Live music and dining al fresco at Francesca's

Francesca’s Passaggio (3124 S. Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564, 630-946-0600)

Beginning June 1, Francesca’s Passaggio will begin its summer live music series featuring performances every  Friday and Saturday evening on the outdoor patio.  Its beautiful patio boasts lush greenery, seating for 68 and a table-top fire feature like nothing you’ve ever seen.  Patrons can kick-back and enjoy over a great Italian meal. 

 Check out other Francesca’s locations that will be offering patio dining -  Francesca’s Fiore (7407 W Madison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130; 708-771-3063); Francesca’s at the Promenade (641 E Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300); Francesca’s Vicinato (12960 S. LaGrange Road, Palos Park, IL 60465; 708-671-1600); Francesca’s Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-0184)

Francesca’s Restaurants celebrates the Day of the Mushroom, April 16th at all Chicagoland locations

Button, shiitake, oyster, wild, portobello, cremini, enoki, beech… with so many mushroom varieties to choose from how will you select just one to top your list for National Mushroom Day on Monday, April 16th?  Celebrate the day of the mushroom with Francesca’s Restaurants and we’ll point you in the right direction with the Pasta Funghetto. Featuring the porcini and wild mushrooms, tossed with perfectly al dente pasta, mascarpone cheese, white truffle oil, fresh oregano and brandy-veal sauce to create a rich, decadent pasta dish that will make you a believer.  Available for $10.99 at all Francesca’s restaurant locations for lunch & dinner on Monday, April 16th.

 

 

Buglioni Wine Dinner at Francesca's Restaurants

This month, several Francesca’s restaurants present wine dinners featuring the Italian wines of Buglioni Vineyards. Tickets are $65 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

March 1, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s at the Promenade (641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300)

March 7, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s by the River (200 S. Second St., St. Charles, IL 60174; 630-587-8221)

March 8, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60660; 773-506-9261)

The evening begins with a cocktail hour featuring Crostini con Fegatini di Pollo  con Ricotta e Pomodorini, crostini with chicken liver pate or with ricotta and sweet tomatoes. This is paired with “Il Vigliacco” Brut Rose. Following this is the first course, Gamberoni con Cannellini al Rosmarino, jumbo shrimp with cannellini beans and rosemary topped with arugula, paired with “Il Intruso” Bianco Veronese. The next course features Pappardelle con Funghi Selvatici e Polletto, handmade pappardelle with wild mushrooms ragu and charred chicken breast with Parmigiano. The Valpolicella Classico wine pairs perfectly with this course. Next is Costine di Bue Agli Aromi con Polenta Bianca, braised short ribs with herbs, au jus and creamy white corn polenta paired with “Il Bugiardo” Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso DOC. The dinner ends with Degustazione di Formaggi con Frutta, a cheese tasting with fruit, nuts, sweet gorgonzola and pecorino grand cru. “L’Amarone” Amarone della Valpolicella is paired with this course.

Francesca's Chefs in Divine Dine and Wine

Jonathan Beatty of Davanti Enoteca (1359 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607; 312-226-5550) and Kevin Ives for Francesca’s restaurants are participating in the West Central Association Chamber of Commerce’s Divine Dine and Wine 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, February 9 at Venue One (1044 West Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60612; 312-327-0111). 

Anne Burrell, star of the Food Network's "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and author of Cook Like a Rock Star will also be at the event.

Divine Dine and Wine celebrates the locally and nationally recognized restaurants in the West Central Association’s area: the West Loop, Fulton Market, Fulton River District, Randolph Street, Greektown and Taylor Street. Guests will have the opportunity to sample food and wine from participating restaurants and participate in a silent auction to the Chamber of Commerce’s future endeavors. Tickets for non-members are $85 per person and can be purchased online at http://www.wcachicago.org/buytickets.html. 

Divine Dine and Wine is a great way to celebrate some of the great restaurants in Chicago and pave the way for more innovations and development in the area.

Let Francesca's cater your Super Bowl Sunday

While you’re watching the big game, you can enjoy Francesca’s food from the comfort of your own home! Several Francesca’s restaurants have catering options available for Super Bowl Sunday, February 5.

Francesca’s Tavola (208 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005; 847-394-3950) is offering a special menu for Super Bowl catering.  Their Super Bowl Catering Menu includes salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizzas and appetizers for large groups. Carryout orders can be picked up anytime between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., and delivery is available anytime between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. to any location within a three mile radius on Super Bowl Sunday. For orders under $100 there is a $10 delivery fee, and for orders over $100 there is a $20 delivery fee.

Francesca’s Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-0184) also offers a special catering menu for Super Bowl Sunday. This menu includes pizzas from 10” to 14” ($12 to $16), a variety of appetizers, salads, calzones, pastas and desserts for your game day feast. Carryout and delivery are both available, but all orders must be made by Friday, February 3 to insure your feast will be ready for Super Bowl Sunday.

Make sure to call for the full menu and to ensure your reservation is made far enough in advance. With a great game and great food from Francesca's, Super Bowl Sunday is sure to be a great celebration.

Moveable Feasts at Francesca's Restaurants Starting Tonight

Francesca’s Restaurants are hosting Moveable Feasts throughout February. The term Moveable Feast is used to describe an elaborate meal capable of being moved, often accompanied by a ceremony or entertainment. Francesca’s Moveable Feast is an interactive dining experience and wine tasting.  Guests will receive three food and wine pairings. The Moveable Feast is $30 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

Times and dates for Moveable Feasts in February are:

February 3, 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. - Francesca’s Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-0184

February 9, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60660; 773-506-9261)

February 21, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s by the River (200 S. Second St., St. Charles, IL 60174; 630-587-8221)

February 24, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s at the Promenade (641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300)

The Feast starts out with Gamberi con Salsa Romesco, grilled prawns with romesco and citrus paired with Caymus Conundrum. Following this is Fileto di Maiale con Fagioli, grilled pork tenderloin with gigantic beans and sweet roasted tomato. This is paired with Belle Glos Meomi Pinot Noir. The celebration ends with Pesce con Cipolline e Finocchio, caramelized cipollini onion, roasted fennel, forest mushrooms and halibut with Belle Glos Clarke & Telephone. The Moveable Feast at Francesca's Forno will also feature the artwork of local artist Gregory A. Page.

Jermann Wine Dinner slated at two Francesca's

Mia Francesca and Francesca's Passaggio are hosting Jermann Winery with a four-course dinner paired with Italian wines from Jermann.

January 24, 7 p.m.  – Mia Francesca (3311 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657; 773-281-3310)
January 25, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s Passaggio (3124 S. Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564; 630-946-0600)

Damon Lawson of Epsom Imports will be in attendance to speak about the wines during the evening. Tickets are $65 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening begins with Rilletts di Salmone, salmon rillet crostini with celery, pink grapefruit and mint, paired with a delicious Canella Prosecco di Conegliano. The second course is Scallop Escabecio with honey crisp apple, celery and tarragon partnered with Jermann’s Pinot Grigio. This is followed by Prosciutto di Parma with pickled acorn squash, pear, arugula, hazelnuts and saba. Jermann’s Sauvignon Blanc makes a delightful companion for this course. The fourth course features Black Pepper Papardelle with Forrest mushrooms, cipollini onion and taleggio cream. This is with Jermann’s delightful Red Angel "by the moonlight." The meal finishes with Pancetta Wrapped Loin of Berkshire Pork with white beans, ham hocks, braised petite turnips and greens. This is paired with the Jermann "Blau Blau" as a perfect ending to the meal.