Mia Francesca Trattoria offers the North Hills - Raleigh, NC region a uniquely authentic Italian restaurant with made from scratch, simple, rustic cooking with friendly service, fair prices, & farm to table ingredients.
"It was my birthday and my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner of Pollo Romano (me) and the Wahoo dish (him). The Lentils and Spinach appetizer was large and we brought some home. Our waitress Ashley was very friendly and eager to please. When I told her it was my birthday and I was looking for something lemony, she offered to ask the chef and she came back with a suggestion for vanilla cake with raspberry filling and lemon frosting. It was wonderful."
Dined on 5/22/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, hot spot, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Excellent Italian Food, better than I can make at home Service was quick and very attentive Reasonable prices for the portions Easier if you park behind the restaurant and not in the parking deck below. Great Choice of meals and different prices points. Our third visit"
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had initially heard that the service was on the slow side and not to expect too much. Our experience started out with our table not being ready despite our reservation. It tooke some work on the part of the maitre d to get a table for us, bit it did happen in a timely fashion. Our server was good and the drinks, apertif, and entrees arrived as well in a timely fashion. So as far as the service is concerned I believe that has gotten better. The noise level was a bit on the high side and the tables a little closely spaced. The decor was quite attractive. The food was good but not exceptional. It's a good dining experience overall but not necessarily one that leaves you with a desire to want to rush back to for another visit."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: good for groups
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"My wife and I selected this fine restaurant for a birthday gathering for close friends. Two in attendance said they had wanted to go but had never taken the time. They were impresses as were we. We all agree this location should be an "let's go here again" kinda of spot. Great food, wonderful service and gluten free menu!"
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was our second time dining here. We especially loved the romantic feeling of the loft. The food was delicious and servers were friendly and efficient . We had a coupon which made the dinner even nicer! We'll definitely share it with friends."
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food was great and nice restaurant, however the overall impression is this is just like any other suburban chain restaurant, no unique atmosphere. Not a special occasion place which is what we were looking for."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We went here for Mother's Day brunch just to try a new place from our usual Brunch restaurant in North Raleigh. We were disappointed with the food. Service was excellent and the outdoor dining was nice but for the price of $38.00 for a Brunch where we didn't even have mimosas and the food was fair to average. Was not worth the $38.00. There were only 4 small tables (apps, salads, main-large table, dessert) and the items on the main table were very average. There was not much variety but the 2 pasta items tasted good (as they should for an Italian Restaurant). Dessert was the highlight and the pastry chef did a great job but the lemon squares were cloyingly sweet with not much crust. Won't be visiting ever again.."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Mother's Day brunch was good with a good selection, but the price with an automatic 18% gratuity for a buffet brunch that you serve yourself seemed a bit pricey (for getting water and the bill served). They do offer a Senior Discount."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"When I made the reservation via OpenTable I wish I had known that they had seating upstairs. Had I known I would have called the restaurant directly to request that we not be seated up there. My Mom felt overwhelmed by the stairs and it was far away and out of sight from the buffet. I think if we had been seated downstairs we all would have made more trips than we did and my children (10 and 12) could have been more independent. I must say the staff was very friendly and attentive when we were there for Mother's Day brunch and went out of their way to offer and provide help carrying plates upstairs for my Mom. We were impressed!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Brought wife/Mom there for Mother's Day buffet. Crowded, noisy but expected. Food was very good, especially the desserts. Our server, Jason, was attentive, prompt and courteous despite the crowd. Can't wait to go back for a non-special event meal. Would recommend to friend or co-worker."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for brunch, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Have been to Mia Francisca for dinner and enjoyed it. Took my mother there for Mother's Day and was very disappointed. The buffet was VERY over priced. (You could not order off the menu). It was set up in the middle of the walkway through the restaurant and you felt like you were always in someone's way. Left feeling like I overpaid for a just average meal and experience:("
Dined on 5/12/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"...Then don't say anything at all!" I've never been very good with those instructions! The food was awful! Really! Flavors were bland but worse were the quality of the ingredients. Clearly low grade and heavily processed. Spag and meatballs were truly unedible. I'm not sure what kind of filler was used in excess to create the meatballs however, the meat was sparse in these balls. Salmon was overcooked (like a hockey puck) and very fishy. Lentils with spinach conjured up the image of a "bowl full of mush'. Service was terrible! We sat at the table for 15 minutes before we had menu's or water. Complacent manager happened to stop by and asked if we were happy. We said no. He shrugged his shoulders, made a frown face and left. ???"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Went to celebrate Mother's Day, and had a really good time. The service was exceptional, the food came out quickly enough, but they were out of some key items surprisingly early. The dish my mother ordered,Linguini de mare, was to have shrimp and scallops....they were out of scallops....at 6:30 pm! I had one of their chicken dishes, and the chicken was fairly good, but dry. None of these factors will keep me away, however, as they have always delivered a great dining experience."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"A bit pricey, but worh it. T he service was outstanding! Enjoyed the brunch buffet -- great selections and all food was replaced and refreshed often."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"1. This restaurant does not have on-tap beers! The waitress brought a bottle and a glass. I poured some beer from the bottle into the glass, but not all of it - I was planning to drink later. The waitress came to ask her usual rhetorical question and sneaked the bottle - I even did not notice it. When she came by next time and I told her that the bottle she took was not empty - all I got was "sorry". 2. The bread that suppose to be on our table BEFORE appetizer, was brought when we were in the middle of our entrées. 3. After a big party near our table had finished, waiters started to move table around and assemble-disassemble them, banging these table with hammers - this did not help to create any better atmosphere in the restaurant."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This friendly restaurant has now become our neighborhood favorite and we are never disappointed. The food is always very good and the service excellent. I don't usually order dessert but on this last visit was excited to see the Fig & Almond Crostata listed and couldn't resist. It was fabulous - I hope it remains on the menu for a long time! The half price wine (all bottles) on Mondays is a great deal."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Very good. However, when this place first opened, they changed their menu frequently, and as it was a small menu, the new options were nice to see every few weeks. The menu hasn't changed in six months, with only two or three pasta dishes, they need to change it up a bit more frequently."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We went for supper at 8pm on a week night and it was not crowded at all. We did think the tables were a little too close together. There were only 3 other couples in the room we were in and yet we were seated right between two other tables with couples where we could all hear each other's conversations when there were dozens of open tables to choose from. Our server was very friendly and knew the menu well. He only checked on us a couple of times and we had to wait for refills. Overall it was a nice experience. The only real negative is that we were told about 2 specials. I ordered one of them and when we got the bill the price for my salad was about double what we were expecting and prices were never disclosed on the specials."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Our food reminded us that we were eating within a hotel. Not bad food, but it sure wasn't outstanding. Our service was excellent, however. The menu was very heavy - it was difficult to find a pasta dish that was recognizable. We live a mile away from this restaurant and would go back if the food was more of the Medeterranian style."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"overall, it was a very pleasant dining experience. Saturday nights are crowded, but we received excellent service. The food was prepared well and was tasty. The calamari appetizer was excellent, as well as the sauce it was served with. We would definitely go again to try some of the other dinner choices."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2008
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Having been many time this is a fun place in North Hills area. Good food and a nice outdoor dining spot. Although on a pass through for cars it is also a people watching spot."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Good food and great atmosphere. Menu changes frequently and service is fantastic. Highly recommend this restaurant because of the value, food, atmosphere and location right off Six Forks and 440."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We were looking for a great brunch experience for Easter, and as we love Mia Francesca for dinner, it was a natural choice. Food was really good. Standard brunch offerings were good. The shrimp and grits was probably the least notable of all of the choices. Salmon was tasty. The chicken piccata was rather good, though lacking the zing that my own brings...but when catering to a large buffet crowd, it's understandable. Now for desserts...the berry tart and the lemon bars were outstanding."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"after feeling ignored for abt 5 minutes, we finally got someone's attn ( a man, not dressed as a server) who attempted to make up for the first 5 minutes w/ very good attention.
we felt the prices were too high for italian food that wasn't extraordinary, and would not return if we didn't have a coupon."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2008
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"My husband does not care for lentils but changed his mind when he tasted these.Loved them. The gnocchi were so light and the sauce was the perfect topping.The tomato caper topping on the salmon was a real surprise so very tasty."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Buffet brunch is not regularly available but was served on Easter. The food was excellent quality and heavy on the meat selections. Unfortunately, I expected more pasta choices from an italian restaurant. Most of the dishes would be classified as american, as opposed to italian."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"When I arrived on Easter Sunday for Brunch, another party and mine waited 5 minutes for someone to come to the front to greet us,then they couldn't find my reservation. I had to show the confirmation on my cell phone email. Place was not full. Area for buffet was cramped. Never had enough dishes at the buffet. Food was average buffet "wedding" food. Cold and bland. Prime rib was the last item on the line and every time I got through the crowd, there was none left. Desserts okay Canoli has been frozen and thawed-yuck. Barosi needed more sugar. Selections were not very Italian but just standard food. Service was lacking; buffet plates piled up at table. Salt was filled in wet shaker. Nothing! Will try on non-holiday to see if better-once"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We have been very pleased anytime we have dined with Mia Francesca for lunch or dinner. Sadly we did not have the same experience with Easter Brunch. The buffet tables were not set up in a location that allowed for good traffic flow and the quality of the food offerings was not up to par with what we have come to expect."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2007
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Sat in the seat yourself bar area. No hostess present. Did get water and bread fairly soon. Restaurant not crowded but good amount of people there. Had to flag the staff down for service after 20 min of them walking by several times. When asked to get a menu and so service the waiter smiled and chuckled as he walked away. After waiting 45 min for waiter to take order we left and went somewhere else that appreciates their patrons."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2008
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Food is good, service very good. The one thing I do not like is they actually put anchovies on the caesar salad, I know that anchovies are part of the dressing but the anchovies over power the salad here. Pizza is good not great. The other dishes are very good."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2008
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"A nice place. Menu prices a little higher than called for I think. Could really use about $2000 of professionally designed and installed acoustical treatments - very tinny, flinty echoey place at times. I would go back to explore their full range of offerings."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Far from a hundred dollar dinner. We now know why there is always a table available. Our waitress was good but will not make money on four tables a night."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2011
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"My inlaws were in town and I wanted a 'nice' place to take them and my parents out for a family dinner with my children. There were eight of us and everyone's food was excellent. The portions were more than generous, the price reasonable, and the service was excellent. We'll be returning for ordinary days. Soon."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.