The enduring fine-dining restaurant in the heart of downtown Vancouver - the dining room to the stars - serving traditional Italian cuisine with a French twist and an extensive wild game menu.
"Found their ad for half price Sunday (50th anniversary) pasta and salads in the local paper and decided to try it. WOW! It's great food at full price but half price is sublime! My husband and I tried the Caesar and spinach salads, then the tiger shrimp linguini and the lobster lasagna. All were amazing: fresh, well prepared and unique. We sat outside on a lovely spring day and service was attentive and friendly even though the place was packed! We look forward to returning."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"It's rare to find such a nice patio, that isn't too noisy in the core of downtown. Don Francescos offers just that... with great service and amazing food to top it off. It's a little pricey, but worth it... especially on a special occasion or just for that special treat we all deserve now and then!"
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"friendly staff .. enjoyed the spinach salad .. risotto a little heavy on the cream & butter .. would be nice to have more than 2 medium sized prawns .. 4 would have been nicer .. will be back to try a different dish ..
thank you"
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Service and ambiance was just wonderful. Great live music and not too loud. Wine list was fantastic with a greatly diverse dinner menu. All was delicious!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"An extensive menu of hard-to-find game meat prepared in creative manners. The rabbit is tremendous...the duck is stellar. I am repeatedly tempted to try other dishes [have been with a big group that collectively ordered almost everything, with rave reviews from around the table]. The decor is classic...and you get a chuckle from the retro wall coverings en route to the washrooms [a series of signed photos featuring Don Francesco standing next to a who's who of local and Hollywood celebrities]. Expect your taste buds to dance!"
Dined on 11/19/2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Wasnt the place we originally were going to, but when you have a 5 year old in tow and no babysitter your choices become limited.
We reserved this spot only minutes before arriving and werent even sure it was kid friendly. However the staff were awesome and took care of the young one and engaged him whenever they passed by.
As an expert traveler in Italy and well versed in the range of authentic food/wine in the region, this restaurant does very good justice to the qualities and simplicities of italian cuisine. The wine list is extensive.
And most importantly when I asked if they had Rapini I was encouraged by the waiter to ask for anything I desired because the chefs are willing to do bespoke dishes for you."
Dined on 06/04/2013
2011
Special Features: kid-friendly, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We went to Don Francesco for our 55th wedding anniversary celebration. It was the perfect spot. Thoroughly enjoyed our meals and although it was our first time there, the wait staff treated us like returning clients. This restaurant was on our bucket list and we will return."
Dined on 15/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"As this was not our first visit to Don Francesco, I expected a quieter environment. That being said, there was a large crowd situated in the small dining room behind us. I think that the restaurant should situate their tables away from the private dining room and away from their prep table.
We took guests for their first time visit to the restaurant and this may have influenced their return negatively."
Dined on 22/02/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"Such great service from start to finish. Attentive but not hovering. One of our favorite places never feel rushed and always treated like an old friend."
Dined on 06/03/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"I came to the restaurant specifically to hear John Gilliat play guitar, being a long time fan of John's music.I believe in supporting venues that stand behind the local arts community and Don Francesco is clearly in this group.However, the food, services and ambiance were incredible and I would happily recommend the restaurant to anyone on that basis alone, but would also suggest that on those nights that John is playing, the ambiance is a step above every other restaurant I have visited in down town Vancouver."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic
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"My husband and I had a wonderful dinner at Don Francesco's and it was his birthday, we had the best service from John Carlos, he was very friendly and talking with us about our trip to Spain. Carlos was the best!
The food was amazing and the environment for us was romantic to say the least. And after dinner, they brought my husband a little birthday cake and had "happy birthday Roberto" written on the plate.
It was an incredible evening.
Thank you.
Tina and Rob Hannaford"
Dined on 23/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"The food and typical of a 'good restaurant ambiance' were in place. The wine we chose was not available but its alternative offered (also on the list: he said "same price") was not that good (another Chianti). We drank it anyway."
Dined on 20/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"We booked via Opentable for 7.30 and received a confirmation. When we arrived, we were asked to wait '5' minutes at the bar until a table became available. There was only one table for 3 available right in front of the exit door. The 5 minutes became 35, other people apparently familiar to the restaurant were seated, were kept happy with a free glass of prosecco. After 35 minute someone had a great idea to move the table further into the restaurant, away from the door. We accepted as we were done waiting. The food was mediocre and the meal was very expensive. Not worth the wait."
Dined on 16/02/2013
2011
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"hi. i was there in Valentin. booked in advance. But no one said this is fix packag for dinner. I wish they give us chance to choose our dinner not to end up I have to take one of this option. Price is not a issue but pushing people to get only your packag for dinner that was not nice. thanks."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2013
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"Very pricey for quality of food. Old Italian charm feel to restaurant, but certainly underwhelmed by cuisine and experience. Service was great though."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2012
Special Features: special occasion
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"The meal we had was very enjoyable but we were very disappointed that the your advertised Dine Out Vancouver menu being extended was really not the original Dine Out Vancouver menu offering. When choosing a restaurant to dine at we always look at the menu offered and came that evening because we were really looking forward to the offerings on the Dine Out Vancouver menu."
Dined on 15/02/2013
2012
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"This is probably my 4th or 5th time going there. My favourite dish is the rack of lamb but, they have more wayy more other great dishes you can choose from. I went back again on Valantine's day. It was dark, romantic, the vibe was just perfect. I would definetly go back there again."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"We tried to order a Chardonay and went through 4 wines on the wine list before they actually had a bottle in stock. The waiter was so rushed that he didn't explain any of the meal specials and continually left the table only to return and ask if we were ready to order."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2007
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"Don Francesco is one of the few Authentic Italian restaurants in Vancouver. I would highly recommend the restaurant to Italian food lovers. Service is excellent, wine is great, atmosphere is romantic as well as good for groups. This is where you will find the authentic Italian Tiramisu!!!!"
Dined on 23/01/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The food was average but proportions were decent. The Tiramisu was too much alcohol flavour other than that, the Caesar was typical nothing special. The Stuffed Rainbow Trout was delicious and filling. If you ever wanted to have a nice night out NEVER come here. They are really rushed with everything and try to get you to leave as soon as possible. It was the first time ever that I have to asked to leave the restaurant because I had paid already. If you told me ahead of time that I only had the table for X amount of time I am absolutely okay with it but to do so without warning is unacceptable."
Dined on 26/01/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic
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"It was our first time to Don Francesco's and it wont be our last:). Francesco himself came over to say hello, which was a nice gesture! The ambiance was really nice, the food was delicious and the waiters were super nice and helpful with the wine selection. Have nothing bad to say, We had a fantastic dinner."
Dined on 25/01/2013
2013
Special Features: late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Reminds me of classic Italian dining. The restaurant is amazing and staff are always friendly and respectful . I never feel like I have to worry about the food or service . Always amazing!!
Thank you again for always making dinner a great time."
Dined on 23/01/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"I was at Don Francesco for Dineout Vancouver 2013 so my review may not reflect the typical service of the restaurant...
The waiter's service was quite good, as expected for a fine dining restaurant. We ordered the dineout menu and both of us ordered the "Fond of Artichoke Farcite con carne di Cranchio dell’Alaska" as appetizer, "Fresh Rainbow Trout con moussé Frutti di Mare Salmon e Pesce Bianco" for the entree and "Limoncello Parfait Lombardia" for dessert. The appetizer was rather unappealing since it was flavoured like thousand island dressing. The trout had plenty of bones on it still and the salmon that was stuffed in it tasted dry and flavourless. The sauce was good but certainly not enough. The dessert was rather small."
Dined on 23/01/2013
2006
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"My wife and I went for the Dine Out menu. We were somewhat dissapointed in the food. The pasta dish was very ordinary and the desserts rasther undistinguished. Not good value for money. Service was highly professional and friendly. Nice Ambiance."
Dined on 21/01/2013
2009
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