FRANCESCO'S CAFE--ITALIAN AND PERSIAN!!!!

WHO EVER HEARD OF ITALIAN AND PERSIAN FOOD.........
          IN THE SAME RESTAURANT?

I DIDN'T, BUT ONE VISIT TO FRANCESCO'S CAFE IN RANCHO MIRAGE AT DINAH SHORE AND BOB HOPE, HAD ME RETURNING AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Frequently, since I am a Food Freak, I will read the menu ahead of time (many times) and start fantasizing about what I'd like. With Francesco's you have to decided what "country" do you want to visit. Do you want Lamb Kabob with Saffron Rice, Grilled Tomato and maybe some Pita and Hummus? Or, do you feel like going to Italy and fill that craving for Fettucini Alfredo. Rome or Iran? What do you think?

Chicken Parm

Sometimes, if I can't make up my mind, I just go to the restaurant, sit in the booth, read the menu slowly, and see what overtakes me. Or, I have been known to think about the Persian Salad all day, arrive at the restaurant and physically NEED Eggplant Parmesan. That's the fun of it.

What's so incredible about this restaurant, is that they do both countries well. However, I would stay away form their pizzas. It's not that they aren't good, they are just unremarkable, and caaories an carbs are better spent elsewhere.

Shwarma Beef Plate

The service is excellent here, very friendly, and they'll answer any of your questions. If you want pasta, they have every kind of noodle imaginable with every kind of sauce---Pomodoro, Carbonara, Pink, Meatball sauce, Primavera, Pesto--you name it. They also have Lasagna to-die-for, as well as other stuffed, baked noodle dishes.

Chicken or Veal---you bet---any way you want it from Piccata to Parm. You can order a side of pasta with it, as well.

Let's not forget about ANY Italian seafood dish you could want, as well.

Falafal Plate

On the Persian side, it is salads and kabobs---swordfish, chicken, lamb, beef, shrimp, and also they have the various ground versions. My favorite is Beef Koobideh. Each plate comes with Basmati or Saffron Rice.

You can also have all the Persian side dishes you'd like---Hummus, Tahini, yogurt.....
And, if you order the Persian Salad (similar to Greek) they will put any Kabob or Koobideh on top. It's Killer. Oh, yes...there are the Falafels and Shwarmas.

I'm just in love with the place.

Chicken Entrees    $15.95
Veal Entrees          $18.95
Pastas                   $11.95-$13.50
Kebobs                  $14.19-$19.95


Francesco's Cafe
72047 Dinah Shore Rd.
Rancho Mirage 92270
760-202-4425
no website