A Historic Detour: Celebrating Our 8th Anniversary at The Inn at Little Washington
On our recent trip to Napa and Sonoma, we were fortunate enough to experience two three-Michelin star restaurants (you can read about our experiences at Quince here and SingleThread here.) As our 8th wedding anniversary approached, we started planning our next adventure. Since Dio had never been to Washington DC before, we decided to spend a long weekend there so she could experience all that DC has to offer includes the National Mall and it’s monuments, museums, etc.. Once we'd settled on DC as our destination, we did what any food and wine enthusiasts would do - we checked to see if there were any Michelin-starred restaurants in the area. We were thrilled to discover that another three-Michelin-starred restaurant, The Inn at Little Washington, was within driving distance.
THE DC ADVENTURE BEGINS
We arrived in DC on Saturday, November 19th, checking into the Conrad Hotel where we were greeted with a thoughtful anniversary welcome gift. The timing of our visit couldn't have been better - the hotel lobby was beautifully decorated for Christmas, with festive trees and decorations creating a magical atmosphere. From our room, we had an incredible view of the city's holiday decorations, including trees lit up along the streets below. That evening, we joined a dear friend's 49th birthday celebration, kicking off our trip on a celebratory note.
A DAY OF DISCOVERY
Sunday morning began with a visit to the Phillips Collection, followed by an extensive outdoor guided tour of the National Mall. Despite the biting cold - certainly not ideal weather for an outdoor tour, but with limited time in DC, we had to make the most of it! Bundled up against the winter chill, we took in all the iconic sites - the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the deeply moving Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and World War II Memorial. The day brought an unexpected joy when my cousin Sue, who happened to be in DC at the same time, joined us midway through our tour..
THE JOURNEY TO LITTLE WASHINGTON
As evening approached, we set out for what would become one of the most memorable meals of our lives. The drive to The Inn at Little Washington was an adventure in itself - long and dark, through surprisingly rural Virginia countryside right up until we reached the restaurant. The transition from bustling capital city to serene countryside created a perfect prelude to the evening ahead.
A CULINARY JOURNEY BEGINS
Once seated, we explored our menu options. Dio chose "The Gastronaut's Menu" while I opted for a combination of both available menus to accommodate my seafood allergy. Each course came with thoughtful wine pairings, which you can see detailed in the menus below.
Since it was our anniversary celebration, I chose to focus on the experience rather than taking detailed notes about each wine. However, one wine did stand out so dramatically that I had to document it - but more on that later.
Amuse Bouche
Our evening began with two delightful small bites that set the tone for the meal ahead: a perfectly crafted potato roll filled with creamy chives, followed by an ingenious presentation of roasted garlic custard with sunchokes served in an egg shell.
First Course: Hamachi Crudo
The meal proper began with Hamachi Crudo and Golden Beet "Pasta," artfully presented with a Mélange of Citrus and Beet Tartare.
Second Course: Lamb Carpaccio
Next came a masterful Carpaccio of Herb-Crusted Elysian Fields Baby Lamb Loin, paired ingeniously with Caesar Salad Ice Cream - a creative touch that demonstrated the kitchen's ability to balance traditional flavors with innovative presentations.
Third Course: Chartreuse of Savoy Cabbage
The third course featured A Chartreuse of Savoy Cabbage and Maine Lobster, elevated with Caviar Beurre Blanc. The presentation was as elegant as the flavors were refined.
Fourth Course: Duet of Rabbit
What proved to be one of the evening's highlights arrived next: A Duet of Rabbit, presenting two preparations - a Pecan-Crusted Loin alongside a Mushroom Stuffed Roulade, both complemented with Mustard, Cognac and Drunken Prunes. The dish showcased the kitchen's expertise with game.
SWEET ENDINGS
Dessert arrived in two thoughtfully composed acts: First came George Washington's Pawpaw Posset, followed by their whimsically named "Good Clean Fun" - a Coconut-Passionfruit Bavarian with Angel Food Cake. While we didn't opt for the cheese course, we were entertained by watching the famous cheese cart visit a neighboring table, complete with its charming mooing mechanical cow.
At the end of our meal, we were presented with a charming gift box of treats - a miniature replica of the Inn itself.
THE SURPRISE OF THE EVENING
As I mentioned earlier, while I opted for the wine pairings, I didn't take detailed notes of most wines as we were focused on celebrating our anniversary. However, one pairing stood out so dramatically that I had to document it: the 2019 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese. As someone who typically gravitates toward red wines and has limited experience with German wines, I was amazed by this wine and it’s pairing with the course “Savory Black Pepper Cheesecake with Roasted Baby Beets, Perfumed with Orange Zest”. The wine showed fantastic balance with just the right amount of sweetness, earning it Wine of the Night (WOTN) honors. I scored it 93 points.
EXPLORING THE INN
After dinner, we took time to really explore this historic property. Like SingleThread, The Inn at Little Washington is both a restaurant and lodging establishment, but the similarities end there. The ambiance throughout spoke to the property's deep history - from the ornate damask-covered walls and detailed coffered ceilings to the crackling fireplaces and period antiques. We wandered through various nooks and crannies, each space more charming than the last, with whimsical touches like hand-painted murals and blue-and-white Chinese pottery collections adding character to every corner. The attention to detail was remarkable, from the intricate parquet flooring to the carefully curated artwork and historical portraits adorning the walls.
We were treated to a tour of the kitchen, with its impressive copper hood and gleaming equipment, where we discovered an intimate private dining area called the “Kitchen Tables”. Making a mental note, we decided that when we return, we'll try to book that special spot for a different perspective on the Inn's culinary magic. After the kitchen tour, we explored the bar area and spent time simply soaking in the atmosphere. We sat by the fire, enjoyed tea, and took photos, appreciating how different this experience was from our other three-star meals.
THE SETTING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
What struck us most about The Inn was how it proved that three Michelin stars can manifest in very different ways. Where SingleThread and Quince offered sleek, modern sophistication, The Inn presented something equally exceptional but totally distinct. The cozy, warm environment with its traditional decor spoke to the property's deep history, creating an atmosphere that felt more like being welcomed into a gracious private home than a formal restaurant.
REFLECTING ON THREE STARS
After experiencing three different three-Michelin-starred restaurants in such a short span, we made two important decisions. First, we decided to start ranking these exceptional experiences for ourselves. Second, and perhaps more significantly, we committed to seeking out more three-star restaurants across the US, even planning future trips around them. We set ourselves an ambitious goal: to eventually experience them all!
As it stands now, our current ranking of three-star experiences puts Quince at the top, followed by SingleThread, and then The Inn at Little Washington. Though it's worth noting that all three were absolutely extraordinary experiences - tonight’s experience was just ever so slightly behind SingleThread!
COMPLETING OUR DC ADVENTURE
The rest of our trip was filled with equally memorable, if different, experiences. Monday brought us to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, followed by an evening view of the White House. We concluded our visit on Tuesday with trips to the National Archives, where we viewed the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, the National Gallery of Art, and the Portrait Gallery.
But it was our evening at The Inn at Little Washington that truly captured the spirit of our anniversary celebration - a perfect blend of history, luxury, and warm hospitality that reminded us why these three-star experiences are worth seeking out.
