Today was Terrys birthday so he decided he wanted to do a JaTbar review. I could of sworn he would have been a sure thing for sushi but today he was in the mood for Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi's.
I think I've been going to this place ever since I started working in the bay area (3+ years). Its probably one of the better Italian restaurants for lunch or dinner. Its casual setting and the prices are moderate.
For lunch I usually order the Sausage sandwich....ohhh..its sooo good. I felt like splurging today so I got the Scampi; shrimp, mushrooms, green onions, rice pilaf, zuchini, and some cream sauce. Ohhh...the shrimps where nice size and cooked just about right. Sauce was a little bit creamy and had tons of flavor..not to mention calories.
Bread and salad was good...I dig their red vinegrette dressing with herbs and stuff. I always enjoy going to Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi's whether its for lunch, dinner, or a birthday.
Reviewer: Terry
Total Reviews: 724
Reviewed: 2/17/2004
Rating: 8
My photo gallery
We went here for my birthday so I didn't have to pay this time. :) I ordered Fettucini Prawns Portofino. Basically it consisted of thick noodles, shrimp, prawns, and alfredo sauce. It was above average. Wasn't the best I ever had, but was fairly decent. It was $11 something. I felt it was a pretty good deal. I also opted for a salad to start things off. The salad was fresh and tasted good, but at $4 a little steep for lunch. Bread and garlic butter came to the table free. It filled me up but did not make me stuffed which is good. I think next time I will not go for the salad, otherwise a good eating experience. Didn't blow me away though.
Reviewer: Julie
Total Reviews: 46
Reviewed: 7/29/2004
Rating: 8
My photo gallery
Frankie Johnnie and Luigi’s is one of the better Italian restaurants I have been to outside of North Beach. It is just a fun place to eat. The Mountain View location has several different dining rooms and each one is decorated well. One of the rooms has trees and gardens to look like you are eating on a patio, though it is enclosed and air conditioned. They have a big menu with a lot to choose from, and they offer smaller portions at lunchtime. I usually try a different dish on each visit and I’ve always been happy with them. On my most recent trip, I ordered the Chicken Rolatini. It was very good and piled high with mushrooms, so is a great dish for fungus lovers the world over. The garlic bread and side dishes are always fresh and tasty as well. If you go in the evening, be prepared to bring home leftovers – the portion sizes are huge.
The one weak spot in this friendly Italian place is their desserts. I’ve tried dessert there twice and been disappointed both times. Last time I had the Dalmatian Cake (vanilla cake with chocolate chips mixed in and a cream cheese frosting). The cream cheese frosting was delicious, but the cake was really dry. If the deserts were better, this place would be a solid 9, but for now, it gets an 8. Definitely worth a try and the main course will be delicious. I would just take the short walk down Castro to the gelato place afterwards and skip the in house desserts.
Reviewer: Eddie
Total Reviews: 47
Reviewed: 8/5/2004
Rating: 8
My photo gallery
This is also one of my favorite restaurants in the area that I would not hesitate to go to. If you want some decent pasta or sandwitches, it is the place.
My favorite dish is Fettuccine Prawns Portofino, probably the best pasta dish around Mt. view area, I would say. The noodles are thick, good size shirmps and the sauce is goooooooooood. Even though it cost $13.50, I order it everytime. I also like the sandwitch here, the one I tried was the Italian Sausage, nothing special but simply taste good.
Reviewer: ne00
Total Reviews: 165
Reviewed: 6/7/2007
Rating: 8
My photo gallery
The only downside to this location is the parking. By dinner, parking is usually full. There is additional parking in the back of the restaurant, but that is not much space either.
Upon arrival, our waiter seats us. We scan through the menus. I decide on the Pizza Margherita (8.95) as the appetizer and order the Chicken Parmigiana (14.95) and a soda. My friend orders the Sausage with Chicken Cacciatore ($14.50) and a soda. After we order, our waiter brings bread to our table along with homemade seasoned butter. The bread is soft and chewer with a light crust. The texture is more like Olive Garden’s breadsticks. Bread was excellent with the butter and that is pretty much how we filled ourselves up before our entrees arrived.
Our waiter drops off some sort of shrimp appetizer, which we did not order but started eating anyways. Later our Pizza Margherita arrives. I double check with the waiter, who claims we ordered the Palmone Freddo ($6.95). Good news was that we received 15% discount off our entire meal, which was actually more than the cost of the mistaken appetizer. The Palmone Freddo contained a lot of shrimp and prawns sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Excellent appetizer for something we did not even think to order and ended up getting the appetizer free. The Pizza Margherita was excellent as well. We loved the crispy, buttery, golden brown pizza crust and the cheese, garlic, tomatoes, and basil pizza.
By the time our entrees arrived, we were almost full. Our entrees were not nearly as good as the free bread/butter and the two appetizers. My chicken was tender but nothing special. The portions were huge. The sautéed spinach was excellent and the spaghetti in marinara was what I expected.
Service was attentive throughout our meal, waters and sodas were refilled without us asking. Utensils and bread plates were exchanged for clean ones and more bread was brought out along with fresh butter.
I suggest skipping the entrees all together and just go with the appetizers and free bread. Maybe order a pizza is you must. I liked how they served us the appetizers first and then served us the entrees, instead of trying to cram everything onto our small table at once.
Final bill: $53 with tax and tip for two.
Pros: Excellent and attentive service, great appetizer.
“Service is TERRIBLE!! waitress took our orders, took about 20 minuntes for food to come. This 7/14, during the day about 2pm. NOT BUSY. Server disappeared and new one came who didnt speak English well and didnt chk on us either. Pasta was awful.”
