It is often the case that as new generations emerge, the memories of previous generations fade away. Thankfully, those dedicated to keeping the past alive and protecting its stories allow us to remember from whence we came. The Inn at Little Washington is one such restaurant that protects and celebrates the historical significance of Washington, Virginia. This restaurant offers guests more than exquisite French cuisine and a 3-star Michelin award. It melds together the past and present for a visual storytelling experience like none other.

Backdropped by the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Inn at Little Washington is located in the historic town of Washington, Virginia. The 3-star Michelin restaurant claims the prestigious awards of being a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes 5 restaurant which speaks on the quality of the haute French cuisine served. Along with the restaurant’s expansive titles, their dedication to sustainability showcases their support of fostering communal growth.

The Restaurant’s Historical Start

The historical significance of the restaurant begins with a young 17-year-old boy named George Washington. Washington surveyed the town of Washington, Virginia in July 1749 and bestowed the area with his last name. The town’s connection to an important historical figure speaks of the importance of the past to the community. Two hundred years later, two businessmen named Patrick O’Connell and Reinhardt Lynch decided to start a French catering business in 1974. Their business began to flourish which led them to transform a small country garage into a restaurant. Although modest in staff size, a review written by the Washington Star catapulted the restaurant’s popularity. A year later, Patrick and Reinhardt pushed their culinary skills further by taking a trip to France on a food pilgrimage and taking back their new-found knowledge.

Setting and Decor

Designed by  Joyce Evans, the Inn at Little Washington upon first glance exudes historical charm. The exterior of the inn is a soft blue and proudly displays both American and French flags. As you step inside the inn and head to the main dining room of the restaurant, the deep red carpets and accent colors of the room playfully compliment the crisp white tablecloths draped across each table. The richness of the colors combined with artistic murals and intricate designs along the paneling of the ceiling evoke a sense of whimsy. There is a feeling of intimacy achieved within the space that prepares one for the culinary experience that is to come.

Sustainable and Local Ingredients

Sustainability through local ingredients is a fundamental component of the restaurant’s devotion to French cuisine. The head chef and owner Patrick achieves sustainability through his network of local suppliers and producers. In fact, Michelin awarded the restaurant a Green Star for sustainability which speaks not only of the freshness of the ingredients but the communal support that the restaurant has created. The restaurant offers two menus, one titled The Gastronauts and the other titled The Good Earth’s menu which is entirely vegetarian-based

Innovation is a key to the cuisine prepared by the restaurant as showcased in each dish. For example, one of the main dishes on The Gastronaut’s menu is a carpaccio of herb-crusted elysian fields baby lamb loin served with caesar salad ice cream. The caesar salad ice cream is a creative spin on the traditional salad which shows how the chef is pushing the bounds of culinary perfection. His creative take on serving savory ice cream with the main course is mimicked on The Good Earth’s menu with the choice of napoleon of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and taleggio cheese served with basil ice cream. With the popularity of French fine dining, the Inn at Little Washington is taking it a step further with its sustainable ingredients and innovative takes on classic dishes.

Dinner and a Show

Tucked alongside a baronial fireplace, guests can take their dining experience to the next level by reserving one of two wooden tables. These tables besides having the ambiance of a roaring fire, offer guests an unparalleled view of the inner workings of Patrick’s stunning kitchen. Each table can seat up to six guests which adds to the charming feel of a small dining party. The crimson red and gold kitchen islands combined with the copper-plated ventilation system which adorns the ceiling above create an incredible visual experience for guests as they watch the chef at work.

Historical charm intertwined with innovative and sustainable French fine dining, the Inn at Little Washington gives guests an unparalleled experience. As a landmark within the historic town of Washington, Virginia,  it’s clear why this restaurant was awarded the first and only 3-Michelin star in the area. Take a step inside the inn and find yourself transported into a time of historical whimsy.