On Tuesday just over 50 of us hauled out (many by chartered bus) to the gastronomic temple of Chef Patrick O'Connell at the INN at LITTLE WASHINGTON, just 90 minutes west of DC in the Virginia foothills. While the afternoon started off drizzly, it cleared as we arrived to a bevy of footmen and women who escorted us from the bus to the new :function" facility just across from the inn. This beautiful space has several rooms and allows wedding parties, meetings and more, not to mention a huge yard on which a hot air balloon (and probably a helicopter) could land. We had three miniature ponies grazing there for show!
As we sipped ST. GERMAINE Blanc de Blancs (methode champenoise) sparkling and some had Duvel Belgian beer we enjoyed the warm sun, the company and the spectacular hor's d'oevres. These included ISLAND CREEK Oysters with a choice of Cucumber Salsa & Sorbet or Horseradish Mignonette with Cocktail Sauce Sorbet. Both were tasty and chilly and great, as were the simply plain oysters; but they were best for me with just a dribble of the plain crunchy CUCUMBER SALSA. WATERMELON SOAKED in TEQUILA with a drizzle of Balsamic was a refreshing almost palate cleanser of an hor's d'oevre and the stars were the MUSTARD CUSTARD quiche-like pastries and the superb BBQ PASTIES, an American version of the British pastry filled with bbq meat.
I switched to the Domaine Buisson-Charles 2004 MERSAULT which was also quite tasty (too much bubbly gets me gassy!) as I munched on the yummy PROSCIUTTO wrapped melon in Balsamic.
I forgot to mention that the purpose of this outing was a benefit to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of FOOD & FRIENDS(one of our favorite charities here in DC), and Chef O'Connell had graciously closed the Inn for our group (I am not sure how much was donated?) which was a special much-anticipated treat. Our last trip to the Inn in Oct 2001 was less than stellar as the service was mediocre and the food only okay, as Chef O'Connell was not in residence at the time.
We sat down to an unexciting and a bit too sweet for me DEMITASSE of Chilled Local WATERMELON SOUP. Next came the MELANGE of SPICY BIG EYE TUNA with Mango, Avocado, Crispy Shallots and Sake-Yuzu Sorbet which was quite tasty and served with a wonderful Jean Vesselle, "Oeil de Perdrix" Blanc de Noirs Brut (Rose) Champagne. My guest (who actually used to work at the Inn years ago) asked the charming sommellieuse, Meredith, if she did not think sake would be a better pairing, and she promptly brought over a bottle of "BRIDE of the FOX" Junmai Daiginjo from Kanbara that was sublime and intensely yeasty as well (like the champagne, but moreso). After this, she proffered a bottle of "Divine Droplets" or TAKASAGO's Ginga Shizuku, another Junmai Daiginjo (I believe) which we did not care for as much. An odd occurrence came later in the meal when the manager asked who would be paying for the extra sake. It was bizarre that they were pouring every kind of wine, beer and drink complimentary, but Meredith failed to tell us that there would be a charge for these sakes. It was not well handled and a bit awkward for such a refined considered top-quality establishment.
The next course was a teeny CRISPY MARYLAND CRABCAKE with a Trio of Sauces: Garden Sorrel, Classic Tartar and Roasted Red Pepper which kind of spilled into each other on the plate making it difficult to actually taste each one (perhaps this was intentional). The crabcake was gorgeous, crispy and way too small, even for a tasting menu. The Vindeos de Ithica, ODYSSEUS 2007 (white) Pedro Ximenes (grape) from Priorat was a revelation and a rare wine I would search for should anyone be able to get it!
Unquestionably the best course of the evening was the Pan Roasted MAINE LOBSTER on Local Sweet CORN Succotash with FRIED GREEN TOMATO, and luckily it was a good size portion, or I might have asked for more. I specifically assumed our grand dinner would be huge and tried to limit my hor's d'oevres to one each (save for the oysters!), but was surprised the courses were so few and so small. The lobster was paired with a creamy rich TALBOTT VINEYARDS, Diamond T Estate CHARDONNAY 2004 from Monterey, Calif that I have always adored; any chardonnay goes sublimely with lobster!
The main course was a sadly too dry VEAL PARMESAN REINCARNATED: Prosciutto Wrapped Pan Roasted Loin of Veal with SPINACH RAVIOLINI and Parmesan Broth. I guess when the reincarnated the meat, it simply dried out! The wine was a perfect pairing in that it was a juicy fruity rich red:Venegazzu della LOREDAN Gasparini, "Capo di Stato" 2003 from Colli Trevigiani made of 60% Cab and a blend of other grapes.
The requisite LILLIPUTIAN PASSION FRUIT DREAMSICLE was yummy and the dessert was a chocoholics dream, but not my cup of tea. I wish we had a choice. CHOCOLATE MELANGE a TROIS included a Black Forest Mousse Bombe, Chocolate Creme Brulee and Bitter Chocolate Souffle. The bombe was way too rich, the brulee nice and the souffle sublime. A Broadbent 10 Year Old Malmsey MADEIRA rounded out the evening, but I really missed the cheese course, as I expect it in a dining pavilion of this calibre. Kudos to Meredith at the end for offering up a splendid glass of CHATEAU d"YQUIEM 1991 (was this just for our fun drinking table?). We got a box of candies and cookies to take home, but I guess I left mine on the bus. Oh well.
While it was great to be with very special FRIENDS and indeed some very special (though not all of it) FOOD and glorious wines, it was a wonderful evening to celebrate a very special cause. I still have to say that a trek to the Inn is a long one, and while one a perfect night it can be a godlike experience, it was not on Tuesday (only some of it), and there are places here in the DC area that can come close and sometimes surpass without the drive--although those hills do make one feel so gifted.
