BON APPÉTIT You don’t need a passport for authentic French food KITCHEN DOORS { let’s eat } OCTOBER 2021 | 74 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA

From croissants to crème brulee, many venues offer a taste of France in the desert. The Buschtetz family owns Cuisine and Wine Bistro , a fine-dining French restaurant in Chandler. The family also owns B Gastrobar, Copper and Logs and Frenchie Pizza in Gilbert. Máiréad Buschtetz and her husband Fabrice opened their first restaurant in France in 1988. They lived in France for 25 years before moving their family to Arizona in 2013. “My husband is an excellent chef with an exquisite palate and there are so many flavors he can bring to the table with his extensive culinary background and the wonderful flavors of the Southwest,” said Buschtetz. The restaurant’s most popular items include beef and lobster Wellingtons and desserts such as crème brulee. “You travel from the moment you push open the door,” said Buschtetz. “It gives everyone an opportunity to experience another culture without leaving the Valley.” Photo courtesy of JL Patisserie Photo courtesy of Francine “ You travel from the moment you push open the door.” Cuisine and Wine Bistro is known for its French wines and was awarded a 2021 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its extensive wine selection. Son Killian serves as the restaurant’s sommelier. “He guides our customers through the complexity of flavors found in wines and how to pair them with his father’s food,” Buschtetz said. Speaking of parents, restaurateur Laurent Halasz was inspired by meals hosted by his mother and went on to open Francine in 2020, bringing the Mediterranean flavors of the South of France to Scottsdale Fashion Square. Francine’s menu focuses on fresh seasonal ingredients utilizing local suppliers, including Crow’s Dairy, Steadfast Farm, Abby Lee Farms, Two Wash Ranch, Chula Seafood and Mediterra Bakehouse. “We are very proud to support local Arizona farms,” said Brian Archibald, executive chef at Francine. “We pride ourselves in using only the highest quality of ingredients and it is an honor to be able to use Arizona produce, cheese and meat to create beautifully crafted Mediterranean dishes.” continued... Photo courtesy of Cuisine and Wine Bistro FRONTDOORS MEDIA | 75 | OCTOBER 2021