Love Francesco's! It's a very small restaurant but worth the possible wait. I would definitely make a reservation though. At this restaurant is where we discovered the amazing fish called Paiche, which we found out is available at Whole Foods (only). It is a delicate, meaty fish that tastes excellent and Francesco's prepares it exquisitely. It's a pricey place for Peruvian food but worth it. Service can be a hit or miss but mostly acceptable. Ceiche is great but the portion is on the smaller side.
(4)
Melanie T.
First visit, food was absolutely delicious and staff was very attentive. Small, quaint and unpretentious restaurant. I had reservations and they were honored and we were quickly seated. Would definitely return.
(5)
John D.
BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT I've been to in Florida. This small, intimate restaurant is first class from the white tablecloths to the superb service and good wine selection. And the food? In a word, it's fantastic. They have Prefix lunch and dinner meals, or you can order off the menu. My wife & I stopped in for lunch and did a bit of each. Our appetizers were Mussels Chalaca Style & Tiradito Francesco, both fabulous. For the main course, we had a Lomo Saltado & Causa de Pescado, also outstanding. This is dining excellence, without a doubt.
(5)
Alex D.
We first had dinner at Francesco's with our family several years ago. While it is a bit on the pricey side, the quality of food and overall dining experience you receive for the price is absolutely worth it. Each time we have been here, the service has been wonderful - The owner, Francesco has been in house most of the times we've dined there, and always stops by to check in and make sure we were enjoying our dinner. The atmosphere is intimate and this is a great place for special occasions. I would definitely recommend starting off with several different ceviches for the table, and to go with the cilantro rice and octopus, as well as the squid ink rice and other chef specials (Tacu Tacu, lomo saltado, and many others...). There are no dishes on the menu that fail to please, and we always walk away well-fed, happy, and talking about when our next visit will be! Believe what you have read about this place - it is a quality establishment, and we shall definitely be back.
(5)
Julio H.
The 1990s marked a sudden resurgence and interest in gastronomy in the capital city of Lima, Peru. The fall of Abimael Guzman, leader of the terrorist group Shining Path, gave the citizens of Peru the liberty to travel freely again, and to enjoy what Peruvians like the most: looking for good food. People started to flock restaurants and street markets en masse, trying to find the most delicious delicacies available. Consequently, the first dish to capture the country's attention was the national dish, the ceviche. The debate on who was making the best ceviche was about to start. The city of Lima had never crowned the best ceviche in town, but before long, everyone embraced the idea that the best ceviche was somewhere to be found. Looking for the best tasting ceviche made with the best ingredients created an unforeseen demand that welcomed new restaurants, some even offering regional versions and fresh ceviches, a novelty that excited the crowds. Along with ceviche, tiraditos and seafood dishes started to gain popularity and, on a different sphere and as a by product, Japanese sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri also got attention. As the debate on who had the best ceviche moved from the markets and restaurants to radio stations and print materials, many competitions were organized and a dormant foodie movement reawakened. Unbeknownst to most Peruvians, the ceviche craze that was a national phenomenon would start to grow beyond the borders of Peru, and ceviche was exported to the rest of the world. Among the restaurants that popped up, one differentiated itself with a stroke of genius. Francesco Restaurant in Lima decided to put out different versions of ceviche, not the traditional ceviche with red onions and limo peppers, but one that had different onions and different peppers. The chefs at Francesco first put out a "white ceviche", made with white onions and different peppers to give the dish a mild flavor. The popularity of the "white ceviche" almost immediately gave birth to the "yellow ceviche" and the "red ceviche", the colors being an indicator of what type of pepper was being used. Couple these dishes with a swanky decor, a great menu and excellent service, and this new restaurant with its gourmet approach to Peruvian cuisine became a huge hit in Lima's ritziest neighborhood of Miraflores. Francesco influence, not only in Peruvian cuisine, but in world cuisine is undeniable, and this review is an homage to that. Not only did they incorporate the notion of gourmet into Peruvian gastronomy, but they were the first successful Peruvian fusion restaurant. Also, they proved that ceviche could be made in countless ways, depending on the type of peppers and onions used. Today, the world not only enjoys ceviche, but when a ceviche sampler is brought to the table at any respectable restaurant, you are basically seeing a tribute to Francesco. On my latest visit, my better half and I enjoyed the Tiradito Francesco, the Squid Ink Risotto with Shrimp on Aji Amarillo Sauce, a Parihuela, the Corvina VSOP, and the Grilled Paiche on Pumpkin Ravioli. Everything was outstanding. I have been coming to Francesco since they opened, and I've tried all the items on the menu over the years. Francesco is like home plate, where I must return after that step on all other bases. I can say that I've never had a bad meal at Francesco. Never. Service is impeccable and desserts are also great.
(5)
Emily H.
Black Ink Risotto is a must. Consistently good. I have been coming here for years, but even though the food is spectacular I find it pricey. When I saw that their signature dish was offered in the Miami Spice Menu I definitely had to make reservations. The place is quaint only has 15 tables and since they are offering the Miami Spice Menu they are packed so make reservations. I have had the Black Ink Risotto in other places, but this tops all others. They are served with shrimp in an aji Amarillo sauce which blends together wonderfully with the saltiness of the black in risotto. The octopus was nice and tender and was served along with a chimichurri sauce. The chimichurri sauce was very good, but the octopus was flavorful and could stand on its own. The shrimp ceviche was also delicious, nice fresh shrimp with a wonderful sauce. We also had the salmon which was served in an orange Asian sauce, the salmon was fresh and was cooked perfectly, I just thought they should have put a Peruvian style Salmon, I didn't care for the sweet sauce, luckily that was not my dish, but my boyfriend liked it. One of the things I don't like of Peruvian restaurants are their desserts. I am not into the suspiro nor any of their typical desserts. I was pleased they had a variety of different desserts. We ordered the walnut cake and tres leche Peruvian style. OMG they were so good. My boyfriend doesn't like merengue, and to his surprise the tres leche came without the merengue. This was one of the better tres leche we have had since you could actually taste the moistness of the cake instead of just the merengue. The walnut cake was chewey and gooey caused by the dulce leche. I am not that fond of dulce leche, but the combination of the nuts with dulce leche gave the cake a wonderful texture. Love this place. This is one of those restaurants you should try out while the spice menu is available, since it is a bit on the pricey side.
(5)
Roberto B.
My first day of work at a new job and totally overwhelmed and over my head and feeling pretty down and out I was at least looking forward to the obligatory lunch you get when you start something new. Whoops - they were too busy for that. Talk it up to an aggressive retrograde Mercury I guess. So I treated myself to a small Peruvian bistro around the corner from the office and at least I found a small oasis of peace and a very good lunch. Pricey? Can be - we're in the Gables now baby, but then again a part of that lunch was also treating myself to a glass of Prosecco to settle my nerves - so there's a ten spot right there. Other people's items looked absolutely scrumptious and I settled for some rolled breasts of chicken that were clothed in crunchy bacon and then embedded in a brown gravy-wine infused sauce that was also swimming with mushrooms. It was worth every penny and the spot on service that was very old world old school (I could have been in Madrid, Lima or Buenos Aires) also was worth the value.
(5)
Leticia F.
This is a small little gem in the gables,.the staff was very welcoming. I had the salmon with cilantro risotto which was very tasty. The tres leches dessert was amazing and it was not your typical tres leches either. I found it too be kind of pricey but everyone enjoyed their food.
(4)
Di L.
A taste of Peru... Gourmet peruvian! Friendliest stuff and management, excellent food! Over five stars for sure!!!
(5)
Mariana F.
One of the my favorites in Miami! Really, really great food. Everything is delicious! They are very genuine in their approach and there is something to be said about that. Highly recommend.
(5)
Gustavo L.
Ehh! Unfortunately I have to give Francesco a not so good review. I came in expecting some great seafood based off of recommendations from friends and well it wasn't. The place is also very dark, old looking. Not a youthful ambiance. It is also very very dark in there. Not a good date place. All the dishes had some sort of creamy sauce that over powered either the cebiche or causa. The causa had precooked shrimp out of a box. Yuck. Not fresh. The Lomo Saltado was also a huge shift from what you would experience anywhere else. The meat and veggies are separate from each other. I think it was ok but not impressed. I probably would not return. Sorry guys. I'm comparing you to La Mar (San Fran or Lima) and Andina (Portland, OR).
(3)
William B.
This is supposed to be the best Peruvian food in Miami, or possibly the Northern Hemisphere, but until now I was unable to work up the inspiration to write a review. I guess that says it all. I don't normally care about restaurant decor or service so long as it doesn't get in the way, but it was still incongruous to have such a dumpy establishment at such high prices. And the food was all tasty, but none of it was mindblowing or revelatory. There was a lot more cream than I expected. The tacu-tacu wasn't crunchy. It was interesting, and I was glad I went, but I probably wouldn't go back at half the price.
(2)
Sofia L.
I love Francescos! They have great service and great food. Make sure to try their suspiro limeno and alfajor for dessert!
(5)
Lars G.
It's a rare but very pleasant experience to encounter a restaurant where all the details are carefully attended to. It's an unpretentious but lovely small room, bustling with activity yet completely under control at all times. Wonderfully fresh and authentic ceviche followed by a lobster and mushroom risotto beautifully executed. Service could not have been better. Bravo!
(5)
Arturo B.
I love Peruvian cuisine. Peruvian gastronomy is incredibly amazing. Francesco is a fancy Peruvian restaurant located in the Gables. The venue is not large, and can get loud. However, you feel cozy and the food is outstanding, so we don't mind the noise. The owner is very friendly and always greets his guests. He makes sure staff is taking care of business so that guests have a great experience. Our favorite dishes are: causas, pulpo a la oliva, choros a la chalaca, tiradito Francesco, lomo saltado with tacu tacu, corvina specials (always ask for the daily special; it usually won't disappoint!). Food is really high quality and prepared with the finest/freshest ingredients. Flavours are always on point and consistent - which is key in restaurant business. When you are craving some fancy Peruvian grub, Francesco is definitely the place to go! It's not cheap, so be ready to splurge.
(5)
Luis C.
Everything about this restaurant is great. The squid ink risotto is spectacular, and the service is always spot on.
(5)
Mario P.
The food was pretty good. I liked the Huancaina sauce. The good thing is that if you like risotto, you order a risotto of huancaina sauce which you can't in most places. They have no pisco, they are not authorized to serve it, which is bad. The lomo saltado was tasty, although the portion was small compared to other places. In general the place is more expensive than other Peruvian rest, but the rest is more smaller and homey.
(4)
Krystle L.
I had been to this restaurant in the past and wanted my husband to try it because it was great in the past. We made a reservation on a Monday night, but it wasn't very busy. The service was excellent. Since my family is Peruvian, I am very critical of Peruvian restaurants and the food wasn't that great. We had 4 apps to try different things and we enjoyed the causa with shrimp. We didn't like the conchas a la parmasana because they were overcooked and the ceviche is not the traditional one, it comes with white onion and it doesn't have the same flavor.
(3)
George G.
"Small quant Peruvian restaurant of the radar. Quality of food 4 out if 5 stars, yet a little pricy relative to Jaguar in the grove. Beer prices are over priced at 7.00 per. Steady crowd, reservations a must!" Enjoy the Amazon White Fish which is seared over pumpkin ravioli . Wonderful Service, plenty of parking on the street.
(4)
Benjamin R.
Since moving down here I keep finding myself in different Peruvian restaurants, both near my house and at work in Coral Gables. Upon my second visit, I can say unequivocally that Fancesco's ceviche is my favorite. The sampler for one feels like an easy-going lunch perfect for breaking up the day. When moving left to right, enjoy the sweetness of yams with the first portion of tender fish, move on to the white onions, cilantro and a gentle kick of lime and spice, finishing with the portion of sweet corn in a yellow cream sauce. Mixing and matching is of course encouraged. Prepare your appetite, and your wallet--it's a great value for the portion size but not in my every-day lunch budget--but you won't come out too stuffed to put in another good half day's worth of work. 5/5 My ceviche choice for Coral Gables.
(5)
Joseph C.
A taste of Peru in Coral Gables Almost every restaurant in Miami, Peruvian or not, has ceviche in the menu, but Francesco is the finest I've had the pleasure to have yet. From the presentation of the plates, the fresh tastes and the incredible sauces, Francesco is sure to open your eyes and taste buds to a new and unique understating of Peruvian cuisine. Risotto with shrimp, filet mignon, corvina in Francesco Sauce, and if your vegetarian, they made a risotto with vegetables for my friend and she loved it. The restaurant is small, intimate, comfortable and soothing. The extremely well trained staff is friendly, personable and very efficient. Perfect for any occasion, romantic, family or just friends visit Francesco and get a bit of Peru in beautiful Coral. Gables!
(5)
Freddy A.
My favorite peruvian restaurant in Coral Gables. No obe matches the quality and taste of Francesco. Having a date? Looking for a romantic place? Call them.
(5)
Jordan K.
Other than being a bit pricey, this place was just about perfect. Amazing appetizer (crispy fish, avocado, potato combimation called fish togarashi causa) and entrees (corvina saltado with tacu tacu) and (cilantro fish stew). The restaurant was full until we left at 11 PM. Great service, comfortable seating, cool decor, good wine, quiet location next to another good restaurant (Yuga) on Alcazar, valet parking if needed though there are always street spots available. Our waitress was helpful and made good recommendations. Great night. $28 for an approximately 4 oz. portion of corvina, 4 shrimp and some tomatoes, onion, peppers and good portion of rice is a little much. Farollito on coral way has a similar menu and quality with better prices but the atmosphere isn't nearly as good as Francesco.
(4)
Susy B.
Best Peruvian restaurant in Florida. Its a small place so try to call for a reservation. The best way to eat here is to share many plates with everyone at your table. Ceviches are great, all the tunas are amazing. Rices with whatever are awesome. You can't go wrong.
(5)
Fernando S.
Very good food, we had a nice evening dinner. Service was ok. The Conchitas a la Parmesana were great! It's a bit on the expensive side given to the location and parking is not the best but you can definitely find a parking lot around.
(4)
Ismael R.
Meh... This place is okay, definitely not worth the price. Had the ceviche sampler to start (3 styles) which was tasty, but was way too sauce laden. Had the tuna with shrimp, again very heavy on the sauce and the tuna tasted as if it was from frozen and cooked on a dirty greasy grill... blech!! Not sure why this restaurant gets such high reviews. Now on to the servers...what a joke, texting left and and right, huffing and puffing at customers really?, I would expect a more put together crew for a restaurant at this price point. Sorry to say...pass on Francesco's.
(2)
Rachel P.
1 word: OUTSTANDING!! Why have we not discovered this jewel of a restaurant earlier?! It was perfect. First off, valet is $8 and the restaurant is very small and cozy, so make a reservation. They bring out bread and olive oil right when you arrive. The bread is similar to that of Outback's. We started off with the ceviche 3 ways; which was some of the best ceviche we have had in Miami. It is an app meant to be split between 2 people, and we killed it. My entree was custom made by our excellent waitor, it was the corvina fish with the mushroom black butter risotto. Usually this is served with sword fish, but I don't like fishy fish, so he recommended the corvino; which is used in most of their other dishes, it was a great recommendation. I loved it and would highly recommend it!! Now, on to the absolute best part of the night, the Walnut Cake-yep you read that right, Walnut Cake. Our waiter recommended it to us along with the Tres Leche, and I have to say, it was the best cake I've ever had. This is coming from someone who loves sweets and eats dessert almost every night of the week!
(5)
Niniva S.
Horrible service, over cooked fish and salty meal, not a good choice for night out. It's amazing how much this place has turn for the worse.
(1)
Margarita S.
The food here is very tasty. I had grilled swordfish and grilled octopus and they were both fantastic. I also tried the squid ink risotto and the seafood risotto and they were very good. Out of the three, I would probably recommend the seafood risotto with the red pepper sauce - excellent!!
(4)
Wally V.
Probably the best peruvian restaurant north of Lima. I love it and bring friends everytime they visit me in Miami. Never fails on the food. Service is excellent. A little noisy if you are looking for a place where to have a conversation otherwise it is just perfect.
(5)
Liliana L.
Ok, let's agree on something, this restaurant is expensive. But I can understand why. I have been to many peruvian restaurants in Miami, and the truth is that nothing compares. Francesco is definitely a step above, in decor, service, clientele and quality. Anything that you order is brought to you beautifully presented, The ingredients are fresh, and the taste is out of this world. I have dined here several times,and tried different dishes. I have always had a great experience, you simply cannot go wrong with anything that you order here. I love their papas a la huancaina made from mashed potatoes, they have just the right touch of picante. Corvina is always fresh no matter how you order it. Tucu tucu is also very good. But my favorite is their black squid rice. It is beyond delicious !!! And for dessert, their suspiro limeño is to die for ! Best ever. So creamy. The only thing I wish is that they had cocktails, for some reason they only serve wine. I think this restaurant is an excellent choice , and I recommend it if you want to impress someone.
(4)
Bruno F.
Disappointing! Very small portions, aweful acustic, noisy, and the food took years to come, for a business lunch that's not acceptable. I have to mention that I could not leave the restaurant as a wheelchair user, unless if they remove an useless sofa in the entrance hall. For sure it is not a friendly place for a wheelchair user, neither for business lunch due to its customer service and long waiting for the main courses. T
(2)
Gustavo A. L.
SUPERB - this place is simply all that !! Great little Peruvian place in Coral Gables, wonderful menu, there is really nothing particular that pops up just because everything is good. It is a great mix of Peruvian and Italian. The service is nothing short of Great - even though we paid a pretty penny, we have always left satisfied and feeling good. There is magic in the combination of good food, good spirits and good service. Definitely make reservations if you are coming for dinner.
(5)
Esther G.
Came for a business lunch and ended up with a culinary adventure. i was surprised that such a nice space existed behind the less than stellar facade. I wish they hadn't whited out the windows, but I guess the only view would have been of my building's parking garage. I'm a peruvian food novice. I know i like ceviche but that's about the extent of my knowledge. Fortunately my lunch companions were far more knowledgable and we ended up with some great plates to share. The Causa Rellena con Camarones was good -- kind of like a potato cake with avocado, shrimp and a really yummy sauce. Also the Conchas a la Parmesana which were really tasty marinated sea scallops with a crust of cheesy goodness on top. I also had the Ceviche de Pescado which was good but surprised me with three different creamy sauces that I hadn't encountered before. It was all tasty, but I prefer my ceviche lighter. The service left something to be desired. Our lunch took nearly two hours mostly because of mistakes in the orders. It's pricey too, so i don't think I'll try it again unless I'm not footing the bill.
(3)
Agatha M.
VERY small, which gives it a more boutique-like atmosphere. Amazing food.... you have to try the Suspiro Limenio... it.is.out.of.this.world . I loved everything about this place. It is a concealed, gourmet, peruvian gem in the heart of the grove.
(4)
Robert R.
After discussing my love of Peruvian food, an acquaintance of mine suggested that I try this place. He had mentioned that this restaurant is affiliated with a restaurant from Peru and that their food was very good. Now, I don't know why it took me so long to get there, but my wife and I finally got to try it out when we stopped there on a whim last week. We went for lunch and they had such a tempting menu that we decided to give it a shot. I started with their ceviche. Let's just say I have a particular passion for ceviche. If it's on the menu..I will order it. Ok. This ceviche was not fusion or fancy. It was just a spectacularly made traditional Peruvian ceviche. Wow. As I was eating it all I kept thinking was that this was THE best ceviche I have ever had. I kept mentioning that to my wife, ad nauseum. The lomo saltado was served with a side of rice and it was very tasty. And for dessert I had the flan. The only concern is that the prices on the regular menu are a bit steep, and more than I am used to paying for this type of food. But I will be back. And I will have the ceviche.
(4)
Jason O.
I am always surprised by the amount of hype this place gets. I've been twice and not particularly impressed either time. Both times the waitress decided to upsell, both times not for a particularly stellar dish. The locale is very nice, ingredients are high quality and the food well cooked, but they have a heavy hand with oil and seasonings. I like my ceviches light, bright and flavorful, not doused in creamy sauces. One time I had a black linguini (upsold) with olive oil clinging to every strand. The whole thing tasted of HEAVILY of garlic. I think there are some very good homestyle Peruvian options throughout Miami for a fraction of the price, and in this case, I prefer the more inexpensive options. I am also not certain why it gets so readily branded AUTHENTIC every time, it is upscale Peruvian, closer in its roots than perhaps La Cofradia was, but it is not true authentic.
(3)
Alina R.
This place is awesome! It almost seems to be hidden (because I certainly had never seen it before). We were driving around the Gables looking for somewhere to have lunch. We almost went to Graziano's but then we saw this place and my husband said he had heard good things about it. I'm so glad we went in! It is pricey, but the food was fantastic. The ceviche was perfect, lots of lime, onion, and spicy too! For entree I had the grilled corvina with a tangerine and pernod sauce. The sauce was wonderful..a little sweet and different than any sauce I've had before. Next we had flan and espressos to end our lunch. I can't wait to come back and try their other dishes.
(4)
Ali B.
I have grown up with this restaurant. I started going with my dad when it had just opened. And most of the waitstaff are still the same people, who immediately recognize me or my family. My favorite dishes are plenty; The riso nero con frutti di mare, or the shrimp causa, and one spoonful of the mousse de lucuma brings me all the way back to Peru. I can recall a very unique 'specials' dish. I never knew what a Nigerian Prawn could look like or even taste like but omg it was enormous, like almost the size of my head! One giant shrimp that tasted like a cow! I was impressed. And even my best friend is eternally grateful for me to introduce her to Francesco. She knew a few Peruvian dishes and loved my grandmother's papa rellena, so she asked the waiter if it was on the menu. It was not on the menu, because it is ground meat inside of a potato patty. But the waiter offered to ask the chef if he could make it for her with seafood, our eyes lightened up "omg I would love you if you could do that!" The beauty arrived and I had to have a taste A-M-A-Z-I-N-G I can talk about many dishes on the menu, and they are all spectacular. I've ate at the Francesco in Peru and I still want to hit my uncle in the head because he ordered an apple pie for dessert there. So I say that with this restaurant (if it is your first time, or you did not enjoy it before) to not order the few, but still there, very UNPeruvian entrees. This is the restaurant that I recommend to anyone who wants to really enjoy their food and company. I can't say it enough times that this is a noteworthy restaurant.
(5)
Melanie E.
A potentially five-star Peruvian restaurant. The food is great, especially the ceviche, which tastes like it beamed up from Peru 10 minutes ago. Five stars for that, and for the location, if you happen to live in the Gables. One star minus for the prices, which could be much, much more reasonable. And another falling star for the host/hostess attitude (have to wait for the hemming and hawing to finish when you tell them you don't have a reservation, in spite of the restaurant being 3/4 empty) and for having to valet park because they've taken over the 5 metered spaces in front of the restaurant precisely for that reason.
(3)
Andres S.
I go to Francesco's at least once a week for business meals, and it never, ever disappoints. You can always see Franco, the owner, overseeing things and making sure everything runs smoothly. It is a cozy, intimate restaurant and the staff is really courteous. Now let's get into the food, this is AUTHENTIC peruvian food, I've tried almost everything on the menu. You must try the Three Sauce Sampler Fish Ceviche, it's fantastic. The Shrimp Causa is also really good. They do have lunch specials during the week for reasonable prices, please try the Picante de Camarones. And from the entrees menu, please try the Squid Ink Risotto with Aji Amarillo, you will thank me for that one. Finish it all off with the Suspiro Limeño, best I've tried in Miami. One thing I must say is that the prices could be more reasonable, there is a little misconnection between value and price, and during these difficult times, they should re-consider their pricing strategy. Overall, this is a nice place, with great food and not-so-friendly prices. I say try it, at least once.
(4)
Sabrina L.
Love Francesco! The owners brought it here from Lima, Peru where its also a very well known restaurant. It's a quaint little place in the Gables, but it sure makes up for it in the taste of it's dishes. I"ve had the ceviche and causa de camarones. It's delicious!. Great service too.
(5)
Hang N.
If I could, I would dine here every single night. I fell in love with this place the first time I came here for my best friends birthday. The service is great, the atmosphere beautiful, the food spectacular. This place is the reason why I shout for joy when I hear anything Peru related. My favorite plate to order is the squid ink risotto, interesting and delicious. Their desserts are just as wonderful too. It is a small place, but it's a "hole in the wall" the kind of place that everyone should try when they are in Miami.
(5)
Joseph S.
Too small for kids..... We did bring our older kid (when she was 2) and sat on the bench seat in the corner and it was comfortable but only been back without the kids since.... The negative reviews, to me, are unfounded. Their ceviche Trio is extremely good. The Lomo Saltado is extremely good. Their location in Lima is much nicer, but it's great to have an option here in the Gables... I eat here often, have taken clients, and overall noone has ever said, " Eh it was okay..." Prices are a bit high.....
(4)
Jenna C.
Absolutely fantastic. The cerviche is great, very fresh. Everything on the menu is tasty really. A very cute cozy place, sometimes there is live music. This is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.
(5)
Ernesto C.
Ok. FRANCESCO?.?.?.? Not exactly what I expected! This place looks like a very nice efficiency some Peruan dude dressed up, and slapped a sign outside saying "Francesco!!!". So don't even bother coming with more than 4 people, unless you want your extras to either stand or sit on the floor. Too expensive for there establishment, they really should lower there prices, considering the amount of food per plate. I can honestly say that the best part of the meal was the cappuccino concluding to the end..... Lets start with the beginning of the meal. Yo... I'm sorry but when the hell have you seen a waiter come around with the bread basket and just put one freaking bread on your plate...WTF!!! and no butter? Title: a Peruvian Traditional cut down to 1/16th its original size. For the appetizer was Papa a la Huancaina, The sauce was the same taste as any other Peruvian place on the planet!!! No complains there! But the potatoes on the other hand, I've seen gumdrops bigger than those potatoes, and the waiter said he was gonna take care of me, with a nodding yes. Ummm yeah thanks buddy! Then came the seafood soup. Shit, it felt the same as sticking your tongue in a packet of Sazon. And now the Entree, Lomo Saltiado. Now this plates tastes reaaalll good if they know how to cook it. But this plate came too organized, everything should be mixed up. Although the beef was very well cooked, nice, soft, and tender. Oh, and thank you for the saltiest fries I've ever tasted....very enjoyable.........I think NOT! Well following with the dessert, which I can say that my 16 year old sister can do a hell of a lot better than them. We tried the mango cheesecake "normal cheescake with mango marmalade on top" BIG effort huh? NAAAAAHHHHH NOT GOOD!!! So if you want to eat some really good Peruvian food in Miami don't go to Coral Gables and get your ass to Sunny Isles or North Miami Beach and enjoy! Peace out and good eats!!!!!
(2)
Joaquin R.
Great ceviche and Risotto. Delicious Wine to pair. Great customer servicce however the restaurant is incredibly small.
(4)
Lilyvania M.
I came here for dinner with my husband and parents and had an amazing meal. This is not your typical Peruvian restaurant! The cuisine is Peruvian Fusion and offers a lot of seafood dishes. I highly recommend the ceviche and choros a la chalaca. However, it is quite pricey so be ready to pay up. Also, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant for kids or big groups because it is pretty small. Make reservations whenever possible. Also, there is a ton of street parking around the restaurant, no need to spend on valet.
(4)
Denise P.
I thought the food was fantastic! Went to Francesco on a Monday night, and it was no problem getting a table for six. The service was wonderful and the food was AMAZING. My favorite dish was the lomo saltado (and i sampled about 5 different ones). The lomo here is the best lomo I've had in a Peruvian restaurant in Miami. The corvina SVOP was delicious too, although a little bit too mustardy for me, but the fish was fresh and tasty. The grilled octopus was also delicious and the ceviche (3-flavor sampler) was very good too. The corn that comes with the ceviche was excellent (super sweet) and the dessert Suspiro Limeño was delicious. Would highly recommend if you're looking for a gourmet peruvian place and are willing to spend some money!
(4)
Michael S.
I have been to Francesco's several times in my quest for great Ceviche. I have also tried several of their other items. But first I need to comment on their decor. I do know some Peruvians of German background. But, why didn't they change the design of the restaurant when they took it over from the owner of Fritz and Franz? I don't know how Alpine decor works with fresh fish (and other Peruvian foods). On to the Ceviche. They serve several versions including the traditional. The other versions are interesting but a bit cloying for my taste. The traditional version was very good, it just wasn't as good as Cofradia and the portion was smaller for the same or possibly greater amount of money. The other menu items that I have had were all good. Possibly the best octopus in Miami outside of Ariston. They have two versions, a simple, perfectly grilled hot version and a cold version in a yellow hot sauce that is also great. Their Causa is also very good. Unfortunately they have a very poor wine list. Not many wines that would work well with the Ceviche. Just a lot of the typical supermarket brands.
(4)
Alexandria G.
My husband and I have been to Francescos quiet a few times already this year and every time never ceases to impress us!!! The is amazing!! Gourmet peruvian food, if you like peruvian food this place supersedes any Miami peruvian restaurant out there. I recommend any ceviche, the lomo saltado w/ tacu tacu (is my favorite) and my husband loves to order the salmon with honey glaze and mushroom risotto...You cant go wrong with any of the appetizers, the parmesan scallops and the chalacas or mussels are amazing!!! YOU.The food is ALWAYS fresh and you can taste the difference compared to any other typical peruvian restaurant. Its a bit more expensive compared to your average peruvian restaurant but well worth it...The portions are perfect amount, the staff is very polite and the owner is always walking around and making sure your time there is pleasurable..The wine list is great and its a cozy environment whether your on a date or want to go with the family its great for both....
(5)
Andrew F.
Awesome place if you love seafood!
(5)
Victoria L.
More than meets the eye. This is Peruvian seafood restaurant, which aims to be upscale. If you are looking for a more authentic Peruvian feel, this is not the place to go. Driving by, one would never imagine what a gem lies behind these unsightly doors. Once you open those doors, however, the homey and cozy feeling hits you and you don't want to leave that place. Very simple decor, but the energy in the air is very warm and welcoming. The waiters' uniforms and the service create the upscale feel. Now about the food. I have tried four types of ceviche in pink, white, yellow and the traditional lemon sauce. The traditional version topped my list and it is, no doubt, the best ceviche I have had in Miami so far. I wish we ordered just that and omitted the other versions. Well, will know better next time. For the main course I had their famous squid ink dish, which has the most amazing taste and very rich and satisfying flavor. Dulce de leche nut cake dessert was very moist, not too sweet with good texture. The server was very helpful when making selections. All in all, a great Peruvian restaurant with delicious food!
(4)
Lynn B.
I was in Coral Cables on business and had lunch here with a colleague from Columbia. He persuaded me to try ceviche for the first time and it was fantastic, a bit spicy, but I loved it! I had salmon and he had the risotto for main course, it is the ceviche that I will remember. The restaurant is cozy and was expensive for lunch, but the food and service was very good.
(4)
Cyn P.
If I could give it 10 stars I would!!!! The BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT IN FLORIDA!!!! If you want authentic Peruvian cuisine you have got to try this restaurant!!! You won't regret it!!! I can't recommend it enough!!! Happy eating!!!!
(5)
Kevin G.
Um, yes, it is that good. Both food and service were wonderful. Sauces are the specialty here. There are special sauces for ceviche and various fish dishes.
(5)
David T.
There's an old Jewish saying that if you want to find good sushi, go to the restaurant where all the patrons speak Japanese. The same rule applies to Peruvian restaurants, as this gem is light on the gueros and heavy on the mindblowing ceviche and astounding lomo saltado. The only slightly disappointing part of the meal was the tres leches cake, which oozed three kinds of milk, but was probably not the best dessert selection on the menu, contrary to the waiter's emphatic suggestion. The atmosphere is great for a special night out, and the service was excellent and unobtrusive. And don't worry when they take your bottle of wine away after pouring a glass -- they'll be back promptly to top it up exactly when you need some more. A perfect introduction to Miami.
(5)
Andres A.
What can I say? Probably the best Peruvian restaurant in Miami. The food is excellent. Try Mixed Tiradito, Causa rellena or Lomo Saltado with mushroom Tacu Tacu and you'll know how nirvana feels like... if they just could work on the acoustics of the place, you could hear yourself Ohm!
(4)
Marc M.
I love Francesco's. All in all, I reckon I've been there 20 or 25 times and I always find the food outstanding and fresh, the service attentive, polite and not overdone, the prices fair... what is there not too like? The noise, for one, but one can gloss over that. The tuna herb salad for lunch is outstanding. Could easily have it every day (and went I finally make enough money to go to restaurants every day... I certainly will). Recommend it for everything: lunch, dinner, special ocassions...
(5)
Bradshaw L.
Quite excellent indeed, including in its original location in a house just north of Lima (port town of Callao) and their second location in the Miraflores section of Lima overlooking the ocean (very high end and with a wait at lunch). It is run by a family and is very appropriately well regarded in Peru but not so much for authenticity as for simply being excellent (they play a bit loose with some traditional recipes though their "causa" is perhaps the best I've ever had, as is their "papa rellena"). Everything there that I have tried has been very good and the problem is that Peruvian food does not generally export well because the ingredients are there (like their amazingly potent limes -- ceviche just isn't the same without them).
(5)
Brianne B.
Best Puruvian food EVER! The choros a la chalaca and papa a la huancaina are excellent! Actually, EVERYTHING is excellent, but those ar my favorite. Also, the black ink rice or risotto is the best I've ever had.
(5)
Sunny I.
I enjoyed my meal here. I would recommend.
(4)
Eschel H.
Simply amazing food and atmosphere! The ceviche is WONDERFUL. Go to this place!
(5)
Christopher P.
Saturday March 27, 2010. An amazing dining experience. Ceviche with two different sauces was very spicy and rich. The squid ink risotto with shrimp was tasty and perfectly cooked al dente. A diverse, international wine list, well suited for the cuisine. This small neighborhood restaurant was a one block walk from the Marriott on Le Juene Street and a surprise find. What a treat.
(5)
Michael A.
Doesn't make the cut. Not at these prices. For what they charge, the meal and the ambience should be perfect. Francesco fails on both counts.
(2)
Usa W.
Nice little Peruvian restaurant tucked away from the rush of other Coral Gables restaurants. Test run for Lunch, Seafood in mind. Recommend the Ceviche offerings and their Corvina. If you are brave, try out their squid with rice (it is completely black from its ink). Will try out dinner next month.
(3)
David C.
One of the very best restaurants in Miami. This nuovo latino - fusion restaurant offers a mix of perubian and italian cuisine. Excellent taste. You should make reservations in advance.
(5)
Margaret C.
My husband and I went to Francesco's with the Living Social deal in September 2011. My husband is Peruvian and we were told that they had some of the best ceviche outside of Lima. Boy, were we disappointed. First, the place is shockingly tiny. The decor is strange and you have to go thru the kitchen to get to the bathroom. Second, they serve you one little piece of bread with some weird combination of olive oil and vinegar - gross! I ordered the tiradito and my husband ordered the fish ceviche and it couldn't have tasted less Peruvian. It lacked spice and flavor. Also, the portions were tiny. I did not like the food, but we had to use up the value of the deal, so my husband ordered the seafood rice. Again, not the quality he is used to and a very small portion. The suspiro desert was supposed to be out of this world according to other reviews I read and instead turned out to be heavy on the meringue with very little creme on the bottom of the cup. We ended up leaving hungry and disappointed. We asked our server if the chef was Peruvian - which she confirmed that he was- because my husband couldn't believe that a Peruvian would serve this tasteless food. That might explain why more than one-half of the tiny place was empty on a Saturday night. If you want outstanding ceviche, regular sized portions, and good prices, go to Gran Chimu restaurant in Davie on University Drive. It is always fresh and delicious with the right amount of spices...real Peruvian food.
(2)
German B.
This is a very unnoticed place, that I heard about by someone who came from out of town and quite honestly, I have no idea how he came to it. Right in Coral Gables, this small restaurant offers high quality peruvian food, from really really fresh ceviches and tiraditos, to causas and so on. Everything we had was perfectly prepped and served, there're no complaints at all about it and quite frankly, I can tell, you can order anything and most likely, you'll love it. Our server was very very nice. We loved all his advices and recomendations and I would love to be serve like that, everywere I go. I would work on the price a little bit, in order to bring the attention from outsiders, nothing crazy, but enough to bring the $$$ down to two (or low three) Congratulation guys, keep it real!
(4)
Carla P.
One of the best Peruvian Restaurants in Miami. Perfect place for group parties. Awesome food and service. Definitely recommend the Ceviche Sampler and the Francesco Risotto. Also, always go with the Server's recommendations and specials of the day. The restaurant only serves Beer and Wine but has a great variety.
(5)
Julio A.
Amazing place. I always have the squid ink risotto. Can't never have enough. Best place to unwine. Service was great too, they valet my car for free.
(5)
Carla L.
This is a gourmet Peruvian place that definitely aims to please. Definitely not a cheaper restaurant, but worth trying at least once. Our food was delicious, I had a rice that was made with squid and its ink. Absolutely wonderful, I am not going to deny it was a bit heavy, so its not a dish you want to eat too late lest you want to have a heavy stomach and weird dreams. We asked for them to recommend a good wine.. they did, we left happy.
(4)
Wendy H.
I came here because of a recommendation from a Peruvian friend of mine who says that Francesco's is the most Authentic and best Peruvian restaurant in Miami. After eating there, I can definitely understand why. The restaurant looked very quiet on the outside, but was very cozy and quite busy for a Monday night on the inside. The waitress was very attentive and spent a great deal of time explaining the menu to us since we did not have experience with this cuisine before. Additionally, unlike most authentic restaurants in Miami, her English was easily understandable and quite fluent. We ended up ordering a three sauce ceviche as an appetizer. The sauces each very distinctive and had an excellent flavor. The flavors complimented the shrimp/fish nicely. Their dinner rolls were also really soft and flavorful. We ordered the squid ink risotto with shrimp as well as the seared tuna over a spicy risotto. Both meals were slightly salty for our tastes, but the tuna was prepared perfectly. The tuna was seared in such a way that the middle was still soft and slightly raw, while the outside was cooked and crusted with a sauce which made the fish taste almost like a perfect steak. Overall, the restaurant was reasonably priced for the quality of food and service, but it's definitely not cheap. I will definitely be back again to dine here.
(5)
Mrs. G.
4 stars entirely for the food which is FANTASTIC.
(4)
Alec L.
5 stars because this really is as good as it gets. Francesco is a small restaurant that pours its energy into food and service, and the results are outstanding. The casual setting creates the illusion that this is easy. It's not. Suggest that you start with a ceviche sampler -- every ingredient wil have its own texture and taste and will contribte to a symphony of taste - and go from there.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Katerina S.
Love Francesco's! It's a very small restaurant but worth the possible wait. I would definitely make a reservation though. At this restaurant is where we discovered the amazing fish called Paiche, which we found out is available at Whole Foods (only). It is a delicate, meaty fish that tastes excellent and Francesco's prepares it exquisitely. It's a pricey place for Peruvian food but worth it. Service can be a hit or miss but mostly acceptable. Ceiche is great but the portion is on the smaller side.
(4)Melanie T.
First visit, food was absolutely delicious and staff was very attentive. Small, quaint and unpretentious restaurant. I had reservations and they were honored and we were quickly seated. Would definitely return.
(5)John D.
BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT I've been to in Florida. This small, intimate restaurant is first class from the white tablecloths to the superb service and good wine selection. And the food? In a word, it's fantastic. They have Prefix lunch and dinner meals, or you can order off the menu. My wife & I stopped in for lunch and did a bit of each. Our appetizers were Mussels Chalaca Style & Tiradito Francesco, both fabulous. For the main course, we had a Lomo Saltado & Causa de Pescado, also outstanding. This is dining excellence, without a doubt.
(5)Alex D.
We first had dinner at Francesco's with our family several years ago. While it is a bit on the pricey side, the quality of food and overall dining experience you receive for the price is absolutely worth it. Each time we have been here, the service has been wonderful - The owner, Francesco has been in house most of the times we've dined there, and always stops by to check in and make sure we were enjoying our dinner. The atmosphere is intimate and this is a great place for special occasions. I would definitely recommend starting off with several different ceviches for the table, and to go with the cilantro rice and octopus, as well as the squid ink rice and other chef specials (Tacu Tacu, lomo saltado, and many others...). There are no dishes on the menu that fail to please, and we always walk away well-fed, happy, and talking about when our next visit will be! Believe what you have read about this place - it is a quality establishment, and we shall definitely be back.
(5)Julio H.
The 1990s marked a sudden resurgence and interest in gastronomy in the capital city of Lima, Peru. The fall of Abimael Guzman, leader of the terrorist group Shining Path, gave the citizens of Peru the liberty to travel freely again, and to enjoy what Peruvians like the most: looking for good food. People started to flock restaurants and street markets en masse, trying to find the most delicious delicacies available. Consequently, the first dish to capture the country's attention was the national dish, the ceviche. The debate on who was making the best ceviche was about to start. The city of Lima had never crowned the best ceviche in town, but before long, everyone embraced the idea that the best ceviche was somewhere to be found. Looking for the best tasting ceviche made with the best ingredients created an unforeseen demand that welcomed new restaurants, some even offering regional versions and fresh ceviches, a novelty that excited the crowds. Along with ceviche, tiraditos and seafood dishes started to gain popularity and, on a different sphere and as a by product, Japanese sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri also got attention. As the debate on who had the best ceviche moved from the markets and restaurants to radio stations and print materials, many competitions were organized and a dormant foodie movement reawakened. Unbeknownst to most Peruvians, the ceviche craze that was a national phenomenon would start to grow beyond the borders of Peru, and ceviche was exported to the rest of the world. Among the restaurants that popped up, one differentiated itself with a stroke of genius. Francesco Restaurant in Lima decided to put out different versions of ceviche, not the traditional ceviche with red onions and limo peppers, but one that had different onions and different peppers. The chefs at Francesco first put out a "white ceviche", made with white onions and different peppers to give the dish a mild flavor. The popularity of the "white ceviche" almost immediately gave birth to the "yellow ceviche" and the "red ceviche", the colors being an indicator of what type of pepper was being used. Couple these dishes with a swanky decor, a great menu and excellent service, and this new restaurant with its gourmet approach to Peruvian cuisine became a huge hit in Lima's ritziest neighborhood of Miraflores. Francesco influence, not only in Peruvian cuisine, but in world cuisine is undeniable, and this review is an homage to that. Not only did they incorporate the notion of gourmet into Peruvian gastronomy, but they were the first successful Peruvian fusion restaurant. Also, they proved that ceviche could be made in countless ways, depending on the type of peppers and onions used. Today, the world not only enjoys ceviche, but when a ceviche sampler is brought to the table at any respectable restaurant, you are basically seeing a tribute to Francesco. On my latest visit, my better half and I enjoyed the Tiradito Francesco, the Squid Ink Risotto with Shrimp on Aji Amarillo Sauce, a Parihuela, the Corvina VSOP, and the Grilled Paiche on Pumpkin Ravioli. Everything was outstanding. I have been coming to Francesco since they opened, and I've tried all the items on the menu over the years. Francesco is like home plate, where I must return after that step on all other bases. I can say that I've never had a bad meal at Francesco. Never. Service is impeccable and desserts are also great.
(5)Emily H.
Black Ink Risotto is a must. Consistently good. I have been coming here for years, but even though the food is spectacular I find it pricey. When I saw that their signature dish was offered in the Miami Spice Menu I definitely had to make reservations. The place is quaint only has 15 tables and since they are offering the Miami Spice Menu they are packed so make reservations. I have had the Black Ink Risotto in other places, but this tops all others. They are served with shrimp in an aji Amarillo sauce which blends together wonderfully with the saltiness of the black in risotto. The octopus was nice and tender and was served along with a chimichurri sauce. The chimichurri sauce was very good, but the octopus was flavorful and could stand on its own. The shrimp ceviche was also delicious, nice fresh shrimp with a wonderful sauce. We also had the salmon which was served in an orange Asian sauce, the salmon was fresh and was cooked perfectly, I just thought they should have put a Peruvian style Salmon, I didn't care for the sweet sauce, luckily that was not my dish, but my boyfriend liked it. One of the things I don't like of Peruvian restaurants are their desserts. I am not into the suspiro nor any of their typical desserts. I was pleased they had a variety of different desserts. We ordered the walnut cake and tres leche Peruvian style. OMG they were so good. My boyfriend doesn't like merengue, and to his surprise the tres leche came without the merengue. This was one of the better tres leche we have had since you could actually taste the moistness of the cake instead of just the merengue. The walnut cake was chewey and gooey caused by the dulce leche. I am not that fond of dulce leche, but the combination of the nuts with dulce leche gave the cake a wonderful texture. Love this place. This is one of those restaurants you should try out while the spice menu is available, since it is a bit on the pricey side.
(5)Roberto B.
My first day of work at a new job and totally overwhelmed and over my head and feeling pretty down and out I was at least looking forward to the obligatory lunch you get when you start something new. Whoops - they were too busy for that. Talk it up to an aggressive retrograde Mercury I guess. So I treated myself to a small Peruvian bistro around the corner from the office and at least I found a small oasis of peace and a very good lunch. Pricey? Can be - we're in the Gables now baby, but then again a part of that lunch was also treating myself to a glass of Prosecco to settle my nerves - so there's a ten spot right there. Other people's items looked absolutely scrumptious and I settled for some rolled breasts of chicken that were clothed in crunchy bacon and then embedded in a brown gravy-wine infused sauce that was also swimming with mushrooms. It was worth every penny and the spot on service that was very old world old school (I could have been in Madrid, Lima or Buenos Aires) also was worth the value.
(5)Leticia F.
This is a small little gem in the gables,.the staff was very welcoming. I had the salmon with cilantro risotto which was very tasty. The tres leches dessert was amazing and it was not your typical tres leches either. I found it too be kind of pricey but everyone enjoyed their food.
(4)Di L.
A taste of Peru... Gourmet peruvian! Friendliest stuff and management, excellent food! Over five stars for sure!!!
(5)Mariana F.
One of the my favorites in Miami! Really, really great food. Everything is delicious! They are very genuine in their approach and there is something to be said about that. Highly recommend.
(5)Gustavo L.
Ehh! Unfortunately I have to give Francesco a not so good review. I came in expecting some great seafood based off of recommendations from friends and well it wasn't. The place is also very dark, old looking. Not a youthful ambiance. It is also very very dark in there. Not a good date place. All the dishes had some sort of creamy sauce that over powered either the cebiche or causa. The causa had precooked shrimp out of a box. Yuck. Not fresh. The Lomo Saltado was also a huge shift from what you would experience anywhere else. The meat and veggies are separate from each other. I think it was ok but not impressed. I probably would not return. Sorry guys. I'm comparing you to La Mar (San Fran or Lima) and Andina (Portland, OR).
(3)William B.
This is supposed to be the best Peruvian food in Miami, or possibly the Northern Hemisphere, but until now I was unable to work up the inspiration to write a review. I guess that says it all. I don't normally care about restaurant decor or service so long as it doesn't get in the way, but it was still incongruous to have such a dumpy establishment at such high prices. And the food was all tasty, but none of it was mindblowing or revelatory. There was a lot more cream than I expected. The tacu-tacu wasn't crunchy. It was interesting, and I was glad I went, but I probably wouldn't go back at half the price.
(2)Sofia L.
I love Francescos! They have great service and great food. Make sure to try their suspiro limeno and alfajor for dessert!
(5)Lars G.
It's a rare but very pleasant experience to encounter a restaurant where all the details are carefully attended to. It's an unpretentious but lovely small room, bustling with activity yet completely under control at all times. Wonderfully fresh and authentic ceviche followed by a lobster and mushroom risotto beautifully executed. Service could not have been better. Bravo!
(5)Arturo B.
I love Peruvian cuisine. Peruvian gastronomy is incredibly amazing. Francesco is a fancy Peruvian restaurant located in the Gables. The venue is not large, and can get loud. However, you feel cozy and the food is outstanding, so we don't mind the noise. The owner is very friendly and always greets his guests. He makes sure staff is taking care of business so that guests have a great experience. Our favorite dishes are: causas, pulpo a la oliva, choros a la chalaca, tiradito Francesco, lomo saltado with tacu tacu, corvina specials (always ask for the daily special; it usually won't disappoint!). Food is really high quality and prepared with the finest/freshest ingredients. Flavours are always on point and consistent - which is key in restaurant business. When you are craving some fancy Peruvian grub, Francesco is definitely the place to go! It's not cheap, so be ready to splurge.
(5)Luis C.
Everything about this restaurant is great. The squid ink risotto is spectacular, and the service is always spot on.
(5)Mario P.
The food was pretty good. I liked the Huancaina sauce. The good thing is that if you like risotto, you order a risotto of huancaina sauce which you can't in most places. They have no pisco, they are not authorized to serve it, which is bad. The lomo saltado was tasty, although the portion was small compared to other places. In general the place is more expensive than other Peruvian rest, but the rest is more smaller and homey.
(4)Krystle L.
I had been to this restaurant in the past and wanted my husband to try it because it was great in the past. We made a reservation on a Monday night, but it wasn't very busy. The service was excellent. Since my family is Peruvian, I am very critical of Peruvian restaurants and the food wasn't that great. We had 4 apps to try different things and we enjoyed the causa with shrimp. We didn't like the conchas a la parmasana because they were overcooked and the ceviche is not the traditional one, it comes with white onion and it doesn't have the same flavor.
(3)George G.
"Small quant Peruvian restaurant of the radar. Quality of food 4 out if 5 stars, yet a little pricy relative to Jaguar in the grove. Beer prices are over priced at 7.00 per. Steady crowd, reservations a must!" Enjoy the Amazon White Fish which is seared over pumpkin ravioli . Wonderful Service, plenty of parking on the street.
(4)Benjamin R.
Since moving down here I keep finding myself in different Peruvian restaurants, both near my house and at work in Coral Gables. Upon my second visit, I can say unequivocally that Fancesco's ceviche is my favorite. The sampler for one feels like an easy-going lunch perfect for breaking up the day. When moving left to right, enjoy the sweetness of yams with the first portion of tender fish, move on to the white onions, cilantro and a gentle kick of lime and spice, finishing with the portion of sweet corn in a yellow cream sauce. Mixing and matching is of course encouraged. Prepare your appetite, and your wallet--it's a great value for the portion size but not in my every-day lunch budget--but you won't come out too stuffed to put in another good half day's worth of work. 5/5 My ceviche choice for Coral Gables.
(5)Joseph C.
A taste of Peru in Coral Gables Almost every restaurant in Miami, Peruvian or not, has ceviche in the menu, but Francesco is the finest I've had the pleasure to have yet. From the presentation of the plates, the fresh tastes and the incredible sauces, Francesco is sure to open your eyes and taste buds to a new and unique understating of Peruvian cuisine. Risotto with shrimp, filet mignon, corvina in Francesco Sauce, and if your vegetarian, they made a risotto with vegetables for my friend and she loved it. The restaurant is small, intimate, comfortable and soothing. The extremely well trained staff is friendly, personable and very efficient. Perfect for any occasion, romantic, family or just friends visit Francesco and get a bit of Peru in beautiful Coral. Gables!
(5)Freddy A.
My favorite peruvian restaurant in Coral Gables. No obe matches the quality and taste of Francesco. Having a date? Looking for a romantic place? Call them.
(5)Jordan K.
Other than being a bit pricey, this place was just about perfect. Amazing appetizer (crispy fish, avocado, potato combimation called fish togarashi causa) and entrees (corvina saltado with tacu tacu) and (cilantro fish stew). The restaurant was full until we left at 11 PM. Great service, comfortable seating, cool decor, good wine, quiet location next to another good restaurant (Yuga) on Alcazar, valet parking if needed though there are always street spots available. Our waitress was helpful and made good recommendations. Great night. $28 for an approximately 4 oz. portion of corvina, 4 shrimp and some tomatoes, onion, peppers and good portion of rice is a little much. Farollito on coral way has a similar menu and quality with better prices but the atmosphere isn't nearly as good as Francesco.
(4)Susy B.
Best Peruvian restaurant in Florida. Its a small place so try to call for a reservation. The best way to eat here is to share many plates with everyone at your table. Ceviches are great, all the tunas are amazing. Rices with whatever are awesome. You can't go wrong.
(5)Fernando S.
Very good food, we had a nice evening dinner. Service was ok. The Conchitas a la Parmesana were great! It's a bit on the expensive side given to the location and parking is not the best but you can definitely find a parking lot around.
(4)Ismael R.
Meh... This place is okay, definitely not worth the price. Had the ceviche sampler to start (3 styles) which was tasty, but was way too sauce laden. Had the tuna with shrimp, again very heavy on the sauce and the tuna tasted as if it was from frozen and cooked on a dirty greasy grill... blech!! Not sure why this restaurant gets such high reviews. Now on to the servers...what a joke, texting left and and right, huffing and puffing at customers really?, I would expect a more put together crew for a restaurant at this price point. Sorry to say...pass on Francesco's.
(2)Rachel P.
1 word: OUTSTANDING!! Why have we not discovered this jewel of a restaurant earlier?! It was perfect. First off, valet is $8 and the restaurant is very small and cozy, so make a reservation. They bring out bread and olive oil right when you arrive. The bread is similar to that of Outback's. We started off with the ceviche 3 ways; which was some of the best ceviche we have had in Miami. It is an app meant to be split between 2 people, and we killed it. My entree was custom made by our excellent waitor, it was the corvina fish with the mushroom black butter risotto. Usually this is served with sword fish, but I don't like fishy fish, so he recommended the corvino; which is used in most of their other dishes, it was a great recommendation. I loved it and would highly recommend it!! Now, on to the absolute best part of the night, the Walnut Cake-yep you read that right, Walnut Cake. Our waiter recommended it to us along with the Tres Leche, and I have to say, it was the best cake I've ever had. This is coming from someone who loves sweets and eats dessert almost every night of the week!
(5)Niniva S.
Horrible service, over cooked fish and salty meal, not a good choice for night out. It's amazing how much this place has turn for the worse.
(1)Margarita S.
The food here is very tasty. I had grilled swordfish and grilled octopus and they were both fantastic. I also tried the squid ink risotto and the seafood risotto and they were very good. Out of the three, I would probably recommend the seafood risotto with the red pepper sauce - excellent!!
(4)Wally V.
Probably the best peruvian restaurant north of Lima. I love it and bring friends everytime they visit me in Miami. Never fails on the food. Service is excellent. A little noisy if you are looking for a place where to have a conversation otherwise it is just perfect.
(5)Liliana L.
Ok, let's agree on something, this restaurant is expensive. But I can understand why. I have been to many peruvian restaurants in Miami, and the truth is that nothing compares. Francesco is definitely a step above, in decor, service, clientele and quality. Anything that you order is brought to you beautifully presented, The ingredients are fresh, and the taste is out of this world. I have dined here several times,and tried different dishes. I have always had a great experience, you simply cannot go wrong with anything that you order here. I love their papas a la huancaina made from mashed potatoes, they have just the right touch of picante. Corvina is always fresh no matter how you order it. Tucu tucu is also very good. But my favorite is their black squid rice. It is beyond delicious !!! And for dessert, their suspiro limeño is to die for ! Best ever. So creamy. The only thing I wish is that they had cocktails, for some reason they only serve wine. I think this restaurant is an excellent choice , and I recommend it if you want to impress someone.
(4)Bruno F.
Disappointing! Very small portions, aweful acustic, noisy, and the food took years to come, for a business lunch that's not acceptable. I have to mention that I could not leave the restaurant as a wheelchair user, unless if they remove an useless sofa in the entrance hall. For sure it is not a friendly place for a wheelchair user, neither for business lunch due to its customer service and long waiting for the main courses. T
(2)Gustavo A. L.
SUPERB - this place is simply all that !! Great little Peruvian place in Coral Gables, wonderful menu, there is really nothing particular that pops up just because everything is good. It is a great mix of Peruvian and Italian. The service is nothing short of Great - even though we paid a pretty penny, we have always left satisfied and feeling good. There is magic in the combination of good food, good spirits and good service. Definitely make reservations if you are coming for dinner.
(5)Esther G.
Came for a business lunch and ended up with a culinary adventure. i was surprised that such a nice space existed behind the less than stellar facade. I wish they hadn't whited out the windows, but I guess the only view would have been of my building's parking garage. I'm a peruvian food novice. I know i like ceviche but that's about the extent of my knowledge. Fortunately my lunch companions were far more knowledgable and we ended up with some great plates to share. The Causa Rellena con Camarones was good -- kind of like a potato cake with avocado, shrimp and a really yummy sauce. Also the Conchas a la Parmesana which were really tasty marinated sea scallops with a crust of cheesy goodness on top. I also had the Ceviche de Pescado which was good but surprised me with three different creamy sauces that I hadn't encountered before. It was all tasty, but I prefer my ceviche lighter. The service left something to be desired. Our lunch took nearly two hours mostly because of mistakes in the orders. It's pricey too, so i don't think I'll try it again unless I'm not footing the bill.
(3)Agatha M.
VERY small, which gives it a more boutique-like atmosphere. Amazing food.... you have to try the Suspiro Limenio... it.is.out.of.this.world . I loved everything about this place. It is a concealed, gourmet, peruvian gem in the heart of the grove.
(4)Robert R.
After discussing my love of Peruvian food, an acquaintance of mine suggested that I try this place. He had mentioned that this restaurant is affiliated with a restaurant from Peru and that their food was very good. Now, I don't know why it took me so long to get there, but my wife and I finally got to try it out when we stopped there on a whim last week. We went for lunch and they had such a tempting menu that we decided to give it a shot. I started with their ceviche. Let's just say I have a particular passion for ceviche. If it's on the menu..I will order it. Ok. This ceviche was not fusion or fancy. It was just a spectacularly made traditional Peruvian ceviche. Wow. As I was eating it all I kept thinking was that this was THE best ceviche I have ever had. I kept mentioning that to my wife, ad nauseum. The lomo saltado was served with a side of rice and it was very tasty. And for dessert I had the flan. The only concern is that the prices on the regular menu are a bit steep, and more than I am used to paying for this type of food. But I will be back. And I will have the ceviche.
(4)Jason O.
I am always surprised by the amount of hype this place gets. I've been twice and not particularly impressed either time. Both times the waitress decided to upsell, both times not for a particularly stellar dish. The locale is very nice, ingredients are high quality and the food well cooked, but they have a heavy hand with oil and seasonings. I like my ceviches light, bright and flavorful, not doused in creamy sauces. One time I had a black linguini (upsold) with olive oil clinging to every strand. The whole thing tasted of HEAVILY of garlic. I think there are some very good homestyle Peruvian options throughout Miami for a fraction of the price, and in this case, I prefer the more inexpensive options. I am also not certain why it gets so readily branded AUTHENTIC every time, it is upscale Peruvian, closer in its roots than perhaps La Cofradia was, but it is not true authentic.
(3)Alina R.
This place is awesome! It almost seems to be hidden (because I certainly had never seen it before). We were driving around the Gables looking for somewhere to have lunch. We almost went to Graziano's but then we saw this place and my husband said he had heard good things about it. I'm so glad we went in! It is pricey, but the food was fantastic. The ceviche was perfect, lots of lime, onion, and spicy too! For entree I had the grilled corvina with a tangerine and pernod sauce. The sauce was wonderful..a little sweet and different than any sauce I've had before. Next we had flan and espressos to end our lunch. I can't wait to come back and try their other dishes.
(4)Ali B.
I have grown up with this restaurant. I started going with my dad when it had just opened. And most of the waitstaff are still the same people, who immediately recognize me or my family. My favorite dishes are plenty; The riso nero con frutti di mare, or the shrimp causa, and one spoonful of the mousse de lucuma brings me all the way back to Peru. I can recall a very unique 'specials' dish. I never knew what a Nigerian Prawn could look like or even taste like but omg it was enormous, like almost the size of my head! One giant shrimp that tasted like a cow! I was impressed. And even my best friend is eternally grateful for me to introduce her to Francesco. She knew a few Peruvian dishes and loved my grandmother's papa rellena, so she asked the waiter if it was on the menu. It was not on the menu, because it is ground meat inside of a potato patty. But the waiter offered to ask the chef if he could make it for her with seafood, our eyes lightened up "omg I would love you if you could do that!" The beauty arrived and I had to have a taste A-M-A-Z-I-N-G I can talk about many dishes on the menu, and they are all spectacular. I've ate at the Francesco in Peru and I still want to hit my uncle in the head because he ordered an apple pie for dessert there. So I say that with this restaurant (if it is your first time, or you did not enjoy it before) to not order the few, but still there, very UNPeruvian entrees. This is the restaurant that I recommend to anyone who wants to really enjoy their food and company. I can't say it enough times that this is a noteworthy restaurant.
(5)Melanie E.
A potentially five-star Peruvian restaurant. The food is great, especially the ceviche, which tastes like it beamed up from Peru 10 minutes ago. Five stars for that, and for the location, if you happen to live in the Gables. One star minus for the prices, which could be much, much more reasonable. And another falling star for the host/hostess attitude (have to wait for the hemming and hawing to finish when you tell them you don't have a reservation, in spite of the restaurant being 3/4 empty) and for having to valet park because they've taken over the 5 metered spaces in front of the restaurant precisely for that reason.
(3)Andres S.
I go to Francesco's at least once a week for business meals, and it never, ever disappoints. You can always see Franco, the owner, overseeing things and making sure everything runs smoothly. It is a cozy, intimate restaurant and the staff is really courteous. Now let's get into the food, this is AUTHENTIC peruvian food, I've tried almost everything on the menu. You must try the Three Sauce Sampler Fish Ceviche, it's fantastic. The Shrimp Causa is also really good. They do have lunch specials during the week for reasonable prices, please try the Picante de Camarones. And from the entrees menu, please try the Squid Ink Risotto with Aji Amarillo, you will thank me for that one. Finish it all off with the Suspiro Limeño, best I've tried in Miami. One thing I must say is that the prices could be more reasonable, there is a little misconnection between value and price, and during these difficult times, they should re-consider their pricing strategy. Overall, this is a nice place, with great food and not-so-friendly prices. I say try it, at least once.
(4)Sabrina L.
Love Francesco! The owners brought it here from Lima, Peru where its also a very well known restaurant. It's a quaint little place in the Gables, but it sure makes up for it in the taste of it's dishes. I"ve had the ceviche and causa de camarones. It's delicious!. Great service too.
(5)Hang N.
If I could, I would dine here every single night. I fell in love with this place the first time I came here for my best friends birthday. The service is great, the atmosphere beautiful, the food spectacular. This place is the reason why I shout for joy when I hear anything Peru related. My favorite plate to order is the squid ink risotto, interesting and delicious. Their desserts are just as wonderful too. It is a small place, but it's a "hole in the wall" the kind of place that everyone should try when they are in Miami.
(5)Joseph S.
Too small for kids..... We did bring our older kid (when she was 2) and sat on the bench seat in the corner and it was comfortable but only been back without the kids since.... The negative reviews, to me, are unfounded. Their ceviche Trio is extremely good. The Lomo Saltado is extremely good. Their location in Lima is much nicer, but it's great to have an option here in the Gables... I eat here often, have taken clients, and overall noone has ever said, " Eh it was okay..." Prices are a bit high.....
(4)Jenna C.
Absolutely fantastic. The cerviche is great, very fresh. Everything on the menu is tasty really. A very cute cozy place, sometimes there is live music. This is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.
(5)Ernesto C.
Ok. FRANCESCO?.?.?.? Not exactly what I expected! This place looks like a very nice efficiency some Peruan dude dressed up, and slapped a sign outside saying "Francesco!!!". So don't even bother coming with more than 4 people, unless you want your extras to either stand or sit on the floor. Too expensive for there establishment, they really should lower there prices, considering the amount of food per plate. I can honestly say that the best part of the meal was the cappuccino concluding to the end..... Lets start with the beginning of the meal. Yo... I'm sorry but when the hell have you seen a waiter come around with the bread basket and just put one freaking bread on your plate...WTF!!! and no butter? Title: a Peruvian Traditional cut down to 1/16th its original size. For the appetizer was Papa a la Huancaina, The sauce was the same taste as any other Peruvian place on the planet!!! No complains there! But the potatoes on the other hand, I've seen gumdrops bigger than those potatoes, and the waiter said he was gonna take care of me, with a nodding yes. Ummm yeah thanks buddy! Then came the seafood soup. Shit, it felt the same as sticking your tongue in a packet of Sazon. And now the Entree, Lomo Saltiado. Now this plates tastes reaaalll good if they know how to cook it. But this plate came too organized, everything should be mixed up. Although the beef was very well cooked, nice, soft, and tender. Oh, and thank you for the saltiest fries I've ever tasted....very enjoyable.........I think NOT! Well following with the dessert, which I can say that my 16 year old sister can do a hell of a lot better than them. We tried the mango cheesecake "normal cheescake with mango marmalade on top" BIG effort huh? NAAAAAHHHHH NOT GOOD!!! So if you want to eat some really good Peruvian food in Miami don't go to Coral Gables and get your ass to Sunny Isles or North Miami Beach and enjoy! Peace out and good eats!!!!!
(2)Joaquin R.
Great ceviche and Risotto. Delicious Wine to pair. Great customer servicce however the restaurant is incredibly small.
(4)Lilyvania M.
I came here for dinner with my husband and parents and had an amazing meal. This is not your typical Peruvian restaurant! The cuisine is Peruvian Fusion and offers a lot of seafood dishes. I highly recommend the ceviche and choros a la chalaca. However, it is quite pricey so be ready to pay up. Also, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant for kids or big groups because it is pretty small. Make reservations whenever possible. Also, there is a ton of street parking around the restaurant, no need to spend on valet.
(4)Denise P.
I thought the food was fantastic! Went to Francesco on a Monday night, and it was no problem getting a table for six. The service was wonderful and the food was AMAZING. My favorite dish was the lomo saltado (and i sampled about 5 different ones). The lomo here is the best lomo I've had in a Peruvian restaurant in Miami. The corvina SVOP was delicious too, although a little bit too mustardy for me, but the fish was fresh and tasty. The grilled octopus was also delicious and the ceviche (3-flavor sampler) was very good too. The corn that comes with the ceviche was excellent (super sweet) and the dessert Suspiro Limeño was delicious. Would highly recommend if you're looking for a gourmet peruvian place and are willing to spend some money!
(4)Michael S.
I have been to Francesco's several times in my quest for great Ceviche. I have also tried several of their other items. But first I need to comment on their decor. I do know some Peruvians of German background. But, why didn't they change the design of the restaurant when they took it over from the owner of Fritz and Franz? I don't know how Alpine decor works with fresh fish (and other Peruvian foods). On to the Ceviche. They serve several versions including the traditional. The other versions are interesting but a bit cloying for my taste. The traditional version was very good, it just wasn't as good as Cofradia and the portion was smaller for the same or possibly greater amount of money. The other menu items that I have had were all good. Possibly the best octopus in Miami outside of Ariston. They have two versions, a simple, perfectly grilled hot version and a cold version in a yellow hot sauce that is also great. Their Causa is also very good. Unfortunately they have a very poor wine list. Not many wines that would work well with the Ceviche. Just a lot of the typical supermarket brands.
(4)Alexandria G.
My husband and I have been to Francescos quiet a few times already this year and every time never ceases to impress us!!! The is amazing!! Gourmet peruvian food, if you like peruvian food this place supersedes any Miami peruvian restaurant out there. I recommend any ceviche, the lomo saltado w/ tacu tacu (is my favorite) and my husband loves to order the salmon with honey glaze and mushroom risotto...You cant go wrong with any of the appetizers, the parmesan scallops and the chalacas or mussels are amazing!!! YOU.The food is ALWAYS fresh and you can taste the difference compared to any other typical peruvian restaurant. Its a bit more expensive compared to your average peruvian restaurant but well worth it...The portions are perfect amount, the staff is very polite and the owner is always walking around and making sure your time there is pleasurable..The wine list is great and its a cozy environment whether your on a date or want to go with the family its great for both....
(5)Andrew F.
Awesome place if you love seafood!
(5)Victoria L.
More than meets the eye. This is Peruvian seafood restaurant, which aims to be upscale. If you are looking for a more authentic Peruvian feel, this is not the place to go. Driving by, one would never imagine what a gem lies behind these unsightly doors. Once you open those doors, however, the homey and cozy feeling hits you and you don't want to leave that place. Very simple decor, but the energy in the air is very warm and welcoming. The waiters' uniforms and the service create the upscale feel. Now about the food. I have tried four types of ceviche in pink, white, yellow and the traditional lemon sauce. The traditional version topped my list and it is, no doubt, the best ceviche I have had in Miami so far. I wish we ordered just that and omitted the other versions. Well, will know better next time. For the main course I had their famous squid ink dish, which has the most amazing taste and very rich and satisfying flavor. Dulce de leche nut cake dessert was very moist, not too sweet with good texture. The server was very helpful when making selections. All in all, a great Peruvian restaurant with delicious food!
(4)Lynn B.
I was in Coral Cables on business and had lunch here with a colleague from Columbia. He persuaded me to try ceviche for the first time and it was fantastic, a bit spicy, but I loved it! I had salmon and he had the risotto for main course, it is the ceviche that I will remember. The restaurant is cozy and was expensive for lunch, but the food and service was very good.
(4)Cyn P.
If I could give it 10 stars I would!!!! The BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT IN FLORIDA!!!! If you want authentic Peruvian cuisine you have got to try this restaurant!!! You won't regret it!!! I can't recommend it enough!!! Happy eating!!!!
(5)Kevin G.
Um, yes, it is that good. Both food and service were wonderful. Sauces are the specialty here. There are special sauces for ceviche and various fish dishes.
(5)David T.
There's an old Jewish saying that if you want to find good sushi, go to the restaurant where all the patrons speak Japanese. The same rule applies to Peruvian restaurants, as this gem is light on the gueros and heavy on the mindblowing ceviche and astounding lomo saltado. The only slightly disappointing part of the meal was the tres leches cake, which oozed three kinds of milk, but was probably not the best dessert selection on the menu, contrary to the waiter's emphatic suggestion. The atmosphere is great for a special night out, and the service was excellent and unobtrusive. And don't worry when they take your bottle of wine away after pouring a glass -- they'll be back promptly to top it up exactly when you need some more. A perfect introduction to Miami.
(5)Andres A.
What can I say? Probably the best Peruvian restaurant in Miami. The food is excellent. Try Mixed Tiradito, Causa rellena or Lomo Saltado with mushroom Tacu Tacu and you'll know how nirvana feels like... if they just could work on the acoustics of the place, you could hear yourself Ohm!
(4)Marc M.
I love Francesco's. All in all, I reckon I've been there 20 or 25 times and I always find the food outstanding and fresh, the service attentive, polite and not overdone, the prices fair... what is there not too like? The noise, for one, but one can gloss over that. The tuna herb salad for lunch is outstanding. Could easily have it every day (and went I finally make enough money to go to restaurants every day... I certainly will). Recommend it for everything: lunch, dinner, special ocassions...
(5)Bradshaw L.
Quite excellent indeed, including in its original location in a house just north of Lima (port town of Callao) and their second location in the Miraflores section of Lima overlooking the ocean (very high end and with a wait at lunch). It is run by a family and is very appropriately well regarded in Peru but not so much for authenticity as for simply being excellent (they play a bit loose with some traditional recipes though their "causa" is perhaps the best I've ever had, as is their "papa rellena"). Everything there that I have tried has been very good and the problem is that Peruvian food does not generally export well because the ingredients are there (like their amazingly potent limes -- ceviche just isn't the same without them).
(5)Brianne B.
Best Puruvian food EVER! The choros a la chalaca and papa a la huancaina are excellent! Actually, EVERYTHING is excellent, but those ar my favorite. Also, the black ink rice or risotto is the best I've ever had.
(5)Sunny I.
I enjoyed my meal here. I would recommend.
(4)Eschel H.
Simply amazing food and atmosphere! The ceviche is WONDERFUL. Go to this place!
(5)Christopher P.
Saturday March 27, 2010. An amazing dining experience. Ceviche with two different sauces was very spicy and rich. The squid ink risotto with shrimp was tasty and perfectly cooked al dente. A diverse, international wine list, well suited for the cuisine. This small neighborhood restaurant was a one block walk from the Marriott on Le Juene Street and a surprise find. What a treat.
(5)Michael A.
Doesn't make the cut. Not at these prices. For what they charge, the meal and the ambience should be perfect. Francesco fails on both counts.
(2)Usa W.
Nice little Peruvian restaurant tucked away from the rush of other Coral Gables restaurants. Test run for Lunch, Seafood in mind. Recommend the Ceviche offerings and their Corvina. If you are brave, try out their squid with rice (it is completely black from its ink). Will try out dinner next month.
(3)David C.
One of the very best restaurants in Miami. This nuovo latino - fusion restaurant offers a mix of perubian and italian cuisine. Excellent taste. You should make reservations in advance.
(5)Margaret C.
My husband and I went to Francesco's with the Living Social deal in September 2011. My husband is Peruvian and we were told that they had some of the best ceviche outside of Lima. Boy, were we disappointed. First, the place is shockingly tiny. The decor is strange and you have to go thru the kitchen to get to the bathroom. Second, they serve you one little piece of bread with some weird combination of olive oil and vinegar - gross! I ordered the tiradito and my husband ordered the fish ceviche and it couldn't have tasted less Peruvian. It lacked spice and flavor. Also, the portions were tiny. I did not like the food, but we had to use up the value of the deal, so my husband ordered the seafood rice. Again, not the quality he is used to and a very small portion. The suspiro desert was supposed to be out of this world according to other reviews I read and instead turned out to be heavy on the meringue with very little creme on the bottom of the cup. We ended up leaving hungry and disappointed. We asked our server if the chef was Peruvian - which she confirmed that he was- because my husband couldn't believe that a Peruvian would serve this tasteless food. That might explain why more than one-half of the tiny place was empty on a Saturday night. If you want outstanding ceviche, regular sized portions, and good prices, go to Gran Chimu restaurant in Davie on University Drive. It is always fresh and delicious with the right amount of spices...real Peruvian food.
(2)German B.
This is a very unnoticed place, that I heard about by someone who came from out of town and quite honestly, I have no idea how he came to it. Right in Coral Gables, this small restaurant offers high quality peruvian food, from really really fresh ceviches and tiraditos, to causas and so on. Everything we had was perfectly prepped and served, there're no complaints at all about it and quite frankly, I can tell, you can order anything and most likely, you'll love it. Our server was very very nice. We loved all his advices and recomendations and I would love to be serve like that, everywere I go. I would work on the price a little bit, in order to bring the attention from outsiders, nothing crazy, but enough to bring the $$$ down to two (or low three) Congratulation guys, keep it real!
(4)Carla P.
One of the best Peruvian Restaurants in Miami. Perfect place for group parties. Awesome food and service. Definitely recommend the Ceviche Sampler and the Francesco Risotto. Also, always go with the Server's recommendations and specials of the day. The restaurant only serves Beer and Wine but has a great variety.
(5)Julio A.
Amazing place. I always have the squid ink risotto. Can't never have enough. Best place to unwine. Service was great too, they valet my car for free.
(5)Carla L.
This is a gourmet Peruvian place that definitely aims to please. Definitely not a cheaper restaurant, but worth trying at least once. Our food was delicious, I had a rice that was made with squid and its ink. Absolutely wonderful, I am not going to deny it was a bit heavy, so its not a dish you want to eat too late lest you want to have a heavy stomach and weird dreams. We asked for them to recommend a good wine.. they did, we left happy.
(4)Wendy H.
I came here because of a recommendation from a Peruvian friend of mine who says that Francesco's is the most Authentic and best Peruvian restaurant in Miami. After eating there, I can definitely understand why. The restaurant looked very quiet on the outside, but was very cozy and quite busy for a Monday night on the inside. The waitress was very attentive and spent a great deal of time explaining the menu to us since we did not have experience with this cuisine before. Additionally, unlike most authentic restaurants in Miami, her English was easily understandable and quite fluent. We ended up ordering a three sauce ceviche as an appetizer. The sauces each very distinctive and had an excellent flavor. The flavors complimented the shrimp/fish nicely. Their dinner rolls were also really soft and flavorful. We ordered the squid ink risotto with shrimp as well as the seared tuna over a spicy risotto. Both meals were slightly salty for our tastes, but the tuna was prepared perfectly. The tuna was seared in such a way that the middle was still soft and slightly raw, while the outside was cooked and crusted with a sauce which made the fish taste almost like a perfect steak. Overall, the restaurant was reasonably priced for the quality of food and service, but it's definitely not cheap. I will definitely be back again to dine here.
(5)Mrs. G.
4 stars entirely for the food which is FANTASTIC.
(4)Alec L.
5 stars because this really is as good as it gets. Francesco is a small restaurant that pours its energy into food and service, and the results are outstanding. The casual setting creates the illusion that this is easy. It's not. Suggest that you start with a ceviche sampler -- every ingredient wil have its own texture and taste and will contribte to a symphony of taste - and go from there.
(5)