Chez Francois – Our Purpose
Chez François exists to create an experience where people celebrate life. Entering its 38th season, the restaurant has served four generations of diners, maintaining a commitment to excellence. The philosophy is clear: If we do not set the standard, then who will? Chez François is a place for all occasions—birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, farewells, and even moments of remembrance. It serves as a refuge from chaos, a space where warmth, hospitality, and order prevail.
Service at Chez François is not just about efficiency but about craftsmanship. A carpenter builds things, but a craftsman creates a work of art. Craftsmen care about every detail—the design, the materials, the ingredients, the team, the service, and the guest experience. This level of care ensures that every aspect of the restaurant upholds the highest standard.
The true purpose of Chez François was exemplified in the summer of 2016 when a family dined in honor of a lost loved one. The team unknowingly provided them with a meaningful space to remember their daughter and sister, making a difficult evening special. The impact of that night turned into an annual tradition for the family, proving that the role of the restaurant extends beyond food and service—it is about human connection.
This philosophy applies not just to Chez François but to all its spaces, including Touché, The 555, The Parisian Room, and The Riverfront Café. The mission is to expand horizons, create meaningful experiences, and provide a place where every guest feels valued.
At its core, Chez François is about more than just dining—it is about making a difference in people’s lives,
one experience at a time.
Attire:
- Men Formal Sport Coat for Men, Ties Optional, Pants/No Shorts, No Hats.
- Ladies dresses or pant suits, no shorts.
Info
- Menu: Chez François Menu & Chef’s Prix-Fixe Menu
- Tables: Low-Top Tableclothed Tables & Round Tables up to 12 guests.
- Handicap Accessible: Bathrooms are limited to Handicap Guests with several stairs and small stalls. Access to the Main Dining Room & The Riverfront Café is limited to parking by the Vermilion Public Docks and walking or wheel chairing along the boardwalk into these two venues.
- Reservations: Suggested either by phone, email or Resy
- Parking: Self-Parking on Main Street or Vermilion Public Docks for Handicap Parking.
The Main Dining Room
Opened in 1987 by co-owners Matthew Mars and Chef John D’Amico, The Main Dining Room at Chez François is a white tablecloth restaurant that is in one of the most Romantic dining rooms in America. The room offers an old world charm that can only be found in Europe, with original exposed brick walls and wood beams dating back to 1840 the year the Sail Loft building was constructed. The walls are ordained with original French Posters and artwork and floor to ceiling Aubergine drapes imported from Turkey.
The purpose of this space is to CELEBRATE, whether that is a birthday, anniversary, celebration of life, graduation, bon voyage or a simple Thank You!
With regards to attire this is a formal dining venue; Gentleman Jackets Please, ties are optional, dress slacks, dress shoes. Ladies dresses or pant suits, no shorts. One of the few dining venues in Ohio where you can be dressed up and not feel out of place.
Attire:
- Men Casual but sophisticated dress for gentleman dress slacks, dress shorts, dress tennis shoes and collared shirts are perfect.
- Ladies dress slacks, dress shorts, summer dresses, tennis shoes/sandals are perfect.
Info
- Menu: Touché Menu
- Tables: High Top Bistro Tables up to 8 per High Top.
- Handicap Accessible: Yes Bathrooms
- Reservations: Suggested either by phone, email or Resy.
- Parking: Self-Parking on Main Street
- Temperature Controlled: Heated in the Spring and Fall months, Open air during the summer with ceiling fans (no air-conditioning).
Touché
A Craft Cocktail/Martini/Wine Bar
“Quality Always Triumphs over the Lackluster” is our motto at Touché from the wine list to craft cocktails to our cuisine we only serve quality ingredients and products gathered from around the world.
Opened in 2007 Touché is a casual and convivial place Chez François Co-owners Matthew Mars and Chef John D’Amico, created a casual go-to neighborhood bar where a guest can walk-in for an adult beverage and a quick appetizer or stay longer for prix-fixe dinner and lively conversation.
Guests are welcome at the bar or at the surrounding high-top tables, low top tables are available in our Foyer area that is attached to Touché or when available in The Parisian Room our private dining room. Seating is limited so please call for a reservation.
Attire:
- Men Casual but sophisticated dress for gentleman dress slacks, dress shorts, dress tennis shoes and collared shirts are perfect.
- Ladies dress slacks, dress shorts, summer dresses, tennis shoes/sandals are perfect.
Info
- Menu: Chez François Menu & Chef’s Prix-Fixe Menu
- Tables: Low-Top Tableclothed Tables & Round Tables up to 12 guests.
- Handicap Accessible: Bathrooms are limited to Handicap Guests with several stairs and small stalls. Access to the Main Dining Room & The Riverfront Café is limited to parking by the Vermilion Public Docks and walking or wheel chairing along the boardwalk into these two venues.
- Temperature Controlled: Heated in the Spring and Fall months, Open air during the summer with ceiling fans (no air-conditioning).
- Reservations: Suggested either by phone, email or Resy.
- Parking: Self-Parking on Main Street or Vermilion Public Docks for Handicap Parking.
The Riverfront Café at Chez François
Opened in 1987 The Riverfront Café compliments Chez François with a less formal Al Fresco outdoor dining space that offers the same menu as Chez François. The Café is located along the Vermilion River on the lower section of our building and is attached our Main Dining Room. During the summer the Café is one of two outdoor dining venues that we offer.
We convert our Riverfront Café into the Riverfront Room for the spring and fall seasons. This fully glass-enclosed room with brick floors and oriental rugs overlooks the Vermilion River and offers spectacular views of the seasons and offers private and semi-private dining for ten to forty persons. Depending on the size of your group you can order off the menu or work with Chef John D’Amico to create a personalized menu.
Attire:
- Men Casual but sophisticated dress for gentleman dress slacks, dress shorts, dress tennis shoes and collared shirts are perfect.
- Ladies dress slacks, dress shorts, summer dresses, tennis shoes/sandals are perfect.
Info
- Menu: Touché Menu Inside, Limited Appetizers in the Low Top Outdoor Lounge.
- Tables: High Top Bistro Tables up to 6 per High Top. Low Top Outdoor Lounge seating up to 4 guests
- Handicap Accessible: Yes Bathrooms
- Reservations: Suggested either by phone, email or Resy.
- Parking: Self-Parking on Main Street
The 555
An Intimate Cocktail Lounge
The ”555” was created in the summer of 2022, located behind Touché and above Chez François on the southside of The Sail Loft Building located at 555 Main Street, Vermilion, Ohio.
With the help of our team of craftsmen, especially Mr. Roger Loosli, we created a space the features a side Outdoor Lounge perfect for cocktails and appetizers, a Le Petit Bar & Lounge and The Loft space located on the third floor. Very cool and very intimate, a perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail or after-dinner liqueur.
With regards to attire this is an informal dining venue; Casual but sophisticated dress for gentleman dress slacks, dress shorts, dress tennis shoes and collared shirts are perfect. For ladies dress slacks, dress shorts, summer dresses, tennis shoes/sandals are perfect
This space can also be reserved for small gatherings of up to twenty-five guests.
Attire:
- Men Casual but sophisticated dress for gentleman dress slacks, dress shorts, dress tennis shoes and collared shirts are perfect.
- Ladies dress slacks, dress shorts, summer dresses, tennis shoes/sandals are perfect.
Info
- Menu: Touché Menu
- Tables: Low-Top Tableclothed Tables & Round Tables up to 12 guests.
- Handicap Accessible: Yes Bathrooms
- Reservations: Suggested either by phone, email or Resy.
- Parking: Self-Parking on Main Street
The Parisian Room
A Private Dining Room
The Parisian Room is a fabulous space that offers a vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams, a hardwood floor with Oriental rugs, French Posters and views of the Vermilion River and Lake Erie, The Parisian Room offers a private dining space that can accommodate up to fifty persons. This room is ideal for private meetings, birthday/anniversary celebrations, holiday parties or a social get together. The menu for this room varies according to your needs and desires.
When not in use for private functions, this room is converted into a dining room that compliments Touché for larger groups and offers low-tops tables.
Attire:
- Men Casual but sophisticated dress for gentleman dress slacks, dress shorts, dress tennis shoes and collared shirts are perfect.
- Ladies dress slacks, dress shorts, summer dresses, tennis shoes/sandals are perfect.
Info
- Menu: Touché Menu
- Tables: High Top Bistro Tables up to 8 per High Top.
- Handicap Accessible: Yes Bathrooms
- Reservations: Suggested either by phone, email or Resy.
- Parking: Self-Parking on Main Street
- Temperature Controlled: Heated in the Spring and Fall months, Open air during the summer with ceiling fans (no air-conditioning).
The Touché Café
Alfresco Dining
Opened in 2007 The Touché Café offers an Al Fresco dining experience that compliments Touché during the summer months when temperatures and weather are most favorable. Al Fresco is a style of dining that is casual and often party-like in its atmosphere. The Touché Café is located on our roof covered balcony located directly behind the Parisian Room. The Café offers panoramic views of The Vermilion River and Lake Erie.
The Café offers high-top tables in the front section of the Café and low-top tables for two guests located on the side rail of the Café.
Chez Francois
- No Overnight Dockage
- No Electric or Water
- No Generators and Radar while in the Dock.
Public Docks
The Public Docks are right next door, and they offer:
- Overnight
- Electric
- Water
- Bathrooms
The Boat Docks at Chez François
& The Vermilion Public Docks.
We have very limited availability. The length of the boat is not as crucial as the width of the boat. We can accommodate 8-to-16-foot beam boats. Until you understand our docks it is best to have Matt Mars take the reservations.