I am excited. I just managed to get a reservation at the Inn at Little Washington for my 50th birthday dinner. It is going to be expensive, three of us (yes I am taking the kid too) at $148 per, plus wine (no BYO allowed in Virginia) but what the heck, you only turn 50 once.

Heard about this place. Heard good things. Expensive, very expensive, I see... I cannot think of too many that charge $150.00/person. 1 in NYC called Alain Ducasse (sp?). Never got enough nerve to pay that much. So far, my limit is about $100.00/person. But, may be @ 50.

Happy BDAY!!!

Well, if you're really lucky, you might turn 50 twice, but you won't be eat at Little Washington. You'll be dribbling spoon-fed pablum. They call this middle age. No matter how you look at it, we're on the back 9.

Any more "Happy Thoughts", Board-O?

Of course it costs that much because it is Saturday night. Other nights it is $108-118. I view this as a one time experience since I also balk at spending over $100 per for dinner. But, I was considering going to NO, NY or Las Vegas for the weekend, and this is a lot less expensive than doing that. (The only reason I am not going to those places is becasue my wife will be traveling on business the week prior and I don't feel like making here fly somewhere else the day she gets home) Even taking into account a room for the night, it will cost much less than it would have to go to the other places I was considering.

BTW, my parents are in their 80s and still going strong, so maybe I will make it to 100. If I do, I'm going out dancing on that birthday.

dinwiddie--

You will not be disappointed in your TIALW experience. It is one of my top 3 dining experiences of all time (the other two being Citronelle in DC and Babbo in NYC). I thought that they allowed BYO, but I guess not. Too bad. While their wine list is very extensive, it is also quite pricey. I will be eagerly awaiting your thoughts/comments/impressions about the experience once you get back. We were there three years ago and it was amazing.

Be sure to tell them that you are there to selebrate your 50th. Many people only go there for a special occasion and they try to work whatever you are celebrating in somewhere during the meal. For us, it was our 7th wedding anniversary and I think they did something during dessert for us. They'll give your money's worth, even at $148 per. They do lots of in between courses as well as some sort of amuse bouchee or canape to kick it off, plus a basket of petit fours to take for the trip home (or back to your room) in case you're feeling "peckish" (fuggedaboutit, you'll be stuffed!).

When we went, we went during the week, so it was I think $90 or $95 per. Plus, if you can believe it, we made the trek home the same evening. Oy!

I will be celebrating my 12th annual 50th birthday soon about the same time we head back to Charlottesville to do a UVA visit with my son. Is this place close? Is it also an Inn? How far ahead do you have to get reservations?

david,

Washington VA is not that far from Charlottesville. From Charlottesville - Take rte. 29 north to Madison - take rte. 231 north to Sperryville - take rte. 211 east 6 miles to Washington, Va.

They are open Wed - Monday. They do have an inn, but it is EXPENSIVE. $240 for the smallest guest room (that's a queen-sized bed and shower, no tub; add $100 if it's Friday, $125 if it's Saturday) $490 for a suite with jacuzzi bath, double shower, dressing room, parlor, balcony, and sleeping loft with king-sized bed (don't forget to add $100 if it's Friday, $125 if it's Saturday)

Truth is, there are quite a few B&B's in that area and Charlottesville is not really that far. We plan to drive home that night (since we have a reservation for the first sitting at 6:15, it shouldn't be too bad)

They only take reservations one month in advance and they open for reservations at 8am. They will not take a reservation even one day early. So if you want to go, you must call them exactly one month in advance. Their tel # is 540-675-3800.

david, I'd definitely recommend the place. I'd personally shoot for one of the cheaper evenings and not a Friday or Saturday, but that's just me.

As for the Inn itself, it is quite decadent. I can only imagine the rooms are just as decadent. I am not sure they are quite worth what they are asking, but man can you imagine how convenient that'd be? Patrick O'connell is slowly buying up all the neighboring properties and converting them to Inn space, primarily rooms and guest cottages I think. Dinwiddie will have to report back on this to see what other part of the town they've taken over.

One thing is, if you make reservations for one of the rooms, you are AUTOMATICALLY guaranteed a reservation for dinner there. Just FYI.

And they provide you with breakfast.

A web site with B&Bs in that area is

http://www.bbonline.com/va/washington.html

For another site about the inn itself

http://www.relaischateaux.com/site/us/rc_washington.html

Thanks all. We're gonna do it

david, I'd be very interested to hear your experiences there.