Set the plan
Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 4 to 9pm and Sunday from 4 to 7pm. Most nights you will be seated right away. The one exception is a busy Saturday night, when there can sometimes be a wait, so reserve on Toast for Saturday dinner. Any other night you can decide at the last minute.
Franka is at 12695 University Ave Suite 100 in Clive, about 8 minutes from Jordan Creek Town Center. Parking is easy: there is ample parking in front and along the patio side.
Start with a drink
The wine list leans Italian, with a house red, white and rosé from Monferrato, Pinot Grigio from Friuli and a Prosecco Rosé from the Veneto, by the glass or bottle. Sharing a bottle is usually better value than two rounds of glasses.
For cocktails, try the Hot Honey Old Fashioned with Four Roses bourbon, the Limoncello Spritz or the Olive Oil Martini. If one of you is not drinking, our mocktails, like the Mango Tango or Raspberry Lemon Sparkler, are made with the same care.
Coming on a weekday before 6pm? Happy hour runs Monday–Friday 3–6pm, dine-in only, with buy one, get one beers and cocktails and $7 appetizers. An early date that starts at 5pm is a smart move.
Share a few small plates
Order two small plates and split them. Crispy Brussels sprouts with roasted garlic sauce and parmesan, Calamari Fritti, Bruschetta and the House Garlic Rosemary Bread with marinara all travel well across a table for two. Then add a salad: the Apple Salad, with goat cheese, cranberry and pecans, is a good counterweight to pizza.
Pick a pizza (or two)
Every pizza is hand-stretched in front of you, cooked over an open wood fire and takes about 5 to 10 minutes once ordered. A 14" is plenty for two after small plates. If you cannot agree, get two 10" pizzas and trade halves.
For a classic, the Margherita lets the crust speak. For something richer, the Pancetta (thyme cream, roasted garlic, fresh mozzarella and pancetta) or the Truffle Mushroom with local wild mushrooms suits a glass of red. Dining in, you can change or add toppings on any pizza.
If pasta is more your speed, the Gnocchi alla Vodka and Pesto Gnocchi are both on the dinner menu.
Save room for dessert
Finish with the Classic Tiramisu, made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone, or the Flourless Chocolate Torte. Order one to share with two spoons. An Espresso Martini doubles as dessert.
Make it a special occasion
Celebrating an anniversary or birthday? Mention it when you reserve on Toast or call (515) 274-7005. If you are a registered Franka rewards member, you also get $10 off on your birthday; join rewards before the big day. For a bigger celebration, Franka opens exclusively for private events by reservation, with a Franka chef and bartender, which suits engagement dinners and milestone birthdays.
Prefer a quieter evening? Weeknights and Sundays are relaxed, and dinner on Sunday runs until 7pm, which makes for an easy early date before the work week. If you would rather stay in, order on Toast for pickup, grab a bottle of wine at home and keep the night simple.
Planning a double date with friends from Waukee or Urbandale? Franka sits roughly in the middle, about 11 minutes from Waukee City Hall and 10 from Urbandale City Hall (OpenStreetMap estimates, without traffic).
Sample evening
Reserve for 7pm on Saturday (or simply walk in on any other night), start with a Limoncello Spritz and the Brussels sprouts, share a 14" Pancetta and a bottle of the house red, and close with tiramisu. Budget roughly for two small plates, a pizza, drinks and a dessert; see the full menu for current prices. Note that a 4% fee is added to credit card transactions.