My wife and I stopped in for lunch this afternoon, and were pleasantly surprised by the excellent and cheerful service, as well as the fantastic food. The waitstaff was friendly and personable, and the atmosphere was cool but casual. A welcome break from the hustle and bustle of families biking and kayaking in Collinsville. We ordered the lobster Mac and Cheese (crisp top, creamy and flavorful cheese, and plenty of lobster chunks for only 10 bucks- divine.) and the chicken and Parma focaccia paninis (both were incredible). We are excited to return soon for dinner.
Review Source:We visited Francesca's about 2 weeks ago and loved the ambience, the service and most importantly the food -- and the wine too, which was both Italian and reasonably priced. It made us feel like we were eating in a family member's home rather than a restaurant. It is small, so it isn't good for groups, but for a nice, authentic Italian meal, you can't go wrong here. In fact, we're going back tonight.
Review Source:This review is long, long, overdue... Francesca's is a wonderful addition to Collinsville. Great ambiance... great food... great wine... lovely staff and owners... I have been working my way through their menu and have yet to have anything I would not order a second time. Their soups, in my opinion, are especially delicious and don't even get me started on the bourbon pumpkin cheesecake they had available around the holidays that was beyond droolworthy. It is my "go to" place for a night out/lunch with friends as well as a great place to stop for a glass or three of wine. Run, don't walk, to check out this gem!
Review Source:Amazing food, great staff, and reasonably priced.
We came here on a whim the other night and lucked into an amazing find. Francesca's is a family run restaurant and they make it to point to treat everyone that walks in like family. We had the meatball sliders, bruschetta, and the Gorgonzola arancini. Everything came out cooked to perfection and in a timely manner.
I will however suggest getting there before 6pm on the weekends because it gets very crowded very fast!
The food and wine at Francescas is very good, my only complaint is the way you are greeted when arriving at the restaurant. Â They immediately ask if you have resverations and when you do not they act like they are doing you a favor by letting you have a table (mind you it was 5 o'clock and the place was empty. Â They need better customer service skills, very cold and maybe some reserved signs to put on the table when they are indeed reserved. Â This would definately not be my first choice in Collinsville any longer, this was my 3rd visit and all three times we were treated the same way.
Review Source:We recently tried Francescas for the first time. Â Its a small wine bar with American style tappas food. Â Glasses of wine were a little pricey but then I am happy with cheap fruity wine so I am not a judge there. Â Food was excellent. Â Two of us shared one glass of wine, a salad with tuna, lobster mac and cheese, cheese fill veal balls and a brownie sunday in glass. Â Food was great and only problem was that the desert was in a wine glass an I couldn't lick the dish.
For me one big problem was the noise. Â The room was full and it was deafeningly loud and my wife and I could barely carry on a conversation. Â My ears were ringing after I left. Â I admit I am sensitive to this and lots of people don't seem to mind but also know a few who look for the quiet places like me.
My girlfriend and me have been dying to try Francesca's in Collinsville since we saw the new owner painting the inside on the place back in late August. Our experience last evening was very good. The wine list and food selection are great. Our meals (Tapas) was prepared well and was tasty. I would highly recommend trying this restaurant. It's located in Collinsville, CT which has it's own special charm and Francesca's adds to the local landscape. On the bummer side, Francesca's is tiny and we were told by the owner that you cannot make reservations unless you have a "large party." We saw one large table which seated six and a few 4-seaters but the dinning floor is comprised of mostly tables for two. When we arrived, all of the tables were full. The owner asked us if we wanted to wait for our table by the bar. The problem is, Â the wine bar is part of the dinning area so if you are not lucky enough to be seated at a table as soon as you arrive, you always seem to be standing in someone's way. Sure, when the weather is nice, you can always stand outside but during the fall and winter months, it can be a fairly uncomfortable.... constantly dodging bartenders and the waitress staff bringing food and drink to seated customers. I know......... every restaurant should have this problem - too many customers. My advice is to try this special out of the way restaurant. You won't be disappointed and Francesca...start looking for a larger building.
Review Source:My wife and I have been there twice and both times it's been a great meal and a great experience. Â Our last visit was with friends from NYC who have quite sophisticated palettes and they absolutely loved it. Â The menu is unique, and definitely not the usual run-of-the-mill Italian/Mediterranean. Â A previous reviewer mentioned a menu loaded with cheese and fried foods, but there wasn't a single fried item on the menu when we ate there. Â It was definitely a fresh, light fare. Â I suspect the complaints cited in earlier reviews were startup issues that have since been ironed out. Â The wine list is more than adequate, prices are reasonable, and the service was competent and attentive. Â The atmosphere is casual and quiet. Â It would be okay for families with older children but I doubt the menu would appeal to young kids. Â I highly recommend it and plan to go again.
Review Source:Tonight I had the pleasure of having dinner in this wonderful, charming little bistro. The food was Fabulous!!!! The dishes are small plates and we had about 7 different dishes. They were all excellent. The flavors, the presentation, the warmth of the restaurant, the wine list.......all just great. I love great food...interesting food and this place was a home run. The pumpkin pasta, the stuffed meatballs, the corn salsa, the lobster mac and cheese, Polenta cakes with three different toppings and at the end of the meal...three great desserts. My personal favorite......the chefs version of a "smore". Homemade marshmallow, chocolate and then it is sprinkled with ground up graham crackers. Light, sweet and so good!!!!!!!!!
The owners are very engaging and warm.
Try this place......you will enjoy it, I promise.
Tough getting a table in this establishment. Â This was my second visit to the restaurant and was turned away both times. Â With both visits telling us there was no table available and no reservations accepted, Â Francescas is a tough place to get into. We called the Restaurant early enough on Saturday for a 6:30PM table. Â We were told again there were no reservations accepted but at 6:30 PM the restaurant would not be filled and a table for 4 should be ready.
We arrived on time, to find the restaurant full and a 40 minute wait. Â Now ... if you know Collinsville, Â there is no place to wait for 40 minutes while a table is made available. Â We had to find an alternative. Â
I gave the restaurant three stars simply because it was packed the two times we attempted to get a table. Â So we have to assume the food is great. I can't give you an account of my own at this point. Â But .. when we try this again for a third time and still no table available, then we apply the three strike rule and stop our attempts forevermore. Â It's never pleasant being turned away from a restaurant. Â Certainly not this many times.
I'd suggest they learn to take reservations when the restaurant is this popular and the seating is so limited.
If we're lucky enough to get a table on my third attempt, Â I'll get this report updated right away.
New wine bar in Collinsville. Wine list looks good. Food menu prices are reasonable. The food I did try there went from no flavor (polenta cakes were too big and lacked any flavor) Â to not bad. A lot of cheese and fried foods.
I'd be more impressed if they had lighter, fresher fare. Maybe sources from local farms? Cheese and fried foods are not challenging to execute.
No coffee/tea available?? They said their Keurig was broken. Sorry, but restaurants should have restaurant grade coffee/espresso/latte makers, not a Keurig. Staff are very friendly and eager to please.
Lovely wine bar in historic Colllinsville. Inviting space with great wines and even better food. Â Lobster Mac & Cheese, Gorgonzola Arancini and to die for Arugula & Prosciutto Salad with Shaved Parm. Housemade desserts and focaccia bread. Â What's there not to love? Oh did I mention the great folks who run the place who go out of there way to please.
Jacqui G
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