Claire’s At the Depot‎
65 South 3rd Street
Warrenton, VA 20186-3304

Voice: 540.351.1616
Fax: 540.341.0302

claires@clairesrestaurant.com
reservations@clairesrestaurant.com

American | $$

We have been to Claire’s many times for brunch and dinner. I thought it was time to share brunch with everyone. Located in a beautifully renovated train station the tables near the fireplace are a treat as fall arrives. During the summer months several tables are available on the patio if the humidity is not oppressive.

Bruch begins with wonderful Cranberry-Orange Scones.

I started with a terrific she crab soup. It had a nice creamy consistency with ample crab. A little on the salty side but I usually chalk that up to minimizing my salt intake and being a little more sensitive than most people. I will have it again.

My wife and a friend split a nice looking Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with organic baby greens, goat cheese croutons, yellow & red beets, candied walnuts, dried cherries, and poppy seed dressing.

My favorite for brunch at Claire’s has long been the Steak and Eggs with a grilled Black Angus N.Y. strip, Edwards’ peppered bacon, sausage, farm fresh eggs over hard, herbed hash browns and fresh fruit. The steak was cooked perfectly. The homemade sausage had a magnificent earthy taste with just a hint of spiciness. I grew up on dinner type hash brown potatoes shredded and on the crispy side. The herbed hash browns for this dish are good but more like small seasoned breakfast potatoes. I am not sure I would call them hash browns.

My wife chose the Pan Seared Trout with scrambled eggs. The trout was moist and not over cooked. The selection of fruit was all fresh with strawberries ripened to perfection, a surprise for this time of the year.

Our server was the wonderful Tiffany. She was helpful with menu suggestions, took care of our every need, and always had a smile. I hope she helps us on our next visit.

Claire’s brunch can fill up fast after church lets out so reservations are recommend for dinning after noon. The noise level was moderate, around 65 decibels when we arrived, and on the high end of moderate at 75 decibels with nearly every table was taken when we left. On this afternoon I spotted Claire out of her chef’s uniform and in the dining room filling water glasses and observing the flow of staff and guests. I am sure this hands-on approach has a lot to do with the quality of the service.

If you’re looking for a nice Sunday brunch in the country don’t miss Claire’s at the Depot. Warrenton is a lovely town about an hour from Washington, DC and Claire makes it worth the drive.