I came to The Franklin on Sunday at 5 for my birthday and this was the move to make. The ambiance is gorgeous and stunning for a chic night out, expertly curated down to the floral arrangements! Our bartender Leigha was chatty and attentive, providing recommendations, excellent descriptions and hospitality, all while crafting drinks for the rest of the dining room. My favorite cocktail of the night was the seasonal French Margarita. Portions are petite for the price but things are so well seasoned. My favorite bites were the cocktail shrimp with lemon juice (bouncy and briny and colossal), and the roast half chicken (cracklin style skin and incredible pan sauce to soak up with fries). I also managed to eat two whole servings of their French fries with aioli. I'll be recommending The Franklin to everyone I know if they want a swanky night out and incredible drinks. Thank you again for such a memorable birthday experience read more

See all

Parisian Bistro ? No. Stuffy pretentious wanna be yes. From arrogant hostess, decor and subpar cuisine . What restaurant repeatedly asks to clear plate while still eating? Apparently to turn table. French Food ? Sadly not even close. read more

Lovely and quaint French restaurant. Service was fantastic. Food was good. Drinks were great. Portions are small. Prices are steep. Romantic spot for a date, however, the tables feel a little tight. They make the most of their space but it's a little crammed. read more

Great experience. Went on a Friday night and it was very busy. Service excellent. Started with a couple cocktails which were on the small side, then the croquettes and a slate that was delicious. I had the duck and my wife the tuna nichoise. Both were perfect. Small intimate place, a great time. Definitely going back. read more

What an amazing dinner we had at the Franklin. The moment you walk in you are transported into a French villa. The decor was amazing an eclectic collection of paintings and beautiful China set the table as you sit down. The service was impeccable and they really make you feel like you are at home. we started off dinner with some Stillwater and deviled eggs with caviar and tender pea tendrils. next, we ordered their amazing french fries. These are the best pommes frites you will ever have! Golden brown, and crunchy on the outside and also tender on the inside. This is a definitely must order when visiting. Parking can be a little tight, but if you're patient you can find street parking. We lucked out and got a stall right in front of the restaurant. If you're craving French food, this is your place for sure. read more

See all

This place is small so be sure you get a booking ahead of time. Be prepared to be cozy with your neighbors. Bar seats are reservation only. Menu was curated and interesting. The place was not full when we went which i appreciated. read more

A mixed experience! What can I say? The service and the restaurant decor is 5 star plus. Everyone here is marvelously friendly and professional. Taylor was great. The interior is stunningly beautiful. Just very inviting and, I would say like being in the south of France. Our table was especially lovely with a lamp and flowers. Now, unfortunately, I was fairly underwhelmed by what I ordered. Having dined all over, I started with the French onion soup. It was just okay. Trafford had one that burst with flavor. My "French Connection" was tasty. However, zero buzz. Avenue N, Blackstone Oyster, Olympia Tea Room know how to do a cocktail that is delicious and has a kick. The roasted half chicken had promise. It was bathed in a flavorful au jus. Unfortunately it was more bone than actual chicken. I did enjoy the cognac mushrooms but even the sides were skimpy. I did order the pommes purée, filling but fairly bland. Waterman Grille does this type of dish much better. Lastly, I was told the Affogato was delicious. It was terribly bitter. Pane e Vino makes a delicious one. So, the experience is quite lovely due to the decor & service. However, the food and drink were a disappointment. I hate saying it, I really do. Would I go back? Probably not unless I heard there was a revamp of recipes. I'm sorry. read more

The Franklin - A restaurant interior features a long wooden table set for dining, with candles and floral arrangements, against a wall decorated with various framed artworks. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

Service good. Food highly salted, white beans undercooked, sauces definitely not made from scratch. Loud disco-like music could not be turned down. Not the vibe of a "French inspired restaurant" I can say after having just spent three months in France. oh, and difficult to park. Go, but know what to expect! read more

A Mixed First Experience We finally scored a reservation after weeks of trying after opening , and the place was packed on a Friday night. The ambiance is classic French bistro--think intimate tables and stylish décor (Groundswell on steroids). A welcome addition to the local dining scene and a spot I'd consider for entertaining out-of-town guests. The Good * Service: The staff is plentiful and well-trained. Our server, Daniel, was outstanding--attentive and professional. * Drinks: The cocktail menu is heavily French, with a focus on martinis. We enjoyed a French 75 and a Groundswell espresso martini; both were well-crafted (the latter very coffee flavored) at $18 each. * Menu: The limited menu is a plus--fewer dishes, fresher ingredients (what restaurant can list 80 items and do them well let alone have fresh ingredients on hand?). The duck confit ($40) was a standout. The Not-So-Good * Noise: Be prepared for a lively (read: very noisy) atmosphere. The electronic music, heavy on drums, also made conversation tough. * Space: Tables are small and close together, so expect a bit of juggling when dishes arrive. * Starters: We skipped the appetizers after not finding any favorites among the four options. Instead, we tried the charcuterie board ($32), which felt overpriced and came with only four small crostini. The chicken pâté was extremely rich. * Mussels: The mussels entrée ($29) was tasty but more appetizer-sized. If you're craving mussels, you'll find a better value at Fieldstone's in Portsmouth. * Frites: The fries were excellent--our server recommended them as an addition to the mussels if we were hungry. Oddly, there's no steak frites on the menu. * Dessert: We passed on dessert. Wines & Price * The wine list is well-curated and reasonably priced, with a solid selection of French whites, rosés, and reds, plus a very few (4) New World options. Our total for two cocktails, two entrées, a charcuterie board, two glasses of wine, and tip came to $245. Bottom line: Great service and a chic French vibe but expect a noisy setting and some uneven value on the menu. Worth a visit--just know what to order! read more

food was very good, service very good. noise level was the highest I have ever heard in a restaurant. ruined what could have been a really good experience read more

I have lived in East Bay Rhode Island for most of my life. Take it from me; The Franklin is an experience you don't want to miss. French food made by a Top Tier chef and served by an enthusiastic, educated staff. The old factory district location is a bit rough.. Parking isn't wonderful, but when you step inside you are welcomed into a romantic Parisian Cafe with marble tabletops classic artwork and even a brass table hook for your purse. The soft lighting, the romantic floral dishes and the cutlery are perfect. Our server, Nick is THE server you want in such a special place. (I am sure the entire wait staff is as well) The attention he gave us along with the rest of the staff including the General Manager made us feel like we were the only table they had. The food? "Fagetaboit it". I am NOT qualified to describe it, but I'll do my best; We had the Bristol Board with soft cheeses, drunken cherries and spiced ham. Entree's of pressed boneless half chicken and filet were enhanced with deep fried mashed potato purée and seasonal mushrooms were amazing. For dessert we had a mixed fruit crumble. Everything is made from scratch in their kitchen. Prices? Well..not cheap, but worth every cent. My wife of 13 years called it our "most romantic date" which means we will certainly be back. The Franklin: Make a reservation dress up or dress down ...but make sure you get there. It isn't just a place to eat, it is an experience you will not forget. read more

The Franklin - Pressed Binkeds half Chicken, ratatouille , frites and Filet. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bristol, Rhode Island

The ambience was beautiful. I felt like I was in a French bistro in Paris. Every place setting, flower arrangements, etc was thoughtful and well appointed. The service was impeccable and accommodating. I would say the portions are small for the prices. Food was delicious and perfectly cooked. I wanted more. I am such a Fan of Groundswell Cafe and can see how everyone and everything is connected. Treat yourself to a beautiful night out read more

Ok, ok, OK (mater of fact tone)! This place is hands-down, by-far, unequivocally, undeniably, unassumingly, a place to go try! Like, a must visit... I won't talk about the decor or interesting bathroom situation, all of which are fun and interesting. You feel transported from beautiful Bristol to some high end restaurant in Manhattan. The food is incredible. I can't explain in words exactly how incredible the food is, you just need to try it! What separates this place from others is the this place has PROFESSIONALS working on every aspect of the business. The food prep and presentation, the service, the booze. Please go, if you can book it. To The Franklin, thank you for a great experience! read more

The Franklin is so beautiful. We sat at the bar and the service was unmatched. Daniel and Claire were our bartenders and they went above and beyond! The drinks were amazing, the food was incredible and the service was out of this world. read more

See all

We had a wonderful dinner for my wife's birthday at the Franklin in their Proof Room. Everything was wonderful, from the service, to the setting, to the food, and even the communication with Cara beforehand. Highly recommend! read more

It's been a long time since I had as good a dining experience as I had at Franklin. Service was outstanding - they make you feel special without being obsequious. The food was amazing. A small wine list, but beautifully curated. Ambiance was so comfortable - small room, few tables, but not loud not crowded. I highly recommend it for an intimate dinner read more

I first dined at The Franklin and had very mixed reactions. (more below...) Tellingly, the day of my return visit I really didn't want to go back. I suppose that says it all. I don't know who is meant to be the clientele for The Franklin. It is way, way, way too noisy for people who want to talk. It's way too precious for folks looking for a fun night out. So who then? First the good: I think the food is delicious. It is a small menu but the selection is pretty broad, so it's not a problem to find something that fits your mood. It's impossible to discuss the food without mentioning the prices. They are, at best, NYC prices for a dining room in the heart of an industrial area in Bristol. Everything is very expensive, including the $30 burger with no sides and then frites-less moulle. Of course you can add frites for $15. Ouch. Remember the food is good but so is my money when it remains in my pocket. The restaurant is very designed. In fact, over the top designed in my opinion. For example, our end of the long central table was decorated with a mirrored tray covered with votive candles. Pretty but no space to place a common dish for sharing. Form exceeds function everywhere you turn. Service was pleasant but not flawless. The staff all came across as attentive and polite but weren't aware of the small details that elevate the restaurant experience. For example, my companion was in the toilet when our meals arrived. The server pushed his napkin to the side, leaving it to me to fold and place it in its correct place. OK, napkin service is not exactly high on my list but at these prices? Living near Groundswell, we were looking forward to the opening of The Franklin. Having been there, I'll drive past en route to PVD for my special meals out. Did I mention that it's noisy? read more

This place greatly exceeded my expectations. I love Groundswell so I was excited to see what the owners could do with a full restaurant and wow! The ambiance, the decor, the vibe...just unmatched. You truly feel like you are in a little bistro in France. The cocktails were on point...the service was not service, but just pure hospitality. I ordered the seabass entree but learned that they had run out. Slightly disappointing, but I get it. The waitress explained that they were subbing an artic char instead, prepared in a similar manner. She did explain that it was a different type of fish, but similar to salmon which I like. When the dish arrived, it was prepared technically perfect, crispy skin, but the fish just wasn't for me. The manager checked in right away and asked how it was, and I was honest, I did not love it. She graciously offered to bring me anything else. I ordered the filet which was the best filet of my life. It cut like butter, the bordelaise sauce was impeccable, and that potato dauphinoise will be in my dreams for a long long time. I could not recommend The Franklin more. I will be back for sure. read more

See all

One of the worst meals I have ever had. Food almost inedible; dripping in broth, sauce so that no one could tell what they were eating. Decor overdone;; so many pillows on seats that they had to be put on floor or asked server to remove. Noisy, yes, one would expect that from a brasserie but this went far beyond what you would expect. Too many tables crowded into a small space. Would wait a long time before ever trying it again. Menu unimaginative. read more

Great service and nice decor. Horrible price. Got a 2 oz halibut for $48! Pathetic!!!

A warm greeting at the door to start the evening. A lovely table with flowers and an all-over ambiance that is unheard of in this area. An attentive server. French dishes that explode with wonderful flavors. Everything is wonderful at this restaurant. The "two-star reviewers" are simply unable to appreciate great cuisine. read more

I figured id try a new place. It was a terrible experience. I 1000% seen a roach run across the floor and we ended up leaving.

First time at the Franklin and it is a really cute place.... It is very tiny however so from the pictures from the website, you get a feeling that it might be bigger than it actually is it is very small and a bit tight not a place where my husband for example, would feel comfortable. I went there and met up with an old friend of mine, and we had not connected in a very long time. They sat us at a tiny table with small settee seating. It was actually too small for two people sitting next to each other. Honestly, too many pillows and it was wet. when I addressed this with the server she indicated that it had just been steam cleaned. She was kind enough to move us to another table, which was very nice. We had the mushroom croquettes which were very delicious extremely small, however but very good and we had the steak frites which was delicious. What I found to be a little annoying was we were two friends trying to catch up, who hadn't seen each other for a long time and the server was very annoying. He kept coming over to the table, too often, interrupting our conversation and it was as if he was trying to turn the table, but there was nobody else coming in. I wanted to be able to relax in this beautiful atmosphere and have a conversation and constantly being interrupted was inappropriate in terms of being comfortable to just sit and talk and have dinner in the Parisian style. Would I go again? Yes I would go again perhaps not for dinner maybe for drinks and a casual appetizer, but to be interrupted that much during a meal where it had become to the point where we were getting very annoyed and couldn't finish a conversation was unpleasant. read more

We were all eager to try this new place in Bristol after hearing good things from a few friends, but we're now distancing ourselves from those people because it was a nasty trick to send us there... after good success by these owners transforming Four Corners in Tiverton to a vibrant community of shops and $8 coffee, their touch at The Franklin might be better applied to the plasma center around the corner. Going for a feeling of Provence in the decor, they hit on Peoria (overdone and programmed the way a chain restaurant like Friday's tries to make every unit look unique (every unit is the same "unique" assemblage of stuff), the noise level is insufferable - could barely hear the server and couldn't hear a word anyone at the table said, and the food was inconsistent to be kind. Crudo and chicken both good, but pastas and meat miserable. Deviled eggs on any menu need to be distinguished in some way to earn their place, but these were as undistinguished as any backyard picnic. The only good news is that, with wine, the tab came to a bit over $100 per person, so thank goodness for being ripped off because otherwise this review wouldn't be as simple to write and would just say "lousy but cheap". read more