Tucked away off East Via Linda in Scottsdale, Voila! French Bistro offers guests an opportunity to experience exquisite classic French cuisine.
When you enter Voila! French Bistro, you are greeted warmly by co-owner Segolene Gros and even if it is your first time, made to feel like you’re entering a friend’s home. It is an elegant “home,” with pressed white linen tablecloths and art on the walls, yet inviting and comfortable. Madame Gros and her husband, chef Jean-Christophe took a fateful trip to Scottsdale a few years ago and immediately fell in love with the area. They moved here soon after and purchased Voila! French Bistro from its previous owner, bringing with them decades of experience in the finest restaurants of eastern France. Monsieur and Madame Gros have brought the magic of fine French cuisine and leave no detail unattended to.
The wine list at Voila! has been carefully designed to feature some of the best values in French wine. Unlike some wine lists that impress you with sheer volume, Voila! goes with quality over quantity. Most of the wines can be ordered by the glass, allowing for easy pairing for each course throughout the meal.
Traditional French dishes line both the hors d’oeuvre and entrees. As explained in a much more elegant manner by Madame Gros, it is not new French cuisine (la nouvelle cuisine) but traditional-modern French cuisine (la cuisine traditionelle moderne). In the hors d’oeuvre, the œuf cocotte de fois gras de canard is rich and complex. The sunny side up eggs are done perfectly, as you’d expect from a master in the kitchen, and it is a perfect introduction to fois gras with the balsamic sauce adding the perfect touch. The moules marinières (steamed mussels with garlic, celery and white wine) are an excellent way to start the evening as well. They also make for a delicate, herbal counterpoint to the fois gras.
The entrees at Voila! are almost as beautiful to look at as they are to eat. The filet d’agneau au pesto (boneless rack of lamb with… well, pesto) is a sight to behold. The lamb is cooked perfectly with plenty of flavor and the accompanying potato and seasoned half-tomato that came with both dishes ordered are irresistible. The cuisse de canard confite sauce à l’orange (duck leg confit and orange sauce) was a continuation of the immense variety and expertise with which chef Jean-Christophe prepares his dishes. Duck à l’orange can often be a one-note, almost cloyingly sweet dish but when done by Gros, it becomes complex and nuanced.
Continuing with the selections of traditional favorites, some highlights among the dessert choices are a fluffy, caramelized crème brulée with Madagascar vanilla beans and a vanilla-raspberry souffle.
Voila! French Bistro is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. They have recently begun serving lunch as well, offering both a la carte options and prix fixe dining. For more information and to make reservations, visit voilafrenchbistro.com.
Voila! French Bistro
480.614.5600
10135 E Vía Linda, C120
Scottsdale, AZ 85258