Jennifer Chase
Since the beginning of the pandemic, one factor has remained constant–the need of numerous metropolis dwellers to get out of the town. It’s a phenomenon that’s remodeled many small cities and led to skyrocketing actual property costs. I actually have by no means discovered a weekend place interesting–I can’t wrap my head round returning to the identical place again and again.
But when there’s one place I’ve been the place I can type of grasp that urge, it’s the Shenandoah. At any time when I go to the larger area of this storied valley in Virginia, I perceive why so many hundreds search it out yr after yr. It doesn’t have the drama of the Grand Canyon, the magnitude of the Rockies, or the otherworldliness of Arches. However there’s one thing simply so heartachingly good about its rolling hills that give strategy to the Blue Ridge Mountains and its little historic cities with the Norman Rockwell important streets.
One space particularly has discovered itself the lover of bougie Washingtonians–Rappahannock County, particularly its cities Sperryville and Washington. And not too long ago the dozen or so nice meals and hospitality have gotten some new competitors, Blue Rock Inn, which can be the most recent choice for Beast Journey’s sequence on thrilling new accommodations, The New Room with a View.
Jennifer Chase
The inn is correct off of Route 211, midway between Sperryville and Washington (the city, not the town) and close to the doorway to Shenandoah Nationwide Park. It’s housed in a mid-Nineteenth century farmhouse that has seen many lives–from horse farm the place equestrian races had been held to a household weekend nation home to an inn.
The property is 80 acres that look out to the hazy Blue Ridge Mountains with a 5-guest room inn, pond, tasting room, restaurant, and farmhouse for teams. It’s the brainchild of Nick Dowling, who additionally has a yacht constitution expertise in DC.
The unique farmhouse has been fully remodeled, a number of fireplaces, stunning wallpaper and really comfy beds with Parachute linens making it into this very cozy nation get-away. Every window in our room (costs begin at $249) supplied a view of both the light slope of Shenandoah Mountains or the neighboring property's lively Horse Farm.
Jennifer Chase
Along with the inn, the property additionally has transformed one other farmhouse right into a five-bedroom group getaway that may be rented complete and comes with a sizzling tub.
I’m fairly acquainted with the area, as my accomplice and I typically come to the Shenandoah Nationwide Park space to go mountaineering. After our first evening at Blue Rock Inn, we determined to increase our keep and invite a pair we're pals with for another evening, with a plan to assault the famed Outdated Rag hike–a 9.5 mile circuit with rock scrambling and spectacular views.
The Inn made for an ideal gathering level after this difficult hike, as I’m an enormous proponent of balancing journey with consolation. There are few issues like getting residence from a hike, showering, after which being greeted with spot-on drinks (Cosmo for me) and snacks by a fireplace pit on the pond.
However the best reward was what adopted, as maybe the inn’s best attract is with its restaurant helmed by the previous head of the kitchen at DC’s award-winning Pineapple and Pearls, Chef Bin Lu. He has put collectively a wonderful tasting menu that feels as far-off from a pretentious tasting menu as one can get whereas nonetheless making it a culinary expertise. (Plus, the $99 prix-fixe is downright inexpensive in comparison with different high-end eating places within the space.) From the native produce supplied by Sunnyside Farms to the quixotic "Breakfast for Dinner,” each dish was suffused with taste.
Jennifer Chase
The perfect a part of Chef Bin Lu is how accommodating he was. Considered one of my pals occurred to be vegan, and on the spot, he got here up with an entire vegan tasting menu for her and in addition made certain to return over and clarify to us each dish on the finish–actually a tremendous expertise.
At simply an hour and a half outdoors of DC, the Blue Rock Inn made for the right outdoors-indoors nation escape for a few metropolis slickers.