Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The White Dog Inn, Mathews VA

I know. I’m still talking about the Blog Fest I attended in VA with friends this past weekend but I have some more photos to share and this time it’s all about one of the highlights of my trip.

Before the beach party that was held on Saturday afternoon, several of us elected to go to downtown Mathews to look around, maybe do some shopping, and to have lunch at the beautiful White Dog Inn.

DSC_0287 copy 2

The White Dog Inn was established in early 2009 after new owners completely refurbished the place. It’s a Bistro and a Coffee House as well as a Bed & Breakfast. Check out these gorgeous [rooms upstairs]. The original structure dates to 1840 according to some documents, but a marker on the property as well as the Court House across the street dates to 1795.

DSC_0282 copy 2

Antique car buffs were inside holding a party in the blue room. I only wish I’d gotten a photo of all the wonderful old cars lined up in the side parking lot.

DSC_0300 copy 2

I love touches like this zebra print staircase runner. It’s just so unexpected and fun. I took this photo from the bar area and we ate in the room directly ahead. The doors on the left lead to the blue room where the beautiful ship chandelier resides.

DSC_0322 copy 2

We were told that the owners found this distinctive light fixture at an antique shop and bought it immediately. Clever move, I should say.

DSC_0309 copy 2

The White Dog Inn is elegant with a laid-back atmosphere that made me feel right at home. I love the mismatched silverware and the dishtowel-sized napkin.

DSC_0304 copy 2

The wait for our party of nine was made enjoyable as we sipped Bloody Mary’s on the plush seating in the bar area. And they make the best Bloody Mary I’ve had in awhile.

DSC_0324 copy 2

I snapped a few photos in the room where we dined and marveled at all the little details like the books and the gilded mirror frame. The walls are decorated with works of art by local artists and much of it is for sale.

DSC_0317 copy 2

This is a decoupage vase that held a single peacock feather.

DSC_0319 copy 2

For lunch I had the tarragon chicken salad which was served with roasted potatoes and a small garden salad. For dessert, I shared the blueberry cobbler topped with vanilla bean ice cream.

Shelley was one of the diners who chose the bananas foster for dessert.

DSC_0327 copy 2

Obviously, it was lick-the-bowl good. (Sorry, Shelley. I just couldn’t resist.)

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

PS – My new laptop has arrived and I’ll be setting it all up tomorrow. There’s a lot of files to move over, etc. But at least I was able to use the AC power adapter to fit my old laptop! It’s the only way I was able to do anything tonight.

34 comments:

Gail said...

Wonderful history! and great adventures with tasty desserts!

I should have a blog party and we could sleep in the woods and ride horses...

Julie Harward said...

WOW..that looks like such a gorgeous place, loved the stairs and the room. I can't believe she was licking the bowl...what a fun group! :D

Andi said...

That is the eclectic style I always dream of pulling of in my house, and never could manage! LOVE the stair runner. I have been hawking all the Blister blogs today waiting for Blogfest pictures and posts, and see none!! ;)

Ellen said...

Beautiful place. My husband would have gravitated to the old cars.

Low Tide High Style said...

What a gorgeous place! I've added it to my list of places to visit! Thanks for the tour and your photos are wonderful as always!

Kat :)

Deb said...

what a cool place...love the zebra stairs....

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

If the meal was as good as the environment then this is someplace we will want to visit if we get to Matthews.

Lili said...

This is the kind of place I would be instantly drawn to, love all those unexpected touches! Speaking of unexpected, your last photo...I'm thinking you guys sure did have a blast! ~Lili

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Those ZEBRA STEPS!!!!!.....

deborah said...

Awww, what a good time you all had!
I'm enjoying the pictures, hope you have more to show! Mathews sure isn't a sleepy little town!

Shelley Jaffe said...

Oh no you dinnit. I should be mortified, but all I can think of was how creamy and rummy and sugary it was. Mmmmmmmmmmm.

At least this was one of the lesser pornographic photos...I just couldn't help pleasuring that bowl - best Bananas Foster EVAH!!!!!! Yeah, White Dog!

Cloudia said...

my kinda place & pals...maybe next year....hmmmm....




Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

JacksDad said...

MMMMMM, nothing like lick-the-bowl-good desserts! :)

mrs mediocrity said...

I love places like that, places that aren't cookie cutter chains, places with real things and real food and real people.

Kathleen Stoltzfus said...

mmmmmmm. bananas foster. I'd lick the bowl too!

Jeanne Walker said...

Your narratives are so descriptive and the photographs enhance them perfectly. I wish you would think about short story writing...you would be so good at it!

Zebra staircase - priceless
Crystal sailing ship - priceless
Kate Young - priceless

Thanks for the tour!

Annie said...

a wonderful post Kate. Thanks for sharing those photos...especially the chandelier and the step runner...gorgeous!

Have fun with the new laptop!

Caroline said...

WOW...I want to check this place out!!! They should use your photos for promotional material!!

GailO said...

I sooo want to stay in that lovely bedroom! What a beautiful place the White Dog Inn is...I love eclectic...love that zebra stair runner...love the description of the food...love that ship chandelier...love your photos...

Did you know that there is a very famous Black Dog Tavern on Martha's Vineyard?

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Gorgeous photos. Wish I could have cloned myself to be there and the beach, although the White Dog would have been a lot cooler.

Mental P Mama said...

Ohhhh. How I wish we could go there for lunch this weekend...and then to Bud's Beach afterwards....

big hair envy said...

I missed that wonderful lunch, but now I have another excuse to head back down to Mathews.....soon!!

Jill of All Trades said...

I'm really jealous. Looks like so much fun. LOVE the light fixture. The Hubby would just go crazy for that.

How do you do your blog fest things. Thinking about putting something together here with some of our close blogger friends.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful place you girls found! smiles.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Mmmmm...the memory of the food just filled an empty spot I am feeling this morning. Deeeeelicious. Good times, good friends. I am determined to stay at the White Dog Inn. That room is gorgeous!

Deb said...

The White Dog Inn looks fantastic! Reminds me of the many B & B's in Cape May (where my sister and her family are this week).

You're right, the zebra stair runner is very unexpected and works very well.

what kind of laptop did you get? Good luck with the transfer...

Daryl said...

I cannot believe I didnt get a shot of the front of the White Dog .. drat. Now that I have seen the rooms upstairs I am aching to stay there ... and have Eric to wait on me

The JR said...

What a grand place. Great photos. Luv the decor!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I want another one of those bloody marys! One of my favs of Blogfest!!
<><

The Weaver of Grass said...

Brilliant photograph of Shelley licking out the bowl - I have always wanted to do that but never dared!

Audrey at Barking Mad! said...

I wish I'd been there this year! Those are some really beautiful captures, Kate. And I LOVE the shot of Shelley! Makes me smile!

Meg McCormick said...

That was one of the funniest things ever, with the bowl. Hilarious! I'm still giggling! I think I have Soup Husband Curt talked into a wedding anniversary weekend there - I gave it the hard sell, but I know he'll be thrilled. Table for four with Ms Vogel and Mr Ward, perhaps?

Mary said...

Wow, what a beautiful place!

Jan's camera said...

That inn and restaurant look wonderful. Thanks for sharing.