The Best Food

A few weeks ago we jointly celebrated Mothers and Fathers Days by going out to dinner with some friends. Not just any dinner, but dinner at the Inn at Little Washington. This resturant (and the chef/ower) have consistently been named among the top 10 restaurants and chefs in the world. Eric and I have been a few times before but it was the first visit for our friends Jon and Brandi. The six-course meal is easily one of the best meals I've ever had. Each course better than the previous one. Just for fun I wanted to share what we ate - many of these dishes may not sound like something you would normally choose from a menu, but I can promise they were delicious!  They brought out a sampling of hors d'oeuvres from the kitchen - some new dishes they were trying. I don't remember what they all were, except that they were delicious! For our second course we had this amazing chilled peach soup with a touch of reisling.
My dinner (see if you can find a theme here...)
Third course - Chilled Maine Lobster with Citrus Marinated Hearts of Palm, Avocado and a Peppercorn Gastrique
Fourth course - Maine Day Boat Scallop Sauteed with Tomato Gnocchi, Capers, Brown Butter and Lemon
Fifth course - Pan Roasted Maine Lobster with Tomato Butter, Garden Spinach and Garlic Custard
Sixth course - Seven Deadly Sins (a sampling of their seven most decadent desserts - AMAZING)!
Eric's dinner:
Third course - Carpaccio of Herb Crusted Baby Lamb with Caesar Salad Ice Cream (the strangest thing - ice cream that actually tasted just like ceasar salad!)
Fourth course - Aged Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with Virginia Country Ham
Fifth course - Blackened Tenderloin of Beef with Bone Marrow Custard and Caramelized Fennel from Our Garden
Sixth course - Seven Deadly Sins (same as me)
After dinner we requested a kitchen tour. The kitchen has been called "one of the most beautiful kitchens in America." It's true - it looks nothing like a restaurant kitchen. It is pristine, with tile mosaics behind the stove and a portrait of Patrick and his beloved dalmations above the sink. It is quiet - none of the loud chaos usually associated with a restaurant kitchen. They listen to classical music while they prepare the most amazing dishes on earth.  Happy Mothers and Fathers Days to us!

Bowlins and Gunters with Patrick O'Connell, chef and owner, in the kitchen

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