February 2017 Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques

We are thrilled to announce that L’Auberge Chez François has once again been voted one of the 100 Best Restaurants in America and 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America by OpenTable diners. These awards are especially gratifying as they come directly from our customers’ reviews. We always strive to deliver the perfect blend of delicious food, fine libations, exceptional service, and elegant ambiance that create magical evenings for our patrons.The entire staff celebrated our win at an award ceremony at the restaurant. A special thank you to all of our diners for your continued patronage and support.

We are honored to be hosting many of your romantic celebrations this month. No matter where you spend Valentine’s Day, we wish you love, romance and delicious food.

Looking ahead, we have a full schedule of special events coming in March, including a musical brunch, our popular spring wine festival, and a cooking demonstration featuring fabulous Bordeaux wines. We are especially excited to welcome Eileen Crane, Founding Winemaker and CEO of Domaine Carneros for a special wine dinner on March 23. You will find more details on all of our upcoming events below.

Until next month,
Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team of L’Auberge Chez François

Bounty of Bordeaux Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Join Chef Jacques Haeringer on Friday, March 3 at 11:00am for a special Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon with Bordeaux winemakers Joel and Sandrine Duffau. Joel Duffau follows the tradition of nine generations of winegrowers in his family and has inherited their passion for making superior wines. He grows grapes organically at both Château La Mothe du Barry and Château les Arromans in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers region, between Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion. Joel and Sandrine have created around their vines a bucolic setting in which to make great wines. Chef Jacques will be demonstrating a delicious menu to complement their elegance.

Reserve Tickets

Musique et Cuisine featuring BlueHouse Project

You are invited on Friday, March 10 at 7:00pm for a night of delightful music and delectable food as we welcome the rocking BlueHouse Project for our Musique et Cuisine dinner series. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, BlueHouse Project shines with excitement, energy and the history of the Georgetown-era bands. These old friends recently reunited for a special sold-out concert honoring the celebrated Bayou Nightclub. BlueHouse Project brings their version of Soulful, Singer Songwriter Blues to every performance. Their debut CD was released in October 2016. Please join us for a very special musical evening that is not to be missed.

Reserve Tickets

Spring Fling Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Say goodbye to the cold and hello to spring! Join us on Saturday, March 18 at 11:00am for a Spring Fling Cooking demonstration where Chef Jacques will show you how to use fresh, spring ingredients to prepare a delicious meal that celebrates the season. You’ll sip on Crémant de Bourgogne while you learn the secrets to making classic quenelles de brochet, the perfect asparagus salad, and a variety of dishes that showcase the bounty of Virginia’s spring season. The demonstration is followed by a five-course luncheon with wine pairings; sure to make it the perfect springtime afternoon. We hope to see you there!

Reserve Tickets

Musical Brunch featuring Guitarist Jarrett Laskey

Please join us on Sunday, March 19 at 11:00am for a Musical Brunch with classical guitarist Jarrett Laskey. Jarrett is a classically trained musician who performs a large repertoire of Spanish and Latin guitar music, well-loved standards, and contemporary arrangements. This will be Jarrett’s second visit to L’Auberge Chez Franҫois, after his sold out performance here last year. Chef Jacques has created a superb Sunday brunch menu for you to enjoy, accompanied by special brunch cocktails as you enjoy the afternoon’s music. Why not spend your Sunday with us, by the fireplace, listening to beautiful music over brunch?

Reserve Tickets

Domaine Carneros Wine Dinner with Eileen Crane, CEO

Please join us on Thursday, March 23 at 6:30pm for a very special evening with Eileen Crane, founding winemaker and CEO of Domaine Carneros. Domaine Carneros specializes in great, handcrafted pinot noirs and elegant sparkling wines. In 1987, Claude Taittinger, president of Champagne Taittinger, selected a beautiful parcel of land in California’s wine country to be the site of his future winery, Domaine Carneros. He chose Eileen Crane to be the property’s first and only winemaker. And the rest, as they say, is history. Known as America’s Doyenne of Sparkling Wine, Eileen has amassed a wealth of experience in thirty years of solidifying the winery’s excellent reputation in the sparkling wine industry.

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Spring Wine Festival and Luncheon

The next installment of our ever-popular Wine Festival and Luncheon will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Please join us as we sample twelve wines from France, Germany, California, Oregon and New Zealand. Arrive anytime between 11:30 and 1:00pm for a walk-around tasting of these fine wines paired with Chef Jacques’ seasonal canapés. Our sommeliers will be on-hand to guide you through the tasting and answer questions. Following the tasting, sit down and enjoy a complete luncheon of your choice from our four-course menu, paired with another glass of wine. All wines sampled will be available for purchase at a special price that day. Merci beaucoup and see you there!

Reserve Tickets

Awards to L’Auberge Chez François

The past year was quite successful for both of our restaurants. For the fourth year in a row, L’Auberge Chez François was voted 100 Best Restaurants in America. Just this month, we were also included in the OpenTable 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America listing. Another nod to our romantic side, USA TODAY featured “50 States: 50 Most Romantic Restaurants on Yelp”. L’Auberge Chez François represented the state of Virginia. It is truly an honor for our restaurants, team and food to be recognized. Merci beacoup!

USA TODAY Article

Team Member of the Month

Julio Aliaga has been a server at L’Auberge Chez François since April 2006. He is not your typical fine dining server. His outgoing yet laid back personality makes our customers feel at ease. It may seem like work is all fun and games to Julio because he is able to make jokes and have a good time while still providing the highest level of service. It is not uncommon for all of those around him to be in a jovial mood. Our guests enjoy Julio because of the entertaining experience he provides. He arrives each day with a positive attitude and smile on his face. Thank you, Julio, keep up the great work!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to Tamiko S. of Vienna, Virginia for winning the February Monsieur François Profile Embellishment art contest. Tamiko will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.