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Anyone been to L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls?

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by smheese, Jan 4, 2008.

  1. smheese

    smheese New Member

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  2. jblnd

    jblnd New Member

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    Yes, many times and it is great for a special occassion. Everyone is very knowledgeable about the food--the wine is good (although, this is from distant memory because the last few times I've been there, I've been pregnant). I highly recommend it.
     
  3. southernwalkres

    southernwalkres New Member

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    Been there several times. The food is always real good, and the setting is fantastic. Great for a special date night.
     
  4. Winston

    Winston Junior Mint

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    Without a doubt, one of the best restaurants on the east coast. It is expensive (plan on $150pp), but more than worth it. Make reservations as far in advance as possible.
     
  5. surfboarder

    surfboarder New Member

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    I feel it is the best restaurant in. Washingtonian Magazine readers polls rate it at or near the top for the whole metro area year after year. Food and service are fantastic. Plan on spending about $100 per person for meal, wine, tax and tip. (More if you order an expensive wine).
     
  6. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Been going there for years. Outstanding. Make sure to call ahead for reservations. Sometimes there is a two week backlog. Other times, you can catch a cancellation.
     
  7. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    Excellent food and service is second to none. It is a little on the pricey side, but well worth it. Also, first thing you need to order is the souffle, as they make an outstanding variety of them. They are each made fresh, so if you wait to order dessert after the meal, you'll miss out. I also would reccomend the tomatoe and brie salad.

    You'll not be dissappointed
     
  8. signifer

    signifer Member

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    One caveat. You may want to ask if they have seating times. A long time ago I went there expecting to have a leisurely meal. Things were going great until they came along and said they needed our table because it was time for the next seating. When I made the reservation they had said nothing about seatings or I would have booked an earlier start time; they had taken down the time I wanted to start with the (unexpressed to me) expectation that I would leave when the next seating started (and this turned out to be before I was finished). They may well not be doing this anymore, but you may want to ask when you make the reservation.

    Richard
     
  9. Mom8386

    Mom8386 Member

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    Great food and service. I've only been there once with a group and we had a private room so I don't know for sure about seatings. But, I seem to remember someone telling me that they do seatings and you can't just go at any time you want, but have to make reservations for specific seatings.
     
  10. LKelly

    LKelly New Member

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    How about Chez Francois vs Inn at Little Washington? If you had to choose one for a special occasion, which would it be?
     
  11. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    Chez Francois, Inn at LW is way overrated and over priced. The one place that used to be almost as good as Chez Francois was Chez Mark in Manassas, but they closed for some reason. That place was nice, even though it was in Manassas.
     
  12. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Inn at Little Washington is about twice as much, but I would recommend everyone try it at least once. It's an unbelievable experience. Beautiful restaurant recently remodeled. Service is impeccable. Food very original and extremely well presented.

    For a real treat you can reserve a table in the kitchen. You get to watch the "show" and they bring samples of items from the menu. I've never done it but have always been intrigued.

    If you happen to be in Little Washington make sure to look into the kitchen; there's a huge window along the back of the restaurant which gives a great view. All members of the kitchen staff wear specific uniforms and colors based on the job function. Motivational sayings about quality etc are etched/painted around the top rim of the room. The chief chef is extremely flamboyant.
     
  13. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    p.s. Chez Mark was no where near the class of Chez Francois. Totally different experience.
     
  14. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    Disaggree, while Chez Mark was not as eligent and fantastic as CF, it was still very good.
     
  15. Nova Native

    Nova Native New Member

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    The food and service at the Inn at Little Washington is the best food I have ever had. I think it is something to try once though because it is hard to justify 90 minutes each way and $200pp for food. After get the Inn out of your system, I much prefer L'Auberge. (Which ironically means a country Inn in French). It's usually closer to $100 per person and only about 30-35 minutes away. With price and distance, I much prefer L'Auberge in Great Falls, but you should try the Inn at least once. Patrick O'Connell is a genius but Francois is nice too.
     
  16. Lee

    Lee Permanent Vacation

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    If you really want to make it very special then have dinner and stay the night at the little inn.

    I think they are both great for dining.

    Lee j
     
  17. mwb2218

    mwb2218 New Member

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  18. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    Little known secret about Chez Francois - if its nice out, they have outdoor seating available on a first come first serve basis with no reservations needed.

    Good for a spontaneous lunch/dinner if you are in the area and the weather is nice.
     
  19. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    Yes, My wife and I have a friend that lives a few houses down from Chez Francios and he and his wife will often do that in the summer time. I've never had the fortune of that, but I bet it's pretty nice.
     
  20. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    Ditto!!!!
     

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