Anonymous
02/04/2018 19:55
Subject: Re:How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
OP: Was about 2 hours, maybe a bit more. They offered us a kitchen tour but we waited for a long time and they never took us so we just left, as we were driving back to DC. Meal was lovely as was service but I can't say I was wow'ed really. Two of the four courses were really wonderful but I didn't feel like it was the best meal I've ever had. And the place was just a little over the top for me, not really my style. (I went because my boyfriend wanted to go... I was happy to oblige but never would decide to spend that much on a meal.)
Anonymous
02/02/2018 19:14
Subject: Re:How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Sorry about the long PP. I don't know why I felt I had to say so much! OP, 2.25-2.75 hours should cover it.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 18:53
Subject: Re:How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
I like the -feel- of the Inn and how comfortable it all is. I also like how accommodating they are to food preferences and how gracious the servers are.
We have been at some fine dining establishments where the staff made customers out to be complete schmucks. That doesn't happen at the Inn. We were once seated by a table where the couple were totally out of their element and unfamiliar with a lot of things that are pretty customary in a starred restaurant. I think they were there as a present or something. Anyway, they clearly felt out of place and intimidated in the beginning. Once the staff figured it out, the server and the sommelier and other staff went out of their way to make the couple feel comfortable and happy. It was really nice to watch!!!
But I agree that it is disconcerting if one table receives waaaaay more attention than others. I don't care if the owner wants to fuss over one table because that is his prerogative imo but the bustle is disturbing to the surrounding tables and that is annoying. Same goes with other restaurants, not just the Inn. I like the food, too, at the Inn and it is always a nice time.
We were asked once about the kitchen tour but we were trying to have a romantic evening sans kids so we turned it down. Oddly, we haven't been asked again. I doubt that it is because they remember us but who knows!?!
I agree with another poster that if everyone else is getting invited then it is poor form for one table to be ignored that way. Either make it ultra exclusive or make it part of the evening for everyone. Again, this is not just directed at the Inn but all restaurants.
Anyway, in answer to OP's question, we find that our meal service is about 2.5 hours or so. Usually a smidge longer but sometimes shorter. Some of the longer meals have been when there have been fewer other customers. I attribute that to the staff's ability to read the moods of customers and know when we are wanting a more leisurely meal.
We have been at some fine dining establishments where the staff made customers out to be complete schmucks. That doesn't happen at the Inn. We were once seated by a table where the couple were totally out of their element and unfamiliar with a lot of things that are pretty customary in a starred restaurant. I think they were there as a present or something. Anyway, they clearly felt out of place and intimidated in the beginning. Once the staff figured it out, the server and the sommelier and other staff went out of their way to make the couple feel comfortable and happy. It was really nice to watch!!!
But I agree that it is disconcerting if one table receives waaaaay more attention than others. I don't care if the owner wants to fuss over one table because that is his prerogative imo but the bustle is disturbing to the surrounding tables and that is annoying. Same goes with other restaurants, not just the Inn. I like the food, too, at the Inn and it is always a nice time.
We were asked once about the kitchen tour but we were trying to have a romantic evening sans kids so we turned it down. Oddly, we haven't been asked again. I doubt that it is because they remember us but who knows!?!
I agree with another poster that if everyone else is getting invited then it is poor form for one table to be ignored that way. Either make it ultra exclusive or make it part of the evening for everyone. Again, this is not just directed at the Inn but all restaurants.
Anyway, in answer to OP's question, we find that our meal service is about 2.5 hours or so. Usually a smidge longer but sometimes shorter. Some of the longer meals have been when there have been fewer other customers. I attribute that to the staff's ability to read the moods of customers and know when we are wanting a more leisurely meal.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 16:51
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Anonymous wrote:What's so fascinating about a restaurant kitchen?
That place has the coolest stove in the history of the world. They built the room around the stove after it was moved in. Love that place.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 15:58
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
What's so fascinating about a restaurant kitchen?
Anonymous
02/02/2018 15:54
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Personally I don't want to go anywhere near the kitchen or dirty pots & pans when I go out to eat, Michelin-star restaurant or not.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 15:54
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
I'm glad we did it because it's nice knowing what it's like when *everyone* wants to talk about it so obsessively, but we were underwhelmed. It's just food.
Whenever people talk about food like that and try to compare it favorably with sex, it always makes me feel bad for their sex lives.
Whenever people talk about food like that and try to compare it favorably with sex, it always makes me feel bad for their sex lives.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 15:50
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:At a minimum, the meal should take about two hours. But factor in some time for a potential kitchen tour if you’re into that sort of thing.
Grr. I feel like we got such short shrift when we went there (years ago). We didn't get a kitchen tour or any of the extras our neighboring table got and it's always, ALWAYS bugged me. He was a DC celeb type so that probably explains why we got overlooked.
Did you...you know...ask?
That's how I got a tour.
We didn't know to ask. We also didn't know to ask for the cool-looking popcorn the next table got after us, nor did we know to ask for the other cool stuff his table got. Look, I know how the world works -- but still, it was really poor form for a place where everyone pays the same price. We went there after getting engaged and it was sort of awkward having them fawn over the next table.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 13:59
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:At a minimum, the meal should take about two hours. But factor in some time for a potential kitchen tour if you’re into that sort of thing.
Grr. I feel like we got such short shrift when we went there (years ago). We didn't get a kitchen tour or any of the extras our neighboring table got and it's always, ALWAYS bugged me. He was a DC celeb type so that probably explains why we got overlooked.
Did you...you know...ask?
That's how I got a tour.
you have to ask...that is how we got to go back. i was mortified when my husband asked but they graciously took us back.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 13:50
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Haven’t been there since 2011, but we were offered a kitchen tour by our server. We are not important looking or celebrity types
Anonymous
02/02/2018 13:48
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:At a minimum, the meal should take about two hours. But factor in some time for a potential kitchen tour if you’re into that sort of thing.
Grr. I feel like we got such short shrift when we went there (years ago). We didn't get a kitchen tour or any of the extras our neighboring table got and it's always, ALWAYS bugged me. He was a DC celeb type so that probably explains why we got overlooked.
Did you...you know...ask?
That's how I got a tour.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 11:53
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Anonymous wrote:At a minimum, the meal should take about two hours. But factor in some time for a potential kitchen tour if you’re into that sort of thing.
Grr. I feel like we got such short shrift when we went there (years ago). We didn't get a kitchen tour or any of the extras our neighboring table got and it's always, ALWAYS bugged me. He was a DC celeb type so that probably explains why we got overlooked.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 10:43
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
At a minimum, the meal should take about two hours. But factor in some time for a potential kitchen tour if you’re into that sort of thing.
Anonymous
02/02/2018 10:37
Subject: Re:How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Don't try to rush it! We took about 2 hours but that is b/c we heard of a blue grass band playing nearby that we wanted to catch. Tell your waiter ahead of time so he knows. Some people spend hours there, you are spending a lot, so why not enjoy each moment?
Anonymous
02/02/2018 09:13
Subject: How long does dinner at the Inn at Little Washington take?
Trying to sort out some logistics....
2 hours or more?
2 hours or more?