The Inn at Little Washington is the reason a lot of guests come to this part of Virginia. Patrick O'Connell opened it in 1978 in what had been a gas station; it's now widely considered one of the great restaurants in the world.
The food
Cuisine is American with French influence. The kitchen serves a multi-course tasting menu that runs around five courses minimum, more if you want it. The menu changes regularly with what's available locally. Special diets get accommodated when noted at booking.
The room
The dining room seats around thirty tables, dressed in fine linens with carefully tuned lighting. There's a Dairy Room with hand-painted Portuguese tilework and bay windows opening onto the garden. The kitchen itself is sometimes called one of the most beautiful in the world; you can reserve a table inside the kitchen to watch the brigade work, but it books up months ahead.
The wine
The cellar runs to about 2,400 selections, curated by wine director Bill Harris. He travels regularly to source from Europe and elsewhere. The pairing menu is worth the upgrade if it's your first time.
What to know
- Dress code is jacket-required for men, business casual or better for everyone.
- Reservations open online and by phone. Most evenings book several months out; the bar and a few last-minute slots are sometimes available the same week.
- The restaurant is on Main Street, one block from Foster Harris. The walk takes three minutes.
- If you're staying for dinner, plan to spend at least three hours at the table. There's no rushing it.
Booking the right night
If you can be flexible on dates, weeknights are easier to get than weekends and the room itself is calmer. The kitchen team is the same either way.
Visit The Inn's website for current menus, hours, and reservations.
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