The Ashby Inn and Restaurant
692 Federal Street, Paris, Virginia 20130
Local: 540.592.3900
Toll Free: 866.336.0099
info@ashbyinn.com

Farm to Table | $$$$

We had a wonderful dinner with friends at the Ashby Inn & Restaurant in Paris, VA recently. We have visited the restaurant several times and knew what to expect. We were not disappointed. The food and service was superb.

I began my dinner with an amazing crab cake in cherry vinegar.

For my main course I usually choose a steak because Chef Tarver King buys his beef from Martin’s Angus Beef. Having purchased their meat at our local farmer’s market it is exceptional. My dish was a rib loin of beef with potato confit, Swiss chard compote, stilton cream, and cocoa. It was cooked perfectly and covered with the wonderful stilton cream sauce.

My wife had the pork belly with okra and daylily.

I loved my dessert, a peanut ice cream with cashew & bacon brittle, croquant, crème fraîche, and honey.

My wife decided on the buttermilk sponge cake with rhubarb purée, sorrel gelato, cherries, and hyssop streusel. She found the rhubarb purée very refreshing.

The dining room was well lit and fairly quiet. We go early when it is not as busy to make it easier to hear. There is a large outdoor seating area for those who prefer the fresh air of the countryside. A three course meal for four, tea, coffee and two drinks was a little over $350, about what you would expect to pay at one of the higher rated restaurants in Northern Virginia. And well worth the price. As an added bonus Paris is located at the intersection of routes 50 & 17 and no matter from which direction you approach you are guaranteed a scenic drive.

The Inn at Willow Grove

14079 Plantation Way
Orange, VA 22960
(540) 317-1206

This Sunday brought us together with a group of wonderful friends from the Charlottesville area to celebrate two birthdays. We have been to the Inn at Willow Grove before and were really looking forward to a return visit. We were not disappointed.

Arriving at the Inn you are greeted by a beautifully restored 18^th century plantation house on a 40-acre estate in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

On our previous visit we were seated in the main dining room on the first floor. For this get together management was very accommodating to our need for access for a scooter and put our party of ten in a lower floor room which we had all to ourselves. I preferred this because without the noise of the larger dining room it was easier for everyone to talk and catch up.

Wonderful plates.

Brunch started with a delightful Almond Cinnamon Cake and Cinnamon Twist. The cake had tasty whole almonds and the perfect crumb cake type topping. I was a little surprised the Cinnamon Twist was dryer than it look, but still very much edible.

After cake we received a biscuit and sausage gravy appetizer that had a moist perfect small biscuit lightly covered with warm sweet sausage gravy. I could make a meal out of their sausage gravy and biscuits.

For my main course I chose the French Toast Brick. I had this on my last visit and it was too good to pass up on this trip. Not the type of French Toast you come across often. It is a cross between an eggy Texas Toast and coffee cake. About 2 inches high and 3 to 4 inches long it truly is brick like. It has a wonderful taste and consistency. Topped with a sugary coating, mascarpone cheese, blackberries, warm maple syrup and killer apple smoked bacon. This is such and great unique dish I fear I do not have the will power to order something else on future visits.

Others in our group ordered the Halibut with poached egg, tomato hollandaise, and roasted vegetable hash.

Tossed baby spinach, orzo pasta, capers, Holland tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and blond balsamic vinaigrette.

My wife had the pork tenderloin with egg on an English muffin and black eyed peas. The pork tenderloin was melt in your mouth quality which almost tasted like ham. We both agreed the black eyed peas were incredible and the best we have ever tasted.

Breakfast sandwich of fried chicken, scrambled egg, lettuce, tomato, Swiss and American cheese, and herb aioli, on sourdough bread.

A portion of the grounds directly behind the Inn.

Also on the property is function space for wedding receptions and special events.

Guest often stay in small chic cabins behind the Inn.

A beautiful natural spring crosses the property and complements with outstanding landscaping.

Everyone in our party had a wonderful time, loved their dishes, and spoke of returning again soon. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and professional. I found the cost reasonable given the quality of the food and ambiance of the Inn. Our portion of the check was about $55 for two. You can see the menu and prices here. I can’t wait to go back and see if I can muster the strength to order something other than the French Toast Brick.