- L’Auberge Chez François’ Grand 70th Anniversary Seven-Course Dinner Experience Paired with Exquisite French Wines
April 20, 2024
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Please join Chef Jacques, Paul Haeringer and the team at L’Auberge Chez François on Saturday, April 20th at 6:00pm as we celebrate our amazing 70th Anniversary on the exact evening we opened in Washington DC on April 20th, 1954.
Chef Jacques and team will kick off our 70th celebratory experience with a grand toast to Papa and Mama. Our anniversary culinary event promises to be filled with very special anecdotes, history, and lore of Papa and Mama’s move to Washington, DC with Papa’s Chez François then journeying to the “country” to open their dream “L’Auberge” on April 20th, 1976.
Enjoy Chef Jacques’ specially chosen seven-course classic family favorite’s degustation menu with Papa’s beloved delectable French wine pairings selected by Paul Haeringer.
Histoire – How it all began April 1954
François Haeringer, the founder of L’Auberge Chez François in Great Falls, Virginia, was a pioneer when he opened the original Chez François in the heart of Washington DC in 1954, next to the White House. Haeringer’s goal was to operate a restaurant with “a nice ambiance and good honest food at affordable prices.” The restaurant’s enduring popularity is a testimony to his success with this approach.
In 1975, the Claridge Hotel, which housed Chez François, was sold to make room for an office building. Instead of retiring at age 57, Haeringer decided to fulfill his dream of opening an “auberge” – a family inn prevalent in his native Alsatian countryside. After finding the perfect six acres of rolling green hills in Great Falls, L’Auberge Chez François opened in 1976, and became a family business.
Eldest son Jacques, by then a chef in his own right, became Chef de Cuisine. The dining rooms are filled with Haeringer family heirlooms and murals depicting scenes of Haeringer’s place of birth, Obernai, France.
It was François “Papa” Haeringer who opened the restaurant on April 20th, 1976 in Great Falls. After losing the space his original French restaurant in Washington D.C., Monsieur François looked around for a bucolic setting to open a new restaurant. He wanted its design to be quintessentially French country and reflect his Alsatian roots.
He chose six acres off Springvale Road that used to house a car repair shop, a deli and a gun shop. The small commercial tracts development was personally overseen by Monsieur François to create the cottage style, exposed timber restaurant that still sits on the property.
His goal was to operate a restaurant with “a nice ambiance and good honest food.” The restaurant’s enduring popularity is a testimony to his success with this approach. And Bravo to Papa, Mama and the entire Haeringer family for keeping this dream of their’s flourishing, continuing and growing.
Our Grand 70th Anniversary Dinner Experience will be presented in our beautiful garden room which boasts a fireplace, large windows, 15-foot ceilings and sweeping views of our organic vegetable gardens and terraces. We are offering the perfect setting for an intimate, relaxing, and delicious themed repast.
It is our hope that you will help us celebrate this momentous occasion, exactly 70 years ago this evening! Thanks for the great Culinary Journey with us.
Joyeux Anniversaire!
GRAND 70th ANNNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SEVEN-COURSE WINE DINNER MENU
L’Auberge Chez François Classic Seasonal Canapes
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut La Cuvée
Grand Toast to Mama and Papa Haeringer
Chef Pascale’s Corbeille de Pain
Our Famous Garlic Bread & Bibeleskais
Multi-Grain, Sourdough, Local Butter
Chef’s Jacques’ 70th Special Amuse-Bouche
Le Vol au Vent aux Fruits de Mer
(Original Chez François Menu, 1954)
Maine Lobster, Day Boat Scallops, Shiitake Mushroom in Puff Pastry Shell, Lobster Cognac Sauce
Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris “Les Caracoles” 2021, Alsace
La Salade de L’Auberge with Papa’s House-made Vinaigrette
Our Classic Alsatian Kirsch Sorbet
Chez François’ Classic Herbs de Provence-Crusted Roasted Rack of Spring Lamb
(Original Chez François Menu, 1954)
Chef Jacques’ Gratin Dauphinois, Root Vegetable Purée, Thyme Sauce
Château Gloria, Saint-Julien 2016, Bordeaux
La Symphonie du Gâteau, Sauce Aux Fruits de la Passion
Our 70th Anniversary Grand Dessert by Chef Pascal
(On Display for Photos before Dessert)
Valrhona White and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake, Passion Fruit Sauce
Julius Meinl Coffee, Selection of Harney & Sons Fine Teas
Event Price: $290.00pp excluding tax and gratuity for a total of $371.00
Tickets non-refundable. We are happy to accommodate dietary reactions so all may join in on our culinary experiences. Please email chezlauberge@aol.com or call 703-759-3800 with special requests.
Please remember to sign up early, as seating for our grand 70th month events is limited. If we are sold out, please call to join our wait list. Merci!
Patrons will have an opportunity to purchase these delectable wines at a very special price this evening.
