Franny’s Bistro is the perfect elevated spot for a special occasion or just-because, whether a date night or getting together with friends or loved ones. It’s extremely cozy, especially on a winter evening, with moody amber lighting, but not too stuffy. I’m sure their outdoor seating is charming as well when there isn’t snow on the ground.
The dishes on offer are a wide array that nod to both the seafaring roots of coastal Maine, as well as bistro dishes like roasted chicken or steak frites, and even with some New Orleans influence here and there. There’s something for everyone.
The whole team is super welcoming. Our server was Pedja and he was very attentive. We had some nice chats with some of the other folks who sat us and ran out our drinks and food.
My partner had the roast chicken and it was perfect. Tender, not dry, a garlic-herb drizzle that was great for dunking the focaccia, and great potatoes and broccoli rabe.
My scallops & mussels dish was tasty not only because the fish was perfectly done, but because it was all paired with the genius combination of creamed corn and bacon over cheddar grits. WOW.
We felt very welcomed and had a great time. Thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mussels - Cheddar Grits over Creamed Corn, Mussels and Scallops
Phil Manley
Expected a nice dinner, was surprised with an experience beyond that. From the cozy, and *warm* (they won't even seat people too close to the door in the winter) atmosphere, beautiful bold dishes, and above and beyond service from Frank, I would go out of my way to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jenny Richard
Delicious, cozy, elevated (but not stuffy)& creative restaurant. We had a wonderful experience. Everything was top notch from the food, the timing, the service and the atmosphere. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jon
Beautiful, quaint and romantic atmosphere for dining and quiet conversation. Excellent food, service and ambience.
Susan Williams
Fabulous meal. We had 2 apps, cucumber zoodles with shrimp dumplings and crab cakes with a unique excellent coleslaw, and then we split an Artic Char special with risotto and asparagus. Everything was outstanding. Service was excellent, and bar tender was attentive. He mixed great Old Fashions.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
David Page
A wonderful meal, best of our holiday so far. A great rum & citrus cocktail followed by shrimp dumplings, mussels, swordfish, arctic char and gingerbread cake. The flavours were stunning and each dish was executed perfectly. Great portions too. But what really made our evening special were the friendly staff - a special mention to Frank who looked after us so well and gave us some local tips for the rest of our time in Camden.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alessandro Medici
Yummy. Off the beaten path. Unpretentious and simultaneously upscale. The drink program is executed as well as their food, which is very well. One thing that sets them aside of many other places in the area is the accustics. You can hear your dinner companion even when the restaraunt is at full capacity.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca Barnett
Amazing service, food and atmosphere. While we were in town for the weekend we actually ate there twice for dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes, Shrimp Linguini
Alexa
Lovely ambience with a creative menu that makes it hard to choose. Our favorites - wild greens, side of roasted brocoli rabe and the mussels.
Martha
We have never had an unpleasant experience at Franny's Bistro. It is always warm and cozy in the winter months. The service is always impeccable and the food is fantastic. They are willing to accommodate patrons who have to eat gluten-free such as myself. The lighting was such that the menu was a little hard to read, but overall, it was a wonderful experience.
Everything was truly amazing. Our young server (from Bosnia) was the perfect combination of professional and efficient service. The food was outstandingly delicious!! Each of our 4 shared appetizers was unique and perfect. My arctic char entree special was to die for. A special shout out to the bartender who made such a perfect manhattan especially with the single large ice cube that I was “forced” to have a second one!!😋
LoriB
This was our second visit to Franny's. I think that when you have high expectations, it's easy to be disappointed. I mean, it was fine, but it implies that it's more than that. The first time we went, about a month ago, the food was good, but not great -- not special -- but fine. The service was not good. Our server got things wrong and then disappeared after our entrees were served. Like... nowhere to be found. One of the four of us got up to go find him. We had empty plates and glasses piled up and he came over and said, "what do you need?" He came back later and blamed being short-staffed. Now, I know places are short-staffed, but that's not really how to handle being absent from your tables. Last night, the service was better, but still lacking in attention/attentiveness and also care in appearance. Beyond that, for New Year's Eve, you might expect an updated menu (they were out of things or stopped making others because of change of season, we were told) and a more celebratory or festive vibe. But again, it was all just ok except for dessert. The gingerbread cake, coffee and tea were delightful and exactly what you'd hope for. I think the summary is that Franny's is a restaurant with a nice ambience, but it's lacking in the fundamentals. Servers are lacking in professionalism and energy that would compliment the vibe that Franny's is obviously trying to cultivate. The food could be more interesting and inventive. If the prices were lower, it would make sense as a casual restaurant, but it promises and costs more without seeming to know how to fulfill that promise.
Helaine
We are frequent diners at Franny's. The menu is great and the specials are always innovative and delicious. I had the char and it was amazing. I will be thinking about that dish for a long time. The server's are always knowledgeable and prompt. My lady gala cocktail is my favorite. We love the dumplings and spring rolls and always share those. Looking forward to our next meal at Franny's never disappoints.
Joy
We sat at the bar with a great view of the kitchen. It was like dinner theater watching our dinner being masterfully prepared. And, it did not disappoint. Creative and delicious! Call ahead.
Laurence Boyett
The food was very good all around our table. The service however was lacking. We had missed drink orders and almost ni follow up after the first round and appetizers. Don't ask for any modifications to a dish, that was a hard no. Some of the salad options are a bit pricey for what you get. If you happen to be seated within 10 feet of the door, you will get blasted with cold air whenever the door is opened. Will go back to try other dishes because the food was that good. @ $100 per person for a complete dining experience, we hope to have a different waiter and be seated far from the door.
Franny’s Bistro is the perfect elevated spot for a special occasion or just-because, whether a date night or getting together with friends or loved ones. It’s extremely cozy, especially on a winter evening, with moody amber lighting, but not too stuffy. I’m sure their outdoor seating is charming as well when there isn’t snow on the ground.
The dishes on offer are a wide array that nod to both the seafaring roots of coastal Maine, as well as bistro dishes like roasted chicken or steak frites, and even with some New Orleans influence here and there. There’s something for everyone.
The whole team is super welcoming. Our server was Pedja and he was very attentive. We had some nice chats with some of the other folks who sat us and ran out our drinks and food.
My partner had the roast chicken and it was perfect. Tender, not dry, a garlic-herb drizzle that was great for dunking the focaccia, and great potatoes and broccoli rabe.
My scallops & mussels dish was tasty not only because the fish was perfectly done, but because it was all paired with the genius combination of creamed corn and bacon over cheddar grits. WOW.
We felt very welcomed and had a great time. Thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mussels - Cheddar Grits over Creamed Corn, Mussels and Scallops
Expected a nice dinner, was surprised with an experience beyond that. From the cozy, and *warm* (they won't even seat people too close to the door in the winter) atmosphere, beautiful bold dishes, and above and beyond service from Frank, I would go out of my way to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious, cozy, elevated (but not stuffy)& creative restaurant. We had a wonderful experience. Everything was top notch from the food, the timing, the service and the atmosphere. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful, quaint and romantic atmosphere for dining and quiet conversation. Excellent food, service and ambience.
Fabulous meal. We had 2 apps, cucumber zoodles with shrimp dumplings and crab cakes with a unique excellent coleslaw, and then we split an Artic Char special with risotto and asparagus. Everything was outstanding. Service was excellent, and bar tender was attentive. He mixed great Old Fashions.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
A wonderful meal, best of our holiday so far. A great rum & citrus cocktail followed by shrimp dumplings, mussels, swordfish, arctic char and gingerbread cake. The flavours were stunning and each dish was executed perfectly. Great portions too. But what really made our evening special were the friendly staff - a special mention to Frank who looked after us so well and gave us some local tips for the rest of our time in Camden.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yummy. Off the beaten path. Unpretentious and simultaneously upscale. The drink program is executed as well as their food, which is very well. One thing that sets them aside of many other places in the area is the accustics. You can hear your dinner companion even when the restaraunt is at full capacity.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing service, food and atmosphere. While we were in town for the weekend we actually ate there twice for dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes, Shrimp Linguini
Lovely ambience with a creative menu that makes it hard to choose. Our favorites - wild greens, side of roasted brocoli rabe and the mussels.
We have never had an unpleasant experience at Franny's Bistro. It is always warm and cozy in the winter months. The service is always impeccable and the food is fantastic. They are willing to accommodate patrons who have to eat gluten-free such as myself. The lighting was such that the menu was a little hard to read, but overall, it was a wonderful experience.
Restaurantji Recommends
Everything was truly amazing. Our young server (from Bosnia) was the perfect combination of professional and efficient service. The food was outstandingly delicious!! Each of our 4 shared appetizers was unique and perfect. My arctic char entree special was to die for. A special shout out to the bartender who made such a perfect manhattan especially with the single large ice cube that I was “forced” to have a second one!!😋
This was our second visit to Franny's. I think that when you have high expectations, it's easy to be disappointed. I mean, it was fine, but it implies that it's more than that. The first time we went, about a month ago, the food was good, but not great -- not special -- but fine. The service was not good. Our server got things wrong and then disappeared after our entrees were served. Like... nowhere to be found. One of the four of us got up to go find him. We had empty plates and glasses piled up and he came over and said, "what do you need?" He came back later and blamed being short-staffed. Now, I know places are short-staffed, but that's not really how to handle being absent from your tables. Last night, the service was better, but still lacking in attention/attentiveness and also care in appearance. Beyond that, for New Year's Eve, you might expect an updated menu (they were out of things or stopped making others because of change of season, we were told) and a more celebratory or festive vibe. But again, it was all just ok except for dessert. The gingerbread cake, coffee and tea were delightful and exactly what you'd hope for. I think the summary is that Franny's is a restaurant with a nice ambience, but it's lacking in the fundamentals. Servers are lacking in professionalism and energy that would compliment the vibe that Franny's is obviously trying to cultivate. The food could be more interesting and inventive. If the prices were lower, it would make sense as a casual restaurant, but it promises and costs more without seeming to know how to fulfill that promise.
We are frequent diners at Franny's. The menu is great and the specials are always innovative and delicious. I had the char and it was amazing. I will be thinking about that dish for a long time. The server's are always knowledgeable and prompt. My lady gala cocktail is my favorite. We love the dumplings and spring rolls and always share those. Looking forward to our next meal at Franny's never disappoints.
We sat at the bar with a great view of the kitchen. It was like dinner theater watching our dinner being masterfully prepared. And, it did not disappoint. Creative and delicious! Call ahead.
The food was very good all around our table. The service however was lacking. We had missed drink orders and almost ni follow up after the first round and appetizers. Don't ask for any modifications to a dish, that was a hard no. Some of the salad options are a bit pricey for what you get. If you happen to be seated within 10 feet of the door, you will get blasted with cold air whenever the door is opened.
Will go back to try other dishes because the food was that good. @ $100 per person for a complete dining experience, we hope to have a different waiter and be seated far from the door.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Loading...