FRANCINE, the highly acclaimed French-inspired Mediterranean cuisine restaurant in the luxury wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square, is giving diners their first taste of its signature dishes now incorporating a new high-end olive oil.

The olive oils now being used in Chef Brian Archibald’s dishes come from MillPress Imports Owner Tim Balshi.
20 years ago, Balshi started in the oil and vinegar business as an importer and later a producer in the South of Spain. After marrying his wife and taking over her family’s olive groves, Balshi became one of the first people in the United States to bring fresh, high quality early crush extra virgin olive oil.

Then 15 years ago, FRANCINE Owner and Founder Laurent Halasz and Tim Balshi came together to pioneer olive oil in New York starting with the olive oil program at FIG & OLIVE, the first restaurant in the country to focus on extra virgin olive oil as the main ingredient. What makes Balshi’s extra virgin olive oil so special is the early crushing technique. By crushing the fruit earlier in the season, the quality tends to be higher. “The quality behind crushing the fruit early in the season shines with its high aromatics, enormous amounts of fruitiness, bitterness and pungency,” says Tim Balshi.

Guests dining at FRANCINE can look forward to a Salmon Carpaccio with avocado, pine nut and dill, paired with Ayvalik olive oil from Turkey and a 2018 Albert Bichot Macon Villages wine. Another popular dish guests at FRANCINE will discover is the Mediterranean Branzino with tomato sauce vierge and panisse paired with Aguilar Hojiblanca olive oil from Spain and a 2018 Vermentino di Sardegna, Pala ‘I Fiori’ wine. For a third option, guests are invited to try the Grilled Lamb Rack with Koroneiki olive oil from Spain, rosemary pesto, olive powder, gnocchi, and herb d province paired with a 2014 Chateau Sociando Haut-Médoc wine. Then to finish off the dinner try a Green Apple Sorbet with Asian pear and pistachio for dessert with Aguilar Arbequina olive oil from Spain and a 2019 Domaine Maubet Cotes de Gascogne wine.

The olive oils are also being used in many of other dishes at FRANCINE Restaurant. All CDC safety protocols and social distancing are being enforced. FRANCINE Restaurant is located in the luxury wing at Scottsdale Fashion Square at 4710 N. Goldwater Boulevard in Scottsdale. For reservations, call 480-690-6180 or visit francinerestaurant.com.