Frankie's — Restaurant in Burlington

We recently made reservations to take one of our out-of-town guests here for dinner, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. Our reservation was for 7:30 p.m., and by the time we arrived, the restaurant was already in full swing. The atmosphere was lively and energetic, yet still comfortable enough for great conversation. We were warmly greeted and promptly seated — a smooth start that set the tone for a wonderful evening.

As new residents in Vermont — having recently made the big move from Portland, Oregon, where the food scene is vibrant and full of devoted foodies — we’ve been eager to explore what our new home state has to offer. This restaurant did not disappoint! It’s clear that Vermont has its own unique charm when it comes to dining, and this place is a perfect example of that.

Our server came by shortly after we were seated to welcome us and hand us the menus. While the menu isn’t extensive, it’s well-curated with enough variety for everyone to find something they love. Each dish felt thoughtfully composed, highlighting fresh ingredients and classic flavors with a local touch. We decided to start with a few appetizers, followed by our entrées, and of course, dessert to round out the evening.

The drinks were another highlight. The bar program here is impressive — our cocktails were balanced, creative, and beautifully presented. They also have an extensive list of spirits and liquors, making it a great spot for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted drink.

Everything we ordered was delicious and perfectly timed. The service was attentive and efficient without ever feeling rushed. We especially loved the steak and the swordfish — both were outstanding. The steak was tender, juicy, and cooked exactly to order, while the swordfish was flavorful and perfectly seared. I truly hope they keep that steak on the menu; it was a definite favorite.

Though we were absolutely full by the end of our entrées, we couldn’t resist ordering dessert — one of everything to share at the table. Each dessert was rich, satisfying, and the ideal sweet finish to an already wonderful meal.

What truly elevated the experience, though, was the warmth and hospitality of the entire team, and they also took the time to recognize the double birthday celebration at our table. From the hostess to the servers and bartender, everyone made us feel genuinely welcome. A special shoutout to Evelyn and Will, who were both personable, professional, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable evening.

All in all, it was an exceptional dining experience that exceeded our expectations — especially as newcomers to Vermont looking for a place that embodies the spirit of local cuisine. The combination of excellent food, top-notch service, and a cozy, inviting atmosphere has made this our new go-to spot for showcasing Vermont dining to our guests. We’re already looking forward to...

WOW. I had passed by this place a few times recently, and finally made the time to stop by for a late dinner. Holy Moly! The decor here is so gorgeous and cohesive - really thought out, nuanced, and makes you feel cozy while also like you're going to get some incredible quality throughout the experience. From the lighting and furniture, to the staffs' uniforms, we could tell that they knew what they were doing.

It was still pretty busy by the time we got in, but a spot opened up at the bar, so the hostess offered for us to wait there until a table freed up. She was very kind and welcoming, had the bar spot wiped down before we took our seats, and then the real service began.

The two bartenders were incredible: kind, attentive, knowledgeable, social - really set us up for a great night. We were starving, but got lost in the cocktail menu, with so many interesting-sounding concoctions, that we had to get the bartenders' advice before moving onto food. Lucky us, we had Max - the bar manager - and Lauren behind the bar, so we really got spoiled! The cocktails were incredible, and cute, too - super creative, deep, and clearly showed a knowledge for the craft.

On to the food. We don't often order so many dishes, but we had just read the Eater article and were inspired to get the full experience. We had a kale cannelloni, roasted oysters (wowza!), calamari, and then swordfish and pappardelle. Sure, the food was on the small side for portions, but the flavor was HUGE, and incredible. I wouldn't expect larger portions from a restaurant that puts such a high emphasis on quality ingredients, attention to detail, and clearly very skilled staff, anyways.

Conversation flowed endlessly with the staff and fellow bar patrons, making us feel connected and cared for. The owners - Cindi and Jordan - were also there, on the floor, talking with guests, really ensuring an awesome experience for all. This place was incredible. Cindi and the bar team noticed our curiosity and interest, and had us try some upcoming eggnog they were in the process of aging. What a treat! They really know hospitality and quality and I couldn't recommend it...

Made a reservation to celebrate Father’s Day early and other good things in life; and wanted to check out Frankie’s. We booked for 5pm when they opened and arrive 10 minutes early and waited to seat at our reserved time. We are so impressed with the renovation of this space, from the days it was Penny Cluse, as it was light and airy feeling with light wood panel sealings and pretty tiling.

Service from start to finish was excellent, our waiter and staff were on top of our orders and answered our questions about ingredients in some of the dishes. He asked all the patrons if they had any food allergies. The menu seems to change daily based on available ingredients. You start with shared plates and then a short list selection of entrees.

We started with the brioche with whipped butter and radish; light and flavorful like eating a piece of challah. Then we had the Asparagus. Walnut Crema. Garlic Scape Vinaigrette, which had young asparagus stalks and the walnut crema was quite creamy with a touch of nuttiness and the scapes were perfectly sautéed to give some light garlic flavor. We also enjoyed the Littleneck Clams, Almonds, Chili Flake, Chive Focaccia; clams were cooked well and in a sweet broth that you want to sop up with the focaccia.

I had the Pork Loin, Braised Spigarello, Sauerkraut Soubise- every slice was tender and with the greens and sauce were amazing to combine with each bite. My husband had the Nettle Fazzoletti, Zucchini, Kale, Pistachios, Goat Cheese; freshly made pasta packed with local vegetables and cheesy flat noodle made of nettles.

We brought our 8-year old and she loved all the dishes we ordered as well as the Savouré apricot sumac soda.

Finally, we enjoyed the creative cocktails from the bar that included local spirits. Not only wonderful concoctions but also playfully served with sophistication to match with the glassware,...