10/02/09

Clean, creative and delicious Italian

by jewishstar

This by far is my favorite restaurant In Chicago. Their menu is simple, fun and tasty! You can never go wrong with reasonable prices and fresh cuisine that is a fresh approach on traditional italian. The staff is remarkable, always friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is high energy and exciting. I love going all out here and take all my guests here to experience one Chicago's great places to eat! I always go with the fish entrees....amazing!

• Pros: Great prices, great wine and amzing service
• Cons: Can be too noisy for some but I love the atmosphere and thee

08/04/09

good, solid choice...but would not return

by karenmdorn

With a party of 8 on a Saturday night, pre-Sunday morning running race. Food was excellent, from melon/prosciutto, to roasted chicken, and--of course--pasta. Decor was nothing special, but pleasant. Service was good, but then they would not split the check. By-the-glass wine selection fairly limited. Pretty pricey for what we had. A good overall experience, but would likely not return, with all the other Italian options in Chicago!

• Pros: food
• Cons: none especially

11/19/08

Best Tuscan Italian in City

by ChicagoSarah

Have been going to this place for 10 years and have never been disappointed. I really do think it is the best Italian in the city. Also love Saporo di Napoli on Belmont.

08/22/08

Declining Service

by WillO8

My recent experience has left me very disappointed in Mia Francesca. The maitre'd/manager (Fernando) was startlingly rude and presumptuous. The restaurant was 2/3 empty and yet he refused my 70 year old grandmother a chair to sit in until the rest of our party arrived. When a chair was requested a second time, he refused us by saying, "I see her. She looks fine."

He then proceeded to sit us in the very back near the bus station and bathroom. We said no and he again made my grandmother stand while he chose a new table. Repeat, the restaurant was mostly empty, this was 5:45 on a Wednesday evening. His behavior made me take a look at his seating policy and I realized that he sat couples in the front, women eating together or families in the back. Ridiculous and mean spirited is the nicest way I can term this policy.

The night ended up alright as our server was very nice and the food was, as always, fine, but after eating here for many years, we will not go back.

• Pros: good food
• Cons: very rude service

07/06/08

My Mia!

by onenever

I Love this place. Italian food isn?t usually all that exciting for me, but I get excited when I go to Mia Francesca. You definitely want to make a reservation, no matter what day of the week it is. They will usually seat you promptly. The service has always been knowledgeable and pleasant without being over eager. Assorted, changing specials with reliable stand-by?s make for a great menu. Most importantly, the food is always fantastic ? and the price is right on. Try it out, you WONT be disappointed!

09/26/07

Fan-Friggin-Tastic!!!!!

by pghmofo

I Love this place. Italian food isn?t usually all that exciting for me, but I get excited when I go to Mia Francesca. You definitely want to make a reservation, no matter what day of the week it is. They will usually seat you promptly. The service has always been knowledgeable and pleasant without being over eager. Assorted, changing specials with reliable stand-by?s make for a great menu. Most importantly, the food is always fantastic ? and the price is right on. Try it out, you WONT be disappointed!

• Pros: Food! Food! Food!
• Cons: A little noisy and cramped

10/28/06

Amazing food, be prepared to yell...

by dreamurph

This is a gem of a place, but I highly recommend going at off-times if you plan to talk with the people in your party. The noise level when the place is full leaves my ears ringing in a manner normally reserved for rock concerts. With that said, the food really is rather fantastic. I've been to Mia Francesca many, many times and never had a dish that didn't make me swoon. Their appetizers are especially delightful.

06/25/06

Busy, loud, but some people like it that way

by rockafellershank

I've been to Mia Francesca a number of times, never had a bad experience. It's always packed, always loud and always tasty. Good service and helpful waiters. Tables are extremely close together, you have to climb over your neighbors to leave or go to the restroom.

• Pros: Great food, service
• Cons: Packed, close quarters

06/14/05

User review by sleopold

by sleopold

this restaurant was good. the food i had was delicious, i had the salmon and shrimp along with a special appetizer that was a pepper brushetta. i did not have to wait for seating but i ate outside on the patio that was very nice, the inside of the restaurant was absolutely crazy and i couldnt even imagine eating in there. the bathrooms are in a very bad spot right in the middle of the traffic between in/outdoor seating and the bus boy station. on top of it, there is only one stall for each. overall, i would go back because i thought the food was wonderful but the scene was a little chaotic.

This always-packed Italian spot serves up satisfying fare to a merry, mixed crowd.

by Contributor

In Short
The atmosphere at this Wrigleyville fave is frenetic and loud with chatter, laughter, clinking glasses and cheers. The contemporary Italian menu offers tasty plates like sirloin carpaccio and asparagus risotto, plus four-cheese or seafood pizzas, pastas, and entrees like veal medallions with porcini mushrooms and roasted chicken with rosemary, lemon and caramelized shallots. For dessert, the gelati (Italian ice creams)--pistachio, cinnamon, raspberry, banana-fudge and vanilla--is a crowd favorite.

• Pros: great Italianfun, casual spot