FOOD NOTES/Celebrating L’Auberge Chez Francois

Celebrating L'Auberge.

By Tyler Sullivan

GREAT FALLS, VA. - L’Auberge Chez Francois, an Alsatian brasserie quietly nestled in Great Falls, took another spot in the OpenTable Choice Awards for the second year in a row - a winner in the top 100 best restaurants in the United States.

L'Auberge Chez Francois focuses on Alsatian cuisine but has a broad spectrum of classical French dishes.

The French family restaurant, dedicated to the cozy inn feel, recreates an Alsatian countryside auberge experience and brings French ambience, good honest food and affordable prices to the Northern Virginia area.

It has been in business for 52 years. The first 20 were spent as an urban restaurant on lower Connecticut Avenue, just two blocks from The White House. When the entire block was razed to accommodate new office buildings, Chez Francois closed their Washington restaurant and moved to this location in the Virginia countryside, becoming an "auberge." They have been immensely popular since their first day here. Bookings have to be made a month in advance for weekends. Their classical approach to French cuisine gets raves and stands as a counterpoint to the other highly-rated restaurants, all of whom prepare contemporary cuisine.

“My father, Francois, who founded the restaurant in 1954, always said his keys to success were simply ‘stick to the basicis; good food, good ambience and good service,'"  said Jacques Haeringer, chef and owner of L’Auberge Chez Francois.  "Dining should be a total experience, from the service to the setting. This is a tradition that has lived on at the restaurant for more than 60 years and is something we pride ourselves on,”

A classic French pate plate at L'Auberge.

The OpenTable title, chosen from over 12,000 restaurants, holds great significance in the restaurant world.   The list of winners is concluded from more than 10 million reviews submitted by OpenTable diners. To add to their success, L’Auberge was also named the #1 Best Overall Restaurant in the Virginia/DC suburbs Diner Choice Awards.

“These winners have proven they are at the top of their game every day,” said Caroline Potter, OpenTable’s Chief Dining Officer, “they make certain that every aspect of a guest’s visit it both delicious and divine.”

Félicitations L’Auberge!