September 2014 Newsletter

In Celebration of Our 60th Year

Allow me to propose a toast to you, our loyal patrons, and to the staff of L’Auberge Chez François for sharing in 60 years of delicious food and magical celebrations. We’ve been celebrating the 60th Anniversary of our opening all year, but September 15 marks the actual day we opened our doors at the original Chez François in Washington D.C. A week of anniversary celebrations will be kicked off at our sold-out Garden to Table Dinner on September 15, which will feature a special dessert by former White House pastry chef and friend, Roland Mesnier, with music by the Nancy Scimone Trio. Then, I’m reprising my two most popular cooking demonstrations, The Seafood Lovers’ Feast on September 19 and the Carnivore Lovers’ Feast on September 20. In addition to these special events, those who dine with us between September 16 and September 21 will receive a complimentary Champagne toast with their meal as a thank you for celebrating with us.

I’m proud and humbled that our simple philosophy, bien manger, c’est bien vivre, has carried us through 60 years in the Washington D.C. area. Merci to all our customers for your loyal patronage over the years and here’s to many more years of eating well and living well.

Seafood Lovers’ Feast

Please join Chef Jacques on Friday, September 19 at 11:00am for his Seafood Lovers’ Cooking Demonstration. In celebration of our 60th Anniversary, Jacques will demonstrate a classic entrée, our family recipe for Bouillabaisse, an all time favorite, and a decadent Chocolate Napoleon. He will share his passion for classic French cuisine by teaching expert cooking techniques and tricks of the trade, after which guests will enjoy a five-course luncheon paired with fine wines. The select wines will be available for purchase at a special discount.

Reserve Tickets

Carnivore Lovers’ Feast

Our 60th Anniversary Carnivore Lovers’ Cooking Demonstration takes place on Saturday, September 20 at 11:00am. Chef Jacques will prepare an appetizer of Terrine de Foie Gras, our traditional Veal Scaloppini with Virginia ham, jumbo lump crabmeat and Mushroom Cream Sauce, and mais oui, Coupe aux Marrons for dessert. The demonstration culminates with Jacques’ five-course luncheon paired with our sommelier’s selected wines. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase the wines at a special price as well.

Reserve Tickets

AAA World Profile

We are honored to be featured and would like to share Along the Way, The French Connection, a profile of L’Auberge Chez François published in the recent September issue of AAA World. A retrospective of Papa François Haeringer’s 1954 Chez François beginnings in Washington D.C., to fulfilling Papa’s dream of opening an auberge in the countryside with our relocation in 1976 to Great Falls, Virginia.

The French Connection

Canard Vineyard Wine Dinner

Please join us on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30pm for a tasting of exceptional wines from estate winemaker, Canard Vineyard of Calistoga, California. Quietly creating handcrafted wines for almost thirty years, the vineyard produces only eight unique wines each year, all from estate grown grapes. Their wines are skillfully transformed into the finest expression of each varietal. Chef Jacques’ specially created five-course dinner menu will compliment the tasting selections.

Reserve Tickets

Fall Wine Festival Luncheon

Our Fall Wine Festival Luncheon will take place on Saturday, September 27. Please join us as we sample wines from France, Spain, Argentina, California and Virginia. A walk-around tasting of twelve wines with canapés will be from 11:30 – 1:00pm. Following the tasting, sit down and enjoy a complete luncheon of your choice from our four-course Luncheon Menu including yet another glass of wine. All wines sampled at the tasting will be available for purchase at a special discount.

Reserve Tickets

Châteaubriand

In celebration of our 60th Anniversary, I want to share some classic French recipes. Our Recipe of the Month is Châteaubriand with Sautéed Potatoes & Scallions, and the featured entrée at our Garden to Table Dinner on September 15. This traditional version of Châteaubriand is a L’Auberge Chez François favorite, seasoned very simply and roasted to perfection, and pairs well with a Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry 2010.

View the Recipe

Reservations

Wine of the Month

Our Wine of the Month, the Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry 2010 has an aromatic dark-red fruit character, smooth tannins and medium bodied elegance that makes this Bordeaux-style blend a fine match for our Châteaubriand. For more than 100 years, Beaulieu Vineyard (Beautiful Place) has been dedicated to traditional handcrafting and state-of-the-art innovation for bold and classic wines that honor their exceptional terroir.

Beaulieu Vineyard

Lassie’s Luncheon

Papa François Haeringer has many delightful archived memories and letters to share. A special guest dined at Chez François on Connecticut Avenue, Washington D.C., in the fall of 1969. Lassie, from the 1954 television series pulled up a chair with her owner-trainer, Rudd Weatherwax and dined on Boeuf Bourguignon as the staff and Papa looked on in amusement or by Papa’s reaction, amazement as Lassie enjoyed her luncheon.

Lassie’s Recommendation

Monsieur François Compétition

I want to congratulate J.P. of Great Falls, VA or winning the August Monsieur François’ Profile Embellishment Competition. J.P. will receive a $200 gift certificate to L’Auberge Chez François.

Save the date for our Fall Harvest Garden to Table Dinner on Monday, October 13 with music by Mary Ann Redmond and a specially created five-course menu with wine pairings. Watch for the announcement and registration in our October Newsletter.

Be sure to follow L’Auberge Chez François on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on our nightly specials, events and recipes.

Best Culinary Wishes,

Chef Jacques