The Conservatory at Goodstone Inn
Middleburg / Modern American / $$$$
Foodies often pooh-pooh beef tenderloin as flavorless. They haven’t been to Goodstone Inn. There, the meat is cooked to perfection, with just a bit of fat left on the exterior to allow the beefy flavor to come through in every bite. It’s amplified by a pool of rich demi-glace that enrobes every element on the plate in a savory meatiness. There are the garden vegetables, which means multicolored carrots and cauliflower from the garden on-site, not some faraway farm. The thin bar of au gratin potatoes melts and stretches with cheese.
It’s a dish your grandparents would have loved, likely their grandparents, too. And that’s what Goodstone Inn exists for: elegant meals in a space that will wow, and service that’s so refined you’ll barely notice it.
Splurge on the prix fixe, and you’ll be treated to four courses of chef Jan Van Haute’s most seasonal handiwork. Whether it’s white asparagus and morels or a honey-roasted peach with green almonds and white chocolate, it’s fresh perfection you’ll never forget.
See This: Sit by the pool, facing the adjacent farm. In the colder months, dine in the glass-covered dining room for a light-filled meal. It’s especially pretty in the rain.
Eat This: The prix fixe changes with what’s at its best for the season. It’s the most direct path to freshness.
When to Visit: Celebrations or an intimate date night with a partner who loves the classics
This post originally appeared in our November 2020 issue’s Best Restaurants cover story. For more food reviews, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
