June Newsletter

Greetings from Chef Jacques and Paul:

June is a busy time for special occasions at L’Auberge Chez François with graduations, christenings and weddings.

We’ve all waited a long time but the weather is finally nice enough for outdoor dining on our terraces. You can eat outdoors at L’Auberge Chez François or downstairs at Jacques’ Brasserie, “mais oui”, but of course. Our organic, kitchen gardens are an easy stroll from either terrace if you’d like to see where the salad greens, herb, peppers and more for the entire restaurant are being grown. You’ll also see that the tomatoes are coming in and we’re just a month away from fresh, tomato salads from the garden. Did I mention the newest addition to our gardens? Two types of hops are being grown for our own IPA and lager-style beers; “à votre santé”!

To celebrate the upcoming the summer season, and our Bastille Day, we are announcing a full slate of very special events lined up for the month of July. Kicking off these events, we are honored to welcome back the fabulous Wolf Trap Opera Filene Young Artists, accompanied by a very special dinner. They bring some of the brightest vocal talent to Wolf Trap’s stages every summer, and again to our delight at L’Auberge Chez François.

July brings two Bastille Day celebratory events, including a Bastille Day “Let them eat gâteau” cooking demonstration and luncheon featuring the wines of Boisset Collection, complete with lively songs and merriment. La Fête Nationale Française musical brunch, featuring the highly acclaimed French music of Lynn Veronneau. A Chateau Ste. Michelle wine dinner with winemaker David Rosenthal. Also planned is an exciting full moon total lunar eclipse Garden to Table Dinner; and rounding out the month, a musical garden party brunch featuring the music of our patron favorite, Alexander Barnett.

What has become a highly anticipated yearly event by our guests and servers alike, our annual Bastille Day servers race will begin at 5:00 PM on Saturday, July 14. Inspired by the famous footrace in Paris, on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the Course des Garçons de Cafe, is a century-old Bastille Day tradition where servers race with fully loaded trays, avoiding spills on their route. Join in on the action and cheer for your favorite servers as they compete in this exciting race, re-created around our grounds and gardens.

Cheers to a delicious culinary summer!

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

A Night at the Opera Featuring Wolf Trap Opera Filene Young Artists

Please join us Sunday July 8 at 6:30 PM as we host our talented neighbors at Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center for a musique et cuisine evening. Catherine Filene Shouse, Wolf Trap’s visionary founder and gourmand, was a frequent L’Auberge Chez François Sunday dinner guest who dined with Papa Haeringer on Sunday afternoons for many years. We are proud to continue this relationship and friendship for decades.These Wolf Trap Opera Filene Young Artists have performed on some of the country’s premiere operatic stages, including those at Washington National Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago.They bring some of the brightest vocal talent to Wolf Trap’s stages every summer, and to the always sold out Night at the opera performances at L’Auberge Chez François. They will provide an evening program centered on French Music with Chef Jacques’ six-course garden inspired menu and sommelier chosen wine pairings.

Reserve Tickets

Bastille Day Celebratory Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon

Join L’Auberge Chez François to Celebrate “La Fête Nationale Française” Day on Saturday, July 14 at 11:00 AM with Chef Jacques’ Classic French Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon, featuring the champagne and wines of the Boisset Collection. In honor of La Fête Nationale, sip Charles de Fère Blanc de Blanc Brut while Chef Jacques presents his lively cooking demonstration. After the Bastille Day demonstration, retreat to the beautiful Garden Room where you will enjoy a delectable five course luncheon along with specially paired Boisset Wines. Special guest Neil Ruane, export manager for Boisset, (in full costume as Napoleon today) will introduce and present the Boisset French wines paired with our Bastille Day Luncheon, as well as lead the lively songs, singing of the French National Anthem and all the merriment of the day. Chef Jacques says “Vive la France” and here’s to an afternoon of delicious food, and good French fun on Bastille Day!

Reserve Tickets

La Fete Nationale Francaise Musical Brunch Featuring the French Music of The Lynn Veronneau Duo

Join us as we continue our Bastille Day celebration on Sunday, July 15 at 11:00 AM with a musical brunch featuring the French tunes of the talented Lynn Veronneau Duo. With awards for Best Jazz Group, Best Jazz Vocals, and Best Jazz Recording it is no surprise that Veronneau captivates audiences in sprawling festivals, concert halls or intimate jazz club by blending Brazilian jazz, French chanson and swing standards with their own original compositions. Based in Washington D.C., Veronneau has performed across the D.C. region, including The Kennedy Center, Strathmore AMP and DC Jazz Fesitval, Canada and at Blues Alley. Celebrate the Francophile in you with our Bastille Day Sunday brunch menu accompanied by a chilled glass of Crémant Rosé, Garden Bloody Mary’s or Mimosas and the beautiful French music of the Veronneau duo. Vive la France, Happy Bastille Day and Bon Appétit!

Reserve Tickets

Chateau Ste Michelle Wine Dinner with Winemaker David Rosenthal

Join us for a very special wine dinner on Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 PM with Chateau Ste. Michelle lead winemaker David Rosenthal. Celebrating more than 50 years of winemaking, Chateau Ste. Michelle has combined Old World winemaking traditions with New World innovation. Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the few premium wineries in the world with two state-of-the-art wineries, one for red wine and one for white wine. The white wines are made at the Chateau in Woodinville, WA, while the reds are made at our Canoe Ridge Estate winery in Eastern Washington.David started his career at Chateau Ste. Michelle as white wine oenologist and was later promoted to assistant winemaker. He continued to excel and was promoted to white winemaker in 2015 where he currently manages day-to-day operations at the winery’s white wine cellar in Woodinville, Washington. David will be hosting the evening and taking you through his wines that have been skillfully paired with a menu created by Chef Jacques Haeringer and his team for a delectable five course meal and wine pairing event, not to be missed!

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Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse Garden to Table Dinner featuring Prince Havely

Please join us Friday July 27 at 7:30 PM as we celebrate a full moon total lunar eclipse and our July bounty of fresh vegetables and herbs from the gardens with a delectable menu, on the terrace (weather permitting), under the glorious moon and stars. Chef Jacques and Stephanie, our lead gardener, are proud of our two on-site gardens. They are both happy to suggest nutritionally superior food to make for delightful cuisine for this special evening.The party begins with a convivial reception, sipping chilled Crémant Rosé, of course, and savoring seasonal canapés, followed by a five-course dinner that is paired with two fine wines, all while outside dining under the stars, amidst a full moon total lunar eclipse in Aquarius, and enjoying the soothing and romantic tunes of Prince Havely. Truly Garden to plate at its best!

Reserve Tickets

A Musical Garden Party Brunch Featuring the Music of Alex Barnett

You are invited for a delightful Sunday outing, July 29th at 11:00 AM on our outdoor terrace (weather permitting) for the next installment of our popular Musical Brunch series featuring a patron favorite, guitarist and composer Alexander Barnett. Since his first appearance at L’Auberge Chez François, Alex has been captivating our guests on a regular basis with sold-out events and performances. He will be performing a broad range of music from classical, modern and jazz, against the backdrop of our lovely gardens. Feast on Chef Jacques’ four-course menu paired with brunch garden inspired cocktails while Alex provides his soft acoustical music. Start your day at L’Auberge Chez François and end your weekend on a high note. A bientot and see you there!

Reserve Tickets

Kick off an exciting Bastille Day Celebration by joining us Saturday, July 14 at 5:00 pm for our
fifth annual L’Auberge Chez François and Jacques Brasserie servers race. Inspired by the
famous footrace in Paris on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées the Course des Garcons de Cafe, is a century-old Bastille Day tradition where servers race with fully loaded trays, avoiding spills on their route. Join in on the action and cheer for your favorite servers as they compete in this exciting race re-created here around our grounds and gardens. Chef Jacques’ and special guest Neil Ruane (aka Napoleon), export Manager for Boisset Family wines, will kick off the race with the ancient art of sabering Champagne. Vive La France and Bonne Fete Nationale!

Team Member of the Month

David Hermes Granados joined our team February 2007 as a dishwasher. David arrives everyday to work with a smile on his face and ready to jump in where he is needed. He is extremely hard working and completes all extra tasks asked of him. Thank you David, for all your hard work and dedication! Keep up the good job!

Monsieur François Competition

Congratulations to James L. of Leesburg, Virginia for winning the May Monsieur François Profile Embellishment Competition. James will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.