How can a place be part cafe and part pub? Better yet, how can a comfortable dining area transform into a midnight club? These answers are hypothetical, of course, no need to answer. As the Faylunchin trio recently learned, such answers can't be deduced without at first experiencing the place.
And that's just what we did! Entering Fresco Cafe & Pub on Friday afternoon, we opened our minds to the possibilities. Could we order lunch and come back at dusk to get our individual grooves on? Would we enjoy a restaurant that could get us equally drunk on liquor, as well as figs, crisps, and cheese? In all cases, yes! But don't just take us on those words. We've got a lot more below!
And that's just what we did! Entering Fresco Cafe & Pub on Friday afternoon, we opened our minds to the possibilities. Could we order lunch and come back at dusk to get our individual grooves on? Would we enjoy a restaurant that could get us equally drunk on liquor, as well as figs, crisps, and cheese? In all cases, yes! But don't just take us on those words. We've got a lot more below!
Our rating system is structured within four primary categories: Atmosphere, Food, Lunch Bargain, and Service. We base our scores out of a possible ten points per category--typical stuff, we know. But this is where our ratings diverge! Sure, we count up the numbers, but they don't have so much to do with the restaurant's overall score. That, friends, is our pride and joy: a celebrity tribute, where we define a restaurant's personality with a famous person's name. Cool, huh? Ya, we know.
ATMOSPHERE
By day Fresco Cafe, by night Club Lush. We're not quite sure if the transformation is more Clark Kent/Superman or Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, but we'd love to find out. In either case, you'd be hard pressed to find a less accommodating dining area, whether sitting inside or outside. And as the weather gradually indicates, Fall is upon us! Time to don your boardwalk shorts and sundresses one last time, and enjoy some good eats under Fresco's canopied patio. No matter where you look (over the fence, under the table, creepily at your fellow diners enjoying their meals), you'll find open and tidy spaces. And that goes for the interior seating, as well, where natural lighting reflects off of modern tile and chromatic chandeliers.
Don't forget to look at the bar, either! There you'll see an impressive collection of bottles, certain to inspire a insatiable thirst. With that said, perhaps we'll go with Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde.
SCORE 8/10
By day Fresco Cafe, by night Club Lush. We're not quite sure if the transformation is more Clark Kent/Superman or Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, but we'd love to find out. In either case, you'd be hard pressed to find a less accommodating dining area, whether sitting inside or outside. And as the weather gradually indicates, Fall is upon us! Time to don your boardwalk shorts and sundresses one last time, and enjoy some good eats under Fresco's canopied patio. No matter where you look (over the fence, under the table, creepily at your fellow diners enjoying their meals), you'll find open and tidy spaces. And that goes for the interior seating, as well, where natural lighting reflects off of modern tile and chromatic chandeliers.
Don't forget to look at the bar, either! There you'll see an impressive collection of bottles, certain to inspire a insatiable thirst. With that said, perhaps we'll go with Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde.
SCORE 8/10
Bathrooms We believe bathrooms are crucial enough to be a subcategory of Atmosphere, deserving of its own score. You don't get a bathroom score much higher than this, folks. Especially from Harvey, whose homeland was indeed the first to grant their toilets a surname (*cough* John). Harvey reports that, while they were a bit tricky to find, Fresco's bathrooms are clean, big, and bright. He was especially impressed with the dual water fountains between the Women's and Men's rooms, which sported the restaurant's accolades on shelves. We believe the owner is subtlety telling any would-be fountaineers how much of an honor it is to be sharing in their free water. SCORE 9.5/10 |
Qi's Special Qi must have had a vision sometime before lunch, a scene cut from an Athenian courtyard: young lovers, cloaked and giddy, feeding each other olives and figs. It would've been very Shakespearean. That must be why he ordered the Fig and Goat Cheese Crostino as an appetizer. As fond of Qi as Harvey and Mike are, neither were willing to feed him, though they were happy to share a bite. With honey and fruit juice drizzle, and delicate bite-sized pieces, it's easy to see how aphrodisiac-inclinations might arise. However, we ate in awkward, yet contented silence. |
FOOD
Fresco's menu is simple and uniform, a menu that could stand the test of time. Though Italian by virtue, the options offer a variety that you could expect to find at diners and delis. The sandwiches, for instance: Harvey ordered the lamb burger (mozzarella, garlic aioli, and mint slaw chutney), while Qi ordered the Italian Sub (roast beef, salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese and fresh peppers). Both men complimented the flavorful wallop contained in each bite. Mike, on the other hand, remained both frugal and traditional, electing the day's special: The 3 Pigs Pizza (four slices of thin crust pizza with sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, accompanied by a side salad). He reports that, by meal's end, he was pleasantly full and proud of his thriftiness.
But what really got our attention were two things. First, the presentation was immaculate, truly a fine-dining exposé. Second, were the #t4f. No, we didn't just have a dyslexic moment, though we appreciate the concern. We've invented a new hashtag, just like all the cool kids are doing. It stands for Top-Four-Fries and it is an honor to count yourself among the hallowed group. Now, and only now, can we claim that Fresco's french fries (crispy, well-seasoned, skinny) may count themselves amongst an illustrious group: 1. McDonald's, 2. Buffalo Wild Wings, 3. Bears Pub and Grill, AND 4. Fresco. You're welcome.
SCORE 7.5/10
Fresco's menu is simple and uniform, a menu that could stand the test of time. Though Italian by virtue, the options offer a variety that you could expect to find at diners and delis. The sandwiches, for instance: Harvey ordered the lamb burger (mozzarella, garlic aioli, and mint slaw chutney), while Qi ordered the Italian Sub (roast beef, salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese and fresh peppers). Both men complimented the flavorful wallop contained in each bite. Mike, on the other hand, remained both frugal and traditional, electing the day's special: The 3 Pigs Pizza (four slices of thin crust pizza with sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, accompanied by a side salad). He reports that, by meal's end, he was pleasantly full and proud of his thriftiness.
But what really got our attention were two things. First, the presentation was immaculate, truly a fine-dining exposé. Second, were the #t4f. No, we didn't just have a dyslexic moment, though we appreciate the concern. We've invented a new hashtag, just like all the cool kids are doing. It stands for Top-Four-Fries and it is an honor to count yourself among the hallowed group. Now, and only now, can we claim that Fresco's french fries (crispy, well-seasoned, skinny) may count themselves amongst an illustrious group: 1. McDonald's, 2. Buffalo Wild Wings, 3. Bears Pub and Grill, AND 4. Fresco. You're welcome.
SCORE 7.5/10
LUNCH BARGAIN
While there's not much of a bargain specifically geared towards lunch, Fresco's food does contain good value (our food was between $9 and $12). Their serving sizes are appropriate, their displays polished, and the daily specials are satisfyingly affordable. This restaurant is a good place for a business lunch or dinner. Especially if you want to impress your boss with your refined Tuscan tastes, while still being kind to your bank account. SCORE 7/10
While there's not much of a bargain specifically geared towards lunch, Fresco's food does contain good value (our food was between $9 and $12). Their serving sizes are appropriate, their displays polished, and the daily specials are satisfyingly affordable. This restaurant is a good place for a business lunch or dinner. Especially if you want to impress your boss with your refined Tuscan tastes, while still being kind to your bank account. SCORE 7/10
SERVICE
Other than a crinkly menu, which had obviously weathered the hands of many ravenous patrons, the service during Fresco's lunch hours was commendable. There seemed to be only one server covering roughly 5 to 7 tables, but she was pleasantly efficient and friendly. As can potentially happen when working on your own, the end of our meal was cut a bit short. By that, we mean we received our checks before we were offered any dessert or had our plates cleared. Ignoring that minor faux pas, our food was prepared and looking delicious within 20 minutes of ordering, an impressive feat by any means. To be frank, we liked the food, we liked the price, and we liked the service. SCORE 6.5/10
Other than a crinkly menu, which had obviously weathered the hands of many ravenous patrons, the service during Fresco's lunch hours was commendable. There seemed to be only one server covering roughly 5 to 7 tables, but she was pleasantly efficient and friendly. As can potentially happen when working on your own, the end of our meal was cut a bit short. By that, we mean we received our checks before we were offered any dessert or had our plates cleared. Ignoring that minor faux pas, our food was prepared and looking delicious within 20 minutes of ordering, an impressive feat by any means. To be frank, we liked the food, we liked the price, and we liked the service. SCORE 6.5/10
OVERALL SCORE
Consider for a moment the many faces of Fresco. Part club, part bar, part bistro and cafe. To be able to pull off differing roles, both simple and sheik, one must contain intellect (or at least look smart) and impeccable style. And to build a career off this...c'mon, is that even possible?
Yes, it is. In fact, we're willing to bet that you can think of one actor at this very moment, a gentleman who regularly fades in and out of the realms of intellect and style. Do we even have to tell you? Let's just say he rose above his Freaky, Geeky roots and rose high.
Indeed, fans, Faylunchin awards Fresco's genre-bending skills with a celebrity score of...
Consider for a moment the many faces of Fresco. Part club, part bar, part bistro and cafe. To be able to pull off differing roles, both simple and sheik, one must contain intellect (or at least look smart) and impeccable style. And to build a career off this...c'mon, is that even possible?
Yes, it is. In fact, we're willing to bet that you can think of one actor at this very moment, a gentleman who regularly fades in and out of the realms of intellect and style. Do we even have to tell you? Let's just say he rose above his Freaky, Geeky roots and rose high.
Indeed, fans, Faylunchin awards Fresco's genre-bending skills with a celebrity score of...
(photo courtesy of Forbes.com)
Need proof of James' craftiness? Take a look at this recent commercial and tell us we're wrong! And while you're at, check out Fresco and test our review. Do you like feeling classy and smart, too? No need to answer, we already know.
Like our blog? Have any restaurants that you would like rated? Or maybe just a food fan? Leave us a comment below or email us.
Like our blog? Have any restaurants that you would like rated? Or maybe just a food fan? Leave us a comment below or email us.
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