Good is great, service is old and hook good, and ambience is old school Italian w In an old building with beautiful undeveloped wooden floors. Be sure and check out the pastry display before you leave...
Roger Frank
I have been coming here for about 40 years. We had friends meet us there from Syracuse since Utica was full of people due to the Women's Hockey Tournament. I figured restaurants would be packed.The Waitress was rather abrupt. For locals, I think she thought it was Pelitere Joe's. The menu and specials were great. We were excited, we decided to get the Portobello Prime Rib, and the Squid, Shrimp, and Mussels. We would share and make our own surf and turf.They brought 3 of the 4 salads, the one with Ceasar dressing took 10 minutes to make the dressing. So we sat waiting since we have manners. Finally it came, the bread was ok, by Utica/Rome standards. The seafood said butter, garlic, and wine sauce. It came out with marinara, the Waitress brought back, the chef said it was correct. Hidden on the handwritten specials. Is was a marinara almost buried in other items. No offer to change it. The Prime Rib was good, the mashed potato was fine. The pasta with the seafood was pretty bad by local standards, the sauce mediocre at best. I grew up on LI Sound. We use to pick Mussels off the beach, these were TINY. Never in my approximated 50 years of eating Mussels, had I ever seen one so small and there were only 3 TINY Mussels! All in all , we were kind of disappointed. The Waitress didn't make it any better. Obviously she never heard the term " hospitality" industry. I was a Waiter, Restaurant Manager, and every other possible job in the industry. It was not a good experience. Which is a shame after decades of good ones. Maybe when the kids took over, they changed things. Unfortunately, I have seen so many local restaurants started by the parents, that were outstanding, lacking once the kids take over. We won't be returning.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Katelyn Gelormino
I enjoyed this restaurant with my family very much. We went for lunch and there was a great selection of lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. We did not wait more than two minutes for a table. Our waitress was friendly and checked up on our table frequently. As soon as we sat down our waitress asked us what would we like to drink and brought us some soft bread with this delicious butter garlic. Our drinks came out fast as well as our food. My sister had the Mac and Cheese. She said she especially liked theirs because it tasted sweet and not like other restaurants who sometimes use sharper cheeses in this dish. The fries must have been good because the little one ate all of them. The steak sandwich was nice. The bread was soft and the steak filling was a good portion. I would say maybe they could offer some kind of steak sauce on the side or add a vegetable side to this dish (thus why only 4 stars). Overall, this restaurant was great and my sister said she definitely wants to go back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa Baker
Their chicken parm is fantastic. I get it almost every time and their desserts are the best. Don't leave without trying one or taking it home like I do.
Lovely little place. I've been on multiple occasions and the food is always delicious. The staff is always warm and welcoming. Their desserts are very good.Would highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Z.
I was there during lunch so it was a little busy but the food was very good and it didn't take a long time. They also have a delicious looking bakery. My only complaint is I saw servers picking up sliced lemons with their hands (no tongs or gloves) and putting them into peoples water glasses. I work in food service so this was a shock to me. I do hope they can make certain changes in the way of food safety.
Christian Dior
I can say it a place of wonderful people, things,I always dreamt to be there ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Bobbie W.
I have several family members who LOVE Vescio's. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, but visit Rome several times a year. The whole family went there December 30, 2023 to celebrate a family member's birthday. The restaurant was moderately full. It took 2 FULL HOURS for our orders to be filled and delivered to our table. Meanwhile, several other large OR larger parties were served and done before we were ever served. The food is marginal at best but the service SUCKS. Had I been paying, there would have been zero tip and if I could've, I would've left. I do NOT recommend their dining room at all. If you MUST eat from this establishment, order it to go.
We had wanted to visit this place because...old school, been around forever and **Italian**. We absolutely loved the bakery items....pastries and cookies and cake soooo delicious. Staff members were amazing...friendly, sweet, efficient. Our meal was....ok....just ok..... (overcooked soft pasta, etc.)..... We're definitely coming back to say hi to the staff and to buy from that wonderful bakery.
Franklin Hotel is one of those Staples for visiting Rome NY. It's always packed whether it's for dinner drinks or the dessert counter. And there is a reason it is, everything there is delicious. We were seated in under 5 minutes. Our server was attentive with drinks and bread. Our first course was out in under 10 minutes and maybe another 10 for our entrees so the timing was just right for everything. My gf enjoyed her salad, I like my soup but my only issue for the evening is it was a little clear and thin for being Manhattan clam chowder (it's known to be a thick red broth). The mushrooms and ravioli were so filling and tasty and my couldn't finish her gnocchi and had to take the rest to go. I've had the desserts and love them but was too full to get any. First world problem am I right?
Shosha
This place is an absolute gem! The food was insanely yummy. I got the gnocchi in a basil cream sauce and my boyfriend got the ravioli with shitake mushrooms.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Cheryl VanEpps
Two of my co-workers and I went for lunch on a Friday. It did not appear to be very busy, maybe 5 tables with 2-3 people at each. It took a bit to get our orders taken, and once the food was received, none of us were happy. The only things that we were able to make a positive comment about were the bread/garlic butter and Ceasar salad. A fish sandwich was ordered, and the bread and fish were soggy. There were two different chicken and pasta dishes ordered, and the sauces for each and the chicken were extremely bland. We were very disappointed with our visit.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Renee Novotny
The food was awesome great fish fry dinner. The staff was very friendly. I highly suggest getting one of their delicious bake goods. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone. Worth the drive.
Good is great, service is old and hook good, and ambience is old school Italian w In an old building with beautiful undeveloped wooden floors. Be sure and check out the pastry display before you leave...
I have been coming here for about 40 years. We had friends meet us there from Syracuse since Utica was full of people due to the Women's Hockey Tournament. I figured restaurants would be packed.The Waitress was rather abrupt. For locals, I think she thought it was Pelitere Joe's. The menu and specials were great. We were excited, we decided to get the Portobello Prime Rib, and the Squid, Shrimp, and Mussels. We would share and make our own surf and turf.They brought 3 of the 4 salads, the one with Ceasar dressing took 10 minutes to make the dressing. So we sat waiting since we have manners. Finally it came, the bread was ok, by Utica/Rome standards. The seafood said butter, garlic, and wine sauce. It came out with marinara, the Waitress brought back, the chef said it was correct. Hidden on the handwritten specials. Is was a marinara almost buried in other items. No offer to change it. The Prime Rib was good, the mashed potato was fine. The pasta with the seafood was pretty bad by local standards, the sauce mediocre at best. I grew up on LI Sound. We use to pick Mussels off the beach, these were TINY. Never in my approximated 50 years of eating Mussels, had I ever seen one so small and there were only 3 TINY Mussels! All in all , we were kind of disappointed. The Waitress didn't make it any better. Obviously she never heard the term " hospitality" industry. I was a Waiter, Restaurant Manager, and every other possible job in the industry. It was not a good experience. Which is a shame after decades of good ones. Maybe when the kids took over, they changed things. Unfortunately, I have seen so many local restaurants started by the parents, that were outstanding, lacking once the kids take over. We won't be returning.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
I enjoyed this restaurant with my family very much. We went for lunch and there was a great selection of lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. We did not wait more than two minutes for a table. Our waitress was friendly and checked up on our table frequently. As soon as we sat down our waitress asked us what would we like to drink and brought us some soft bread with this delicious butter garlic. Our drinks came out fast as well as our food. My sister had the Mac and Cheese. She said she especially liked theirs because it tasted sweet and not like other restaurants who sometimes use sharper cheeses in this dish. The fries must have been good because the little one ate all of them. The steak sandwich was nice. The bread was soft and the steak filling was a good portion. I would say maybe they could offer some kind of steak sauce on the side or add a vegetable side to this dish (thus why only 4 stars). Overall, this restaurant was great and my sister said she definitely wants to go back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their chicken parm is fantastic. I get it almost every time and their desserts are the best. Don't leave without trying one or taking it home like I do.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely little place. I've been on multiple occasions and the food is always delicious. The staff is always warm and welcoming. Their desserts are very good.Would highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was there during lunch so it was a little busy but the food was very good and it didn't take a long time. They also have a delicious looking bakery. My only complaint is I saw servers picking up sliced lemons with their hands (no tongs or gloves) and putting them into peoples water glasses. I work in food service so this was a shock to me. I do hope they can make certain changes in the way of food safety.
I can say it a place of wonderful people, things,I always dreamt to be there ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
I have several family members who LOVE Vescio's. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, but visit Rome several times a year. The whole family went there December 30, 2023 to celebrate a family member's birthday. The restaurant was moderately full. It took 2 FULL HOURS for our orders to be filled and delivered to our table. Meanwhile, several other large OR larger parties were served and done before we were ever served. The food is marginal at best but the service SUCKS. Had I been paying, there would have been zero tip and if I could've, I would've left. I do NOT recommend their dining room at all. If you MUST eat from this establishment, order it to go.
Excellent food at reasonable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sauce With, Burger, Lobster Tail, Stuffed Shells, Sauce, Chief's Special
We had wanted to visit this place because...old school, been around forever and **Italian**. We absolutely loved the bakery items....pastries and cookies and cake soooo delicious. Staff members were amazing...friendly, sweet, efficient. Our meal was....ok....just ok..... (overcooked soft pasta, etc.)..... We're definitely coming back to say hi to the staff and to buy from that wonderful bakery.
Restaurantji Recommends
Franklin Hotel is one of those Staples for visiting Rome NY. It's always packed whether it's for dinner drinks or the dessert counter. And there is a reason it is, everything there is delicious. We were seated in under 5 minutes. Our server was attentive with drinks and bread. Our first course was out in under 10 minutes and maybe another 10 for our entrees so the timing was just right for everything. My gf enjoyed her salad, I like my soup but my only issue for the evening is it was a little clear and thin for being Manhattan clam chowder (it's known to be a thick red broth). The mushrooms and ravioli were so filling and tasty and my couldn't finish her gnocchi and had to take the rest to go. I've had the desserts and love them but was too full to get any. First world problem am I right?
This place is an absolute gem! The food was insanely yummy. I got the gnocchi in a basil cream sauce and my boyfriend got the ravioli with shitake mushrooms.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Two of my co-workers and I went for lunch on a Friday. It did not appear to be very busy, maybe 5 tables with 2-3 people at each. It took a bit to get our orders taken, and once the food was received, none of us were happy. The only things that we were able to make a positive comment about were the bread/garlic butter and Ceasar salad. A fish sandwich was ordered, and the bread and fish were soggy. There were two different chicken and pasta dishes ordered, and the sauces for each and the chicken were extremely bland. We were very disappointed with our visit.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
The food was awesome great fish fry dinner. The staff was very friendly. I highly suggest getting one of their delicious bake goods. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone. Worth the drive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cake, Cannoli
Great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5