Francesca's Intimo

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Address:
293 E Illinois Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Neighborhood:
Lake Forest

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Cuisine:
Italian

Price: $30 and under

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Francesca's Intimo Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.miafrancesca.com
Email: intimocontact@miafrancesca.com
Phone: (847) 735-9235
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday from 11:30am - 4:00pm
Hours of operation:
Monday - Thursday: 11:30pm - 9:00pm
Friday 11:30am- 10:00pm
Saturday 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Italian
Executive Chef: Scott Harris - Chef de Cuisine: Marco Rea
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Private Party Facilities: Semi-private areas of the restaurant may be booked for functions
Private Party Contact: Shiri Nissim (847) 735-9235

Getting there

Cross Street: Western
Public Transit: UP-N Metra Lake Forest
Parking: Street Parking

A word from Francesca's Intimo

Francesca’s Intimo opened in early 2001 and is the 11th restaurant in "The Family of Francesca Restaurants", bringing downtown Lake Forest a restaurant with a contemporary, casually sophisticated trattoria ambiance, good, rustic cooking, friendly service and fair prices. The menu features the zesty… earthy cuisine of Rome and the surrounding areas of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio. The design features a rolled-mesh ceiling, warm woods, and colorful slate. Striking black and white photographs of rural Italian life by Paul Elledge line the walls to create a comfortable, decidedly urban setting. Reservations are accepted for lunch and dinner. Carry out and Catering are also available.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerItalian

Diner Reviews

"Took my 88-year-old mother out for birthday dinner. Food was great and we enjoyed ourselves."
Dined on 4/6/2014
"Service is always excellent and very helpful to our family of four including two boys 8 and 12. Our meals generally were quite good and although portions are somewhat smaller than in years past still a good value. Decor is timeless and the restaurant is appropriate for a date, couples, families or groups. All items on the menu will be good and service is always exceptional."
Dined on 4/5/2014
"We love this restaurant! Even though it is part of a chain - the help has all been there for years and they are constantly updating their menu and trying new things. The food is freshly prepared. Their Pollo Arrosto is out of this world!!"
Dined on 4/5/2014
"I always have a warm and cozy experience at Francesca's and last Friday was no exception. My husband and I went with another couple and we were seated as soon as we arrived. Unlike other restaurants, when you make a reservation at Francesca's, they have a table for you - no waiting for another 30 minutes at the bar. Our waiter was patient with our many questions and special menu requests. He also recommended dishes that we ordered and enjoyed! I love the new seasonal menu - their puttanesca is outstanding - and I was glad to see that the coconut cake is still available. It's a slice of heaven. Also recommended was the Caesar salad which I've never tried there - and I was happy I did. The dressing was tangy and not too cheesy - perfect."
Dined on 4/4/2014
"Beautiful bi-level setting, delicious and flavorful meals, and we return often for special family occasions or visits from out-of-town friends. Tonight's waiter was forgetful, inattentive, and needed frequent reminders to bring beverages, refill waters and wine glasses, or simply to take our dinner order. He was tuned out."
Dined on 4/4/2014
"Food is very good and staff is attentive but not hovering. Highly recommend."
Dined on 4/1/2014
"I've been to Francesca's during lunch several times. Was so looking forward to trying this place for dinner. Maybe it was what I ordered, but I was disappointed . Green wide noodles weren't cooked enough and the lamb that I thought I was getting was almost non existent. The bread was great. I looked at the dinners that my friends ordered and also at the table next to me and the presentation on all of our meals was so-so. For the price $16.99, I expected better...not MORE food...just BETTER food. I won't be rushing back. The place is great, service very good, staff courteous......but I was let down with the food."
Dined on 3/15/2014
"We were a party of four and the waiter got three of the meals ordered correctly. One dish had to be sent back so half of our group had food and the other half were sitting with empty places in front of them. The kitchen was busy and it took some time to correct this but what can you do. The waiter did remove the charge for the wrong meal from our bill and admitted he made a mistake, however we still paid for four meals. No discount or offer of a complementary beverage."
Dined on 3/11/2014
"At lunch with a friend, and found the staff very accommodating with regard to seating and a slight change of order (asked to have sautéed spinach added to the normal bruchetta with tomatoes and cheese). Delicious! We were the only ones in the restaurant, but they brought out the lunch dishes just minutes after they brought the bruchetta to our table. We didn't finish the appetizer, just what was on our plates, and then the vegetables in my dish weren't hot though the meat was. Please, take a look at the timing of your guests' food...it really does change the experience, even if the quality of the food is very good. I'll be back but will give specific instructions to the server to avoid this in the future."
Dined on 3/7/2014
"We enjoyed our food, but I don't know if I would come back on a Friday night. The restaurant is on the smaller side, and it was hard to move around, or even sit at our table, without being bumped by other patrons."
Dined on 2/28/2014
"We visitied on a cold Februrary night, and were greeted by warmth and tremendous food. Our dinner was delicious, each bite an experience. The wiatress was ourstanding, she treated us with great care. Our group enjoyed th eveal, the half chicken and a pasta dish. We were impressed with wine choices, Familes and couples were gathered and there was a lovely energy in the restuarant. It is a favorite in the Lake Forest area."
Dined on 3/1/2014
"We had dinner there with another couple. Just moved to Lake Forest so first time eating there. Would definitely go again. They were on time with our reservation. Nice menu. Had a great martini, and it was a very generous size ! Greeters were very friendly, and server was excellent. Will be there again soon. So good and so handy !"
Dined on 2/28/2014
"Always a Gem of a restaurant with great staff and great food."
Dined on 2/18/2014
"This place was amazing! I came here with my boyfriend and we both loved the good it was delicious! Our server was excellent and super attentive! I would recommend this to anyone who likes good food and service!"
Dined on 2/15/2014
"Been going here for a few years. Overall, not been disappointed. Great local gem for any occasion."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"The restaurant lends itself to offering outstanding cuisine in a quiet atmosphere, with impeccable service and brilliant wine selections. My party of three shared appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts, and loved all of them. I will make it a point to visit this restaurant again as it has raised the bar for dining in the area."
Dined on 2/2/2014
"I am obsessed with Francesca's. Their gluten free sauteed calamari is incredibly addictive and the rest of their dishes are always on point. I've never been disappointed at Francesca's. Not only does their food rock, but their staff is consistently friendly. They always go above and beyond. One time recently, I called on a Saturday around late-lunch time because I was craving that calamari and even though they weren't technically open yet, they still made it for me! They didn't even act like they were making a special exception, they just did it and were very sweet on the phone. I didn't know that they weren't open yet until I got there and the place was empty except for a staff meeting that was going on. I was SO appreciative!"
Dined on 2/4/2014
"We dine at Francesca's Intimo often; we brought friends from further down the North Shore. We all loved it! Every dish--from the asparagus, blue cheese and tomato salad to the Caesar, the carpaccio, grilled salmon, and chicken Vesuvio--was terrific. Our OT reservation and the table we requested were ready when we arrived, and the hostess staff welcomed and thanked us sincerely and profusely. Our only disappointment: a newish waiter who would have benefitted from more training before facing a busy Friday night. (When I asked for cracked pepper, he came back with a jar of red pepper flakes!) Our neighborhood favorite!"
Dined on 1/31/2014
"Have known this spot a long time. Always good food, nice service and are not bothered or hurried by the staff. Most of the time my visits are during lunch time. Cannot speak for dinner time."
Dined on 1/27/2014
"We always enjoy the fish entree's at Francesca's Intimo."
Dined on 1/25/2014
"Francesca is the place to go for dinner. The manager and staff are great wonderful individuals. They remember their customers names, greet them with friendly smiles and make them feel great. The atomsphere is wonderful and always comfortable. The bar is a great place to sit while waiting for your reservation to come up. The bartenders are always at their best for entertaining you. If only more places could be this awesome and as attentive. The food is delicious and i promise you will never complain about it because it's that great."
Dined on 1/23/2014
"Went for a weekday business lunch. The restaurant was not busy... only about 6 tables occupied. It took almost 10 minutes to be approached by a waiter. All other tables were given bread. We were not. Water filled once, then not again. The pasta dish was missing an ingredient, and the spinach flatbread was excessively oily. Our waiter chose to chat it up with the hostess most of the time we were there. Will not go back."
Dined on 1/9/2014
"Simply the best Italian food we have had in years. Pasta is always incredible"
Dined on 1/10/2014
"All of the staff is friendly, especially Michele and Peggy."
Dined on 1/8/2014
"This was a business dinner for a new company employee and I. He had never been to the Chicago area before and I wanted to ensure he got a great meal while here. Francesca's delivered once again. I've been several time and have never been disappointed. He had the seafood pasta, while I had the pesto chicken. Both were tasty. Service was good as always. It's nice to have a local gem that you can count on for consistently good food and service. Keep it up!"
Dined on 1/7/2014
"Lived in Lake Forest all my life. A great go-to for a nice, authentic Italian meal."
Dined on 1/4/2014
"I love this place. I love the food and I especially love the tiramisu. It is higher in price than places I am used to go, but I love going so much and I like the experience that I don't mind."
Dined on 1/1/2014
"Just love Francesca's. Never disappoints. Excellent Italian dishes and seafood choices. Attentive staff. Can't go wrong!"
Dined on 12/31/2013
"This is one of my favorite restaurants in the area, however, we had a disappointing experience. On a Monday night, before New Year eve, it was not as busy as usual and that's even more reason to expect a great experience.Alas....the pasta dishs had no flavor, and the fish was tough!! Our server was nice and attentive, but the runner who brought the food to the table confused the orders with each course. During the holidays, perhaps the regular kitchen and wait stuff were on vacation, and I would like to think that is the reason for our mediocre meal. We will give it another chance, and I hope for a better experience next time."
Dined on 12/30/2013
"Cozy vibrant Italian place that will warm your heart. Guadalupe is the best manager. Connect with her and your evening will be perfect."
Dined on 12/28/2013
"Love this restaurant. Have been numerous times. This time, the rigatoni bolognese, pasta with pesto and chicken, and lobster ravioli were all outstanding. Don't miss dessert. The profiteroles were fantastic - the puffs were fresh, not tough after being frozen like every other restaurant. They even brought a plate of 4 for our table of four. Service is always excellent, servers are friendly and helpful. And great martinis. Enjoy!"
Dined on 12/27/2013
"We've been going to Francesca's in Lake Forest for years. This was the first time the food was a real disappointment. The appetizer was bland and the main courses around the table were flat and boring. We've had poor service before but this time it was abysmal. Among other things, they got my son's order AND my order wrong. By the time my meal came out, everyone else was done. We won't be going back anytime soon."
Dined on 12/24/2013
"One of our favorite restaurants--always a great meal and ambiance. Always busy, but you never feel rushed."
Dined on 12/22/2013
"We have been going here since it opened. The food has gone downhill. The flavor has left all the dishes. We loved it, now were leaving it."
Dined on 12/14/2013
"The server was good and dinner went very well. They have some great Italian food. We will go there again."
Dined on 12/3/2013
"Since we went to the restaurant relatively early (before 6pm), the place had 3 big groups with kids in grade school. They all were behaving well, but I was not super comfortable about the noise they make. Food was unexpectedly good this time. I did not necessarily appreciate it that they offer Zyliss shaved parmegiano for all dishes (in my mind, it should be freshly ground pepper instead); it is better to be offered than served with too much cheese! I enjoyed this month's special Cod with cauliflower. I requested to swap tilapia to cod. May visit one more time in 5 days. Carpaccio was VERY good."
Dined on 12/2/2013
"You can always count on a wonderful meal at Intimo. The salads are always fresh and delicious, and the pasta is great. Servings are ample, so we split the pasta and order another entre, usually fish, to go with it."
Dined on 11/29/2013
"We went to intimo to meet another couple and enjoyed our meal very much. I had the chicken breast with artichokes and mushrooms which was delicious. My husband had the half chicken and loved it."
Dined on 11/22/2013
"We had a small group of 8 for a business dinner and requested the 5 course Italian Wine dinner. It was spectacular! Every course was so flavorful (especially the butternut squash ravioli with marscapone cream sauce), and paired with a great wine selection. Michelle timed our meal perfectly without making anyone feel rushed. Our table was set aside from the rest of the seating so our team was able to talk. All in all, a very great experience!"
Dined on 11/14/2013
"Our food came late our server was not presentation our service never ask if our.food was good or check back for Any need"
Dined on 11/15/2013

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