Franks was our first stop on the Italy 607 and at first it seemed like it wasn't going to do very well. Upon being seated we waited nearly fifteen minutes before a server even came over to our table, and there was only one other group in the restaurant. We even had to go up and ask for service, it seemed really unacceptable. The waitress apologized for the miscommunication and we ordered our appetizers. The tomato and mozzarella salad was amazing! Huge portion and the oil and vinegar was great. Our bruschetta came next, and it was served very similar to restaurants in Italy (a+) with great presentation. She brought our garlic bread (crisp yet delicious) next, and then shortly after our entrees came. The pesto was amazing which is an a++ considering we ordered it as a substitution and there are hardly any other restaurants in Binghamton that serve pesto. My gnocchi Alfredo didn't look that appetizing but it was really good! You could tell the gnocchi was homemade as it was sliced into little pieces. Then our waitress informed us that the owner would like to give us a free dessert for our wait in the beginning which was really nice and definitely helped us to forgive that little mishap. We ordered the berry mascarpone and it was seriously amazing! Tasted like a blueberry muffin with cream filling. We rated this place highly because the food was superb and after we were finally attended to the service was pretty great! 85/100
Review Source:Surprisingly, I am also from the Boston area (see another one of the reviews). I also was very impressed with the food at Frank's restaurant!
The atmosphere of the place is the first thing that I noticed, and I felt that it was friendly and bustling, but not annoyingly so. Â The waitresses were very quick to come by to offer us wine and drinks, as well as to take our order, which was appreciated (especially when the restaurant was full!).
I ordered the Fruit di Mare, as it was one of their specials. Â I was a little skeptical of ordering seafood in upstate NY, but it sounded delicious so I figured it was worth a roll of the dice, at least.
I am very happy that I did! Â The base pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce was delectable and the seafood was fresh and cooked just right. Â Even the scallops were done just right, which is usually what I find to be overcooked in these types of dishes. Â And to top it off, the portion size was generous!
After dinner the eponymous Frank came by the table to chat about dinner, which was very friendly of him. Â It was obvious that he cares about his food, his restaurant, his reputation and the overall dining experience of his customers, and I love that. Â As the previous reviewer mentioned about the North End, this personal touch made my experience at Frank's that much better than the majority of places that I've been in the North End Italian restaurants.
Definitely plan on going back the next time I am in the area!
My family has been coming here for the past couple years but this weekend was my first chance to try it for myself. The atmosphere of the restaurant was homey and quaint and Frank himself even came over to introduce himself before we ate. The bruschetta appetizer was very yummy and the rest of my party raved about their main dishes (fish and steak). I had the chicken parmesan and though it was good, I've definitely had better.
Review Source:As one who do enjoy food that is of high quality and is different from the rest, I find Frank's food unique and impressive as compared the local landmark Italian joints in nearby Triple Cities. I'm not an Italian descent so I cannot endorse the authenticity of anything on Frank's menu.
As for the location, being away from in-town probably allows for a far better value for what they serve. From the Western end of TC, it's enroute to Rt81 or I-81N situated half way between Endicott and Whitney Point.
Where the HELL did this place come from?
The food that comes out of Frank's kitchen is not only the BEST food within 100 miles of Binghamton it would hold its own against any of the big hitters in Boston's Italian North End. I grew up with my fork in bowls of spaghetti from Cortese, Consols, and Little Venice, so in my humble opinion, his company of italian cuisine in Binghamton is intense. But Frank's is in a different league. Â As Bingo Italian food is typically known for their thin, but flavorful immigrant style, Frank puts out authentic, fresh, and as I run out of adjectives, simply ridiculous food. He is what the world would call raw, unrefined talent. And his prices are low - very low.
I have been to Frank's twice but fortunate to have been in large parties of very generous to share people. Although everything from the peppers and veal to the meatball sub deserves a review, I will simply discuss my dishes.
The english translated 'Fruit of the Sea' is a zesty, cioppino like red sauce pounded with Mussels, Clams, Scallops, and Shrimp over spaghetti. It is heaven. I just find something so soothing about eating a muscle or clam, using its shell to sip the rich, zesty red sauce and then complementing it with a glass of my own (BYO with a $1.50 corking fee) wine.
My second dish was an off the menu choice of Osso Buco. Prepared and served over a plate of vegetables and a smooth, broth like gravy, the Veal shank shredded like tender salmon, held up on the fork, and melted in my mouth. The meat was seasoned just enough to reveal the young, tender flavors of the Veal and had the perfect fat/lean ratio. And as I used some of the grilled garlic bread to absorb the juices and hold the remaining marrow, I simply couldn't get enough.
Although the food deserves the spotlight, The 'its all relative clause' of the rating scale has been implemented for Frank's because there are a few things that just wouldn't fly in a big city.
- The first being the service. I certainly wouldn't say it's bad, just a little slow... But no fear, the slowness is trumped by their smiles. The wait staff is so friendly in fact that they often ask their most friendly customers if they have ever considered a career in waiting. From what I hear from Frank, who regularly visits with his tables, his 'wait staff' is just his friends and family who are working for tips to help out. The result is slow service, but the smiles are plentiful and free.
- The decor is 'homey' but inconsistent from one room to another. The lights are bright, and although unanimously preferred among my guests, I actually prefer a dimmer on the lights to give the old Italian Mafia feel which Endicott is known for.
- The location SUCKS... I mean seriously out in the boondocks... Â That being said, it is worth the drive any and every day of the week.
- The last thing I would like to see from Frank's is a different salad program. He proves he can get fresh seafood and meat so I would have to imagine he can get the produce needed for a more substantial dinner salad. It was definitely fresh - no complaints on that end, but it is boring and very reminiscent of the iceberg lettuce and chunk of tomato you get from the rest of the areas italian joints.
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