Francine, the Scottsdale-based restaurant known for its beautifully crafted French Mediterranean cuisine, is celebrating the start of 2024 with a new seasonal menu crafted by a brand-new Michelin-trained executive chef.
The refreshed menu will take guests on a culinary journey showcasing the “Cuisine of the Sun” and the flavor profiles that are often found in the French Riviera, featuring seasonal and contemporary creations by Francine’s new Executive Chef Remy Lefebvre, who brings more than 20 years of global culinary experience in Michelin Star restaurants and luxurious hotels with a focus on French Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
“Chef Remy has an exceptional resume. He’s been named one of the top chefs in Singapore and he has led the culinary teams for many of the world’s best restaurants,” says Francine Founder and Owner Laurent Halasz. “He has a big focus on sourcing his dishes locally, and uses only the most organic and seasonal ingredients. Chef Remy brings a vibrant and soulful twist to his French Mediterranean cuisine and we are extremely honored and proud to now have him leading our culinary team here at FRANCINE.”
Having been born in France and worked extensively in the Mediterranean region, Lefebvre brings a wealth of experience to Francine. Lefebvre most recently served as the executive chef at AVA MediterrAegean, which was recognized in the Florida Michelin Guide. Before that role, Remy served as the chef de cuisine at the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore and the acclaimed Restaurant Casa.
“Cooking is my life and food is my culture,” says Lefebvre. “What I am able to do every day in the kitchen feels like magic and I am thrilled to be able to do what I love most of all here at Francine. Laurent has started something very special here and I’m excited to take it to the next level and introduce some new contemporary dishes here at FRANCINE.”
Guests can expect a vast new list of signature dishes, including a savory Crab Taramasalata with crispy socca; a flavorful Smoked Eggplant dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, espelette and a silky tahini dressing; a new take on Tuna Tartare featuring white soy, lemon and avocado; as well as a grilled Spanish Octopus served with arrabbiata sauce, tapenade and grilled slices of zucchini seasoned with the powder of black Omani lemon.
Other dishes to look forward to are a Chopped Spinach Salad with feta, honey dressing and pecans; Grilled Blue Prawns from the pristine waters of New Caledonia seasoned with paprika oil and served with an addictive toum aioli; and a must-try Rack of Lamb from Australia served with confit piquillo pepper, Mauresque sauce and aromatic herbs. Guests can also indulge in the new Grilled Skuna Bay Salmon dish, a classic Duck Pithiviers, Branzino in a salt crust and delectable brussels sprouts.
For dessert, try the Classic Profiterole and Maxi Profiterole stuffed with vanilla ice cream and whipped vanilla ganache and complemented with a decadent hot chocolate sauce.
The new menu and dishes will change seasonally depending on availability. Francine Restaurant is located in the luxury wing at Scottsdale Fashion Square at 4710 N Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. To make a reservation visit, francinerestaurant.com.
Photos courtesy Francine
