In San Juan, Francesco's Is Still The Spot For Sumptuous Italian Flavors

The culinary scene in the quiet San Juan neighborhood is quietly emerging as one of the most popular dining destinations in the metro. One of the key drivers of this resurgence is Francesco's by consultant Chef Kalel Chan and owner Kelvin Yu. If you still haven't dined at this little spot of Italy in San Juan, now's the time with Mother's Day just around the corner...

Since my first visit two years ago, Francesco's full transition under consultant Chef Kalel Chan brings a renewed focus to Italian culinary tradition and innovation in a seamless weave with its impressive repertoire of classic Italian offerings. Step inside Francesco's and experience a taste of Italy in San Juan...

The brick oven for their specialty pizza greets you as you enter Francesco's. Inside Francesco's, rustic earthy hints accentuated by vibrant splashes of color draped in natural light becomes the comforting setting for a sumptuous Italian feast. And when it comes to seating options, Francesco's has the right table or private room for your intimate get-together with family and friends. In fact, Francesco's boasts of multiple private dining rooms on the second floor plus al fresco options too. The space offers infinite possibilities for gatherings, events and celebrations (for more on Francesco's, see my previous post A Spot Of Italy In San Juan, At Francesco's... from 2024). 

Through the years, Francesco's has gained a loyal customer base. At the al fresco area, a bold silhouette honors a long-time customer for being a part of the Francesco's story from the very start. For many long-time customers, Francesco's is home. Time slows down in this quaint spot of Italy in San Juan and there's just no better way to enjoy a feast of Italian flavors. And in true Italian style, you can enjoy your meal at your own leisurely space without the usual rush. It's stories like this that add a rustic warmth to the dining experience at Francesco's. 

Begin your Italian feast at Francesco's with the savory Beef Carpaccio (P 780), a beautifully plated dish with house smoked paper-thin slices of striploin, dabs of anchovy aioli, pickled mushrooms, Grana Padano and fresh arugula. The beefy richness of the striploin with just a whisper of smoky hints is perfectly complemented by the luscious richness and bold flavors of the anchovy aioli punctuated by the Grana Padano and finished by the mild mustard notes of arugula. The freshest, premium ingredients makes this starter the perfect opening act to your dining experience at Francesco's. 

The Polipo (P 770) brings a briny sweetness romanced by the fiery grill to your table with tender grilled octopus, creamy and silky smooth roasted cauliflower purée and tart lemon herb dressing. The clean and fresh flavors of the grilled octopus comes through followed by the mild nutty hints from the cauliflower and the bright bursts of lemon and herbs to complete the elegant medley of pure, uncluttered and unrestrained notes. 

Francesco's offers a wide selection of garden fresh salads from the classic Caesar Salad (P 680), the traditional Burrata Salad (P 980) to the inventive Burrata Fritta (P 980) with its crispy deep-fried burrata, but the popular Francesco's Chopped Salad (P 680) with its fresh harvest of radicchio, zucchini, crisp Romaine, white beans, salami and Mozzarella tossed in a tart oregano vinaigrette never fails to open up the palate with its delectable play on contrasting textures and rich, fresh flavors. The oregano vinaigrette gives this salad its flavorful depth followed by the sharp hints from the salami smoothened by the Mozzarella. 

Then, there's the impressive pasta selection. Chef Kalel insists on fresh handmade pasta for each rendition at Francesco's. Including Italian sausages made in-house. The Salsiccia Di Penne (P 720) with housemade Italian sausage in a creamy tomato-based sauce brings flavor-forward notes lingering long on the palate for a satisfying meal of pure savory goodness. It's the duo of pronounced flavors from the homemade Italian sausage and the thick tomato sauce that defines this dish, masterfully executed by the kitchen of Francesco's. 

It's just the kind of dish you'd expect from a proper Italian restaurant, and Francesco's nails it right from the very first bite. 

One of my many top pasta picks at Francesco's has to be the Duck Ragout Pappardelle (P 740) with firm al dente flat noodles draped in a rich and savory duck and mushroom stew. Using traditional brass noodle makers for that textured finish in all their handmade pasta allows the sauce to evenly coat each noodle so you can enjoy full flavors with each bite. 

The savory richness of the duck and the earthy hints of mushrooms combine for full, rounded flavors with each flat noodle draped in the thick stew. It's a hearty dish that's perfect for sharing. But there's no judgement if you decide to keep this dish close to you. 

Fresh from the brick oven, the Napoli style Peach & Prosciutto (P 930) plays on sweet and savory salty hints for that contrasting yet balanced play on flavors. The rustic crisp crust lined with charred blisters around the soft puffed edges maintains its form all the way to the last bite and the perfect vessel for the toppings of prosciutto, Mozzarella and Stracciatella completed by sweet peaches. The subtle salty hints from the cheese blend and prosciutto are tempered by the sweetness of the peaches for that flavorful finish. Other tempting pizza options include the Tartufata Al Formaggi (P 930) with white truffle cream and five Italian cheeses, the Capricciosa (P 830) with ham, mushrooms and artichokes, the Frutti di Mare (P 880) loaded with the day's fresh catch of shrimps, scallops, clams and mussels, the soothing heat of the Diavola (P 780) with spicy salami and chili flakes and the signature Francesco's (P 880) topped with homemade Italian sausage, mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, Mozzarella and Gorgonzola. 

And don't forget the savory mains at Francesco's like the Salmon Scottato (P 1,470) with buttery pan-seared salmon fillet gently laid on creamy mushroom risotto. The flavors are clean yet elegant and refined with the earthy hints of mushrooms complementing the buttery finish of the tender seared salmon. 

The Pollo Al Mattone (P 780 Half/P 1,80 Whole) is Francesco's very own specialty chicken grilled under hot bricks served with creamy spinach and confit tomato salsa. Tender and juicy, the grilled chicken is moist and not dry at all with charred edges adding even more intense savory notes. 

My pick? The Grilled Short Ribs (P 2,180) with four-hour red wine and balsamic vinegar braised beef then grilled and gently topped on luscious and creamy mushroom risotto. The long and tedious braising transforms the short ribs for that tender texture finished on the grill for concentrated flavors. And the mushroom risotto is the perfect pairing making this dish one solid feast in itself. Francesco's offers even more show stopping mains like the impressive Frutti di Mare (P 4,280) with its assortment of fresh grilled seafood like succulent tiger prawns, grouper, octopus, clams and mussels on a massive platter served with lemon herb dressing, the crisp and juicy Porchetta (P 1,280) with rum-glazed apples, polenta, French beans and pork demi-glace, the Barramundi Al Cartoccio (P 1,480), the La Bistecca Fiorentina (P 7,180), Grilled Pork Tomahawk (P 1,880) and La Costata (P 3,580) featuring US Angus Ribeye.  

A soothing Spanish Latte caps a sumptuous Italian feast at Francesco's...

...best paired with their decadent desserts like Tiramisu...

...the Cannoli stuffed with creamy Ricotta, candied fruits and pistachios...

...and the Bomboloni, an Italian pastry cream stuffed doughnut. 

And they do have cookies too, freshly baked from the kitchen. The San Juan neighborhood is fast evolving as a culinary destination, and it's restaurants like Francesco's that's redefining the neighborhood. And when it comes to Italian cuisine, Francesco's remains the spot in San Juan...

Francesco's is located at 863 A. Mabini Street, Addition Hills, San Juan, Metro Manila. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/francescosph and https://www.instagram.com/francescosph/  or call 8777 9777 for inquiries or more information and updates. 

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