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Blue Rock first operated as a 19th-century working farm and has gone through the hands of several different owners. Current owner Nick Dowling further expanded Blue Rock’s potential with extensive renovations. It now operates as a charming 5-room Country Inn, a Tasting Room, and a Restaurant.

Alright, let’s get to the good part.

We have been a fan of Chef Bin Lu ever since we dined at D.C.’s two Michelin-starred restaurant Pineapple & Pearls. This incredibly talented chef now heads up Blue Rock Restaurant, which is another great addition to the growing list of incredible restaurants in Rappahannock County.

A foodie mecca in the country with mountain and vineyard views AND great hospitality?

You can easily see why Washingtonians are flocking to this charming pocket of Virginia.

Blue Rock is situated in an idyllic location overlooking a Koi pond and vineyards with the towering Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.

There is plenty of outdoor seating by the pond to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail like a delicious Mezcal Sour from the Tasting Room. Other options include a unique selection of local and international wines by the glass and beer.

You can also order some elevated small bites from the casual Foothills Menu at the Tasting Room. We enjoyed some local charcuterie with red eye gravy and pimento dressing.

I have an addiction to pimento cheese and try it everywhere I find it from Costco (when they actually carried it) to the famous rural Red Truck Bakery in Marshall, Virginia.

The best pimento cheese I have discovered is on a delicious biscuit known as The Big Pimp from The Girl & The Raven. This foodie gem is located way down in southwest Virginia in a town called Abingdon. Yeah, I didn’t realize Virginia extended down that far either. Virginia does exist past Virginia Tech! 

Once it was time for our dinner reservation, we entered a cozy dining room with only nine tables lit by candlelight. A stone fireplace centered the room. The equestrian decor was warm and inviting with many mid-century modern touches.

Great first impression.

The 4-course Tasting Menu would best be characterized as refined but unpretentious seasonal American cuisine.

As the late Anthony Bourdain commented once, you can only describe food in so many ways. You start to run out of adjectives. Let me just say, wow.

It was clear each dish was meticulously thought out and executed flawlessly. Incredible flavor at an incredible price point.

Are we really in the country?

I’ll let the photos do the talking.

Adding on the wine pairing is a no brainer. 

Chef Bin Lu is responsible for the very eclectic and unique wine list. My husband and I are not wine experts but are avid travelers who love to vacation at wine destinations to learn more (23 wine regions and counting!).

I appreciated the fact the Chef offered both the classics like Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley and also unique varietals from places like Georgia (the country, not the state).

Blue Rock also hosts various Wine Dinner events throughout the year. For example, one evening he showcased the fabulous wines from local Ankida Ridge Vineyards and Stinson Vineyards with a special 6-course dinner.

Dinner reservations can be booked Thursday – Sunday from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. 

When you compare the quality and cost of this dining experience compared to Blue Rock’s competition The Inn at Little Washington and Three Blacksmiths, it offers incredible value for the money.

• Dinner: $135 per person
• Wine pairings: $89 per person
• Gratuity and tax not included

Expect to spend around $570 for 2 people for a special evening out.

My husband and I dined at Blue Rock Restaurant to celebrate my birthday. Needless to say, I did not want to worry about driving.

One of the best parts about enjoying an incredible meal cooked by a celebrated Chef and partaking in several glasses of wine is rolling into bed down the hall.

Plus, you get a warm homemade cinnamon bun the next morning at breakfast.

The ultimate gastronomic experience.

Dining with a great group of friends and don’t feel like driving back to the city? Rent the luxurious 5-bedroom Blue Rock Farmhouse across the hill.

Make sure to book a room at the Blue Rock Inn at the same time you secure a dinner reservation.

We stayed in the Castleton Room. It was great but a little noisy since it’s by the kitchen. I would recommend the Thornton Room for the great views from the small outdoor space.

If you cannot book the Blue Rock Inn, some solid second runner-up options down the road are The White Moose Inn (4 minutes), The Inn at Mount Vernon Farm (6 minutes), and Glen Gordon Manor (20 minutes).

• Take on the iconic Old Rag that some say is the best hike in Virginia.
• Sip on Virginia’s best wine from the well-respected winegrower Jim Law at Linden Vineyards (need a reservation).
• Stop in for a whisky tasting or a well-made whisky cocktail at Copper Fox Distillery.
• Go chasing waterfalls at Whiteout Canyon.
• Stroll through the charming town of Sperryville for a cup of coffee or a to-go sandwich for your hike at The Corner Store.
• Order some fancy food truck food at Sumac.
• Make it a blowout foodie weekend and have lunch on the outdoor patio at three Michelin-starred Chef Patrick O’Connell’s casual sister restaurant, Patty O’s Cafe. Yes, I have tried their Crock of Pimento Cheese too!

Looking for more inspiration on romantic country getaways that combine great food experiences PLUS the great outdoors?

My ultimate idea of fun is eating amazing food and getting out in nature all at the same destination. That’s why we fly to places like Peru where we can experience the incredible Nikkei cuisine at Maido and then go hike Machu Picchu.

As a local Virginian, I love the Shenandoah Valley for that reason. It offers the ultimate combo of culinary and outdoor adventure in its quaint little towns. 

Best part? I don’t have to book a flight.

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Questions about our Blue Rock Restaurant dining experience?

Let me know in the comments below!