Restaurant Opening: Francine

Valley native and classically French trained Executive Chef Brian Archibald will lead the culinary team at FRANCINE, a new Mediterranean fine dining restaurant opening this week in the luxury wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Anchored by the cuisine and inspired design from the South of France, FRANCINE will officially open for dinner on Friday, August 14th at 5:00p.m. The new up-scale concept will be located alongside and near other notable restaurants including Nobu, Toca Madera and Ocean 44. 

FRANCINE is the brain child of acclaimed restaurateur Laurent Halasz, who is best known for his successful FIG & OLIVE.

Serving alongside Halasz will be FRANCINE’s Executive Chef Brian Archibald who brings nearly three decades of culinary leadership experience including tenures at The Phoenician, Boulders Resort, JW Marriott Resort and Spa and several other top resorts around the globe.

Opening initially for dinner and then with lunch and brunch to come in September, Archibald hopes to transports guests to a place in time when they dine at FRANCINE.

“When you walk into the dining room we want our guests to feel like they’ve been transported to the French Rivera. We have created a relaxing and warm coastal feel with casual elegance and similar to the atmosphere, FRANCINE’s cuisine will feature all the seasonal flavors one would find in the Mediterranean prepared in a very soulful way,” said Archibald.

With decades of experience leading award winning kitchens, Chef Archibald says his longstanding relationships with local farms and purveyors will allow FRANCINE to showcase some extraordinary dishes.

Among those signature dishes guests can expect to see on the dinner menu Grilled Octopus, Zucchini Carpaccio, Salad Nicoise, Ratatouille Tart, Steak Tartare, Mushroom & Taleggio Pizza, Bone Marrow, Bouillabaisse, Striped Bass, Seared Duck a la Provencal. For lunch and afternoon hours, the menu will also offer a selection of salads, carpaccio, pizza, and informal and shareable dishes.

Every meal is a celebration at FRANCINE. Guests gather for an expertly-crafted French Mediterranean menu that honors ingredients and serves it in the sophisticated warmth of the plant-filled 5,000 square-foot space. The grand dining room features floor to ceiling windows, unique artwork, a rustic fireplace, and a marble bar.

As a well-known and respected restauranteur, Halasz also brings a wealth of culinary knowledge to the Valley restaurant scene and FRANCINE is Halasz’s most personal project to date. 

Halasz, who was raised in the South of France amidst the bounty of simple and soulful cuisine draws inspiration from his birthplace.  FRANCINE is a spirited and loving homage to days spent in the sun and amongst gatherings around beautiful meals hosted by his mother Francine Halasz.

“Everything on my mother’s table was fresh, seasonal, and full of flavor, and that is exactly what FRANCINE will offer our guests,” says Halasz. “We are so excited to finally open our doors and bring our new take on classic French Mediterranean cuisine to Scottsdale this summer.” 

FRANCINE’s is located in the luxury wing at Scottsdale Fashion Square 4710 N Goldwater Boulevard.  The restaurant phone number is (480) 690-6180 or visit francinerestaurant.com.

For more information on FRANCINE visit www.francinerestaurant.com.

For media inquiries please contact Jennifer Parks-Sturgeon at Jparks-Sturgeon@RoseMoserAllynPR.com or call (480) 495-3806.