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    Francesca's North

    3.8 (321 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

    Order Francesca's North Takeout or Delivery

    Francesca's North Photos

    FRANCESCA'S NORTH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Francesca's North

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kristen L.

    The restaurant had a nice little section in the back for parties and separate restrooms. No automatic soap dispenser or paper towel dispenser or flush though. The fried calamari was crispy and light. The marinara sauce went well with it. I do like the lemon slices. The mushroom polenta was delicious. It was a little like a stiff pudding where I could cut off a piece of it. It tasted buttery or cheesy as well as a light mushroom flavor. The salad was fresh with green beans and snap peas. It had a balsamic vinaigrette that wasn't too tart. The rigatoni was al dente, which I liked with the typical marinara sauce on it. The sausage was flavorful. The salmon was moist and tender, very delicious with the spinach. The grape tomatoes were cooked. The cheese cake was light and creamy. It wasn't too heavy. They refilled my glass of water and tea quite regularly. I needed a lot of water from a long couple of days.

    Tryingfood A.

    Had a team event here. Food was ok, service was pretty patient and nice. Good atmosphere. Can be a little slow sometimes.

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    3 months ago

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    General M.

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    3 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Good food. Good service. Good times! I just wish they found a way to figure out the acoustics.

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    8 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Our go-to in Northbrook - and it has been for years!! We rely on the yummy seasonings, quality, great service, and best of all it's local!

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    2 years ago

    Easy parking, Great food....go early evening before it gets very noisy. Try the mussels and also try the sausage and peppers(outstanding)

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    The food was good but the waiter kept touching me when ever she would talk she would grab me

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Pablo was a great. Quality service that was not too much and not too little, just right.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Francesca's North

    Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar - Northbrook - Pizza with homemade sausage. Delicious.

    Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar - Northbrook

    4.0(117 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Napolita Pizzeria delivered great food and great service. We came in as a group of four adults and…read morefour toddlers, so you can imagine how busy and chaotic our table was. The staff was incredibly accommodating and friendly the entire time. They made thoughtful recommendations, and we were able to try a nice variety of dishes. Even the kids enjoyed their pastas, which says a lot. Honestly, what more could I ask for? This meal felt like a total success in every way. We'll definitely be back soon.

    We stopped in for Restaurant Week after having tried Napolita's Wilmette location in the past…read more Napolita's restaurant week deals are a great value. The portions served are full portions even though the menu is prix fixe. We enjoyed the $45 menu option. We chose the burrata and calamari appetizers. Both were good although the breading on the calamari needed more seasoning. For main courses my husband ordered the gnocchi and I had a pizza. The gnocchi were very pillowy. The pizza was good but too many vegetables made the under crust soft requiring cutlery to eat it. We finished with the cannoli dessert option. The cannoli was good but the ricotta tasted like plain ricotta. The service was attentive and friendly and the dining room has a casual vibe. We enjoyed our meal and will return especially in warmer weather when I believe they have outdoor seating.

    Photos
    Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar - Northbrook - The real stand out here is wine, with lots of choices and even some wines on tap.

    The real stand out here is wine, with lots of choices and even some wines on tap.

    Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar - Northbrook - Yantra super Tuscan and margarita pizza.

    Yantra super Tuscan and margarita pizza.

    Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar - Northbrook - The Doubleclutch Brewing Company Little Juice Coupe Hazy ($9 as of 03/2024) was an exceptional beer.  As a matter of fact, I had three.

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    The Doubleclutch Brewing Company Little Juice Coupe Hazy ($9 as of 03/2024) was an exceptional beer. As a matter of fact, I had three.

    Francesco's Hole In the Wall - Seafood diavolo

    Francesco's Hole In the Wall

    4.1(655 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Vegan friendly

    Get this! We had a 4:53pm arrival, and 1/3 of the dining room was full! By 5pm sharp, I heard the…read morehostess quote a 45-60 minute wait time. So do what you will with that! My family has dined here twice now and enjoyed both meals thoroughly. A full bar is stocked, and I've enjoyed a strong lemon drop martini here, as well as a glass of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. Dining area has about 18 tables, so it feels very intimate and cozy. The menu is posted on a large whiteboard and can change frequently. Favorites we've tried are the ravioli (filled with spinach, mushroom, whatever is offered) and chicken picatta. We don't leave with any leftovers. Entrees can range from $25-60 at moderate portion sizes, so it is a spendy meal but worth every penny. Warm bread and butter are served before dinner and the fried calamari is a crispy appetizer that hits the spot. To touch on post dinner... save room because that butter cake is one of our favorite desserts anywhere!! It is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, served with gelato on top/side, whipped cream, and caramel and toasted pecans on our latest visit. Because there is no dessert menu (just what the waitstaff verbally tells you), here's what I can recall from it on our last visit last month: carrot cake, tiramisu, gelato, Oreo cake, banana chocolate chip cake, butter cake. Skip the Oreo cake. It tastes just like chocolate cake (a tasty one with a lovely crumb, just not reminiscent of Oreo at all) with a scoop of chocolate gelato on the side. Can't wait to return!

    I'll start with a confession: I don't even like Italian food. And yet, this little hole-in-the-wall…read morehas earned a spot in my top five restaurants of all time. That alone should tell you how special it is. The Food: No matter what you order, it's consistently excellent. The artichokes are addictive--I could eat them nonstop. The branzino is perfection, cooked to a level that makes you forget every other fish you've ever had. The Atmosphere: Small, cozy, and charming. They've done a remarkable job maximizing the space without losing that intimate feel. It's the kind of place that feels like a secret you're lucky to know about. The Downside: They don't take reservations, which means the wait can be frustrating. Timing your visit is a bit of a gamble, but honestly, the food makes it worth it. The Service: Exactly what you'd expect from a team that's been doing this for decades--steady, reliable, no frills. The real highlight is the owner, who personally greets every table to make sure you're enjoying yourself. That kind of hospitality is rare and unforgettable. Final Verdict: Even if Italian food isn't your thing, this place will win you over. It's authentic, welcoming, and downright delicious. A true neighborhood treasure.

    Photos
    Francesco's Hole In the Wall - Some men's room decor.

    Some men's room decor.

    Francesco's Hole In the Wall
    Francesco's Hole In the Wall - Menu Nov 2025

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    Menu Nov 2025

    Dengeos - Gyro sandwich

    Dengeos

    4.2(114 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    I just have to say I have never had bad food from here ever. Last night I saw that they had tilapia…read moreon their menu now I am brand new to fish and I'm trying different ones but I usually only get those from Bob chins I really thought OK I have to try it. OMG I was beyond pleasantly surprised whoever cooked that fish last night and whatever recipe they used it is a rockstar. It was so good and I reheated the leftovers tonight and it reheated amazingly they had just enough of the sauce in the container that allowed me to reheat it I added a little butter. I am absolutely 100% blown away. I was skeptical, but I'm so glad that I chose to order it. I love that I can order good fish right down the street from my house and not having to drive all the way to Bob chins. To the chef that cooked this at Dengeos chefs kiss I cannot say enough good things about this. The flavor was perfect not one single bone and I loved it from the first bite to the last bite the next night and thank you for putting enough of the sauce in there that I'm able to reheat it beautifully I definitely will be ordering this again thank you thank you thank you. And to Dengeos management whoever that chef was absolutely needs a piece of Portillo's chocolate cake and a balloon because that was phenomenal.

    Dengeos is one of our go-to spots because the food is always consistent and tasty. My kids usually…read morerotate between the burgers and hot dogs, and they never skip the chocolate shake. I love the chicken kabobs or the Greek salad with shrimp, both are fresh and flavorful every time. The lemon soup is also delicious. We've catered before and it was easy and a big hit. My husband is a fan of the skirt steak sandwich and the gyros. Overall, they make everything easy and convenient, and I really appreciate the pickup window, such a bonus when you're on the go. They also do a great job with upkeep, constantly wiping down tables, which we really appreciate.

    Photos
    Dengeos - Interior- plenty of seating. Basic decor but very clean.

    Interior- plenty of seating. Basic decor but very clean.

    Dengeos - Mushrooms

    Mushrooms

    Dengeos - A partial view of their airy dining room.

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    A partial view of their airy dining room.

    Trattoria Oliverii

    Trattoria Oliverii

    3.4(163 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Love love loved it!…read more The limoncello cocktail was a great start to the meal, along with the warm, fresh French bread. My main entree of linguine with mussels, clams, and calamari (which I don't usually like unless it's fried) was DA BOMB. It's called fettuccine con frutti di mare, for my future reference. Super flavorful, well balanced, and that white wine sauce was chef's kiss. I looked forward to eating the leftovers the next day, without a doubt, and it's one of my favorite entrees anywhere. That says a lot! Michelle was our attentive and friendly waitress on our first visit. Husband got the chicken limone on both our meals here, and my kids devoured the cheese pizza and fettuccine Alfredo. We have yet to try dessert here because the allure of Graeter's across the street is too great. The dining room seats maybe 20 tables, and there's a small bar area in the back. Easy to make reservations online and recommend doing so, as we tried to walk in around 5:30pm on a Saturday and were turned away as all the tables were reserved, despite the dining room being 85% unoccupied. Patio will be open soon for dining al fresco!

    Oliverii is a cute place in downtown Northbrook. The atmosphere is warm, cozy and quiet, which our…read moreparty appreciated because we could actually have a conversation! Our server was extremely friendly and attentive. Everyone in our party commented on how nice he was! I had the pumpkin ravioli which was on their special menu. The ravioli itself was incredible, but the almond cookie crumble on top was confusing and didn't add anything to the dish. Others got the meat lasagna chicken cacciatore which they both said was delicious! Someone else got the whitefish and said it was overcooked, but ate the pasta. The place was full and seems to do a good carryout business. There's a parking lot in the back which was convenient.

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    Trattoria Oliverii
    Trattoria Oliverii - Pumpkin ravioli in brown butter sage sauce with almond cookie crumble

    Pumpkin ravioli in brown butter sage sauce with almond cookie crumble

    Trattoria Oliverii - Penne Russo

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    Penne Russo

    Barnaby's of Northbrook

    Barnaby's of Northbrook

    3.8(495 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Barnaby's is a like a beloved local dive bar that you can bring anyone ages 0-100 to without being…read moreside eyed! Yes, I love it here. Everyone loves it here. It's cheap. It's cozy. It's delicious. What more could you want? Order the french onion soup. Get a crispy little pizza. Hell order everything on the menu and you still won't break the bank!

    Placed a VERY large pizza order.... surprised not a single box was marked as to the contents and no…read morecondiments (red pepper, Parmesan or oregano) was offered. So sad that one can spend over $300 for pizza and not get what is normal/expected. Makes me not want to go back and the response from the manager was very unprofessional and unexpected. 'You have to ask for it'. I was just the guy doing what my wife told me to do...pick up the pizza. No one even asked us if we wanted the boxes labeled or condiments when the order was placed. Never had to ask for a pizza box to be labeled before and never not asked if I wanted any condiments; especially on a large order. And the price...$23+ for a 14" two ingredient pizza. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: we were told that the large pizza serves 2-3 people...WRONG!!! If they are normal 30+ year olds, 4 people. 2-3 if they are teenagers. Had 5 leftover pizzas. Very disappointing. Would like to tell the owner this story....anyone know who the owner is?

    Photos
    Barnaby's of Northbrook - These guys know how to make pizza.

    These guys know how to make pizza.

    Barnaby's of Northbrook - Crimp crust at this location

    Crimp crust at this location

    Barnaby's of Northbrook - The bar - full of plastic steins. Reminded me so much of the late 80s, early 90s

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    The bar - full of plastic steins. Reminded me so much of the late 80s, early 90s

    Merlo's

    Merlo's

    4.0(31 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    We had a hard time connecting to make a reservation. Open Table has no availability. We called and…read morewaited then got a call back that they were closed and remodeling. It would be nice if they updated their website about this.

    We came for the first time on a Wednesday evening. We sat outside because the weather was decent,…read morethe only issue was the cars are parked so close to the tables, that if someone has just pulled into the parking spot, the heat emanates from their car right onto your chair. Wish the tables were a little bit further away, or maybe along the wall, anyway, that was probably the only issue with the tables outside. The menu is extensive, with a wide variety of dishes. My better half got the pork chop, which was pounded thin yet still on the bone. It had a very nicely seasoned breading with lots of garlic and a few herbs. It also had three or four fresh cayenne peppers, which were sautéed with a butter type sauce and poured over the pork chop. It was nicely spicy with very good flavor. My entrée was the chicken Milanese, which was virtually identical in preparation as the pork chop, except obviously no bone, and no peppers or spicy butter sauce and was served with an arugula salad, which was delicious. Our two table mates got salads, one with grilled chicken, which was nice and warm and the other with shrimp. We also shared an order of the sautéed broccoli. It was amazing! It had nicely crisped and toasted garlic pieces, some lemon and olive oil. It was one of the most delicious broccoli side dishes I've had at a restaurant. Even though I took a pass on dessert, they ordered the cannoli which came two to an order. Am going to have to say that the cannoli shell itself was not very good. I tasted a tiny piece of it, and it seemed to have a little stale/refrigerator flavor and was not crisp or fresh tasting. That was the least favorite part of the meal. Everything else was delicious. Service was solid and there were a decent variety of wines by the glass available. We will definitely return to try other dishes that sounded great!

    Photos
    Merlo's
    Merlo's - Brick  chicken

    Brick chicken

    Merlo's - Salmon  entree

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    Salmon entree

    Gusto Italiano - Chicken Vesuvio

    Gusto Italiano

    3.6(187 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    Last night I went to the recently reopened Gusto with its new owners…read more They totally renovated the restaurant with a completely new vibe that invites younger guests and manages to keep their regular clientele. The service was impressive with the staff working together to make the evening enjoyable. I had the special Halibut encrusted pecans on a bed of spinach. So yummy! I could not finish it so I can't wait for lunch today ! I will return again , that's for sure!

    The newly renovated Gusto is outstanding. The food, service, and ambiance are all very impressive…read moreand revamped from the original restaurant. Everything I tried was delicious. For appetizers, the lamb chops and grilled octopus are nice choices. Both were very tender and flavorful. I especially enjoyed the sauce that came with the octopus. For entrees, the linguine carbonara and white fish vesuvio were nice. The pasta came with a lot of meat, and the sauce was rich and creamy. The portions were generous as well. Each entree comes with a soup or salad, making the prices very reasonable. They also have specials on the menu which sounded delicious. The service throughout the night was excellent. The owner even offered my family a complimentary special dish that was not in the menu yet. The server and manager came to check on our table often as well. The ambiance of the restaurant is also a big upgrade after the renovation with a lively atmosphere. Overall, between the food, service, and beautifully updated space, this will definitely be a spot where I'll be returning to try more dishes. I'd highly recommend Gusto to anyone looking for an elevated Italian dining experience with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere.

    Photos
    Gusto Italiano
    Gusto Italiano
    Gusto Italiano - Mango Martini & Ginger Mule

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    Mango Martini & Ginger Mule

    Francesca's North - italian - Updated May 2026

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