Startle

As you might expect at the Fearrington House Restaurant, the background music is as proper as the setting. While dining there recently, our three-course meal was accompanied by a jazz soundtrack — smooth, not hot jazz. On other nights, you might hear classical music filtering through the dining room. If you’re there for the annual Christmas feast, you’ll likely hear holiday music. Though the Four-Star restaurant plays the instrumental kind, not the annoying tunes you hear in malls. Regardless, you’re not going to hear any sort of music playing loudly. “Hushed” is the best word to describe the auditory experience at this fine-dining spot.