Front Royal: Inn at Little Washington (May 2011)
My spouse and I ate dinner at the Inn at Little Washington over the Memorial Day
weekend in late May 2011. We had a good meal here, but it wasn't
fantastic and certainly didn't “wow” us. (For background, meals that
have “wowed” us in the past have been The French Laundry, Per Se, Le
Bernardin, wd-50, and Momofuku Ko.) We were seated in the main dining
room, which was attractive except for the red, fringed, bordello-like
lights hanging above each table. We could see into a sunroom-type dining
space, and we also observed a bar area near the restrooms (however,
when we peeked into the bar area, we were made to feel like we were
intruding, so I'm not sure whether it was for all dinner guests or just
for the hotel guests). To our dismay and surprise, some diners were
attired in shorts, sneakers, and polo shirts! Although I think requiring
a jacket and tie is a bit much, the dress code is far too relaxed as it
currently stands. We did not order the gastronaut’s menu, instead
choosing the four-course prix-fixe menu. From what I saw online prior to
my visit, it seemed to me that both menus were the same price - $165 on
a Sunday evening, but when we were handed our menus, the prix-fixe was
$185 and the gastronaut's menu was $225 (perhaps they raised the prices
on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend?). Our biggest regret is that we
didn't splurge on the more extensive eight-course menu - perhaps there
would have been more opportunity for the restaurant to impress us. We
received an amuse-bouche of four serving spoons (Asian-looking), each
with a different concoction atop. These looked interesting, however, we
had to "fight" over the ones that we wanted - both my spouse and I
wanted the spoon topped with pork belly, and we each wanted the one
topped with a miniature deviled egg. (Clearly, we weren't that
interested in the other two, because I can't recall what they were.)
It's difficult to discuss your food experience when the other person
wants what you have! Our first courses were tasty: my spouse had oysters
and I had the beet fantasia (probably the most impressive-looking dish
of the evening). Our second courses were fine although not at all
memorable; I can’t even recall what they were (the hallmark of a
literally and figuratively forgettable course, in my opinion, but I
think my spouse had foie gras and I had a scallop). The blunder of the
evening came when our entrees were served; my spouse's lamb loin was
placed in front of me, and my veal loin was placed in front of him. We
began eating, and I wondered what was in the small bowl on my plate
containing a light-colored substance flecked with herbs. Sampling it, I
tasted mint and jelly, which are puzzling accompaniments for veal, but
not for lamb! We were absolutely astounded that the wrong plates were
delivered - made worse by the fact that nothing was announced as it was
delivered - we’ve grown accustomed to the wait person saying, "Here is
the veal for the lady and the lamb for the gentleman", usually
accompanied by an extensive description of the preparations and
ingredients composing the dish. (To be fair, we usually order a blind
tasting menu, so it is absolutely necessary to explain what is being
served, and describing the dishes is surely a bit easier when both
parties are enjoying the same menu.) To make up for such a huge error,
they offered us a cheese course after we had finished our desserts. (For
dessert, my spouse chose an after-dinner drink and I chose the “seven
deadly sins”, so the cheese was a good addition. We haven’t ever been
offered a cordial or brandy in place of dessert, so that was something
my spouse [not a real dessert-lover] appreciated about this restaurant.)
The young gentleman who served our cheeses had real knowledge of what
he was serving, as well as an entertaining personality, and Faira the
cow is an amusing diversion. To sum up our experience, if you find
yourself in Washington, Virginia, this is certainly a good restaurant
choice, but I wouldn't go at all out of my way to eat there (and trust
me, no matter where you are, it is out of the way for this sleepy little
location!).
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