World-renowned chef, proprietor and owner of The Inn at Little Washington Patrick O’Connell has made food his life. Throughout his illustrious career, O’Connell has transformed this passion into the ultimate farm-to-table culinary experience in the little village of Washington. This quaint, charming town in the heart of Virginia Wine Country has been reimagined into one that offers Michelin Star experiences foodies from across the country have sought out. Alongside an incomparable menu at the restaurant are swoon-worthy gardens, exceptional eateries, must-visit shops and a one-of-a-kind inn.
A Rare 3 Star Michelin Rating and More!
2023 marked 45 years of excellence for the famed Inn at Little Washington and his extravagant journey with French American cuisine. In honor of the milestone, O’Connell hosted special events. Additionally, he collaborated with the revered Faberge artist jewelers to create a fabulous hot air balloon pendant (seen below right). The pendant, encrusted in diamonds and rubies, opens to a surprise, a tiny gold replica of The Inn.
Also commemorating the occasion, longtime friend, Chef Jacques Pepin visited The Inn at Little Washington to celebrate Pepin’s cookbook release. The Inn also hosted its first ever Home & Garden Tour. The tour took guests behind the scenes to learn details about the 26-acre campus, which includes 18th-century buildings, 23 guest suites, gardens and a petite farm. O’Connell, said the tour was “a way of illustrating that, over these many years, it’s become far more than just a place to eat.” A month after the tour, The Inn hosted an elaborate black-tie celebration with the famed Paris caviar company Petrossian (photographed below), which also celebrated their centennial.
Chef Patrick O’Connell’s Journey into International Fame
A self-taught chef and three Michelin star recipient, O’Connell is labeled as one of the best in the world. Early days spent in his grandmother’s kitchen cultivated his passion for food prepared well and later influenced his career pursuits. During his collegiate studies in theater, O’Connell’s interest in the culinary world overpowered his interests. So, he booked transport on the SS France to work at world-renowned restaurants throughout Europe. There, he saw top chefs creating menus around the freshest local ingredients. These sought-out eateries served as inspiration for his grander vision. To this day, he continues to take similar gastronomic pilgrimages around the world to reinspire his restaurant and growing town. Chef sometimes jokes that the Ritz Paris is his second home.
Such culturally rich experiences and interests ultimately led to his long list of accolades. Not only is he a Michelin star recipient, O’Connell is also a respected author, a five-time James Beard Award winner, the recipient of the 2019 James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Humanities Medal from the President of the United States in 2019.
Having Cocktails in the Lounge
James Beard said it himself, “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” At the Inn at Little Washington, this mantra rings true and shines in every aspect. Gracious staff welcome each guest of The Inn’s famous restaurant as though they are royalty. Some are; Chef O’Connell has served everyone from Paul Newman and Barbra Streisand to Queen Elizabeth. Essential to the guest experience, O’Connell has engaged acting professors and even the head of the Washington Ballet to teach the waitstaff posture, elocution and grace.
Even more, the decor has been hand-selected and designed around the caliber of experience O’Connell serves through his menu. The first taste of the restaurant guests get is in the Monkey Lounge bar next to the dining area. Here, the showstopper is the trompe de l’oeil artwork. A troop of playful primates rollick in a garden framed by bamboo chinoiserie. Nearby, in the powder room, luxurious products grace the space and are accompanied with a fun collection of music and audio clips O’Connell created, including the famously amusing Julia Child Saturday Night Live skit. These and other fun moments that O’Connell creates for guests speak to his boundless good humor and desire not to take the extraordinary refinement of The Inn’s experience too seriously.
The 3 Star Michelin Dining Experience
When it comes time to dine, guests will undoubtedly be overtaken with options, and many of which are inspired by locally sourced ingredients. O’Connell learned how beneficial this concept is after opening the restaurant in 1978 and having no choice but to source locally. This concept was only solidified during his travels to Europe, where he saw top chefs creating menus around local ingredients. During his travels, he visited world-renowned eateries in small villages in Switzerland, Roanne and Lyon similar to their own hamlet of Washington, VA. As any true food enthusiast will know, it’s all about fresh local ingredients in the French culinary scene, and O’Connell wanted to mirror this philosophy at The Inn at Little Washington.
The talented wine director works with O’Connell to select wines from Europe, California, Oregon and Virginia for their award-winning 14,000-bottle wine cellar. Each offering on the menu is created with a complementary vintage in mind, and the restaurant’s team of sommeliers can also work with guests to create unique pairings. Furthermore, The Inn’s cheesemonger also curates a selection to accompany the exquisite meals, served on the charming cow trolley nicknamed Faira.
Dining in the World-Famous Kitchen at the Inn at Little Washington
The French influences don’t stop in the charming potager. O’Connell wanted his kitchen to feel contemporary but aged, as if it had been there for years. The kitchen, inspired by one at Windsor Castle, came to life with the help of designer Joyce Conwy Evans. Conwy Evans is renowned for her work ranging from stage, set and costume design to glamorous textile-based home interiors. The indisputable star of the kitchen is the French-made range by Molteni. When installing the elaborate red enamel range with its stunning copper and brass hood, the roof had to be removed for it to be lowered into place.
The kitchen, inspired by one at Windsor Castle… features a French-made range by Molteni.
Dining at The Inn is an artful and delicious gastronomic journey. For an extra special experience, diners can reserve the two intimate tables in a kitchen nook beside the cozy Provencal fireplace to enjoy the culinary magic up close (seen above left).
Dining in the Conservatory and Garden at The Inn at Little Washington
For guests eating in the dining room, the experience is other-worldly. The space includes a tapestry woven in Oxford, England, painted silk Fortuny chandeliers made in Venice, and a floor transplanted from a 400-year-old chateau in France. Even the tray ceiling—an homage to the painted ceilings of Italian villas—is a work of art with its collage of wallpaper.
In the glass Conservatory (seen above), guests get the feel of eating in a greenhouse/theater. Orchids decorate the space, adding the elegance and botanical feel to the whimsical touches of a taxidermy parrot center stage. Other mesmerizing elements in this space include the distinctive umbrellas from Bali.
Lighted by a theatre set designer, O’Connell says, “At night, there are special filters over the lights to create a spider-web effect that makes it look as if the light is filtering down through the trees.” No detail is overlooked.
The Award-Winning Food at The Inn at Little Washington
Ensuring the cuisine is as enticing as the setting, the menu offers two options: the Gastronaut’s Menu and the vegetarian Good Earth Menu. Both incorporate The Inn’s own produce alongside other local ingredients of the highest quality. A delicious example of such an item is the “Lobster Napoleon with Minted Pea Soup” (seen below at bottom left). A taste will have you closing your eyes to savor the flavors dancing on your palette.
Another exceptional pleasure for diners at The Inn at Little Washington is the surprise and delight of edible illusions. Food illusions are dishes designed to look like something specific but are in fact made up of a variety of unexpected elements. This craft dates all the way back to medieval times. One such dish is the Reincarnated Lemon Tart (seen two grids above, bottom left) served on lovely Anna Weatherly botanical plates designed for The Inn.
Another example of the artwork in these dishes is the dessert “Apparently a Pear” (seen above, top right). O’Connell has created a dish that appears to be a pear but in fact is a divine trompe l’oeil cheesecake. It is a masterpiece filled with poached pears, almond butter cake and Amaretto sabayon, then shaped like the fruit that inspired it.
Staying at The Inn at Little Washington
Visitors wanting to immerse themselves in the full experience the town has to offer can book a room with The Inn. When arriving for a stay, guests are greeted with a cocktail hour. The sumptuous luxury extends even further. Each suite offers a unique experience of tranquility similar to that of a French chateau or English country house. All were designed by Joyce Evans with extravagant decor, en suite bathrooms and unparalleled hospitality. Even the bedding with its hypoallergenic goose-blend pillows are an element to the experience, as are the valet parking, Bulgari bath products, 24-hour room service, guaranteed dinner reservations and opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea.
Longtime friend Lisa Vella of nearby Baileywick Antiques helps source antiques like the sparkling empire style chandeliers to create the magical blend of old and new. Conwy Evans and O’Connell took particular pleasure in decorating the ceilings of the bedrooms, many featuring original Scalamandre wallpaper. This detail makes the view upon waking up as luxurious as walking into one of the decadent dining areas.
When The Inn celebrated 30 years, they dedicated each of the rooms to one of America’s most influential culinary pioneers. The Alice Waters room features a ceiling of tiny butterflies, keeping true to the fantastic botanical decor. The luxurious suite dedicated to Julia Child features a bedroom, separate sitting area and two private baths. Patrick O’Connell, a lifelong fan of Child’s, created each of her recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking three times before altering them to showcase his own creativity. Other rooms honor Edna Lewis, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Thomas Keller, among many other culinary luminaries.
After expanding to other local buildings in the town, the Inn now offers 23 guest rooms, suites, cottages and houses. In the main building, which was constructed in 1905, there are a total of 11 accommodation options, two of which are bi-level suites.
The Inn’s Farm and Vegetable Garden
As every well-trained French chef will tell you, the best cuisine begins with the very best ingredients. O’Connell will be the first to tell you he begins and ends his days in the gardens with his Dalmatian, Luray. Shown below is his very own Garden of Eden, sometimes nicknamed the Garden of Eatin’.
Indoors and out, O’Connell’s sense of art flourishes. In the vegetable garden, lettuces are planted in colorful circles, runner beans climb handmade branch trellises and the gardening is supervised by a sculpture of the American Gothic couple made of terracotta pots. The octagonal chicken coop further illustrates his passion for extravagance.
With ties everywhere on the property all leading back to the terroir, food and gardens, it’s clear why The Inn has become such a sought-after retreat. The five farmers and gardeners, under the leadership of O’Connell and the Head Gardener, manage the livestock at “The Field of Dreams”—sheep, llamas and Nigerian dwarf goats—and the orchard, flower beds, vegetable gardens and honeybees. The indigenous ingredients that don’t grow in their vegetable gardens and 672-square-foot greenhouse are sourced from local farmers and ranches, some of whom aided O’Connell since the beginning.
The Formal Gardens at The Inn at Little Washington
The gardens are paramount to the overall experience of The Inn. Two full-time florists use The Inn’s gardens and greenhouses to create the many botanical arrangements throughout The Inn’s suites and dining spaces.
From the dining rooms, guests can access the peaceful Koi fish pond and walk the tidy boxwood parterre (seen ___).
From the main road, visitors can enter a little pastoral garden under an arbor, where easy-to-walk trails connect the beautiful outdoor spaces. Everyone visiting The Inn or village is welcome to come for a stroll. These details and calming spaces only add to the ambiance of the town.
Experience the Village of Little Washington, VA
The little village in Washington, VA, is a perfect example of a Virginia town showcasing and preserving its history. Situated at Main and Middle streets, The Inn was once a gas station and automobile repair shop with an adjoining junkyard. The future of the space was reimagined when O’Connell and his then-partner, Reinhardt Lynch, began renting half of the space for $200 a month in 1978. O’Connell has been the sole owner since 2007. Originally constructed in 1905, the garage, which is now the main building, had a clapboard facade cut to look like stone.
A few steps down the quiet main street, visitors will have walked where George Washington once did. Nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains, the land surrounding the town still exudes the same welcoming appeal it did when Washington visited with hopes that the town would serve as the capital. While visiting, Washington dined and danced in what is now the Shops.
Guests can find special mementos of their visit before heading home. Some of the popular keepsakes include a bottle of commemorative wine made with Barboursville Vineyards, an engraved silver matchbox and some Inn at Little Washington handcrafted chocolates.
In addition to history buffs and food enthusiasts, outdoor lovers are drawn to the area for its access to some of the state’s most spectacular heights and mountain views. Wine lovers will enjoy the town’s and Inn’s wine offerings, as well as the accessibility the town offers to even more of the wine country’s award-winning vineyards.
Patty O’s Cafe & Bakery
Guests to the quaint town can also experience the culmination of O’Connell’s lifelong dream to serve classic American dishes at Patty O’s Cafe. The name pays homage to his childhood nickname and the menu is inspired by classic American dishes of his childhood, while the atmosphere is that of a sidewalk cafe. The charming eatery is situated across the road from the Inn at Little Washington Restaurant. The sophisticated decor was designed by Mariana Cuevas and Lamarr Reid from Pierre-Yves Rochon. The Cafe features a welcoming bar and dining room, as well as outdoor seating options for warm weather dining.
The food options at both the Cafe and Bakery were created to complement those at the restaurant. At the Cafe, diners can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with items like white wine and rosemary braised lamb stew with root vegetables and tarbais beans for dinner or fresh North Carolina shrimp and stone ground Virginia grits with tasso ham for lunch.
The adjoining bakery led by Head Baker Christian Capo with its bright and airy Carrara marble walls is classically French. A cup of coffee or tea paired with a delectable patisserie, croissant, macaron or slice of pie is the perfect dessert. Opened in 2021, the Cafe & Bakery make beautiful casual dining options for those visiting Virginia Wine Country.
Visiting Patty O’s Cafe & Bakery
Patty O’s Cafe and Bakery in Little Washington, Virginia, is a cherished local spot with a history that reflects both its founder’s passion and the community it serves. Founded in 2012 by Chef O’Connell, the cafe began as a dream to bring a touch of homemade charm to the picturesque town of Little Washington. Known for its scenic beauty and close-knit community, the town provided the perfect backdrop for a bakery that values both quality and connection.
Visitors can expect a delightful array of offerings that reflect the cafe’s commitment to quality and comfort. From pastries and bread to full meals, Chef O’Connell’s signature touch can be found here, including full breakfast spreads, lunch options and even seasonal specials.
The cafe’s menu is designed to cater to a range of tastes, with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and comforting homemade flavors. The welcoming atmosphere of Patty O’s makes it a perfect spot for a leisurely breakfast, a quick lunch or an indulgent treat.
The Inn at Little Washington’s New Reveal and Future Plans
O’Connell’s passion for improving his craft has never wavered. “I had a writing teacher in college who said, ‘If you’re not embarrassed by what you wrote last year, you’re not making progress,’” O’Connell remembers. “So, I like to continue to embarrass myself by what I’ve done a year ago and push it forward.” In fall of 2024, The Inn announced the reveal of a new cottage for guests called The Cardinal’s Nest, named as a tribute to the first Relais & Chateaux property in France. Circa 1700s, the former summer kitchen, underwent a year-long renovation that now provides guests a luxurious suite of two bedrooms and baths.
O’Connell certainly has pushed forward the experiences at The Inn at Little Washington. The 45-year anniversary celebrations also included the unveiling of his largest expansion plans. A new reception building for guests are in the works, as are a wine cellar for dinner parties, a luxury spa, new garden dining areas and a tasting hall. The panache and joie de vivre with which O’Connell approaches the art of cuisine is a true gift to the culinary world and us here in Virginia Wine Country. As always, we look forward to seeing these exciting changes and more from O’Connell in the years to come. ~
JENNIFER BRYERTON is Co-Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Wine & Country Life. She is an avid gardener, home cook and wine-taster. She enjoys learning about Virginia viticulture and sharing the story of our local farm-to-table makers.
R. L. JOHNSON is our Co-Publisher and Creative Director. Bethke studied at the prestigious ArtCenter College of Design and began her career as a professional photographer in Los Angeles. She moved into graphic design and art direction when she relocated to Charlottesville in 1994. As our company’s co-founder and visionary, she enjoys all aspects of storytelling.
