Francesca's Intimo

Name: Francesca's Intimo
Address: 293 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, IL, United States, 60045
Telephone: (847) 735-9235
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7

1714 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

28 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 29 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Charming
Neighbourhood gem

Francesca’s Intimo is located in vibrant downtown Lakeforest. A restaurant with a contemporary, casually sophisticated trattoria ambiance, rustic cooking, friendly service, and fair prices.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Wine Bar
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30–21:00 Mon, Tue 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 11:30–22:00
Phone number
(847) 735-9235
Website
https://www.miafrancesca.com/location/mia-francesca-intimo/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Francesca's Intimo offers on and off site catering. Delivery options are available. Please contact our restaurant for more details.
Private party facilities
Semi-private area of the restaurant may be booked for functions.
Private party contact
Shiri Nissim: (847) 735-9235 ext. 2

Location
293 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Area
Lake Forest
Cross Street
Western
Parking details
Parking garage located across the street.
Public transit
UP-N Metra Lake Forest
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Funfetti Cake
Multiple dates available
Celebrate your special occasion with Francesca’s with our NEW funfetti cake. you can enjoy a full-size cake (feeds up to 8 people) for the table for $40. All you need to do is add this special menu item to your reservation to let our staff know and enjoy a full-size cake filled with deliciousness! PLEASE NOTE: ONE CAKE FEEDS UP TO 8 PEOPLE. A $40 PAYMENT WILL BE DUE AT THE TIME OF YOUR RESERVATION. ALL CAKES MUST BE ORDERED 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE FROM YOUR RESERVATION. PARTIES ABOVE 8 ARE RECOMMENDED TO ORDER TWO OR MORE CAKES.

Offers

Happy Hour
Multiple dates available
Sun - Fri - 11:30 - 15:00, 15:00 - 18:00
Enjoy happy hour at Francesca’s from 3-6 PM on MONDAY-FRIDAYS ONLY. You can now experience Francesca’s favorites for $12 or less! Add this experience to your reservation to let the staff know you are participating in happy hour.

Calamari in PadellaUS$14.75
Sautéed calamari with capers, fresh tomatoes, spinach, chili flakes, garlic, lemon, and olive oil
Spinach Aglio e OlioUS$6.75
Sautéed spinach with garlic and olive oil
Carpaccio alla Francesca*US$14.75
Thinly-sliced raw sirloin with capers, tomatoes, mushrooms, olive oil, and parmigiano

Insalate

Insalata alla FrancescaUS$8.75
Romaine, endive, and radicchio with blue cheese, fresh vegetables, lemon, and balsamic
Caesar Salad*US$7.95
Classic Caesar with roasted peppers and shaved parmesan
Insalata di AsparagiUS$9.25
Fresh asparagus with tomatoes and blue cheese, dressed with lemon and olive oil

Pizze

Additional Ingredients ($1 each): Italian sausage, black olives, mushrooms, artichokes, spinach, broccoli, eggplant, or zucchini

Pizza MargheritaUS$14.75
Roasted plum tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella

Paste

Pasta al PomodoroUS$15.95
Sautéed in a cherry tomato sauce with garlic and fresh herbs
Pasta Alle VerdureUS$19.95
Sautéed with wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, broccoli, escarole, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts in in an herb broth
Pasta Aglio e OlioUS$14.95
Sautéed with olive oil, fresh garlic, diced tomatoes, and spinach
Pasta all'ArlecchinoUS$26.95
Sautéed with shrimp, sea scallops, manila clams, garlic, and olive oil in a spicy cherry tomato sauce

Secondi

Ask your server for today's gluten friendly specials!

Pollo al LimoneUS$22.95
Sautéed chicken breast in a lemon white wine sauce with capers and spinach
Pollo SicilianaUS$20.95
Roasted chicken thighs simmered in garlic, shallots, cherry tomatoes, Castelvetrano olives, oregano, and dates
Salmone alla FrescaUS$25.95
Grilled salmon with tomatoes, avocado, red onions, olive oil, basil and lemon over grilled asparagus

Dolci

Frutta di SottoboscoUS$8.95
Fresh mixed berries topped with homemade whipped cream
Gelati e SorbettiUS$6.95
Ask your server for today's selections

What 1,714 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

North Suburbs
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Francesca's Intimo offers "excellent food" and "remarkable service," creating a lovely ambiance for special occasions. Guests appreciate the "attentive staff" and "delicious Italian cuisine," with favorites like Rigatoni Alla Vodka. While some note the noise level and tight seating, the overall experience consistently impresses, making it a "go-to spot" for many.

1,714 Reviews

j
jon
VIP
Chicago
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We always enjoy our dining experience at this location. The food is excellent and our server was tremendous.
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C
Cary
VIP
Chicago
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was my first time for my wife and 2 of our friends at Francescas Intimo. (two of our other friends had been here around 15 years ago). I loved this place for several reasons. First, the service was absolutely outstanding from the moment we sat down. The entire staff from our main server Erick to other servers and personnel were so customer focused. Erick's 27 years of experience that he touted were masterful. He stated from the moment we sat down, how our satisfaction was the most important concern of his and this was demonstrated twice during the meal. The menu has something for everyone, and my vegan wife was able to work with Erick to put together something exactly to meet her health style needs which was not even on the menu, (Linguine with garlic, olive oil, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms and no cheese). I ordered the Rolli Alla Francesca (rolled fresh pasta, spinach, ricotta, pomodoro, four cheese sauce) as did another person at our table. I thought this was a unique dish with a distinct flavor. My friend liked it less likely as there was something in the dish that did not appeal to her. Erick had a list of each ingredient, and it turned out that there was blue cheese in one of the 4 cheeses that she did not like as part of the sauce. Even though she ate half the dish, Erick insisted she get something else and had something else made for her. Wow. Very impressive. Other dishes were enjoyed by the group such as the Nonnas Meatballs, Chicken with pasta, and shrimp with Linguine Agil Scampi. We asked to split salads which was accommodated easily. The restaurant is small in scale, and the ambience is definitely vibrant and a little loud but intimate too. All in all, we would not hesitate to return for a future dinner. Thanks.
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J
JoAnn
Chicago
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
One of my favorite places to go for dinner with friends. The food and service are consistently very good. It’s a busy place so I like to go early on weekends before it gets too noisy.
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D
Debbie
VIP
Chicago
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything we ordered was delicious. They even changed the calamari from being fried to grilled at our request. The fungi cod was amazing as was the whitefish. The pork chop was gigantic and tasted great. Highly recommend!
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A
Aneeqa
Chicago
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a large table of 12 people, one of whom ended up being a no show and one left early. I am so impressed and so grateful to everyone at the restaurant. Despite the size of our party, the servers were calm and unflappable, the food was delivered quickly and it was delicious and hot. Our seating arrangement was perfect. They offered to take coats for whoever wanted to hand them over. AND they gave us separate checks without so much as a frown. I am so grateful for the amazing experience you gave us and allowed us the perfect setting to gather, talk, and get to know each other. The ambience was a “paid actor” in the story, iykwim! Thank you, thank you, for the immense professionalism and the courtesy shown to us all. Looking forward to coming back! ❤️
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M
Madeleine
VIP
Chicago
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on 18 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Good choice for a smaller restaurant with good food.
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L
Larry
VIP
Chicago
159 reviews
5.0
159 reviews
Dined on 16 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great neighborhood place. Friendly service. Seems like the menu has gotten a bit smaller in recent years.
Is this helpful?
B
Bud
Chicago
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on 13 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We have two Birthdays in January: 1/10 and 1-12. To celebrate we’ve come to Francesca’s the last several years. The quality of the food, the service and the ambiance are all first rate. We’ll continue our annual celebration here for the foreseeable future.
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A
Adam
VIP
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 12 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing experience. Treated us like a VIP and we only have been there once before. Food, service, everything was great.
Is this helpful?
C
Catherine
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 10 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The Burrata appetizer a must have! The vodka sauce and sausage a staple .. so good! The atmosphere is intimate and lovely. This will be a regualar go to for good food, service and environment.
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FAQs

Francesca's Intimo offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (847) 735-9235.

Francesca's Intimo is rated 4.7 stars by 1714 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

28 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 29 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

293 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Additional information

Cross Street
Western
Area
Lake Forest
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30–21:00 Mon, Tue 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 11:30–22:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Wine Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking garage located across the street.
Public transit
UP-N Metra Lake Forest
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.miafrancesca.com/location/mia-francesca-intimo/
Phone number
(847) 735-9235
Catering
Francesca's Intimo offers on and off site catering. Delivery options are available. Please contact our restaurant for more details.
Private party facilities
Semi-private area of the restaurant may be booked for functions.
Private party contact
Shiri Nissim: (847) 735-9235 ext. 2

Francesca's Intimo

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Funfetti Cake

Happy Hour

Antipasti

Calamari in PadellaUS$14.75

Spinach Aglio e OlioUS$6.75

Carpaccio alla Francesca*US$14.75

Insalate

Insalata alla FrancescaUS$8.75

Caesar Salad*US$7.95

Insalata di AsparagiUS$9.25

Pizze

Pizza MargheritaUS$14.75

Paste

Pasta al PomodoroUS$15.95

Pasta Alle VerdureUS$19.95

Pasta Aglio e OlioUS$14.95

Pasta all'ArlecchinoUS$26.95

Secondi

Pollo al LimoneUS$22.95

Pollo SicilianaUS$20.95

Salmone alla FrescaUS$25.95

Dolci

Frutta di SottoboscoUS$8.95

Gelati e SorbettiUS$6.95

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Francesca's Intimo offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Francesca's Intimo restaurant rated?

Is Francesca's Intimo currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information