The Riverfront Café
Eighteen years ago, when we first opened Chez François, we had a vision
to create a casual but sophisticated, alfresco, riverfront dining experience.
We’ve succeeded! In fact we believe we offer the only upscale, waterfront
dining experience on the Northcoast of Ohio.
These are a few of the commonly asked questions about the Riverfront Café...
What is the appropriate attire?
As mentioned, casual but sophisticated. Shorts are fine, golf or boating attire is also fine, please no tank tops or swimsuits.
Do we take reservations?
Absolutely! The café is busy Tuesday through Sunday. If you are interested in dining outside it is wise to make a reservation.
Do you have boat slips available?
Yes! We can accommodate boats up to 63 feet inlength. The water is about six feet deep by our slips. We also take reservations for your boat. The Vermilion Public Boat docks are located next to the restaurant. They offer overnight accomodations as well as electricity and water. (440) 967 – 7087.
Is the menu the same inside and outside?
Yes. We offer an outdoor menu that is very similar to the indoor menu but with a few lighter entrees. The Seasonal Specials Menu is the same indoors and outdoors.
What hours is the café open?
The café hours are the same as the indoor dining hours except on Saturdays when we open at 4:00 pm.
Is the Café ever open for lunch?
No.
Hors d’oeuvres
Soupe à L’Oignon Gratinée
$6.95
French onion soup with toasted crouton and Gruyère cheese.
Lobster Bisque
$9.95
A rich lobster bisque seasoned with garlic, shallots and tarragon.
Escargots au Basilic
$10.95
Snails served in the shell with a blend of sweet basil, garlic, shallots and sweet butter.
Coquilles Saint-Jacques a la Parisienne
$12.95
Maine sea scallops, sautéed, served with a fish velouté sauce, with mushrooms, seasoned with garlic, shallots, Dry Sack Sherry and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Served in a natural sea scallop shell with duchess potatoes.
Homard et Saint André en Croûte
$9.95
Maine lobster and Saint Andre cheese wrapped in puff pastry, baked, served with a black currant sauce.
Artichaut à l’Alouette
$9.95
California artichoke hearts, sautéed, stuffed with alouette cheese, lightly breaded with hazelnuts and served with a Dijon honey mustard/raspberry sauce.
Carpaccio de Filet de Beouf aux Champignons Savages
$10.95
Carpaccio of “Prime” beef tenderloin, topped with aged balsamic vinegar, Alba white truffle oil, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, cracked black peppercorn and sautéed wild mushrooms.
Truite Fumée, Cécile
$7.95
Applewood smoked Rainbow Trout served with marinated asparagus and chive infused olive oil.
Pâté Maison
$8.95
Chicken liver pâté with green peppercorns, hard boiled egg, red onion, olives, cornichons pickled caperberries and stonewheat crackers.
Fromage du Jour
$8.95
Imported French cheeses du jour, with dates, membrillo (quince paste), almond/fig cake and fruit bread.
Tapenade Provençal
$7.95
A roasted tomato and olive tapenade drizzled with extra virgin olive oil served with French bread.
Entrées
Homard en Coquille à l’ Américaine
$36.95
Maine Lobster and seared sea scallops tossed with saffron linguine and wild mushrooms, served with seasonal vegetables and a Cognac/lobster cream sauce with fresh tarragon.
Assiette de Coquillage au Basilic
$26.95
A medley of shellfish including, cold water shrimp, Maine sea scallops, Prince Edward Island mussels, Pasta Neck clams and escargot served over spinach fettuccini with mushrooms, diced tomatoes, olives and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, basil infused olive oil.
Saumon au Raifort, Maitre d’hôtel
$27.95
Seared filet of Atlantic Salmon topped with a horseradish crust and an herb butter sauce.
Galettes de Crabe, Salade de Concombres
$19.95
Sautéed Maryland crab cakes served on a bed of julienne cucumber, pickled ginger and jicama coleslaw, seasoned with a lemon grass and cayenne infused olive oil, garnished with petit dill.
Escalope de Veau aux Fruits de Mer
$29.95
Sautéed breaded cutlet of Provimi veal with Maine lobster, cold water shrimp, Maine sea scallops and asparagus spears in a Normandy wine sauce with fresh dill.
Ris
de Veau Grenobloise
$26.95
Sautéed medallions of veal sweetbreads in a caper/crouton lemon wine butter sauce.
Suprême de Volaille aux Noisettes et aux Crustacés
$26.95
A roasted French breast of chicken, served with Maine lobster, cold water shrimp, and a hazelnut sweet potato mousseline, sauced with a mushroom and apple Frangelico cream sauce.
Suprême de Volaille, Basilic
$18.95
A roasted French breast of free-range chicken served with toasted pinenuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a basil/herb butter sauce.
Côte de Porc, Abricot
$18.95
A French loin pork chop, grille, served with a sweet potato mousseline and a pungent apricot sauce with apricots.
Carré d’Agneau à la Provençale
$32.95
Roasted Australian rack of lamb, topped with a roasted tomato herb crust, seasonal beans, braised cipollini onions, eggplant, garlic and olives, sauce au natural.
Petit Filet Mignon à l’Estragon
$23.95
Center cut filet mignon, potato mousseline and summer vegetables served with a tarragon red wine sauce.
Filet de Boeuf au Stilton
$29.95
Center cut filet mignon, grille, topped with Stilton Blue cheese, garnished with a cheese crisp and a potato gallette with a ruby port wine sauce.
Filet de Boeuf Wellington à la Périgourdine
$33.95
Center cut filet mignon, grilled, wrapped in puff pastry with Hudson Valley Foie Gras, mushroom duxelle and black truffles with sauce Perigueux.