Startle

If you’re imagining a basic old dining room outfitted with a few chandeliers, think again; The Inn at Little Washington is anything but plain and simple. In fact, we even dare to say it is almost theatrical in design. With dark corners and plenty of activity in each room, you may think that it sounds dizzying to eat in; but the interior design actually has the complete opposite effect.

The Inn’s owner and chef, Patrick O’Connell, has worked with the interior designer, Joyce Evans since 1981. Based out of London, Evans does all of the interior design sight unseen, with nothing but the floor plan in hand. Originally trained as an embroiderist, Joyce Evans turned to a famous architect in London for work where she eventually learned to intertwine her greatest strengths and acquire the art of interior design. With set and theater design in her past, Evans expertly incorporates the art into this Five-Star restaurant.

As you enjoy afternoon tea or an aperitif before dinner, we encourage you to ogle at the amazing interior design in the Living Room filled with dark corners and unusual uses of light. We want to say that the restaurant is very much in the Old English style, but we don’t want you to picture a tightly wound and stuffy area because it’s far from that. All you have to do to realize the lack of stuffiness is take a look at the restaurant’s cheese cart. (Hint: It’s a cow.) In her latest projects, Joyce Evans has mixed the Old English style with strong Victorian overtones.

The dining room is even more incredible than the Living Room. With original Flemish tapestries and unbelievably detailed wallpaper, it’s hard to imagine anything more unique. The lights hanging over every table are covered with pink shades with fringe, and we can’t forget the signature heavy drapery. In the Terrace Room — right off the main dining room — the ceilings are tented with wonderfully beautiful cream-colored fabric.

The theatrical interior design of The Inn at Little Washington may sound a bit tacky with its heavy drapery and whatnot, but it’s not. We aren’t saying that we (or really anyone but The Inn) could pull it off in our own home, but you have to appreciate it for what it is — amazing. All of the ornate details add to your Five-Star dining experience in a way that you never thought possible.

If you’re imagining a basic old dining room outfitted with a few chandeliers, think again; The Inn at Little Washington is anything but plain and simple. In fact, we even dare to say it is almost theatrical in design. With dark corners and plenty of activity in each room, you may think that it sounds dizzying to eat in; but the interior design actually has the complete opposite effect.

The Inn’s owner and chef, Patrick O’Connell, has worked with the interior designer, Joyce Evans since 1981. Based out of London, Evans does all of the interior design sight unseen, with nothing but the floor plan in hand. Originally trained as an embroiderist, Joyce Evans turned to a famous architect in London for work where she eventually learned to intertwine her greatest strengths and acquire the art of interior design. With set and theater design in her past, Evans expertly incorporates the art into this Five-Star restaurant.

As you enjoy afternoon tea or an aperitif before dinner, we encourage you to ogle at the amazing interior design in the Living Room filled with dark corners and unusual uses of light. We want to say that the restaurant is very much in the Old English style, but we don’t want you to picture a tightly wound and stuffy area because it’s far from that. All you have to do to realize the lack of stuffiness is take a look at the restaurant’s cheese cart. (Hint: It’s a cow.) In her latest projects, Joyce Evans has mixed the Old English style with strong Victorian overtones.

The dining room is even more incredible than the Living Room. With original Flemish tapestries and unbelievably detailed wallpaper, it’s hard to imagine anything more unique. The lights hanging over every table are covered with pink shades with fringe, and we can’t forget the signature heavy drapery. In the Terrace Room — right off the main dining room — the ceilings are tented with wonderfully beautiful cream-colored fabric.

The theatrical interior design of The Inn at Little Washington may sound a bit tacky with its heavy drapery and whatnot, but it’s not. We aren’t saying that we (or really anyone but The Inn) could pull it off in our own home, but you have to appreciate it for what it is — amazing. All of the ornate details add to your Five-Star dining experience in a way that you never thought possible.

Your handbag will get better service than most people get at other D.C. restaurants when you dine at Plume, the fine dining eatery at The Jefferson, Washington, D.C. Rather than placing your bag on the floor, the staff at Plume will provide a small, plush purse stool — a tiny ottoman that is a throwback to an earlier time. It's an indicator that all the service at the Four-Star restaurant will be old-school: Waiters dressed in tuxedos and white gloves deliver dishes on silver platters, speak multiple languages and work with diners to accommodate food allergies and other dietary restrictions (if you have either, mention it when making your reservation).

The menu at Plume, the fine dining restaurant at The Jefferson, Washington, D.C., is comprised of multi-course tastings that change with the seasons. The three-course menu is usually priced at $85 per person. During our visit, this menu included filet mignon, lobster Thermidor, grilled lamb with ratatouille and bacon-wrapped monkfish. Each three-course meal includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert, as well as the chef's gift of an amuse-bouche.

For a longer dining experience that further reflects the food philosophy of executive chef Chris Jakubiec, order one of the seven- or eight-course tasting menus offered at the Four-Star restaurant. During our visit, the eight-course menu was $120 (without wine), and included game and other unique meats such as venison, rabbit, game hen and pheasant. One of the specialties of the house includes no meat at all, though: The raw and cooked vegetable salad recalls Jakubiec's previous work at a vegan restaurant, and is one of Plume's most recommended dishes.

The tasting menu can include wine pairings: You can enjoy the "Classic Wine Experience” for $215 or the "Premium Wine Experience" for $275. For the ultimate experience, there is the “1776 Food and Wine Experience” chef's tasting menu. Priced at — you guessed it — $1,776, it adds vintage Madeira and other selections from the hotel's more than 1,300 bottles to the tasting menu.

The restaurant is located inside the grand Jefferson D.C. hotel at 1200 16th Street NW, on the corner of 16th and M Streets, in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Plume sits immediately across from the main entrance of the hotel and from the impressive high wrought-iron gate with gold detailing at the front of the space, it is clear you are in for an equally impressive meal at this restaurant. The unique gate, the gorgeous antique skylight of the Greenhouse and the glimpse of the darkened dining room, set the tone for the refined service and the seasonally inspired dishes of the restaurant.

If the sumptuous desserts aren’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, do not fret, since the restaurant thoughtfully provides an excellent selection of mignardises to close the meal. On our visit the variety included chocolate, fruit and even tea flavored bites, such as crisp and rich biscotti topped with chocolate, a cookie crumble and a macerated cherry, a fluffy green tea macaroon, a salted caramel chocolate and a lemon bombe. If you (understandably) overindulged, do as we did and have the staff package the mignardises for you to enjoy later.

Like the rest of The Jefferson, Washington, D.C. hotel, the interior design of Plume, its fine dining restaurant, is traditional and historically inspired. When you walk into the Four-Star restaurant, you may forget that America has endured trying economic times of late. Bathed in opulent hues of light gray and yellow, the space is covered with wallpaper depicting the estate and landscape at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's estate in Virginia. The wallpaper was painted especially for the Four-Star hotel on a single piece of silk, then cut to fit the room at Plume.

Jeffersonian touches are apparent at each table, such as small silver birds that represent the former president's love of the creatures, but nowhere has he influenced the design more than at Table 10 — the Four-Star restaurant's best. Known as "The Nest," this semicircular booth is set into the wall in a curtained-off, curved library. (The books aren't real — just the spines of what you'd find in Thomas Jefferson's library at Monticello.) The table sits beneath an enormous crystal chandelier that was once at the nearby Willard InterContinental Washington, a favorite hotel of past presidents in the weeks before their inaugurations. A seat at this romantic spot is tough to come by — plan to make reservations for it at least two months in advance.

In the Cellar room, a private space that can seat up to 20 guests, you'll get a different view: The walls are lined with many of the cellar's more than 1,300 bottles, reminiscent of the president's passion for viniculture. There's also a floor-to-ceiling portrait of his estate's farm (which you can still visit) and one more detail that's delightfully Jeffersonian: A wine bottle dumbwaiter that can be used to bring a new bottle from the onsite cellar, just like the one installed in Jefferson’s fireplace at Monticello.

The bar at Palena sits just outside the restaurant in the St. Regis Washington, D.C. This lounge — technically part of the Cleveland Park metro plaza — serves as a breaking point between the Italian Renaissance décor of the hotel and the sleek modern interior of Palena. Still, it’s a great place to catch up, enjoy a casual bite or wait for your table to be ready at the Four-Star restaurant. We highly suggest enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail at the bar. Have a seat while bartenders craft any cocktail you might desire. When we bellied up to this bar, we sipped on a basil martini, which was a sweet and summery take on a Cosmopolitan-style cocktail.

There’s much to like about Palena, the St. Regis Washington D.C.’s fine dining restaurant. Here are five things you need to know:

1. Alain Ducasse. He’s the restaurant’s celebrated founder and owner. The Ducasse name has turned the hotel’s restaurant into a dining destination for locals, guests and out-of-towners alike, crafting fine contemporary French cuisine with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients.
2. It’s expensive�but worth it. Palena’s standard menu items hover around the $40 mark and can be served with or without wine pairings. The menu at the restaurant rotates seasonally, with new tweaks and dishes appearing on a daily and weekly basis.
3. One word: Macarons. These house-made treats are served gratis at the end of each meal. They’re a coveted item in and of themselves.
4. Make a reservation early. The coveted restaurant seats less than 100 guests and fills up quickly — particularly for prime dining hours and on weekends. Make a reservation at least a week or more in advance.
5. It’s more casual than you expect. Despite the tony location (inside the Cleveland Park metro plaza) and the Alain Ducasse name, Palena’s modern décor and a friendly staff ensure that it feels contemporary and welcoming rather than stuffy. So while you can expect exceptional cuisine and service, you won’t find anything fussy or prissy on this menu.

The dining room at Palena is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Its more casual Café is open Monday to Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner, and for lunch Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Adjacent to the Café, you’ll find Palena’s Market, which sells imported specialty items, as well as coffee and sweets. This gourmet spot is closed Mondays, and open Tuesday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Palena is considered one of the city’s most romantic fine dining restaurants. While the ambiance is fairly casual, the food is highly rated and among Washington, D.C.’s finest. Proposals, anniversaries, birthday celebrations and other occasions take place on a nightly basis at the Four-Star restaurant. The only thing we’d want to mention? The fine food here comes with a hefty price (in other words, you should make sure you really like your date before taking them here). But if you think your sweetheart is worth the cost, come to this French cuisine hotspot to dine on items like foie gras, light fish and lamb.

The menu at Palena is a contemporary take on French cuisine, inspired by wine pairings and seasonal ingredients. The menu at the Four-Star Washington, D.C., restaurant is wine-driven, meaning that each dish is specifically crafted to pair perfectly with one of the restaurant’s thousands of bottles of wine. The dishes range from traditional French fare (cookpots, creation of Alain Ducasse, are signature) with items like foie gras to light fish dishes and hearty meats like lamb. The menu is heavily influenced by seasonal availability and portions tend to be on the smaller side.

Theoretically, making a reservation at Michel Richard Citronelle is as simple as it could be. It’s actually getting that enviable reservation that’s the hard part. Only open for dinner five nights a week, you can expect this restaurant to be booked at least a week in advance, maybe a few if you are looking for a weekend reservation. Of course, you’ll have to explore your options when trying to snag a table at this Four-Star restaurant. You can call the restaurant directly to speak to a host about the available times and days that you are interested in, which is probably best if you have any questions about the restaurant. For the more tech-savvy diner, no need to get on the phone: Just go to Citronelle’s website and, voila, your reservation confirmation is just a few clicks away. Michel Richard Citronelle also has a partnership with OpenTable, so you can go directly to the site and book through there.

As one of the finest restaurants in town, you’ll definitely want to dress to the nines for your dinner at Michel Richard Citronelle. Nevermind that you’re surrounded by political figures and locals of the tony Georgetown neighborhood, but the atmosphere of the Four-Star restaurant is as sophisticated as you’d expect from the Frenchman behind the legend. While ties are not required, gentlemen certainly need to break out that sport coat for dinner at Citronelle. As for the ladies, you’ll want to don that adorable cocktail dress you’ve been waiting for the perfect evening to show it off. If you are in town for a couple days and squeezed into Citronelle courtesy of a last minute cancellation, but can’t seem to find the right thing to wear, don’t worry: This French restaurant is in the heart of one of Washington, D.C.’s most fashionable shopping districts.

After you’ve snagged a coveted table at Michel Richard Citronelle, you won’t want to give that bad boy up. But, of course, sometimes you have to cancel regardless of how much you don’t want to. With its extreme popularity, it’s not surprising that Citronelle’s cancellation policy is quite strict. No matter how far in advance you make your reservation, it all comes down to the 24 hours before your much-anticipated dinner. If you find that you have to bail on your reservation, you should be sure to call Citronelle at least one day in advance. Cancelling within 24 hours of your reservation means you’ll have a price to pay. Seriously, you’ll be charged $50 per person if you cancel less than one day before your reservation time.

Michel Richard Citronelle is the perfect place to go no matter what the occasion may be. Attracting locals, visitors and plenty of Washington, D.C. bigwigs, you can expect this Georgetown restaurant to be full just about every night it’s open. Despite a divine prix fixe menu as well as a 10-course tasting menu, you can only sample this French cuisine at dinnertime. Tuesday through Thursday, Citronelle serves up some of the best dishes in town; but you’ll have to come in for dinner between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the Four-Star restaurant serves dinner until 10:30 p.m. If you’re looking for a more casual dinner (as in no jacket) or a pre-dinner cocktail, you can dine in the restaurant’s lounge Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. as well as Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Trading sea and sand for the brackish waters of the Potomac, Michel Richard trekked from California to the nation’s capital, where he established his flagship restaurant, Michel Richard Citronelle. Set in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s ritzy Georgetown neighborhood, this legendary French restaurant attracts locals, visitors and politicians alike. Located at 3000 M St., Michel Richard Citronelle is tucked inside the Latham Hotel. Richard and his cuisine are an affable fusion of Californian whimsy and technical precision. With dishes such as Richard’s signature 60-hour braised short ribs, tender enough to cut with a spoon, perfectly paired with a glass of Bordeaux, you can’t help but fall in love with this Georgetown gem.

The romance that surrounds The Inn at Little Washington is uncanny, making it a prime spot for dates. That being said, you probably won’t want to take your first date here — unless it’s love at first sight. With each dinner lasting between two and three hours, you should definitely make sure that your date is someone you want to be with for an extended period of time. Not to mention, The Inn at Little Washington is far from civilization, so there really isn’t anywhere to run if the date turns sour. To top it all off, chances are that you won’t get cell service within a 30 mile radius considering that the only tower out here is Sprint.

Of course, if you’re looking for a fairytale date with a longtime partner, this Five-Star restaurant is beyond perfect. With a dining room of just 28 tables — several of which are enchanting — you really can’t go wrong. Factor in the dim lighting and classical yet upbeat background music, and The Inn at Little Washington is a recipe for romance. To really wow your date, reserve one of the two chef’s tables. Sure it’s a bit more expensive than the rest of the dining room, but once you see the picturesque kitchen, you won’t be able to turn this offer down.

If you can’t take the heat, then get out of the kitchen and into the Terrace Room. As you sit side-by-side at one of the five tables underneath the tented ceiling, you’ll have to try to ignore the love in the air. We highly suggest you take a break from gazing into your date’s eyes to take in the tranquil garden complete with a koi pond.

Bottom line is, you won’t regret taking your date to The Inn at Little Washington. Without the pesky interruption of your cell phone buzzing, you can’t help but get to know each other a little better. Considering your shortest dinner is going to be around two hours, you’ll have plenty of time to share all your secrets.

Saying that The Inn at Little Washington is a romantic restaurant is the understatement of a lifetime. Set at the foot of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains and tucked away from the hubbub of city life, this Five-Star restaurant and The Inn at Little Washington hotel will bring hearts to your eyes the moment you arrive. The main dining room, decked out with Flemish tapestries and intricately detailed wallpaper, is enough to get your heart racing. Add in the dim lighting and classical yet upbeat music in the background and you’ve got yourself a fairytale dinner.

If you really want to charm that special someone, opt for one of the most romantic tables in the house. Whether you’re looking to knock the socks off your foodie lover or simply wow your date with the view of the garden, there is an enchanting spot for you. The two chef’s tables are the perfect venue to impress your loved one with an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful kitchens in the world. Or you can sit side-by-side at one of the five tables in the Terrace Room, which is known to be a popular spot for engagements and anniversaries. As you savor each bite of your meal with your love, admire the garden — complete with a koi pond — that’s facing you and calling your name for a post-dinner stroll.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys nice, specialty liquor, then consider yourself at home at The Inn at Little Washington. With six pages of the bar menu dedicated solely to spirits, you will certainly find one that tickles your fancy. Whether you prefer tequila, single malt scotch or cognac, the Five-Star restaurant has a specialty liquor for you.

You can indulge in the Rémy Martin Louis XIII for $800 a pop. This delicate grande champagne cognac is fruity and floral, revealing the aroma of the rare and historic barrels of Louis XIII. This collection pays homage to the King of Cognacs. If you still want cognac but not the price tag of Louis XIII, order up the Pierre Ferrand Ancestrale for $196 a glass.

As far as single malt scotch goes, Macallan never fails especially when it’s aged to perfection. Opt for the 25- or 30-year Macallan, which are both so smooth that you won’t believe it. You can sip on the 25- and 30-year scotch for $320 and $516, respectively.

Considering The Inn at Little Washington is known for its wine program, it’s only right that the restaurant flaunts an impressive collection of rare bottles of wine. As a recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Wine List, the restaurant’s wine cellar is legendary. Whether you prefer a vintage champagne or a perfectly aged red, The Inn at Little Washington has it.

Covering the entire world of wine, this Five-Star cellar boasts bottles from Napa Valley to France and from Italy to Australia. Of course, it is only natural that a fabulous wine cellar such as this focuses on the stellar wines of France, though there are some notable bottles from Napa Valley as well as a notable Tawny Port.

If you’re looking for a well-known Napa Valley vertical, look no further than The Inn’s Screaming Eagle collection, featuring bottles of cabernet sauvignon from 2003-2005. You can also opt for a bottle from the Harlan Estate collection of cabernet sauvignon with bottles from 1991, 2000 and 2004.

But if you really want to get a taste of the world famous wine program, tap into the array of French wines. There are four verticals of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, featuring bottles such as the cellar temperature 1983 Le Montrachet Grand Cru and a 1963 La Romanée-Conti Grand Cru Monopole. You’ll also discover several notable bottles from the vineyard of Château Mouton Rothschild such as the first growth 1961 bordeaux, which is dedicated to the artist Georges Mathieu.

We like to say, “go big or go home” and you can do just that with some of the wines in The Inn at Little Washington’s collection, with respect to size and price. Whether you want a magnum of the 1951 La Tâche from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or an imperial (four times the size of a magnum) of 1989 bordeaux from Château Mouton Rothschild, you can certainly find it here.

As for the big spenders, you’re in luck. For just $10,200 you can sip on a glass from the 1961 Premier Grand Cru Classé A Château cheval blanc from St.-Emilion in the Bordeaux region of France. Or if you’re a history fiend, opt for a bottle of 1893 Second Growth bordeaux from Château Pichon Longueville-Comtesse de Lalande for $5,5000.

Bottom line is, you name the vintage, The Inn at Little Washington has it. Large format or simply a bottle, you can enjoy these rare and special wines from one of the best wine cellars in the country.

Along with the leaves and, well, the rest of the menu, the specialty cocktails at The Inn at Little Washington change seasonally. Though you can always order up your favorite cocktail, the mixologist concocts the recipes according to what is freshest at that point in time. The Five-Star restaurant just debuted a new cocktail menu, which is a tribute to the days of yore.

The Bar La Florida Daiquiri No. 4 stays true to its 1935 recipe that originated at Bar La Florida in Havana, Cuba. The daiquiris at this bar were world famous, so well known that even Ernest Hemingway was a fan. Out of the four recipes listed in the 1935 La Florida bar book, The Inn at Little Washington serves up the fourth twist, which is concocted of rum, lime, sugar and a dash of maraschino liqueur.

A tribute to the man who surveyed the site of the town of Washington, Virginia, the George Washington is a recipe from the 1870s. Making it the way the best bartenders would back in the day, The Inn at Little Washington uses only local and fresh ingredients to make this cocktail as authentic as possible. With fine brandy, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and local honey and strawberries, the late George Washington would be proud.

As a representation of the most powerful and expensive of tastes, The Inn at Little Washington mixes up the Widow’s Kiss. A recipe originally from George Kappeler’s Modern American Drinks published in 1895, the Widow’s Kiss is still concocted according to the first recipe. Made with apple brandy, Benedictine, yellow Chartreuse and bitters, this cocktail is certainly potent, but that’s not a bad thing.

You’ll also find a variety of seasonal cocktails available, as well as plenty more creatively innovative concoctions. Whenever available, the restaurant uses as many local ingredients as possible, making for the freshest cocktails imaginable.

If you don’t want to take the leap of faith and order a full bottle of wine, The Inn at Little Washington has plenty of wines offered by the glass. Whether you want to enjoy a nice glass of wine in the Living Room before dinner or simply want to bypass the pairing option in favor of a glass or two, you are in luck when it comes to wine at this Five-Star restaurant. Let’s not forget that The Inn at Little Washington is a past recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Wine List.

The unrivaled wine list includes 30 wines by the glass of every shape and size. If you’re looking for a nice glass of champagne, you can choose from three different varieties such as a Michel Arnould Blanc de Noirs Brut or a Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. The menu also features sparkling wines such as a Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé.

Whether you’re in the mood for white, red or rosé, The Inn at Little Washington can hook you up. As far as white wine goes, you have your choice from 11 different bottles. You can sip on an Avenius sauvignon blanc from Linden Vineyards in Virginia or a chenin blanc from DeMorgenzon vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The rosé collection boasts just two that can be served by the glass: tempranillo from Fuente del Conde in the Cigales region of Spain and mas coleur, which is a mixture of syrah, grenache and cabernet, from Côtes de Provence, France. The red collection boasts 12 bottles to choose from such as a 2006 Ladera cabernet sauvignon from Napa and a 2008 syrah from South Africa.

Sure, the desserts are constantly changing at The Inn at Little Washington; but that certainly doesn’t mean that there aren’t any signature desserts. Chef Patrick O’Connell, who opened the restaurant in 1978, incorporates some of his childhood favorites into the dessert menu. Of course, these classic desserts are evolved and refined in a way to knock your socks off, no matter how simple they may be.

O’Connell is known for his butter pecan ice cream. Whether it’s in the form of a Southern butter pecan ice cream sandwich with hot caramel sauce or simply a bowl of the decadent ice cream alone, O’Connell’s fabulous desserts area favorite among the staff and definitely one of our faves.

If you can’t decide which dessert to order, opt for the signature Seven Deadly Sins, where you’ll get a sampling of the kitchen’s most decadent desserts. It’s so good, it’s sinful — hence the name.

Another one of our favorites that’s been on the menu for years and become a signature dessert at the Five-Star Restaurant is the Painter’s Palette of Summer Sorbets. Served on a plate that actually resembles a painter’s palette are several — more like seven or eight — jars filled with various sorbet flavors. Much like the Seven Deadly Sins, just a lot lighter.

Nothing about the dining experience at The Inn at Little Washington is normal, and the same goes for the bread and butter service. While we wouldn’t expect anything less, this Five-Star restaurant goes above and beyond to make this part of your dinner extra comforting. To start, the homemade bread is offered in a variety of flavors. Whether you’re adventurous and willing to try anything or just prefer a plain ole’ piece of bread, there’s something for you in the breadbasket. Of course, it’s not your average breadbasket considering that the waitstaff serves each individual piece of bread to you fresh out of the oven.

When we were there, we forgot about that pesky low carb diet and indulged on each type of bread. The salted red currant rye is definitely for the more adventurous type, and we loved the miniature traditional French baguette. Top it with some of the local butter and, voila, you’ve got yourself a stellar bread and butter service.

Like the rest of the restaurant, the menu at The Inn at Little Washington is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s actually inspiring, even though the majority of us couldn’t reproduce such dishes to save our lives. Serving everything from caviar to macaroni and cheese, this Five-Star restaurant boasts a vast array of American cuisine. The hardest part of your dinner will be choosing whether to do the 10-course tasting menu or the six-course prix fixe menu. Regardless of which menu you choose, we can guarantee you will be more than satiated.

Though the menu changes daily, you can definitely count on having some fabulous choices. The six-course menu features dishes such as the Tin of Sin, which is a three-layer dish of peekytoe crab salad, cucumber gelée and American osetra caviar, or the Maine lobster accompanied by grapefruit and a citrus butter sauce. Of course, the chef also sends out an amuse bouche, as well as petit fours hidden inside a box in the shape of The Inn at Little Washington. And we can’t forget the cheese course, which just so happens to be served on a cart in the shape of a cow. (Her name is Faira.)

The 10-course tasting menu is even more diverse. Offering up chef Patrick O’Connell’s freshest dishes of the day, the tasting menu flaunts the true flavor of the Five-Star restaurant. With 10 small courses, you’ll get a sample of some of the phenomenally innovative yet simple dishes. Summer dishes may include items such as a miniature filet of cod sauté with lemon vodka sauce and lilliputian shrimp dumplings or soft shell crab tempura on “zucchini pasta” with Maryland lump crabmeat, watercress and Virginia peanuts in a Vietnamese dressing. Not to mention, dessert is included — two desserts to be precise.

Though the mignardises are constantly changing based on the freshest ingredients, you can always count on an after-dinner treat from the kitchen at The Inn at Little Washington. Whether it’s chocolate covered almonds or a candied grapefruit rind, you will certainly love the bite-sized sweets.

The best part is that the mignardises are served in your very own doggie bag. But it’s not just an ordinary doggie bag; in fact, it’s a box that resembles The Inn at Little Washington. Just think of it as your own little souvenir — a way to take a miniature version of The Inn home with you.

When we were there, our doggie bag featured chocolate covered almonds, homemade Kit Kat-like chocolates, a candied grapefruit rind, a maple pecan cookie and a coconut cookie. All in all, perfect for a little something to nibble on during the car ride home.

The Inn at Little Washington is famous for its wine program, even acquiring the prestigious Best Wine List Award from the James Beard Foundation; so it’s only natural that the restaurant offers wine pairings. Whether you choose the six-course prix fixe menu or spring for the 10-course tasting menu, you have the choice to pair each course with a glass of wine.

If you opt for the 10-course menu, you’ll find that each course is already paired with wine to create the ultimate flavor for your palate. Whether it’s the Boizel Brut Reserve to accompany the lilliputian lobster roll or the DeMorgenzon chenin blanc with the soft shell crab tempura, each glass of wine is paired to bring out the best flavors in the dish. Though you don’t have to do the wine pairing with the tasting menu, we definitely recommend splurging for it.

As far as the prix fixe menu goes, each course is not paired with a certain wine. However, John Toigo, the restaurant’s sommelier, will be more than happy to help you choose a wine that perfectly accompanies your dish.

Keep in mind that the wine pairing is not included in the price of your meal that is advertised on the menu. If you choose to indulge in the wine pairing, it’s an extra $60 per person.

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one “best” table at The Inn at Little Washington since there isn’t really a bad spot in the entire dining room. Though we’re not going to lie, we do have our favorites. Two of our top tables give you an experience like you’ve never had before, and likely will not experience anything like it again. There is a room full of fabulous tables that just happens to be one of the most romantic spots on the property. And finally, an all-time favorite table is located in the main dining room.

Our first two tables that we just can’t get over are situated in the heat of one of the most beautiful kitchens in the world. The two chef’s tables can accommodate six diners each, but we love them for an intimate evening that’s just you and your special someone. Tucked away into an alcove in the back, owner and chef Patrick O’Connell actually designed his legendary kitchen around the chef’s tables. With this backstage pass comes an experience that no one else can even come close to replicating. These really are the premier chef’s tables and shouldn’t be passed up, even though it’s a bit pricier than a normal table.

If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen and resort to one of the various two-tops in the utterly romantic Terrace Room. You and your dinner date will be seated side-by-side, giving you both a stellar view of the tranquil garden complete with a koi pond. No matter what table you snag beneath the tented ceiling, we guarantee you will feel the love in the air. Rumor has it that there are numerous engagements in the Terrace Room.

Last, but certainly not least, is an all-time favorite. Table 12 is situated in the corner of the main dining room in such a way that you have a view of everyone in the restaurant. Whether you’re a longtime eavesdropper or just watching the couple getting engaged across the way, you’ll certainly enjoy this table.

We aren’t going to lie — anything you order at The Inn at Little Washington is going to knock your socks off. Though we wanted to put literally everything on the menu on our list of five best things to order, we had to narrow it down to just five, which was harder than it sounds. Here’s what we came up with:

1. Tin of Sin. That’s exactly what it is: sinfully delicious. Presented in a caviar tin, there are three decadent layers. On the bottom is a peekytoe crab salad that is so fresh and delightful. On top of the crab is a layer of cucumber gelée, which separates the top and the bottom layers in a way that allows you to taste each element as well as the combination of all three layers. The real kicker is the top layer: a spread of American osetra caviar. Even if you aren’t a caviar lover, this will definitely get you on the wagon.

2. Truffled Popcorn. It sounds silly, but it’s incredibly addicting in the best way possible. Served as a little treat before you embark on the journey of the 10-course tasting menu, the truffled popcorn will certainly get your taste buds ready for the culinary marathon. Sprinkled with black truffles, the popcorn comes in an old school popcorn box, complete with the red stripes.

3. Seven Deadly Sins. The assortment of decadent desserts is like a tasting menu for sweets. Though you aren’t quite sure which seven the kitchen will choose as the sins that night, we can guarantee each one will be to die for. This is perfect if you can’t decide which dessert to get because with the Seven Deadly Sins, you get a sampling of each.

4. Mac & Cheese. It’s not your regular macaroni and cheese, and you can trust us on this one. With Virginia country ham and shaved black truffles, this mac and cheese is worlds away from the cheesy meal you remember growing up. This is just one of the many dishes that chef Patrick O’Connell has refined from his childhood.

5. Lobster and Grapefruit. Though it may sound like an unusual pairing, it’s absolutely irresistible. The pan roasted Maine lobster is accompanied by grapefruit sections to create a flavor so refreshing yet utterly decadent. The bitter grapefruit cuts into the butter lobster in a way that balances and accentuates the flavor of each element. To top it all off is a rich citrus butter sauce.

Ranting and raving for hours doesn’t even do the service at The Inn at Little Washington justice. With the elegance expected from a Five-Star restaurant and the spunk needed to make what could be a stuffy experience relaxed, the waitstaff at this restaurant is absolutely phenomenal. From folding your napkin when you sneak away to the restroom to refilling your water glass after you’ve taken a few sips, you’ll find that the service is tremendously attentive.

As soon as you’re seated at your table in the Five-Star dining room, your server will greet you by name, emitting the most inviting aura. Of course, the waitstaff isn’t all about the formality, since each server knows the time and place for jokes. Take the cheese cart, for example. It’s not your normal cheese cart; in fact, it’s a cow and her name is Faira. The current cheese expert, Cameron, takes full advantage of Faira by carrying a voice that emits a “moo” each time it is shaken, as well as making cheese jokes.

While the service is completely flawless, the waitstaff doesn’t make you feel confined in a stuffy dining room. With every movement, your server will make your Five-Star dining experience look like a piece of cake, even though plenty of practice has been put into it.

When you make the trek to The Inn at Little Washington, you should be ready to pay a pretty penny for your unforgettable meal. Of course, it depends on which day of the week you choose to dine at this Five-Star restaurant. But no matter the day or price, everything that you gobble up at The Inn at Little Washington is worth every penny.

The Inn at Little Washington uses what it calls a “plus, plus, plus” system when it comes to the bill. The advertised dinner price includes solely the tasting menu; then if you choose to drink, there is an additional price — one of the pluses. The other two pluses are tax and gratuity.

As could be expected, the dinner menu is cheaper during the week than on weekends. But even so, you still have a couple of choices in regards to what kind of menu you want to feast on. Whether you opt for the six- or 10-course menu, you’ll be more than satisfied.

If you happen to be dining at the restaurant Monday, Wednesday or Thursday, you can expect the six-course menu to be $158, while the 10-course dinner is $218 — both are just the base dinner prices, remember to take into account the “three pluses.” The reason we don’t list Tuesday as part of this list is that the restaurant is usually closed on Tuesday; but if it happens to be one of those Tuesdays that it’s open, the price would be the same.

The weekend dinners are a bit pricier since that’s the busy time, even though we went on a Monday and it was packed. On Friday and Sunday, the six-course prix fixe menu is $168 and the 10-course tasting menu is $228. As far as Saturday goes, this is the most expensive day. You can expect the six- and 10-course menus to be $188 and $248, respectively. And don’t forget drink, tax and gratuity.

Trust us, as soon as that first bite hits your taste buds, you’ll know that it’s worth every penny. The Inn at Little Washington is one of those restaurants that you don’t even look at the price because you’ll eat it no matter the cost; it’s that good.

If you’re imagining a basic old dining room outfitted with a few chandeliers, think again; The Inn at Little Washington is anything but plain and simple. In fact, we even dare to say it is almost theatrical in design. With dark corners and plenty of activity in each room, you may think that it sounds dizzying to eat in; but the interior design actually has the complete opposite effect.

The Inn’s owner and chef, Patrick O’Connell, has worked with the interior designer, Joyce Evans since 1981. Based out of London, Evans does all of the interior design sight unseen, with nothing but the floor plan in hand. Originally trained as an embroiderist, Joyce Evans turned to a famous architect in London for work where she eventually learned to intertwine her greatest strengths and acquire the art of interior design. With set and theater design in her past, Evans expertly incorporates the art into this Five-Star restaurant.

As you enjoy afternoon tea or an aperitif before dinner, we encourage you to ogle at the amazing interior design in the Living Room filled with dark corners and unusual uses of light. We want to say that the restaurant is very much in the Old English style, but we don’t want you to picture a tightly wound and stuffy area because it’s far from that. All you have to do to realize the lack of stuffiness is take a look at the restaurant’s cheese cart. (Hint: It’s a cow.) In her latest projects, Joyce Evans has mixed the Old English style with strong Victorian overtones.

The dining room is even more incredible than the Living Room. With original Flemish tapestries and unbelievably detailed wallpaper, it’s hard to imagine anything more unique. The lights hanging over every table are covered with pink shades with fringe, and we can’t forget the signature heavy drapery. In the Terrace Room — right off the main dining room — the ceilings are tented with wonderfully beautiful cream-colored fabric.

The theatrical interior design of The Inn at Little Washington may sound a bit tacky with its heavy drapery and whatnot, but it’s not. We aren’t saying that we (or really anyone but The Inn) could pull it off in our own home, but you have to appreciate it for what it is — amazing. All of the ornate details add to your Five-Star dining experience in a way that you never thought possible.

If you want a chance to experience The Inn at Little Washington, you better make a reservation at this foodie haven. Considering that it’s situated 70 miles from the nation’s capital, the Five-Star restaurant attracts some of Washington’s ritziest VIPs. That being said, you can’t just drop by and see if there is an open table; it doesn’t work that way. We suggest you call as far in advance as possible because snagging a table at The Inn at Little Washington is quite a feat. The restaurant accepts reservations up to a year in advance — so the sooner, the better.

However, there is an exception to this rule: If you happen to be staying overnight at the Five-Star hotel, The Inn at Little Washington, that is home to the restaurant, the concierge automatically arranges a dinner table for you. The nice thing about this is that not only do you get to stay in an exquisite guestroom, but you also get to feast on an unforgettable meal without having to book it six months in advance.

We are strong believers that you can’t really know The Inn at Little Washington without experiencing it for yourself. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to let you know what you’re getting yourself into — in the best way possible. We’ve come up with a few important things that we think you should know before heading to this Five-Star restaurant, and to get you pumped up for your experience here:

1. There’s limited cell service. While it’s part of the beauty of the property, it should be noted that you are almost guaranteed no cell service at The Inn at Little Washington. That is, of course, unless you have Sprint since that’s the only cell tower out here. However, we didn’t even notice that we didn’t have service because we were too focused on the decadent meal in front of us.

2. Tour the kitchen. Don’t let your little heart be broken when chef Patrick O’Connell doesn’t come out to your table because you are welcome to visit him in the kitchen. What we think is the most beautiful kitchen in the galaxy is open for tours after your meal. We highly suggest you take advantage of this backstage pass and see where some of the best food you’ll ever taste is created.

3. It’s a long, long meal. Though boredom isn’t even an option during your dinner, you should know that it is extremely drawn out — as it should be. The menu features six- and 10-course tasting menus, designed to be savored with every bite. You should expect your meal to take you at least two hours, regardless of how fast of an eater you are.

4. It’s rich as can be. You can’t say we didn’t warn you that the food is extremely rich; but that’s not to say it isn’t amazing, because it absolutely is. Though you’ll want to eat every single bite of every single course, we urge you to take it slowly. The food is decadent and irresistible, but if you aren’t used to eating this way, your stomach may have a tough time with it. Of course, your taste buds will be in heaven.

5. It’s formal, yet fun. As soon as you see the dining room, you will completely understand the formality, but take another look at the cheese cart and you’ll grasp the quirkiness. Sure you are getting that Five-Star dining experience, but you’ll also be served cheese from a cart shaped as a cow. The cheese expert at the restaurant is extremely quirky — he makes cheese jokes as he explains each cheese to keep the dinner fun and entertaining.

Tucked away in an adorable historic town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Inn at Little Washington is located inside the eponymous Five-Star hotel. Just 70 miles west of the nation’s capital, Virginia feels a world away from all the hustle and bustle of its big sister up the Potomac River. As you drive on Lee Highway, you’ll enter the Virginia countryside that flaunts picturesque trees, mountains and even caverns. Turning off the main highway and onto the country road that leads you into the small town, you may feel like you’ve entered a time warp into a simpler life. When we say small town, we mean tiny. Home to less than 200 people, Washington just may be the smallest county seat you’ve ever heard of.

Touted as the “first Washington of them all,” this picturesque village is home to the culinary masterpiece of The Inn at Little Washington. In fact, the young George Washington himself surveyed the site of this town in 1749; and believe it or not, the five-block-by-two-block grid laid out by GW still exists today.

Located at Main and Middle streets, you can’t miss The Inn at Little Washington as you drive into town. The quaint town will not only charm you with its plantation-style homes, but also with its stunning scenery. Though the restaurant and inn are updated, you’ll notice that the rest of the town looks as if it’s still living in the 18th century.

Zen Bar and a lounge of CityZen is chock full of cocktails and selected bites. The selections are available a la carte or are $50 for a three-course tasting menu. We’d like to think it’s one of the better deals in town — the same tasting menu is $80 in the restaurant just steps away. The only thing you’re missing is the Parker House rolls. We’d highly suggest enjoying dinner at the bar — there’s a dramatic wall of fire behind the bar and the talented and friendly bartenders can craft any cocktail you can think up. Try a Jalapeno Margarita for something with a kick. The only drawback? The bar doesn’t take reservations.

With a unique dining room and innovative cuisine to match, there’s much to like about CityZen, The Mandarin Oriental Washington D.C.’s fine dining restaurant. Here are five things you should know:

1. Eric Ziebold. He’s the restaurant’s celebrated and James Beard Award winning chef, formerly of the French Laundry. Ziebold has turned the hotel’s restaurant into a dining destination for locals, guests and out-of-towners alike, crafting fine American cuisine with an emphasis on the local and seasonal.

2. Prepare to eat and spend a pretty penny. The standard menu is a six-course tasting, served with or without wine pairings. The menu at the restaurant rotates seasonally, with new tweaks and dishes appearing on a daily and weekly basis. Thankfully, the wines aren’t as equally pricey. While the list, maintained by sommelier Andrew Myers, is extensive and offers plenty of variety, many of the by-the-glass options are in the $10 range. A la carte dining and a vegetarian menu is also available, but most opt for the multi-course dining experience.

3. Three words: Parker House rolls. These house-made rolls are served in a wooden box and are a house specialty. Don’t let their small size (about that of a golf ball) fool you. Each batch is made-to-order per table and there are no second helpings, so dig in while they’re warm.

4. Make a reservation early. The restaurant seats about 80 at a time (60 in the main room, 22 in private dining) and fills up quickly, particularly for prime dining hours and on weekends. Make a reservation at least a week or more in advance to secure your spot.

5. It’s more casual than you expect. Despite the “jacket preferred” note on the website and highly rated chef, the soaring ceilings, modern décor and open kitchen ensure CityZen feels contemporary and welcoming without an air of pretention.

From semi-private to super-private, CityZen has a range of private dining room options. The Four-Star restaurant offers one private dining room that can seat up to 22. Another semi-private room, the Wine Library, can seat from 6 to 22 guests. The Gallery (not technically a part of CityZen, but part of the larger hotel) can accommodate up to 80 guests for sit-down events and 125 guests for standing receptions. For a unique corporate event or social reception, the restaurant offers the possibility of exclusive use of the restaurant. The Tony Chi-designed contemporary and elegant dining room accommodates up to 175 guests for standing receptions. If you want to book one of these private rooms, we suggest calling at least a few weeks ahead, especially during the month of May when the city is filled with college graduations.

CityZen, one of Washington D.C.’s finest restaurants, is located in The Mandarin Oriental Hotel on the Southwest corner of the city, right along the water. The Four-Star hotel is located at 1330 Maryland Avenue, SW, at the corner of C Street. If you’re driving, you can find parking in two places, one at the hotel entrance and another at the private side entrance, specifically for the Four-Star restaurant. Validated parking is available for $7. Car or taxi is the easiest way to access the restaurant and hotel, but Metro transportation is also available, and easy to navigate. CityZen is a short walk, approximately three to four blocks, from both the Smithsonian (Orange, Blue) and L’Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green) lines of the Metro system.

Chef Eric Ziebold of CityZen is a culinary visionary. He’s an American chef who began his career in Iowa before attending the Culinary Institute of America. After spending some time at Spago and Vidalia, Ziebold joined Thomas Keller’s the French Laundry in 1996 where he stayed until shortly after Keller opened Per Se in New York in 2004. Upon leaving Per Se in 2004, Ziebold returned to Washington DC and opened the critically acclaimed CityZen, which serves modern American cuisine within the St. Regis hotel. Ziebold was named one of the ”10 most influential chefs working in America“ by Forbes in 2007. He has been voted a “Best New Chef” from Food & Wine magazine, was awarded a James Beard award in 2008 and won the Chef of the Year from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington that same year.

The “best” table at Adour depends on your preferences. For privacy, reserve the semi-private dining space, available for up to 14 guests. Those who want to know what’s happening in the rest of the main dining area should ask for cozy circular booth, dressed in sleek metallic leather. These booths can seat up to six but can also be used for an intimate couple’s experience. If you crave a view of the entire room, the banquette tables near the front of the Four-Star restaurant offer views of the entire dining space. If you hope to snag one of the best seats in the house, we suggest calling ahead to secure your spot.

The casual atmosphere, the top-notch service, the mouthwatering menu—there’s so much to like about Adour, the St. Regis Washington D.C.’s fine dining restaurant. Here are five other things you need to know:

1. Alain Ducasse. He’s the restaurant’s celebrated founder and owner. The Ducasse name has turned the Four-Star hotel’s restaurant into a dining destination for locals, guests and out-of-towners alike, crafting fine contemporary French cuisine with an emphasis on the local and seasonal.

2. It’s expensive. But worth it. The standard menu items hover around the $40 mark and can be served with or without wine pairings. The menu at the restaurant rotates seasonally, with new tweaks and dishes appearing on a daily and weekly basis.

3. Macaroons. These house-made treats are served gratis at the end of each meal. They’re a coveted item in and of themselves.

4. Make a reservation early. The well-known restaurant seats less than 100 and fills up quickly, particularly during prime dining hours and on weekends. Make a reservation at least a week or more in advance.

5. It’s more casual than you’d expect. Despite the tony location (inside the St. Regis hotel) and the Alain Ducasse name, modern décor and a friendly staff ensure Adour feels contemporary and welcoming rather than stuffy. Expect exceptional cuisine and service and perfectly plated dishes, but you won’t find anything fussy or prissy on this menu.

Adour, one of Washington D.C.’s finest restaurants, is located in the St. Regis Washington D.C. at 932 16th Street NW, at the corner of 16th and K Streets. Should you arrive by car, parking for the Four-Star restaurant is available via the hotel entrance. If you decide to valet park, it will cost you $8. You can also reach the restaurant via the Metro. Adour is a short walk, approximately two blocks, from the Orange Line’s McPherson Square Metro stop. Of course, if you’re staying at the St. Regis hotel, your commute is seemingly painless since you don’t even have to leave the building.

Fear not if you bring a small group to dinner at Adour, the Four-Star restaurant housed inside the St. Regis Washington D.C. Tables of up to eight can dine together in the main dining area, while larger parties of up to 14 may opt for the semi-private dining space, which can accommodate up to 22. Despite the restaurant’s high level of service, cuisine, and attention to detail, tables are set in a variety of sizes throughout the restaurant. A number of couples do opt to dine at the restaurant for special occasions, but big groups won’t feel awkward. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere, well suited for a group of diners. To secure your group table, be sure to book a reservation at least a week in advance, as the well-known Adour fills up fast.

Designed to simultaneously blend the St. Regis hotel’s Italian renaissance décor with a more modern, fresh feel, Adour offers a contemporary modern design, with white leather banquettes, cozy circular booths in silvery leather, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows to let in natural light. A highlight of the dining room is the temperature controlled glass wine vaults that flank the room’s ends, separating a semi-private dining area from the main dining space and offering a glimpse into the restaurant’s fine wine selection. The sophisticated, clean décor lends itself well to the tasty French cuisine that appears on the plate set before you.