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USA Lunch

Bailliage of Washington DC, United States of America
Washington (VA), July 12, 2017

Celebrating Bastille Day at The Inn at Little Washington

The Bailliage celebrated Bastille Day two days ahead of the actual day with an extraordinary luncheon at Chef Patrick O’Connell’s Inn at Little Washington.

Maître d’Honneur O’Connell opened his inn in 1978 in the historic village of Washington, Virginia, in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The charming hamlet is fondly known as “Little Washington” to avoid confusion with the nation’s capital 110km to the east. Over the past 39 years, Chef O’Connell has created one of the finest dining and lodging experiences in the world. Michelin awarded him two stars in its inaugural Washington, DC, edition - the highest honour in the area, and one of only three establishments so recognized.

A chartered coach transported eager Bailliage members and guests on the 90-minute trip to the Inn. En route, they awakened their palates with sushi catered by Maître Restaurateur ZeQuiang Wu, owner of Sushi Oishii in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and pastries by Andrew Liang’s highly regarded Lavande Patisserie in Rockville, Maryland.

A red carpet beckoned the group into the Inn, renowned for its opulent and sophisticated yet always relaxed and often whimsical décor. The adjacent impeccably manicured gardens and koi pond were a delight to explore with a glass of Champagne on a warm summer day.

Chef O’Connell then invited guests into his spectacular sunlit kitchen. Nibbling on truffle popcorn, they were enthralled with the behind-the-scenes look at the lunch preparations busily underway. Glimpses of lobster, foie gras, rack of lamb, and caviar tantalized.

The affair moved into the salon for hors d’oeuvres and conversation before settling into the dining room overlooking the garden for a spectacular six-course luncheon. Chef O’Connell, with Executive Sous Chef Andrew Wright, thrilled diners with their talent and creativity. Each element of every dish was exquisitely executed and gracefully served, leaving no doubt how the Chef and his Inn earned their Michelin stars.

The Bailliage, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in October 2017, is eagerly anticipating a 2018 return to the Inn at Little Washington.

William Babash
Vice-Chargé de Presse

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