Startle

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.