Taking the lead from European-style bistros, Zinqué at Scottsdale Fashion Square is a casual and comfortable restaurant that provides approachable and affordable French cuisine and small plates. During a recent dinner at Zinqué, we experienced entrees and sides that skew to the Mediterranean side of French cuisine — so, less on the heavy cream and cheese sauces and featuring more vegetables and seafood. The owners hail from Marseille, France and their authenticity and influence permeate every part of the restaurant.

Zinqué musts:

• Try the Unicorn Tears cocktail
• Include the Potato Gratin Dauphinois as an addition to your tapas
• Order the Spanish Chickpea Curry

Situated with its front door right outside of the luxury wing at Scottsdale Fashion Square, Zinqué is anything but pretentious and stuffy. Boasting light, bright, open and airy indoor and outdoor seating, our entire dining experience was very relaxed and allowed us to kick back and enjoy the trees and greenery on the adjacent outdoor patio while we enjoyed our cocktails and dinner.

Happy hour

Happy hour is a delight and is available 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the bar and high tables. Specials include craft cocktails, select wines by the glass and small tapas. The best deal is to pick three selections off the small tapas menu for $22. A selection of three small tapas is nearly enough for a full meal — a great value, especially if you are dining with another person or a small group.

First: The cocktails! The Innerbloom cocktail is a light and refreshing choice that includes basil-infused vodka, hibiscus, blackberry, pomegranate and a splash of bubbly. Another cocktail that is simply gorgeous is the whimsically monikered, Unicorn Tears with butterfly pea-infused gin, St. Germain, Italicus and lemon. The stunning blue-purple color swirls into a dreamy concoction, once stirred. Both cocktails present beautiful colors and are surprisingly well-balanced and not too sweet. Bravo to the mixologist who created such beautiful and approachable cocktails that perfectly compliment Zinqué’s menu.

Tapas

We started our Zinqué culinary journey with a traditional charcuterie board including rosetta de Lyon salami, prosciutto, pate de campagne, nduja pickles, caperberries, pickled onions, two styles of mustard, and complimented with ciabatta and toasted bread.

Next was a variety of small tapas, so we could experience different flavors. The Deviled Eggs showed up to our table first. These delights are dressed with pickled cucumbers, dill, chips and sriracha mayo. We also tried the Falafels with reamy tahini and a small collection of herbed greens. Although not necessarily French, this is an exquisite little dish with a unique blend of textures, flavors and tang.

Our third small tapas selection was the Potato Gratin Dauphinois. The potatoes aresliced impossibly thin, and the dish is different and much lighter than an American-style potatoes au gratin. If potatoes could melt in your mouth, this is the closest I’ve ever found to achieving that.

The Zucchini and Onion Roman Petite Pizzas are an absolute must. The little square-cut pizza slices are simply heavenly, and instead of utilizing a traditional mozzarella, are made with comté cheese, giving the nosh an entirely different taste and texture. The soft cheese makes an incredible difference, compared to eating a traditional piece of pizza.

Mains

For dinner, the Steak-Frites is a unique interpretation that includes a tender and appealing steak, perfectly flavorful all by itself. The addition of chimichurri and peppercorn dips, each in their own petite bowl is a flavor departure from the usual. 

I chose the intriguing Spanish Chickpea Curry for my main entrée, since I’ve yet to encounter a dish like it at any other restaurant. Although a perfect vegan dish on its own, I opted to add shrimp. This is a unique dish with a perfect balance of texture and taste, plus a tiny hint of spice, and includes spinach, brown and forbidden rice, cilantro and lime, complimented with a soft focaccia bread.

We enjoyed dinner and the relaxed atmosphere at Zinqué, and there is much more to experience there. Breakfast, brunch and lunch are offered 7 a.m.-4 p.m., making this delicious hot spot irresistibly versatile. Traditional breakfast offerings are included on the menu, plus salads and a large variety of tartines. In a rush? Grab coffee, tea, pastries or any of their incredible smoothies before you take off on your shopping adventure at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Details

Zinqué is located on the north side of Scottsdale Fashion Square sandwiched between Francine and Tocaya restaurants. Additional locations in the Southwest include Venice, West Hollywood, Newport, Downtown Los Angeles, San Diego, Century City, Malibu and Santa Monica. For more information, visit www.lezinque.com.