Throughout the year there are local, seasonal delicacies that I eagerly await. There are morels and shad roe in the spring, heirloom tomatoes and softshell crabs in summer; and, in September, there are fabulous local plums for our famous plum tart. Popular in Alsace, my father put plum tart on the menu at the original Chez Franҫois in Washington D.C. when he first opened. Sixty years later, it is still one of our best-selling desserts.
Although I’m able to import excellent plums throughout the year, in late August and September our plums come from local growers in Virginia and Maryland who grow varieties for us that are similar to the quetsches grown in Alsace. The local plum season is short, so join us in September to try a slice of local plum tart, served as always, with our cinnamon ice cream.
Also this month, is our next installment in the Garden to Table series. This month’s event, Harvest to Table, will feature lots of home-grown fall vegetables, including heirloom tomatoes, haricot verts, and garden herbs. We will also have another in our Musique et Cuisine series. This month features the versatile and talented pianist and chanteuse, Jennifer Scott.
Come enjoy the beginning of fall with us.
Chef Jacques, Paul and the L’Auberge Chez François team
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