Virginia

Maude and the Bear breakfast, Staunton, VA., 4/16-18/26

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house – 1106 N. Augusta St., Staunton, VA 24401

Maude and the Bear is in a 1926 Montgomery Ward kit house and run by Chef Ian Boden and a marvelous team.   They offer a 5 course tasting menu in the main dining rooms but hold out until you can get one of the 4 seats for the Kitchen Table (posted a couple days ago) , where you’ll enjoy 12-20 courses in a blind tasting.  The place has a full bar which also serves food, so I’ve included the menu from the regular tasting as well as the bar here.  Staunton is a small town but it had a surprising number of fun attractions a few minutes from the place and if you want to venture futher, there’s the Blue Ridge Parkway to ride.  You only can get their 3-course breakfast if you stay there (except on Sunday when there’s more).  Our first breakfast was prepared and served by Chef Boden and our second one was by Chef de Cuisine Matthew Beck.  Both were wonderful and creative compared to what you get at most B & Bs.  Boden’s wife Leslie decorated the 3 guest rooms and equips them with lots of ammenities, snacks and beverages.  The Boden’s are delightful hosts and I know you’d enjoy this as a weekend getaway, I sure did. Continue reading →

Maude & the Bear, Staunton, VA., 4/18/26

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house – 1106 N. Augusta St., Staunton, VA 24401

Chef Ian Boden helmed The Shack restaurant for almost 10 years, garnishing two semi-finalist nominations for Best Chef mid-Atlantic.  In 2022 he and his wife Leslie decided to take it to the next level and open a more upscale culinary venue with attached guest suites.  They chose a 1926 Montgomery Ward kit house and redecorated as well as modernized the kitchen.  They chose the name in honor of Chef Boden’s and his wife Leslie’s daughter’s middle name and son’s nickname.  After a year of work they opened in March of 2024 and serve a 5 course tasting  menu ($120) for 20 guests Thursday through Saturday and a longer Kitchen table tasting ($300) menu for 4 guests.  For the shorter menu there are two seatings and optional dishes you can add to your menu,  while the Kitchen is one time a night and is a 3 hour extravaganza.  There is a bar with a few seats and an a la carte menu.  The menu changes regularly with seasonal variations but many ingredients are preserved at their peak and brought out to integrate into current dishes.  In additon Leslie decorated 3 guest suites and those that stay are treated to a 3 course breakfast while on Sunday the breakfast is open to the public.  We were thrilled to book a room and try the former and new restaurants.  It makes a fabulous weekend getaway and one I suggest you try – you can roll from your kitchen seat up a short flight of stairs to a most pleasant room and then venture down in the morning and eat more of their cooking.  It’s a place I would certainly endorse and go again. Continue reading →

Remedy Burger, Stauton, VA., 4/17/26

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exterior – 12 E Beverley Street,, Staunton, VA 24401

This Remedy Burger was in the historic part of downtown and there is another restaurant in Richmond.   It was a medium sized place with a high ceiling, wood floors and a combination of seating with bench seating along one wall and high top tables along the opposite with more small dark wood tables in between.  At the end of the room was the bar counter that also had stools for diners or drinkers.  It started in 2022 and had windows to the street that featured some stained glass by the front door.  It was a noisy spot with all the hard surfaces and the service varied in efficiency but was overall friendly.  Their smashed burger patties are grilled to have a crispy edge around the patty.   They come in all kinds of variations and the place was hopping with guests of all ages coming and going.  The burger was plenty good so stop in and have one while exploring the downtown area.  There’s a fabulous camera museum across the street on the next block that was fascinating. Continue reading →

The Shack, Staunton, VA., 4/16/26

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exterior – 105 S Coalter St, Staunton, VA 24401-4340

The Shack, a tiny former doughnut shop,  barbecue joint, and bar (and the list goes on) is just outside of downtown Staunton in a small building with a changing menu.  For the last several years it has been under the kitchen of Chef Michael Skipper but it was started by Chef Ian Boden in 2014..   Boden retained ownership but now runs Maude and the Bear.  The Shack has just 26 seats in its 400 square feet and is named for Chef Boden’s wife’s grandmother’s home.   Some of her best memories are from that time and the current Shack is doing the same for diners today.  A very casual place with the walls decorated by photos from Leslie’s past.  Chef Skipper was the longtime sous chef when Boden was running the kitchen.  The place features small sharable plates of handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, Thursday through Sunday.  They don’t have a website but post the week’s menu on their Facebook page.   There are some prix fixe options, wine pairings and the pastas come in a two sizes.  We chose our own wine and assortment of dishes to share.  It was outstanding with tons of flavor and interesting combinations of ingredients.  This place won a Beard award for best new restaurant under Boden and Skipper is living up to its heritage.  Put this on your list of places to go as soon as you can. Continue reading →

The Inn at Little Washington breakfast, Washington, VA., 11/14/25

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seating – Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747

With the rooms at The Inn at Little Washington a basic breakfast is included.  They also offer a la carte selections for an additional charge or you can chose a package that includes those selections too.  The basic breakfast includes a flight of seasonal juices, yougurt, fruit and granola, breads and coffee of tea.  Cocktails are available for an extra charge as are special coffee drinks.  Overall, breakfast was dull but if it comes with your room you might as well.  That said I wouldn’t advise paying for the extra selections as they weren’t that tasty. Continue reading →

The Inn at Little Washington (update), Washington, VA., 11/13/25

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exterior – Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747

We were at The Inn at Little Washington in April 2021 (you can read that by clicking here). They have finished the construction of their casual restaurant across the street and we also went there this trip – Patty O’s – and they’re now working on numerous other projects which we found out about on the facilities tour that is offered when you stay there. A new employee parking lot was under active construction as was a pool and a spa/wellness building that’s coming after that, complete with acupuncture!  On the tour we also got to feed some of the animals that live on site but they are not ever featured on the menu. Chickens, goats, sheep, llamas and geese that parade through the streets with their keeper. On the food side they are planning new areas for seating including wine cellar dinners. However all this didn’t keep their third Michelin star when the newest ratings were announced- they dropped to 2-stars despite Chef/Owner Patrick O’Connell being ever present on property. It’s worth a visit just to see the heavily decorated place and the food is good. Each diner has the choice of 3 tasting menus equally priced with optional wine pairings. I like that only supplement option was a cheese course and that the tasting moves along at a good pace.  Hope you’ll let me know what you think if you go. Continue reading →

Inn at Little Washington Tea, 11/13/25, Washington, VA

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building –Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747

The Inn at Little Washington includes an afternoon tea with your stay there.  It is served from 2-5 which gives you something to do while you’re waiting for your room check in at 4.  What I couldn’t find out if there’s a way to come for tea if you’re not staying there.  I would bet there is, but I would look elsewhere.  You have a variety of their rooms to sit in and enjoy the tea service but the canapes were not nearly as good as the main meals here or across the street at Patty O’s.  However, if you’re there, it’s included and you want a place to spend some time this is a good option. They offer a huge variety of teas to go with a selection of sweet and savory canapés. Continue reading →

Claires at the Depot (update), Warrenton, VA., 11/13/25

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building – 65 S 3rd St., Warrenton, VA., 20186

We visited Claires in 2021 (you can read that by clicking here)  It looks very much the same in the century old train station only I think it’s gotten more popular and the town built up more, so there’s less parking.  We sat at a high top table which was one of the options you can pick when you make your reservation.  The large bar seemed to be a place for solo diners and walk-ins.  Claire Lamborne purchased the property in 2005 and was still there but we didn’t see her polishing glassware this time.  Service was efficient, friendly and opinionated.  We liked it enough to go back so if you need a fun place to eat when you’re in the area put this one on your list. Continue reading →

Three Blacksmiths, Sperryville, VA., 11/12/25

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building – 20 Main St, Sperryville, VA 22740-2155

The Three Blacksmiths was opened in 2018 by John and Diane MacPherson who sold it to the current chef/owners Jake and Sara Addeo in 2021.   (The name is in honor of the 3 blacksmiths that worked in Sperryville many years ago. )  Both the Addeos cook, pick wines and run the front of house along with the help of a sous chef and several servers.  The small 20 seat place. is one of the hardest reservations to get in this country – booking out over 6 months ahead.   The warm wooded room had lowered lighting, curtained windows to the street, an open kitchen and music in the background.  They serve a 5 course tasting menu only, with a few surprise additions and offer 2 levels of wine pairings 4 nights a week with one seating.  There is a small wine list but no full bar.  They do have a couple pre-dinner cocktails as well as after dinner drinks like port and sherry.  The tables are set with your evening’s menu and I loved that they have the service team’s names and photos on the back.  The feel of the room is inviting and cozy but the tables are a bit far a part for cross table talk.  The tasting takes about 4 hours but it goes by nicely as you feel you’re in a private home and both of the chef/owners come by to chat.  We had hoped to try it when we were in the area in 2021 but couldn’t get in, so when we found an opening we jumped on it and were glad we did.  It’s a fun night, where you’ll find lots of local repeat customers, some celebrating a ‘special occasion’ and others like us, just celebrating another day of fun dining.  Hope you’ll get on their list and let me know what you think. Continue reading →

Patty O’s Cafe & Bakery, Washington, VA., 11/12/25

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building – 389 Main Street, Washington, VA., 22747

Patty O’s Cafe and Bakery was under construction when we were last at the Inn on Little Washington in 2021.  Built in a former gas station building, it was named for the Inn’s Chef Patrick O’Connell’s nickname ‘Patty O’.   It offers visitors an option to the Michelin style fine dining of  the Inn by offering lunch and dinner daily except for Wed when they close at 4.  The cafe has two interior rooms, one housing the large bar with seating and the other closely set tables, and there is an outdoor patio.  It is also connected to the bakery which supplies its and the main restaurant’s bread.  The rooms are filled with decorations and art with a beamed ceiling and windows to the street.  Service was efficient and willing to make recommendations.  It aims for a more casual atmosphere which it achieves with bills coming in little metal boots , a menu of American classics and a large free parking lot out back.  Thinking it was mid-week and we didn’t really need a reservation, but we did anyway and that was the right call.  The place was packed with tables turning over.  Walk-ins were seated at the bar.  The food was mixed but the place serves a real need for those in the area.  If nothing else, just go for the pecan ice cream with caramel sauce. Continue reading →

Longoven, Richmond, 4/8/23

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entrance – 2939 W Clay St., Richmond, VA 23230

Longoven offers a seasonal 10-13 course tasting menu highlighting local products.  Owned by a trio of chefs – Andrew Manning, Patrick Phelan and Megan Fitzroy Phelan – it opened about 5 years ago.  The trio united after varying careers to do a series of pop-up dinners for 4 years starting in 2014.  They didn’t start out intending to offer fine dining but evolution found them receiving tons of awards as they refined their concept of flavors.   Open for dinner Wed through Sat, there are few tables so get your reservation early.  Wine pairings are offered and cocktails can be acquired at the Lost Letter which is the bar in the front of the building.  The Lost Letter and the patio on the side also serve food made in the same kitchen, just a more casual and a la carte version. Fittingly the name refers to the community ovens of the Civil War period.  They do give you copy of the menu at the end of the meal.  The space is fairly dark with dark wood tables and carpet and excellent service.  It is star for the Richmond dining scene and a bargain at $155/person.  Go if you get the opportunity. Continue reading →

Garnett’s Cafe, Richmond, 4/8/23

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exterior – 2001 Park Ave, Richmond, VA 23220

Garnett’s Cafe is a small neighborhood sandwich/salad shop on the lower floor of a 1908 corner building.  Parking is on the street and seating is limited.  There are several small tables in addition to seats at the L-shaped counter.  Art and other objects decorate the walls.  Wine and beer are available and there was a special sandwich of the day on the chalkboard outside.  They are open daily for lunch and dinner and also have a selection of desserts from Laura Lee’s.  Opening in 2009 they received a local dining award, an Elby, as the city’s Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant in 2014.  The place was named for the owner, Kendra Feather’s, grandmother Garnett Beckham, who lived to 103.  The staff was friendly and the food was good, with large portions.  We were there to catch up with a friend so apologies in advance as my note-taking and photo taking were distracted. Continue reading →

L’Opossum, Richmond, 4/7/23

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entrance – 626 China St, Richmond, VA 23220

L’Opossum offers a quirky take on traditional French cuisine in a very eclectic interior, masterminded by Chef/Owner David Shannon.  Opening in 2015 it immediately won the Elby (Richmond-region award) Dining award for Best New Restaurant and in 2017 won the Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year.  You can see why it also has claimed fame as the most romantic restaurant with a number of sexual references in the food and art.  Inside you’ll find a small darkly lit place with booths on one side of the long room, cut-outs holding statues between tables on the opposite wall and small tables in the middle.  The tables are embossed with gold patterns underneath heavy plastic coating that brought Rorschach to mind and the lighting is from dozens of colored balls hanging from the ceiling.  The walls are covered with plates, paintings and statues.  Service was great – helpful and friendly, offering advice when needed.  It may not be the best food I’ve ever had but the place itself is worth a visit and a chance to soak up the vibe. Continue reading →

Stella’s, Richmond, 4/7/23

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exterior – 1012 Lafayette St, Richmond, VA 23221

Stella’s serves rustic and modern Greek cuisine.  Stella was born in 1942 and emigrated to the U.S. as part of an arranged marriage.  Her husband opened an American classic cafe in 1956 and she joined him working there in the 1960s bringing in Greek dishes.  In 1983 she opened a restaurant bearing her name a few doors down.  Expanding on its success she opened a second place in 1998 offering eclectic cuisine.  The current location opened in 2011 and Stella still comes by and the kitchen prepares her old family recipes. The medium-sized place is on a corner and parking is on the street.  Windows make up two walls and the large L-shaped bar is opposite, set with stools with backs.  A large table is midway to the back and that and the bar are for walk-in seating.  Otherwise, it is a bunch of small bare wood tables with some bench seating or larger tables for 4 with chairs.  The ceiling is tin, Greek music is in the background and it’s very busy.  However, the service didn’t rush you and was glad to bring things out individually so we could split them.  The server warned us we ordered too much as the portions were large but agreed to give the kitchen our apologies that we were going to waste some food in order to be able to try lots.  If you like Greek food try and get a reservation and otherwise get there early and snag an open seat. Continue reading →

Lemaire Restaurant, Richmond, 4/6/23

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hotel exterior – The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220

Lemaire is the fine dining restaurant in the historic Jefferson Hotel.  It is named for President Thomas Jefferson’s maitre d’ Etienne Lemaire who is credited with introducing cooking with wine to America.  The menu changes seasonally and is under Chef Patrick Willis, a Virginia native, since 2009 when the place underwent a major renovation.  The hotel was lovely and had a nice bar just outside where you could wait for your table.   Inside the elegant dining room was one room with elaborate plaster moldings,  Italian chandeliers, mirrors, custom draperies and double-clothed large tables. Some windows were on two sides of the room and provided additional light to the small votive on the table.  The padded leather chairs, carpet and well-spaced tables make a conversation easy yet private.  Service was professional yet friendly and guests varied from those celebrating a special occasion to casual hotel guests.  We wanted to split a number of things and they were happy to course it out for us.  This place is worth a visit. Continue reading →

Perly’s Restaurant & Delicatessen, Richmond, 4/6/23

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exterior – 111 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219

Perly’s is a Jewish Restaurant and Delicatessen serving “traditional Jewish cuisine with a twist.”  In the heart of downtown, they are open Wed. to Sun. from 9:00 am till 3:00 pm. The place originally opened in 1961 and has had 3 owners with the current ones taking over in 2014 and adding the twist.  It’s a long place with one side taken up by the long bar that ends in the kitchen space.  The area that’s left is divided in two with booths and tables.  The marble bar had stools opened and we took that as there was a wait for tables even later in the afternoon.  Music was in the background, windows to the street provided additional light to the many fixtures, a black and white movie played silently on the screen above the bar, the ceiling looked like an old tin one and a pair of larger semi-circular booths flanked the doorway. Continue reading →

The Blue Door Kitchen & Inn, Flint Hill, VA., 4/3/21

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exterior

The Blue Door Kitchen & Inn has been the collaboration of Chef Andrea Pace in the kitchen and his partner Reem Arbid directing the front of the house for almost 3 years.  Located in a 100 year old schoolhouse, now the dining rooms take 2 downstairs rooms and 4 suites accommodate guests upstairs.  Their refurbished large patio out back would make a lovely place to eat or read.  The place gets its name from the highly polished blue front door and an additional blue one decorates one of the dining rooms.  Lots of parking is available out front and clear plastic partitions divide the various tables.  Polished wood tables, lots of mirrors, large cloth napkins and decorations of building materials make up the dining areas which are separated by the bar/reception area.  Service was well masked, helpful, well paced and super friendly.  The food is in generous portions that you won’t want to leave any of on the plate. Continue reading →

Claire’s at the Depot, Warrenton, VA., 4/3/21

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exterior

Claire Lamborne started her restaurant in 2004 by replacing a Mediterranean restaurant with Claire’s at the Depot serving delicious food with a southern twist. The building used to be the town’s railway depot built in the 1850s and features a patio as well as indoor dining.  In the patio area are beds where many of the fresh herbs they use are grown.  Inside you’ll find brick walls, wood floors, paper on top of the  cloth covered well spaced tables, music in the background and a large bar area.  Lots of windows kept it well lit for the lunch service.   They serve lunch, dinner and brunch and offered a couple of lunch specials.  They have a small wine list with some by the glass and many cocktails.  Servers were friendly and well masked. Continue reading →

The Inn at Little Washington; Washington,VA.; 4/2/21

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exterior

The Inn at Little Washington is a 42 year old restaurant about 70 miles east of Washington DC.  It is the only restaurant in the area to have been awarded 3 Michelin stars and the chef, Patrick O’Connell received the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to American food.  The town with a population around 200 and the oldest of the 28 cities in the U.S. with that name, got the nickname Little Washington due to its proximity to DC.  The Inn/Restaurant had to overcome some resistance in the town but now most of the town seems to revolve around it.  The main inn has 18 bedrooms and suites and now there are a number of buildings in town that it also has rooms in, with one under construction across the street that will be a casual restaurant. Continue reading →

Mama Chang, Fairfax, VA., 4/2/21

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exterior

Mama Chang opened early in 2019 in Fairfax, VA.  It focuses on family dishes from the Hubei province, where Peter Chang is from, ones his mother and other females in the family cooked.  There is less pepper than in the traditional Szechuan dishes.  The large interior is filled with light from the many windows and white walls.  Textured ropes hang from the ceiling, the well spaced light wood tables are bare and tons of green plants surround the room.  It feels open and spacious but a bit sterile.  Portions are generally large – we way over-ordered but wanted to try a number of the dishes.  The server was masked and willing to give advice. One note is about their to-go containers which were nice plastic dishes with good locking lids not the usual leaky styrofoam containers. Continue reading →