Greetings from Chef Jacques and Paul:

The terraces are blooming, the gardens are planted, the wisteria is beautiful and we welcome printemps in our countryside of France right here in Great Falls.

Springtime also brings our family of L’Auberge Chez Francois and Jacques’ Brasserie celebrating some very prestigious milestones and accolades this month.

We toasted to our 43rd anniversary in Great Falls, Virginia location on April 20th, 2019. Francois “Papa” 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. This year also marks an incredible milestone, as this year marks 65 years ago, Papa opened the original Chez François in the heart of Washington DC in 1954.

My Papa’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. An incredible 65 years later, we still continue to operate L’Auberge Chez François with Papa’s spirit infusing every aspect of the restaurant, as well as his meticulously crafted meals. Papa would have it no other way. Merci beaucoup to all for your patronage and support throughout the years.

This month, L’Auberge Chez Francois was again honored for the 27th year, the prestigious AAA Four Diamond award at AAA’s awards ceremony in DC. AAA began rolling out their diamond rating system in 1985 region wide and was completed in 1991. We received our first four diamond rating in 1992 and have continued thru the next 26 years to receive this distinguished accolade. “Only 0.2 percent of the nearly 32,000 AAA-inspected and approved restaurants were included on the list”, AAA said in a release. On behalf of our entire family of L’Auberge Chez Francois and Jacques’ Brasserie, thank you AAA for your four diamond award recognition.

We are excited to announce our May Events Lineup, and what a fun month it will be, packed with special culinary events including “A Mother’s Day Cooking Demo and Luncheon”, Chef Jacques Table Wine dinners, including Domaine Carneros, a repeat of our sold out Rock and Roll supper with moi playing a few tunes on the drums, and other outdoor events on our terrace with flowers in full-bloom! Check them out and reserve your spot! See all our events here

Bon Printemps and Best Culinary Wishes;
Chef Jacques and Paul Haeringer and family of L’Auberge Chez Francois & Jacques’ Brasserie

Chef Jacques’ Table Featuring Thelema Mountain Vineyards Dinner

Please join us on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 at 7:00 PM, as we welcome Thomas Webb, owner of Thelema Mountain Vineyards, a family owned and managed wine estate at the top of the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch, South Africa. It was a taste of some Burgundy Puligny-Montrachet that convinced Gyles Webb to lay down the calculator and abandon his accounting career in Durban to become a winemaker. Shortly after, he obtained a degree in Oenology at Stellenbosch University and after gaining some work experience abroad and in South Africa, Gyles and his wife’s family fell in love with a run-down old fruit farm called Thelema. Gyles has always given meticulous attention to the vineyards, believing that grape quality is the single most important factor in serious winemaking. This persistent precision has paid off in awards for the best vineyards in Stellenbosch. His winemaking policy is one of “benign neglect” or minimum interference, with finings and filtrations kept to an absolute minimum. Gyles also believes in the use of premium wood; you will therefore find Thelema and Sutherland’s wines resting in quality French barrels.

Reserve Tickets

“Sunday Supper With The Classics Band”Playing Hit Songs Beloved by All (Cameo Appearance by Chef Jacques Haeringer on the Drums!)

Please join us for rocking evening Sunday, May 5th, 2019 at 5:30 PM, for another segment of our popular Music and Cuisine series, with a delicious “Sunday Supper” featuring The Classics Band performing hit songs and entertaining music we all love from our youth. This delightful group returns for a Sunday Supper on Cinco de Mayo, and yes,“Tequila” and “La Bamba” is on the list along with classic hits from the 50s to the 2010s. If you were at their last sold out show, you know The Classics will serve up your favorite songs, delivered masterfully with a good time vibe that will make you smile, clap or get up and dance! The Evening will feature an enticing menu and libations, and an encore performance by Chef Jacques on drums!

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A Very Special Domaine Carneros Wine Dinner with TJ Evans, Carneros Winemaker

Please join Chef Jacques and Team on Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 at 7:00 PM for a very special evening with Pinot Noir Winemaker TJ Evans of Domaine Carneros. Domaine Carneros specializes in great, handcrafted pinot noirs and elegant sparkling wines. Prior to joining Domaine Carneros in 2008, TJ Evans spent 10 years in a variety of winemaking positions around the world, during which he developed not only winemaking knowledge, but a deep love of Pinot Noir and the decision to make it the focus of his professional life. TJ worked harvest at New Zealand’s Villa Maria Estate, apprenticed at France’s 500 year-old Domaine Jean-Louis Chave and served internships with Mondavi Winery and Far Ninete. Our special evening begins at 7:00p (weather permitting) on our beautiful “in-bloom” terrace with Chef’s seasonal canapés paired with chilled Domaine Carneros, Brut Vintage Cuvée. Feast on Chef Jacques’ five-course dinner featuring the delectable sparkling and Pinot Noir wines of the Grand-Dame, Domaine Carneros.

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“Celebrating Mom’s” Mother’s Day Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Join Chef Jacques Haeringer and treat your mom or your special someone to a lively culinary demonstration and luncheon on Friday, May 10th, 2019 at 11:00 AM. Your day begins sipping chilled Monmousseau Touraine Brut while watching Chef Jacques demonstrate a selection of his very special recipes “on set” that you will surely enjoy. Continue the Mother’s Day celebration with Chef Jacques’ five-course very special “Menu du Jour”, paired with fine wines chosen by our sommelier The pièce de résistance: our Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé to round out a celebratory day. This culinary demonstration hits the spot and makes the perfect gourmet gift. Come and join us and celebrate Mom or your someone special this “Mother’s Day” at L’Auberge Chez François! We love Mom’s!

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Memorial Day Weekend “Friday Night On The Terrace” Wine Tasting featuring Live Music by Stephanie Ball

Please join Chef Jacques’ and his team on Friday, May 24th, 2019 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM as we offer you a delightful way to kick off your Memorial 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 Stephanie Ball’s 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, selected for you, this evening. All wines sampled will be available for purchase at a very special “trade” discount for our customers that evening only. Merci beaucoup and see you there! Happy Memorial Day Friday! In case of inclement weather, we will move the event to our Rooster Room, with the same festivities.

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“A Jazzy Memorial Day Weekend Sunday Supper” featuring Al Williams and Chris Fischer of American Idol

Why not Join Chef Jacques’ and his team on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday, May 26th, 2019 at 6:00 PM for a Jazzy Musical Supper, listening to the smooth standard and pop tunes of Washington Area Music Association’s best Jazz Instrumentalist, Al Williams. Multi-reed player Al Williams III has earned rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for his graceful and melodic style on tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, in addition to alto and C flutes. Jazz Times has noted the “poetic beauty” of his saxophone solos. Dividing his time among his contemporary jazz band, Al Williams and Friends, Al is one of the most highly regarded musicians around. “Al Williams has a genuine desire to reach people with his music. His music looks right at you and is open and forthright.” Sabra Best – Entertainment Magazine Joining Al Williams tonight, will be the talented Chris Fischer, a native New Yorker, who relocated to the DC area 6 years ago. Over the years, he has played with R& B legends such as Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Temptations, Jennifer Hudson and more. Chris has produced several CD’s and holds the title of being a music and chart arranger for American Idol, 2013 Emmy Awards and BET’s Celebration of Gospel. Chef Jacques’ and team are thrilled to host this Memorial Day weekend finale with these two amazing artists. Seating limited, so make your plans early!

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“Friday Night Two for Tonight Romantic Soirée”
Featuring the Romance Music of Alexander Barnett

Roses smell fine, candy tastes sweet, but a romantic repast is a much better treat! Please join Chef Jacques Haeringer on Friday, May 31st, 2019 at 7:00 PM as we continue our oh-so romantic celebrations at L’Auberge Chez Francois, with our “Two for Tonight” Soirée. A natural and wondrous relationship exists between love and food; between the heart and the palate. No truly passionate life is complete without the pleasures that fine food provides. Imagine a quiet, candlelit room with the one you love, complete with the romantic music of Alexander Barnett. Feast on Chef Jacques’ and his team’s five-course delectable romance themed dinner and sommelier paired wines. Cheers to romance, and we hope to see you and your special someone at our “Two for Tonight” Soirée, at L’Auberge Chez Francois, where romance is our Raison d’être!

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Team member of the Month

Tomas Santos Urbina joined our team June 2009 as a dishwasher. Tomas always has smile on his face and ready to jump in where he is needed. He is one of our quietest employees but he is extremely hard working and completes all extra tasks asked of him. Thank you Tomas, for all your hard work and dedication! Keep up the good job!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Antonio P. for winning the March Monsieur François Profile Embellishment Competition. Antonio will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François. Great work Antonio!

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