The Inn at Little Washington

Chef Patrick O’Connell has long been the steward of this idyllic restaurant just outside Washington. In a town whose very existence seems tied to his success, dinner here recalls another era. The dining room is embellished to the very last inch, with fringe and fabric all over, patterned carpets, and lush wallpaper. The menu is divided between classics and vegetables, most of which are sourced locally and from the team’s own garden. Dinner always begins with pimento cheese packed into a crisp chip and ends with a playful pear dessert. In between, courses like lobster with caviar beurre blanc show the kitchen at its very best. And all throughout, roaming bread and cheese carts are a reminder of a luxury that’s less and less common.

• Unique Decor: The Inn features hundreds of corn cobs nailed along a porch overhang and a taxidermy albino peacock named Biscuit in the conservatory.
• No Paperwork Upon Arrival: Guests are greeted with a cocktail instead of paperwork, with the recipe changing daily.
• Themed Rooms and Suites: Rooms are decorated in unique styles, with some named after culinary pioneers, and include features like exposed beams and stone fireplaces in standalone cottages.

• Pecans: Used in the signature dish Boneless Rack of Lamb in a Pecan Crust with Barbecue Sauce and Shoestring Sweet Potatoes, adding a distinctive Virginian flavor.
• Wild Rice: Featured in various recipes, such as a side dish with butter, carrot, and celery, highlighting the use of local ingredients.
• Apples: Incorporated into dishes like the Fluffy salad with ham, arugula, Parmigiano, and pine nuts, showcasing the restaurant's creative use of seasonal fruits.
• Peaches: Highlighted in desserts like The Peach Intensifier with Peach Ice Cream, demonstrating the restaurant's emphasis on local and seasonal produce.

Tasting Menu Options

• Four-Course Tasting Menu (Vegetarian / Restaurant Classics / Seasonal "Here and Now") - $218 per guest
• Tailored Four-Dish Tasting Menu (choose four dishes) - $218 per guest

Add-Ons

• Wine Pairings: $125 per person
• Kitchen Table Surcharge: $750 per table
• Cocktails: $14–$18

Signature Dishes

• Lobster with caviar beurre blanc — price not listed in the provided content