Villa Francesca

Claim
marker

150 Richmond St (at Hanover Street)
Boston, MA 02109

marker
(617) 367-2948
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Villa Francesca - Boston, MA
Reviews
( 7 )
( 4 )
( 1 )
( 2 )
( 2 )

Best

My husband and I absolutely LOVE the food! the waitstaff is friendly and always running around doing whatever they can... the portions are huge and the sauces are out of this wol...

Worst

On arriving we were ignored by the manager and waitstaff who seemed to be having a more important conversation. Then the manager reprimanded the waitress for not paying attention ...

Outstanding!!! 4/22/2010

My husband and I absolutely LOVE the food! the waitstaff is friendly and always running around doing whatever they can... the portions are huge and the sauces are out of this wold. Villa Francesca is the place to go!!! Pros: Deliciuos Italian food Cons: waiting on line - but it worth it. more
Reply | Report abuse |

proprio buono 1/18/2010

Overall great atmosphere, I enjoyed the oysters, very fresh and chilled.Good menu and I tried a couple of plates, the lobster ravioli, yummy. Fish plate alla portfofino, delish, and tasted the veal chop. Good portions,very tasty and I loved the cannolli which they filled at the table. Everything Very fresh and great service. try it and let me know. Pros: food, service, wine list, atmosphere Cons: door hinges, more tea more
Reply | Report abuse |

In best traditions of North end. 1/18/2010

Francesca is the place to go when you want to feel the spirit of North End. Great food, excellent service, warm atmosphere. Everything from music till decoration makes you feel just wonderful. That restaurant is like bottle of good wine, you can never forget it. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Consistently good! 1/17/2010

Still so good. Villa Francesca has not lost its quality over the years and remains consistently good. Although most restaurants are feeling the downfalls of the economy and are cutting back, this restaurant seems to be holding its own. The quality is still really great! The cuts of meat, the freshness of the vegetables and so much more! The newest additon of the raw bar is really nice, as I used to go to Neptune Oyster alot just for raw bar, now I can have a little raw bar to start and pasta for my entree at Villa. Don't forget to try the homemade canoli for dessert. ... scrumptious! Pros: Best Lobster Ravioli more
Reply | Report abuse |

I still can't believe this place. 8/5/2009

On arriving we were ignored by the manager and waitstaff who seemed to be having a more important conversation. Then the manager reprimanded the waitress for not paying attention to us and we were shown to a table. Ok, it was not a good start but we had been here before, so we sat down to enjoy dinner. Pros: Decor & Window Seating Cons: Very poor service. more
Reply | Report abuse |

SUB-STANDARD STANDARDS 8/25/2008

Villa Francesca was justifiably and undeniably, one of the true disappointments of my many immense experiences in Boston. However, this establishment is raved about for many legitimate reasons. The decor is lovely, especially regarding the classic Italian old world ambience. The food was respectable but not all that it was cracked up to be. The wine list definitely makes up for the suspect quality/quantity of the food in regard to its extensive selection of vintage vino. I made a reference towards the quantity of food because they?ll serve you an appetizer like sauteed calamari with the right size dish but with only ten or so calamari spread around evenly with the marinara smothered up amply to disguise its shortcomings. What about the service? Unfortunately, my waiter seemed partially disabled and could barely remember the specials, despite there only being two! He reminded me of a ex-convict on work release and was very unattentive and disrespectful. For instance; after taking our order for drinks and appetizers, our waiter ceased to exist after having the first two glasses of wine and appetizers delivered by someone else. Mind you, it was not busy!!! My wine glass was sitting empty for more than a half an hour with no attempts made to refill. My waiter didn?t even come by despite paying special attention to a party of four across from us. Realistically, this party of four came twenty or so minutes after us and were eating their lobster main courses before we even got served. When we did get served, it wasn?t even by our waiter, but by a busgirl. Regrettably, I happened to be with a lovely young woman who was more disappointed than I was which made it all the worse. Needless to say, I rushed through the main course, skipped desserts and never had a chance to enjoy more of their succulent wine. I?m a real first generation American-Italian New Yorker and have been to enough restaurants to know what is what. Peccato!!! Pros: DECOR, WINE LIST Cons: SERVICE, LOUD NOISE, PORTION SIZES more
Reply | Report abuse |

Still So Good 3/2/2008

My husband and I had dinner at the rennovated Francesca's last night, a restaurant I visited often with family while living in Boston around ten years ago. I've recently moved back to Boston, and was pleasantly surprised to see so many changes to the restaurant--it's lost none of its charm, but has only become more ambient. Though there were a lot of customers, it didn't feel crowded (they've opened up a few new dining rooms, which our waiter took us on a small tour of before we left). The rennovations are stunning, and there is a more elegant feel, but it wasn't stuffy. Our waiter treated us as old friends--and there were in fact a few waiters that had been there ten years ago! For an appetizer we shared the Antipasto for 2, which was absolutely great. Really fine Italian imported cheeses. My husband took the recommendation for the lobster gondola with mussels and calamari, spaghetti and white wine sauce....amazing! Delicious lobster, and really quite the spread of food for a reasonable price. I requested chicken piccato, which I used to order years ago, and was no longer listed on the menu. The chef assured it was no problem to custom make, and the homemade fettunci couldn't have come out any better. We also enjoyed two bottles of a Tuscany Brunello wine, which my husband was just smitten with. He couldn't get over the wine selection and quality of this particular wine. Really just an all-around pleasant experience--like coming home. Pros: great wine, fine Italian, friendly service Cons: reservation needed on Saturday more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great food & very accomodating staff!! 3/1/2008

It was Valentine's Day and of course, I forgot to make reservations for me and my girlfriend. We walked into Villa Francesca's and I explained the situation to the host. Hhe said, no problem, why don't you have a drink at the bar and I'll see what I can do for you. We sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with the other diners. Our seat was ready and the rest is history. the food is top of the line - fresh, seasoned just right and a tease to the palate. My girlfriend and I had a wonderful time. The cannoli - was absolutely delicious. We actiually ordered two of them to go with all the works!! The wait staff were very accomodating and made you feel very much at home. We can't wait to go back and trust me - it will be before Valentine's day! Pros: Great food, great staff and valet parking. Cons: Parking is hard, but w/the valet it was quite simple. more
Reply | Report abuse |

One of Boston's Best 3/1/2008

I love dining out and experiencing different cuisines. I travel to Boston often to eat at different restaurants. Villa Francesca is right up there in great food and service. Located in the North End with convenient Valet parking available, this is a must stop either for a romantic dinner, dinner with friends and/or family. I have been there with my husband and at times with my nieces and nephews. The staff is always very accomodating...whether it's with my husband or with bigger parties. The ambience has a rustic traditional look with an elegent flair. Now for the food. Well, the food is absolutely superb. I can't say it's a throwback to the old school or consider it modern day Italian cooking, it would be an in between, meaning you can get a great sauce that would battle perhaps your Italian grandmother's or a nice flavorful dish with distinct flavors. For example, I really love the lobster ravioli appetizer. It has a nice cheese sauce that is not overpowing with bits of clam and dill herb. The ravioli is stuffed with real lobster and every bite is flavorful. Next, the fettucine with shrimp is to die for. It is served with a pink sauce with lots of shrimp, the pasta is always cooked to perfection. I also enjoy the secondi piatti which is the meat course. The veal chop is scrumptious as was my husband's pork chops. Finally, the dessert. I am definitely not a cannoli lover, however, at the insistence of our waiter, we had to try it. The waiter brings out the shell and stuffs the cannoli at the table with a sprinkling of walnuts and chocolate chips (if you desire) voila! A perfect happy ending. The cannoli's are made in house as is the filling. Like I said, I don't love cannoli but these were fantastic. I love coming to Villa, it has been around a long time and the quality has not diminished. In fact it seems to be getting better and better. Pros: Great food, service and valet parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Go Somewhere else! 2/18/2008

I am an Italian woman from NY. I have been to Boston's North End numerous times, and have tried many, many restaurants. I have family who own restaurants in Little Italy and Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Cons: Worst host in the Northeast! more
Reply | Report abuse |

BEST CHICKEN PARM ANYWHERE 2/12/2008

I have been working in Boston for over 3 years and my office is in the North End. Every lunch break I always walk around the North End and try out the different restaurants. For my first visit here, I came with 2 clients. I ordered the Chicken Parm (may not be on the dinner menu, but they will have it). This was the Best Chicken Parm I have ever had. EVER. I've been to a lot of restaurants in the North End and so far I have yet to experience another deal like this. Large Portion, Good Price. Pros: chicken parm, large windows for people watching Cons: a service truck might be blocking your view more
Reply | Report abuse |

Romantic 11/5/2007

Very nice place! The food is great and so is the service! We were sitting next to the window, so it was very romantic. The only downside was that we had to wait even though we had a reservation. However, the place was packed and the hostess (Ianna?) was very pleasant, so I can't complaint. more
Reply | Report abuse |

A Shadow of it's former days 5/28/2007

I lived in Boston for 45 years before moving to Florida. Since my children are there, I do come back to Boston frequently. This trip I decided to have a dinner at an old familiar haunt and made reservations for the 5 of us. Pros: Great ambiance Cons: Service is horrible, Attitude of staff is bad more
Reply | Report abuse |

Good Restaurant 9/18/2006

Food was really great. Service was okay. We didn't order any appitizers or salad and were hoping to get our meal relativly soon. It took just as long for our entrees as the couple who was seated at the same time next to us who had an appitzer and salad. The waitress was not very attentive but the servers were at least aware when we needed more water. Beautiful location off Hanover Street. Can see the activity but be ""away"" from it. Pros: good Italian food Cons: service more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great appetizers & ambiance!! 8/29/2006

My husband & I dined here last week. What a delicious meal ----the appetizers, especially the Pros: Valet parking - no need to worry about finding a parking space Cons: Maybe a wait depending on the time you go more
Reply | Report abuse |

Terrible meal - worst risotto ever 2/4/2006

This was the worst meal I have ever had in the North End - shocking because most of the places there are so great. If you must go here - don't even think about the mushroom risotto - like minute rice (but chewy) with campbell's mushroom soup over it - and plopped unattractively on the plate. Poor presentation and frankly, just plain awful. Service was not great - bruschetta for 3 people meant a plate with 2 small pieces of toast on it. What?? We each had glasses of wine and pasta/rice dishes (no meat) and the bill was $100! NOT WORTH THAT BY A LONG SHOT. Don't even think about it. Not recommended. Cons: bad food, too expensive, only average service more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 Next >
Menu for Villa Francesca


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial

  • In Short
    Set along the Freedom Trail a few blocks from Paul Revere's house, consistent Northern Italian fare keeps both locals and visitors returning to this North End staple. During the...

  • 12/4/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sunday - Thursday Noon - 10:30p Friday - Saturday Noon - 11:30p
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card, Diner's Club, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Central, North End
badge