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Franco on MelroseReservations
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Hollywood Restaurant Reviews >
Italian Restaurant Reviews
Franco on Melrose Reviews List
Franco on Melrose
Franco on Melrose is a hidden gem in the heart of Hollywood serving authentic Italian fare in a beautiful outdoor garden setting.
Chef and owner, Franco De Dominicis is the former Executive Chef at the Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles for a number of years before starting his first restaurant, FRANCO on Melrose. His approach to traditional southern Italian cooking blends seamlessly with a distinctly Californian lifestyle through consistent use of fresh, locally-grown products, and his signature dishes reflect the seafood-rich cuisine of his own Amalfi coast home.
See more Franco on Melrose details
37 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Rating Breakdown 37 reviews
5 stars
(22)
4 stars
(10)
3 stars
(5)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(25)
- fit for foodies(17)
- romantic(17)
- great for outdoor dining(15)
- special occasion(12)
- good for groups(9)
Franco on Melrose Reviews List
Review 1 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Amazing ambiance
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is an amazing restaurant! Franco puts his heart and soul into each item on the menu. The food was truly memorable and the outside ambiance, magical. It is a perfect place to start an evening before going to the Bowl or a show in Hollywood."
Dined on 5/16/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fantastcio Franco's
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Franco's is indeed a gem. It is all outdoors but it takes awhile to realize it as the patio roof is so very lovely and unique. Right from the minute you walk in you are warmly greeted and that feeling never leaves you. Everyone cares if you are having a pleasant experience. The food is delicious and so beautifully prepared. The ambiance is clean, contemporary and very warm and inviting.
I would HIGHLY recommend this lovely find. We will be going back alot."
I would HIGHLY recommend this lovely find. We will be going back alot."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great neighborhood gem
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I always liked this spot for a restaurant. You walk through the kitchen to get to the patio dining. The dining area is very relaxing. The food was extremely good. I recommend the seafood pasta with calamari. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Make a reservation as this place is catching on!"
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Franco is everything everyone else has said who's raved about it! We went for a friend's birthday. I thought I knew every restaurant in the neighborhood but hadn't heard of this place. I thought I'd take a chance and we were all so pleasantly surprised to discover this fabulous neighborhood gem! But please don't take our table on Fridays--we want it to be our regular spot!"
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 5 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love this place!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The entrance goes into the walkway next to the kitchen and see the chefs cooking! The host is great, we had to change our reservation time two times in a span of one hour and he was wonderful and so accomodating and even suggested we tell the valet to park close as we had to get to the Dolby Theatre for a show quickly after dinner. All the staff were extremely attentive, fast and polite.
I had one of the specials-sole, it was delicious, they brought it over to the table to show me before they rushed off to debone it, I had never had that experience before! My daughter had the risotto, it was delicious! They don't have a liquor license until July, so BYOB. Nice ambience and decor and artwork. Definitely will be returning!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was very fresh and extremely good, but the service and ambience were un-matched.
Gluten-Free pasta options as well, which was great for my wife.
The pseudo-outdoor setting with the strung lights was really cool. It felt like it was perpetually appointed for a wedding reception. Because of the outdoor feel, I think the noise level was suppressed more than you would typically have in a restaurant of this size. And the servers were extremely friendly and ultra-attentive. I would definitely return."
Dined on 5/03/2013
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Review 7 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A very unique venue with an attentive staff and excellent food. Found this restaurant by chance because of the name. I've been back four times in the past six weeks with various friends and coworkers and have never been disappointed. Great home made pasta, excellent salads and appetizers. Note that they do not have their wine license yet so BYOB."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 8 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Memorable evening!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Amazing everything period !!!!!! No more to say really!!!! Deserves more than outstanding everything!!!"
Dined on 04/18/2013
2008
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 9 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This was easily one of the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was easily one of the best meals my husband and I have ever enjoyed. Thank you!!!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
One of my top 5 fav's of all time
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This place was awesome. I'm really upset I live in San Diego so won't be able to eat here often. I'm actually afraid next time we take a trip to LA it will be hard to get a table here! The fettuccine Alfredo knocked my socks off as did the lamb chops and the fusilli pasta! The only thing we didn't care for was the berry cake desert. Other than that WOW!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 11 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food Delicious
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We fell in love with this place, the food was delicious, and the service was has down great.
I loved the butternut squash ravioli, and new york steak."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2009
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Review 12 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Absolutely wonderful food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Absolutely wonderful food and very personal service. Incredibly friendly chef and owner. We loved it so much we came back here the following evening!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very lovely spot, with extremely
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very lovely spot, with extremely friendly, personable service. Lots of great choices on the menu, particularly pasta -- boyond the standard, de rigeur Italian items. Their basic tomato sauce is quite delish -- made with sundried tomatoes, I believe. Everything modestly priced especially at lunch time. I definitely recommend."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 14 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fantastic food. Service really knows how to tend to your bottle of wine (only $5 corkage, BTW!). Overall, really great place, good value. Highly recommend."
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Review 15 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 16 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Neighborhood gem
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very good food and service in a lovely atmosphere. A true neighborhood gem."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 17 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
No liquor license yet.. food
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"No liquor license yet.. food was...OK... salad was great.. interesting mix of veggies and fruit/nutz..but the pasta was a bit...blah.. Nice atmosphere..and great service."
Dined on 03/04/2013
2006
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Review 18 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I was familiar with this space
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I was familiar with this space from its previous incarnation as a French restaurant (now Italian). Very nice setting -- outdoor yet indoor, cool art, super friendly and accommodating service. It all made for quite a nice lunch experience. My Calamarata Pestana seemed on the subtle side at first, but grew into its deliciousness with each bite. By the time I finished I was LOVING it. My dining partner really enjoyed his Linguini Alle Vongole as well. Will definitely be back."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Franco on Melrose
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A Very Good Lunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were there for lunch and the food and service was very good. The people there were very friendly."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Franco on Melrose
Based on the average of (18) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate