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October 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

We’ve just returned from our 2017 Rhine River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel and the trip was a terrific success. Many thanks to the 120 patrons who joined us for the sold-out trip. It was a pleasure traveling with all of you to some of the great culinary destinations of the world. For those who didn’t make this year’s trip, stay tuned at laubergechezfrancois.com for the next trip and all of our special events.

There’s plenty going on right here at home too. Our upcoming events include an entertaining night of rock and roll with Steve Lauri of the famed band The Hollies, French artisanal cheese cooking demonstration and luncheon with cheese monger Karen Dee, a musical brunch with pianist extraordinaire Wade Beach, and our always popular Wine Festival and Luncheon.

Did I mention we still have of greens, haricots verts, cabbages, peppers, and other produce coming in from the garden? You’ll find our garden produce featured on the regular menus at L’Auberge and Jacques’ Brasserie. If you haven’t enjoyed our fresh garden produce yet this year, there is still time.

Until next month,
Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team of L’Auberge Chez François

Paul Hobbs Wine Dinner

Please join us Thursday, November 2nd at 6:30pm at L’Auberge Chez François as we host a dinner featuring the wines of famous winemaker Paul Hobbs. Dubbed “the Steve Jobs of Wine” by Forbes, the exacting Hobbs has worked with producers such as Robert Mondavi, Simi Winery and Peter Michael. We will be welcoming Charlie Plummer, National Sales Director for Paul Hobbs, to present a range of stunning wines, including several single-vineyard designates, and Chef Jacques has designed an enticing tasting menu to complement them.

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Wine Festival and Luncheon

Our popular Wine Festival and Luncheon returns on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Please join us as we sample twelve wines from Spain, Oregon, Argentina, Virginia, and of course, France. Arrive anytime between 11:30am and 1:00pm 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.

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Musique et Cuisine featuring Steve Lauri of The Hollies

You are cordially invited to a special edition of the Musique et Cuisine series on Sunday, November 12 at 6:00pm. In honor of Chef Jacques’ birthday, we will be welcoming back Steve Lauri of The Hollies, his all-time favorite band. To add to the evening’s festivities, Chef Jacques will join Lauri on-stage and play the drums, his much-loved hobby. Please join us at L’Auberge Chez François for a dinner, performance, and birthday celebration that you won’t want to miss!

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Cheese Lovers Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Please join us at L’Auberge Chez François on Friday, November 17 at 11:00am for a Cheese Lovers Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon. Cheese Monger from International Gourmet Foods, Karen Dee, will be presenting local and imported cheeses that will be incorporated into some of Chef Jacques’ favorite recipes. After the demonstration, enjoy a fromage-inspired four-course luncheon paired with three delectable wines that have been specially selected by our sommelier.

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Piano Brunch with Wade Beach

Please join us on Sunday, November 19 at 11:00am for another installment of our Musical Brunch featuring pianist Wade Beach. He entered the world of jazz as a protégé of Sir Roland Hanna and toured the globe many times over with the U.S. Airforce Airmen of Note. He is widely respected for his harmonic sophistication, superb command of the piano, and a broad stylistic palette. Wade has been a key pillar of the Washington jazz scene for decades. Enjoy your afternoon feasting on Chef Jacques’ special four-course menu accompanied with classic brunch cocktails.

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Au Revoir, Monsieur Georges

This month we recognize our long-time dining room manager and host, Georges Torchio. He began working at L’Auberge Chez François in 2001 and provided exceptional service to our guests and co-workers alike. He was always willing to help and made every customer feel as though they were a guest in his own home. In addition to his regular duties, Georges serenaded our guests every Bastille Day with the French national anthem, a true patriot for his home country. We will greatly miss Monsieur Georges and we wish him all the best for his well deserved retirement!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Douglas M. of Clifton, Virginia for winning the April Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Douglas will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

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

September 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

We’ve had a lovely season serving al fresco on the terrace and I predict a few more weeks of excellent outdoor dining (a chef’s weather predictions are always more accurate than the weatherman’s). Summer produce will remain with us for several more weeks as well. I’m still making my popular corn royale and our famous tomato salad from the garden. If you haven’t yet made it out to dine on the terrace during these warmer months, there is still time for a summeresque meal outside.

Looking to October, we have an exciting line-up of special events planned for you. We’re hosting our second Full Moon Party co-hosted with Michel Veniat and Charles Ducker from Domaine Louis Latour, a brunch featuring fall produce from the garden, and a special Chef’s Table dinner with Wines of Substance from Washington State. I’m also very excited about our evening of tasting the Burgundy wines of the Boisset Collection on October 19. We’ll be sampling Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines plus several others from the Boisset Collection over the course of a sumptuous evening of delicious food and wine. If you’re a lover of Burgundy wines like me then this event is not to be missed.

I hope to see you soon at Jacques’ Brasserie or L’Auberge and wish you a delicious end of summer.

Full Moon Garden Party with Domaine Louis Latour Wines

Please join Chef Jacques and the team at L’Auberge Chez Franҫois on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 6:30pm for our second full moon fête on our outdoor terrace (weather permitting). We are also thrilled to feature the wines of Domaine Louis Latour with special guests Michel Veniat and Charles Ducker. Wine and dine on Chef Jacques’ specially-created menu as we toast the moon’s fire, abundance, power and vitality. Those intrepid enough can join Chef Jacques to conclude the evening by howling at the moon, the chef’s tradition to ensure a bountiful harvesting season.

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Chef Jacques’ Table featuring Wines of Substance

Please join Chef Jacques’ and team on October 12, 2017 at 6:30pm as we welcome Wines of Substance, co-hosted by Kelly Smith, Global Brand Ambassador. Formerly known as K Vintners and Charles Smith Wines, the collection was launched in Walla Walla, Washington by self-taught winemaker, Charles Smith. K Vintners is the largest independent and winemaker-owned winery in Washington state. Top accolades include being named Food & Wine Magazine’s “Winemaker of the Year” in 2009 and Wine Enthusiast’s “Winemaker of the Year” in 2014. Hope to see you there!

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Boisset Wine Dinner and Soirée

You are cordially invited to join us on Thursday, October 19 at 6:30pm for an evening of wine, food, and fun. You will experience a guided tasting of eight Jean Claude Boisset Premier Grand Cru Burgundies, followed by a sumptuous dinner created by Chef Jacques, accompanied by several more wines and festivities, including “tales of yore, singing and much merriment” according to our presenter, Neil Ruane. We kindly ask you to wear Burgundy in color to add to this “not to be missed” event!

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Garden Harvest Sunday Brunch

Join us on Sunday, October 22nd at 11:00am for a Harvest Sunday Brunch on our outdoor terrace (weather permitting) as we toast the fall season. The festive menu will be featuring a variety of fall favorites including Virginia apple cider cocktails, Bloody Marys, Crémant d’Alsace and classic French dishes. Spend the afternoon at L’Auberge Chez François as the crisp weather arrives and you will enjoy the view of our lovely grounds and the changing colors of the leaves. Vive la récolte!

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Team Member of the Month

Antonio Rivera has been directing our kitchen for over a decade. He leads the prep stations, butchers the meats, and heads the hot foods line. Many of the new menu specials are inspired by Antonio’s ideas. His sense of humor and personality help to bring a friendly comradery amongst the staff. We thank Antonio for his many years of service.

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Sarah A. of Gaithersburg, Maryland for winning the August Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Sarah will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

L’Auberge Chez François
332 Springvale Rd Great Falls, VA 22066
Mail Us : chezlauberge@aol.com
Call Us : 703-759-3800

L’Auberge Social
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August 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

We’re just over a month away from our Romantic Rhine River Cruise with Tauck Tours. I’m excited to be leading over one hundred patrons on this fabulous food and wine tour of Europe. We’re starting in Amsterdam and finishing in Basel and I’ve packed the schedule with wineries and restaurants for us to visit along the way. We’ve almost sold out the entire boat but there are still a few cabins available for those who are interested. You can find out more details about the cruise here. Also in September, I can now confirm that Steve Lauri of the famed band The Hollies will be playing his second concert at L’Auberge. Last year’s Musique et Cuisine Dinner with Steve was an incredible, sold-out night of Rock and Roll and delicious food.

Did I mention that the garden is bursting with tomatoes right now? Our famous tomato salads are on the menu and it is included with the price of your meal at L’Auberge. You’ll also find our house-made Garden Bloody Marys on our weekend brunch menu, cold gazpacho soup, and warm tomato bisque. I hope to see you soon so you may enjoy the tastes of summer.

Warm regards,
Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team at L’Auberge Chez François

Wine Festival and Luncheon

Our popular Wine Festival and Luncheon returns on Saturday, September 2, 2017. Please join us as we sample twelve wines from California, Germany, Chile, Austria, and of course, France. Arrive anytime between 11:30 and 1:00pm 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.

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Musique et Cuisine featuring Steve Lauri of The Hollies

We are thrilled to announce an encore performance on Friday, September 8 at 7:00pm featuring Steve Lauri, world-renowned singer/songwriter and member of the legendary British band The Hollies.The Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 and are known for their many hits such as “Just One Look” and “The Air That I Breathe”. With a new album on the horizon, Steve will preview a few of his new songs for us.

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Silver Oak Winery Dinner

Please join us at L’Auberge Chez François on Wednesday, September 13 at 6:30pm as we welcome Silver Oak Winery for a special dinner collaboration. Silver Oak is best known for exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon which has been in production for over 40 years at their Napa Valley and Alexander Valley wineries. Our menu will feature Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot from their sister property, Twomey Vineyards. Jim Flood, Southeastern Sales Ambassador for Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars will discuss each wine pairing. Hope to see you there.

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Musical Brunch featuring
Jarrett Laskey

Please join us on Sunday, September 17 at 11:00am for another installment in our musical brunch series. This month we will be welcoming back guitarist Jarrett Laskey as he performs his repertoire of classical and contemporary music favorites. Formally trained and educated, Jarrett creates an elegant ambiance to your afternoon while dining on Chef Jacques’ specially created menu, including our famous Garden Bloody Marys, mimosas, or Cremant d’Alsace cocktails. Sundays are made for brunch!

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Team Member of the Month

Fredy Contreras began working as a server at L’Auberge Chez François in June 2007. He’s a gentleman of few words, but has many fans. Fredy’s attentiveness and friendly demeanor are reasons that our guests always ask for him. While his job is challenging, Fredy shows no limit to his abilities. Keep up the great work!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Stephanie W. of Herndon, Virginia for winning the July Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Stephanie will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

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

July 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

Summer is well under way and we’re feeling the heat! This year our organic, on-site gardens have been expanded so that we can add even more fresh vegetables and herbs to your plate. You are always invited to take a stroll through the gardens to see first hand the fruits of our labor. We could not do this without our gardener Stephanie’s expertise and her team’s hard work.

Practically every vegetable you will be eating this season will be grown in our gardens (or supplied by local farmers). We are now serving everyone’s summer favorites featuring tomatoes: house-made Garden Bloody Marys and homegrown tomato salad with basil vinaigrette maison. On the horizon is cucumbers, squash, zucchini, haricots verts, lettuces, herbs, and peppers including shishito peppers, which are new for us this year.

In the month of August, we will showcase our gardens’ bounty by pairing it with new wines, places, and special events. Travel to Groth Vineyards in Napa Valley, take a journey to Austria, sit outside on the terrace at our garden brunch, and watch Chef Jacques’ cooking demonstration while imbibing on local craft beer from Lost Rhino. We hope to see you soon!

Stay cool,
Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team at L’Auberge Chez François

Chef Jacques’ Table featuring Groth Vineyards & Winery

Please join Chef Jacques and special guest Scott Pyles of Groth Vineyards & Winery from the Napa Valley on Tuesday, August 8th at 6:30pm. The vineyard was founded in 1982 with the aim of making great cabernet sauvignon. According to Mercury News “it didn’t take long before the winery was catapulted into prominence: the winery’s 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon became the first California wine to receive 100 points from influential critic Robert M. Parker Jr. The reserve cab was so much in demand that for the next several years, people lined up at the winery to buy it when the new vintage was released”. Groth Vineyards & Winery has been long synonymous with exceptional Napa wines, and we are thrilled to welcome them to L’Auberge Chez François.

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Summer Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon with Anton Bauer Austrian Wines

Please join Chef Jacques Haeringer and Klaus Wittauer, former sommelier of L’Auberge Chez François, on Saturday, August 12th at 11:00am for our Summer Splendor Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon. The afternoon will feature the fine wines of Anton Bauer whom was recently named “Austrian Vintner of the Year and Winemaker of the Year”. To start the day, you will sip on Rosé wine while Chef Jacques presents his cooking demonstration. As a special treat, Klaus will join in and show us how to prepare Salzburger Nockerl, an Austrian sweet dessert soufflé. After the demonstration, retreat to the Garden Room where you will enjoy a luncheon paired with five Anton Bauer wines. We hope you take a trip to Austria with us.

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A Musical Rosé Garden Brunch featuring Classical Guitarist Alexander Barnett

Continue your summer celebration on Sunday, August 20th at 11:00am for A Musical Rosé Garden Brunch featuring the music of guitarist Alexander Barnett. We will be dining outside on our terrace (weather permitting) while Alex plays his collection of classical, jazz and contemporary music. Alex has performed at L’Auberge Chez François for numerous sold-out occasions and has quickly become a guest favorite. For this event, Chef Jacques has created a special menu and, bien sûr, brunch cocktails featuring crisp Provence Rosé wine and our house-made Garden Bloody Marys created with tomatoes from our own gardens. Summer never looked so good!

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Craft Beer Cooking Demonstration & Luncheon with Lost Rhino Brewing Company

Please join us on Saturday, August 26th at 11:00am as we host Lost Rhino Brewing Company for our summer craft beer cooking demonstration and luncheon featuring award-winning, innovative, and locally sourced brews. The brewmaster and founder of Lost Rhino Brewing Company will be on hand to speak about history and the beer pairings. Chef Jacques will pair a custom, multi-course menu with a selection of five of Lost Rhino’s seasonal brews, including light and refreshing summer options and exclusive brews from the Genius Loci series. Many of these drinks are one-offs, limited runs that are barrel aged and rare, so you will not want to miss this event.

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Team Member of the Month

Egardo Ruano began working at L’Auberge Chez François in June 2005. He is a prep cook who works at the salad and dessert stations. That amazing cottage cheese (Bibeleskäs) spread we have? Most likely made by Ruano. The tomato and basil salad you love? Yes, you got it! He is one of our most valued employees because of his strong work ethic, willingness to help, and can-do attitude. Thank you, Ruano, for your twelve years of outstanding service.

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Emily M. of Richmond, Virginia for winning the June Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Emily will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

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

June 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

Finally, it feels like summer. Our organic gardens are in full swing and the flowers are all in bloom. Now is the perfect time of year for dining al fresco on one of our outdoor terraces. We don’t take reservations for the outdoor tables, they are seated on a first come, first served basis. And while you’re here, take a tour of our beautiful gardens to see where our salad greens, vegetables and herbs are growing.

Father’s Day is just a few days away. If you don’t have the perfect gift for Dad, snap up a ticket to one of our cooking demonstrations or one of our other special events. Coming up in July are our annual Bastille Day celebrations including a musical brunch with French music and a special dinner featuring the delectable wines of the Boisset Collection. Also in July will be our first in an ongoing series of Chef Jacques’ Table dinners. Our first installment will feature the renowned wine expert Julie Swift leading us through a tasting of fine German wines.

Come celebrate the summer at L’Auberge Chez François and Jacques’ Brasserie with great food, drinks, and friends.

Best culinary wishes,
Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team of L’Auberge Chez François

Bastille Day Celebration featuring Boisset Collection Wines

Celebrate Bastille Day on Friday, July 14 at 6:30pm at L’Auberge Chez François with the highly regarded wines of La Famille des Grands Vins Boisset. In honor of La Fête Nationale, sip JCB Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé or a garden-inspired cocktail and enjoy canapés on the terrace, weather permitting. Later, you’ll cheer on the L’Auberge Chez François wait staff as they compete in our annual waiter’s race around our gardens and grounds. Special guest Neil Ruane, Export Manager for Boisset, will kick off the race with the ancient art of sabering, and introduce the Boisset French wines paired with our Bastille Day Dinner.

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“La Fête Nationale” Musical Brunch with The Nancy Scimone Duo

Join us as we continue our Bastille Day celebration on Sunday, July 16 at 11:00am with a musical start to your day featuring the French tunes of the Nancy Simone Duo with a delectable brunch menu. Soprano and vocal artist Nancy Scimone radiates grace, passion and joy, and enlivens audiences with her vibrant stage presence, “winsome elegance” and “warm and enveloping voice” (The Washington Post). A rich instrument forges with her deeply human lyric expression to deliver memorable and thrilling performances. Vive la France and Bon Appétit!

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Chef Jacques’ Table featuring the Wines of Germany

Please join Chef Jacques and special guest Julie Swift on Thursday, July 20 at 6:30pm to explore the fine German wines of Joh. Jos. Prüm and Weingut Bernhard Huber. At each Chef Jacques’ Table event, Chef Jacques creates a special menu to accompany a slate of fine wines. Our special guest Julie Swift will share her wealth of knowledge about German wines as she guides you through the selections for each course. We hope to see you at this special event with good food and superb wines.

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Team Member of the Month

Edwin Lopez has been working at L’Auberge Chez François since June 2007. Edwin began working in the kitchen and then held a dual role as a bus boy. He is the go-to bus boy and a natural born leader. We entrust him with all of his duties – from training new employees, managing the team, and assisting with everything in between. He is very conscientious, always willing to go the extra mile to help out, and is an excellent team player. Edwin is well-liked by his peers, management, and our guests. He has excelled in every task that has been given to him. Merci beaucoup for all that you do!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Mackenzie M. of Reston, Virginia for winning the May Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Mackenzie will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

L’Auberge Chez François
332 Springvale Rd Great Falls, VA 22066
Mail Us : chezlauberge@aol.com
Call Us : 703-759-3800

L’Auberge Social
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

May 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

This month we are celebrating Father’s Day and all the dads out there. We have a full line-up of special events, including my Father’s Day Cooking Demonstration on June 17, and our first-ever Full Moon Party on June 9, that promises to be an exciting night of fun in our beautiful gardens.

My brother Paul and I want to toast the fathers and raise a glass to our Papa Franҫois. Everyone thought dad was crazy when he moved his restaurant from Washington D.C. to the “country” forty-one years ago. He was a pioneer and, if I may say so, a brilliant restaurateur who cared deeply about his customers. We’re happy to continue the traditions he started all of those years ago and happy that so many of you will be celebrating your own fathers with us this month at L’Auberge Chez Franҫois and Jacques’ Brasserie. See you soon.

Until next month,
Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team of L’Auberge Chez François

L’Auberge Chez Franҫois’ Full Moon Garden Party

Please join Chef Jacques and the team at L’Auberge Chez Franҫois on Friday, June 9 at 7:00pm for our first full moon fête! The party begins with a celebratory reception on our outdoor terrace (weather permitting). Sip a glass of bubbly or an herb-infused cocktail and dine on seasonal canapés as we toast the moon’s fire, abundance, power and vitality. Then, we will retreat to our lovely dining room and feast on Chef Jacques’ garden-to-table inspired repast, paired with wines selected by our head sommelier. Those intrepid enough can join Chef Jacques in the kitchen gardens to conclude the evening by howling at the moon, the chef’s tradition to ensure an excellent harvest of vegetables and herbs throughout the season.

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Musical Brunch featuring Guitarist Jarrett Laskey

Back by popular demand, acclaimed guitarist Jarrett Laskey is once again performing at a Musical Brunch at L’Auberge Chez Franҫois on Sunday, June 11 at 11:00am. Jarrett is a classically trained professional musician performing a repertoire of Spanish and Latin guitar music, standard classical music favorites, and contemporary arrangements. Jarrett is often named as the most requested guitarist in the Washington D.C. area on WeddingWire and The Knot. Before earning a BFA in Music Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, Jarrett was studying privately with local VA university professors Larry Snitzler, and Berta Rojas, and participating in Master classes with esteemed musicians Jesus Silva, Angel Romero, and Pepe Romero, to fine-tune his quality sound.

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Château de Beaucastel and Famille Perrin Sommelier Series Wine Dinner

Please join us on Thursday, June 15 at 6:30pm as we team up with Famille Perrin, the leading organic wine grower of the Southern Rhone Valley, and Olivier Lotterie, of Vineyard Brands, for an exclusive pairing dinner at L’Auberge Chez François. Château de Beaucastel produces what most people acknowledge to be the finest wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including the rare white “Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc” paired with our first course. The Perrin family has been an integral fixture of the region for well over 100 years. Today, the third and fourth generations of Perrins-François, Jean-Pierre and Jean-Pierre’s sons Pierre, Marc and Thomas, continue in the tradition of their father and grandfather.

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Let the Grilling Begin – Father’s Day Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Please join Chef Jacques Haeringer on Saturday, June 17 at 11:00am as we celebrate and honor dads everywhere at our Father’s Day cooking demonstration and luncheon. Chef Jacques’ favorite pastime is grilling and he’ll share his secrets to making a decadent meal outdoors on the grill. The afternoon’s sure-to-please menu includes Grilled Carolina Shrimp and Charred Baby Vegetables, Grilled Bavette Steak and Potatoes, then rounded out with a delectable Rhubarb Crème Brûlée, including three specially paired wines selected by Paul Haeringer. The afternoon promises to be a truly a great way to celebrate Father’s Day. We hope you will bring the patriarch in your life to grill and chill at this event.

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Wine Festival and Luncheon

Our ever-popular Wine Festival, Tasting and Luncheon will take place on Saturday, June 24. Please join us as we sample twelve wines from Australia, Slovenia, Italy, Washington, and of course, France. Arrive anytime between 11:30am and 1:00pm 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 yet another glass of wine. All wines sampled will be available for purchase at a discount price for our customers.

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Sommelier Series Wine Dinner featuring Matthiasson Vineyards

Please join us on Thursday, June 29 at 6:30pm for a special dinner featuring the wines of Steve and Jill Matthiasson. The Matthiassons are farmers who raise a diversity of crops including fruit trees and olives, not to mention chickens, in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. Steve has become one of Napa’s top viticultural consultants, working with clients that include Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Araujo Estate, Spottswoode and Hall. The Matthiassons make terrific, elegant Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but are also know for championing less well-known varietals such as Ribolla Gialla.

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Romantic Rhine River Cruise

JUST RELEASED! Limited final number of cabins available for Chef Jacques Haeringer’s Romantic Rhine 2017 Fall River Cruise. Imagine cruising the Rhine, dining, sipping wine, dancing, and enjoying old friends and new in a most relaxing environment aboard the beautiful MS Inspire…how much better can life get? Passengers joining Chef Jacques’ tour will enjoy and discover the heritage and beauty of the River Rhine on our 7-night river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard one of Tauck’s intimate riverboats, while visiting the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Alsace & Strasbourg; Jacques’ family hometown in France.

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Team Member of the Month

Jose “Elias” Rodriquez began working at L’Auberge Chez François in June 2005 as a line cook. Over the past twelve years, Elias has proven to be a dedicated team member. He knows how to prepare an array of cuisines, so his expertise transfers over into our restaurant’s dishes to bring new and brighter flavors to our traditional dishes. All of Elias’s peers agree that he is extremely easy to work with and creates a fun work environment. There is rarely a time that Elias is not smiling or laughing. This, in turn, motivates everyone and work is fun. Thank you, Elias, we look forward to many more years of working with you on the line!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Nina B. of Arlington, Virginia for winning the April Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Nina will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

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

April 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

Happy Easter and happy spring to everyone. We are pleased to have had our organic gardens featured in a recent article in the Washington City Paper. Fortunately, we have the space to grow much of our produce on-site during the growing season which means many of our herbs and vegetables travel only a few feet from our garden to the kitchens. The gardens will be expanded yet again this year to allow us to grow a wider variety of ingredients. In addition to providing us with fresh produce, the gardens are a way for us to connect with our neighbors in Great Falls and around Northern Virginia. Our customers are welcome to come by and take a tour of and learn more about what we’re growing. You can read the full article in the Washington City Paper here.

Mother’s Day is coming up in a few weeks. Might we suggest tickets to our Mother’s Day Cooking Demonstration or one of our other May special events as a gift for Mom? Upcoming events also include three chances for you to hear the wonderful music of virtuoso accordionist Jacques Pellarin and wine dinners with the famed California winery Cakebread Cellars and renowned Alsatian winemakers Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. You may view a listing of all of our upcoming events here.

Cheers and best culinary wishes,
Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team of L’Auberge Chez François

Italian Wine Dinner featuring Paitin Estate Vineyards

Please join us Thursday, May 4th at 6:30pm for a dinner featuring the wines of Paitin. Since they first purchased the farmstead, wine cellar and vineyards in 1796, the Pasquero-Elia family has been producing acclaimed wines in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, exporting them as early as 1898. Even with all their experience and success, the family continues to invest in the future, adopting best practices and fine-tuning their methods to deliver ever more excellent wines. We have selected several characterful examples and Chef Jacques has crafted a series of courses to compliment them.

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Mother’s Day Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Treat Mom or your special someone to a lively culinary demonstration and luncheon on Saturday, May 6 at 11:00am to celebrate Mother’s Day. Your day begins sipping a glass of Crémant while watching Chef Jacques demonstrate a selection of his special recipes before you retreat to our beautiful Garden Room and continue the Mother’s Day celebration with the Chef’s five-course “Menu du Jour pour Mama”, paired with fine wines chosen by our sommelier. This culinary demonstration hits the spot and makes the perfect gourmet gift. Come and join us and celebrate Mother’s Day at L’Auberge Chez François!

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Cakebread Cellars Sommelier Series Wine Dinner

Please join us on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:30pm when we welcome Cakebread Cellars to L’Auberge Chez Franҫois for an evening of fine food with one of California’s benchmark wineries. Special guest David Griffiths, Director of Sales and Marketing for Cakebread cellars, will guide us through the wines of this iconic winery, all perfectly paired with a menu specially created for the evening by Chef Jacques. We hope you join us in what will be a magical evening that will sell out quickly. Bon appétit and cheers!

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Vive la France Musique et Cuisine Dinner with Jac & Co.

Please join us on Thursday, May 18th at 7:00pm for the first of two evenings of Parisian music and food as we welcome back French accordionist Jacques Pellarin and his wife and vocalist Corrine. Performing together as Jac & Co., they bring the sounds of France to all corners of the globe with their French-cinema inspired accordion compositions and traditional songs. Chef Jacques has a special fondness for the accordion, as he too learned the instrument at a very young age and still enjoys the classic sound of French accordion music.

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An Evening of Parisian Musique et Cuisine featuring Jac & Co.

We are excited to announce the second of two evenings as we welcome back French accordionist Jacques Pellarin with his wife and vocalist Corrine on Friday, May 19th at 7:00pm. Noted French magazine Le Progres writes: “Jac & Co. bring back almost a century of the traditional French ‘chansons’ from artists like Edith Piaf, Yves Montand and Francis Lemarques. With just voice and accordion, Jacques Pellarin & Co. captivates audiences and transports them to the dance halls and street side cafes of France’s yesteryears!” Enjoy a six-course menu of Parisian favorites paired with three wines as you listen to the French standards you love.

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Musical Brunch featuring French Duo Jac & Co.

Please join us on Sunday, May 21st at 11:00am for a musical brunch featuring Jac & Co., the delightful French music of husband and wife duo. Corinne and Jacques Pellarin will serenade you with the eternal sounds of France as you enjoy a delicious brunch. Chef Jacques has created a special menu for the afternoon that includes unlimited cocktails and our newest brunch addition, Lobster and Crab Cake Benedict featuring local Indian Springs Farm eggs. We hope you will join us for this special afternoon to hear all of your favorite French songs and enjoy a delicious meal in beautiful Great Falls, Virginia.

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Alsatian Heritage Wine Dinner featuring Zind-Humbrecht

Join Chef Jacques and the team on Wednesday, May 31 at 6:30pm for a special wine dinner celebrating Alsace’s revered Zind-Humbrecht Winery. Assistant wine maker Jolene Hunter will guide us through tasting some of Zind-Humbrecht’s most outstanding wines. With an unbroken winemaking lineage in Alsace since 1620, Zind-Humbrecht produces elegant and complex white wines expressing the beauty of the Alsatian terroir while following strict biodynamic farming principles. To honor the Alsatian heritage of his father, Chef Jacques has created a delectable menu of Alsatian dishes to pair with these magnificent wines.

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Team Member of the Month

Abel Flores began working as a waiter at L’Auberge Chez François in June 2006. He takes his work very seriously and strives to deliver good service. His ability to work well with others has made him one of our lead trainers for new employees and many of his peers consider him a great mentor. Abel is devoted to making our customers feel special and you will always find him with a smile on his face. Even while working, it is apparent that Abel is having a good time and wants the same for those around him. He has exhibited continued and unwavering professionalism, dedication, and compassion for his guests and the team. Thank you, Abel, for your hard work and support!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Meriel K. of The Woodlands, Texas for winning the March Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Meriel will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

L’Auberge Chez François
332 Springvale Rd Great Falls, VA 22066
Mail Us : chezlauberge@aol.com
Call Us : 703-759-3800

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March 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

We were happy to be awarded a Snail of Approval this month from Slow Food D.C. in recognition of our work with sustainable agriculture and local foods. We’re very proud to be a Slow Food establishment and we pride ourselves on growing much of our produce on-site as well as working with local farmers and sustainable purveyors. In fact, we’ve been taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather lately to prepare our hearty vegetable gardens and terraces for planting. We already have spinach coming out of the garden for our much-loved spinach and goat cheese salad. And, we’re working with Indian Springs Farm, located less than a mile from us here in Great Falls, to grow additional vegetables and provide us with heritage-breed eggs. The eggs on your Tarte Flambée Benedict at brunch or in your soufflé at dinner will have traveled just a few short minutes from the farm to your plate. We hope you’ll come in and taste one for yourself.

In the black and white photograph above, we are able to see Papa François’ vision of transforming the property into his French country inn over forty years ago. We are welcoming spring with a slate of wonderful events in April, including our celebratory forty-first anniversary dinner featuring the wines of JM Brocard; Celebrate Earth Day cooking demonstration and lunch featuring the wines of JC Boisset and a master saberer; two dinners with winemakers; two opportunities to attend our always sold-out musical brunch; and our monthly wine festival. Come join and celebrate our special events with us!

Warm Regards,
Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team of L’Auberge Chez François

Musical Brunch with Guitarist Alex Barnett

Please join Chef Jacques and L’Auberge Chez François on Sunday, April 2nd at 11:00am as we host our popular Musical Brunch featuring the music of classical guitarist Alexander Barnett. Alexander is a Baltimore-based guitarist who performs an extensive repertoire of music including classical and jazz pieces. We welcome back Alex, who has entertained our guests at L’Auberge on numerous sold-out occasions. We hope you will come in to be entertained and dine with us for a Sunday afternoon in beautiful Great Falls, VA.

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Meet the Winemaker with
Coeur de Terre Vineyard

Please join us on Tuesday, April 11th at 6:30pm when we welcome winemaker Scott Neal of Coeur de Terre Winery in Oregon. Coeur de Terre or “Heart of the Earth” was founded in 1998 by Scott and Lisa Neal and is located in the West Hills of McMinnville, known for its geologic diversity and beauty which translates into unique pinot noir. Described as “handcrafted, sustainable, artisanal and undeniably Oregon wines”, Chef Jacques is especially thrilled to host Scott and his delectable wines after a recent visit to the Willamette Valley and the vineyards.

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Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Dinner with Thomas Morgan

Kermit Lynch has been a pioneer, introducing “wines made in the unadulterated, old-school traditional style aimed at accentuating terroir” (New York Times) by vignerons whose names are now iconic. He was also the first importer to have wines shipped in refrigerated containers to avoid heat damage, now standard practice. The Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant label on the back of each bottle includes a quote from Thomas Jefferson, “Good wine is a necessity of life for me”, so it is apt that we invite you to join us at L’Auberge Chez François on Jefferson’s birthday, Thursday, April 13th at 6:30pm for a dinner featuring selections from Kermit Lynch’s French portfolio.

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L’Auberge Chez François’ 41st Anniversary Celebration Dinner

Please join us on Thursday, April 20th at 6:30pm as we celebrate forty-one years in Great Falls, Virginia. To add to this festive evening, we welcome Etienne Verdier from Domaine Brocard to guide us through the wonderful Chardonnays of Chablis. The wines will be paired alongside Chef Jacques’ anniversary-inspired menu. Monsieur François’ goal was to operate a restaurant with “nice ambiance and good honest food at affordable prices.” The restaurant’s enduring popularity is a testimony to his success with this approach. We hope to reminisce over the past forty-one years here in Great Falls, Virginia and celebrate with you, creating even more memories to come.

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Earth Day Celebration Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Please join us on Saturday, April 22nd at 11:00am for a very special Earth Day celebratory cooking demonstration and luncheon featuring the sparkling wines of Jean Charles Boisset. Joining us from France will be Boisset’s sparkling brand ambassador, Gautier Mathieu de Fossey, Master Saber. In addition to discussing wine making, Gautier will guide guests through the history and ancient art of “sabering” (cutting corks off bottles whilst retaining all five fingers on each hand). We then choose ten “lucky draw” winners to participate in sabering our “No 21” Brut Crémant de Bourgogne. An afternoon not to be missed!

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Musical Brunch featuring Pianist Kevin Elam

Sunday brunch with family and friends is a great way to wind up the weekend, and live music makes it even more enjoyable! Please join us on Sunday, April 23rd at 11:00am as we welcome pianist and multifaceted musician, Kevin Elam. Kevin studied classical piano throughout his childhood and through high school; finally receiving his degree from George Mason University. Since he has graduated, Kevin has maintained a full private studio. Spend the afternoon listening to music and enjoying Chef Jacques’ newest creations to the brunch menu – Savory Seafood Crepes and Filet Mignon with Local Farm Eggs and Béarnaise sauce.

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A Look Back in Time

When Monsieur François Haeringer was driving down Springvale Road, he rounded the hill and saw the opening of the property. The Great Falls location was formally an auto repair shop and then housed a gun shop, antique shop, and a country store with small delicatessen. Monsieur François transformed the buildings into a scene reminiscent of his hometown of Obernai. The front doors and stained glass windows were from the original downtown Chez François restaurant; and the walls are decorated with the Haeringer family’s collection of art and vintage copper cookware. Chef Jacques and Paul Haeringer are proud to continue Papa and Mama Haeringer’s dream to bring a family-operated country inn serving Alsatian food at affordable prices.

Team Member of the Month

We are proud to announce that Ovidio Panameno is the team member of the month. Ovidio originally began working at L’Auberge Chez François as a dishwasher in September 2004. His ambition and motivation to advance his career pushed him to learn the various kitchen stations and he is now a line cook. His skill, dedication, flexibility and ability to take shifts on short notice have helped the restaurants tremendously. He always has a positive attitude and a good time at work because his co-workers have become some of his closest friends, which makes spending time on the clock a lot more fun. Here’s looking towards many more years with Ovidio with the L’Auberge Chez François team!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Simone H. of Gainesville, Virginia for winning the February Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Simone will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

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

February 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

We are thrilled to announce that L’Auberge Chez François has once again been voted one of the 100 Best Restaurants in America and 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America by OpenTable diners. These awards are especially gratifying as they come directly from our customers’ reviews. We always strive to deliver the perfect blend of delicious food, fine libations, exceptional service, and elegant ambiance that create magical evenings for our patrons.The entire staff celebrated our win at an award ceremony at the restaurant. A special thank you to all of our diners for your continued patronage and support.

We are honored to be hosting many of your romantic celebrations this month. No matter where you spend Valentine’s Day, we wish you love, romance and delicious food.

Looking ahead, we have a full schedule of special events coming in March, including a musical brunch, our popular spring wine festival, and a cooking demonstration featuring fabulous Bordeaux wines. We are especially excited to welcome Eileen Crane, Founding Winemaker and CEO of Domaine Carneros for a special wine dinner on March 23. You will find more details on all of our upcoming events below.

January 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

Roses smell fine
Candy tastes sweet
But a romantic repast
Is a much better treat

Romantic celebrations are a tradition at L’Auberge Chez François, you might even say that they are our raison d’etre. Our philosophy is that life’s memorable moments are not complete without a festive meal. Many couples return to L’Auberge year after year to renew and reaffirm the romance in their lives. We supply the cuisine, ambience, service, and wine: you bring your own romantic magic. February is, of course, the month for romance and we’re hosting several special events that will help you celebrate that special someone in your life. On the menu will be Champagne, aphrodisiacs, passionfruit and passion itself. Come enjoy a delicious meal and a little romance at our slice of France, right here in Great Falls, Virginia.