This was my first time experience at the restaurant with a friend and it was simple amazing! The ambience, service and food were excellent! All the dishes were authentic, very well prepared and served. Another note: I lost my wallet and went crazy looking for it then I called the restaurant and they found it. When I called the manager he was so accommodating and exited to be able to locate and give it back to me..!! This, I think is so Special..! Thank you guys.. I will be coming there very often!!
We came to Francesco's for a birthday dinner and had such a wonderful experience! Our waiter was absolutely fantastic - so friendly, fun, and attentive. The atmosphere inside is cozy, with a charming vibe, and there's also a lovely patio area outside that's beautifully decorated for the holidays. I decided to try the Create Your Own Pasta with vodka sauce and added meatballs on the side. The vodka sauce was one of the best I've had - creamy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The meatballs were also delicious and packed with flavor. The pasta options were all under $30, and everything on the menu sounded amazing, so it was hard to choose! I'm so glad I gave this place a try - the food was absolutely delicious, and the whole experience was excellent. Definitely a great spot for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine. I'll be back for sure!
Francesco's is hands down one of the best Italian dining experiences I've had in Winter Park! The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and the service was impeccable from the moment we walked in. I started with the grilled octopus salad, and it was absolutely phenomenal. The octopus was perfectly cooked--tender with a slight char that added so much flavor. The salad was fresh and vibrant, making it the perfect light and flavorful start to the meal. For my main course, I had the Pollo Parmigiana, and it was nothing short of perfection. The chicken was crispy, juicy, and topped with a rich, flavorful sauce and just the right amount of cheese. It was hearty and comforting, exactly what I hoped for. To top it all off, I couldn't leave without trying their tiramisu, and wow--it was heavenly! Creamy, light, and with just the right touch of espresso and cocoa, it was the perfect ending to an already incredible meal. If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine with a welcoming atmosphere and top-notch service, Francesco's is the place to go. I'll definitely be back soon! Five stars!
Excellent Italian pasta and pizza date night. Upon checking in, we were whisked away to a cozy patio table and treated like royalty while being spoiled with a wonderful meal. The home made table bread was delicious with a warm moist light doughy center and served with excellent olive oil. The sauce on our Carbonara Pasta was on the thicker side with lightly cooked pancetta (albeit missing some contrasting flavor) but overall was very enjoyable. The Margherita Pizza had a delicious light crispy crust which I would describe it as a "thin" round Sicilian with semi-thick neutral red sauce and a nice generous blend of cheeses.
Pizza, pasta, and wine ... oh my! That's the trifect for me and this spot is great for all of it. I love sitting on the patio with twinkly lights in the evening. The staff is so friendly and watchful, no matter if you sit inside or out. Highly recommend.
I had never even heard of this place before it was recommended to me but I'm glad I tried it and will definitely be back. We came with a larger group and our server was very friendly and informative, letting us know right away that it's a scratch kitchen and everything is made in-house. The inside was well decorated and the menu was large. Although they are not on the magical dining list, they had two three-course menus of similar pricing available. They served complimentary bread with oil and vinegar. I loved my special burrata salad and carbonara pasta. The pasta options were huge and everyone who got one left with leftovers. The cannoli and gelato were tasty but small.
Every visit to Francesco's is better than the last... and that's pretty hard to do. On our latest visit, our server Joey was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, friendly and professional. The rest of the staff kept water filled and tables clean during a very busy service. The food is just outstanding. I had the spaghetti and meatballs. My friend had chicken Parmesan and we shared a piece of limoncello cake. We had a lovely wine to go with it. I could drink that marinara. The restaurant is cozy, clean and upscale while being inviting. You really feel the love in the food at Francesco's.
Ok, so when we went because we were on the mood for some good Italian. Never being here or knowing if it was actually good or not. But seeing the reviews and being in the area we decided why not give this place a try! I was surprised how crowded it was when we entered. But everyone looked happy and seemed to be enjoying their food! So I thought this is a good sign, the fact that the place is packed and everyone was joyful! The staff all working together behind the scenes to prepare everyones desires. Each and everyone busy in their own profession in the kitchen. But working as a team to complete the mission of the day. Both my husband and I ordered pasta. My husband wasn't too crazy with his. It was a pasta that didn't have much flavourful sauce. It was like a butter sauce. Light on flavor. Mint was the total opposite. Fully of flavor and lots of delicious sauce! And it have chunks of eggplant . My husband really enjoyed the sauce of my pasta. He ended up taking some of my sauce to put on his. Oh I forgot to mention the house salad is a mouthwatering deliciousness appetizer that is a must try! We definitely go back to try something new. And next time we will order dessert.
I love this place! I come here a lot with my coworkers for lunch. They have a great lunch special and they keep the warm bread coming! The fresh bread with the olive oil balsamic dip here is sooo good! The staff here has always been kind and attentive to us. The restaurant itself is beautiful. This time I got the Caprese Salad with Chicken. This was so good! All the veggies were very fresh tasting. I've been to places that give just tomato and mozzarella nothing else and a small amount. This place did not disappoint! Very filling and if you are still hungry there's always the bread! All my coworkers love this place and always want to come back. I definitely recommend this place if you like Italian food or if you just like bread haha. I will continue to come here when I'm craving Italian and I'm excited to try their other menu items.
When I read on social media that this was THE Italian restaurant to go to in Orlando, I knew I simply had to go check it out one evening for dinner. After returning from Italy in 2022, I've been on the hunt for local Italian food that tasted authentic but as to be expected, it's a mission to find after experiencing the real deal. This spot was described as authentic as it gets, so I was really looking forward to feeling like there was a little slice of Italy residing in Orlando. The exterior of the restaurant totally felt like it was straight out of Italy and it made me even more anxious to make my way in. Once inside, I was greeted by a cozy, warm environment complete with an open kitchen-concept, brick walls, lovely chandeliers and an all around romantic but not overly upscale ambiance. My boyfriend & I were seated at a table promptly at our reservation time and it wasn't long before Ellia made her way over to introduce herself. She was friendly and personable and was kind enough to allow us to sample a couple wines to ensure we found the perfect one to enjoy with our meal. Once we had our wine, we placed an order of calamari. a Cesar salad to split and then shortly after, our entrees (rigatoni alla Pete piacenti & veal parmigiana). The breading on the calamari was just right but the calamari itself was a little tough and difficult to chew. The cesar salad didn't blow us away but it was decent. My boyfriend's veal was flavorful but pretty soggy and lacked the crunch he was looking for. My rigatoni dish was.. interesting. I misunderstood when I read the description on the menu, because I was under the impression it would have pesto sauce with actual plum tomatoes, so I was thrown off when I had the dish placed in front of me. They mix tomatoes into their pesto which makes for a very unappetizing looking brown sauce. Although you eat with your eyes first, I was hoping it would be tasty enough to overlook the unsightly color, but to my disappointment it didn't. I felt mixing in the tomatoes actually took away from the pesto flavor - I just didn't understand the concept, but maybe it's just not for me. Everything was perfect up until we received our entrees and i'm left wondering if it would have been a 5 star experience had we ordered differently. I will surely be back in the future to find out and give an update. Based on my visit, I wouldn't go as far as saying this is the best Italian in Orlando, but I'm looking forward to trying more on their menu to see if my opinion changes.