The Inn at Little Washington is one of the most beautiful country inns in Virginia, and offers a great restaurant as well. The inn is famous for its innovative cuisine and pastoral setting. It's a favorite gathering spot for Washington-types looking to get away from it all and the local squirearchy wanting to get in on the action. Craig Claiborne celebrated his 65th birthday here. Former Senator Eugene McCarthy and syndicated columnist James J. Kilpatrick are regulars (they live nearby).
Each of the inn's ten rooms is furnished in a grand Victorian country-house style. Cookies, fruit, and a bucket of ice make your room instantly comforting. The marble bathrooms have heated towel racks which offer further comfort. Afternoon tea is brought to your room. In the morning, The Washington Post is left outside your door. After you read the paper, enjoy a house breakfast served downstairs. There are two suites available and they both have double levels. The first level has a beautiful parlor decorated with exquisite antiques and hand-painted wallpaper. The parlor features a wet bar and stereo for your relaxation and pleasure, as well as a balcony. The first level also has a dressing area with a Jacuzzi and a shower. The second level has a king-sized bed and two separate balconies-one facing the garden and the other with a sitting area to enjoy your afternoon tea. Because the inn is such a popular romantic retreat, you might have to make reservations well in advance. But it will be well worth the wait.
Breakfast at the restaurant can include pan-broiled local trout, along with freshly squeezed juices, and hot rolls. Chef Patrick O'Connell is one of the hottest culinary talents on the eastern seaboard. He always uses the freshest ingredients, including home-grown produce in season. And the menu can be incredibly innovative, with items like shad roe served with grapefruit. The wine list includes bottles from France, California, and Virginia vineyards. The best table at the restaurant is number 66, a private space at the end of the enclosed porch, surrounded by two gardens.
The town of Washington can claim to be the only place named after George Washington before he became president. (He surveyed the area in 1749.) This Washington is only sixty-seven miles away from DC. The surrounding countryside is dotted with gorgeous horse farms and parklands. Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Mountains are just minutes away.
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