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Diverse Dining List

Williamsburg Inn

10/14/2016

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​Williamsburg, Virginia
​

Don and I spent a couple nights in Williamsburg last July.  We didn't stay at the lovely Williamsburg Inn, but we hoped to at least have a meal there.



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When we found out jackets were required in the evening, we figured we would aim for breakfast.

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​Built 1937
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The Inn was adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area, which dates back to the 1600's.
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That makes Williamsburg Inn just a baby, at almost 80 years.  The inn was actually built by John D. Rockefeller Junior.  He played a part in the preservation of the historic community.

Southern Country Estate
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The place really did look more like an old home than a hotel. The neoclassical exterior, with whitewashed brick and ionic columns had a formal, grand style.

Inside
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Two doormen opened the beautiful brass doors as we headed inside.  
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The sitting area by the lobby desk felt almost rigidly formal, with chandeliers, drapes and portraits.  But there was a man seated in shorts and the staff seemed friendly, so on we went.

Wandering
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The decor reminded me of my Aunt Mary's home. I was always in awe of her lovely house, but I never felt truly comfortable.  Don and I wandered in search of the dining room.

Regency Restaurant
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In 2001 there was a complete renovation at the inn, so everything did look very fresh and lovely in the sunken dining room. We were greeted warmly and asked our names.  I wondered why, because there didn't seem to be a wait.

Window Table 
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Our table with a view of the grounds was lovely... even with some golf course renovations going on.  White cloth and a white rose... and a bell for service?

Service
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Actually that was not a bell. That was a very fancy little butter holder with lid. I kind of adored it.
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Our server was Cecil and he was delightful. He called us Mr. and Mrs. Zienty, so I guess that's why we were asked about our names. He was dressed in a suit and tie and seemed overly polite at first.

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​Cookbook
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Then I just had to pull out my 1954 Ford Motor Cookbook to ask Cecil if they still served "Williamsburg Orange Wine Cake".  He took a look at the book with illustration and recipe and I wish I could have snapped a photo of his expression. His eyes widened and he let out a not so formal laugh!



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He was sad to inform me, they no longer serve that cake. So I made another choice.​

​Breakfast is Served
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Ordinarily I feel uncomfortable in a setting that once served only the rich.  And looking around, I'm pretty sure the other diners were inn guests. In fact many greeted the staff like old friends.  
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They had either been staying a long time, or they come back often.  But Cecil and our busboy and hostess, were all gracious and made us feel at home.

Orange Waffles
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I had the closest thing I could find to the cookbook recipe... Orange Waffles with Raspberries and Blackberries!
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Don went for Corned Beef Hash with Asparagus Toast and Eggs. He's picky about corned beef, so it was nice to see him happy.  This was a big treat after our usual traveling breakfast of granola bars!

With Cecil
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It was nice having the restaurant relaxed and quiet.  We had more time with Cecil and he talked about growing up in Jamaica.  
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He thought it had been about 39 years since he'd been back.  He missed it.  We tipped well... hoping he can put that towards his travel savings.

Explore
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Since we learned that the Regency Dining Room was added in more recent years, we tried to find the original dining room. I think this is it.
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We found a few other reminders of how the inn must have looked in 1937. The stairway was the original, I'm pretty sure. And I don't think they install water fountains like that anymore. I tried to imagine Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visiting the inn, the year I was born.  They must have liked it plenty, since they returned in 2007.

Walking Off Breakfast
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What a treat to relax and dine at breakfast, then spend the day walking it off in Colonial Williamsburg.  Nice way to extend our dining adventure!
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       The Dining Blog

    This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food.  Below, you can read how this started.


    On
    July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year!  (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to  join me, on some unusual dining adventures.  I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise.  Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining.  I have continued  blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned  along the way!
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  • Homepage
  • Little Bear's Adventures
  • Diverse Dining List
  • 90 Notable Nights
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  • Quilt Adventure Blog
  • Not So Happy List
  • The Texas Twenty List
  • Mom's Picnic List
  • 18+ Dance Adventures
  • 55 Strangers
  • The Barbie Bucket List
  • 60 Celebrations
  • 57 Celebrations of the Fifties!