THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 5, 1995 TAG: 9501040051
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: A LA CARTE
SOURCE: Donna Reiss
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
THE 1995 Zagat survey of Washington, D.C., restaurants names three Virginia establishments among the top four in the Capital City's dining area.
They are: Willow Grove Inn, the Inn at Little Washington and L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls. In 1994, we had the fortune to eat at the first two.
At Willow Grove Inn, a handsome 18th century plantation house in Orange County, the food is glorious.
Under the guidance of Douglas Gibson, fresh local herbs and produce, home-canned preserves, home-smoked meats and seasonal specialties appear on the changing evening menu.
Antique furnishings and heirloom linens grace the dining room; on weekends, piano music accompanies dinner. Less than an hour's detour when you're in the Charlottesville area, Willow Grove Inn offers overnight guests elegant appointments and modern conveniences.
Host-owner Angela Mulloy oversees an enormous country breakfast in the casual downstairs club room. Contact Willow Grove, 14079 Plantation Way, Orange, Va. 22960. Or call (703) 672-5982.
The Inn at Little Washington has won international acclaim for its opulent decor and exquisite food.
We left our August dinner with several recipes from chef Patrick O'Connell, whose cookbook is due within the year.
When we made the Inn's sweet red pepper soup for guests, they began to understand why we had waxed poetic over our meal there. You can make it, too, with the following recipe. Or make reservations at the inn, Middle and Main streets, Washington, Va 22747. Call (703) 675-3800.
Quick bites
More than 1,000 frequent fish eaters have signed up for points at the Lynnhaven Fish House. For every dollar they spend, they collect a point toward dining gift certificates, Caribbean holidays or Greek Island cruises. . . . The folks at Freemason Abbey report that Dave Thomas, Wendy's burgermeister, ordered a vegetable platter during his recent stop at their downtown Norfolk restaurant. MEMO: Send restaurant news, along with your name and a daytime phone number,
to a la carte, c/o Flavor, The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, 150
W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510.
by CNB