The Red Fox Inn & Tavern

My wife and I stayed here for our anniversary. We were unsure if it would be worth the cost. We love the town and area. We were a bit doubtful….but! An Amazing place worth every penny. Super comfortable, staff was fantastic, dinner was perfect. Do it!

APPETIZER: I ordered the Roasted Pear Crostini. In this instance, roasted pear slices were paired with a brandy & gorgonzola spread and topped with walnut bits and crisp prosciutto. Pears & blue cheese are an unbeatable combo… and this delectable presentation certainly proved the case. On the other hand, taste-wise, my dining partner’s Lamb Meatballs simply stole the show. Rife with feta & pine nuts, set on islands of charred red onion surrounded by a sea of mint-infused yogurt, they were utterly irresistible. One bite and I was saying to myself: “Why didn’t I order these?” Flavor… texture… everything was just right. And there was just enough mint to complement rather than overwhelm the perfectly seasoned lamb. Kudos to the kitchen. SOUP/SALAD: I know my choice of the Roasted Pear & Arugula Salad sounds like a repeat performance, but I just couldn’t resist that pear/blue cheese combo once again. My dining partner’s Beets with Goat Cheese also set off some bells and whistles. A marinade of zippy whole grain mustard gave the red and yellow beets a lively kick; the Monocacy Ash Farmstead Soft Ripened Goat Cheese struck a decidedly decadent chord; and a smattering of baby arugula and crispy rye toast were excellent in their supporting roles. ENTRÉE: With the arrival of the main courses, the kitchen’s prowess became even more impressive. My dining partner will tend to order either shrimp or scallops – or both – at the mere drop of a fork, so her choice of Caramelized Sea Scallops was certainly no surprise… And they were excellent. Beautifully seared, the moist & meaty bivalves were pillowed on a seabed of mushroom & pearl barley risotto and accompanied by bacon lardons, sautéed kale, and micro tarragon salad. There was obviously a lot going on here; but nothing felt (or tasted) out of sync, as a lovely white wine sauce served as a splendid culinary catalyst. The Pecan Curry Crusted Halibut immediately caught my eye. Halibut, I must admit, always grabs my attention, as it is my all-time favorite seafood indulgence. But I hesitated at first, as curry can be a bit overwhelming; add pecans and it struck me as a double whammy, an ill-conceived assault on this ever-so-delicate denizen of the deep… And I wasn’t particularly overjoyed with the accoutrements either. The carrot and sweet potato purée could be downright cloying, especially when added to the curry/pecan combo; and the spiced & roasted cauliflower with currants could very easily make this particular entrée entirely too convoluted for its own good. Fortunately, my assumptions were wrong on all counts, as the presentation was a nearly perfect gastronomic gestalt. Each element had its own individual part to play, but the whole of the dish was infinitely more than the mere sum of the particular parts. And despite my fears that the curry/pecan concoction might overwhelm the halibut’s delicate disposition, the crust caressed rather than smothered the object of its affection. DESSERT: When it

During our stay at the Salamander Resort & Spa, my companion and I enjoyed a dinner at the nearby Red Fox Inn & Tavern. Established in 1728, and originally known as Chinn’s Ordinary, this charming inn has offered uninterrupted hospitality to travelers for more than 275 years, making it the oldest continually operated inn in the United States. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and steeped in the lore of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, each of its cozy dining rooms exudes a piece of history. Over the years, the Inn has played host to many notable politicians, authors, musicians, athletes, and celebrities, including, in 1748, an enthusiastic young surveyor named… Yes, George Washington really slept here. Owned and operated by three generations of the Reuter Family since 1976, family members continue to oversee the inn’s daily operations, including its highly praised culinary aspects. The tavern’s menu highlights local ingredients and genuine home-style dishes that are both lovingly prepared and beautifully presented. APPETIZER: I ordered the Roasted Pear Crostini. In Italian, crostini refer to small slices of grilled or toasted bread with a variety of toppings. In this instance, roasted pear slices were paired with a brandy & gorgonzola spread and topped with walnut bits and crisp prosciutto. Pears & blue cheese are an unbeatable combo… and this delectable presentation certainly proved the case. Wine Pairing: NV Extra Brut, Thibaut-Janisson Winery, Charlottesville, VA. The dryness of the bubbly provided a marvelous contrast to both the sweetness of the pears and the earthiness of the blue cheese. On the other hand, taste-wise, my dining partner’s Lamb Meatballs simply stole the show. Rife with feta & pine nuts, set on islands of charred red onion surrounded by a sea of mint-infused yogurt, they were utterly irresistible. One bite and I was saying to myself: “Why didn’t I order these?” Flavor… texture… everything was just right. And there was just enough mint to complement rather than overwhelm the perfectly seasoned lamb. Kudos to the kitchen. A Third Appetizer Option: Butternut Squash & Sage Wontons with goat cheese, hazelnuts, and plum chutney. SOUP/SALAD: I know my choice of the Roasted Pear & Arugula Salad sounds like a repeat performance, but I just couldn’t resist that pear/blue cheese combo once again. Add candied walnuts, and a delightfully creamy Champagne vinaigrette providing a tasty textural counterpoint to that peppery greenery and you have a perfect prelude to any meal. Wine Pairing: 2019 Viognier, Greenhill Vineyards, Middleburg, VA. I’m usually not a fan of viognier, but this was simply a lovely wine – elegant, crisp, clean – and just right with the salad. My dining partner’s Beets with Goat Cheese also set off some bells and whistles. A marinade of zippy whole grain mustard gave the red and yellow beets a lively kick; the Monocacy Ash Farmstead Soft Ripened Goat Cheese struck a decidedly decadent chord;

We dined here on a business trip. They allowed us to bring a large group (11) yet did a great job. Good menu (four course menu) and good wine list. Great service. Classic Inn with history. Right in downtown Middleburg. Highly recommended. Did NOT stay at Inn.

We had been through Middleburg many times but finally decided to spend a weekend there. We stayed at the Red Fox Inn because of its location and charm. Our room (The Derby) was exceptional; large sitting area, beautiful bedroom and a gorgeous bathroom. Check in was easy and the entire staff was pleasant and helpful. We ate off property Friday night but thoroughly enjoyed the 4 course tasting Saturday night. Great food, wine and service; you could not ask for more. Also, breakfast was includedand delivered to our room each morning. I could not name one thing that was wrong. We will definitely come back!

A few regrets, but on balance, not a bad stay. My wife and I stayed for one night in Room 25, away from the main building. The room was quiet, commodious and well-appointed, the bed comfortable. We opted for the four course prix fixe dinner. As the two of us didn’t duplicate any dishes, we ended up sampling a fair share of the menu. Neither of us found any of the dishes outstanding and though we left nothing on our plates we didn’t find any course particularly distinctive or appealing. Flavor was in short supply. I paid a $14 supplement for the New York ***** steak. The steak itself was excellent and perfectly cooked; however, it was served on TOP of a flavorless peppercorn sauce. I requested the “fresh ground pepper” we had refused for an earlier course just to pep up the serving of steak, unadorned and unflavored mashed potatoes, and steamed asparagus. Value for the price is in the eye of the beholder. We’ve learned “you pays your money and you takes your chances.” Great experiences invite return visits. I don’t think we’ll be returning to The Red Fox Tavern, but the meal was better than culinary malpractice. Breakfast is “served” in-room only. The choices are limited and you must order the night before, indicating the time you’d like the “meal” brought to you. I chafed a bit at the inflexibility of it all. Rolling out of bed at your convenience, eating what you want where you want is not in the cards. The range of the “menu” is very limited. The “main course” for us was a vegetarian burrito for her and a breakfast sandwich for me. My wife found the burrito virtually inedible — too greasy — and ended up eating my sandwich which, when unwrapped, looked like something from McDonald’s. I subsisted on coffee and yogurt. Thumbs down on the breakfast. Years — decades — ago I had had a very pleasant lunch with friends at the Red Fox. I remembered a pub-like atmosphere redolent of the hunt. Good pub food in a distinctive atmosphere. We chose the Red Fox because of that distant memory. To say the inn has changed would be an understatement. OK, I didn’t check, but I had assumed we’d be able to relive that memorable lunch from years ago, but, alas, the Red Fox is not even open for lunch. So on balance, calling our stay disappointing would be a bit harsh, but we did hope for more than the inn delivered. Though our stay in Middleburg was not ruined, it could have been better.

Incredible service and a beautiful room. My wife and I were going on a brief honeymoon for just a few days and the Red Fox was the perfect getaway. Fantastic breakfast each day served in our room, which just added to the experience. Can’t wait to visit again.

Staff was friendly and efficient with stellar service, especially by water at pub (Phil) and waitress at dinner (Maria). Lovely room with pretty garden perfect for breakfast. Breakfast delivery in AM was much appreciated. History of hotel was interesting. Overall an excellent 2 night respite from visits to big NE cities ( NYC, Philly and DC).

We booked here for a wedding without much research other than it’s much cheaper than the Salamander. So thrilled that we did! Great location, huge gorgeous rooms, delicious breakfast delivered hot to the door, friendly staff—honestly, we’d go back to Middleburg just to stay here again.