rappahannock

Popular Georgetown gourmet retailer needs to add a quality cheese/charcuteriemonger to its team.  Great product line thats ever evolving.  Low stress, easy hours, employee discounts.  Serious inquiries only. Email me at john.pearson@deandeluca.com

it was a temporary project. the owner of the art gallery and former proprietor of the restaurant needed something in the space for the fall season. the folks from the thornton river grille in Sperryville were the principles in the project. There was an attempt to make it a more permanent solution but the numbers didn't work. I was recruited to help out.  it is now occupied by a tapas restaurant from a guy from Miami. its called el quijote, and the chefs name is Emilio Fontan. I have not tried it yet but I wish them all the best.

Actually, my wife will not be involved in the project. I will be working with Terri Lehman who works with the Thornton River Grille group.

We will be reopening Café Indigo in Sperryville, VA on Saturday, September 1st. It's a work in progress, so we will just be opening for breakfast and lunch on Saturdays and brunch on Sundays until the liquor license comes through. I hope to see you all soon!

It was sold this summer and they are pumping a ton of cash into it. I do not know the particulars but the word is they will have 4 overnight suites and will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. I think they are going for the slightly more casual diner. I'll keep you posted.

Looking like the "Old Girl" is adjusting her makeup for a reopening.

Hopslam is out!!!

Did you try the "troth almondin?"

read the description. What exactly is a "tossed almond"?

Karen Cathey died Monday from complications from cancer. Karen was the president of Bon Vivant, LLC, a food marketing consulting firm in Arlington, Va., a past chairman of The American Institute of Wine & Food and a dear friend. She will be missed.

Does the world really need another FoodTV network star? Aren't there enough now? I personally find myself enthralled with the monkey sporting the platinum hair that visits the diners. He's like a cross between a train wreck and a flaming bag of dog shit on your doorstep. You can't decide whether to stare at it uncontrollably or stomp the hell out of it.

Immediate opportunity for the right individual. Small "diner like" concept (40 seats) serving beer and wine only. Great benefits including 401k, medical insurance and vacation. (I know, hard to believe.) Send me a message with a resume if interested.

Whole Foods in Fair Lakes has some.

There is a wonderful little Bistro in Front Royal, Va. No one was more surprised to find it there than I on a weekend shopping trip. It would do well anywhere "down here" among the better restaurants. It's run by a young couple, he is the chef and she is the pastry chef. It's part of a wine and gourmet food store right in town and open most day only open for lunch. There is a "fine dining" restaurant upstairs Apt. 2G, but I have never eaten there as I am not in Front Royal at night.

Element is a lunch spot and has a regular menu of soups (all made in house) and sandwiches, but has a special entree that changes every day. Try the special, it's usually the best thing on the menu and that says a lot. The deserts they have on the menu are just cookies and ice cream, ask them what is being made upstairs for dinner and they will let you have one of the glorious treats they are preparing for the fine dinners anticipated later that evening. The chocolate profiteroles are sinful delights.......... the last time I went I had the special, which included the best piece of pan seared salmon I have ever eaten.

Hope some of you, looking for a nice beautiful drive in the country at this time of year will try it out and add your comments.

here is their website:

http://jsgourmet.com/element.html

Their names are David and Stacy Gedney. The only place I know them from is The Ashby Inn. Good people. J's was started by Jorie Martin and her husband where their focus was a wine shop and catering. The Gedneys have had it for several years and seem to be doing well. I have not had a chance to get to Element but have been several times to Apt. 2G. Solid meals every time. To be honest, it is an oasis in the desert that is Front Royal, VA.

Anyone who has worked in a restaurant long enough (or owned one for 15 years) can frequently substitute the word dream with nightmare.

For me the most intimidating part, mostly for monetary reasons, was the need for duck fat.

That is, until I read this:

http://blog.ruhlman.com/ruhlmancom/2009/03...-for-lunch.html

OLIVE OIL works just as well!!!

um, no it doesn't. There is nothing on this planet that can replicate duck fat in cooking duck confit. NOTHING.

isn't he having sex with Paris Hilton?

Wow... A true sign of the times. This posting was on our local message board called rappnet.

Flag this message

[Rappnet] The Inn at Little Washington Invites Rappahannock Residents to Dinner for $98 per person

Thursday, January 1, 2009 10:39 PM

From:

"Chris Castle" <CCastle@theinnatlittlewashington.com>

Add sender to Contacts

To:

Rappnet@list.rappnet.org

Cc:

"Andrew Welch" <awelch@theinnatlittlewashington.com>

The Inn at Little Washington has created our very own Stimulus Package for Rappahannock Residents. Enjoy Patrick O'Connell's 5 Star cuisine at a significantly discounted of $98 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) during the months of January, February and March. While we enjoy continued success, we want to say "thank you" to our neighbors who have supported us for more than 30 years!

Now, here's the fine print:

Our Special Rappahannock rate requires proof of residencey in Rapp. County. Only one person in the party needs to be a Rappahannock resident; so whether you bring one friend, or bring 20--all will be at the rate of $98/pp.

* The discounted rate is good for any week night except Saturdays and Holidays (including Valentines Day weekend).

* Does not include tax, gratuity or beverages other than coffee or tea.

* Reservations are required. Please mention that you are a Rappahannock resident when you make your reservation.

* You may come as many times as you like during this special incentive plan.

* We accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Cash and personal checks.

We look forward to seeing our friends and neighbors soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our Reservations Department at 675-3800 or email me at ccastle@theinnatlittlewashington.com. Let's stimulate our local economy and celebrate the New Year!

also check out www.rappahannock.com for a map with several bnb's in the area.

You're sweet. It was a blast, I aint gonna lie... But we are so glad it is finally over. Now that we have 40 hr a week jobs it feels like part time! Thanks to all who supported us throughout the years!

After all, I did get to meet the venerable DonRocks!!

Cheers!

We tried to hold out as long as we could just hoping things would turn around. Wishful thinking I guess. We did have a pretty good run. The Public House was in operation for 16 years and we had it for almost 14 of it. We have thought long and hard as to what we could have done differently and, quite frankly, outside hitting the lottery, we would do it exactly the same way. Just ran into an economy that came to a screeching halt. People do have to realize what's out here... The entire population of our county (Rappahannock) is only 6900 people and 60% of them only live here on the weekends. We have no strip malls, no fast food, no grocery stores (save the local country general stores) and not even one single stop light. Cool place to live but a terrible one to run a business.

In all seriousness though, there are businesses out here that will struggle to get through the winter and need support from you "city folk"! Unfortunately in talking with some of them I fear one or two may fail. I can highly recommend my pals at the e-cow (Epicurious Cow) in Ben Venue for a hearty lunch and all your gourmet shopping needs and dinner at the Thornton River Grill in Sperryville. The latter can be a hit and miss experience but their prices are fair and the service is small town friendly. There is also some home spun flavor at Rae's Place in Sperryville for the very casual diner.

Don't forget the local wineries and BnB's too! If anyone wants some "local" advice for attractions out here do not hesitate to drop me a line.

Hunter's Head definitely...

Its NOT an award. Its advertising. It always was advertising. The guy I bought my restaurant from entered his list which "won" an award of excellence. The next year after we bought it from him, I resubmitted our list and it "won" again, I got to thinking. How exactly is this an award?? Good for the Wine Spectator for thinking up the ad scam, genius really. But why does anyone need a hack travel mag to validate everything they do?

Well actually... We haven't quite closed yet. Sorry Don, I should have given you an update but have been too busy as I've actually been working at Whole Foods in Fair Lakes running their little seafood venue to make ends meet. The fat lady is warming up in the wings but no aria yet. The fact is with gas and food prices on a steep rise as well as vendors now charging a fuel charge to every invoice, it just isn't viable to be open anymore. We had a great time, we wouldn't have changed a thing!! 13+ years is quite a run for any restaurant!! We only wished we were closer to civilization and people who appreciate great food and wine at affordable prices... I had told Don earlier when our liquor license was due and we weren't sure what to do. We just decided to renew it anyway without the liquor part which actually makes the license quite affordable. We will be closed this weekend for about a week so Denise can spend Father's Day with her dad and will probably make a solid decision upon her return.

So... If you would like to check us out, call first, we'd love to have you (while we still can have you!)!

If they were whole shell mussels that had been frozen they would not open when they were cooked since they would already be dead.

not true. the inductor muscle is a protein that melts at a certain temperature. it just wont spring open like the very fresh variety.

I hate him. Watching that 'Diners and Drive-ins' show makes me want to barf.

I am rather curious as to why he feels the need to wear a sweat band on one arm or why he always wears sunglasses backwards on his head. Some sort of grasp at cool I'd imagine.