February 2015 Newsletter

Jacques’ Valentine Greeting

L’Auberge Chez François has been voted one of Top 100 Restaurants in the Country and the Most Romantic by OpenTable diners, in addition to numerous other awards through our 60 plus years. The romantic awards, are perhaps, my favorite accolades of all because I believe that creating romance requires the delicate blend of delicious food, fine libations, exceptional service, and elegant ambiance. It’s truly satisfying for me and the entire team at L’Auberge Chez François and Jacques’ Brasserie to know that we’re helping to create a magical evening.

Staying home? As many of you know, I think cooking for that special someone is also a “tres” romantic treat! Plan a meal that involves cooking together. It is the energy you put into the preparation and serving of the final meal that is sexy. Love really does begin in the kitchen.

No matter where you spend Valentine’s Day, I wish you love, romance and delicious food on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year.

A Taste of Jura & Savoie Wines
Wine Dinner

Please join Chef Jacques and our sommelier, Alex Bardsley AIWS on Thursday, February 19 at 6:30PM for another in our series of sommelier-curated wine dinners, focused on wines of the Jura and Savoie regions of eastern France. Six wines have been selected to offer a taste of different styles of the region from grapes varieties such as Jacquère, Savagnin, Altesse, Poulsard, Trousseau and Mondeuse. Perfectly paired with Chef Jacques’ five-course menu, both reds and whites are delicate and fragrant, expressing their own personality and character.

Reserve Tickets

Maison Bouchard Aîné & Fils
Wine Dinner

Join us on Wednesday, February 25 at 6:30PM for a tasting of exceptional wines and meet Vincent Bottreau, viniculturist at Maison Bouchard Aîné & Fils in France’s Burgundy region. Founded in 1750, the House of Bouchard Aîné & Fils pays close attention to specific features of their single varietals, honing each terroir to unveil their wine’s inherent richness and diversity. The evening’s presentation compliments Chef Jacques’ specially created five-course menu featuring his Grilled Medallions of Ahi Tuna with Green Peppercorn Sauce entrée.

Reserve Tickets

Valentine Gift Ideas

The combination of chocolate and love is one of life’s true pleasures. I suggest our decadent Chocolate Truffles for your special Valentine, available for pick-up at L’Auberge in 1 pound or 1/2 pound gift boxes. For other gift ideas including one of my signed cookbooks, visit Jacques’ Store or purchase a Gift Certificate with your personal Valentine’s Day message. Gift Certificates may be used for dining at L’Auberge Chez François & Jacques’ Brasserie or for Chef Jacques’ cooking demonstrations or wine dinners.

Jacques’ Store

Gift Certificates

September Rhône River Cruise

Good news! Tauck Tours has just released a few more cabins on A Taste of France, Chef Jacques’ Rhône River Cruise. Chef Jacques is leading a special group of gourmands through the Rhône Valley. The seven-night cruise begins September 22, a perfect time of year to sail through Provence. Chef Jacques will be on board to host special events, wine tastings, and a private dinner for his group in Paris before setting sail on the MS Swiss Emerald. We have a great group on board, view the cruise itinerary and join us!

Cruise Information

Our Senior Server of 24 Years

Pat Harding is one of our many long-serving team members. Pat began his career at L’Auberge Chez François in 1991. As our senior server, he has built a strong following in the dining room with his personal and professional service. Pat creates a most enjoyable dining experience for our guests and he receives requests on a daily basis from our diners for his table service. I am grateful to Pat and our entire staff for their service and continued loyalty throughout the years.

Our Dinner Menu

Bouillabaisse

The Recipe of the Month is our seafood Bouillabaisse, my father François’ version, featuring shellfish, fish and julienned vegetables in a delicately flavored broth made with essential ingredients of saffron, fennel and Pernod, a licorice-flavored liquor. The reason Bouillabaisse has a world reputation is because it is an aphrodisiac, perfect for a Valentine’s Day entreé and excellent when paired with Edmunds St. John’s Heart of Gold, our Feburary Wine of the Month.

View the Recipe

Reservations

Wine of the Month

Our Wine of the Month for the romantic but chilly month of February is Edmunds St. John’s Heart of Gold. A blend of Vermentino (called Rolle in the south of France) and Grenache Blanc, it evokes sunny Provence by way of Eldorado County, California. This charming white is fresh and fragrant, suggesting pear blossom and orchard fruit with a whisper of almond and a lingering mineral finish, and it is even lovelier coupled with a warm, satisfying bowl of our Bouillabaisse.

Edmunds St. John

To Your Health

Despite all the warnings of the past decades, we have returned to our senses and realize, for most of us, red meat is an essential component of our diets. After all, we did not claw our way to the top of the food chain to eat only vegetables. Game should be considered health food because wild game forages for its natural diet. We have eaten game for years and our systems are geared to the leaner game rather than the fatty domesticated animals. I hope you enjoy preparing my Wild Cuisine recipes at home.

Wild Cuisine

Monsieur François Compétition

I want to congratulate Lauren B. of Oak Hill, VA for winning the January Monsieur François’ Profile Embellishment Competition. Lauren will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

Eater DC Classics

Featured on Eater DC for Classics Week 2015, “What Would Dad Do?” an interview with Chef Jacques speaking about Monsieur François’ vision and how the Haeringer family legacy continues. While food trends change, L’Auberge Chez François proves how classic French cuisine never goes out of style. “The classics are the classics because they’ve stood the test of time. Our business is about keeping consistency number one.”

Eater DC

New York Social Diary

Food, Glorious Food – New York Social Diary features L’Auberge Chez François, a memorable dining experience a half hour drive from Washington DC, out near Great Falls, VA. “This is one of the area’s most enduring restaurants and please let it be there for years to come. L’Auberge is reminiscent of the charming French restaurants up the Merritt Parkway, La Cremaillere in Bedford, NY comes to mind.”

NY Social Diary

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