Fine French cuisine has existed at Chez François in Vermilion, Ohio for over 36 years. Chez François serves Haute Cuisine, meaning food that is prepared in an elegant or elaborate manner; the very finest French food, prepared perfectly. The French word haute translates as "high" or "superior." Chez François sources their food from local artisan farms to nationally acclaimed purveyors. Chez François focuses on seasonal French food items for their weekly specials that is fresh and in season.
Chez François has two wine lists, both award winning. Their regular wine list has over 300 wines listed and their Captain’s List has over 600 listed. Chez François focuses their lists on French and American wines but they also span the globe for outstanding wines. The staff at Chez François is well trained and unobtrusive. Service is friendly, knowledgeable and organized at Chez François French restaurant in Vermilion.
Chez Francois is located in a National Historic Landmark building called The Sail loft Building nestled along the Vermilion River in Vermilion, Ohio. In 1840 the port of Vermilion was a shipyard where large sailing vessels were made. The name of the building is derived from the building's first commercial use, which was to make and store sails for these large vessels that sailed the Great Lakes. The original hand hewn beams and brick walls are still present today at Chez François and add a rustic/romantic charm to the restaurant. The indoor dining room at Chez François is formal with jackets requested for men. Chez François also has a Riverfront Café that is casual but sophisticated and not as formal as the dining room.
For over twenty years Chef John D'Amico and Matthew N. Mars have continuously worked to provide their Chez François patrons with an upscale, unique and sophisticated fine dining experience, without attitude. When selecting food and wine sources for Chez François from around the world, they are uncompromising and are fortunate to have a staff that helps them achieve their goal. They are honored to have patrons that appreciate these qualities in a fine French restaurant.
In 2007 Chez François added a new Riverfront Café/Room with a permanent roof over the café and sliding glass doors with a fantastic year-round view of the river. In the spring and fall the Chez François Riverfront Room is used for private dinners and receptions and in the summer it is converted to the Riverfront Café offering outdoor alfresco dining. Chez François also expanded to street level with a Wine Bar (Touché) and Private Dining Room (The Parisian Room).
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Chez François Touché
Chez François now features a bar/lounge. Touché is located in the same space that the dentist once occupied. The vision for Touché was to create an upscale bar/lounge where Chez François guests can relax and enjoy a before-dinner aperitif, a glass of wine or imported beer, a well made martini, a single malt scotch, small batch bourbon, or and an after-dinner liqueur or coffee drink.
Chez François guests can patronize just Touché. Touché is a place where patrons can enjoy a quality adult beverage, an appetizer or dessert while relaxing in a comfortable, yet upscale, atmosphere. The cuisine at Touché, as at Chez François, changes with the seasons and features small plates of food that compliment the adult beverages being served. Touché also offers all desserts that are served downstairs at Chez François.
Appropriate attire at Touché is casual but sophisticated. Touché offers live jazz on Saturday nights from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
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Chez François Parisian Room
The Parisian Room is located above the Chez François restaurant behind Touché . It overlooks the Vermilion River and offers views of Lake Erie and the Vermilion Lagoons. This Chez François Parisian Room is a private dining space that can accommodate up to fifty people. It is ideal for private meetings, birthday/annivesary celebrations or social get togethers. The menu for the Chez François Parisian Room varies according to your needs. When not in use for private functions, the Chez François Parisian Room is converted into an upscale lounge that accompanies Touché.
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Chez François Architecture
Chez François is located in a National Historic Landmark building called The Sail loft Building. In 1840 the port of Vermilion was a shipyard where large sailing vessels were made. The name of the building is derived by the building first commercial use which was to make and store sails for these large sailing vessels that sailed the Great Lakes. The original hand hewn beams and brick walls are still present today at Chez François and add a rustic/romantic charm to the Chez François French restaurant. The indoor dining room at Chez François is formal. The building is nestled along the Vermilion River. Chez François has a Riverfront Café that is casual but sophisticated and not as formal as the Chez François dining room inside.
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Chez François and the Zagat Survey
The Zagat Survey is a national publication service that reviews restaurants on a state–by–state basis. It was started over 20 years ago by the Zagats, a husband and wife team of lawyers living in New York City. The Zagats found that, too often, restaurants were reviewed or ranked by local magazines and news papers not by how good a restaurant truly was, but by how much advertising or ballot–stuffing was done by a restaurant with these publications. The Zagats decided to do their own surveys with friends and colleagues since they often dined out for business. What started as a guide for their peers 20 years ago has evolved into an unbiased restaurant survey that is used by business travelers throughout America. Chez François has the honor of once again being one of the top restaurants in the Survey for Ohio.
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Hours of Business
- Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 5 pm - 9 pm
- Friday & Saturday: 5 pm -10 pm
- Sunday: 4 pm - 8 pm
- Closed Mondays
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- Chez François
555 Main Street, Vermilion, OH 44089
Chez Francois French Dining
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