Franca's Place in Bolton is about living well
By MARK PAVILONS Editor

A new Bolton restaurant promises to leave you rejuvenated and refreshed. It's sure to become your second home.

In fact, Franca's Place is a symbol of new life in many respects.

Franca Viola and her team have been revamping the building at 43 Queen Street South (at Willow), making it warm and inviting. Viola said they tried to ensure a balance of new and old, with culture, color and art. "We wanted the look to be perfect and have a warm and inviting feel - just like coming home to the smell of a homecooked meal," she said.

The deck has been extended for outdoor dining and to accommodate weddings and entertainment. A tea room will host a traditional high tea, a custom that Franca believes is needed today. School kids will be invited in to learn about high tea.

Mature trees surround the property and Viola said she will be planting more trees around the restaurant so the view is always inspiring.

Inside, the upper-level loft will be a place of meditation. They will be holding seminars and counselling on yoga for all genders and ages and posting monthly event calendars.

Viola said she put her name on the restaurant because she believes in the whole concept. "It's a beautiful building and I needed to give it a purpose, and what better than giving back to those in need?"

Viola wants to make a difference in people's lives and Franca's Place is one step in that journey.

At Franca's Place, friends and newcomers can enjoy a warm meal; share a laugh; lend an ear and have tea. It's geared toward the entire family.

From celebrating multiculturalism and encouraging positive energy to feeding the body, mind and spirit, Franca's Place will comfort you like a favorite blanket.

The menu at Franca's Place includes breakfast (a very important meal), midday brunch, half-day lunch and supper. Menu items are largely healthy foods that include gooseberry smoothies, soups and eggplant; salads; grilled vegetables; vegetarian meals and stews. Organic products will be used as much as possible.

Franca's Place will also offer a nice wine selection, mocktails, passion coffee drinks, flowering teas and hot cocoa.

Meals change with the seasons. Customers can even call ahead and have their dinners ready and waiting for them to pick up on their way home.

The warmth of Franca's Place comes from its namesake. Viola is genuinely concerned about people.

"At times, taking a break and having a cup of tea to regroup in a peaceful atmosphere is all we need to focus and move on to the important things in life - our health," she said.

Celebrating life is the idea behind the Wall of Life. The idea behind it is to help people and their families live a more comfortable life with cancer. Five "trees" reserved for different types of cancer will be created (leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, Sunshine/all other cancers and animal cancer). Individuals and companies can sponsor the trees in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,000. Donors can dictate where they'd like their money to go. The donations will be engraved on a leaf, which will be placed on a topiary tree.

Viola hopes the Wall of Life idea will "branch" out to other businesses. Franca's Place will be involved in many different events throughout the year for this worthy cause that touches everyone.

Cancer sufferers always have a standing invitation and a special place at Franca's Place.

A soft opening will be held soon by invitation only. Opening festivities include sampling menu items and teas, Zen (green tea) martinis, along with some spiritual drumming.

Franca's Place is about heart and soul. For more, call them at 905-857-7890.