PFG

Considering this Inn for special anniversary weekend this summer. Recent experiences? Inn? Dinner as good as what I've read? Thanks for help. Other summer East Coast suggestions welcome!

Birdie

It's been a few years since I've had dinner at the Inn. It was wonderful then and from what the Washington Post food critic writes, it's just as amazing now:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/re...on,796060.html

I did not stay at the Inn but have heard that the experience is worth the price. There are B&B's in the area where you can stay and then have dinner at the inn if you want to cut down on price.

I have also enjoyed a stay at Fearrington House outside of Chapel Hill NC:
http://www.fearrington.com/house/?gc...FcNM4Aod9yjMIA

The Clifton Inn in Charlottesville VA is very nice:
http://www.cliftoninn.net/

There are a few nice places in Ashville NC.

What exactly are you looking for?

ronkala

We had dinner there www.theinnatlittlewashington.com for our fiftieth anniversary last June and it was a perfect evening. I definately recommend it, but be sure to make reservations and let them know that it is to celebrate your anniversary. That way they will have a small surprise for you.

You can check their menu on line.

We stayed at the Gay Street Inn, a neat B&B a few blocks away, and about a seven minute walk from the Inn. Wine and snacks in the afternoon, wine and chocolates in the evening,
a delicious breakfast, and two great hosts. WWW.gaystreetinn.com.

You can view their rooms and prices on line as with the Inn at Little Washington. You can also view fodorites raves by entering the name in the search forum box above.

DW requested that we go back for her 75th birthday and we will go back for our fiftieth anniversary.

ronkala

OOOPS That should be our 55th

yestravel

The Inn at Little Washington is fabulous esp for a special occasion. Usually complaints about it run to the portion sizes which are on the small side as u would find in most "fine dining" places. I have not stayed there, but have seen the rooms and would rather stay at one of the other B&B's in town and save the $$. Foster House B&B is very nice and half the price.

If you're looking for a nice lunch place in the area drive about 10-5 minutes to Flint Hill and check out 24 Crows...great little spot for sandwiches, soups, desserts.

Culpepper is a cute little town and has Foti's which is nothing like the Inn (owners used to work there). they have excellent food and also a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. Suites 249 is right next door practically and a nice place to stay.

In Fredrick MD is Volt which is outstanding. The owner was runner up on Top Chef. They have a tasting table or u can dine in the main dining room. Fredrick has a cutle drestored downtown area and there are a couple B&B's in the area.

yestravel

Oops hit submit instead of preview: Here r the urls:

Foster House B&B in Washington, VA http://www.fosterharris.com/

Foti's in Culpeper, VA http://www.fotisrestaurant.com/
Suites 249 http://www.suitesat249.com/

Volt in Fredrick, MD http://www.voltrestaurant.com/

If you're looking for a once in a lifetime type evening, splurge on the Inn 4 dinner -- it's truly a wonderful dining experience. Prices r a little less mid week. Enjoy wherever u go!

TDudette

If you want a cooking school, try Inn at Meander Plantation. It's near Culpeper.

Dukey1

We have had wonderful meals at the Inn and even though portion sizes were "small" we certainly got enough to eat by the time the whole thing was over. This is the least one should expect especially when you troop all the way out there.

Closer to the District is what some would consider a "somewhat comparable" establishment, the Chez Auberge in Great Falls, VA

JanetKMR

I am a huge advocate of the Inn and feel fortunate to live only a couple of hours away. I also believe that part of the experience is staying there and that it's worth the cost. The breakfast the next morning (which you can only get if you are staying there) is the unsung hero.

Foti's in Culpeper is very good and like to stay at The Thyme Inn in Culpeper. It's a great place for dinner as well but it more casual than Foti's.

con_brio

We went to the Inn for years--started in 1978, six months after they opened (for about $40 for two, including a bottle of wine!). Food was consistently outstanding and service outstanding. The value is there for super luxury (I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of $ for a meal). I don't think you can do better for a perfect dining experience than the Inn. It is consistently rated the TOP restaurant in this area and has a Michelin star.

Re the small portions: I took a cooking class from Patrick O'Connel years ago (a charity thing). At the time, they assumed they'd use 1/4 lb of butter per person...hard to think that kind of richness requires big portions. I've never gone away hungry.

Dukey, are you referring to L'auberge Chez Francois? It is another romantic standby, but a totally different style and type of food. Doesn't compare

PFG

My thanks to all the helpful responses! It sounds like everything I had already heard and read about the Inn are true. I'm ready to book it. I will report back on our experience for sure!

Littleman

Inn at Little Washington is outstanding. I would also consider Clifton Inn ner Charlottesville, VA, Keswick Hall and Tide's Inn at Irvington, Va.