We took a quick trip to Virginia to help with the grandkids while their mom went on a business trip. It was a beautiful drive, but exceedingly long. We took our time and drove through the back roads, so we could enjoy the countryside. Major highways can get you from point A to point B quicker, but then you miss the beauty of small towns and country living. We were exhausted when we arrived, so it was nice to go on a long walk with the grandkids, once we got there.
Before dinner, our son took us to the Wild Hare Cider Pub in Warrenton, VA. This is a local Virginia cidery, whose fruit comes directly from their orchard in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. They press heritage apples and cool-ferment the juice to proper dry, and age for more than a year. The cider was delicious. While there we did a taste testing of:
Bloom cider - orange blossom honey, orange peel, coriander, and azacca hops.
Coba cider - pineapple, coconut, and Amarillo hops.
Hopscotch cider - off-dry and had a hoppy aroma. This one was our favorite.
Saxby cider - fresh ginger and a twist of lime peel.
After the taste testing, our son took us next door to Claire’s at the Depot for dinner. This was a fancy restaurant and has won many awards – Open Table Diner’s choice award; Piedmont Lifestyle Magazine – Best of Fauquier award; included in 100 Best Neighborhood Gems in America; Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award and Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America. We felt a little underdressed because it was such an elegant restaurant. We sat outside so the kids could enjoy the outdoor area. (Which actually means they could leave the table and walk around looking at the pond and flowers.) The food here was excellent!!!!! You could cut the filet mignon with a butter knife. I had the Beet and Goat Cheese salad which was awesome. The prices were high because of the quality and deliciousness of the food, but well worth it, and in line with the prices at other fine dining restaurants. We loved it and highly recommend this restaurant. (Tip- It is very important for you to make reservations before you go, or you may not get in.)
Claire’s at the Depot has an interesting history. It is at the old train station in Warrenton, which was built in 1852 and updated in 1908. There was an air operated turntable that turned locomotives around using the air compressed from the locomotive’s air brake system. This line was used during the Civil War and stopped running trains in the mid-1970s.
That afternoon, our son took us over to the Death Ridge Brewery (DRB) in Jeffersonton, VA. We drove through the countryside to get there. The brewery had craft beer, music, food and both indoor/outdoor seating areas. Their beer and cider had nice flavors and tasted good. The property had a nice vibe and was both family and pet friendly. Go check it out if you are ever in the area. Also, you may want to go to their annual Broken String Bluegrass festival held in October. Nice cool weather, music, and beer. What more do you need on a gorgeous fall day? (Tip -The roads are curvy, so you may want to have a designated driver if you decide to drink.)
We left the brewery and went to El Jaripeo for an early dinner. El Jaripeo serves fresh, authentic Mexican food. The food was fantastic, and the lunch menu was reasonably priced. We would definitely go again.
We drove through Clarksville, VA, which is located on Kerr Lake. Kerr Lake is a reservoir along the border of both North Carolina and Virginia. You can boat, fish, swim, camp, hike, and/or take part in other outdoor activities. From what we understand the town is the staging point for fishing tournaments and hosts great festivals, like the Virginia Lake Festival held annually during the third weekend of July. On the way back home, we stopped at the Bridgewater Bar and Grill for dinner. This was one of the nicer restaurants in Clarksville. The restaurant is one where you could either dock your boat and walk to the restaurant or take a loved one there for a special occasion, like mom on Mother’s Day. They offer anything from hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood to burgers. Everything we ordered was good. The prices were reasonable, and the atmosphere was great. While we were there several young people came in wearing formal wear. It was prom night! How lucky were we to see all the beautiful young men and women dressed up for a formal event. They all looked fantastic. What a great way to end the trip.
Comentários