August 2019 Newsletter




Greetings from Chef Jacques and Paul:

September will mark the 65th Anniversary of the founding of Chez François in Washington D.C.
I don’t think that my father, François, could have ever imagined then that we would still be going strong 65 years later. Many of our loyal patrons followed us from DC when we moved the restaurant to Great Falls and became an auberge.

We’ve expanded and evolved with Jacques’ Brasserie, two on-site gardens, weddings, private parties, corporate events and more and more special events.  I’m still honored and amazed at how often guests will stop to tell me their memories of eating with us in Washington D.C. and now in Great Falls, Virginia.

The painting above, gifted to my parents by Washington artist Lily Spandorf shows the sidewalk café tables of the original Chez François on Connecticut Avenue in the early 1960s. 

To mark our 65th Anniversary, we’ve scheduled a full month of special culinary events in September, kicked-off by a Labor Day Musical Sunday Summer Supper. Next up, a 65th anniversary “Friday Night on the Terrace” Wine Festival, “It’s Almost Fall” Musical Brunch, and a very special 65th Anniversary Alsatian Wine Dinner with Peter Weygandt.  Rounding out the celebrations are our wildly popular Fall Wine Festival and Luncheon and a lively Craft Beer Party featuring the award winning brews of our own Lost Rhino Brewing Company.  Now that’s a month long fun- filled with culinary happenings and festivities to honor Papa and his 65 years in this restaurant business!  

Cheers and a special toast to all our loyal patrons who have been celebrating life’s special moments with us all these years.

Chef Jacques, Paul and the family of L’Auberge Chez François and Jacques’ Brasserie



Our 65th Anniversary and Labor Day Sunday Musical Supper

Please celebrate with us on our 65th Anniversary and  Labor Day Sunday, September 1, 2019 at 5:30 PM, for another segment of our wildly popular Music and Cuisine series, with a “Musical Sunday Supper” featuring a delectable menu by Chef Jacques and team and the toe tapping and hand clapping music of Laura Van Duzer and The Chance Club Band. The Chance Club Band, featuring Laura Van Duzer (vocals, keys), Matthew Schleigh (vocals, guitar), and Jason Wilson (vocals, bass), combine strong harmonies and excellent playing, as they perform originals and covers from the 60’s thru today. Be sure to join us for a fun filled Labor Day weekend with a jamming Musical Summer Sunday Supper.
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65th Anniversary and Friday Evening Outdoor Wine Tasting Soirée

Please join Chef Jacques and our team on Friday, September 6, 2019 from 7:00-9:00 PM, as we offer you a delightful way to kick off your weekend outdoors on our beautiful grounds of L’Auberge Chez François (weather permitting), overlooking our gardens, sipping fine wines while enjoying delectable cuisine, during our 65th anniversary month long celebrations.  We will be featuring eight wines from importer Peter Weygandt, many of which are new to the Virginia market, selected to complement the transition from summer to fall.  Peter Weygandt has been an importer of French wines since 1987, gaining a national and international reputation for the quality of his selections and his portfolio of top “boutique” French wines. In recent years, he has expanded his portfolio to include Italian, German, Austrian, Australian, and Spanish wines, representing more than 100 producers. To accompany the tasting, we will be serving our seasonal canapés, and delectable bites. Merci beaucoup and see you there!
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“It’s Almost Fall” Musical Brunch
Featuring the Music of Laura Van Duzer
Join us on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 11:00 AM for a festive Sunday Brunch, on our outdoor terrace (weather permitting) as we toast the fall season, and as we celebrate 65 years of the founding of Chez François.  Today, we feature at L’Auberge Chez François, Laura Van Duzer for your listening pleasure to accompany our delectable brunch menu. Laura Van Duzer, a talented singer-songwriter, performer, pianist, and guitarist will be leading us today for all the fun.  Laura holds the position of Music Director and Performing Arts Department Chair for the Academy of Holy Cross, in Maryland, and is the former Choral Director for Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA, as well as a performer in many dinner theaters and stages in plays and musicals, and lead keyboard and vocals for The Chance Club Band. Laura will be preforming a wide variety of music, including your favorite 60’s, 70’s and 80’s along with classic show tunes and more. Spend the afternoon with us at L’Auberge Chez François as the crisp weather arrives and enjoy the view of our lovely grounds.  Vive la récolte!
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A Very Special Alsatian Wine Dinner and 65th Anniversary Celebration with Peter Weygandt

Please join us Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 7:00 PM, as we present a wine tasting and dinner featuring the wines of three excellent Alsatian producers, Domaines Albert Mann, Henry Fuchs and Schoffit, all recent arrivals in the Virginia market. This month also marks the 65th Anniversary of the founding of Chez François in Washington D.C, by Papa Haeringer, a proud Alsatian indeed.
Chef Jacques welcomes Peter Weygandt of Weygant-Metzler Importing, who will be joining our head sommelier, Alex Bardsley, to introduce these fine wines, from our Homeland of Alsace. The evening will begin with a brief reception and our seasonal canapés, followed by a tasting in two flights before the dinner, the first consisting of three diverse expressions of Riesling and the second of two opulent Gewurztraminers.  Dinner will follow. Chef Jacques has crafted a special menu to showcase their charms.
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Our Celebratory 65th Anniversary Fall Wine Festival and Luncheon 

Our popular Wine Festival and Luncheon returns on Saturday, September 21, 2019.  Please join us as we greet the fall season in style and celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the founding of Chez François in Washington DC by François Haeringer, sampling twelve wines from the world’s best producing wine regions, including, but of course, France!  Arrive anytime between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM for a walk-around tasting of these fine wines paired with Chef Jacques’ seasonal canapés.  Our sommeliers will be on-hand to guide you through the tasting and answer questions. Following the tasting, sit down and enjoy a complete luncheon of your choice from our four-course menu, paired with another glass of wine. Viva Fall and Viva François!
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Autumnal Equinox Musical Brunch and 65th Anniversary Celebration featuring Classical Guitarist Alexander Barnett 

Please join Chef Jacques on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM for our Musical Brunch on our outdoor terrace (weather permitting) as we toast the upcoming fall season, and our 65th Anniversary of Papa Haeringer’s founding of Chez François, featuring popular classical guitarist Alexander Barnett.  A local guitarist and composer, Alex’s broad range of music ranges from classical to modern and jazz. Since his first appearance at L’Auberge Chez François, Alex continues to captivate our guests with his romantic-themed performances.Chef Jacques has created a superb Sunday brunch menu for you to enjoy, accompanied by special brunch cocktails, of course, as you enjoy the afternoon’s music. Why not spend your Sunday with us, listening to beautiful music over brunch and toast to the upcoming Autumnal Equinox and 65 years of L’Auberge Chez François and Chez Francois?  Cheers!
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Sunday Craft Beer Party and 65th Anniversary Celebration on the Terrace featuring Ashburn’s Lost Rhino Brewery and Live Music

Please join us Sunday September 29, 2019 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM for a lively Craft Beer Party featuring the award winning beers of our own Ashburn’s Lost Rhino Brewing Company.  We will be featuring many of Lost Rhino’s line up, including our newest beer crafted by Lost Rhino, “Papa’s Pilsner” in honor of Papa Haeringer, our 65th anniversary and his love of beer. Enjoy specially paired seasonal canapés, appetizers, and bites as you stroll around the terrace and gardens listening to live music and sipping cold craft beer. Lost Rhino Brewers will be on-hand to guide you through the tastings of these delectable beers.
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Team member of the Month

Rafael Cruz Ramirez joined our team in June 2012. Rafael is one of our daytime dishwashers but that is not all he does. From polishing our copper ware to maintaining clean  dinning rooms, you can always count on him lend a helping hand with anything that needs to be done. Very quiet and extremely polite, Rafael always gets the job done with a smile on his face. Thank you Rafael, for all your hard work and dedication! Keep up the good job!
Monsieur François Competition


Congratulations to Kathryn Y. from McLean, Va for winning the July Monsieur François Profile Embellishment Competition. Kathryn will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François. Great work Kathryn!

Please be sure to follow L’Auberge Chez François on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for behind the scenes photos, specials, and more.

Best Culinary Wishes,
Chef Jacques

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L’Auberge Chez François
332 Springvale Rd Great Falls, VA 22066

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