The Franklin — Restaurant in Bristol

Beautiful ambiance, but very pricey for what you get

The Franklin in Bristol has such a gorgeous and creative atmosphere. It feels like stepping into a whimsical French bistro—vibrant colors, dim lighting, and lots of charm. Great Bar. Definitely one of the prettiest spots in town.

However, a few things missed the mark for us. The dining area is very tight, with tables close together, making it hard for servers (and guests) to move comfortably. It was also quite loud, which made conversation difficult. When we left, the porch and stairs outside were completely dark—just something to be aware of if you're heading out late.

The drinks looked beautiful, though my order was mixed up, and service was a bit slow.

What really stood out was the pricing—it's currently the most expensive restaurant in Bristol. $23 for French onion soup (as an appetizer), $30 for a patty melt (no side), and $14+ for any side like fries. Even a basket of bread was $7. The mussels entrée felt more like an appetizer portion, and we had to order fries to make it feel like a full meal.

For two people, we had one shared app, two entrées, one shared side (fries), one glass of wine, two beers, one gin/tonic, an espresso, and one cocktail—and our bill came to around $250 with tip.

It’s definitely worth a visit for the beautiful setting and ambiance, maybe for a drink and a small bite. Just be prepared for premium pricing and a somewhat tight, lively...

I’ve been a fan of Groundswell for a long time, so when I heard The Franklin was opening, I was beyond excited. We got a reservation for Thursday during opening week, and it lined up perfectly with our vacation.

From the moment we walked in, everything felt intentional and welcoming. We were seated at the coziest little sofa setup with two round tables. It was so charming I could’ve cried.

The drinks were incredible. I had the French 75 and the Franklin Manhattan, and my husband had the Boulevardier. We started with the deviled eggs topped with caviar and the house salad. For dinner, I had the ratatouille, he had the duck confit, and we shared the mac and cheese. Every dish was thoughtful and delicious.

For dessert, I ordered the Chocolate Pot de Crème and the Lemon Ginger Cheesecake. My husband said he didn’t want dessert, but he ended up loving the cheesecake so much he couldn’t stop talking about it.

The sweetest surprise came with the check. They brought us a postcard we could fill out, and they would mail it for us. Such a thoughtful and personal touch.

As someone who is also in a client-facing business, I really appreciate the care and attention that went into every detail of the experience. This dinner truly filled my cup. I’ll absolutely be back and can’t wait to bring friends and...

A mixed experience! What can I say? The service and the restaurant decor is 5 star plus.

Everyone here is marvelously friendly and professional. Taylor was great.

The interior is stunningly beautiful. Just very inviting and, I would say like being in the south of France. Our table was especially lovely with a lamp and flowers.

Now, unfortunately, I was fairly underwhelmed by what I ordered. Having dined all over, I started with the French onion soup. It was just okay. Trafford had one that burst with flavor.

My “French Connection” was tasty. However, zero buzz. Avenue N, Blackstone Oyster, Olympia Tea Room know how to do a cocktail that is delicious and has a kick.

The roasted half chicken had promise. It was bathed in a flavorful au jus. Unfortunately it was more bone than actual chicken. I did enjoy the cognac mushrooms but even the sides were skimpy. I did order the pommes purée, filling but fairly bland. Waterman Grille does this type of dish much better.

Lastly, I was told the Affogato was delicious. It was terribly bitter. Pane e Vino makes a delicious one.

So, the experience is quite lovely due to the decor & service. However, the food and drink were a disappointment. I hate saying it, I really do. Would I go back? Probably not unless I heard there was a revamp of...