Chez Francois Restaurant & Touche Bistro

19th anniversary and our tradition for dinner and was amazing as always. the service is like no where else and the food is to die for. every time you leave satisfied and perfectly full. its a must stop for your special occasion if around vermilion ohio. we will be back for our 20th next year if not sooner.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Wellington, Bananas Foster, Rack of Lamb, Lobster Thermidor, Lobster Bisque and Escargot

OMG this is one you don't want to miss ... special occasions for sure...5 diamonds in my book.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Lobster Bisque and Escargot

The food was amazing and the view of the Vermilion River was beautiful. Service was excellent. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

There are meals, and then there are moments that transcend mere sustenance to become legend in the almanac of your own life. A pilgrimage to Chez François, nestled on the quiet banks of the Vermilion River, belongs firmly to the latter. It is not simply a dinner; it is an arrival.
The journey itself feels like a deliberate departure from the everyday. As you leave the wider roads behind and wind through the charming, slumbering town of Vermilion, a sense of anticipation builds. You find the historic building, humble and dignified, and descend the gentle stone steps towards the river. It is here the world changes. You are not in Ohio anymore. You have passed through a veil into a timeless French auberge, a sanctuary where the chaos of the modern world is checked at the door along with your coat.
To step into the main dining room is to step into a whisper of history. The air hums with a quiet, reverent energy. The ancient brick walls, which have stood since 1845, glow with the warm, intimate flicker of candlelight. Each table is a pristine island of white linen, set with gleaming silver and delicate crystal that catches the light like captured stars. Beyond the paned glass windows, the river glides silently by, boats rocking gently at their moorings, providing a serene, living backdrop to the elegance within. The restaurant’s gentle insistence on a dress code—a jacket for gentlemen—is not a stuffy rule, but a beautiful, shared pact to honor the sanctity of the occasion.
The service is a masterclass in the art of hospitality, a ballet of intuition and grace. The staff move with a quiet confidence, their presence felt but never intrusive. They are custodians of the experience, guiding you with encyclopedic knowledge and a genuine warmth that makes you feel not like a customer, but an honored guest in a private home.
Then, the culinary story begins. It might start with the legendary Homard Bisque, en Croûte. A perfect, golden dome of puff pastry arrives, sealing in the treasures below. The first tap of the spoon shatters the delicate crust, releasing a fragrant cloud of steam rich with the scent of sherry, tarragon, and the sweet promise of the sea. The bisque itself is velvet, a profound, creamy elixir laden with generous morsels of lobster—a dish so perfect, so iconic, it is a worthy pilgrimage in its own right.
Perhaps the main course is the Filet de Boeuf Wellington à la Périgourdine, a dish that scoffs at modern trends and stands as a monument to classical perfection. The pastry, an intricate, golden lattice, gives way to a layer of earthy mushroom duxelles and impossibly tender filet, cooked to a flawless ruby-red. Bathed in a dark, glossy Périgourdine sauce, rich with the decadent aroma of black truffle, each bite is a symphony of texture and flavor, a testament to the unwavering discipline of a master chef.
Time seems to slow at Chez François. The conversation flows easier, the wine tastes richer, and the world outside fades to a distant murmur. As you conclude with a delicate dessert—perhaps a cloud-like chocolate mousse or a seasonal fruit creation that tastes of the sun—you realize the experience has woven a spell around you.
To dine at Chez François is to understand that some places are more than just restaurants. They are institutions, keepers of a sacred flame. It is a celebration of life’s most precious moments, a reminder that true excellence is timeless. It is, without exaggeration, a culinary beacon on the shores of Lake Erie, a flawless, unforgettable journey to the very heart of France, found miraculously here, on the banks of the Vermilion.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Used to Be Our Go-To, But Something is Seriously Wrong.
My partner and I have been coming to Touche and Chez François for years. This was our spot for anniversaries, birthdays, and special occasions. We knew our servers by name, appreciated the impeccable service, and always felt the experience was worth the price. Sadly, I am writing this review to say that is no longer the case.
Over the past couple of years, we've witnessed a significant and undeniable decline. The once-flawless service is now inconsistent and often strained. The atmosphere, which used to be warm and welcoming, now feels tense and stressed. Most tellingly, we no longer see the familiar, professional faces of the staff we came to know and respect.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

What a great night! Last minute we booked a reservation for dinner on the patio. Wonderful views. Patio menu lacked a few of their signature dishes like Beef Wellington and Bananas Foster. The service was great. Exactly what you expect from a fine dining establishment. Dress code was more casual than inside - no suit coats guys!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Chez Francois is as awesome as advertised.On the water, very attentive service and the food presentation was absolutely top of the line. Easy to find in Vermillion and it could not have been better. Anniversary dinner was recognized by the restaurant and the food was spectacular. Highly recommended!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Beautiful restaurant on the river with amazing views and relaxing atmosphere. Wonderful service, amazing food with so many choices.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I do not usually write reviews for restaurants but last night’s experience was so disappointing I felt obligated . The night started off with the hostess seating our party of six at a table ment for 4 When we questioned her she said that’s all they had despite having made a reservation 2 weeks earlier and really looking forward to dining there. Without even asking us if we wanted wine or cocktails she went right in with the specials. We immediately felt rushed. We ordered our drinks and a bottle of Far Niente Chardonnay . The wine arrived warm and when I mentioned this she just said “ oh. I’m sorry “. We had to request a glass of ice . The corn chowder was average at best. I ordered the Lake Erie perch dinner. It arrived over cooked with french fries so soggy , they must have been sitting there for hours. Not once did any of the staff come by and asked how our meal was. The owner stopped by our table but I think it was because he wanted us to leave so he could turn the table. He never asked us about our experience. Sadly we will never go back . Our bill totaled $ 700.00 for a sub par meal

The first night we visited, we sat in the main dining area to get the full experience! Brock and Allie did an exceptional job serving us. We started with the Cream of Corn soup, Raviolis, and a cup of lobster bisque. All of these starters were out of this world! Impeccable flavors. For dinner, we had beef Wellington and a Filet, which were also perfect. All of the meat is cooked beautifully and every plate is a piece of art. When I was eating the Raviolis, I wanted to SCREAM 😍 we have never had beef Wellington, so we are incredibly happy that it was everything we have ever imagined!!

The next evening we were stuck in Vermillion due to rough seas, so we visited Touché, which is the top floor of the restaurant. We sat on the patio and it was only about 70° or so and it was really windy with no sun so it was cold but they had the heaters on so we were really comfortable the entire dinner. I am always cold so the heaters are amazing! I sat right under it. lol. Our server on Thursday was Bob! He did a great job tending to us. I once again got the Cream of Corn soup because it was sooooo lovely! Wade got the Poutine, and he said it was pretty good, but he didn’t finish it like we finish everything else. For dinner, I got the full order of Raviolis because I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and Wade got a pizza. He LOVED IT! The chef made an amazing choice. ☺️ we appreciate all of the staff for taking exceptional care of us. Can’t wait to come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Wellington, Ohio Sweet Corn Cappuccino Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Espuma

Delightful evening! Delicious food, great service, and fantastic deck overlooking the river! We ate at Touche, the more casual restaurant upstairs. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We dined here to celebrate my husband’s birthday and had a great time! We shared the lobster bisque, corn soup, and lobster ravioli to start. We both had the beef Wellington as our entree. It was perfectly cooked and delicious! We have no complaints about the food. We can’t wait to come back and try more items on the menu. Susie was our waitress and was incredible, providing both excellent food recommendations as well as genuine conversation. We loved her - She is amazing!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Always amazing, we are so fortunate to have this restaurant in NEO!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Outstanding service and meal!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Always wanted to try this place when we visit Vermilion. Finally made reservations here with a view of the Vermilion River from their patio. Beautiful evening, with excellent service and food. I had the lobster bisque to start, then the lobster ravioli for main course. Simply the best. We will be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5