Such a nice atmosphere and bar area. Our bartender Andy was fantastic! We would have loved to go in again but we were on vacation. read more

It's a nice Italian restaurant with good food and lovely ambiance. The service was good,Benjamin was taking care of us and gave us advise about what the best dishes there.The mussels dish it's so good maybe one of the best one that I ever had in Chicago.The calamari dish was fresh and good.We wanted to make my friend try the artichokes but weren't good.they were soft but smelled smoky which it's not the taste that should have plus the lime sauce and fresh onion on top are not a good mix.Benjamin was very nice about it and offer to have something else and also didn't charge us for it ,so they say a lot about the quality of the restaurant.congratulations for that.The profiteroles were so yummy to bad couldn't finish all.They have various good wines from all over the world which is great.The rosé "Bieler Pere et Fils" from Provence was exquisite. read more

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Welcoming Italian restaurant in the heart of Chicago. Our waitress Veronica did an excellent job taking care of us. A few of the staff came up, Santiago & Ben introduced themselves and ensured we were welcome. Be sure to meet the manager, Constantine! Great guy, born in Chicago and knows all the ins and outs if you're interested in going out after dinner. Will be back!! read more

Francesca's On Chestnut - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was our second time at Francesca's. We were thrilled to have Tiffany wait on us again. She is fantastic! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was comfortable. We even received a complimentary dessert for my birthday which was amazing!! Thank you Tiffany for being so good to us and giving us another great experience! read more

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Delicious, authentic Italian food with top notch service and an extensive wine list. Make sure to get your reservation booked in advance. Quaint bar area with a spacious dining room, dimmed ambiance with a hint of old world. We started out ordering drinks while pursued the menu. I looked online before we got there, but they changed to their spring menu that evening. I ordered the asparagus salad with fresh tomatoes and lemon. It was light and delicious...liking asparagus is a must. My husband had the Francesca salad with blue cheese. For entrees I opted for the spicy linguini marinara with a side of garlic scampi. The garlic butter was sinful, it was so full of flavor. My husband ordered the prosciutto pizza, the crust was perfect and full of robust flavor. As much as I wanted to order dessert, the gelato menu looked delicious but we were so full from the huge portions from dinner. The service was fantastic. Our server was quick, full of knowledge and helpful tips, he really made our experience that much better. read more

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Visiting Chicago for work and MAN did I hit the jackpot finding this place. They have several locations so find the one that is closest to where you are staying. I imagine they are all similar. I am gluten free and they have a FULL gluten free menu which you don't always find at a restaurant that feels so family-owned in a big city. The vodka sauce with sausage was absolutely incredible. Sergio (the bartender) let me try several wines to taste with my dinner and made my experience so comfortable. As a solo traveler, it can sometimes be awkward to sit at the bar alone, but everyone here was so friendly. Based on the food alone, I'd give a 5/5 The incredible service and ambiance are just icing on the cake. It also seems like lots of guests are regulars! I simply cannot recommend this place highly enough (especially for gluten free travelers and red wine lovers) Note - the picture attached is after MANY bites. Serving size is incredible but I still finished every single bite. read more

Francesca's On Chestnut - Gluten free pasta (vodka sauce with sausage) - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Night started off with Lisa, the sweetest hostess and Santiago with some drinks, after getting us a table extremely fast. Veronica and Ben took care of our food and it was absolutely delicious. Veronica was also very knowledgeable and helpful with food decisions. Being new to the city, Constantine, the restaurant manager, offered us Complimentary Drinks and showed us the absolute best experience we've experienced at an establishment. If you want an experience, come here, period. read more

Great food. JUST. TOO. LOUD. Our whole party noticed both characteristics and, regrettably for all, everyone is disinclined to return, except perhaps for an al fresco meal. Did they paint over sound-absorbing ceiling tiles for a better visual look? In any event, a shame. Hope they take some action to rectify, as we'd otherwise like to return. read more

It was awful ...We were 4 Japanese and 2 kids. We had lunch there. It was in September and there was only one server even though there were around 20 tables. I felt bad about that, but the server's attitude was also bad. Was it because we were Asian? He smiled at the customers at the other tables. But to us, he took his stress out on us. He didn't come to take our order, no bring water, and when I told him that our dessert didn't come, he angrily told us that one of us hadn't finished that dish yet even we already ordered...I will never go there again. Worst server I've ever had. read more

Ordered pasta bolognese. Yes not good. But their mussel appetizer was very good. Bread that was served was average.

This is a wonderful spot for good old fashioned food and service! We've gone before the dinner rush and it has been delightful. However, last time we were in it was a full house, and way too noisy for conversation. Everyone was shouting to be heard. The owners need put in sound deadening! read more

we came here on a weekday night for a corporate dinner, the food is served family style, and all the dishes are amazing. The calamari is amazing! lightly battered and fried just right, not too oily and very crispy. the pasta is amazing, cooked al dente and the sauces are very tasty. we also got some salmon and chicken dish, both cooked very well, but I was pretty full at that point to have more of it. The tiramisu dessert is amazing, highly recommend read more

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Used to really really love this place but it has changed. The portions are now so much smaller than they once were. The chicken dishes or desert are so tiny now, while still being so much. We got the smallest piece of cake for $12, never again would I order it. The newer bar staff are not kind of comfortable to be around, and the manager was creating a weird environment by drilling the bar staff about wines. Overall a big disappointment how this place is now and likely won't be coming back read more

The food was amazing and the ambiance was also great. The service was quick and very helpful and kind. I got the rolli alla francesca and that tasted really good and left me full. I also got the CARPACCIO CON AVOCADO and wasn't sure what it was exactly but it ended out tasting pretty good as well. Definitely would recommend going! read more

Francesca's On Chestnut - Rolli alla Francesca - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent dinner celebrating two 10-year-old's birthday. They were very accommodating as well as brought both girls surprise treats to celebrate their birthday. read more

Sat at the bar. Drinks were good, food was fast and full of flavor. Ravioli was as advertised.

Wonderful food, atmosphere and service. Really great experience. Our server was super attentive.

Francesca's restaurants have been mynfav since the early 90's. I have gone to the Chestnut location many times over the past coupla years. But Ive noticed a decline. Ive always been obsessed with Bruschetta Alla Romano. They have been using very little tomatoes and basil so you end up with a mouthful of bread and olive oil with most bites. The bruschetta in Lincoln Park and Taylor street was loaded with tomatoes. I went to Chestnut on May 15th and of course there were very little tomatoes as their usual but this time the basil looked odd like big dark green leaves. It tasted horrible and I asked the waiter about it what's up with changes and he said the chef just wanted to put a different twist on the recipe. He used SPINACH and not basil! But it was nasty, did he even taste his concoction?!?! Didnt finish it. I ordered the special - filet mignon, cooked medium. OMG it was cold a raw inside. The sauce freaking tasted like barbeque sauce!! Eewww! Whatever the white stuff on the side was gross. I had to take my steak home, wash the barbeque sauce off and cook the dang thing. Im sooo glad I didnt take friends there for their first time because I rave about Francesca's all the time. Im going to give it another chance in case it was an off night, or substitute chef or new management. But only one more chance! Look at the pictures. Eeww! read more

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We were able to get a last-minute reservation for seven adults. We were sat in the very cool basement level (made for larger parties). Our server, Tiffany, instantly became our best friend. I had the Caesar salad (with anchovies, of course) and the lasagna bolognese. Both were delicious. Everyone in my group loved their pastas. Tiffany kept checking in on us and made sure we were happy. So...a third bottle of wine seemed appropriate. We finished up by sharing three desserts: the tiramisu, the giant sundae, and the sticky toffee cake. All were great. After taking some selfies with Tiffany, we shut the place down and had to walk off our full bellies. We all said we'd return the next time we were in the city. read more

This place has a fancy ambiance with plenty of seating and had so many cute balloons up when we went for Valentine's Day! The pasta was delicious and I loved the addition of hazelnuts in the ravioli! Absolutely delicious! Service was good too! read more

Francesca's On Chestnut - Ravioli con mascarpone - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Really slow service even though we came when the restaurant was basically empty. The food was boring. We were highly disappointed. The waitress brought our drinks and disappeared for 20 minutes. We had to ask another server to take our order. She later said she was busy "making drinks" read more

Ambience | Price Point | Portions Ambience - Francesca's has a very high class feel. They have a lot of wood and mahogany accents with chandeliers and notable columns. The vibe is definitely upscale and relatively formal. This is definitely a great spot for a Friday or Saturday night date. Price Point - You are definitely paying for the location. The Michigan Ave tax is high here given the quality of food. Not to say the food isn't great, it is just pricey given the quality. Given the number of great restaurants in the city, at the price point there are other options within 3-5 miles. Portions - while the price is relatively high, the amount of food is significant. You need to show up HUNGARY if you are going to eat here. Each appetizers is large. We had the calamari and honestly, it could have been a main dish by itself. It easily fed the four of us. The entrees are significantly large as well. I had the half chicken and I could only get through half of it. The chicken was tender and easily came off the bone. Pro Tip: There is a good amount of street parking within 1-2 blocks. If you go towards the hospital. Additionally, there are 2-3 parking garages within 1-2 blocks. Therefore, you don't have to budget an additional 15 minutes for parking. read more

Francesca's On Chestnut - Monica Celebrating ... - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We stopped here walking back to our hotel. They were busy but we were able to spread our large party of 8 to multiple tables, which we didn't mind. We were grateful that they could even accommodate us. It is super cute and small inside. I enjoyed the warm lighting and decor. Our server was super sweet. I wish I remembered her name, but she was great! I had the vodka sauce dish and omg, I ate every single bite (I never do that). It was definitely a top 10 for me when it comes to Italian. I also had the gin-let.. so good! I would definitely recommend this place. read more

Francesca's On Chestnut - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Francesca's is a cute space that is big enough to feel safe while unmasked around strangers yet small enough to feel intimate. My table ordered the calamari which tasted fresh and wasn't overly bready which I like. The marinara it was served in was a bit bland. The table bread is a baguette served warm with olive oil and a side of Parmesan. Meh. My dish, a special on the menu, was not great. The risotto was crunchy and undercooked, and the basil pesto sauce was watery. The lobster "chucks" was more like a lobster "chuck" plus some scraps. However, the death by raspberry drink was great! For the price tag, I wouldn't come back. Especially with the entertainment tax of miracle mile. But I appreciate the wait staff being friendly! read more

Francesca's On Chestnut - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bad as usual. We live in the neighborhood and years ago we frequented this restaurant weekly. We forgive the inconsistent food and service once a year and give it another try. Mistake as usual! As soon as we entered the restaurant we were told rudely by Constantine that the kitchen closed in 15 minutes and he gave us the worst table in the front, while there were numerous tables in the dining room. We quickly ordered and 2 more couples entered and he gave them great tables! The new waitress was so sweet and the food was fair, not as bad as usual. We skipped appetizers and drinks just to get out of there.We will have to be desperate to ever try again. So unpleasant and disappointing. read more

Fabulous meal to celebrate son's graduation from boot camp. Great atmosphere. Food was perfect and service was delightful. 10/10.

While our meal was tasty, the service was very slow. I understand how hard the service industry was hit due to COVID, but if you do not have the staff, maybe cut back on the number of tables you book a night. Maybe try and non-weekend night for better service. And make sure to get the Apollo Milanese, as it was fantastic. read more

Service was great. Try the salmon entre. I keep going back there. It is perfectly cook on top of asparagus with light avocado sauce. Fantastic dish. You won't regret it ( or go anywhere else for it! read more

The food at this restaurant was really great. The portions were fulfilling and the service was awesome. We even got a tiramisu on the house! Overall great experience, just a little bit crowded and on the expensive side of things. read more

This used to be our favorite neighborhood spot. In fact on my year-end credit card recap, it was my #1 expense for a few years. It's now a hell hole. Very bad acoustics. Way over priced. Plus they got rid of one of the best barmen in town only to replace him with what appeared to be 3 and 4 people. That's crazy. I have no idea what they're all doing but, best I could tell, just standing around or trying to find someone to talk to. In other words, a bar that used to be mostly full with a lot of local regulars had very few patrons on this night. The good news is that there are many options in the 'hood. Sayonara FoC. We enjoyed you til we didn't...or couldn't. read more

A very nice location and amazing ambiance. The food and service here is top tier. Full of flavour and reasonably priced. I would highly suggest this location for a relaxed dinner at the end of the night. Just be sure to get a reservation as this restaurant looks to be a local favourite. read more

Came to visit for a graduation in the city. Me and my gf had a free night to explore and came across this lovely restraunt that was close by. Booked a reservation the hour before and was seated within 10 mins waiting for our table to open. Cocktails were great, wine selection was good, waiter was attentive and the food was pretty good/no complaints. Desert as well was delicious. Atmosphere was lovely, not too loud and the lighting was perfect mood lighting. Would visit again! read more

Subpar service. Food is okay. Expected real Italian as they market but it was not comparable. It was good, just nothing special and did not taste homemade. read more

Maitre'd was very friendly upon entering the restaurant. The bread they provide when you sit down is warm and fluffy. The Parmesan side is a great addition to a classic staple. Our server is great at touching our table, and has a keen eye for detail (Especially given he just got assigned to a 12-top). Would recommend based on food quality and popularity. Great for a family dinner, friendly get together, or just a more casual date night. read more

we made reservations at Francesca's on Chestnut for our 30th wedding anniversary one and a half months in advance. Get a call before our reservation night that they were canceling our reservation because of an event. Pathetic. read more

Service was amazing, very disappointed with the fried calamari, overcooked and hard, meatballs was way too much breading vs meat. The server asked if the kitchen could prepare a chicken parm and voila!!! I ordered the seafood pasta, was a bit too spicy for me. The profiteroles was hard and dry. read more

A delightful restaurant for dinner . The food is very good and the wait staff is so delightful and very professional . Ambiance is charmingly elegant . Simply a great place for dinner ! So glad the Sonesta recommended it during our stay ! read more

You know you'll get a good meal when you come to Francesca's. The complementary bread with oil and cheese is super fresh and delicious. I split the Cesar salad to start and a half portion was perfect for me. It was well dressed and very peppery. I also shared the Francesca's chicken which was a large portion. Chicken was cooked perfectly, nearly fell off the bone. Came with potato wedges that tasted great dipped in the savory gravy/sauce under the chicken! Service was prompt; Benjamin was clearly an expert. read more

Francesca's On Chestnut - Francesca's chicken with potato wedges - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Where is Doc? The young kids think they are in a "Cocktail" movie. We are not there to be entertained. We are there to receive a drink. The youngins have no concept of what it's like to have regular customers feel at home. Bring back the likes of Doc -- someone who made customers feel like they were special. read more

This place was great! The waiter was so accommodating since we had our kid with us. It's not usually a place to take small children but were visiting another building and wanted to get a early dinner. This place was around the corner and we made reservations. So happy we did, the food the perfect with the wine we choose. read more

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