July 2019 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques and Paul

Summer is here! 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 (including the Brasserie under our new quad umbrella, complete with lighting). While you’re here, take a tour of our beautiful gardens to see where our greens, vegetables and herbs are growing.

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 Chez François. You’ll also find our house-made Garden Bloody Mary’s on our weekend brunch menu, cold gazpacho soup, and warm tomato bisque.

We have a wonderful lineup of some very special summer events this month. Please join us for many fetes and soirées this August filled with Music and Cuisine Dinners; Musical Brunches; a very special Chef Jacques’ Garden to Table Cooking Demo, Luncheon and Garden Tour; an exciting Full Moon Garden Party; a Sinatra Classic Dinner and our Labor Day Weekend Night on the Terrace Wine Tasting and Musical Evening Under the Stars.

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

I hope to see you soon so you may enjoy the tastes and libations of summer here at L’Auberge Chez François and Jacques’ Brasserie

See you soon!

Best culinary wishes;
Chef Jacques and Paul Haeringer and the family of L’Auberge Chez François & Jacques’ Brasserie

Music and Cuisine Grand Musical Showcase Soirée featuring Prince Havely and Efi Tovia

They are BACK! Following numerous sold out performances on “our stage” at L’Auberge Chez François, we are thrilled to present to you, on Friday, August 2nd, 2019 at 7:30 PM, a return of “Music and Cuisine Soirée in Great Falls”. Join us center stage with Prince & Efi performing the music of Cole Porter, Rogers and Hart, Fats Waller, Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington. Dine on a classic French dinner served with sommelier-selected wine pairings while you are entertained by this lively duo. Get your dancing shoes on and join us at this special event!

Reserve Tickets

A Sunday Musical Brunch featuring Classical Music Sounds of Jarrett Laskey

Back by popular demand, acclaimed guitarist Jarrett Laskey is performing at our Musical Brunch at L’Auberge Chez Franҫois on Sunday August 4th at 11:00 AM. 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 D.C. area on Wedding Wire and The Knot. Chef Jacques has created a superb menu for you to enjoy, accompanied by special cocktails, as you enjoy the afternoon’s music. Sunday Funday at our Musical Brunch, indeed!

Reserve Tickets

Chef Jacques’ Garden to Fork August Bounty Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Please join on Saturday August 10th, 2019 at 10:30 AM (Please note time) as we kick off our summer “Garden to Fork” special event. We begin our day with Chef Jacques’ leading our two on-site Garden tour, with a glass of bubbly, but of course. Retreat to our rooster room and join us for our delectable “August Bounty” Garden to Table Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon. L’Auberge Chez François, Chef Jacques and Stephanie, our lead gardener, are very proud of our two on-site gardens. They are both happy to suggest nutritionally superior food to make for delightful cuisine for this special afternoon’s special cooking demonstration. Most of all our menu items today will include “just picked from our garden” ingredients, and added to our menu for indeed a Garden to Fork delight.

Reserve Tickets

L’Auberge Chez François Musical Brunch Featuring the Magical Music of Matvei Sigalov

Please Join Chef Jacques’ and Team on Sunday August 11th at 11:00 AM for a very special musical brunch as we give a warm welcome to Matvei Sigalov, violinist and guitarist extraordinaire! Since his arrival to the U.S. 20 years ago from Russia, Matvei Sigalov has been active on the East Coast music scene and established himself as one of the premier improvising violinists. He has shared the stage with a wide array of artists, covering many styles including R&B, Gospel, Pop-Rock, Jazz , Brazilian and Fusion music. Matvi has played for Patti LaBelle, Isaac Hayes and James Ingram at the Kennedy Center in DC. He received a standing ovation at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, while opening for Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luke Ponty and Al DiMeola and has wowed an audience at the Iridium in NYC with guitar legend Les Paul! Why not spend your Sunday by listening to beautiful music over a scrumptious brunch, by Chef Jacques with of course, Cremant d’Alsace, Mimosas and Housemade Garden Bloody Marys? See you here!

Reserve Tickets

A Full Moon Musical Outdoor Garden Party

Please join Chef Jacques’ and his team on Thursday, August 15th from 7pm-9pm for an exciting full moon fête. Outdoors on our beautiful L’Auberge Chez François terrace (weather permitting) we offer you a delightful way to enjoy gazing at full moon in August, while sipping fine wines while enjoying delectable cuisine. Does life get any better than this? Our sommeliers will be on-hand to guide you through a delectable tasting of eight fine wines from some of the world’s best producing wine regions, including, of course, France, accompanied by Chef’s passed Seasonal canapés and tasty bites, as you delight in the music of Stephanie Ball. A stroll, with your wine, of course, to our two on-site vegetable and herb gardens is always encouraged! All wines sampled will be available for purchase at a very special “trade” discounts for our customers that evening only. Merci beaucoup and see you there! In the event of weather, we will retreat to our rooster room and enjoy gazing at the moon from indoors.

Reserve Tickets

Summer Wine Festival and Luncheon

Our ever popular Wine Festival and Luncheon returns on Saturday, August 24th, 2019. Please join us as we sample twelve fine wines from some of the world’s notable wine growing regions. Arrive anytime between 11:30 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 tastings and answer any questions you may have on these delectable wines. Following the tasting, sit down and enjoy a complete luncheon of your choice from our four-course menu, plus another glass of wine! Celebrate the end of summer with us!

Reserve Tickets

A Very Special Encore of Our Musical Sunday Supper Featuring My Way: Bob McDonald Sings Sinatra Classics

Please join us on Sunday, August 25th, 2019 at 5:30 PM for an encore sold-out performance of a very special Musical Sunday Supper featuring this talented trio, singing Sinatra Classics, and enjoy a menu filled with of our classical favorites at L’Auberge Chez François. Vocalist Bob McDonald, pianist Tony Nalker and instrumentalist Scott Silbert celebrate the songs and life of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra with an evening of the most memorable songs from the singer’s film and concert performances. The program will be an evening of Sinatra classics worthy of any Rat Pack. Bob McDonald is probably best known to the DC area as the National Anthem singer for the Washington Capitals hockey team. He also enjoys a diverse career across many artistic disciplines, including musical theater, opera, and the concert stage, as well as his job as an active-duty baritone and announcer in The United States Army Chorus. Bob has performed on most Washington DC area stages, including The Kennedy Center, Signature Theater, Folger Theater and others, and at various venues across the country. Bob received his BA and MA from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Tony Nalker performs widely in the Washington, D.C. area, currently serving as jazz pianist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra Pops. From 1989-2016 Tony was the pianist of the premiere jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army, the Army Blues, and served as the group’s enlisted leader. Tony received his undergraduate degree in music from James Madison University and his M.A. in music from the University of Iowa. Scott Silbert, a multiple woodwind player and arranger, joined the Navy band jazz ensemble “Commodores” in 1991 on baritone sax, and later the arranging staff (1999), serving as the Navy Band’s chief arranger from 2002 until his retirement in 2017. Professionally, Scott has performed with or has written music for the National Symphony Orchestra, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Natalie Cole, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, and Andy Williams, among many other luminaries. He is currently an active musician and arranger with the prestigious Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. An extraordinary fun filled evening, not to be missed!

Reserve Tickets

Labor Day Weekend Night on The Terrace Wine Tasting & Musical Evening Under the Stars

Please join Chef Jacques’ and his team on Friday, August 30th, 2019 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM as we offer you a delightful way to kick off your Labor Day Weekend, outdoors, under the stars on our beautiful L’Auberge Chez François terrace (weather permitting), sipping fine wines while enjoying Chef Jacques seasonable canapes and bites, and listening to live music. Does life get any better than this? Our sommeliers will be on-hand to guide you through a delectable tasting of eight fine wines from some of the world’s notable wine growing regions. Why not stroll, with your wine, of course, to our two on-site budding vegetable and herb gardens, and tap your toes to our live music by Stephanie Ball Stephanie is a native of Reston, Virginia that has been performing music locally in bands and duos for over 15 years. She is an experienced lead singer, pianist and backing vocalist that delivers a fun and dynamic performance. She performs popular cover songs where there’s always something for everyone. Her diverse set list includes artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Chris Isaak, Tom Petty, Norah Jones and Elle King. All wines sampled will be available for purchase at a very special “trade” discounts for our customers that evening only. Merci beaucoup and see you there! Happy Labor Day Friday! In case of inclement weather, we will move the event to our Rooster Room, with the same festivities.

Reserve Tickets

Team Member of the Month

This month we honor Sara Murcia who joined L’Auberge Chez François in May of 2014. Sara began working at the front desk answering the phones and taking reservations, but quickly learned about the operations of the front of the house while assisting the office with behind the scenes coordination. Sara provides the best customer service and in addition to organizing Private Events and her being office manager, her other duties include taking photos for social media, uploading content and maintaining our website. We can always rely on Sara to do anything that is asked and she will take it upon herself to go the extra mile. Congratulations for a job well done, Sara! We value all of your contributions and dedication to the restaurants.

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Kelly H. of Bristow, Virginia for winning the June Monsieur François’ Profile Embellishment Competition. Kelly will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François. Great Job Kelly!

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