Eating & Sleeping
Williamsburg 1
5 Fat Canary^ American^ $$$
(%757-229-3333; 410 Duke of Gloucester St,
Merchants Sq; mains $28-39; h5-10pm) For a
splurge, there’s no better place in the Historic
Triangle. Top-notch service, excellent wines and
heavenly desserts are only slightly upstaged
by the magnificent seasonal cuisine (recent
favorites: pan-seared sea scallops with oyster
pork belly; wild rice stuffed quail; and seared
foie gras and hazelnut toast).
4 Governor’s Inn Hotel^ $
(%757-253-2277; http://www.colonialwilliamsburg
resorts.com; 506 N Henry St; r $70-120; pWs)
Williamsburg’s official ‘economy’ choice is a big
box by any other name, but rooms are clean,
and guests can use the pool and facilities of the
nearby Woodlands Hotel. It’s in a great location
three blocks from the historic district.
4 Williamsburg White House B&B^ $$
(%757-229-8580; http://www.
awilliamsburgwhitehouse.com; 718 Jamestown
Rd; r $160-200, ste $375; pW) This romantic
B&B, decorated with red- white- and blue-
bunting, is located across from the campus
of William & Mary, just a few blocks’ walk
from Colonial Williamsburg. It’s a favorite
spot of visiting politicos and bigwigs, but the
atmosphere and amicable management exudes
more stateliness than stuffiness.
Charlottesville 6
5 Continental Divide Mexican^ $$
(%434-984-0143; 811 W Main St; mains $10-15;
h5-10:15pm, to 10:45pm Fri & Sat, to 9:45pm
Sun) This fun, easy-going spot has no sign
(look for the neon ‘Get in Here’ in the window)
but is well worth seeking out for its Mexican
fusion fare – tacos with slow-cooked pork,
tuna tostadas, nachos with bison chili – and
Charlotteville’s best margaritas.5 The Whiskey Jar Southern $
(%434-202-1549; 227 West Main St; mains
$9-16; v) The Whiskey Jar does neo-Southern
comfort food in an affected rustic setting, all
wooden furniture and wait staff wearing plaid,
and drinks served out of mason jars. We’re
tempted to say it’s all a little too cute, but
honestly, the Jar nails it – the simple, fresh food
like mustard-braised rabbit is delicious and
exceedingly good value.4 Inn at Monticello B&B $$$
(%877-735-2982, 434-979-3593; http://www.
innatmonticello.com; 1188 Scottsville Rd; r
$210-250; paW) Located across from
Monticello, this Victorian B&B is set off
against the Piedmont’s rolling hillscape.
Every one of the lodge’s five rooms are cozy
little testaments to colonial grandeur. The
friendly, knowledgeable innkeepers are a good
travel resource, and provide excellent cooked
breakfasts as well.4 South Street Inn B&B $$$
(%434-979-0200; http://www.southstreetinn.com;
200 South St; r incl breakfast $150-255; pa)
In the heart of downtown, this elegant 1856
building went through previous incarnations
as a girl’s finishing school, boarding house and
brothel. Now it houses heritage-style rooms – a
total of two dozen – some with antiques and
working fireplaces. There’s wine and cheese in
the evenings.VIRGINIA.TRIPS.26
.PENINSULA TO THE PIEDMONT