Attire: We decided to dress up and wore suits, however this is not required as there were other people in more casual attire at dinner. Upon arriving at the Inn we were greeted by friendly doormen and a very pleasant hostess who promptly took our coats. We arrived about 30 minutes before our reservation, thinking we could sit at a bar for pre-dinner drinks, however it didn’t appear they had a bar. We waited about five minutes before we were seated. Our server was very friendly and congratulated us on our anniversary and that we were given special menus to commemorate the special occasion. The menus had our names on them, however they put ‘congratulations Kim & Jeffrey’ instead of ‘Tim & Jeffrey’. An easy mistake, but that was the first strike against our experience. Jeff and I each ordered a different tasting menu along with the wine pairing. Soon after ordering, our wine and initial dishes were being served. To us this felt very rushed, by the time we had finished one of first dishes they were pouring the next wine and serving the next dish. Overall, my food was very good, of note the veal sweetbreads were like nothing I’ve had before. The other dishes were good, but weren’t as memorable, including dessert which was disappointing. The wine accompaniment was also nicely paired to all of their dishes. The service on the other hand was lacking. We expected more out of the staff from The Inn. To name a few examples, our server poured a different wine into the wine glass I was previously drinking from, another server reached across the table to grab something, and our server forgot to bring Jeff the glass of port wine he ordered. While all minor mistakes, we expected more and left us with a sour taste from the experience. The major highlight of the evening was the kitchen tour. After asking to see the kitchen, we were promptly brought in and greeted by Chef O’Connell himself. He even let us take a picture with him, this definitely ended the night on a good note. To summarize: The food was good, service was lacking, but the kitchen tour and meeting Chef O’Connell was amazing. The other thing I noticed about the Inn, the décor was overwhelming, there was too much stuff. Personally, I think a more minimalist design would be better(but what do I know, the restaurant has done very well for themselves!) We don’t have any plans to come back soon, but would definitely try The Inn again in the future. Read more reviews at:
Mary Frances D.
Tu valoración: 5 Great Falls, VA
This is our second time at the Inn, and it is a(the most!) magical place for a dinner and an overnight stay. Over the past 20 years, we’ve dined/stayed at a number of 5-star places, and this was, hands-down, the best restaurant and inn we have visited. The best-kept secret, I think, is the breakfast — not to be missed if you’re staying overnight in the Inn. The entire experience exceeded our high expectations!
Jason H.
Tu valoración: 5 Fairfax, VA
My fiancée and I have been trying all of the restaurants from a Zagat article on toughest tables in DC. . Next up on our list was the Inn at Little Washington. We decided to go on a Sunday night because the menu is slightly cheaper than Saturday. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very cozy and relaxing. It doesn’t feel like a restaurant at all but more like a very upscale home dining room. We were immediately served breads and rolls with three different types of butter. I knew the food was going to be good when I tried a piece of rye bread with tarragon butter and was hit with amazing flavors. I don’t even like rye bread. There were 3 different pre fixe options to choose from in the menu. I went with the«menu of the moment» and my fiancée decided to go with«the enduring classics». We both decided to pass on the vegetarian menu. After a few appetizers that included a really good risotto ball we finally reached our menu items. Mine started with a really good mousse foie gras served in a golden egg shell. I enjoyed the Inn’s foie gras more than Komi’s and Le Diplomate’s because it was much lighter and wasn’t as heavy on the seasoning. The other highlight from the menu I tried was the filet of antartic sea bass with lemon vodka sauce and lilliputian shrimp and pork dumplings. This was my favorite dish of the night. I actually think the dumpling/raviolis tasted better than the sea bass. The highlights from my fiancée’s menu were the lamb loin with caesar salad ice cream and the pork with local apples and potato purée. The pork was extremely tender and made me wonder if I should’ve chosen her menu instead. Both menus had something special to try. The thing I noticed the most was how each item was spiced perfectly and things blended together really well. For dessert I tried chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut tartlet with olive oil ice cream. This was one of the best desserts that I’ve ever tried. The flavors really popped with each bite. My fiancée tried the butter pecan ice cream sandwich. She also thought it was one of the best desserts she’s ever tried. Both were amazing, but I think the butter pecan ice cream sandwich is the one that gets the most attention. Other than a small snafu with being charged the Saturday rate instead of the Sunday rate on our bill(which was easy to fix) everything was perfect. This restaurant was right up there with Komi and Rose’s Luxury out of all the best DC restaurants we’ve tried so far.
Brian K.
Tu valoración: 5 Richmond, VA
Probably the top 3 restaurants I’ve ever been to. I would have said number 1 before my last visit. The menu was very odd last time I went. Everything here is very good, but the last menu I had offered several unique dishes and not all of them were, «excellent». The service is amazing here! It may sound cliché to say the service is great, but you really can distinguish between the great service here and the best service you have had anywhere else. The staff is genuinely concerned about your satisfaction and go above and beyond to help you with your menu choices. My final comment is that the prices are very high. I think they’re high because they can get away with it. Even at the high prices, this restaurant stays full; however, I think the prices could come down a bit. The owner could probably increase the prices and stay busy, because it is a special place.
Tim Y.
Tu valoración: 5 Burke, VA
Wow. Where do I start. We just returned home after dinner and an overnight stay. I wanted my wife’s 30th birthday to be perfect. The Inn did not disappoint. I booked the reservation online and left a comment that it was her birthday. When we got there, from the valet to the host to the waiter, everyone made sure they knew ahead of time and wished her a happy birthday. It may seem like a trivial gesture, but it’s those little things that leave a great impression and make you feel like that place a high value on service. Everyone went above and beyond. We got the menu of the day with wine parings with the seven deadly sins for dessert. Every dish was unbelievable. Best meal we ever had and each wine paring was spot on. I’m not someone who places high value on presentation when it comes to food, but this was the first time I got to see how much it can enhance your dining experience. The meal is not cheap, but well worth it if you want an all around great dining experience. Thank you, Inn at Little Washington for making my wife’s birthday the most special one ever!
Paul G.
Tu valoración: 4 Manassas, VA
Everything about the Inn at Little Washington during our stay there was exceptional — but there are two caveats. The food was out of this world, brilliantly presented and among the best tasting courses I’ve ever had — except for the pork dish at the very end which was fatty. Minor disappointment. We stayed at the inn for the night, and while pricey, the customer service level was exceptional — to the point that a representative would accompany you to your meal — and your bags were in your room within a minute or two of your arrival. However, I can’t say that we’re happy post-stay with their service. My wife left a keepsake book — a book of poems — in the room after we left — and we had a horrible time getting anyone at the Inn at first, to go look for it in the room — and then to follow up on their«we will call you back» commitments — which they broke twice. Including a manager. So what was a nearly magical experience that we would easily have repeated ended on a poor note. But the rest of what we experienced was so exceptional that they are still getting four stars.
Jay Rand B.
Tu valoración: 5 Richmond, VA
Our third trip to the Inn. This time it was all(and more) that I could ask for. Our reception was wonderful. The miniature popcorn with truffle oil was divine. The appetizers were delightful. We opted for the«Menu of the Moment» * Our Crispy Napoleon of Chilled Maine Lobster with Pommes Anna and Lobster Gazpacho * Chilled Herb-Dusted Loin of Veal and Albacore Tuna in a Classic Italian Tuna Sauce * Filet of Antartic Sea Bass with Lemon Vodka Sauce and a Lilloputian Shrimp and Pork Dumpling * Bourbon-Glazed Crispy Veal Sweetbreads with Pappardelle Pasta and Blenheim Apricots * Pistachio-Crusted Jamison Farms Lamb Loin with Peewee Dutch Potatoes and Glazed Fennel For dessert we had the seven deadly sins and the sorbet palette. Everything was perfected prepared and plated. Service was impeccable. Truly a 5 star evening. One of our best meals ever. Arun’s, French Laundry, Au 14 Fevrier only three that still compete in our mind! Thank you!
Victor A.
Tu valoración: 1 Reva, VA
We have not stayed or eaten here yet, but as the saying goes, you never get a second chance at a first impression. Everything we have heard about the Inn has been tremendous, and we still plan to dine there someday. However… a few months back my wife and I were tromping around Washington about mid-day and stopped by just to look at the menu. There was no menu posted outside, so we stepped in to ask to see one. We were not well-dressed that day as we were just exploring. We asked to see a menu, and the(I assume) maitre d’ was downright rude and snooty. He informed us quite curtly that the menu changes daily, and seemed very reluctant to let us see a menu. I presume he thought we’d get it dirty or something. He seemed like he couldn’t wait for us to leave. I will say that the items on the menu looked amazing, but the initial attitude cooled us on the place. We’re local and will probably try it someday(when we are better dressed!), but are in no hurry. When and if we do, I will update this review.
Ken V.
Tu valoración: 4 Schwenksville, PA
I’ve taken a long time to think about this review. First, I can say it was an experience worth having. I’m a serious foodie, home chef, and I have run high end services organizations for a couple of decades, so I had high expectations of both the service and the cooking. First, the service. We were immediately greeted and escorted to the parlor. After a few moments, we were asked if we’d like drinks while waiting for our table(we were a party of six celebrating my mother-in-law’s 70th in one of the kitchen tables). I purposely ordered a Hendrick’s gin. Yes, it was a little bit of a test, but I’d have expected that to be a very low hurdle. My Hendrick’s gin was delivered to me with a lime wedge, as is traditional for gin — only problem is that Hendrick’s is served with a cucumber slice, not lime. Disappointment, not awful, but disappointing. Once we were seated, the quality of service and attentiveness was wonderful, with each course being served by a team of staff, so everyone was served at once(felt like a controlled«swarm» for a lack of a better term). The dishes in the course were described to us and we were on our way. Again, wonderful, but… We’d ordered wine with our meal and after I tasted the wine and OK’d it, it was poured for the rest of the table. Fine, but upon refilling glasses, I’d asked that the ladies at our table be served first, they were not. Of the 3ish times we had glasses topped off(we ordered more than one bottle of wine), only once were the ladies served first before the men. Also, in two of the three bottles, they were drained to the point of leaving a significant amount of sediment in the last glass. Disappointing, not awful, but disappointing. The flip side here is that the Sommelier was wonderful. She quickly picked up that I knew a bit about wine, why I liked what I liked, but that I was looking for new experiences. She was able to suggest three truly wonderful bottles that fit well with our meals(and they were diverse) and met everyone’s palate. Very nice job there. Both my wife and mother-in-law expressed a dislike of goat cheese and lamb. While modifying the selection options was easy and comfortable««Of course, is there a course from another menu selection you’d prefer?»), not all the dishes with goat cheese as a part of the recipe were identified, leading me to swap one dish with my wife, as her’s had goat cheese in the sauce. She has a strong aversion and, even though it was subtle, it was readily apparent to her. I thought it was delicious, but that’s not the point. The other dish had goat cheese as a garnish. Both complete turn-offs to her. During one meat course, her pigeon was errantly put down in front of me and my lamb in front of her. Again, not awful, but not what I was hoping for. Finally(and I don’t know if I’d call this«service,» but…), the prix fix menu options had uplift priced items(ex — if you want the caviar, it’s $X more). Really? We’re at the highest of high end restaurants and I’m greeted with something that feels very cheap to me, especially having come off a recent cruise where all the non-generic items had cost uplifts. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive here, but it seems to me the restaurant could charge an additional $ 1 to each customer on an already VERY pricey tab and remove that feeling of being nickeled and dimed. Disappointing. One very positive note — we sat in the kitchen and were a table with more than one serious home cook. We asked questions of the staff that were not normal table banter and they very comfortably and easily answered everything. Now for the food. We had what I believed to be excellent food that was well prepared and well presented. I was impressed with the consistency, taste and beauty of everything that came out. I had lamb that was as tender and mild as anything I’d ever had before. Just spectacular and the sweetbreads were a delicious treat. Very special. The lobster Napolean with lobster gazpacho was fabulous. Courtesy of the above-mentioned goat cheese situation, I had my wife’s beet salad and it was also wonderful. There was nothing I ate that I did not think tasted and looked spectacular. I only had one minor issue with the food. We were there for a birthday. They brought out a cake for the table — chocolate cake with chocolate orange frosting. The cake was honestly what anyone would want in a cake — rich, moist, delicious, except that I’m not a huge fan of a chocolate-orange combination(classic, though it is). Would have been nice to have been asked if anyone wanted anything else. Overall, this was a memorable meal and I’m truly glad I was able to experience it. The food was wonderful, the service was very good, and the environment was special. For me, though, I see it as a once-in-a-lifetime event. I’m a huge foodie and love a good meal, but am not motivated to return, although I will definitely return to Washington, VA in the future.
Emily L.
Tu valoración: 4 Baltimore, MD
We enjoyed dinner with friends here recently, and while we had a lovely time, we felt the price was not commensurate with the overall experience. Our food was excellent, without question. The ingredients were top-quality and prepared with artistry and care. Every dish was a work of art, perfectly seasoned and innovative without resorting to too many gimmicks. However, I felt the tasting-menu format just didn’t work here: we had what amounted to half a dozen appetizer portions, with no one dish at the center of the meal. I would have loved, for instance, an entrée of the pan-roasted chicken in morel cream sauce; it was transporting. The sea bass filet with lemon vodka sauce was also exceptional. Spending several hundred dollars per person, however, I expected the meal to unfold like the plot of a well-crafted novel, and instead I had to make do with several interesting but brief short stories. Even the dessert was fragmented — a quenelle of silky ice cream here, an artful cluster of crispy crumbs there — with nothing substantial enough to sink your teeth into. The $ 200 price tag only includes food, of course; we paid twice that in the end. Although I don’t think I’d ever had a $ 24 cocktail before, I did enjoy their springy take on an Old-Fashioned, with herbs and strawberries muddled in place of the familiar spicy orange, and my husband raved about their Sazerac, which met his exacting Crescent City standards. He and our friends all ordered the wine pairings that came with the classic menu, but since I had already diverged with the seasonal menu, I ordered a bottle of rose that I thought would compliment it well. It turned out to be a good choice, even though they brought the wrong bottle, as the others were not wowed by the pairings: they were fine, but didn’t transform the dishes the way they do for the best tasting menus. Two out of five were Rieslings, for instance, which seemed a little repetitive. The dining rooms were charming, but surprisingly dated: our table was in a cozy little nook that felt just a tad stuffy, with layers and layers of fabric everywhere and chairs that weren’t the most comfortable. The garden achieved the perfect balance between rustic and refined, however, and we were thrilled to move there for our dessert course, on a flagstone terrace overlooking a colorful water garden. The service about which many reviewers have raved was indeed impressive, but again, lacked the jaw-dropping quality I would expect at this price point. Our server was young and had a great sense of humor, but remained professional. He didn’t write anything down but made several mistakes, including ordering the wrong wine for me, as I mentioned above. I know I should have mentioned it, but as I’m not a wine connoisseur I felt uncomfortable bringing it up when I knew I would enjoy just about any rose. Ironically enough, when our bill arrived they had charged me for wine pairings in addition to the bottle, though they quickly fixed that error when we pointed it out. When I ordered, I asked if the chef could substitute another dish for the veal(I don’t eat it for ethical reasons) and the server immediately suggested the parallel course on another menu, a lamb carpaccio. It was delicious, but as there was already a lamb course on my menu, I would have preferred a little more effort at finding a suitable substitute. Finally, what we thought was a gracious invitation to enjoy their garden on a cool summer evening turned out to be a gentle nudge out of the way so that a high-profile military guest could have our table. We understood, but it seemed a poor way to treat people who had made reservations months in advance. If those small hiccups left a bad taste in our mouths, it was certainly dispatched by the shower of parting gifts: personalized menus suitable for framing and a tiny paper replica of the Inn, filled with bite-sized sweets. Truly, despite these minor quibbles, our night was full of fun and laughter and I’m grateful to have had the experience.
Richard T.
Tu valoración: 5 Bethesda, MD
I don’t usually write reviews for businesses with unblemished and well-established reputations for excellence. They don’t need me and potential readers of any review I might write don’t need me. Anything I might say would just be piling on. So be it. But I’m going to pile on. I’ve been a regular, if infrequent, guest of TIALW since the mid-eighties. I’ve dined there countless times, had two overnight stays, and this June had a two-night stay for my wedding. All of these experiences have left me marveling at the consistent excellence –near perfection — of the place. The challenges are obvious. TIALW is not only a world-class restaurant, but also a world-class hotel. It’s in the very epicenter of nowhere. Yet you are surrounded with, bathe in, perfection at every turn. The food, the accommodations, the service — perhaps particularly the service –can be matched but never, in my experience, surpassed anywhere. I cannot think of a more challenging business in which to aspire to excellence. It’s labor intensive and invites the most critical clientele with the highest expectations, yet TIALW leaves even the most urbane globe-trotting gastronome grasping for superlatives. TIALW is an extravagance, but I never leave without feeling I’ve gotten a very special bargain. The place is literally miraculous. I cannot imagine how they do it. A bucket-list must for any and all with the even slightest taste for refined elegance.
Mina P.
Tu valoración: 2 Reston, VA
I know I’m in the minority but I can only give 2 stars. At this level I expect the food to be good. But that’s it. It was good. It was OK. I was really hoping they would blow me away. But no it didn’t happen. Everything was tasty but it’s not like he was trying to reconstruct or make it different or tickle my tastebuds in a way I can’t get anywhere else. Similar experience when I went to Komi. My vote is still with minibar. I’ve been multiple times and every time I walk out I want to go back. I wish I felt that way at the Inn.
John D.
Tu valoración: 5 Fort Myers, FL
I don’t get it. Why are there so few reviews for this place? There should be thousands, at least by west coast standards. My wife & I dined here with four friends in June and paid a bit of a surcharge to eat at a table in the kitchen. It was worth it, but certainly not necessary to fully enjoy this fine restaurant. I must say that I had perhaps the best meal I’ve ever has in the US, the only possible exceptions being The French Laundry and Chez Penisse. The ambiance and décor was exquisite and the service impeccable. And the food, of course, to die for! Although I’m a carnivore, I went for the vegetarian tasting menu paired with wines, and I was not disappointed. After the Amuse-bouche and Chilled Asparagus Soup, my salad of Tokyo Turnips was fabulous. Thereafter, every course was a special treat: Honey Poached Eggplant with Baba Ghanoush, Local Duck Egg«Tea Cup», Custard, Fusilli Pasta with Morel Mushrooms, and Cauliflower Steak with Yellow Indian Curry. It really does not get any better than this…
Andrea J.
Tu valoración: 5 Richmond, VA
I don’t know where to begin this review! From the time we drove up to the front of the Inn and valet parked the car until we got back into our car to leave this morning, the service was impeccable! The room was gorgeous and I think they upgraded us because we reserved the standard room but ended up in a room with a balcony overlooking the front of the Inn. The afternoon tea was delightful outdoors, overlooking the koi and beautiful plants that ran along the pond. We took a tour of the property and the guide(forgot his name) was knowledgable about the property and history. We took a nice little walk around the property and said hello to the chickens as well as the llamas and sheep. The dinner was truly amazing and the best meal I think I’ve ever had. The service was top-notch. My husband and I chose two different menus so we could sample all of the selections available. I can’t tell you what my favorite was… it was truly memorable. The best part of the meal was Cameron, the cheese monger who brought Faira(?name) to our table and unloaded every cow joke ever told. After dinner, we took a tour of the kitchen and even got to learn how to clean soft shell crabs. Such a great experience for someone who loves to cook. We got the best sleep in the most comfortable bed. We actually slept until 9 which was late for us. The continental breakfast was plenty after the wonderful meal we had the night before. The croissants were the best! The Greek yogurt parfait was tasty with house made yogurt and granola. The berries that accompanied the parfait were fresh and sweet. I can’t wait to go back and celebrate another special occasion at the Inn. Truly memorable.
Pete V.
Tu valoración: 5 Alexandria, VA
You might ask how can one not give one of the top restaurants in the country 5 stars? Well… if they keep delivering amazing dining experiences like they did for my b-day dinner, then why the heck not! We celebrated my birthday with an over the top dinner 7-course dinner at Inn at Little Washington and they did not disappoint. From our first drink cocktail to dessert, every course was imaginative, unique in style and preparation, cooked perfectly, presented exceptionally well, and delicious of course! We started off with a round of cocktails. I love bourbon and asked our server if he recommended the Old Fashioned, or the Bourbon Burlesque. As a bourbon lover, the recommended the latter, and I was delighted by it. Prepared with Basil Hayden bourbon, it was very well balanced and made with plenty of fresh blueberry with Art in the Age«Snap» Liqueur, meyer lemon, rhubarb bitters, and Jamaican ginger beer. The drink enhanced the whiskey while adding plenty of complexity and balance. A cocktail perfect for sipping and enjoying on a warm Virginia spring day. Without going into crazy detail on the many courses… I’ll skip to the highlights: — The amuse bouche was excellent. It was actually three bite sized tastings. One was a fresh salted radish. I usually don’t like radish, but this was scrumptious! The second was a Virginia ham egg roll. Again, I’m not an egg roll guy, but this was very tasty. Loved the crunchy texture and savory ham flavors. — The asparagus vichysoisse was superb(and this was another free course!) I feel like this is a theme of dishes or ingredients I usually do not prefer, but reinvented as a dish that I absolutely loved. I do like asparagus, but cold soup is not my thing. Here the vichysoisse was creamy and flavorful. It was also not served too cold, but slightly below room temperature, which I thought was the ideal serving temp. — Wow, I can’t believe I had just had 2 free course and have not even started my regular meal. For my first course I opted for the hamachi crusted with peppers, and served with radish and jalapeño. The hamachi was of extremely fresh and I loved how the fattiness in the hamachi was contrasted by the spiciness in the radish and jalapeño. — My next course, the veal tongue with horseradish ice cream was very inventive(I mean who has had horseradish ice cream before?). The veal tongue was super tender and sliced very thinly so it melted in your mouth. The ice cream was actually not very«hot» but had a nice creamy, slightly sweet flavor that complimented the savory tongue. They paired this dish with a white wine from Portland, which had some excellent acids and fruit, which added a whole new dimension to this dish. Yum! — The sea bass and duck dumpling was another hit. The sea bass was cooked perfectly and had a very night light, sightly buttery flavor. The duck dumpling was delicious but too small. I’d like at least two next time please! — My entrée was a veal loaf, which doesn’t sound enticing, but was excellent. The dish captured the tenderness of the veal, and still introduced some complex flavors that made it the capstone of the meal. Well done. For dessert I liked the fact that you could choose either a sweet dish, cheese plate, or after dinner drink. As a Scotch fan, I elected to finish my meal with a glass of Laphroaig 18-year, which of course was über peaty, smokey, and just what I like in a glass of Scotch. My wife ordered the cheese and they brought in a plastic cow cheese cart with cheese on top… not to mention they had the cow«moo» sound as the cart approached. She selected about 6 cheeses, and they even offered to give her more if she wanted! Overall, we had a fantastic meal at Inn at Little Washington. The staff did a superb job describing the dishes, delivering great service, and of course delivering a simply outstanding meal. Can’t wait for my next visit, and hopefully it’s sooner than my next b-day :)
Laura F.
Tu valoración: 5 Charlottesville, VA
The Inn at Little Washington is an amazing experience from start to finish. My husband and I spent the night after our wedding there in November 2014, and we were lucky enough to stay in the Mayor’s House Suite. It was the perfect end to a wonderful wedding weekend. We also had dinner there, and the food and service were amazing. If you get the opportunity to stay and/or eat here, make sure you do!
Ritzie C.
Tu valoración: 5 Washington, DC
Due to our unexpected pregnancy(try 7 months pregnant, 7 months from our honeymoon), we didn’t have enough time to plan a babymoon. That’s what made a stay at the Inn at Little Washington perfect for our situation. The Captain and I decided to celebrate my birthday with a dinner and stay at the Inn. I had an inkling of what to expect. He, on the other hand, scoffed at the idea of staying in an «old-grandma-home-of-a-bed-and-breakfast.» Driving through complete emptiness didn’t help his expectations either — nor did the loss of cell phone signal. Remember that, non-Sprint users. However, as soon as we walked into the Inn, he was shocked and awed. Service is absolutely impressive without being pretentious. We were warmly greeted and escorted to a small lounge for a welcome cocktail. After that, we were led to a parlor where complimentary afternoon tea is served(all while our car was being valeted and luggage brought to our room). After we settled in, we sat for tea with dainty savory and sweet nibbles. We followed that with a quick 20 – 30 minute tour of the property and then did some light shopping at the Inn’s gift shop across the street. About 15 minutes before our dinner reservation, the Captain and I thought it would be a great idea and experience if we could sit at a kitchen table. I called the front desk and spoke to a maitre’d and surprisingly enough, a table was available! The surcharge for a kitchen table on a Saturday night is … not cheap. But the experience was unparalleled and, dare I say, absolutely worth it. One thing of note is that there are 2 kitchen tables that each seat 6. The surcharge to sit at one remains the same if you’re a party of 2 up to 6, so if you elect this option, invite some couples(or dine as a family) and make the extra expense worth it. The maitre’d led us through the mirrored french doors where the staff lined the doorways and stood at attention, with Chef Patrick O’Connell standing at the end of the line. He greeted us by name, wished me a Happy Birthday, and congratulated us on our pregnancy. We were then led to a table by a fireplace and seated. I won’t go into detail over each course; I’ll post pictures to represent. But we agreed that this was, by far, the best meal we have ever eaten in our lives. Also, the breakfast served the next day was also incredible. We decided that we will return every year to celebrate. This place exceeds whatever expectations you have. Try it, you won’t regret it.
Peter V.
Tu valoración: 5 Tysons, VA
TL;DR Fantastic service, superb food and great atmosphere. 4.5 stars Came here with my wife to celebrate our anniversary. The Inn is a combination of a hotel and a restaurant and this review is only for the restaurant part. Valet parking is complimentary. You drive right up to the entrance and a member of the staff will take care of the rest. We came here earlier to have a drink before our meal. We were led to the living room area, which we learned later during our kitchen tour it was originally the kitchen before the expansion. Cameron«the Cheese Wiz» was our server in this area(who is also responsible of Faira the Cow at the end of your meal). The drinks were a bit on the strong side but not too overwhelming and the drinks came with some yummy cajun flavored nuts. When it was our reservation time, the maître d came by to guide us to our table. We sat at the corridor facing their lovely garden. The weather was finally turning warmer and the doors were opened for the night breeze. Our server was Michael for the evening and he was very attentive throughout the meal. We each got a different set menu just so we could try everything. Each of our dishes was explained in details and the staff would patiently explained anything you have a questions about. Please see our pictures for details of each dish. Food was delicious from the beginning to the end. The only half star i’m taking off from the rating is the slightly longer wait time between each course. Since the restaurant was already doing set menus, I believed the timing between each dish could be a little tighter. But this an easy to resolve issue between the staff and the kitchen. At the end of the meal, we were invited to visit Patrick O’Connell’s kitchen! Patrick knows each person within the party and is more than happy to discuss anything(ask about his Dalmatian apron!) My wife loves cooking and was ecstatic to meet the chef himself where the magic happens. We also received a small box of cookies and chocolates to take home. A very nice touch to remember the restaurant the next day and on our drive home. Overall, the restaurant staff is very communicative, and very fluid. We moved from one room to another with very little wait times; we went from our dining table to the living room to wait for our kitchen tour, and by the time our tour was over, our car already showed up at the front of the restaurant. Very memorable experience and definitely worth the drive at least once!
Bryce C.
Tu valoración: 5 Richmond, VA
My boyfriend and I recently stayed at the Inn for a night and it was by far one of the best experiences of our lives. I am not going to take the time to talk about each dish, because they were all absolutely incredible from the welcome cocktail to afternoon tea to dinner to breakfast and even the cookies left in our foyer. Every dish was well thought out and perfectly cooked. The service is truly exceptional at the Inn and is what should be discussed. Every employee makes you feel special and appreciated, always referring to you by your name and catering to any whim you have. Shannon and Flora in the main dining room were shining stars, both were so sweet and went above and beyond. The man at the checkout desk even researched the type of nut that was served in our foyer, as we had no idea what type it was. Bravo to all of them! Our room in the Parsonage was spectacular. It was a much more toned down version of the rooms in the Inn, but felt very homey and spacious. We never went without. Cookies, teas, coffee, sodas and nuts were all accessible during our stay! We purchased one of their packages online for our stay and it was absolutely worth the cost. Though the Inn is by no means inexpensive, the package is a great value. We would absolutely return to the Inn.
Jen B.
Tu valoración: 5 Arlington, VA
Who knew you could have cauliflower steak that tastes better than beef steak?! I had what they called the Harvest Moon or vegetarian selection. I was so impressed with the use of both local and«best of» ingredients from around the world. The presentation was amazing and didn’t end at plating as upon delivery to the table several of our wait staff had pun-filled rhymes to describe the entrée. These puns not only helped describe the dishes in an approachable manner but made the meal memorable. I will never forget that«pappardelle pasta» was likened to a Dell computer thrown out the window for a Mac! Too witty. Although on arrival the atmosphere can seem uptight, remember to take a deep breath so you don’t miss the subtleties and humor. There is no question it is 5-Star dining, but what makes an experience is all of the factors, to include staff humor and humility.