Franco Fazzouli was born in Florence, Italy in 1942. After a stint as a paratrooper in the Italian Army, he got his start in the restaurant business the way so many do—washing dishes. In his early 20s, he was already the proud co-owner of his own restaurant trattoria in Florence, which unfortunately was destroyed in a massive flood. This was the beginning of his journey to America, where he would go on to own and operate multiple successful restaurants throughout New York City. With a love for the southwest, Scottsdale is lucky to have the nationally acclaimed Italian restaurant, Franco’s Italian Caffe, featuring Tuscan entrees just like Franco’s mother used to make at home.
Like Taking a Trip to Italy
Franco has a fan base. It is a group of loyal followers who discovered his intimate caffe and they just can’t get enough of it. When you step through the front door, Franco will greet you with a smile at the helm of his oversized (and very Italian) reservation book. The dining room is tastefully designed to create a relaxing atmosphere, fostered by the scent of delicious food and happy guests.
Once you’ve been seated, begin your journey to Florence by perusing the extensive wine list. Available by the glass or bottle, you’ll love the crisp taste of delicious red, white, sparkling, or sweet wine as it hits your lips. Begin your meal with one or two authentic antipasti, such as the bruschetta, portobello mushrooms, or the baked asparagus with prosciutto. Enjoy a crisp house salad or venture instead for the authentic Caesar, beet arugula, or seafood salad. It’s the perfect wake-up call to your taste buds which we promise you, by the time your main entree arrives, your tastebuds will be singing.
The menu has a perfect variety of options to satisfy every palate without overwhelming you with decisions. If you’re craving the comfort of gourmet pasta, Franco’s offers everything from meat and cheese to a creamy sauce with seafood. If you’re gluten-free, no longer do you have to pine for someone else’s delicious pasta while you eat a salad because Franco has a gluten-free pasta just for you! But that’s not all. With a unique twist on chicken, pork chops, veal, and prime-cut steaks, truly there is something for everyone. Just be sure to leave room for dessert because trust us, you do not want to miss out on the mascarpone cheesecake or tiramisu.
Reserve Your Table at Franco’s Italian Caffe
Franco’s Italian Caffe is located at 4327 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. They are open Tuesday – Saturday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., and closed Sunday – Monday. For questions, reservations, or to place an order to go, call (480) 481-7614. A full takeout menu is available on their website.
Start planning your getaway and book one of our rentals today so you can be close to all of the wonderful dining options Scottsdale has to offer!
