Phone: +441442827258
Address: 53 High Street, HP23 5AG, Dacorum, United Kingdom
City: Dacorum
Menu Dishes: 27
Reviews: 2583
Website: https://francescos.co.uk
"An earlier conversation with the owner left me with eager anticipation of an evening with friends at Francesco 's last Saturday. My wife and I arrived to find an a homely restaurant setting with lively Italian music booming out. We were all set for a fun evening...Our friends arrived who we had not seen for a long time and stood to greet them. Instead we were instantly approached by the surly owner gruffly telling us all to sit down and order our food as they were busy that evening. We meekly complied, taken aback by this strange attitude and, quite frankly, rudeness on the part of 'mine host '.It got worse, the owner stripped off to a singlet vest top and roamed about the restaurant bellowing orders to his small staff who clearly were in fear of him. We asked a poor lady waitress if the music could be turned down a tad so that we could hear ourselves speak. She rolled her eyes and declined to approach the boss....In an earlier conversation prior to booking, the owner had assured me that all the food used in the restaurant was fresh. Absolute rubbish! We chose squid or antipasta to start and as far as the squid was concerned were presented with something that did not look like squid. It may have been squid it was difficult to tell but it was very ordinary and looked reminiscent of something from the freezer chest in Aldi. The antipasta was topped with nothing less than a bit of tinned salmon!This was followed by our mains. I was looking forward to my spaghetti marinara. What I received was a pile of steaming hot spaghetti, very al dente, on which a tomato flavoured pasta sauce had been slopped. If one looked carefully one could find the odd small prawn, an occasional small mussel or a squid ring. All very reminiscent of what one would find in a bag of frozen seafood. So much for fresh!The food was left on the plates largely uneaten. The surprising thing was that the staff were not surprised we had left it and did not query whether there was a problem! The bill £115.00 paid very reluctantly but we just wanted to leave it was all so appalling.A disappointing and embarrassing evening. The atmosphere in the restaurant was tense and unpleasant, the food, such as it was, decidedly below expectation.Our first visit to Francesco 's. Very poor experience; we will not be coming again, not only because of the food but the owner 's unpleasant manner and rudeness!"
Full menu - 27 options
All prices are estimates on menu.
Pasta
Penne
Creamy penne pasta tossed with rich tomato sauce and a sprinkle of fresh basil, served with grated parmesan.
Ravioli
Pasta pockets filled with ricotta and spinach, served in a rich tomato sauce.
Carbonara
A classic Italian pasta dish with creamy egg sauce, pancetta, Parmesan, and a touch of black pepper.
Cannelloni
Tube-shaped pasta filled with cheese and spinach, baked with tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella.
Seafood Pasta
Seafood Pasta: A delightful mix of fresh shrimp, clams, and mussels in a rich garlic cream sauce over fettuccine.
Spaghetti Marinara
Spaghetti tossed in tomato sauce with herbs, garlic, and seafood, creating a flavorful and hearty dish.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Classic Italian pasta dish with creamy eggs, crispy pancetta, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper.
Dessert
Sorbet
A refreshing, dairy-free frozen dessert made from sweetened water flavored with a fruit puree or juice.
Tiramisu menu
A classic Italian dessert featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, rich mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa powder.
Milkshakes
Creamy milkshake made with premium ice cream, blended until smooth, and available in a variety of classic and creative flavors.
Pizza
Seafood
Prawn
Juicy prawns grilled to perfection, seasoned with garlic and herbs, served with a tangy lemon butter sauce.
Calamari
Tender calamari rings lightly breaded and fried to golden perfection, served with tangy marinara sauce for a delightful appetizer.
Entrées
Prawn Cocktail
A classic starter with succulent prawns in a tangy, creamy cocktail sauce, served on a bed of crisp lettuce.
Shrimp Cocktail
Chilled shrimp served with a zesty cocktail sauce for a refreshing appetizer.
Rice
Risotto
Creamy Arborio rice cooked to perfection, with a rich blend of Parmesan and fresh seasonal vegetables.
Main Courses
Schnitzel
Meat Dishes
Meatballs
Juicy meatballs simmered in rich tomato sauce with herbs, served with crusty bread for a hearty meal.
Soups
Minestrone
A hearty Italian soup with mixed vegetables, beans, and pasta in a savory tomato broth.
Pizza Snacks
Cheese Bread
Toasted bread topped with melted cheese, herbs, and garlic.
Main Course
AD3701
Authentic Italian experience!! Been eating at Francesco’s regularly for the last 20 years. The world’s BEST spaghetti bolognese!
Address
Reviews
L66FCgracew
Very good healthy food. The staff are excellent customer service and know you by name. Give it a try you won’t be disappointed. Love it!! Mark and Grace
xxxQUEENBEExxx
Visited Francesco's with family and friends. We always receive a warm friendly welcome. The food is always amazing and so full of flavour and authentic. The people who own the restaurant are always friendly and funny with a side of banter. I always recommend this restaurant to everyone best place to eat in Tring.
Bennitt7999
We visited yesterday evening and had a lovely meal. Not sure about the megabits comments that have been allowed as this place is amazing. Food was home made and amazing and really reasonable, we found the staff really friendly and helpful. Will absolutely be going back for a second visit. It’s a little taste of Italy at home View menu
Meg
We’ve moved to the area earlier this year and I’ve had my eye on this place for a while. Tonight we went there with family and it did not disappoint. Wish we’d tried it sooner and we’ll definitely be back for more! Welcomed like old friends, we enjoyed the atmosphere, the food and the service. The highlight for me was the panzarotti, so happy to have this on the menu! choosing a meal was difficult as it all sounded so good, and as food came out to other tables we could see what we might try next time. Excited for our next visit.
Janoosa
I have been in this restaurant many time and have always left with a smile on my face.The owner' s take really good care of you. The pizza's are the best I have tasted and well worth the money. Their fries and potatoes are the best I have had. I have never had a bad meal there or a bad experience. This evening I went there with my daughter and 8yr old grandson. They really looked after him and he enjoyed himself very much. I am looking forward to going on Friday to celebrate my granddaughter's birthday as I know she will have a lovely time.
Charlenemitchell87
Awful. First night out for a long time having 2 very young children. The service was not only dreadfully slow, the staff were extremely rude. When ordering our mains I asked what they would recommend I was told I don 't have time for that now, just pick what you want .Also extremely condescending.It took forever to order our food and drinks and then to receive it.And then the food itself was meant to be authentic. It was not. A calzone with crusty pastry and basic bolognse and a carbonara with scrambled egg and chopped up bacon bits. The most basic food I 've eaten in a restaurant.Yes they were clearly short-staffed and needed another waitress but then they shouldn 't have let us book the ta... View menu
tracywE2689NB
The restaurant was busier than normal for a Saturday night. The restaurant was inviting, clean and the staff was amazing considering how busy it was. Staff were friendly and efficient, nothing was too much trouble. I read a post about the toilet being a problem as there was only one that had to be shared. This has never caused a problem for us before, it’s always clean and tidy and I had no issue in waiting for it to become vacant or sharing it with other guests. Franco and Amarosa are always welcoming, kind and friendly and have always been accommodating for their guests needs.This is a true Italian Restaurant which we have been going to for many years and I’d have no hesitation in recommen...
valburden
Went on a Saturday night to. A friends 70th birthday There were 16 guests at the party .I was taken aback by the unorganised shambles the whole night through . We had had to preorder our food a week before as group booking .As I was seated random starters appeared. On individual tables as all guests were in the same area but different tables so one starter arrived on my table and it was quite a time before others arrived .my main course was spaghetti carbonara . When it arrived it had parmasan cheeses all over it I was not asked if I wanted it I don’t like cheeses rather than create a fuss I thought I would mix it in but there was no sauce at all … our dinner was booked for 7 pm at 9 pm two...
mikeaH6356XW
An earlier conversation with the owner left me with eager anticipation of an evening with friends at Francesco 's last Saturday. My wife and I arrived to find an a homely restaurant setting with lively Italian music booming out. We were all set for a fun evening...Our friends arrived who we had not seen for a long time and stood to greet them. Instead we were instantly approached by the surly owner gruffly telling us all to sit down and order our food as they were busy that evening. We meekly complied, taken aback by this strange attitude and, quite frankly, rudeness on the part of 'mine host '.It got worse, the owner stripped off to a singlet vest top and roamed about the restaurant bellowi... View menu
Categories
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Pizza Delve into our perfectly baked pizzas, crafted with hand-tossed dough, rich tomato sauce, and a blend of gourmet cheeses. Each slice bursts with fresh toppings, ensuring a delightful bite every time.
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Pasta Delight in our selection of classic and contemporary pasta dishes, each crafted with fresh, quality ingredients and flavorful sauces that capture the essence of Italian cuisine in every bite. View menu
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Steak Savor prime cuts of juicy, tender steaks, expertly grilled to perfection. Each bite offers a burst of flavor, served with classic sides and delectable sauces to enhance your dining experience.
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Italian Savor the rich and diverse flavors of Italy with our menu, offering classic pasta, savory risottos, and traditional meat and seafood dishes, all crafted with authentic ingredients and passion. Buon appetito!
Amenities
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Late Night
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Reservations
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