March 2015 Newsletter

Jacques’ Springtime Wishes

Enough of the winter wonderland, we’re thinking spring! I have been happily leafing through the various organic seed catalogs, calculating how much to purchase to ensure a bountiful harvest for our guests. I have several varieties of heirloom tomatoes, green beans, French radishes, spinach, sorrel, squash and the list goes on (to name a few). We also have six types of lettuces to combine into a special green salad that we’ll serve in the spring. Even with the ground still partially frozen, we’re conditioning the soil with organic compost and coffee grounds in anticipation of spring planting. I can’t wait to get my hands “dirty” again in the gardens!

I was delighted to see L’Auberge Chez François mentioned in a recent Washington Post article featuring a prominent financial advisor and long-time customer, Stephen Cassaday, who hosts regular dinners for his prospective clients at L’Auberge (you can read the full article below). We are honored many people already think of us when they’re celebrating an anniversary or birthday, we also host corporate parties, special events, and weddings at L’Auberge and downstairs at Jacques’ Brasserie. You may email us directly at chezlauberge@aol.com to discuss holding your special event with us.

Stay warm, and if you can make out, please join us for a cozy meal near the fireplace.

Soliste Wine Dinner with Winemaker Claude Koeberle

Join L’Auberge Chez François on March 11th for a very special wine dinner featuring wines from Soliste Cellars. Claude Koeberle and Don Plumley couldn’t have more dissimilar backgrounds, yet their fortuitous meeting led to a subsequent winery partnership that in less than ten years has become one of California’s most avant-garde wineries. Claude hails from Burgundy where he was born into a family whose tradition in the wine industry dates back decades. The family both owned vineyards and made wine. As a youngster, Claude hung out with many of Burgundy’s greatest vignerons including Henri Jayer, who joined the family table at Claude’s home.

Reserve Tickets

Carabella Wine Dinner with Winemaker Mike Hallock

On March 18th, Paul and I are delighted to host a wine dinner featuring wines from Carabella Winery. Carabella Vineyards produce elegant estate Pinot Noir, Dijon Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. The belief of geologist and winemaker Mike Hallock is “it is all about vineyard site.” The vineyard is located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA in Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley. It was the culmination of a twelve year search for a site combining the best criteria of top quality Oregon and French terroirs. Trained as a winemaker in Colorado (really!), Hallock brought his tanks and equipment over the mountains on a flatbed for the first vintage in 1998.

Reserve Tickets

Spring Fling Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Say goodbye to the cold and hello to spring! Join us on March 21st at 11:00am for Chef Jacques’ Spring Fling Cooking demonstration, which will be followed by a 5-course luncheon and wine pairings. The menu is specially created to celebrate the upcoming season. Need a gift idea? Our gift certificates may be used to purchase meals, items from Jacques’ Shop, or special events such as cooking demos or wine dinners.

Reserve Tickets

Gift Certificates

OpenTable Diner’s Choice

You
all have done it again! L’Auberge Chez François has won the February monthly OpenTable Diner’s
Choice Award. We have won seven categories each for both Washington DC and Virginia for the past year! OpenTable winners are selected from the reviews of
customers who have booked and dined through the website during the month. Real customers with real feedback counts. We read all of our customer reviews and take each one to heart. It is
such an honor to know that the restaurant’s team and cuisine has continued to impress both our loyal and newcomer customers. We are grateful for your
patronage and thank you for selecting us as your Diner’s Choice!

OpenTable Announcement

Team Member of the Month

Steve King has been a part of the L’Auberge Chez François family for thirty years. Papa first hired Steve as a pot washer and through his hard work and dedication, he progressed through many stations and became Cuisine Roundsman. We can count on Steve to help on the myriad of stations in the kitchen, from salads to desserts and everywhere in between. In addition, Steve has taken it upon himself to tend to the wild birdhouses and feeders around the grounds at L’Auberge Chez François; Chef Jacques affectionately calls him “Birdman of Great Falls”. We thank Steve for his continued loyalty throughout the years!

Our Dinner Menu

Great Falls Garden Club

Chef Jacques was recently honored to receive an invitation to join the Great Falls Garden Club. Gardening has been a long time love for Jacques and has become one of the focal points of L’Auberge Chez François. There are two large vegetable gardens on premise that truly bring Garden to Table dining to his customers. When in season, the terrace and grounds are a scene of beauty and serenity. Jacques and his team have enjoyed numerous awards, including the official Certified Wildlife Habitat by National Wildlife. Chef Jacques looks forward keeping Great Falls beautiful with the club. It is also rumored he may be the only gentleman in the club!

Great Falls Garden Club

Cassady and Company

Investment and financial management firm, Cassady and Co., has been hosting financial seminars at L’Auberge Chez François for quite some time. Stephan Cassady, founder and president, discusses retirement planning, stock market, and methods to secure your financial future. Cassady speaks to attendees about smart investment decisions while they are treated to L’Auberge Chez Francois’s specially prepared 5-course dinner for the guests. While Cassady hopes to gain new customers, he also provides guidance on how to choose the right financial adviser. It is a business-driven dinner, but Cassady also loves educating others. We celebrate the love of food!

Washington Post Article

Monsieur François Compétition

I want to congratulate Jessica A. of Centreville, VA for winning the January Monsieur François’ Profile Embellishment Competition. Jessica will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François. Her drawing is fitting for the season. Do you think Puxatawny Phil was correct?

Be sure to follow L’Auberge Chez François on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get updates on our nightly specials, events, behind the scenes, and recipes!

Best culinary wishes,
Chef Jacques