After six months, Farro discontinues lunch service, but the bargains remain

Not a braised beef sandwich inspired by Florence's San Lorenzo market nor grilled shrimp with risotto and basil could keep 'em coming for lunch at Farro, Matthew Franklin's Italian joint at 8320 South Holly Street. After a six-month spin, Franklin is calling it quits in the lunch department. In an...

By Jessica Chapman

June 28, 2010

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Not a braised beef sandwich inspired by Florence's San Lorenzo market nor grilled shrimp with risotto and basil could keep 'em coming for lunch at Farro, Matthew Franklin's Italian joint at 8320 South Holly Street. After a six-month spin, Franklin is calling it quits in the lunch department.

In an e-mail sent out last week, operating partner John Richard wrote, "We are no longer offering lunch service. We gave it a six month commitment when we expanded our hours to lunch and the area does not have the businesses to support it."

In addition to offering its full dinner menu, Franklin had been preferring a number of other, lunch-specific entrees, including the beef sandwich and shrimp risotto dish, none of which set diners back more than nine bucks.

Jason Sheehan applauded the news back when the service launched in early January, saying, "After months and months of waiting, the house has finally decided to go from dinner-only to serving lunch."

Meanwhile, the Centennial restaurant has been making other changes to its routine in order to accommodate the preferences of the neighborhood, including introducing a happy hour, affordable carafes of wine and a recession-friendly menu.

"We're really trying to be an affordable place that offers good food," Richard said when we caught up with him a couple weeks ago.

Farro's dinner hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 4:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 303-694-5432.

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