The ambience is, at once, convivial. The waitstaff attentive and friendly. Drinks were delivered promptly. Appetizer off calamari served with efficiency but was sadly lacking the freshness expected. Entrees were inexcusable. Fish with a glycerin-like sauce. Salmon with guacamole in an Italian bistro? Please. Desserts were so predictable--- This is not much different than an upscale Olive Garden. read more

I'd like to preface this review by saying that my family has lived in St. Charles for 30+ years and we've been to Francesca's quite a few times since its opening. I've always had a good time--I love their crusty warm bread, calamari, their pastas and chicken dishes. However that all changed a few weeks ago. My boyfriend and I went to dinner on a busy weekend night. There were a lot of big parties, families, etc. Everything was going well until we found a large shard of glass in our banana bread pudding. It was half the size of my palm. Since the bread pudding is served with ice cream I originally thought that maybe it was just a chunk of ice, but we even cleaned the object and saw it was clearly the bottom of a broken glass. We were absolutely appalled. The waitress quickly took the plate away, the manager came out to apologize and said the whole meal was on them, and proceeded to blame corporate, who prepares their desserts. I don't know who's to blame. We got out of there quickly and unfortunately won't be going back. I can only hope that nothing like this happens again in the future, particularly with it being such a family restaurant. read more

Wonderful evening with nice drinks and delicious food by our group of 4. We shared all the items and had the tortellini, salad, calamari, and a few other dishes, it was delicious! Service was beautiful, a great night had by all! read more

There's much better places to dine. The service is non existent and is of no help with any questions about the limited menu. We've been to other locations....especially Bucktown where my business was located near. I don't get a lot of what's going on here off the river. If you are a first timer....get an idea of the parking situation in the area before your initial visit. It gets hairy in the dark with cars blocking in other cars and cars backing up out into the street in a line for a lot that has no parking. We were seated by the front window and waited for our other couple from Chicago to show up. It's incredibly cold in that area. The chill coming off the windows is aggravating as is trying to deal with my freezing wife. The other couple shows and immediately comments on their discomfort. Jaime was brutal. Nice guy. Needs to find another line of work. If/when he appeared at the table, you better be ready! Ready with any drink needs. Know the menu inside and out. Ready with any appetizer wants. Cuz he is GONE for a while! Cannot be of any support with questions. And frankly, doesn't want to be bothered. I had to help the other couple with the menu as he walked away. Has no concept of what is carried by the bar. Has to leave and comeback whenever to answer that. If you are looking for a real piece of meat....or someone in your party is....you won't find it here. (The menu we were handed is like 25% of the size of the menu online.) The high priced main dishes are all similar. And come with NO sides.....I guess they consider what is chopped/cut up in your dish their version of a side. You get to pick any other side for an additional price from along the bottom of the menu. Another guy later appears out of the kitchen shoving plates in my wife's face....that were for another table. Later, when our orders show....we get the same "Is this yours?" as each plate is shoved in any person's face. And by process of elimination....dude gets my wife's correct somehow. All this could have never happened.....if we had a real waiter that was about real service. You know ......doing something crazy like BEING there to hand each of us our meal as they came....you know like what a real restaurant does. The positive...... The young man handling our water and bread was great. I even told him he should have been our waiter. Not the fast food vendor we had. The wife of the other couple at our table even walked over to him as we left the restaurant and tipped him for saving some of our evening. Maybe the owners of this fast growing franchise of 12 or 13 locations might wanna focus on what they are doing first. Try and park at the St Charles location when its zero out and pitch black at 7pm. Sit by the front window. Have Jaime tend to your needs. Look over that menu. Then think about opening your next location. Breaded veal cutlets..$36.95 no side no house salad no service parking down the street and with icicles hanging from my wife's nose enough said read more

There are a few nit picky reviews that bring this place down, but it is actually quite good. That cook pasta just right. My Tutto Mare with a zingy red sauce was a dish I could eat every day without complaint. Delicious. The mussel and little neck clams were just right. The shrimp and squid maybe a tad overcooked... but not bad. Service was VERY good. Plenty of wines by the glass and an extensive wine list, too. read more

Always yummy! The service is second to none. Great team at the front of the house and as well as the back!

Loved it. My husband and I each had pasta dishes and they were fantastic. I couldn't wait to eat my leftovers for lunch the next day! My only complaint is that it's small and the tables are extremely close together. We were seated in the tables along the wall (booth on wall side w/ chair on dining room side) and the tables next to us were so close that I felt like we were having dinner with a bunch of people we didn't know. In the future I will ask to be seated in the main dining floor and not against the wall. read more

The food was excellent and so was the service. Prices were affordable. They did a great job of accommodating a lot of people especially since there was a homecoming crowd there that night. They were very aware that we had a show to go to and got us out in plenty of time. Highly recommend read more

I truly want to give them five stars but tonight's experience was subpar (I'm being kind). We sat at the bar and the two ladies at the bar are outstanding and if we ever come back (not likely) it will be because of them. We had a table of 5 for dinner after a drink and appetizer at the bar and that's where great went to horrible. We had a server named Jacob and he was either brand new or very incompetent. Drinks took 15 plus minutes, when ordering dinner he was very confused if it wasn't on the menu as printed (could substitute anything without confusion). Once we order two of our orders where completely wrong (brought out a pork chop when a steak was ordered, and pasta when salmon was order, also brought out vegetables soaked in oil/butter when ordered raw). He was barely apologetic and I didn't even eat my meal with my guests (took it "to go" because it took so long). A manager never came to speak with us or acknowledge that our dinner was a mess. So disappointing. The manager offered to reach out and never did, lip service on top of bad service. read more

Always a good place to get dinner. Have had many good experiences and never a bad meal. This time had a pickup order and it went very smooth. Glad I got bread with the oil and cheese too. Caesar dressing was a little too anchovy tasting for us but the caprese was a great backup. Shrimp and chicken with white sauce and capers was also great. read more

I've visited Francesca's for both lunch and dinner. The owner is extremely friendly and is attentive to guests when they are waiting for a talbe. I enjoy arriving a bit early for a drink at the bar before being seated for dinner with friends. The menu changes frequently based upon what is in season. I really love their pizza with the super thin, crisp crust and fresh mozzarella. It makes a great lunch or an appetizer to share before dinner. The caprese insalata is also a favorite appetizer. I would give them 5 stars but the tables are very tight, as other reviews have mentioned and the open ceiling design format makes the place very loud when they are busy. It's sometimes difficult to have an intimate conversation. I highly recommend Francesca's for a group outing but might choose a more intimate setting for dinner for two. Regardless of the occassion, the food and service will not disappoint! read more

Wonderful service, wonderful food! My wife and I spent the day after valentines here. We were seated right in front of the fireplace in a beautiful low lit dining room. Bruschetta is a standard appetizer for us if the place has it, and Francesca's had the best we've ever eaten! We talked it up so much the table next to us had to have it too. We both had variations of chicken which was incredible. Tender, moist, perfectly flavored and cooked. To top off the night, they have one of the most amazing dessert menus I've ever seen. I wanted every single thing they offered! We got a valentines special dessert, heart shaped raspberry mouse on chocolate ganache covered in a raspberry sauce and fresh berries. I can still taste it now. We almost ordered a second! What separates Francesca's from other "high end" restaurants is the freshness. All of our ingredients for the meals were extremely fresh. This made the meal light and full of flavor, leaving us with a feeling of satisfaction without the need to loosen the belt a few notches. Our server was the best we've had in years. He answered all of our questions and offered recommendations when he could. The owner must be extremely proud of his restaurant and it definitely shows in the quality of food and service. Not only will I go back, but this is my number one recommendation for anybody looking for a date night in the area. 6 stars if possible. read more

Great service... great food We were there catching up with some old friends... so we may have lingered longer than normal, but we never felt rushed. read more

Came here with my wife to celebrate our Anniversay. It was much more than I expected! I felt like I was at a 5 star restaurant in downtown Chicago. The tables were formally set and the wait staff dressed very professionally and friendly. Our wine was brought to the table quickly with a basket of warm fresh bread. Both of our entrees were delicious! Tiramisu and coffee was a perfect way to end a perfect meal! read more

I'm not familiar with the saint charles area, but at first I wasn't sure what to expect with this being a little bit to the side and the outside well, not looking to impressive. However, the food was amazing! Had some short rib butternut gnocchi. Amazingly taste and large portions. read more

Food was fresh tasting and the service excellent. The pasta was a tad too al dante. The banquet room we sat in needs to be brightened up a bit. Oh yes, good bread! Dishes were served with fresh basil and rosemary. No shortcuts taken here. Overall, I liked it. IBB read more

Excellent food, service, and ambiance. Those three words really do sum it up. We were there for my father in laws birthday dinner and we were treated like royalty. I recommend Francesca's to all who enjoy great Italian food. T read more

The food was excellent and the service was quite attentive. My wife and I had chicken dishes for lunch and the serving size was excellent and the sauces were exquisite. Definitely a stop to be made if you are in the area read more

Well, I would call this an American style Italian place, but I'm also Italian and grew up eating authentic and traditional Italian fare. Pizza was alright but overly salty. Some of the pasta dishes were decent. Salmon was dry. Server either had too many tables or just wasn't very attentive. Had to Ask for drinks and refills several times. I was unimpressed and won't be back. Wasn't a total disaster, it wasn't really bad but it didn't hot home either. read more

Can believe the service was awful and the food was ok. Bread was stale my sons noodles were hard as a rock. My husband didn't bother ordering dinner because so frustrated with the service .. Let us sit for 10 min then said, Ill be back soon. One appetizer, one small pizza, 2 drinks and 2 beers and a Diet Coke 90 dollars.. What a rip off read more

Went her for dinner because we received a gift card as a gift- and wanted to try it out. We were seated near the kitchen, so it was noisy and super crowded (it was Valentine's Day weekend- I didn't realize I had not written a review). The service was very good despite it being busy. Our meal was delicious- and the portions were huge! I ate 3.5 meals out of my one dish. I would definitely go back, gift card of not- but would probably try and pick a quieter evening is those exist! read more

No wait on a Friday at 7:00 pm was a treat. The server was friendly but that helpful. I order the pork shoulder with mashed potatoes, it was delicious. Pork was very tender and mashed potatoes very creamy. My husband ordered some pasta with sausage, I thought the sausage was a hard and the sauce could have come from a jar. We had profiteroles for dessert, the pistachio ice cream was good, the pastry was not fresh and the chocolate sauce also could have been from a jar, it could have use more cocoa and butter and less starch. Ambiance was good, the music a little loud even though we were on the back room. read more

We went here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty empty so we had the full attention of the waitstaff. Everything was done in a timely fashion, drink orders taken promptly, food brought out quickly, dishes cleared away, do we need doggy bags? yes one. I was impressed. I had the Pasta Primavera and the sauce was excellent. I also loved the plentiful amount of veggies mixed into the dish. My friends ordered shrimp entree and were not so pleasantly surprised to see that the dish did not include pasta. I think they just assumed it would from the description but all they got was a few shrimp, a couple of tomatoes and a few asparagus tips. Be sure to read closely so you're not surprised. The place seems nice but not overly fancy. Pretty large but yeah I too thought we would actually be on the river. read more

We held our wedding rehearsal dinner here, more for location than anything, but we were pleasantly surprised. I had been in constant contact with Gabriella, their event coordinator, and always found her available and eager to answer any questions that came up. The food that night was delicious and plentiful (endless family style)! Their tiramasu was to die for! Some cons-small parking lot (but you can find street parking) and the stinky Fox River. Other wise, will definitely come back when keeping it local on date night with the hubby. read more

I've long been a fan of the Francesca's Restaurant group even though I tend to only be pushed into one or two dishes on their menu due to my picky tastes. We met my parents here on a Friday night. We made our reservation through OpenTable.com and when we arrived we were told our table was ready and we were taken right to it. They even had the high-chair I had asked for already there, so they really weren't b.s.ing us that they had our table ready. There are a few staples on the menu but most of the menu is hand-written daily with a wide variety of pasta, chicken, and other dishes. I never knew they had a kid's menu which is why we probably haven't been to one in a long time. Meal quality is always spot on. Rare to have a meal that stinks here, and yes, as many have said, they've put a lot of tables into this spot so in some parts of the restaurant, you might be a little closer than you like, but I've also found this in their downtown Naperville and Frankfort spots. Prices have seemed to stay the same over the last couple of years, but portions have shrunk to maintain those. Understand that, but they are still using fairly large plates so it's a bit more obvious. read more

Came on a Sunday evening (celebrating Valentine's Day early since my husband would be out of town). If I were just reviewing service, I would give them five stars. Our server was outstanding. If I were reviewing food only, I would only give them one or two stars. read more

The best restaurant in downtown St. Charles! Pasta is delicious, service is great. It never fails to disappoint. 10/10

Have you ever been to one of the many Francesca's before? I suggest it if your not in a hurry or don't mind a loud atmosphere that you thought might be romantic. I love there food here and have never had a bad meal. It's just a little tight and very loud. I Also went there for Valentine's Day once and it wasn't the right time to go. Any other time would be best. read more

I would give this 2.5 stars, but not an option. The good: service was excellent, could relax, enjoy and take our time. we were not rushed. and when the kitchen messed up one of the 6 orders at our table, the restaurant comped us the plate, which I thought was the right thing to do. my husband had veal medallions which were over done. they should have been med rare and they were more med well. the pasta side was ok, nothing special. i had pork loin which was over cooked and dry and the shitakke wine reductions sauce was salty. speaking of salty, the mashed potatoes were almost inedible. i think they salted the water the potatoes were cooked in, used salted butter, then added more salt to the mash. the braised cabbage lacked flavor. the tiramusu was not good, my husband thought his lava cake was ok. i most likely will not go back. i really don't understand how this places gets 4-5 star reviews read more

Second visit to a Francesca's location. Solid good food & service. Bruschetta is always a hit. Had a pasta dish with shrimp that was to die for! Looking forward to going back again while the current menu is on. I think they are one of the few good places that are open on Mondays. What a way to start the week! read more

Higher-end Italian comfort foods done simply and very effectively. My wife pointed out that the host made an effort to say hello to us before seating the party in front of us. Not hard to do, but overlooked at many places. Our server had good suggestions and I don't think our water glasses ever got half empty. I had pasta in a tomato-cream sauce with vegetables and goat cheese. It was so good (and plentiful) that I had to force myself to stop eating at a point. My wife got the veggie lasagna (special of the day) and it was sublime. I've not tasted a lasagna like that before, but I'll order it if it's a special next time we go. I imagine we both would. read more

Love this place. Pasta made fresh and fast. Menu with diverse options, and good ambiance. One night we went for a double date and there was live music! We have not been disappointed yet. The servers are friendly, attentive, and make everyone feel like a VIP. They really stay on top of keeping beverages full, even water. Customer service makes all the difference when dining out. read more

If I want the best martini in the tri cities I only go to Francescas by the river in St. Charles. The Bartender Lisa makes the best martini around. I have voted her best Bartender in Kane county! Nobody works harder and still is attentive and personable with her customers! Highly recommend!! read more

Francesca's is good -- not fabulous but good. The calamari and the firey marinara were my favorite part of the meal! I was deciding between two dishes and made my choice based on the taste of the marinara. My main dish definitely didn't have the same kick to it. The ceasar dressing is awful. I don't know if they are trying ot go super-gourmet with it, but it had to zest to it at all! And yes, the name is somewhat misleading. I thought it would be closer to the river too. Oh well. The service here was fantastic. Our waiter was funny and very attentive. We also had several refills on water and dishes cleared several times by the staff. The great service would bring me back. One other minor complaint -- we were seated along the back wall and the table were so close to each other! We could have easily joined in on the conversation of the people next to us or even taken a bite of their food! read more

Had a wonderful meal here at Francesca's when in town for Horse shows. The food was very good and the atmosphere is very cozy and fun. The pasta was to die for! read more

Great menu that has interesting and delicious new choices each visit. Friendly and professional service. Recommend for a nice night out.

Very busy on a Saturday. Great food but service not so good. Error on one order. Never received corrected order before we were done with our meal. read more

Great food, great service Lisa behind the bar is amazing and Hector is always so inviting. Best go to place never disappoint.

The atmosphere is nice, elegant but cozy. But that's all that was good. We, my husband and I, felt like they were trying to turn the table as quickly as possible. About 5 minutes after we ordered our food came. We were unable to enjoy our wine for a quick minute and don't believe our entrees were freshly made because they came so quickly. The food was mediocre. My pasta was hard, not al dente, and sauce bland. We weren't even halfway finished when a server asked if we needed to-go boxes. Not impressed and sorely disappointed. read more

We went to Francesca's for our 35th anniversary a few weeks ago and had a wonderful experience! From the moment we entered, we were treated special. Our table was in a perfect spot, we were toasted, treated, and pampered. Definitely recommending Francesca's by the River! read more