Okay we got some local buzz dispensed with (although maybe
not so fast on the pier, stay tuned), and we can go to Middleburg, or Ireland,
Hmmmm… Middleburg!
MFO and I miraculously held fast to a long planned weekend visit
to “Horse Country” in Virginia, specifically the little town of
Middleburg. So we set out around noon on Friday, to take
the scenic route, over the Harry Nice Bridge and up through the countryside
around Fredericksburg, and wind our way up through the backroads to Middleburg. Figured there would be some color remaining,
and it was a nice sunny day. Got
underway about the scheduled noon ETD, headed through Leonardtown passing one
of our favorite barns on the way
Ah, starting to relax, enjoying the fall scenery, past
Allenss Fresh
Turn south on 301, head for the bridge and……..
After forty minutes looking at that vista we find out that “police
action” had closed the bridge in both directions, while a search for a jumper
ensued. Finally we pay our six bucks
toll, over the bridge into Virginia.
Somewhat concerned over a looming dinner reservation, we bailed on a
couple of roads and took 17 up through Fredericksburg
Oh, joy. But
eventually we did get out into the “country”, and moved along with traffic,
seeing some interesting political “bumper” stickers
And to be truthful (will NOT use that acronym) there was some pretty scenery along the
way, and our last leg was hampered by more backroad road construction.
But, all was eventually overcome and we arrived at the
lovely Red Fox Inn
Our friend from DC preceded us in arrival and helped us find
and get situated in the room. We were
not in the “Inn” proper, but not unlike Inn at Little Washington (bowing down
here), they have are kind of satellite buildings around, and we were in one of
those not far from the Inn (to the right), up a small flight of stairs. There was a little plate of fresh cookies and
a full ice bucket waiting for us.
(warning, the following contains an occasional detour into a rant)
We rested
and freshened a bit, and then got DFD’d.
After some research we settled on a place called Goodstone Inn which was
a bit out of town and had rave reviews on various sites. I tend to distrust reviews that use words
like “amazing” to describe their experience but enough sane ones were there
that we booked prior to leaving town. Like
most classy places they called our friend to verify the booking, and cautioned
him that a jacket was required for the gentlemen, although not a tie. Of course given the looks of the place, a
jacket would be a necessity. Take a
quick look at the link.
We were greeted by a friendly lady who checked us off, and
led us to a pretty nice table on the side of the room, which I like because I can
observe the overall operation.
Now before I launch further, to set the scene, take a peek
at the menu and specifically the prices.
Note that some of the entrees are over fifty dollars, pretty hefty by most standards. I do not mind that, and was prepared, but
that sets the expectations pretty high. For
those kinds of prices, I expect perfect service from beginning to end in
addition to superlative food. It was here
that I felt they fell a little short.
In scanning the room waiting (!) for our server make an
initial approach to the table, there was one table where the gentleman had on a
collarless shirt, I think maybe a
sweater. And a little further on, there
was a young man, millennial age, who was nicely dressed (albeit no jacket) but
had a ball cap (!!) on his head. It was
indeed a nicer ball cap, not SOMD style, but kind of like the type golfer Rickie
Fowler wears, stylish enough, but a damn hat.
At some point it did leave his noggin, I am not sure at whose
initiative. Well, kind of okay, do I expect
they would turn away customers who probably know the price points they are
walking into? I suppose not, but goes
back to that standard put forward by the menu.
The server did approach and I don’t remember if we got a
speech or not, but she inquired as to whether we would like a cocktail before
dinner. After our Harry (not so) Nice
Bridge, Fredericksburg traffic, and the “Flagman Ahead” experience, of course
we would like a cocktail. I decided on a
Martini, to which I am gravitating mostly on an esthetic basis. “What kinds of Gin do you have? (expecting
maybe some exotic labels)”. Only the unholy trinity was recited, Bombay,
Tanqueray, and Hendricks. (Thought
Process): I’m sorry, I’m not a fan of any of those, so “Okay, I’ll have a dry
Manhattan, up, with a twist’ Woodford
Bourbon was offered, okay fine. While she
scurried of to get the drinks, a table next to us was lauding the rabbit on the
menu. To die for, etc.
In a reasonable amount of time the server returned with a
tray containing our friend’s flute of Prosecco, MFO’s standard Gimlet, and……. an
up glass of a deep ruby colored liquid with a “lump” in the bottom of the glass…
er, is that a twist? “no sir it’s a
cherry’. Well, a dry Manhatten should
be dry vermouth, and I requested a twist.
“I’m so sorry sir, I’ll remake the drink”. Know you, loyal readers, know I have the “Drink
Test” wherein I order the dry Manhattan with no explanation and see what I get. Once again, if you’re going to charge me
fifty bucks for a plate of food, and (as it turned out), seventeen bucks for a
cocktail, I do not think it is unreasonable to expect that somebody knows how
to make a dry Manhattan. The replacement
was correct (and to be fair delivered along with another apology)
Rant Tapers off Here
On a happier note, the food lived up to the menu prices
(trying not to dwell on that), with a starter of “Goodstone French Toast” – Seared
Foie Gras (Feeder Sucker dish), 4 spice “French Toast”, Tart Cherry Port
Reduction; a Goodstone Garden Greens salad, wild Mushroom Strudel, and entrée
choices of Seared Chesapeake Striped bass with Cauliflower, Cilantro,
Scallions, Wild Mushrooms with a Ginger Consommé; and I figured in for a dollar, etc., and took
the Dover Sole Meuniere, prepared with lump crab, and lemon parsley caper
buerre blanc.
With the help of the Sommelier, we worked our way through
the wine list, and finally arrived at a White Burgundy. While criticizing the server of the drinks, I
will give points to the wine guy, his first question was “About what price
range are you comfortable with?”, not guiding you to the most expensive bottle
on the list. Ours was expensive enough (three figures) but “in for….” Philosophy.
The appetizers arrived at good temperature, nicely presented
(my “toast” and MFO’s “strudel”)
Entrées were the same quality, all excellently prepared. We finished with a cheese plate.
Now, before closing, I am fully aware that when I am on my
high horse about proper dress and manners in a fine dining restaurant, perhaps
photographing the food falls outside acceptable behavior. These days you are certainly not alone, and in
my own defense, I have a little point and shoot camera, about the size of a
credit card (not a big phone), and ALWAYS disable the flash.
I try to be discreet, don’t stand up or make a big production out of it. I enjoy sharing our experiences with you plus
it is a good record of what we had.
A restaurateur friend of mine always speaks about “the
experience” in a restaurant. Not just
the food, the whole “experience”. So if
you ask me about the Goodstone Inn, and a wonderful dinner shared with a good
friend that cost (a lot) more than most, I just might remember “They screwed up the damn drink”.
Sorry for the rants, we were, however very nicely
DFD
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