Francesca’s at the Promenade: Bites Nearby

For almost 20 years, Francesca’s has been wooing the Chicago area with its consistent reputation for creating authentic Italian dishes.

Francesca’s at the Promenade in Bolingbrook is the 19th location for the chain, which has received praise from Chicago Magazine, WGN, Check Please! and Janet Davies from 190 North.

The restaurant and bar environment is open with high ceilings and a mix of warm wood, impressive stonework and neutral colors.

Owner and Chef Scott Harris changes the handwritten menu every two weeks. Popular dishes include Lenticchie e spinachi (warm lentils with spinach and goat cheese), Quattro staginoi (homemade pizza with prosciutto, artichoke, mushroom, olive and egg) and Pesce bianco con asparagi (whitefish with wild mushrooms, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, white wine, lemon and balsamico.

Francesca’s also offers daily specials: Kids eat free the first Monday of every month, wine bottles are half-price on Tuesdays, a three-course prix fixe on Wednesdays, $6 select martinis on Thursdays, half-price appetizers in the bar from 3 – 6 p.m. on Fridays, $5 Saturday lunch pizzas and “Spaghetti and Meatball Sunday” for $9.99.

How about saving some more money? 

Head over to Costco (right across the street from the Promenade) and purchase two $50 Francesca gift cards for only $79. That’s a 20 percent savings on your meal before you even walk in the door.

Mangia.