- NEWS
- Car plows into concrete wall, house 2 hours & 29 minutes ago
- Freeway connector road closed 31 minutes ago
- Weather service issues red-flag fire warning 4 minutes ago
- Another up month for home prices 1 hour & 17 minutes ago
- SPORTS
- Hudler, Physioc fired by Fox 1 minute ago
- UCLA-USC: Ten things to look for 1 hour & 30 minutes ago
- O.C. players make an impact in NFL 1 hour & 5 minutes ago
- USC football: 10 reasons why it went wrong 32 minutes ago
- BUSINESS
- Be thankful for this: $1 million in cash
- More homeowners struggle in Surf City
- Stop acting rich, start getting rich 21 minutes ago
- Zippiest O.C. home market? Los Alamitos 3 hours & 38 minutes ago
- ENTERTAINMENT
- Who will win 'Dancing With The Stars'? 35 minutes ago
- Rattle, Berlin Phil, awash in Brahms 1 hour & 23 minutes ago
- Jim Gaffigan brings his new act to O.C.
- 'Little Women' well performed in Anaheim
- LIFE
- Thanksgiving wine picks
- Frumpy Mom: I'm flunking the 7th grade 1 hour & 52 minutes ago
- 7 For All Mankind opens first O.C. store
- Seedless watermelons recalled over bacteria 20 minutes ago
- TRAVEL
- OPINION
Italian eatery gets booted from Fashion Island
July 10th, 2009, 11:44 am · 65 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Updated 2:45 p.m.
After nearly 16 years at Fashion Island, the owner of Francoli Gourmet said he is relocating his Italian eatery and retail shop to Old Towne Orange.
“It is not my choice,” to leave, said owner Alberto Tilicone, who began serving his Northern Italian cuisine to mall shoppers in December 1993.
Tilicone declined to comment further about the move, only stating that the restaurant will close its doors at the end of July. The restaurant is located near the construction site for the new Nordstrom.
Tilicone plans to relocate to Old Towne Orange, in the ex-Sir Wicket men’s shop.
The Irvine Co., which owns the mall, confirmed the leave, but declined to comment more about the departure.
“Francoli is relocating to Old Town Orange, and we wish them the best and
expect them do very well at their new location,” said Irvine Co. spokesman John Christensen.
Tilicone said the new restaurant in Old Towne should open by fall. Like the Fashion Island Francoli, this eatery will also sell merchandise and retail goods such as fresh breads, olive oils and gift baskets, Tilicone said.
It will open in fall 2009.
My take: Tilicone was reluctant to talk about the details of his move, so I’m left with some unanswered questions: Why move from posh Fashion Island to Orange County’s antique capital?
Also, the spot he’s relocating to in Old Towne is the same location that Carm’s Coneys almost moved into. However, Carm’s decided against the spot because the landlord faced various fire safety and electrical upgrade issues. So, don’t those same problems exist?
Al Ricci, the property owner, could not be reached for comment. (2:45 p.m. update: Just talked to Al Ricci. I posted his response in comments, below.)
Tell us: What do you think of Francoli’s move?
Fashion Facelift. By the way, did you know that Fashion Island’s is undergoing a $100 million makeover? Read more about the changes at OCRegister.com
Related stories:
- Plans for New York-style hot dog joint scrapped
- Carm’s Coneys: Orange eatery stalled, but 3 more coming
- Beach Pit BBQ, Carm’s Coneys expanding in O.C.
65 Comments
Leave a Reply
-
ADVERTISEMENT
-
The Catch: Burger Contest Results
The soon-to-be-open The Catch in Anaheim held a burger contest this month. Some of the "killer burgers" will be featured on the restaurant's revamped menu. To view a photo gallery of the burgers, click on the image or CLICK HERE .
The Catch Burger Contest
-
Restaurants Out of Business
The recession is forcing many Orange County restaurants to shutter, and we're trying to track them all for you. Check out our O.C. Restaurant Closure List for the latest updates. -
O.C. Frozen Yogurt Shops
-
-
-
-
Report: Restaurants on Twitter
Special report: Restaurants are jumping on the Social Media bandwagon. But is Eating and Tweeting luring diners? READ FULL STORY
- How Twitter-savvy are chains? CLICK HERE to see how the Fast Food Maven rates local and national chains on Twitter.
-
Contact the Fast Food Maven
Follow the Fast Food Maven on Twitter or 'Friend Me' on Facebook.
Send tips reviews, gripes to nluna@ocregister.com
Nancy Luna, the Fast Food Maven
The Orange County Register
625 N. Grand Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92711-1626
-
-
-
-
-
16th annual People's Choice
From your favorite restaurants and shops to the best day spa in town, here are your choices for the number one places to eat, shop and play in O.C.
Browse the 2009 Best of Orange County winners -
ADVERTISEMENT
Too bad, it is a cute place and a great atmosphere!
This is sad, I love Francoli. I don’t think they can do as well in Orange. The people in the Orange area don’t have the money to spend like they do at Fashion Island. And there are other more established stores in the circle that have these kinds of products like the cheese shop and there are already Italian restaurants. I am worried about the same situation that Carm’s had with going into this space. What about that?
You don’t think the people of Orange have the money to spend on eating out? I
Don’t worry your pretty little head about us Orange folk affording this new place……we’ll crack open our piggy banks and try and come up with the money……….I’ll park my Lexus in the back so I won’t take up a space where you Newporters want to put your Range Rovers….sheeeeesh, stupid comment…….
The difference is that all of Orange isn’t in foreclosure like Newport Beach is. Particularly Newport Coast.
Why do they think they can make it in Old Towne Orange, near where Aldo’s just closed?
Aldo’s closed because it was horrible.
Just got this statement from the owner, Alberto..on the move:
“After sixteen years of successful operation in Newport Beach, CA in Fashion Island shopping center, Francoli Gourmet is closing its doors on August first 2009 and relocating to the Historical Old Towne Plaza in Orange.
The opening of the new location is projected at the end of September 2009.
There is more than one reason for the change. Since the Irvine Company is not renewing anymore our lease for the next term, we had to look for a new location.
Since the first days of its operation, in 1993, Francoli Gourmet expressed its unique and innovative style by offering a combination of a Northern Italian Restaurant and a specialty retail section of Italian gourmet products, fine wines and hand painted ceramics. We feel that this distinctly authentic Italian quality will be a perfect match for the classic European ambiance of the historical Orange Circle Plaza. In fact, the decision to become part of the Plaza is largely a result of the prominent picturesque features that Francoli Gourmet shares with the Orange Circle.
Our philosophy focuses on promoting a culturally rich experience that will allow our clientele to immerse itself in the true flavors of Italy. We achieve this goal by offering our customers a warm and friendly environment, as well as affordable culinary options. Our restaurant is a refuge from the cold and generic nature of the modern-day eating establishment. It is this quality that creates our universal appeal to a wide range of customers, who are not only motivated by the fine cuisine, but also by the family-like ambiance we have created through memorable service and an exceptionally low turnover rate in our employees.
As an authentic Italian establishment we are dedicated to providing our clientele with a cultural experience that would not be complete without our wide selection of fine wines. While customers enjoy the advantage of the knowledgeable and well-informed personnel inside the restaurant, we also give them the opportunity to take a piece of Italy home through our retail section. We offer wine from all the twenty regions of Italy, as well as a range of Italian-only products that can be exclusively found in our establishment. Also, in continuation with our innovative tradition, we plan to construct a visible kitchen area in our new location, in order to allow the customers to witness the meticulous preparation of the dishes, bread and pastry baked freshly every morning. We aim to build trust and a long-term relationship with our customers by allowing them to be a part of the process that goes into every Francoli Gourmet dish.”
Irvine Company is ruining Newport Beach and is half the reason I got the hell out of there (the other half is the obnoxious Iranians). Newport Beach & Irvine have become one big Ponzi scheme for the Irvine Company (and a suburb of Tehran).
This NY Times best-selling author took his business, jobs, and tax dollars to Texas. FU OC, CA, and the shyster Irvine Co.
Darn Irvine Company! Do they not like Italian eateries? Seems the same fate happened to Marco Polo a few years ago… I guess since they are not part of a franchise the Irvine Company does not want them. Look around do you see many mom and pop shops in Irvine?
The management co., they just love those big national chains where everything looks the same and no individuality and everything is beige.
Great breakfasts, I’ll miss them. FU Irvine Company!
The Irvine Co. forced Francoli out because the restaurant didn’t fit the new Fashion Island image … shame on Irvine Co.
Shoot. I love Francoli. Great place to sit and have a glass of wine. Had a lot of glasses of wine there….
I think it fit perfect where it was. The problem with the Irvine Co is they seem to have a penchant for Asian cuisine. I love Thai, Chinese, and Japanese as much as anyone, but a great Italian meal once in awhile is nice too.
I never even heard of them before.. I guess they didn’t get enough business. I hope something great goes in their place.
Once again the Irvine Company destroys what ever it can.
One of my favorite places in Orange County, with some of the best Carbonara around.
The evil Irvine-Company empire strikes again…
Just got off the phone with the property owner, Al Ricci. He says Francoli will not encounter the same issues as Carm’s Coneys because Francoli is taking over the entire 2,600-square feet space. Reason? Carm’s was going to take up half of the space, leaving only one exit/entrance door, which violated fire code. A second door was needed for a restaurant. Francoli will have two doors, since it is taken up the entire corner retail location. As for electrical issues, Ricci said he’s upgrading and expects no other building issues for the restaurant, which he claims will be “the best restaurant in Old Towne” once it opens.
Wow, that’s some statement. Even better than Gabbi’s?
P.S. Ricci said Francoli “was bought out” of his lease by the Irvine Co. because the center needed the space.
The Irvine Co. is the resident real estate bully in the OC, frequently using mafia-like tactics to force tenants and owners to do their bidding.
Is this place better than Renata’s?………….already in the Orange plaza?
yes, way better! thank god for real italian food with great service.
Please come to Laguna . That would be wonderful!
Fashion island’s loss is Orange’s gain. Mange bella.
Eric, Renata’s has not been good Renata left. So a good italian will be a good change
it’s been a few years since I’ve been to Renatas………….I didn’t know she left……..darn!
NOT FRANCOLI’S!!! That is the best Italian restaurant in the OC and it had the best patio to sit with a glass of wine and watch the passerbys. I am so sick of the Irvine Company. Let me guess, a Yardhouse will be going there instead.
Clearly the Orange Plaza is no longer the antique capital it once was… I assume you’ve been there within the last couple of years? Cupcakes… chic Mexican food… high-end cheese and wine shop… L.A.-style clothing and cooking boutiques… quaint S.F.-style cafés and eateries… etc. etc. The area has been undergoing massive gentrification for a solid 2-3 years now…
*trent* I wouldn’t call the placement of a few indie eateries and cafe shops “massive gentrification” …yes, the antiques are diminishing…..and more restaurants are invading…(I wrote that story a few years ago, by the way, when Gabbi’s and the now shuttered Aldo’s entered the Plaza.) ….regardless, the Plaza is still a place for antique lovers/hunters….
“a few indie”… uh, there are more non-antique stores in the plaza than there are antique stores. you should perhaps walk the length of glassell and chapman, look at every store front. then tell me that i’m wrong. you also obviously don’t really know what gentrification means:
renovate and improve (esp. a house or district) so that it conforms to middle-class taste.
• [usu. as adj. ] ( gentrified) make (someone or their way of life) more refined or dignified.
… the orange plaza, in recent years, is a textbook case of gentrification… and massive at that. no less than a dozen new businesses in a three block area.
Thank You Mr Daniel Webster!
If Irvine Co. wants something, they will force you to give it to them. THey are bullies
I am sad to see this little slice of unique dining leave Fashion Island.
It was the perfect counterpoint to the bland and cookie cutter food outlets that the Irvive company seems to love,
There already is a Yardhouse in Fashion Island. Maybe we’ll get Del Friscos, or a Capital Grille? Who knows.
Best of luck to Mr. Ricci! May he have many years of success.
Look out everyone! Orange is on the move. We welcome another great restaurant to the community and unlike what another poster mentioned, there is plenty of money to go around in Orange. It is fast becoming a hot spot with plenty of year round foot traffic and a great university right down the street. The city is revitalizing and the population is very hip to great food. This is the very reason that Gabbi’s consistently has a long line and that the Spanish cheese store “Frog’s Breath” does so well. Buon apetitio!
don’t tell that to ms. luna… the plaza after all is just a tired old antique shopping district.
where are the itvine co.’s pr people b/c with all of these posts they are doing a bad job and what is the problem with independent businesses at Fashion island or other irvine co’s locations because most are strong dedicated business owners who will not look the same as the national chains and will bring in some character and something extra to add. Irvine co. only knows one color scheme for all of their properties, beige and they stated before that they look at Europe for their colors but I see more nice colors in Europe than their one color scheme and they are more people out there other than the super rich and they even like some mom and pop places and we need more entertainment and why not let people stroll around and play music
they look to europe??!! for what? it’s certainly not their architecture, their colours, or their choice of tenants… how perplexing.
The best Italian in that whole area, gone. So Sad.
I hope it survives the change in location, I’d be worried.
Anyone remember “The Barn” in Costa Mesa which did not survive the move to Newport Beach. I fear something similar will happen to Francoli from the drastic change in neighborhood/potential customers.
and… I HATE parking in that quaint part of Orange, that alone will keep me away.
Francoli’s had to move because the Irvine Company upped the rent on their lease so much that it was better to move. The Irvine Company has done that to many of their business owners.
I will drive to Orange to eat there…. =p
I will definitely go there. I can’t understand why anyone would “hate” the parking in Old Town Orange, I have never found it to be anything but easy, free and convenient.
lol… free yes… the rest, NO.
Hmm hope they are good. Old Towne has drastically changed these past 4 years and yes while it does still have antique stores they are becoming harder to find. Diversity in retail there is a good thing in my book.
I know so many ppl who hate the food at overpriced overly salted Gabbi’s it would be nice to have some restaurants go in that are more than “an attempt at atmosphere”. And all the damn ice cream/yogurt stores in OT - enough already.
So I welcome the restaurant. As someone who lives close to the Plaza I would love to see that area stay “open” a bit later and have more of a vibe. Perhaps more upscale restaurants will do that.
i know that the OCR gets tired of these complaints, but it’s amazing to me how the actual readers of their paper know more about the community they live in than the so called reporters that work for the paper, which is supposedly supposed ot have the pulse of the community like no one else. i know, i know, i’m being rude. but honestly, the OCR could use interns from the local college and they’d get better reporting and better awareness than they are getting now. and they wouldn’t have to pay for it.
I will miss Francoli Gourmet its one of the very few great place to eat in Fashion Island!!!!!
Oh, the humanity!! Check this out:
http://dailypilot.com/articles/2009/06/25/topstory/dpt-fashionisland062609.txt
Proof that the Irvine Company has its head up its a$$.
Hi DiverDown and Nancy,
After reading the web site article for the Daily Pilot, I bet you dollars to donuts that they kick out this guy to put in their (Pelican Hill) a more Hoity-Toity Italian restaurant that is owned by the Irvine Co, since they own the one inside the Pelican. Just You Watch.
Attention Trent! I found the definition for the word “Hoity-Toity here
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoity-toity
As I misplaced my 3 Stooges Hand Book!
BeachBumBob
Spoke with someone at Francoli today.
Their space is being taken over by a branch of an Italian restaurant from LA which is willing to pay 3x the rent that Francoli pays.
It’s like when City Folk move out to the Country and then start complaining and want to start making changes , such as putting in sidewalks, streetlights, out with the counrty store thats been there 100 yrs and now wants a Gelsons, the smell and nosies of animals and so on.
That is probably what is or has happen to the City of Orange with all the new out of towners moving in
“Out with the old or unique and in with the “Stepford” Restaurants or Businesses”
BBB,
Your theory could very well be reality. Who knows? I certainly wouldn’t put it past them. There’s business, good business, and then there’s what the I.C. does, and while I’d like to argue that the I.C. practices a poor business model, I’m instead left with their very successful track record. In a word, it’s unfortunate. It says more about our society than it does the I.C.. Bummer.
The thing that matters to local governments is the tax revenue. If Francoli can sustain it’s business model there it will be very welcome. That said, another Irvine Company victim, Marco Polo would possibly be a better fit to the area with their prices.
I wish the Francoli well, since I’m only 1 and 1/2 miles from them, but their prices are possibly a bit too high for Orange, but were in line for Newport Beach.
I love how arrogant people who live in Newport Beach are. Get over yourselves. I don’t live in Orange, but I can assure you that there are plenty of people in Orange who can afford to eat at a place like Francoli’s. Not to mention that Villa Park is a hop, skip, and a jump from Old Towne Orange. And by the way, Villa Park has you Newporters beat by a mile on household income.
Newport Beach: Douche Bag Capital of the World.
I completely agree. People in Orange are not poor. My parents live on 3 acres in Orange Park Acres. It is only 4 miles east of the circle. Residents of Orange just do not feel the need to flaunt their wealth the way the residents of Newport due. Most of Newport is just a facade anyway…ah the power of leasing…
Trent: Not sure what you were aiming at with your stab at OCR reporters, but Nancy Luna, who wrote this article about Francoli’s, lives just a few blocks from the Old Towne Plaza. I’d say she has her finger on the community’s pulse as well as anyone.
just because she lives near the plaza doesn’t make your assertion correct. she clearly stated that old towne has not undergone massive gentrification and alluded to the idea that it’s nothing more than old antique stores. in any stretch of imagination, that is someone who clearly doesn’t have their finger on the community’s pulse… she might want to move aside for the trained medical professionals who are clearly better trained in obtaining pulses.
Uh, whatever, Trent. I live here, too. Have for 13 years. Old Towne has a better selection now than it did when we moved here, but many ventures have not succeeded. The big ones were Citrus City and Gabbis–also, Tokyo Cafe has done well. I’m not sure how well the wine and cheese store does–I rarely see anyone in there. Lately, the prime busines locations have been rented out to karate (?!) and dance studios, neither of which bring in a lot of tax revenue or walk-in traffic. The trendy clothing boutique went out of business, and so have a few restaurants. We’re left with fro-yo, ice cream and sandwich shops–plus “antiques’ stores, many of which are no better than glorified Good Will shops. This is “massive gentrification”?
I have also lived in Orange for 13 years, that’s funny. But I tend to agree with Trent on this one. There are far less antique stores there than I first moved here. Yes, there’s Gabbi’s, Citrus City Grill, and Tokyo Cafe, but there’s also (starting from south on Glassell) Blue Frog Cafe, the cute home store (not antiques) next to Blue Frog, Paris in Cup tea shop, Francoli’s (when it opens), two Starbucks, Bagel Me, Caffe Lucca, Beach Pit BBQ, The District, the new vintage clothing and furniture store (not antique but 1950s cool), the trendy and chi-chi kitchen store that moved here from L.A., Two Monkey’s children’s boutique, the gourmet cheese and wine shop, The Running Lab shoe boutique, a gourmet cupcake shop, Zito’s Pizza, the chocolate shop, The Filling Station, a few art studios and galleries, a high-end hair salon, and an eclectic bike shop, etc, etc.
And there’s also some stores/restaurants that are poised to open (perhaps soon)… Haven Gastropub among them.
So clearly this is not just an antique shopping area considering all of the things I just mentioned are within a two-three block area. I’m not sure what you’re expecting but this is very much a developed and vibrant city neighborhood. Silverlake, Echo Park, Atwater Village, etc. in L.A. are similar to Old Orange in what they offer (maybe not culture), so I’m not sure where you think Old Orang is lacking. I’ve lived in various cities in my life and I have been pleased that in the last couple of years Old Town has become very vibrant.
I visited Francoli several times and can vouch for their great atmosphere and food and drink. It’s a shame they can’t stay, but I know they’ll be a fine addition to Orange.
oh great another cafe in the Circle that will eventually push out another antique store…..PINHEADS
Old Orange is a special place. You can walk at night without fear. It is the “old town” of yesteryear that draws people of all ages. A good Italian restaurant will be a great addition.
Wonderful news for us. Only reason we shopped at Fashion Island was to have lunch or dinner at Francolis. Living in Orange we’ll have short drive to their new location.
DH
We’ve been away from OC for a few years. Can’t remember where Francolis was located. Can anyone help me out here.
Thanks.
This is great News! I love love Francoli. This will be closer to where I live ( Anaheim Hills). I wish Alberto and his family the very best with this move. Now I will practically live there LOL I love their food. The espresso is the real thing. Congratulation and I am sure it’s the right move. I love to visit Orange old town, now I have a greater desire to go there more often. I am sure they will do great! Francoli has a friendly staff with excellent service. The food is the always delicious. This place is one step away from Northern Italy. Ciao~All the best to Alberto & family.