Incontro, Franklin MA

I love going out to lunch. Especially when it means I can go to a restaurant that would typically be a splurge for dinner, and get an equally delicious meal for about half the price. That’s exactly what I was treated to last week when Scott and I found ourselves sans baby for an afternoon – the perfect excuse for an impromptu lunch date.

A spot that’s been around since 2004, Incontro is a bit of a hidden gem tucked away on a side street off of Route 140. Housed in a renovated mill, charm hits you from the start as you walk in the two-story stone clad entrance. Inside, you walk past freshly baked breads and an open-style kitchen to dark mahogany wooden tables and big, comfy, circular booths. The dining room welcomes you with a sort of North End meets upscale steakhouse feel. And that’s just the main dining room. Upstairs is an expansive lounge, complete with a dining room for private parties, sitting areas adorned with leather chairs, and a wrap around bar with huge LCD televisions. Oh, and did I mention the entire side of the second floor that’s dedicated to the avid pool player? As if that’s not enough, head back downstairs and you can take advantage of the outdoor patio which seats about 50, and according to our waiter, is a hot commodity (pardon the pun) on a nice summer day.

We’ve been to Incontro before. Pizza and drinks in the lounge (roasted pepper, sausage and ricotta pizza is my favorite) to appetizers on the patio (the site of our first “date” after Matthew was born), so we knew the food was good. But we hadn’t been for lunch in a while. Word to the wise – don’t be misled by the extensive lunch menu posted on Incontro’s website. The current lunch menu is much shorter, complimented by a few daily specials and the full dinner menu.

Unexpected menu changes aside, our meal proved to be delightful. Scott had an herb grilled chicken panini with fresh mozzarella and marinara, served with toasty French fries dusted with parmesan and rosemary (T3 - Taste Tested by Tatum!). As for me, I took a chance on one of the daily specials, the lobster roll.

I say “took a chance” because I’m always cautious about a lobster roll. I often get my hopes up and then end up disappointed when I get an uncooked hotdog bun with lots of mayo and bits of previously frozen lobster here and there. But not at Incontro. The bun was buttery and grilled just right. And there was so much fresh lobster (with little room for mayonnaise) that I actually took half of it home with me.

We’ve been there frequently enough that I can say with confidence service at Incontro is hit or miss. Especially in the lounge upstairs, service tends to be…um… sparse. Same goes for the restaurant’s lunch crowd – at noon, we were among only a handful of tables. But our lunchtime server was very attentive and friendly, and promised that if I didn’t like my lobster roll he would eat it for me J.

The tab:

Atmosphere – 7 (great setting, but no real lunch crowd)
Service – 7
Food Quality - 8
Presentation - 8
Average Entree Price - $10 - $15 (lunch)
Kid factor – 5 (they may be welcome, but I've been there often, and have never seen children)
Restaurant Website: http://www.incontrorestaurant.com/