“Three Blacksmiths is not just a restaurant with great food, it is a culinary journey! To start, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We felt at home the second we arrived. A staff member even noticed we were taking a selfie and came out to take a group photo for us. The four of us (all long time friends) made our first decision quickly, wine pairing or zero proof pairings. One chose the zero proof (DD) and she was not disappointed in the least. Gabriel's creative concoctions perfectly matched the menu for our sitting. Then, our food adventure began and I can say, each course was beautiful and delicious and included flavors and tastes I had never experienced before. I am an experienced home cook, but there were plenty of ingredients that I had never seen or used before. I particularly loved the white asparagus veloute and the spring ricotta gnudi which was basically an amazing ravioli without the pasta coat. The wine pairings were perfect and made even more special because Chef Jake Addeo and his wife, Sara, talked us through each pairing. In fact, the whole staff interacted with us the entire meal and made the experience educational as well as a culinary prize. The portions were perfect for us since we had a least 7 courses. I cannot forget to mention the bread, one of which was the best focaccia I have ever eaten! This is a very special restaurant and staff in a very little town. A true gem that I cannot recommend enough!“
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“We recently hired distinguished engagements for our wedding and were so incredibly pleased! Theresa was amazing to work with throughout the whole planning process. She was always extremely collaborative, up front about cost and organized! We attended a tasting for our menu where the food was delicious and that carried through to our wedding. We could not receive more comments from guests about how good the food was and how impressed they were with everything! We highly recommend hiring them for your wedding in the future!!“
“Best steak and cheese sub I've ever had. The Italian sub was sublime, too. And the strawberry shake, with real strawberries in it and seemingly with cream and all good ingredients, capped off a perfect quick meal after a long day hiking on nearby Old Rag Mountain. The lady behind the counter was gruff and efficient - fine by me. Dang, what a good meal!“
“As usual, HappyCow will not allow 5-star reviews for places that are not completely vegan/vegetarian, but this is a 5-star review... Do yourself a favor and come visit Sumac! Chef Dan and his crew go to extraordinary lengths to create magic. The menu always has vegan/vegetarian options, and the location/view cannot be beaten!“
“We ended up at the Black Twig by happenstance. We were expecting a lowbrow burger and wings joint when we saw the ketchup and mustard bottles on the outside tables. We were happily wrong.The first thing we experienced was the very personable bartender who sat us at our booth. Our server, John Ingram, was stellar. He knew the menu well and gave excellent recommendations to us all. Two of my friends ordered the Grapefruit Blitz cocktail and loved it. For appetizers, we ordered asparagus and artichokes, crispy brussel sprouts, bread with pimento cheese, and tartine; all were very good. The pimento cheese is worth the extra cheedar. See what I did there?I had the Spring gnocchi and the Rockfish entrees (Don’t judge me). Another guest had the Rockfish (that's how I knew I wanted it), another guest had the chicken and risotto, and finally, we ordered the chicken kale Caesar. Our only complaint was the chicken breast was the tiniest bit tough.If you find yourself driving through, this place is worth the stop.“
“We had a wonderful stay. Klaus provided good, detailed instructions from how to enter as well as the WiFi code. The breakfast was spectacular with excellent coffee, ginger scones, the ginger fruit salad, homemade sausage and quiche finished with a mini-cheesecake. Klaus made us feel right at home. It’s also walking distance from the Inn at Little Washington.“
“Recently, under my company Benson Park Photography, I had the absolute pleasure of capturing Cierra and Josh’s engagement session at The Blue Rock. This enchanting location, nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offered a picturesque and deeply personal setting for their photos, echoing the place where Josh proposed to Cierra.From the moment we arrived, The Blue Rock's charm was undeniable. The property boasts stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, providing a serene and majestic backdrop for our photo session. Every corner of the grounds offered a new and beautiful setting, from lush gardens to quaint pathways, all under the vast expanse of the Virginia sky. It was clear that Josh and Cierra’s wish to showcase the property in their engagement photos was not only fitting but inspired.The Blue Rock is not just remarkable for its views but also for its warm hospitality and exquisite culinary offerings. The food is exceptional; each meal prepared with a level of care and quality that added an extra layer of delight to your stay.I am immensely grateful to have been a part of this special moment in Cierra and Josh’s journey together. The Blue Rock is a gem in Rappahannock, perfect for anyone looking to capture or celebrate life’s most precious moments against the unparalleled beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.“
“While the service at the hotel and the restaurant were superb, I unfortunately was a little disappointed with my meal. We visited for a friend's birthday and I have a shellfish allergy and am pregnant, so I could not eat any raw or unpasteurized foods either. I have the restaurant notice of this weeks in advance and anticipated a custom menu that would meet my needs. Unfortunately, once we were seated I was asked if I could just opt-in to the vegetarian menu. I was taken back a bit and said yes, but honestly was extremely disappointed because I had been looking forward to this experience for months and instead of getting any protein with my meal, I was encouraged to eat the vegetarian menu, which featured multiple items that I simply do not enjoy (like beets and mushrooms). One of the dishes was a raviolo and despite my dietary restrictions, the egg yolk in the middle was fully raw. Additionally, our waiter substituted in one meat main course for me, which I was glad for, but my duck was the most rare at the table, so I could not eat it. Overall, my party enjoyed their meal, but it is not the best restaurant we have ever been to and it was extremely disappointing that my needs weren't actually accommodated when an above and beyond experience is expected from a three-star establishment. Quite honestly, if the hotel experience and afternoon tea and breakfast wouldn't have been included, I probably would have rated this lower.“
“This place was renamed years ago The Blue Door. I dont know why Google hasn't kept up. It's a lovely old building, once one of the county's neighborhood schools before all the county schools were incorporated into one location. It has since been turned into a restaurant and inn. I've not stayed there, as I live in the area, but I have eaten there and recently threw a party there in one of the dining rooms. The decor is modern and serene. The service is friendly but non-intrusive. The menu features local and seasonal fare, so it changes from time to time. Everything runs well under the watchful eye of its gracious owner Reem.“
“Exceptional lunch & service..I had Shrimp & Grits. Delicious & definitely one of best I've had anywhere. My friend had the upscale deviled eggs & Swordfish App..Absolutely Lovely atmosphere & decor! . The Bakery! filled with great desserts & breads!“
“The only thing missing from this post is pictures… my wife and I stopped here, yesterday, on our way through and were blown away by this gem of a place! We ordered the Mediterranean plate which included pickled carrots and red peppers that will make you question everything you thought you knew about vegetables. The falafel was not only the best we ever had, but I’m fairly certain a better recipe does not exist for falafel. We also ordered the taco bowl and could not believe the flavors that were present in every bite! We will definitely return to try more of their options on our next trip, and we even left with honey for her father which was produced by bees they had onsite! Thank you for such an unbelievably authentic establishment in a this modern landscape of convenience and speed.“