Francois Frankie Le Carousel Bar

"Had a great experience at Francois Frankie last night. Our server Lucy was great and the french onion soup and Caesar salad was delightful. The carousel bar was a site as well. Will definitely be back!"

"Living and working in the Loop, Francois Frankie had been on my radar for a while. Finally deciding to check it out on a Thursday evening around 18:00, I left with mixed feelings about this trendy spot. Let's start with the positives - the place is absolutely beautiful! The decor is chic, and the seating exudes a sexy ambiance. Francois Frankie is an ideal after-work spot, perfect for hanging out with friends or having a cute little date. As I arrived solo after a long day at work, I decided to sit at the bar. The bartender, unfortunately, left me with mixed impressions. I had to flag him down for both my drink and food order, which was a bit frustrating. However, I must say the cosmo I ordered was perfectly balanced, hitting the right notes. Now, onto the not-so-great part - the French onion soup. Having tried over 15+ variations of this classic dish, Francois Frankie's rendition left me underwhelmed. The taste was off, with hints of staleness and an over-seasoned, salty profile. The cheese wasn't fully melted, and the overall experience felt like eating soggy bread with a thick beef Au Jus. It fell short of the expectations I've built from my experiences with French onion soup."

"Can’t really fault this place for anything! Atmosphere & vibe are amazing. You walk right in & the carousel bar pops right out at you. The service was impeccable from the super friendly host to the service people who kept re filling our water glasses to the food handlers & waiters. We went for Chicago restaurant week & I got the ham croquettes, short rib & chocolate mousse. The food was well executed & well seasoned. The noise level was perfect & we could hear ourselves talk. It was a very lovely & enjoyable experience. Good place to take a date our out of town guests."

"Francois Frankie, an upscale French-themed restaurant located in Chicago, proved to be a delightful pre-show dinner spot during our recent visit. Despite the restaurant operating at full capacity, the staff managed to accommodate us near their uniquely charming revolving bar after a brief wait, with sincere apologies from what seemed to be a manager for our patience. The ambiance at Francois Frankie is a beautiful blend of elegance and humor. The dramatic decor and lighting set the stage for the culinary experience to come, evoking the sophistication associated with French cuisine without being overly pretentious. It's a balance that Francois Frankie executes with grace and a dash of whimsy. Our waitress was friendly and efficient, recommending a cocktail and promptly taking our orders. We informed her that we were dining prior to a show, and thus had a somewhat tight schedule. Despite our concerns about the timing due to the crowded restaurant, our orders arrived surprisingly quickly and were nothing short of delicious. The French onion soup came highly recommended and did not disappoint. Hearty and flavorful, it was a standout dish that hit all the right notes. I also tried the Croque-inspired eggroll appetizer, an interesting concept that fell a bit short compared to the soup but was still quite enjoyable. My companion's simple salad, enhanced with added salmon, demonstrated that even the more straightforward dishes at Francois Frankie are prepared with care and skill. The salmon was impeccably cooked and well-seared, a testament to the kitchen's attention to detail. The pricing at Francois Frankie aligns well with the quality of the offerings and is comparable to other dining establishments in the area. For a night out in Chicago, especially if you're planning a visit to a nearby theater, Francois Frankie offers an excellent dining experience. Its combination of chic ambiance, attentive service, and flavorful cuisine make it a worthy stop on any downtown itinerary."

"I recently dined at Francois Frankie in Chicago and had an exceptional experience. Our waitress was phenomenal, the staff was very kind, and the food was amazing. I savored the delicious Hampton Water and Bordeaux, while the filet mignon and lobster tail left me thoroughly impressed. Don't miss out on the oysters and calamari – both were great choices. The desserts were a delightful way to end a fantastic meal!"