Boston: Franklin Cafe

Let's Eat by Kitty Kaufman, photos by Kim DeVito

The Franklin Cafe came along in the mid '90s as the South End was coming into its own as a dining destination. It's our destination as we walk over from the Prudential Center. Later, we talk about what is going on and the decision is: hype. The waiter hypes the menu, our selections and for some reason, acts like he or we are in a hurry at 5:30 on Sunday. This is so not what I expected.

Franklin mini clam plate

Kim orders steak frites and they hold the frites, as she asks, and serve grilled ears of cheesey jalapeño spiced corn. I order fried clams that are on the menu with fries, tartar and kohlrabi. The kohlrabi never appears (and I can't decide if this is good or bad) and neither do half the clams.

Franklin salt and pepper

The steak and corn are good but not as good as the hype. The clams are touted as local and I guess the catch is down because there are six clams. Tartar sauce is worth mentioning; it's good for dunking a huge plate of fries. The bread's fine and the hummus along with it is very good. We want dessert. There is none.

See it on TripAdvisor

© August 19, 2013

Write to us:
Kitty@corp-edge.com

Share it on X Twitter:

See Boston restaurant stories via One for the Table on Zomato

Locanda Del Lago in Santa Monica
Italian Western
Santa Monica Seafood Cafe
Fine kettle of fish
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Food, and art
Ming's Blue Ginger Wellesley
Red hot and blue
Deli after Dark Dedham
Yes, we have no meatballs
Sophia's Grotto
Meatballs and calamari in Roslindale
Pon Thai Bistro
Pon cooks with fire
Island Creek Oyster Bar
Happy, happy new year
Amelia's Trattoria in Cambridge
New York state of mind
Cafe Sushi in Cambridge
Industry standard
Black Trumpet in Portsmouth
Ta dah
Flour Bakery
Eat dessert first