Local Event Premier Host

Grand 50th Anniversary Seven-Course Dinner

Cost: $295 (Per Person; Excludes Tax & Gratuity), For a Total of $390 Per Person

Please join Chef Jacques, Paul Haeringer and the team at L’Auberge Chez François on Sunday, May 3rd 2026 5:00pm as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in Great Falls, Virginia.

Chef Jacques and team will kick off our 50th celebratory experience with a grand toast to Papa and Mama. Our anniversary culinary event promises to be filled with very special anecdotes, history, and lore of Papa and Mama’s move to Washington, DC with Papa’s Chez François then journeying to the “country” to open their dream “L’Auberge” in 1976.

Enjoy Chef Jacques’ specially chosen seven-course classic family favorite’s degustation menu with Papa’s beloved delectable French wine pairings selected by Paul Haeringer.

Our Grand 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Experience promises to be an evening of fabulous wine and delectable and oh-so-memorable 50 years of award-winning cuisine offered on our covered garden terrace “ Le Grande Tente,” complete with café bistro lighting, pastoral views of our six acres, two on-site gardens, koi pond, and blooming flowers.

Histoire

François Haeringer, the founder of L’Auberge Chez François in Great Falls, Virginia, was a pioneer when he opened the original Chez François in the heart of Washington DC in 1954, next to the White House. Haeringer’s goal was to operate a restaurant with “a nice ambiance and good honest food at affordable prices.” The restaurant’s enduring popularity is a testimony to his success with this approach.

In 1975, the Claridge Hotel, which housed Chez François, was sold to make room for an office building. Instead of retiring at age 57, Haeringer decided to fulfill his dream of opening an “auberge” – a family inn prevalent in his native Alsatian countryside. After finding the perfect six acres of rolling green hills in Great Falls, L’Auberge Chez François opened in 1976, and became a family business.

Eldest son Jacques, by then a chef in his own right, became Chef de Cuisine. The dining rooms are filled with Haeringer family heirlooms and murals depicting scenes of Haeringer’s place of birth, Obernai, France.

It was François “Papa” Haeringer who opened the restaurant on April 20th, 1976 in Great Falls. After losing the space his original French restaurant in Washington D.C., Monsieur François looked around for a bucolic setting to open a new restaurant. He wanted its design to be quintessentially French country and reflect his Alsatian roots.

He chose six acres off Springvale Road that used to house a car repair shop, a deli and a gun shop. The small commercial tracts development was personally overseen by Monsieur François to create the cottage style, exposed timber restaurant that still sits on the property.

His goal was to operate a restaurant with “a nice ambiance and good honest food.” The restaurant’s enduring popularity is a testimony to his success with this approach. And Bravo to Papa, Mama and the entire Haeringer family for keeping this dream of theirs flourishing, continuing and growing.

It is our hope that you will help us celebrate this momentous occasion, 50 years ago! Thanks for the great Culinary Journey with us. Joyeux Anniversaire! Merci Beaucoup!

Best Culinary Wishes,

Chef Jacques Haeringer and Team

GRAND 50TH ANNNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SEVEN-COURSE WINE DINNER GALA MENU

L’Auberge Chez François Classic Seasonal Canapes

Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut La Cuvée

Grand Toast to Mama and Papa Haeringer

By Chef Jacques Haeringer

Chef Pascal’s Corbeille de Pain

Our Famous Garlic Bread & Bibeleskais, Multi-Grain Rolls, Sourdough Bread, Local Butter

Le Vol au Vent aux Fruits de Mer

(Original Chez François Menu, 1954)

Maine Lobster, Day Boat Scallops, Shiitake Mushroom in Puff Pastry Shell, Lobster Cognac Sauce

Domaine Weinbach, Les Vignes du Prêcheur, Alsace

La Salade de L’Auberge

with Papa’s House-made Vinaigrette

Our Classic Lime Sorbet, Spritz of Alsatian Kirsch

Chez François’ Classic Herbs de Provence-Crusted Roasted Rack of Spring Lamb

(Original Chez François Menu, 1954)

Chef Jacques’ Gratin Dauphinois, Root Vegetable Purée, Thyme Sauce

Château Marquis d’Alesme, Margaux 3me Grand Cru Classé 2019, Bordeaux

Our 70th Anniversary Grand Dessert by Chef Pascal

La Symphonie du Gâteau, Sauce Aux Fruits de la Passion

Valrhona White and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake, Passion Fruit Sauce

Domaine Le Freud, Antidote de Chez Freud 2022, Alsace

Julius Meinl Coffee, Selection of Harney & Sons Fine Teas

Event Price: $295 (Per Person; Excludes Tax & Gratuity), For a Total of $390 Per Person. 

Tickets non-refundable. Patrons will be able to purchase this evening’s wines at a very special price. We are happy to accommodate guests’ dietary concerns. Please email chezlauberge@aol.com or call 703-759-3800 with special requests.

Please remember to sign up early, as seating for our grand 50th month events. If we are sold out, please call to join our wait list. Merci! Patrons will have an opportunity to purchase these delectable wines at a very special price this very special evening!

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• event
• wine
• dinner
• Things to do in Great Falls, VA
• Virginia Wine & Food Events
• Great Falls Wine & Food Events