeinitely tasted like fresh pasta, which is difficult to find in this area. The flavor combinations of the fettuccine dish were very well balanced and composed. We will definitely be back again.
(4)Sam P.
My aunt and uncle brought me here this past Friday for dinner. My aunt and uncle are old, so we were eating dinner around 3 PM. The restaurant was completely empty when we arrived and there was only one other table when we left about 90 minutes later. I guess they probably weren't anticipating any customers but it took about 5 minutes for anyone to notice us and seat us. The atmosphere was very nice. The craft beer options were very limited. I'm not from the area, though, so they still had some choices I haven't had, so I couldn't complain. What I can complain about is them bringing my beer in a frosted glass. I realize craft beer is not the main focus of this establishment, but it still annoyed me. I ordered meatballs with a side of spaghetti. What I mean by that is they brought my four gigantic meatballs. I thought the food was pretty average but I can't complain about the portions. The meatballs themselves may have filled me up, had I been able to eat that amount of bland food. Our waitress was nice but the service was pretty slow from start to finish. We were the only people in the restaurant for the majority of the meal and it seemed like they kept forgetting we were there. They brought me a tablet at the conclusion of my meal to fill out a survey about my experience. I was impressed and they seem to take feedback pretty seriously. I also was impressed they were willing to give the survey to me and not my 75 year old aunt sitting across the table who surely would've given them a stellar review.
(2)John A.
Mia's has the best breakfast brunch in Raleigh. Hands down the best. There breakfast is cheaper than most restaurants as well. Overall 10 of 10. Been to big eds, flying saucer, Briggs, broken egg, Courtney's but the best is Mia's.
(5)Alison L.
Triangle Restaurant Week For TRW, the restaurant featured a $30 dinner menu made up of three courses. Pretty decent selection. For the appetizer, I ordered a Caesars salad, which was larger than I expected. My main course was the Pollo alla Romana, and it was absolutely delicious. It doesn't look like much (2 chicken breast pieces), but it was so filling. The chicken was tender and soft, and the thick, savory sauce with rosemary, olive oil & garlic complemented the chicken, as well as the roasted potato pieces (basically 2 big steak fries.) My favorite part of the meal was the dessert. I ordered the tiramisu and it came out as a huge block slice. Every layer of it was borderline heavenly; and you can see the coffee squeeze out at the bottom of the dish with every piece broken off with the fork. I highly recommend saving room for dessert for the tiramisu.
(4)Andy W.
The website says best pizza in Raleigh. I would rather get a $5 pizza from Little Caesars. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing... Nice restaurant with a friendly staff.
(2)Meredith D.
Last night, bf and I dined here. The space is beautiful. I love the dark wood and the candle chandeliers. Unfortunately for us, we were only impressed by the setting and not the food. Our server, Joshua, was extremely nice and helpful. We couldn't decide between the bruschetta or calamari. He said the bruschetta was a smaller portion but more flavorful, so we went with that. However, we found the bruschetta to be flavorless from the bread to the tomatoes to the mozzarella. We exchanged it for the calamari, which was equally bland. We chose to stick with it, though, because we were hungry and we'd already sent a dish back. After squeezing three lemons over it and having Joshua cover it with cracked black pepper, it was somewhat tasty. When our entrees came out, they looked good. But then the bolognese was served with spaghetti, the beef was under seasoned, and the pork tasted like chicken. The manager on duty came over to check on us. He asked how it was, and bf said, "OK." He asked if anyone has ever said anything about the bolognese being tasteless and the manager seemed surprised and shocked that he asked that. He assured us no, everyone always loves that dish. Well, we didn't. It was truly bland. The veal ravioli was all right after I seasoned it with more salt, but the pasta was hard. It also needed to be seared first or something. At this point, we were ready to finish our wine and get dessert at Ben & Jerry's, but then Joshua came over to offer us free dessert. We declined at first, but he said we should try the tiramisu for free. So we did, and it was delicious. It tasted really fresh. This gesture was great because it stopped us from leaving the restaurant completely disappointed. However, we will still not be coming back here. Thankfully, we had a gift certificate that covered the food. We were happy to pay for the bottle of Chardonnay that we thoroughly enjoyed and the tip, but that's it.
(2)Paula E.
This was our second visit to Mia Francesca. I have to say the first time was much better. We made the mistake of coming on New Years Eve. Since they were booked solid they brought in tables from outside. Unfortunately we were seated at one of those patio tables, and I was extremely uncomfortable because if I sat back in the chair it would have been uncomfortable to eat. Since I had to sit up I had no backing to my seat. That truly annoyed me. Our waitress was pleasant, but service was very spotty and there were times when we had no water to drink from. The bread was so basic it was a true turn off, and the oil was so standard I was not even remotely wanting more of it. I had the gnocchi which was good, but did require a sprinkling of cheese. None was offered nor did they offer pepper or check to see how everything was until waaaay after we were halfway through our meal. Hubby went with the osso bucco which was highly priced and VERY small when it arrived at the table. Unfortunately leaving him wanting more and still hungry. Dessert for him was the apple fritter which was good but nothing exceptional. I went with the free check in offer for yelpers of the Profiteroles. Let me just say I don't like these- at all. After dessert the other waiter who I believe they were helping each other came around and was asking us if we wanted "more dessert". Why would we want "more"? I doubt we will return, which is sad given how nice the place is and what our expectations had been.
(2)Kuanyu C.
So this "Taste of North Hills" starts this week, but I didn't have a free evening until tonight, and on the rare chance that my mother is staying in town for a while, I gave her the choices in North Hills we can go tonight. That choice was Mia Francesca. First time here for her, second time for me. Since this is about tasting, let's get to it shall we? ~First Course~ 1. Insalata di Cesare - fancy name for Caesar salad. The croutons are baked I think, so nice and crunchy but not teeth-aching hard. With shaved Parmesan. 2. Bruschette alla Romano - thin toast, fresh tomato, garlic infused mozzarella, basil and olive oil. True appetizer. I'm now primed for main course. ~Second Course~ 1. Tilapia Pagliachi - lightly sauteed, loaded with vegetable, garlic and white wine reduction. Strong flavors all around the tasty fish. 2. Penne alla Verdure - whole wheat pasta, mushroom, cherry tomato, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, broccoli, pine nuts, with garlic infused herb broth. 'twas an explosion of flavors! I would recommend them to cook the penne a bit longer since its whole wheat and generally tougher. ~Third Course~ 1. Tiramisu - very standard, no fuzz. Okay, maybe just a little fuzz, dusted with cocoa powder with hot chocolate drizzle. 2. Vanilla Cheesecake - cheesecake is very creamy, made even better with added tang from raspberry dulce on top. My table's wait staff is very attentive, kept wanting to fill my water glass, even though I have a bottle on the table already Haha! He also recommended the drink special of the night, and that Apple Sangria was delicious. We also got a check-in by the manager on duty tonight to make sure everything is two thumbs up.
(5)Sam Z.
Mia Francesca's weekend brunch is unique but great. I especially liked their panini and truffle fries. Their dinner is good as well but I prefer their brunch to dinner.
(3)Melissa D.
After a long Saturday morning run, I really needed some carbs in my life. Our dinner companion suggested Mia Francesca's, as he'd been before for a work function. He was spot on. The décor is beautiful - everything grand from the light fixtures and windows to the high open ceilings. Even so, our tables were a bit close, a couple of times our conversations bleeding together in a "I'm sorry I couldn't help but eavesdrop, if you're ordering that..." moment. Not bad since our neighbors were really polite about it, but a little awkward if you'd wanted more privacy. We ordered the calamari, and were shocked at the size of the appetizer - piled in a bowl, it could have served as an entrée. Even as three of us split it, we could barely finish it and still suffice room for our main courses. The Bolognese sauce is rich, like a traditional Italian "gravy." Our server was attentive and quick, and the pistachio profiteroles were excellent for dessert. I'd go again because enough on the menu intrigued me, and just talking about those profiteroles is making my stomach growl...and I'm not even a dessert person.
(4)Diana P.
tasty Italian dinner. came here with bae and i was pleasantly happy with the service, dinner, and dessert. i had pasta with chicken and some cream sauce and it was tasty. the pasta itself was perfectly al dente. then i had affogato for dessert and yum, their ice cream was rich and creamy and paired perfectly with the strong espresso shot. prices were decent, not over the top, good for the ambiance. will definitely be back.
(4)Mike I.
Average food at a high price with below-average service. My girlfriend and I ate here at about 7pm on a Sunday night - it was pretty dead. The wait staff was below-average and not super inviting. We waited about 10 minutes for our waitress to take our drink order, while there were at least 3 waiters/waitresses on staff and only about 7 or 8 tables filled. Waitress was ok but her average service seemed forced and not genuine. Food was ok but average at best. We got calamari - was slightly under-cooked, and pene pesto genovese & pollo piccata were fine but not compelling. The good thing was the portions are huge and we had leftovers, but prices align to serving size. 2 meals and an appetizer cam to about $65 w/ tax, just not worth it. We've eaten at about 15 restaurants in North Hills and I'd say without a doubt Mia Francesca was the most disappointing, especially because I LOVE Italian cuisine. I'd recommend Piola (right across the street) as a cheaper, more delicious alternative with much better service and atmosphere.
(2)Tim E.
Had anniversary dinner here yesterday with my wife. First impression was good, nice ambience and decor is simple and clean. Staff was all very friendly and service was prompt. The menu was solid, plenty of choices, we both had a couple of dishes we were choosing between. I started with the beets salad/appetizer, while it was good, it was underwhelming. It could have benefited from more seasoning (salt) and being warmer than the inside of a cooler. The main dish I chose was the shrimp risotto, once again it was good but nothing really popped. Execution was good with a nice balance of creamy and firm, however more seasoning and slightly less doneness of the vegetables would have helped for certain. Prices were acceptable, but a couple bucks less per entrée would have improved my perception of value. I would likely dine here again, but it isn't on my to do list in the near future.
(3)Ashley H.
My husband and I recently went here for dinner. I hold a high standard to Italian food considering I am Italian myself and know what true Italian food should taste like. This place blew me away. I was VERY impressed. I ordered the Chicken Parm and it was one of the bests I have ever had. My husband ordered the Bologenese and was extremely satisfied. We went back yesterday to try their brunch and were not disappointed either! Their brunch menu is to die for and we will definitely be back! The brunch drinks are a very resasonable price. The mimosas have FRESH OJ, which makes it taste so much better. However, the Bloody mary's are disgusting--they taste like liquid cocktail sauce. I do not recommend. All in all, I am very satisfied with this place and will be recommending it to friends and family and will definitely be back!!
(5)Katy J.
Went back with my $50 gift card, and headed to the bar for some drinks and a bite to eat. We started with the charcuterie plate...and that's where we stopped. For $12, it would have been nice to see several different fresh cheeses on the plate. Not the case. There were a few slices of one type of cheese - tasted like Swiss (what??) - and maybe 3 different meats, but bartender didn't walk us thru what was on the plate. Meat and cheese tasted like they were packaged and store bought. None of it was any good. So...We spent the rest of our $50 gift card on wine and left. Won't be going back.
(1)Lonnie S.
Went in for lasagna day that they advertised. Asked for a booth in the bar but they were all dirty so sat at the bar. Sign front said 1/2 price glasses of wine but bartender said he didnt know anything about that and had to ask someone. Was told by another server they were out of the lasagna that I wanted so I ordered a different one. When it came out it was not hot but never got a chance to tell server about it until much later when he finally came back to check on me. When I told him it was not hot he offered to get me another one. I said I was really wanted the other one the had advertised but since they were out got this one. He was surprised and said who told you we were out of that one? By that time I was finished with my glass of wine and over it anyway. Asked to get it to go. When my tab came and I paid in cash, he didnt give me all of my change. He said he did not have any chance and they just round it off. Since when do people just get to keep your money. I dont care if it is only a little bit of change. It is my money and I will give it to you if I want.. When I left, those dirty booths were still dirty but employees standing around talking to each other.
(1)Tanya H.
Been here twice with a large group. We received excellent service. Food is fresh and delicious. I enjoyed Insalata ala Francesca and Penne Arrabiata e Pancetta. I loved the spicy sauce on penne. Half price wine on Monday is an added bonus.
(4)Russell V.
Went for the Saturday brunch. They did not use fresh ingredients, the food tasted like it was prepackaged frozen food. The steak had that nasty day old grey color to it. Waitress was very kind and helpful.
(2)Mari D.
So much potential, but misses on so many levels. Lovely decor, attached to a premier hotel but it just doesn't hit the mark. First of all, I swear they make their own hours. Can't tell you how many times I've tried to have dinner here (I'm a very frequent guest at the Marriott) only to find them closed?!? Due to crazy reasons like rain! Really? Caesar salad with roasted peppers? Yuck. Meatballs have so much potential but they aren't cooked in sauce to absorb flavors and keep them moist. (Italian cooking 101) Desserts are boring, entrees are missing components that could really make them fabulous. The only reason I keep coming back is the bartenders. They really are fantastic.
(3)John G.
Horrific. Meatballs, not made in house. Truffle fires, not cut in house, arrived cold and unseasoned. Waitress asked how the fries were, I replied "Cold and unseasoned". Her reply "I am sorry about that..." Olive Garden quality with much higher prices. $15 glass of wine was really a $6 wine jacked up. Overall: Lousy service Unconcerned cooks Low quality ingredients.
(1)Michael M.
After browsing several places, decided to come for brunch and let me tell you, food and service was amazing. Great attention to detail and the drinks were superb. Specifically the Grand Mimosa finished with grand Marnier and a sugar rim. A must if you are in the raleigh area!
(5)Crissy J.
Went on a Saturday night with my girlfriends. Good atmosphere and the scallop risotto was excellent. One of my two complaints would be the wine is WAY overpriced. L'armangia Barbera is $7 per glass at our restaurant where i work and it is $12 there. I know it's North Hills and all, but it kept me from drinking out of principal. There is enough alcohol markup as it is. Secondly, the server seemed a little sarcastic. She certainly wasn't rude or anything, but I felt uncomfortable. Overall good experience and it was great fun being with my friends. It is not some place that would have at the forefront of my mind to visit again.
(3)Hailey O.
The first time I went here, I wasn't expecting too much but I was very pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed the atmosphere but in my opinion the food is consistently good! I've since eaten here several times and haven't been disappointed. It's hard to find good Italian food in Raleigh!
(5)Helen A.
Here for lunch, the place is very nice. We waited a little to be seated, but once we sat, the service got better. I had the linguinei con succa. It was delicious . The lentils with warm spinach was a greater starter. I would try again in the evening with a little more staff on.
(4)Briana B.
I think this is a hidden brunch gem of Raleigh! I tried Mia Francesca's a couple weeks ago for brunch and can't wait to go back! I had the Benedict with the risotto balls and what a great twist on a traditional Benedict. My friend had the Egg Panini and I must say I think it was my favorite! The portions are large and filling. The place is large and can accommodate parties. It always better to be safe than sorry so I do recommend making a reservation.
(4)Shaun B.
Started off rocky with no service for 10 minutes. Notified the manager and they could not find the person who was supposed to be our server. Another server took over - Ugo, from Capri, Italy. He already had 5 tables, so I was skeptical. Service and food were both outstanding! Started off with the charcuterie and cheese (very nice), and had a pizza app, Quattro Stagione. Fooled by main courses, NY Strip - very tender, and the special, which was pork loin with mascarpone polenta, both delicious. Free profiteroles for checking in on Yelp. Espresso macchiatos. Very good meal. Moderately busy for a Monday night. Prices are in line with the quality of the food. We will be back to this place.
(5)mary s.
I went here with my family for Mother's Day and was not disappointed. The restaurant decor/architecture was wonderful and helped create a sophisticated but yet simple atmosphere. I especially loved the high/open ceiling design. It felt super classy! Since it was Mother's Day, the regular menu was not available, as there was a MD's buffet from 11-4pm. I had looked up the buffet menu online earlier that week, as my mother requested eating at a place that served beef/steaks (a difficult thing to do when looking at Mother's Day brunch buffets). I settled on Mia Francesca because of the mention of a charcuterie platter, prime rib, and salmon. The food didn't disappoint - which was especially good because of the steep $39 per head charge. There was a lot of food at the buffet, but the dishes that stood out to me the most were the shrimp cocktail, the charcuterie board, the prime rib, and the salmon. The shrimp they served was well cooked, with the shrimp meat being both very crisp and tender. The cocktail sauce was excellent (not sure if it's because I haven't had shrimp cocktails in a while, but oh myyy, the cocktail sauce was delicious), and both my dad and I probably consumed more of the shrimp cocktails than any other dish available. The charcuterie board had prosciutto, what I think was pancetta, and at least two types of salami. I'm not sure if it had more variety in terms of meats, but I did very much enjoy the meats they had. I feel that although the meats were good, they could have improved on the variety. Maybe they could have added some type of pate into the mix? The cheeses on the board were probably the most mediocre thing at the buffet that day. If I recall correctly, the cheese were mostly hard/semi-hard cheese that tasted,to me, mostly bland. There was the standard fare of sharp white cheddar, swiss, and what was probably colby. I did not enjoy the cheeses as much as I was hoping to; they didn't particularly complement the meats well, nor did they provide much deliciousness by themselves. I wish they had provided a better variety of cheese, maybe some brie, goat cheese, or pecorino... just something more noteworthy. The prime rib was cooked very well, medium-well to medium depending on the part your slice was cut from. It came with a creamy horseradish sauce that was very enjoyable. The salmon was also cooked very well - it was silky and not dried out in the least. The price might have been a little high in retrospect - the food was very, very delicious, but the buffet was maybe worth just a few dollars short of $39... maybe I would be thinking differently if they included Mimosa's or Bloody Mary's in the "complimentary" drinks selection.
(4)Sean C.
Came here with friends who were considering Mia Francesca for their wedding reception. The GM was very accommodating and helpful. After seeing the venue spaces, we decided to stay for dinner and try the food. Service was good, restaurant is big and beautiful. While they serve generous portions, the offerings were quite pricey, esp. when quality is considered. Best part of the meal was the mussels in a garlic gravy (sorry, sauce for most people). Pretty spot-on and generous(although the mussels were on the smaller side), i'd simply get that again w/ some bread to dip. The crust on their personal tomato pies/pizzas was EH-to-OK, but very bland and one-note. The lobster and homemade pasta dish was also very bland (added lemon and seasonings at the table to try and jazz it up). The chicken parm, while a nice cut of chicken, was only OK, and could have been a bit more crispy. The pasta that accompanied the parm was not seasoned at all.
(2)Patricia J.
Held a business dinner in the reserved balcony seating. Waitstaff was good, although the requests I made for my side salad were ignored ( no tomatoes, light dressing). The calamari was a large appetizer, but much lacking in salt. I enjoyed the seasonal corn pizza with mushrooms and bacon. The dough was thin but soft. Overall it was a positive experience, although I found the restaurant hard to find in the sprawling North Hills shopping center. I look forward to trying a pasta dish the next time I come.
(4)Kristin B.
So glad we made reservations for a Saturday evening. We were celebrating an anniversary and had a wonderful experience. Attentive server, great selection of wine and an amazing meat and cheese plate appetizer. Definitely worth the $2 upgrade for the freshly made pasta, best I've ever had.
(5)Guy C.
3 of 5 stars (average, fine dining). (see explanation of ratings below) Allow 50-70 minutes (no dessert). Average entrée price: $24. Allow about $40-$45 per person (one drink, no dessert, gratuity not included). Technically, this is fine dining, but it's a chain, and it has none of the class, elegance or creativity on the menu of it's next-door neighbor, Flights (for just one example). Pea pod salad is nice and simple: sugar snap peas, chopped tomatoes and sliced cucumber with a light lemon dressing. Halibut was overcooked and had way too much of the accompanying sundried tomatoes, basil, pinenuts, red bell peppers, & petite arugula salad (actually, we didn't even see the arugula). They charge too much for their wines and cocktails. About my ratings: Only fine dining establishments can garner five stars. Until yelp realizes that a fast food joint cannot possibly be ranked equally with a $100 per person place, I need to draw the line somewhere. If we were only talking about the quality and presentation of the food, it would be a different story. But, as we know, yelp's rankings take into account the entire dining experience. Therefore, I divide restaurants into three categories (and I wish yelp would do the same): 1) fast food and "fast-casual" (no table service). 2) casual dining (table service, average entrée price: $10-$20). 3) fine dining (linen napkins, no plastic cups, no TV's in dining room, average entrée priced at more than $20). Fine dining can earn a max of five stars. Casual dining can earn a max of four stars. Fast food can earn a max of three stars.
(3)Whitney M.
We went here for my sisters birthday dinner mainly because we both had gift certificates. I was a little skeptical because I have read previous reviews for Mia Francesca. The food was good but the service was a little slow and we were one of about four tables in the whole restaurant. To start we all ordered a round of drinks. My husband ordered Big Boss ($5), I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio ($5), and my sister a sangria ($10). We ordered calamari and the meat and cheese tray for the table to share. The calamari was good, however we did have to add lemon and pepper to give it a bit more flavor ($9.50). I wasn't really a fan of the meat and cheese tray ($15). There were two kinds of meat, two cheeses, bread, fig jam and olives. The cheese was a Parmesan and a type of cheese that was like blue cheese. I didn't really like either cheese and I love cheese! Our waiter let us know that they just got a brand new menu. My husband and I ordered a cesar salad and then decided to split the Veal Cappellacci ($23). The salad was standard but our entree was out of this world! It was absolutely delicious and so glad we split it! It was a house made pasta filled with prosciutto, braised veal, pancetta, savoy cabbage, tomatoes, and a fontina cream sauce. It was so good!! Our waiter told us that was his favorite meal and I can see why! My sister also got the same dish we did. My brother-in-law got the Linguine Del Mar ($22). It was pasta with sea scallops, gulf shrimp, cherry tomatoes, & basil. I had one of his shrimp and it was really good. Both my sister and brother-in-law took home leftovers. There dishes are definitely big enough to split! Lastly we had a check-in special through yelp for a free profiterole filled with pistachio ice cream and covered in chocolate sauce. It was okay. Glad it was free because I wouldn't order that again. So, overall dinner was very good but service was quite slow. Our waiter didn't bring our entrees out so I had to ask the lady that brought it out to get our waiter because we all needed refills. And then after we were all finished with our meals it took him quite some time to check on us which was strange since there was no one in the restaurant. In summary...good food, good drinks, slow service. We will be back though because the food was that good!
(5)Geof H.
Visited Mia Francesca for a nice lunch with my wife and was very impressed. We ordered from the Triangle Restaurant Week fixed price menu, so it was very reasonable. Her bruschetta was particularly good. Really liked the decor in the dining room.
(4)Esther W.
My friend and I were at Mia Francesca last night for dinner and we had horrible service for dinner. Our server was extremely slow and did not come back to check on us. Even when it was time to get the check, I had to physically get up to ask someone to find her. We saw people come in after us and get served before us. There was a huge dinner party going on next to our table and unfortunately it got a little loud, some of their guests kept bumping into my friends chair, some apologized and others did not. The one person that did apologize was the husband (it was his wifes birthday). Personally, I thought the manager should have been walking around to make sure his patrons were enjoying their service, but to avail. I was extremely disappointed after driving a half hour to get there just to be met with poor service, I will never visit this establishment again.
(1)Richard H.
Me and my coworkers are among the lucky ones who made a reservation in time for our company's Christmas Party. The service was great, the wine selection is phenomenal, the food was delicious... It's a must place to go if you are looking for quality food and quality service.
(5)C M.
Went there for Sunday brunch as my family always does, but something was very different. I usually am a big fan of the pancakes, but the ones I ordered were off. Instead of the usually fluffy pancakes with the crisp edges, I received pancakes that tasted as if they were from a box...the kind you just add water. They were very dry. It was a let down. My friend originally ordered the french toast and had it sent back. That tasted like it was sprayed with chemical non-stick spray. We'll probably go back to give it another chance, but if it is a repeat of the most recent experience, we won't be going back at all. On a positive note, our waiter was nice and accommodating.
(3)Cole W.
What can I say about this place? Well I hope you come hungry. The food was great, in particular the Calamari and the pasta that I had. The service was excellent and I can definitely say that I felt loved. There was one confusion about the food that one of the people at my table ordered, but the waitress had no problem replacing it and not changing us for it. It was amazing.
(5)Melissa R.
First time there and loved it. Great service, took the kids for an early dinner and had a nice grown up dinner with the kids and was nice. Love the food, we were all pleased with what we ordered. And drinks were yummy!
(5)Shannon D.
For the love of everything holy, you should go here and have the warm spinach bacon salad with shrimp. We had a near-perfect experience here for lunch today (actually, I don't call anything perfect, but I can't find anything wrong with it). My friend had the four-cheese pizza with pancetta added. I tried it too and it was spectacular. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. If I could spend $15 every day for lunch, I would totally eat here every day. Can't wait to try dinner.
(5)Eric M.
The wife and I had a late reservation for a Saturday night. We called ahead because we were going to be a little late and were spoken to very rudely. Upon arrival, we stood in the entryway for 15 minutes with no help. The dinner didn't get much better after that. The food was mediocre, the wife had the Butternut Squash Fettucini which was brought to our table a little cold. I got the Chicken Parm which was actually pretty good. Service was terrible and the people were incredibly rude. Not returning here.
(2)Renee B.
Boyfriend surprised me with a 15$ off coupon for dinner at this place and I was stoked. It was quiet for a Monday night but that's the way I like it. Our server was friendly and our food was quick. My spaghetti and meatballs was wonderful. It wasn't too sweet and the meatballs were very well portioned. I would love to go again and sample some of the nice wine pairings they had.
(5)Sena J.
I went to Mia Francesca on Friday, February 22; we were celebrating a birthday for one of the women in our party. First, let me say I read the reviews here and some of them gave me pause, but I decided to keep an open mind. I was really surprised. The waitress was really nice, accommodating and knowledgeable. She gave us pointers on what items we would like based on our taste preference (she actually asked us a few questions before giving her recommendations). The only reason I'm only giving it 3 stars is because some of the elements of my food weren't the greatest. So let's get into the food, shall we? Drinks: I ordered a Strawberry Blond Sangria and it was delicious! A little pricey, but very good. The fresh strawberries were a great touch. Food: I ordered the House salad and the NY Strip steak. The salad was overdressed, and the steak was overcooked. I had to put some salt and pepper on my salad to cut through the vinegar taste (it was a vinaigrette of some kind). The steak was cooked medium-well, when I ordered medium. The steak doesn't come with any side whatsoever (although I could add one for $2 more) and was piled high with mushrooms and artichokes. Too many mushrooms and artichokes! I would prefer it if they'd do away with the mushrooms and artichokes and offer a side with it. Dessert: Since I checked in on Yelp, I was given a free dessert (I think it's called Profiterole, but don't quote me on that). The dessert was pistachio ice cream sandwiched between two cookie-type pastries and covered in chocolate sauce. The ice cream was better than I imagined it would be, but the cookie was soggy. It almost tasted like it was sitting in the freezer, and not made fresh when the order was placed. Overall, I had a pretty good experience at Mia Francesca, and would contemplate going again. If they fix the items I list above, I know the experience will be absolutely fabulous.
(3)Michelle H.
I've been here two times now, once for brunch and once for dinner. Both times I've thought, why don't I come here more?! Great location, gorgeous restaurant, great service, and excellent food! Currently making my reservation on OpenTable for this Sunday and thought I should write a review. Check them out, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Kitty R.
First time dining here! I am in loveeee with the warm spinach salad! Planning on trying lunch here soon!
(5)Robert L.
Pros. 1. Good decor and cleanliness 2. Friendly attentive service Cons 1. Stingy portions 2. High prices for entrees given their small size 3. Lousy parking deck - hard to navigate Looked great but we went home hungry. Went to another restaurant to complete our meal. This place is a joke. Very disappointing and would never return. UPDATE The manager contacted me by email and we discussed the experience. He then asked what he could do to make it right since the experience ruined our 43rd anniversary. I said he could reverse the charge to my daughter's Visa to make it right. He never would put his money where his mouth was.
(2)Harley C.
Excellent pizza. I believe I actually uttered the words "This could be the best pizza I've ever had." And try the lentil dish please!! Even my father in law who is not a lentil fan LOVED it. It's not 5 stars bc the entree was just ok.
(4)V D.
Not bad for an Italian restaurant in the south... This place is a little pricey but the atmosphere and the food I guess make up again. I will Vitst this place again. Recommend my signature dish... Chicken Parm very very pleasing
(4)Nina R.
Being originally from the Chicago area, I was so glad that they opened, and I still am. I went 3 times in the first week of opening. The food is phenomenal, the service is always amazing. I agree with Sherrie, I wish they would put the polenta on the menu. The chef brought it to our table on our first two visits and I cannot wait to have it again!!!
(5)John M.
We were very disappointed in our meal. The house salad had no visual appeal and equal taste. It had large chunks of carrots and cucumber. Try Bonefish Grill for a real salad. The balsamic dressing was very ordinary (oil and vinegar). We ordered the Penne Vodka With Chicken entree. The plate was heaped with undercooked pasta with very little sauce and even less chicken. The entree tasted like pasta because of the little sauce that came with it was absorbed by the pasta. We had to hunt through it for the chicken. Our friends ordered other non-pasta items and were pleased. We will not be coming back to pay $18 for a bowl of noodles.
(2)Kevin W.
Excellent service and food - unbelievable restuarant!
(5)Lindsey G.
Went to brunch on a Sunday at 11:30. Probably should have been more suspicious about a completely empty restaurant that boasted the "Best Bloody Mary in Raleigh" considering the time of day, but went ahead and were seated. My friend ordered The Americana Breakfast (eggs any style, toast, bacon and sausage), and I ordered the "Arancini Benedict" (risotto cakes topped with poached eggs and prosciutto). The food came relatively quickly and looked as appetizing as any other pricy brunch venue. The problems came with the "flavors" of the "food"; there were none. I've licked postage stamps with more pizzazz than the risotto, never mind the completely lackluster prosciutto. We arrived before noon, so despite the Bloody Mary touting, we were unable to be served our drinks due to North Carolina state law which is hardly the fault of this establishment but placement on the menu could have been clearer. $8 build-your-own bloodies didn't disappoint, but the selection certainly didn't turn our experience around.
(1)AllForAnimals R.
THEY RIPPED US OFF! I attended a dining meetup with a group of about 25. The management served us a three course family style dinner. My table of 8 received a single, 12" white pizza, about 10 boneless chicken breasts with potato wedges, and a dish of penne macaroni. For dessert we all shared a large bowl of ice cream. As a connoisseur of Italian food (I am 100% Italian and was brought up on the stuff), I can tell you that all of the the food was not good at all. The amount of food would have been sufficient for a table of 4, not 8. And what did they charge us? My bill came to $33 and all I had to drink was water. I had to eat when I arrived home because I was so hungry! I was told days later that management would like to have us back. Yeah, no kidding. They made a killing off my group. I won't be a sucker again and don't you be either!
(1)Jay V.
Service was good but what Italian restaurant doesn't have Alfredo sauce? No white sauce at all. Calamari had no dipping sauce and bread was hard. The menu looks like it was was written by a child and photo copied a sheet of paper. Also the menu is very small and doesn't have much to offer. This place looks really nice but the food is a HUGE disappointment.
(1)Mark S.
bad service , loud and poor food
(1)R H.
Food, amazing. Service, eh.
(4)Tracie H.
After much talk around town of this new restaurant, a friend invited me to dinner there (she had been, I had not). I was very disappointed. The avacado bruchetta was plain and the avacado did not taste smooth and buttery as it should. I cannot recall my main dish, but it was very plain and tasteless as well. This was last Dec. Another friend who had heard wonderful things was really wanting to try it, even knowing I was not impressed, but we want anyway. I decided to give it another shot. Again, very disppointed. I had the salmon dish with aspargus, red onion, tomato, avacado, with balsamic. Salmon did not have good fresh salmon flavor, was not moist and tender, and the avacado was too saturated in balsamic. The tomato was literally 2 small pieces in my dish. My friend was disappointed too. She had a pasta dish wtih broccoli and many other veggies and said it was completely flavorless. Also, I server was really only half present for us and we were not a demanding table. SUMMARY: dishes have no flavor, save yourself a disppointment and skip this place. The two chances I gave it were too many.
(2)Lori R.
Guess it's about time I updated this review, considering we have been here several times since the last one and had pleasant experiences each time. Been here for brunch, for family gatherings, and just the two of us. Most recent was this Sunday for dinner, which also happened to be Mother's Day and they were packed! Which is the exact opposite of the other experiences we have had most recently, where we were almost the only ones in the place. Food continues to be top-notch! Bread is delicious served with a dry herb olive oil. Meat-lovers who like pasta should definitely get the Bolognese. Dad's had it for lunch and we shared it for dinner, along with an awesome (and much lighter) Scallop dish. The scallops were perfectly cooked and served with white beans, spinach and artichokes with a flavorful buttery sauce. YUM. The bolognese has meat that has been braised and there's a hint of an herb that we were guessing to be thyme. The one thing that is surprisingly missing in all of these (for an Italian place) is garlic! I guess that is a plus for some folks. Not complaining though, as it was all delicately delicious. Same with the pistachio gelato that Husband got for dessert. Wow! Chock full of pistachios and not too sweet...very good! As for service, we've had very nice service every time. Usually we get the same gal, but this time we got a guy. And despite the craziness of the "holiday", he did just great.
(4)Mollie B.
UPDATE: so after our meal with the terrible service we get home and look at the cc statement and they overcharged us (rather ADDED) an additional $10 which I am sure went right in our servers pocket! Thank goodness we have a copy of the receipt. This is theft and highly illegal.. BBB and manager will be contacted in the morning! Be sure to check your receipts if you do choose to go here!
(1)Ashley B.
I got brunch here on a Sunday afternoon and it was wonderful. My mom and I were meeting a friend here and they had arrived shortly before us. When we entered the restaurant we were greeted by extremely friendly staff who knew the people we were meeting and they walked us right to the table. The waitress was so, so friendly and very attentive. It was clear that we hadn't seen this couple in a few months so she gave us time to talk and catch up before coming and taking our order. She was able to recommend many good things on the menu and also joined in on our conversation occasionally. I got the bellini which was very good and refreshing. I also got the pancakes to eat and they were delicious! The serving size is 3 large pancakes with a ricotta & honey topping and fresh berries. The pancakes had a really good flavor and didn't taste like the traditional pancakes you could get at any restaurant. The ricotta topping was also really good and fresh tasting. Overall, the food and service was great. I will definitely be coming back here to try dinner.
(5)Michael B.
So this was my first visit to @MiaFrancescaNH and if it was not for the server, I would say it was a not so great experience. When I walked in at 2:20 PM I noticed a gentleman at the host station. He looked at me as to say, what are you doing here, in that awkward manner, but didn't say anything. I asked, are you open, to which he replied they were. I said that I was there for lunch, so he asked how many, and I said it was just me. Then he walked me to my table and said that my server Ashley would be with me in a moment. (I was honestly the only customer in the restaurant.) When the server Ashely came, she was very polite with a nice outgoing personality. I told her that I had never been there before and asked her what did she recommend. She was able to thoroughly describe items from the menu as if she was the chef preparing them. I was impressed with her knowledge of the menu, and her ability to describe them. I ended up having the Spaghetti alla Bolognese for $12. It was served in a bowl, and I received bread and olive oil with various herbs and seasonings mixed in it. The spaghetti was a decent size portion with nice size chunks of meat in it. It had a nice creamy texture and a light flavor to it. It could have been a bit more robust in my opinion, but it was still good. With the size of the lunch serving, I would say that the dinner serving would be huge and overkill for my appetite. The have a nice facility with two private dining areas. One downstairs with doors that could be closed off, and a second one upstairs that overlooked the main dining area. Just be careful not to fall up or down the stairs. When you go, you have to ask for Ashley as your server. She treated me like I was the only customer in the restaurant. (I was actually.) And she will be able to answer any question that you have about the menu, and five you her honest recommendation, and not try to sell you something that you don't want. I really liked that. Just hope that the host is nice and greets you properly. Because the host greeting sets the mood for the entire dining experience. #347
(3)William B.
Although I liked the atmosphere at this restaurant, everything else about it was a huge disappointment. I'd been wanting to try it for a while and was very excited about going but the food was very mediocre. In fact, I've had tastier meals in my own home. For the price of the entree, the food should have been a whole lot better. My daughter ordered the scallop risotto for $24 and it only had 4 small scallops in it. The service was sufficient but for what I thought was an upscale restaurant it could have been better. Don't see myself going back to this restaurant anytime soon.
(2)Natacha S.
Mia Francesca's was a delicious option for my Italian craving last night! The restaurant is conveniently located at the North Hills Shopping Mall. You can park in the underground parking and directly access the restaurant through the Renaissance Hotel. To begin with, I loved the interior decorations. The brick wall, with candle-like chandeliers reminded me of a scene from the Pirates of The Caribbean. And who doesn't love that!? I also love the large lamps that hang down over the dining area. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive to our needs, which was great because I was a little skeptical of the service after reading some of the Yelp reviews. Our food came out really fast and our appetizer was by far our favorite! I highly recommend the mussels plate as an appetizer, they were super good. As my main dish, I ordered the grouper fish. This $27 dish was pretty good, though I wouldn't have it again, not for that value. There were so many green olives that they made the flavor too salty, and took away from that of the fish. I would likely eat there again and try a pasta dish next time. And... I would likely order the mussels again!
(4)Beverly F.
Always a hit! Carpaccio, caprese salad, prosciutto & asparagus and the cheese board are my faves!
(5)Marc C.
We visited a couple of weeks ago form Sunday brunch with friends and enjoyed it. Service started out crazy slow but, improved as the meal progressed. I had the Arancini Benedict; Crispy risotto, soft poached eggs, basil hollandaise, prosciutto di parma, & house fried potatoes. The risotto cakes were a great take on this classic dish. Everything was fresh and tasty. My wife had the French Toast; Vanilla bean batter soaked brioche, candied walnuts, warm blueberry-basil compote and served with real maple syrup. Very nice but more dessert than breakfast. Good spot for brunch!
(4)Lindsay S.
Our server was attentive, friendly and knowledgable about the menu. The calamari was good, Caesar salad was crisp and the dressing wasn't too strong. For an entree I got the ravioli and although I thought it was delicious there is a very distinct and strong flavor with the prosciutto and veal combination. The cabbage that was mixed with the cream sauce was my favorite part! I also splurged and got the Creme brûlée. What I call the perfect dessert. There was nothing spectacular about it but it was exactly what a Creme brûlée should be. I would go back; the portions were large, variety on the menu and it's close to home :)
(4)Florio O.
Always fresh, consistently great! There's something about the vegetables they use in their dishes, they're always cooked to perfection. The complimentary bread is hot, the oil and vinegar excellent. Tonight i had the caprese salad for appetizer and the salmon for entree, both amazing! Great presentation and taste! Our server is prompt and professional, with just the right amount of warmth; genuine :) Highly recommended!!!
(5)Y I.
My friend & I went here to have some food after work.The moment we walked in we were greeted by the girls upfront & where asked if we had a reservation ( we didn't but we were seated pretty quickly) . Our server was a nice lady but I can't remember her name ): We had a lot of people come to our table so I was a little confused, I guess I am used to having just one person do everything but great teamwork! We had bread/Cesar Salad before our food arrived.Once It did everything looked amazing but there was so much tomato sauce...I am not a fan of tomato sauce lol I expected more cheesiness.That's just my preference not the restaurant's fault. I would say it felt a bit weird being there because I felt there was no diversity in the clientele & some of the customers that came in seems to have that "stuck-up" attitude.I wish it had a more welcoming feeling but of course that might just be how I am looking at things. Anyone should give it a try though.
(3)Troy V.
Not very good at all. Wait staff, food times, even the taste of the food was POOR. All tasted frozen or reheated not fresh at all. With the higher cost for 4 people we all really felt we waisted our $$$$. May want to avoid, we will not go back!!!
(1)Ken L.
Went for a friends birthday party and didn't feel very Pasta Italiano that night so I ordered the Salmon Caponata and it was so good! The portion didn't look huge but after I had the veggies, eggplant, capers, cooked with the fennel, olive oil, balsamic and tomato underneath the grilled perfection of the salmon, I was full! Loved the atmosphere the waitress was very attentive to our group and the low lighting with the big tables make you feel like you are at medieval feast! Thanks for the great evening. I'll be back!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Came here for brunch. The best part of the meal was the lemon candy on the way out. Inattentive staff, bland French toast and undercooked bacon. Look elsewhere for better brunch options.
(2)Danelle T.
Came here for my husbands birthday brunch and loved everything we ate. We ordered the tomato basil bisque. It was perfection. Then I ordered the Arancini Benedict- wow! What a deal. A risotto cake patty topped with a hearty poached egg with hollandaise and prosciutto, and caramelized onions and skillet potatoes- all that for only $12. Generous portions at that!
(5)Shannon P.
Not your typical "hotel" restaurant! Located in the Renaissance hotel in North Hills, you may be inclined to pass this place up for one of the other many options in North Hills. I'm here to tell you - EAT HERE! After so many rave reviews we decided to check this place out last night with friends. From the moment you walk in, you feel like you've stepped into a rustic yet modern farmhouse or ski lodge. After you're visually pleased, your sense of smell will immediately take over as everything smells SO amazing!! Their menu options are amazing - truly something for everyone. While it all has an italian slant, if pasta isn't your thing, no worries. They have plenty of fish, chicken, and beef options for those watching their carbs. They also offer a gluten free menu (you have to ask for it) that serves quinoa pasta!! I opted for this - not because I'm gluten free, but I love quinoa and was thrilled to try quinoa pasta. In my opinion it tastes as good as regular pasta but you get all the benefit of the protein from the quinoa. I had the penne al pomodoro - which was the quinoa with a spicy cherry tomato sauce and fresh herbs and I added the grilled shrimp. It was out of this world good! The hubby got the pan roasted tilapia with sauteed spinach. Again - terrific! For an appetizer we shared the bruschetta which seriously has to be the best bruschetta I've had. Make sure to save room for dessert!! We shared the pistachio gelato and tiramisu. I'm very picky about my tiramisu and am often disappointed when I get it but this was spot on delicious!! The pistachio gelato was so creamy and smooth too. You cannot go wrong with this place. I'm just sad I didn't find it sooner! With summer approaching, I'm excited to take advantage of their outdoor dining as well. Best restaurant in the North Hills shopping center!!! Bravo!
(4)Lucy D.
Very convenient location adjacent to the hotel. Service and food were very good. Food is fresh and portions are generous. They are very proactive in customer feedback after your meal. The waitress gave us an ipad with a customer survey to complete right before we left. It was fast, easy and brave since the feedback was immediate. We will return here.
(4)Alexus L.
I absolutely loved it here. My bestfriend was in town and we visited Mia Francesca's for lunch during restaurant week. (June 5, 2012) We were seated promptly and chose outside seating... even though it was quite breezy :)Nevertheless, the food was so good that we didnt care that the napkins were flying off the table lol. Cant wait to go again :)
(5)jeanie w.
Just had NYE dinner here....not memorable. The special menu was shrunk and did not include the steak and crab dish as promised. The pasta might as well been served by Olive Garden. No butter, tepanade or dipping sauce for bread. Sorry, I cannot give this place more than 2 stars...
(2)Sherrie G.
New favorite restaurant in Raleigh. Great decor and atmosphere. Perfect for a date night or girls night out. Been there several times and the appetizers are always good. Personal favorites are the bruschetta and the four cheese pizza. Also great is a specialty item not always listed on the menu. It is a polenta with a stew type topping. Wonderful! For main dishes the cheese ravioli is very tasty. The wait staff is still gaining their footing. I have had incredible service and some newbies. The restaurant is still young so I expected some hiccups. However, they have always been very helpful and friendly. Another nice feature is a good selection of reasonably priced wine. For dessert try the old standby...tiramisu. Can't go wrong. I expect this place will be on lengthy waits once word gets out. Enjoy while you can still get in.
(5)Ray M.
Visited Mia Francesca for Sunday brunch. Food was good except eggs were over cooked & had to be sent back. Service was excellent. The only real complaint is paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee! That alone will keep me from returning............too bad!
(3)Greyson D.
I've read the online hype about MF in Chicago and really wanted to try it out. I'm surpised I'm the first to review, then again I was probably the youngest person in there by 20 years. The crowd in there looked they just got done filming an episode of Real Housewives of Raleigh which isn't a bad thing in my opinion. The restaurant is located on the front right side of the Renaissance Hotel in North Hills. I went a few weeks ago on a Friday night and we didn't have reservations which was a mistake because it took about 30 minutes to be seated. The bar was completely full so we got a glass of wine and just stood there and waited. The restaurant ambiance is really cool and has a good vibe going on. As far as food is concerned the appetizer risotto with italian sausage in it was the best dish of the night. Cooked perfectly, tasted really good, came out of the kitchen quickly, not much more I can ask for. For my entree I got some linguine dish that had a spicy cherry tomato sauce mixed with shrimp & scallops. In my opinon, you can't go wrong with that. The entree was good, not great, but good. My date got some other pasta dish that had ham and peas in it, it was decent but nothing stood out. My server was very nice and I could tell she was really trying hard but I think she was a little overwhelmed by the amount of tables she had. When my entrees came my beer was empty and my date's wine was empty also. Total bill after tip was right around $100 for both of us. Granted we drank a good bit so you can definitely get out of there cheaper. In my honest opinion, if I was craving italian food I would hit up Bellas, Vivace, or Gravy before I came back here. On another note, the ambiance here dominates the aforementioned restaurants. I would recommend checking it out and I'm sure I'll come back, just unsure when...
(3)M D.
Of all the things, Mia Francesca doesn't understand the meaning of reservation. Mind it, it means check-in time; after that you're at their mercy..pathetic!!
(2)Alex B.
Incredible. I came for brunch on a Saturday morning with my boyfriend and we were blown away. Ashley was our server and she was so sweet and recommended the frittata to me which was delicious and HUGE! My boyfriend had the Arencini Benedict and it was amazing. Best of all, the mimosas and bellinis are $3 and the bloody Mary's are so cheap too. Our entire meal was $35 and we ate and drank like kings. Definitely recommend this place to anyone for brunch and I want to come back for dinner!
(5)Kevin M.
Pleasantly surprised. Our party had a great time and great food! Excellent service from Justin our waiter
(5)Amy B.
Came here for first time. Husband had the pollo romano which had a nice flavor but chicken was a little dry. I had eggplant siciliano which was good but didn't expect a pasta dish with cold ricotta and chunks of eggplant. But it had decent flavor. Son had cheese pizza which he loved. Service was good and I would come back and give another try
(3)Denise B.
This is the second time I have been here; both times on New Years Eve. I have to say if you are expecting run of the mill Italian food that you can get anywhere ( like veal Parmesan) then this is not the place for you. I will say the prices are a little out of touch for the market here in Raleigh (maybe ok for Chicago where the original is). But with all that said, I chose something off the regular menu, the gnocchi, and it was wonderful. My hubby had spaghetti and meatballs..not original in any sense for him or a restaurant, but the meatballs were huge and there were 4 of them. The sauces on both pastas were slightly different as the should be. So portions were great, flavorful and plenty to take home. It was early evening and I was disappointed that the tables were not all set with condiments and I had to ask for the oil for the delish bread, then noticed no salt no pepper. They also need to get rid of the patio chairs upstairs; not sure if that was just for New Years but extremely uncomfortable with low round backs. Food was excellent, service was great. Get rid of those patio chairs...sheesh a folding chair would have been more comfy
(4)Latham H.
Went for the Sunday Brunch. Were told by phone a few days ahead we could also order from the regular lunch menu. We were given only the brunch menu and told those were our only choices. The food was only average for the price point. Our server wasn't very experienced. He took drink and app orders right away. We were never offered any bread and butter, a staple of Italian food. We got our food and had to mention we needed drink refills. After that our waiter seem to disappear. When everyone was almost done with their meal he returned to ask how we were paying. Again, we had to request refills and asked why we didn't get any bread. Also, we had to ask if they served desert. We finally got bread served with desert. Very disappointing experience for this level of pricing.
(2)Denise B.
We went here as part of Restaurant Week and found the food AMAZING! My husband thought his caesar salad was the best he had ever gotten. The bruschetta totally rocked! For entrees we got salmon and chicken and they were served in awesome sauces. I just can't say enough about the tiramisu. If you are looking for a wonderful experience and great food... come here.
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