Francesca's Tavola

My husband and I went to Francesca's Tavola to meet some friends. Francesca's Tavola is a well-known restaurant and legend in Arlington Heights. On a weekend evening there are many times where you will see the parking lot at capacity. To start we were brought out bread and an olive oil and seasoned mixture. I ordered the Paccheri alla Vodka e Salsiccia (VODKA SAUCE, BASIL, MOZZARELLA, CRUMBLED SAUSAGE) and my husband ordered the Fettuccine Limone e Gamberi (ROCK SHRIMP, LEMON, CHILI FLAKE, CHIVES, GARLIC, AND BREAD CRUMBS). I thought my dish was pretty good but my husband's could have used a little more seasoning. The food itself deserves a four star rating.I'm giving Francesca's Tavola two stars because of service and price. Our server (and trainee server) were very nice, but while we were eating we were asked at lest ten times if they could take our plates. One time were asked about our plates by two different people only 20 seconds apart. It got to the point where I thought they might be running out of dishes in the back. When I notice this and it interrupts our conversation, it's a problem that needs to be addressed. The other issue standing in the way of receiving a higher rating are the prices. I feel that the prices are too high compared to what we got, especially compared to other Italian restaurants in the area. The dishes were not large and I had no problem finishing my meal and had room for dessert. The dessert menu prices were outrageous! So, we decided to go elsewhere for dessert.

Had lunch here with my coworkers and the food was pretty delicious. The service was very good as well and love the ambiance. Definitely, one of those restaurants that I would recommend and return too.

For starter, we turned into the wrong side? It had less parking space and I thought we could loop around but you can't. I mean at the time the lot was pretty empty, but it would have been such a nuisance to try to back up if it was full.Anyway, we were seat shortly after checking in. We were served with warm bread, rosemary infused oil, and cheese. We had ordered burrata with Brussel sprouts, clam linguine, and a type of pasta that looks like a big rigatoni but like a pappardelle in vodka sauce, and sausage and peppers.The burrata sat on top a bed of warm roasted Brussel sprouts. The Brussels were well seasons and well roasted. The burrata was creamy and delicious, however, I had to add a touch of salt to elevate the dish a little.The sausage and peppers were decent. We ate it with the bread and it was great. Nothing crazy special about it really.The clam linguine was also decent. I do appreciate that even though it's Manila clams, there were a good amount of them in there. Felt like I was shelling it for awhile. The noodles were al dente. There were so much sauce on my plate and it was very butter forward. I've had a few clam linguine where it was salty after awhile, but this wasn't overly salty.The pasta in vodka sauce was great actually. I've actually never had this type of pasta and I dig it. Could be cooked for like a teeny bit longer for me, but otherwise okay. The sauce was good and coated all the pasta well. It's creamy, flavorful.We were seated up the stairs to the right and at first it was fine because we were seated at a table for 2 right by the railing. Then next to us as an empty round table. Then shortly after, it was occupied. We were so close to our neighbors that if I extended my arms, we would be hugging. That entire area was so cramped and crowded. I was watching waiters/waitresses struggling to pass by. Idk why they thought it was a good idea to have that many tables so close to each other. I was not a fan of that at all.

Here few months ago & back for lunch ...service was impeccable...had crispy chicken panini on French baguette..flavor of roasted garlic delicious with cheese.....with fries ..my friend had fried eggplant marinated tomatoes fresh mozzarella...she said cooked to perfection ..Lunch was DELIZIOSO !!!I will have to try a dinner next time as have an expanded menu...

Francesca's is SO good. My husband and I had a date night here and had a blast.Their food is absolutely delicious and is a good portion size. Service was very friendly and attentive. Our dinners did take a bit to come out and our server brought us a dessert to make up for it on the house- which wasn't expected but we very much appreciated!Even on a Wednesday night, this place was busy!! A definite recommend for a delicious dinner

We had a wonderful time at Francesca's Tavola in Arlington Heights. It was a beautiful evening, still sunny and warm. We sat outdoors at a very nice patio they set up.I particularly liked their attention to allergies. They had a gluten-free menu and pointed out anything with milk. (Neither of which I can tolerate.) We had a variety of things. I skipped the appetizers, and when they brought bread to the table, they had gluten-free pitas they brought for me. Dipped in olive oil, they tasted like real pitas.For the meal, I ordered pasta (gluten-free) and steamed clams. Funny, they must have been out of clams since they served mussels. Mussels weren't on the menu, and I prefer them to clams anyway.Everyone else at the table was also impressed. We only waited a few minutes and were seated very quickly. The service was awesome. So was the food. I'm surprised by some of the reviews with lower ratings. We didn't find anything we disliked. We will return and hope that our experience will be repeated. This time, Francesca's did not disappoint.

I recently hosted a bridal shower at Francesca's Tavola. The food, service, and venue was perfect. The dishes we ordered were very authentic. The room was very spacious and we were able to socialize. I recommend this venue for a private event.

Went for lunch and we had a great time. Kids got to try carpaccio for the first time, this was particularly delicious with marinated veggies. Definitely worth trying and going back for. The kids menu is basic, the pastas were generally good but a bit over cooked. The gluten-free pasta was quite overcooked and mushy. Tiramisu was only lightly soaked, but still delicious.

Highly Recommend!Our server Vesi, was phenomenal.Pros; bread, olive oil and Parmesan cheese service before ordering. Our wine, Sangiovese, was perfect accompaniment to our meal.Lentil and wilted spinach burst with garlic, black pepper and savory deliciousness.Salmon was spot on; flaky, tender and moist; my better half describes me as that on occasion (flaky and tender).The pasta with vodka sauce and ground pork blew my mind. Perhaps my best pasta in the last 20 years.Definitely recommend!

I ordered their pasta dish with fettuccine pasta & shrimp that cost over $20. I added crumbled sausage, which was another eight dollars. The shrimp that came with my dinner was TINY POPCORN SHRIMP. I have never eaten a shrimp dinner at an Italian restaurant that used popcorn shrimp. The extra crumbled sausage I ordered amount to 3 tablespoons. The portion was small and the their use of popcorn shrimp is a disgrace. A small portion of fettuccine pasta with popcorn shrimp, and a few tablespoons of crumbled sausage for over $30 is outrageous. If you like to overpay for average food, small portions, & popcorn shrimp in a shrimp dinner, this is the place for you. Never again.