The Francesca’s family of restaurants is now bringing its causal trattoria dining experience to Madison, Wisconsin. The original location, Mia Francesca, has now grown to include twenty locations across the Chicago area with Madison’s Francesca’s al Lago as the first out-of-state venture for the group.

Steps away from the Madison Capital building on the Capital Square, the Madison community will have the opportunity to experience Francesca’s al Lago beginning Wednesday, July 7, at 4 p.m. (dinner service only until Monday, July 12, when lunch service begins).

“We have been so impressed with the Madison community,” says chef and owner Scott Harris. “We always look to expand to places that really offer that sense of community and have a passion for the local people, and we felt that right away here.”

With a warm décor of wide planked wood floors and wood tabletops, Francesca’s al Lago will offer guests the exceptional service and two-week rotational menu with focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients that have made Francesca’s famous.

This location will also incorporate important aspects of the Madison community. “There is such an abundance of local product, from meats and cheeses to fruits and vegetables so we are looking forward to utilizing the best from area farmers,” Harris says.

Executive chef, Sergio Lopez, a Madison native, has impressed the Francesca’s Corporate Team with his own ideas for new specials such as Filetto di Manzo con Mostarda and Linguine Fagottaro. Also joining the Francesca’s al Lago team will be Francesca’s alumni including sous chef Melissa Spears, general manager Edwin Arreola, and manager Brian Wyatt from the Francesca’s Barrington and Elmhurst locations. All will be relocating to Madison.

Francesca’s al Lago will be open seven days a week with lunch service at 11 a.m. and dinner at 4 p.m. For more information, call Francesca’s al Lago at 608-255-6000. Private dining space for up to 40 people will be available.