Francesca's Intimo

I discovered a gem where freshness reigns supreme. Each dish, a testament to the chef's dedication to quality ingredients. The mussels, bathed in a divine broth, and the sautéed spinach, a verdant masterpiece, elevated my taste buds to new heights. But the true star of the evening was our waitperson. With an intimate knowledge of the menu, she waltzed us through choices with grace, displaying unwavering attentiveness and a delightful personality. As for the ambiance, it's a charming haven, albeit a touch snug. The tightly packed tables create an intimate, bustling atmosphere, where you might accidentally join in on your neighbor's conversation. Yet, this minor spatial tango is easily forgiven in the grand symphony of flavors and service. In sum, a delightful dining soiree, leaving me with a palate pleased and memories made. A must-visit for those craving a fresh, seasoned, and personable culinary experience.

Fabulous dinning experience with Farrah. She makes every visit special and cultivates a feeling of being part of the Francesca’s Intimo family. Farrah stops by to welcome me even when she isn’t my server during a given visit. She remembers details on my food preparation preferences (being a vegetarian) and inquires on events I’ve mentioned during previous visits, she’s so personable, kind and a great server. Based on my experiences, Francesca’s Intimo prioritizes the customer’s experience from the managers to all the hardworking folks you don’t see behind the doors of the kitchen. Angelea, Jocelyn, and Scott (restaurant manager) are the first people to greet you upon arrival and they ensure your visit is excellent from start to finish. I have a choice where to dine and spend my money, and with the great food and the great people making my dining experiences exceptional, I will continue to choose Francesca’s Intimo in Lake Forest. Lori

Cute establishment, a bit crowded-- the tables are quite close... that is my only criticism. Margo, our server, was exceptional from beginning to end. She knows every dish on the menu, has excellent recommendations, is attentive and jovial. She really made a wonderful dining experience for us. Each dish was delicious, but in particular the mussels and sauteed spinach were brilliant-- perfectly seasoned and cooked. There are so many interesting dishes on the menu, I look forward to returning and trying them all.

Food was delicious and well priced. Some of my calamari was chewy and I’m not sure if that has to do with the quality of the calamari or the way it was cooked. I have not noticed the chewiness at other similarly priced Italian restaurants. Service left some to be desired. Our server was friendly but not very attentive to our table. It was a Saturday night and not a lot of people in the restaurant so not sure why they struggled. Would recommend trying this place out though!

We walked in at 5 pm without a reservation and were seated right away. The restaurant was very busy by the time we left around 6:30. Food tasted great. Not as large a variety on the menu as I would have liked. The portions were large and we were able to share a salad, which was still filling. Staff was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was relaxing. Wine was reasonably priced.

It was our first time visiting! We celebrated our anniversary. The food was. Well prepared and tasted great. I booked our reservation online and in the area that asked if there was any special occasion I listed celebrating our anniversary. I'm not sure why they ask since no acknowledgment by the staff. Most places at least acknowledge and sometimes a drink on the house or dessert. But overall we would return because most important was the quality of food which we loved...