The Loop’s New French Restaurant With a Revolving ‘Carousel Bar’ Opens This Week

A forthcoming French restaurant from the owners of popular downtown spots Cochon Volant Brasserie and Taureaux Tavern has an opening date and staff are preparing for its debut in the Loop. Francois Frankie is slated to open Saturday at 222 W. Randolph Street featuring a revolving “carousel bar” inspired by the famous bar inside New Orleans’ Hotel Monteleone in the historic French quarter, according to a representative.

Created in partnership between Well Done Hospitality and developer John Buck, Francois Frankie is 6,500 square feet and the circular, rotating bar was engineered by 555 International (the designers behind Walton Street Kitchen & Bar and more). Owners applied for a liquor license in late March.

Meghan Leigh

It’s the sixth restaurant from Well Done, which also runs Mixed Greens, Dough Bros, Cochon Volant Brasserie, and Taureaux Tavern. Details on the menu from Mike Sheerin (Cicchetti, Rockit Bar & Grill, Taureaux Tavern) are not yet available but images indicate a focus on poultry, salmon, and seafood. Reservations are now available on OpenTable.

Stay tuned for more news on the full menu and photographs of the interior.