About Us
Three Unique Concepts. One Passion for Excellence.
At the heart of everything we do is a love for exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and creating memorable experiences around the table.
Chef Francis and his wife, Nui, are the owners behind three distinctive Chester County culinary destinations: **Birchrunville Store Café, Butterscotch Pastry Shop, and L’Olivo Trattoria.** Each has its own personality, but all are built on the same foundation—quality ingredients, creativity, thoughtful service, and a true passion for hospitality.
With classical training in French and Italian cuisine and more than three decades of experience, Chef Francis brings technique, artistry, and imagination to every concept. Nui brings a culinary and hospitality story of her own. Before building their family of restaurants together, Nui previously owned Thai L’Elephant and Nui Nui Kitchen in Phoenixville where she shared the vibrant flavors of her Thai heritage and developed the warm, personal approach to hospitality she brings to their restaurants today.
Together, Francis and Nui have created more than restaurants. They have created places for people to gather, celebrate, connect, and return to again and again—from the intimate dining experience at Birchrunville Store Café, to handcrafted pastries and coffee at Butterscotch, to the lively Italian-inspired atmosphere of L’Olivo.
At L’Olivo Trattoria, Executive Chef **Jon Amann**, formerly of Amani, leads the kitchen with creativity, passion, and a fresh culinary perspective. Working alongside Chef Francis, he brings together Italian tradition, modern technique, and unexpected touches to create a menu that feels both familiar and distinctly L’Olivo.
Leading the front of the house, General Manager **Joseph Strano** brings warmth, professionalism, and a genuine passion for hospitality. His attention to detail and commitment to our guests help ensure that every visit—from a casual lunch or cocktail at the bar to a special celebration—is welcoming, polished, and memorable.
Above all, we are incredibly grateful to the community that has supported us throughout the years. It is a privilege to welcome you to our restaurants, share our food with you, and be part of your celebrations and everyday moments.
Meet Chef Francis Pascal
Originally from France, **Chef Francis Pascal** began his culinary journey with classical French training before expanding his experience in the kitchens of both France and Italy. In 1989, his career brought him across the Atlantic to the United States, where he continued to develop the distinctive culinary style that would eventually become his signature.
In 1999, Chef Francis opened **Birchrunville Store Café**, an intimate restaurant tucked away in the village of Birchrunville. For more than 26 years, the restaurant has reflected his approach to cooking—rooted in classical technique while allowing room for creativity, seasonality, and unexpected influences.
Chef Francis’s cuisine has never been defined by just one tradition. His French training, years spent in Italy, Italian family heritage, and decades of experience in the kitchen have shaped a style that is distinctly his own.
Today, that journey continues at **L’Olivo Trattoria**, a concept especially close to his heart. Inspired by his Italian roots and his mother’s heritage, L’Olivo gives Chef Francis the opportunity to celebrate the flavors and traditions that have been part of his life from the beginning.
For Chef Francis, cooking has always been about more than what arrives on the plate. It is about "family, tradition, creativity, and the simple joy of bringing people together around the table."
Executive Chef Jonathan Amann
Cooking has always been at the heart of Chef’s life—rooted in family, tradition, and the joy of bringing people together. After graduating with honors from Johnson & Wales University, he began his culinary career in Manhattan at Hudson River Club before continuing his journey at Maggiano’s Little Italy and Sullivan’s Steakhouse in King of Prussia.
He later became Managing Partner, General Manager, and Executive Chef at Grady David’s before going on to open and lead his own acclaimed concepts, Amani’s BYOB and Amani’s North in Downingtown.
Recognized as one of the best chefs in Chester County.
Today, as Executive Chef of L’Olivo Trattoria, Jon brings his experience, creativity, and passion to the kitchen, working alongside Chef Francis to honor Italian tradition while bringing fresh ideas and unexpected touches to the menu. Their shared respect for great food and creative approach to cooking are at the heart of what makes L’Olivo distinctly its own.
The Story Behind Our Name
L’Olivo (Lo-Li-Vo) means The Olive Tree—a symbol of peace, friendship, and longevity.
For me, it is also a tribute—a way to honor my mother’s heritage and the traditions she passed down to me. It brings me back to my childhood in Gubbio, where time seemed to slow down and life revolved around the table. Surrounded by olive trees, I spent countless hours with my family—hands dusted in flour, learning to craft pasta alongside my mother, sharing stories, laughter, and simple, beautiful meals.
Those moments shaped everything I believe about food and hospitality. They taught me that a meal is never just about what’s on the plate—it’s about connection, tradition, and the people you share it with.
L’Olivo Trattoria was created to bring that feeling to life. A place where guests can gather, linger a little longer, and experience the warmth, joy, and spirit of an Italian table—just as I remember it.
