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Smith-9th Sts (F, G)
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I've been here a number of times and have never once been anything less than pleased. The pastas are always cooked perfectly and the wine and cocktail list are great. This is the kind of place to go family-style and you're going to miss out if you just order one dish for yourself. Don't skimp on the sides, the veggies are always fantastic. So why not give them 5 stars?
1. They don't take reservations for parties less than 6 which is a bummer since they are always packed.
2. The frustration of cash only establishments.
3. Desserts are good (especially the tiramisu), but not great.
4. Service can be a bit slow sometimes.
I think our slightly negative experience was mostly our own fault, so I am certainly willing to return and will probably rate Frankie's higher then.
After having drinks and snacks at nearby Prime Meats, my friend and I came to Frankie's for dinner, except that neither of us was particularly hungry. So we ordered a few vegetable sides (cauliflower and sunchokes), the fennel salad, a bowl of olives and the meat tasting board. We also each had a glass of the house red wine. We were seated, mind you, after coming in over an hour and a half earlier to put our name on the list; I do like that they will take your phone number and call you when a table is ready.
The food was fairly good and the service was prompt, but the meal just wasn't that satisfying. Next time I will be sure to order a pasta dish, which seems to be the way to go here.
The host was a master at turning over the table once we were done. Within minutes of the waitress clearing our plates, he came to get our empty wine glasses.
We had a fabulous dinner here with friends about a month ago but because of the quantity of wine consumed I wasn't sure if the food was as spectacular as I thought - or if I was experiencing the restaurant through wine-goggles.
We went back for brunch on Sunday on the early side, which was smart since we left the line was long, and had a lovely meal. Nothing revolutionary, but totally solid.
The frittata was fresh, the service prompt, and while I was trying to eat healthy I was making a mental list of all things I want to order next time (aka: French toast, and the mozzarella panini).
Be sure to ask for bread on the table, the olive oil that comes with it is near perfection.
The amount of hype around all things with the Franks is a bit absurd. Regardless, dinner here was fantastic.
To start off we had a cheese, which was INSIDE OF ANOTHER CHEESE. It was phenomenal, and the bread that came with it was perfect. I had pumpkin ravioli in a parmesan sauce. It was amazing. My date had gnocchi something something, that was pretty good too.
The inside is pretty nice. A little tight, but overall it's pretty cute; a good date spot. Gets very busy, so go earlier in the week, earlier in the day, etc.
My favorite dinner spot in the Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens neighborhood. Lovely cozy vibe, delicious food, sweet staff.
Brunch is pretty delicious, too (especially the french toast and bacon), but get there when they open because it fills up fast. I've never had to wait very long for dinner, if at all.
I was prepared to be less than pleased with Frankies which often happens when a place has been hyped up so much. It was however a very pleasant experience and the food was delicious.
It was maybe our 4th attempt at having dinner there. On all the previous occasions we were told the wait would be over two hours. We decided to try once again, this time on an unseasonably warm Thursday and discovered that there was no wait at all because they had opened their outdoor seating area.
The service was great and we were pleased with everything we ordered. I recommend the hot pine nut polenta and the crostinis.
Only down side is you end up ordering so many sides and appetizers dinner becomes pricey.
Have you ever experienced a moment, a trip, a date, in short a period in time where everything is just right. Everything seems to be firing on all cylinders and it could not be more perfect?
Frankies 457 is one such example. Ever since I set foot in it for the first time, I keep coming back and coming back for more. The moment you enter, you are greeted by a long, dark wood bar, a few tables at the front of the restaurant affording diners a view through their large, old-style, storefront window of everyone walking past. You walk past the bar/open kitchen and are seated in a small intimate dining room warmly illuminated by antique-looking light bulbs reminiscent of the old speakeasies. If you rather eat al fresco and weather permits it, you can also ask to be seated in their garden area.
The food on their menu is Italian. The dishes are simple, yet extremely satisfying and bursting with flavor. I suggest starting with the lentil and smoked bacon soup. It is rich in flavor and smoky goodness. Follow the soup with their cavatelli with faiccos hot sausage & browned sage butter. One biteful and you are hooked. The sweet sausage, roasted red peppers & onions over pine nut polenta or the pork braciola marinara are guaranteed to please the most discernible diner. Their marinara is superb.
So you say the ambiance is inviting and the food is wonderful. What about the service? Well, Frankie's does not disappoint when it comes to service. From the waitstaff, to the bartenders. to the hosts and owners, you will rarely encounter such friendly, efficient and attentive service.
Are their any drawbacks to this little Italian oasis in Brooklyn? Unfortunately, there are. For one, a consistent take out or delivery policy would be fantastic. Depending on the time of day, whether they are slammed or not, and perhaps on the chef's mood, you may or may not be able to place an order for take out or delivery. You can call and they confirm they are offering take out. You call back 20 minutes later ... and you are out of luck.
My advise, whether you live in Brooklyn or in Manhattan, get you fanny down to Frankies 457 and enjoy some of the best Italian food in an intimate, casual setting.
I walk by this restaurant every day, as I live only a few blocks down, and had been wanting to try it. My boyfriend and I came on a Friday night around 7:30 and were happy that we received a table withing 20 min. The atmosphere of this place is great - perfect lighting, cozy seating, and a great backyard seating under a tent.
A wedding party was also going on in another outdoor area and didn't interrupt from the romantic mood of our dining at all. The food was excellent and perfect portions. We had two different types of pasta, a crostini and then the tiramisu for dessert. The house wine is very reasonably priced and not bad.
I would recommend Frankies as a great date spot in Brooklyn!
Went here for brunch this morning and had the worst frittata of my life. We had to sit at the bar b/c it was crowded, which I understand is not the restaurant's fault. However, the chairs were extremely uncomfortable. I was excited to get brunch after reading good reviews, and ordered the sausage and broccoli rabe frittata. Thinking that I paid $11 (including tip) for it still pains me. It came room temperature and greasy--the sausage tasted like it came from McDonald's and the broccoli rabe was not rabe, it was just the stems of regular broccoli. Two other friends got the same frittata and a fourth got the pecorino and parmesan, which was equally gross.
Service was also bad--I understand working on a Saturday sucks, but you don't need to take out your attitude on us. Very disappointed and will not be going back.
Frankies is my go to restaurant in the neighborhood. Even though I walk past it at least twice a day, I always feel like stopping in for some classic, down-to-earth Italian food.
My personal favorites are the fennel, celery root & parsley salad (refreshing and lemony), the cavetelli with sausage (savory and satisfying), and the sweet potato and sage ravioli (sweet and delectable). The meatballs have a special place in my heart, since they make them like my grandmother does, with raisins and pine nuts. A sleeper on the menu is the red wine prunes and mascarpone. I'm not usually a dessert guy, but I always make room for the prunes!
I just got home from an amazing dinner at Frankie's 457 and I have to say: I lurve this place. I guess coming at a non-peak hour is key: my boyfriend & I happened to be feelin' hugries just before 5:30pm & were seated immediately. (However as the night went on, we heard the host telling people it would be over an hour and a half wait!) I found the staff to be very professional & attentive. The *best* part of the night was the pork braciola marinara - O M G it was unreal. So perfect with a glass of the house red. My boyfriend had the lentil soup with smoked bacon and that was delish too - very smoky and bacon-y. Can't wait to come back!
Went to Frankie's after reading the reviews. Even though we were seated right away, it took 15 minutes for the waiter to come round to our table; this is enough to put a damper on my mood. However, the manager noticed and came around and apologized, which was really good and helped but it's no excuse since the restaurant was not full.
The meal was good and tasty - service definitely picked up after the first 15 minutes. The ambiance is homey and cozy and not too loud.
I absolutely love this place, and if I lived any closer, could easily see myself sitting at the bar nightly just to have the prune dessert.
The menu is fantastic, the backyard is stunning, really I'm ready to just move in. Great place for dates, dinner with family, friends, or anything else imagineable. But be warned, the wait can be long if you don't time your visit appropriately.
Frankie's is my jam. Period.
Frankie's was REALLY good. Great drinks, although a little on the weak side, great menu, great service. I loved the atmosphere and wanted to eat everything on the menu. I had the Sweet Potato & Sage Ravioli
in Parmesan Broth, which really is in a broth, and was a great mix of sweet and savory. Perfect portion size, and luckily had some of the tasty bread left over to dip in the broth. Yum! Looses one star for the fact that I can't remember what BF ate, so it must not have been that great. I'd be more than willing to go back and make sure though...
The absolute most memorable part of the experience, I have to say, was how adorable the bathroom is. It is lit with Christmas tree lights, which gives the wooded interior a nice glow and a very zen feel, especially in comparison with the crowded, slightly loud restaurant. I highly recommend using it before you go.
I really like the space and feel of this restaurant. The pastas are also very delicious. I wouldnt mind throwing a dinner party in the dining room in the back. There's a very homey feel about the place.
Frankie's has yet to let me down.
Excellent service. Awesome food. Even my super-picky dad-in-law loves it.
I've had hilarious, shenaniganny meals with friends here and quiet family dinners. It's good for a little bit of everything. Try for a table in the yard or the stable.
The quality, service and price are fantastic. Go. Eat. at. Frankie's 457.
I love Frankies! Especially their tomato sauce, either with gnocci or pork braciole. They also have the best BLT (lunch only) and all the salads rock!! The atmosphere is perfect, whether you're out back enjoying al fresco or sitting in the cozy, warm brick interior. Nice wine list and friendly staff, too :D
Never had a bad dish. I love those crostini's, but order more than 1 because you'll want it. I especially enjoy the roasted eggplant one. The BLT (lunch only) was awesome. Their salads are flavorful and perfect. The pasta is yummy! One of my favorite places for leisurely lunch in Carroll Gardens. Dinner is good too, but it can be a LONG wait.
We went here on a reccomendation from local friends. We walked in on a late Sunday night with no reservation and were seated right away. Our server was warm and welcoming. Frankie's feels like you have stumbled upon a great neighborhood secret. Dining on the patio on a warm summer night by candle light really set the mood for an amazing meal. I also left with a huge bottle of their organic olive oil from Sicily. Great place for special occasions. I will be back for another slice of that heavenly ricotta cheesecake.
Love this place. Great food. Cute place. Has the right feel to it (servers all wearing 457 t-shirts, with the higher up staff dressed casually but not sloppy). Oh yeah, the food is good. The Cavetellini (?) and sausage is just one of those great savory dishes. Get some broccoli rabe and mix it in with your gnocchi for a nice treat. Never been disappointed by the food here, however sometimes they do try and push you out the door (can be up to an hour + wait for dinner, so they want to free up tables - the price of being popular?)
General question, that only comes up having out of towners visit Brooklyn, how come no one under 30 seems to know how to speak with an inside voice inside a crowded dining room? People be shouting at dinner? What's up with that? Are my memories of dining out so clouded?
Frankies!!!!!
While visiting my friend, this was a must on the list....
The atmosphere was crowded but comfy, the wine exceptional, and the olive oil....well, outstanding.
I particularly enjoyed the cheese selections with the outstanding olive selection. The mushroom crostini was yummy as well.
Definitely a place I might live on the sidewalk outside of, waiting for them to open. Feels like a second home. Would have loved to enjoy the backyard area, but it was being hogged by those smarter than I, who go there early.
Had a late brunch here with a friend and received pleasant service and yummy food. I wasn't a big fan of the bread, but was blown away by the creamy polenta with sausage and onions. Like buttah.
My friend had very delicate-looking sweet potato ravioli in an equally gentle broth. It was like eating savort sweet potato pie.
For dessert, I went with a very simple mascarpone with brandied cherries. I often secretly just want cheese for dessert despite my sweet tooth, so this was a welcome combination of my two favorite food groups. My friend had the ricotta cheesecake, which had a dryness that I loved, but she could have done without.
Actual brunch items made up a very small list, and unfortunately none looked interesting. Regardless, select from the pastas whenever you go.
Without a doubt - this will be the most delicious French toast you have ever eaten in your life. Hands down.
The staff is very friendly. We got addicted to their French Toast and very quickly became regulars. When we moved out of the hood they were very sweet and treated us to a free meal (including mimosas!). They get crowded pretty quickly for brunch and dinner so I suggest getting there early or making a reservation.
I was happy with everything I tried on their menu but for one exception - the frittata. On paper it sounds good but what you actually get is a cold dish that's not very appetizing. I would skip it.
I'm still giving the place 5 stars because everything else is pretty amazing.
Frankie's, may you live long and prosper !
My friend's bf didn't believe us when we told him that this place serves the best BLT. She took him here once and he was sold. Thick, crispy bacon on a crunchy fococcia bread spread with a thin layer of mayo. I'm still not really quite sure why they only serve it at lunch, but that seems to be the reason why I only make it here during lunch time. They have great salads and great crostinis too. They also made one of the best cups of cappuccino I've had in New York, it even came donned with caffe art.
This place is a beauty and their staff are a charm. The BK location has outdoor seating that I'd love to make use of very soon. I'm totally a fan of Frankies!
In my quest to go out in Brooklyn more (go figure- I move to Manhattan, work in DUMBO so I split my time) I headed to Carroll Gardens to meet my BK friends for a bite. While we started at a few other places (reviews to come) we decided that dinner would be spent at Frankie's because "the food is just Italian classic fantastic"---I'm sold.
We walked in and since the place doesn't take reservations we had a 45 minute wait on our hands. No problem, we'll go across the street and check back. Oh wait---the host says---come sit at our new bar and we can come get you. So, right out of an episode of kitchen nightmares we walk through the back patio and into an empty kitchen being remodeled. Then enter the new bar, by the owner of Frankies---a Speakeasy restaurant set to open this spring. How fun! We waited there (for about 45 minutes to the tee) sipping on cocktails---note they do NOT serve vodka here because during the "era" of the restaurant vodka was not around. Hmm...OK good thing I'm not drinking this month b/c if I want a cocktail that's what I get.
Enter back to Frankies for dinner where we ordered a small antipasti plate, munched on some great bread and ordered our various pasta dishes. Gnocchi was to die for in a red sauce. Add in some good conversation to a cozy atmosphere of Brooklyn plus dark wood furnishings and you have yourself a fantastic dinner for 4.
Italian food in an old Italian neighborhood, but not for the old Italians living there...
Frankies clearly doesn't need another 4 or 5 star review, but I just ate there for lunch so what the hell. This is essentially the ideal neighborhood spot- outstanding food, relaxed and pleasant staff, crowded on the obvious days but quite accessible otherwise, and a lovely outdoor eating area.
The food is, as I say, outstanding. Gnocchi, polenta, roast cauliflower, sausage and broccoli rabe sandwich, tuna sandwich, blt..... all of them are knockouts and all pretty reasonable. Wouldn't say cheap, but certainly not expensive.
The vibe and decor are really lovely, if a bit nyc-hipster-restaurant-standard (edison lightbulbs, exposed brick, you know the drill). It is comfy and warm and it works for them and is very hygge, if you speak Danish, or Gemütlichkeit if you're German. I can't pronounce that, but hey, umlauts, and we don't have a good word for this in English. Good date place I'd imagine, and superb if you can get an outdoor space during brunch on a nice summer day.
One thing- the waitstaff, while friendly, can be very slow. I personally get annoyed by this sometimes, and appreciate it other times depending on what I'm doing with the rest of my day/night. Sometimes the food comes quickly, other times you wait 25 minutes for a sandwich. Just be aware that the meal may take a bit longer than expected.
I had Frankie's at a catered event in Brooklyn. It was the best pasta I've had since my time in Florence...gnocchi was unbelievable. I'm just glad I was passing through from Chicago - otherwise, I would be a very large, regular patron.
Though I can't rate the restaurant experience, I highly recommend it for any catered event.
I love Frankie's 457!
It's a great place to go on a date, out with friends and family, etc...it's cozy and comfortable. My friend and I, this is our spot to just catch up, eat some olives, yummy bread with olive oil and of course the vino. They have a great wine list. The crostinis are delicious and well as their different dishes. My only grip is they don't take credit cards...so bring cash.
I just had lunch at Frankies 457 with my summer interns. I love dinner here, but I have to say I almost enjoy lunch more, for one really simple reason, it's incredibly low-key.
The service is really nice, the menu is the same as at dinner, and the outdoor tables are available without a wait, at 1:30 PM on a beautiful summer afternoon. I know, it's a weekday, and there's not a lot of people who work in the nabe, but I do, and so I'm incredibly grateful for their lunchtime service.
I had the Tuna sandwich, which, if you've never had it, is one of those great melding of bread, tuna, and oil where the oil moistens the delicious flat bread (foccacia, but really crispy, not chewy and not in the least bit dough-y, but also with some great texture) to a state of lusciousness. A little arugula and onions round out a marvelous creation.
We shared 2 great salads: beet and avocado and their simple Caesar salads.
If it were dinner, of course, I would have had a drink, but the boss must set a good example and drink water along with everyone else!
These guys are such great hosts, besides having such good skills at making simple country Italian food seem like such a treat. I haven't tried Quality Meats yet, except for a drink. Can't wait. I'm a huge fan of the Franks.
In short, Frankies is THE restaurant for people who don't know what THE restaurant is. This place is praised with a fervid excitement amongst people who don't seem to generally know what to look for in a truly exceptional establishment. It's like what the upper class think the lower class thinks upper class dining is.
I've been here many times--I live a block away--and every time it's an event or gathering arranged by a Frankies-lover who just cannot get enough of the cavatelli or some salad or a sandwich. The menu, as a whole, just never changes, so these people know their cravings will be satisfied. I've seen a number of people mention the "regularly-rotating menu."
Impossible.
A regularly-changing menu actually changes. Frankies' menu does not. There are listless specials that rotate but they are an anecdote to the main menu and don't add a necessary update to a menu to keep it "on-week" rather than "on-season."
The cavatelli--really? It's that good? I don't think so. First, the sausage fat renders and makes the thing much too greasy. I love sausage, I love fat, I love grease. But this is not helping the dish, it's detracting from it. It is a good dish--so damn easily replicated--but it would never coerce a repeat visit from this grub diva.
I heard they are opening a to-go joint on the corner of Luquer and Court. (The construction facade just came down and shows some similar styling as well.) I'll give it a go if/when it opens and as always, keep an open mind for a new spot to patronize.
Cash only? Branded olive oil? Bad homemade wine? Pshaw, pshaw, pshaw.
Great spot - the place is A Number 1 consistent. Casual and fun atmosphere, the food is great but don't come here looking for a fancy italian meal. Just simple straightforward good food served by nice people.
This is Italian food on steroids.
Beautiful and candlelit, it's the perfect date spot. The wine list is extensive with a good variation in pricing so you're not breaking the bank for your buzz. The menu is chock full of fresh, interesting options that will please the most complex or basic palate.
We went with the broccoli rabe (perfectly cooked), the polenta (butter), and for my entree I chose the homemade gnocchi with dreamy ricotta. I tasted a few bites of the braised pork shank and was instantly bummed/jealous so if I go back that would be my first choice.
I'm not a Brooklyn gal and probably wouldn't have made the trek had I not already been in the neighborhood. If you are near Carroll Gardens then it's a must since you really can't get this quality without the cost (our 4 person dinner came to $120!!) in Manhattan.
PS - Oh, and in the warmer months I've heard their garden is divine.
PPS - It's CASH ONLY....and the nearest ATM is at a pizza place a block away with a $2 charge
I love this place for brunch. They probably have the best BLT sandwich and French toast in the whole wide world. The atmosphere is great, and all that comes at a very reasonable price.
My wife and I go there at least once a month and love it every time.
All I can say is meatballs and sauce - my mouth waters just thinking about it. I love this place even if the menu never changes - maybe that's why they are so good - they stick to what they know and do it best!
There was (and may still be) a Pizza Hut about 25 miles from our farm that was our family's special occasion restaurant--birthdays, graduations, district baseball championships, you name it. It occurred to me a few weeks ago that, with the exception of that Pizza Hut, there is not a single restaurant in all the world that I have eaten at more than Frankies.
Sentimental value be damned, I'm going to try to have Frankies displace Pizza Hut in that department. Because I've also recently concluded that Frankies is one of the top five restaurants I've ever entered.
I can take comfort that I'll end up praising literally anything I might choose from the regularly-rotating menu (save perhaps the gnocchi). I've shown out-of-town guests that their brunch-time BLT is one of the best they'll ever taste (mostly because the focaccia makes all of their sandwiches out of this world). I've commemorated special anniversaries with their out-of-this world pasta dishes, and I've closed historic evenings with a few of Frankies' finely-crafted cocktails.
I've gotten very good at finding the most miniscule occasion to justify a visit--the sun is shining, the Cubs are in the playoffs, I finished the crossword--though just getting a seat promptly is often cause enough to celebrate.
Frankies is a decent gourmet Italian place. The atmosphere is great and the homemade pasta is some of the best I've ever had.
In general the meals were kind of blah, but it's not a bad place for some wine and friends and again, decent food. The half liters of wine are nice.
Take caution though: the price is a bit on the high side for food that's not great.
The food is good but lacks anything authentic or different. Spagatini instead of spaghetti isn't going to make me come back again if the sauce that it's served with tastes like dish water.
As for the "scene"... Loud and obnoxious. Stars have been spotted dining there so everyone is on high alert.
Also, horrible service. There are just too many tables in there and not enough room for the wait staff to get around. Forget about relaxing at Frankie's. You will be bumped into and asked to move repeatedly. I've been 10 times and I'm done.
Go for lunch. It's not as busy during the week and certainly not as loud. Maybe you'll get there when there aren't any kids present screaming at you.
They have good tea selections and their wine is pretty good too.
Cash only? Pshaw.
Written 8/21/08
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