Dog friendly patios at Francesca's Restaurants

Francesca’s Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60660, 773-506-9261)

Bring your four legged friends to Francesca’s Bryn Mawr for the Grand Opening celebration of their new dog-friendly patio Friday, June 1 – Sunday, June 3.  The “Bryn Mawr is going to the Dogs” three-day event will  feature red-carpet photo ops for your beloved pooch that will be displayed on Francesca’s Facebook page, prizes  and an opportunity for the most “liked” dog to win his or her human  to win a $100 gift certificate!  

 La Sorella di Francesca (18 W Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540; 630-961-2706)

La Sorella di Francesca’s outdoor patio is now dog-friendly!  Bring your best animal friend to relax with you while you dine on delicious Italian cuisine. 

An Evening with Patricia Green at La Sorella di Francesca

May 8, 7:00 p.m. – La Sorella di Francesca (18 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540, 630-961-2706)

Francesca’s Wine Director, Lisa Mango, has hand selected four wines from the cellars of our guest of honor and St. Charles native, Patricia Green, to be paired with a four- course menu that is sure to leave your taste buds screaming for more!

Tickets are $75 per person all inclusive. Please call 630-717-7800 and RSVP to Mike Matonte at Wine Discount Center by Tuesday May 6.  Space is limited so be sure to sign up before it’s too late to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Patricia Green herself.

Naperville Francesca's restaurants announce new specials

Two Naperville Francesca's restaurants, La Sorella diFrancesca (18 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540; 630-961-2706) and Francesca’s Passaggio (3124 South Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564; 630-946-0600) are introducing new daily specials for March. 

At La Sorella di Francesca, every Monday is time for the Monday Night Supper Club, which offers a three-course prix fixe menu for $23.99 per person. Tuesdays, diners will receive 25% off any bottle of wine that is not featured by the glass, and Wednesdays, select beers are $4. House martinis are $5 on Thursdays, and on Fridays, appetizers are half price at the bar from 4 to 6 p.m.

At Francesca’s Passaggio, Monday meals are 25% off for diners in the restaurant industry. Every Tuesday features a $24.99 prix fixe dinner and $10 off bottles of wine. All bottles of wine are half off on Wednesday, and martinis are $5 on Thursdays.  The restaurant also offers half-off appetizers every Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the bar area only.  Their popular Kids Eat Free program runs every Sunday.

Winter Metropolitan Brewery Beer Dinner at Francesca's Amici & La Sorella di Francesc

Two Francesca locations are hosting Metropolitan Brewery beer dinners this month. Make your reservation to enjoy a four-course meal featuring delicious food selections paired with Metropolitan Brewery beers. Metropolitan Brewery is a new microbrewery in Chicago run by husband and wife team Doug and Tracy Hurst. This four-course meal is $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

January 18, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s Amici (174 N. York Rd., Elmhurst, IL 60126; 630-279-7970)  January 31, 7 p.m.  – La Sorella di Francesca (18 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540; 630-961-2706)

The evening begins with Polpo Grigliato, grilled octopus with fagioli gigantic, marinated sundried tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette paired with Krankshaft, a pale ale. This is followed by Polpetti Agnello, lamb meatballs with spicy San Marzano tomato sauce, arugula and lemon. It is a perfect pair for FlyWheel, a German-inspired beer. The third course features Gnocchi con Pancetta, sweet potato gnocchi with cipollini onions, pancetta and brown-butter sage. A strong, smooth beer, Dynamo, makes the perfect companion. The meal finishes with Brasato di Bue, beer-braised beef ribs with parsnip puree, and is paired with IronWorks, a hoppy, top-fermented beer.