April 2015 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques and Paul

Breaking news! L’Auberge Chez François is honored to receive another outstanding Zagat rating by our customers. In addition to the great Zagat news, L’Auberge Chez François has again been awarded the monthly OpenTable Diners’ Choice! Thank you for your patronage and taking the time to provide reviews and comments on your dining experience at L’Auberge Chez François and Jacques’ Brasserie. Merci beaucoup!

We spent much of March spring cleaning and preparing for the warmer weather. We have painted the terrace chairs and tables and purchased new outdoor cushions for your dining comfort. We are mulching, landscaping and planting so that you may enjoy our beautiful scenery. We invite you to walk the grounds and visit our two large organic vegetable gardens. We are already harvesting ultra-fresh spinach to add to our salad mix and featured in the grilled shrimp and goat cheese salad. This is our Recipe of the Month and one of Chef Jacques’ favorite healthy, leafy green vegetables (see below).

The great spring migration in the Chesapeake Bay has begun. This will bring seasonal additions to our menu at L’Auberge Chez François, including everyone’s favorite rock fish, the local delicacy, shad roe and soon to come soft shell crabs. We have the first cooking demonstration and luncheon in our craft beer series, a seasonal Cherry Blossom Celebration luncheon, and the debut of our new Musique et Cuisine series at the end of the month. The advent of spring has inspired us to add additional special events to our calendar for your enjoyment. Be on the lookout for the return of our popular Garden to Table dinner series beginning in May. This series is truly the definition of sustainable and artisanal cuisine. Bon appétit and à bientôt!

Devils Backbone Craft Beer Cooking Demo and Luncheon

Please join us on Saturday, April 11th at 11:00am for the first in our series of craft beer events. Virginia’s own award-winning Devils Backbone Brewing Company is on tap to whet your appetite. They brew several varieties of pilsners, lagers, and ales. This special event includes a cooking demonstration by Chef Jacques, followed by a five-course luncheon with beer pairings. Senior Brewer April Anderson will be here to present and discuss each beer pairing. Diners will have the opportunity to purchase the beer at a special price.

Reserve Tickets

Cherry Blossom Celebration Cooking Demo and Luncheon

Join Chef Jacques Haeringer on Friday, April 17th at 11:00am for the Cherry Blossom Celebration Cooking Demo and Luncheon. Our area is known for its beautiful cherry blossom trees that bloom annually. At this event, Jacques will share his passion for classic and contemporary French cuisine by teaching cooking techniques and tricks of the trade. Afterwards our guests will enjoy a five-course luncheon paired with three fine wines. Patrons will also have the opportunity to purchase these wines at a special price. Love begins in the kitchen!

Reserve Tickets

Recipe of the Month

Spinach first appeared in France during the 14th century. It quickly gained popularity because it grew in early spring when other vegetables were scarce. It has a high nutritional value and is a good source of vitamins, iron, and calcium. Our Spinach Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Goat Cheese is a classic spring salad and pairs nicely with a fruity glass of Pinot Gris wine.

View the Recipe

Reservations

Vive la France – An Evening of Parisian Music

On Thursday, April 30th at 7:00pm, L’Auberge Chez François debuts an all-new dinner series beginning with world-famous French accordionist Jacques Pellarin. With eight albums and multiple world tours, Jacques Pellarin has shared his French cinema-inspired accordion compositions with world-wide audiences. Chef Jacques says, “What a great way to kick off our new “Musique et Cuisine” series at L’Auberge Chez François with Jacques Pellarin. I have always had a special fondness for the accordion, as I too learned the accordion at a very young age, and enjoy reliving the lively popular music and sounds of France.”

Reserve Tickets, Night 1

Vive la France – A Second Evening of Parisian Music

We hope you can join us on Friday, May 1st at 7:00pm for a second evening of Parisian music with Jacques Pellarin and his wife, Corinne. The evening also includes a classically inspired six-course menu with French wine pairings. French magazine Le Progrès wrote: “They bring back almost a century of the traditional French ‘chanson’ songs like those of Édith Piaf, Yves Montand and Francis Lemarque. With just voice and accordion, Jacques & Co. captivates audiences and transports them to the dance halls and street side cafés of France’s yesteryear!”

Reserve Tickets, Night 2

Team Member of the Month

Over twenty years ago, Marc St. Jean was hired by Papa to answer the telephones and take reservations. He has worked in the restaurant industry since he was young; but once he graduated college, he realized that he wanted to go back and learn more about the restaurant business. Monsieur François was “the best mentor; and there is no better learning experience than learning from him!” After a lot of hard work, Marc is now the General Manager of L’Auberge Chez François. We can always count on him to ensure our operations are run seamlessly. We thank Marc for his loyalty and service and look forward to the future.

Spring Wine Fest Luncheon

Please join us for our Spring Wine Fest Luncheon and Wine Tasting on Saturday, May 2nd. At this event, you will be tasting wines from France, Austria, Chile, California and Oregon. A walk-around wine tasting of twelve wines served along with canapés will be from 11:30am to 1:00pm – come anytime! Following the tasting, sit down and enjoy a complete luncheon of your choice, ordering from the L’Auberge Chez François 4-course luncheon menu, including another glass of wine! Lunch will be served between 12:pm and 1:30pm.

Reserve Tickets

Allegrini Estates Wine Dinner

Please join us for a tasting of exceptional wines from Allegrini Estates, Wednesday April 15th at 6:30pm. The winery is located in Fumane di Valpolicella, just north of Verona in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. While the Allegrini family has been winemaking since the 16th century, it is the innovations of the last two generations that have brought them acclaim. Their commitment to challenge local traditions and accepted techniques in their pursuit of quality has won the winery numerous awards.

Reserve Tickets

Monsieur François’ Competition

Congratulations to Rebecca L. of Fairfax, VA who came hopping into first place for the March Monsieur François’ Profile Embellishment Competition. Rebecca will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

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

Best culinary wishes,
Chef Jacques