Finding French fare in metro Phoenix isn’t as hard, the Valley brims with Provincial cuisine. From escargot to steak frites to chocolate souffle, there’s plenty of ways to indulge. We clocked 10 of the best in town, including two places that have served the area for decades.
Café Paris
Since 2007, Café Paris has served classic French fare thanks to owners Arnaud Catois, a chef with 25 years of experience, and Caroline Catois. Located in Scottsdale, Café Paris serves breakfast and lunch, including dishes such as Croque Monsieur, Quiche Lorraine, and omelets. But the real focus remains on crepes.
The classic French pancake is served all day and comes in both sweet and savory options. Some dessert varieties include Nutella, honey, and sliced almonds. The fruit crepe comes filled with vanilla custard cream and red berries. Savory options range from classic combinations to more modern mixings. Guests can order Madame, which is made with ham, Swiss cheese, bechamel sauce, and a sunny side up egg. For example, Crepes BBQ mixes chicken, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and creamy barbecue sauce. 15125 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, cafeparisaz.com
Vincent’s on Camelback
For nearly four decades, diners have flocked to Vincent’s on Camelback for French dishes made with Southwestern ingredients. Named after the owner Vincent Guerithault, a James Beard award-winning chef from France, the restaurant opened in 1986. Guerithault honed his cooking skills in his home country, and arrived in the United States in 1976.
Aside from the excellent recipes, the menu at Vicent’s changes daily. For example, one day you might have Lobster Bisque and Veal Loin, and the next Beef Tenderloin and Macadamia Crusted Sea Scallops. Diners who really want to go all out can order the Vincent’s Discovery Menu, a seven-course tasting showcasing a mix of the restaurant’s classics as well as newer menu items. Drink pairings from the award-winning wine list just adds to the experience. 3930 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, vincentsoncamelback.com
Sottise
Hip French bistro Sottise resides in a brick home in downtown Phoenix. Inside, the exposed brick walls complement wood floors, the black wicker chairs, and white tables. As for the food, Sottise pays tribute to classic French fare by using old world cooking techniques such as curing, fermenting and pickling. The current menu features Baked Brie, Onion Soup, Beef Bourguignon, and Escargot de Bourgogne. Don’t miss the Croque Madame, either, it’s a decadent dish that’s remained a favorite and pairs well with one of the wines, there’s over 100 bottles to choose from. 1025 N. 2nd St., Phoenix, sottisephx.com
Viola French Bistro
Viola’s entire team has deep French roots. Current owners Sandrine and Luc Ducrocq are both from Paris. Chef Maxime Rudowski spent over 20 years in France honing his cooking skills and especially loves to focus on creating classic French dishes with a modern flair.
Diners can dig into a delicate cheese plate, buttery escargot, and foie gras cappuccino, complete with cognac and cream. Entrees include Steak Tartare and Coq au Vin. French pastries have also made the scene thanks to pastry chef Cecile Fond, who started her career in France at L’Arnsbourg in Alsace, and was trained at the Ferrandi pastry school in Paris. 10135 E. Via Linda, Ste. C120, Scottsdale, voilafrenchbistro.com
Zinc Bistro
Located in Scottsdale’s Kierland Commons, Zinc Bistro feels decidedly European, with a strong leaning toward the French side. That’s especially apparent when you take a seat in one of the wicker chairs at a small marble table, perfect for watching the shoppers stroll by. Inside, snag one of the plush red booths or a place at the long marble bar.
Celebrated chef Matt Carter is the culinary force behind Zinc Bistro, which opened in 2001. The menu features plenty of classic, decadent French cuisine such as the Onion Soup Gratinee, which is served in a white bowl brimming with melty aged gruyere.
The rest of the dinner menu rounds out with shellfish, steak tartare, salads, three different steaks entrees, and the Ahi Tuna Steak Bordelaise with a spiced peppercorn crust, bok choy, parsley, black truffle, and bone marrow. The bistro also serves lunch and a Sunday brunch. For dessert, you can never go wrong with the classic Zinc Valrhona Chocolate Souffle. 15034 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, zincbistro.com
JL Patisserie
JL Patisserie founder and chef Jenna Lerquin trained at the Le Cordon Bleu Paris, in both cuisine and pastry. Because of this training, her three eponymous bakeries are dedicated to crafting high-quality French pastries.
Underneath the glass cases, customers can order macarons, cookies, bread, and croissants, with the Chocolate Pistachio Croissant as the bakery’s signature offering. Pick up take-and-bake options such as the Ham and Cheese Croissants, French Baguette, and Chocolate Croissants. JL Patisserie also offers in-person and online baking classes. Multiple locations, jlpatisserie.com
Cuisine & Wine Bistro
Chef Fabrice Bucshtetz spent over 30 years cooking in French kitchens before relocating to Arizona and opening Cuisine & Wine Bistro in 2015. Today, he and his wife, Mairead Buschtetz, run the restaurant together. Like most prominent French restaurants, Cuisine & Wine Bistro is well known for escargot, as well as steamed mussels that come in a weekly, rotating sauce.
Also look for classic frog legs served in garlic parsley butter, and a French baguette slathered with whipped butter. Entrees include Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon, Herb Crusted Lamb, and Filet de Canard, served with black cherry confit, duck jus, and potatoes sarladaise. Consider capping off a meal with Crème Brulee or Crepes Suzette. 4991 S. Alma School Rd, #101, Chandler, cuisineandwinebistro.com
Francine
Just a few steps from the main entrance of Scottsdale Fashion Square’s luxury wing, Francine beckons with a sophisticated setting and stellar cuisine. During the day, light streams in and illuminates the striking marble bar. At night, that same bar seemingly glows from the bar’s underlighting.
Chef and founder Laurent Halasz developed the restaurant as an homage to his native southern France, and named it for his mother, Francine Halasz. Over the years, the chef has recreated specialties from the region like the Seared Tuna Salad, Rosemary Lamb Chops, Sea Salt Crust Branzino, and Grilled Octopus. 4710 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale, francinerestaurant.com
Le ‘Ame
Housed inside central Phoenix’s buzzy hotel, The Global Ambassador, Le ‘Ame a Parisian steakhouse situated on the ground floor, just off the lobby. The restaurant is chic and backed by culinary giant Sam Fox of Fox Restaurant Concepts (national chains Flower Child, North Italia, and True Food Kitchen). It’s filled with plush leather booths, marble tables, and plenty of windows overlooking the hotel’s main courtyard.
Best of all, Le ‘Ame features an open kitchen in the back where diners can watch as chefs prepare the food. On the menu, expect decadent and indulgent fare such as oysters and caviar. Even the bread here is upscale. For example, the Pretzel EPI is served with rich raclette fondue, wholegrain mustard, and chopped chives. Choice appetizers include French Onion Soup and Escargot French Quarter. Don’t miss the steak frites either, with three different types, including truffle, crispy onion, and a classic version, you can’t go wrong. Before heading out, snag a classic French pastry from Le Market at the front of the hotel lobby. 4360 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, globalambassadorhotel.com
Le Sans Souci French Restaurant
In 1958, Louis German landed in Scottsdale and opened Chez-Louis in Old Town Scottsdale. Four years later, German opened Le Sans Souci in Cave Creek, and it’s still operating today.
Now, head chef Jose Rivera, who started working at the restaurant in 1995, maintains German’s recipes, including Duck a L’Orange, Dover Sole Meuniere, Poached Salmon, Steak au Poivre, and a succulent rack of lamb. Desserts include plenty of French classics like a Souffle, Profiterole, and Chocolate Mousse. Le Sans Souci also serves lunch, a four-course dinner menu, and a Sunday brunch. 7030 E. Bella Vista Dr., Cave Creek, lesanssoucirestaurant.com
