For more than 25 years, Chef Francis Pascal built a devoted following from an unlikely setting: a historic general store in the rural village of Birchrunville. Inside the Birchrunville Store Café, Pascal quietly perfected an intimate style of dining where French technique met Italian soul, earning near-mythic status among Philadelphia-area diners who prized consistency, restraint, and heart over flash.
Born in the south of France with deep Italian roots, Pascal’s culinary story began at home, making pasta with family beneath olive trees that would later inspire the name of his newest restaurant. Classically trained in France and Italy, he came to Philadelphia in 1989, working under Chef Nunzio Patruno at the Monte Carlo Living Room and helping launch beloved restaurants such as Primavera.
In 1999, he chose Birchrunville as his home base, later expanding alongside his wife, Nui, with Butterscotch Pastry Shop, a sun-filled café offering world-class pastries and artisanal lunches with the same thoughtful execution as his fine-dining work.
Now, Pascal enters a new chapter with L’Olivo Trattoria in Exton’s Eagleview Town Center. A return to his Italian heritage, L’Olivo focuses on house-made pastas, slow-cooked meats, and simply prepared seafood inspired by central Italy. More than a new restaurant, it marks Pascal’s transition from quiet craftsman to mentor and leader.
“L’Olivo is the realization of a lifelong dream,” Francis says. ”After decades in the kitchen, I wanted to create a space that celebrates the long, laughter-filled hours spent at the table with family.”
Learn more by visiting the website: https://lolivotrattoria.com/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolivo_trattoria/
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Marilyn Johnson
Food enthusiast. Travel lover. Social media maven. Independent Journalist. Food marketing/PR. https://sogoodpr.com/ https://original.newsbreak.com/@marilyn-johnson-1587690 https://southjerseyfoodscene.com/ Email: phillygrub@gmail.com
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