L'Auberge Provencale
Buying Local in the Shenandoah Valley 23 May 2012, 3:02 am
30 years ago we opened L’Auberge Provencale, our bed and breakfast in the Shenandoah Valley. The very first year we were here we had an enormous garden, raised our own piglets and rabbits, and planted our first orchard trees at our Northern Virginia country inn. We bought as much locally as possible, lamb, eggs, and chickens at the time. The local farming community raised feed corn and Black Angus steers, as well as great horses in the Virginia Hunt Country.
Now here we are, 30 years later. Little did we know we should have capitalized on our support for local products and farmers. L’Auberge Provencale has been a farm-to-table restaurant before the name was coined. We are so happy that restaurants now are following our lead in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. The support for the local farming community has grown exponentially. You now can buy turkeys, fowl, poultry, pork, veal, beef, and lamb. Local farms are producing honey, fruits, herbs, vegetables, amazing cheese and dairy products.
Not to mention some world class wines from the state of Virginia. We utilize the bounty of our own vegetable and herb gardens, our own edible flowers and our 78 fruit trees provide us with, not just fresh fruit in season, but jams, chutneys, oils, pickled fruits and various sundries for our winter larder. The cherries at our Shenandoah B&B are bursting on the trees and will be harvested this week.
We are serving super fresh lamb and pork belly from Fields of Athenry. We are working on a new Lavender glazed pork belly dish with compressed peaches and Asian spices for the Toast of the Town, where we will be featured on June 22 at the National Building museum in conjunction with The Wine Enthusiast and 200 wineries. We are using all local products for the tasting and want to promote farm-to-table cuisine and our local farmers of the Shenandoah Valley. Hope to see you there!
Rose Petal Ice Cream Recipe 9 May 2012, 6:47 am
Everything is blooming far sooner than most years here at our Shenandoah Valley bed and breakfast. Winey and Cheesey were discussing the upcoming recipes that may be coming from the kitchen at our Virginia bed and breakfast inn.
The roses are in full bloom and it is a banner year. They are incredibly prolific and fragrant. Aside from bringing them inside to enjoy their wonderful perfume, here is one of our perennial favorites on our menu. The rose petal ice cream is easy to make and so French country! You might want to try it with just some fresh raspberries or here at the inn we like to serve it with Lavender Pound Cake. The lavender is just about to burst as well in our gardens here at our Shenandoah bed and breakfast.
If you have an ice cream machine, this too, can become a favorite of your family. A little touch of Provence in the Shenandoah Valley, for Mother’s day this weekend will feature this delicious and fragrant dessert.
Rose Petal Ice Cream
Ingredients: Makes about 1 1/2 quarts
- 16 egg yolks
- 14 oz. sugar
- 4 oz. rose water
- 1 qt. heavy cream
- 1 cup of fragrant rose petals, chopped (not too fine)
Directions:
- Whip egg yolks on medium speed until it forms a ribbon
- Simmer milk and rose water (do not boil)
- Add milk mixture to yolk mixture until well blended
- Pour into a stainless steel pot and stir over low heat until slightly thick and coats the back of a wooden spoon
- Remove from stove and strain
- Add cream and completely cool (you can do this in an ice bath)
- Freeze according to your ice cream machine (let it remain slightly soft)
- After the ice cream is removed from the machine, gently fold in rose petals and put in the freezer until serving
Treat Mom to the Best of the Shenandoah Valley at our Virginia Wine Country Inn 5 May 2012, 10:26 am
Come out to our romantic Virginia restaurant to celebrate the one who means the most…your MOM! We will be serving brunch and dinner on Sunday, May 13th at our Virginia Wine Country bed and breakfast inn.
Brunch will be served from 11:30-2:30; Dinner 2:30-8:00 pm. The Mother’s Day Menu will feature local produce, local procured meats and seasonal ingredients. What a time of year to feast on Fresh foraged greens, Morels, Asparagus, Rhubarb, French radishes, and great greens and herbs from our own gardens and farms of the Shenandoah Valley. And don’t forget our secret house-made Bloody Mary Mix served with Peppered Vodka or perhaps a Provence Royal…Rose Petal Champagne. For Dad, we have a great selection of microbrewery beers and 98 Scotches and Bourbons.
You may want to stop by Blandy Farm, the State Arboretum, for the Mother’s Day Plant Sale and Garden Fair. The weather is supposed to be beautiful on Sunday and a stroll through the Arboretum and perhaps purchasing an indigenous plant from our great state of Virginia makes the day complete.
Give us a call and we will be happy to secure your reservation! We will have Al Fresco dining available that day, weather permitting. Experience a day in France just minutes away. If the kids aren’t in town we still have a few rooms left. Why not rekindle the romance and enjoy at getaway with the love of your family life at our Virginia Wine Country inn!
Apple Blossom Time 2 May 2012, 6:05 am
The first week in May, is a busy one in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It is the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, the Gold Cup Races at Great Meadows in the Plains Virginia and the beginning of the Art at the Mill Show in Millwood, Virginia. All of these events are just minutes from our Shenandoah Valley bed and breakfast. So come out this weekend; there is plenty to see and do, or just kick off your shoes in the backyard of the inn and enjoy the summer-like weather.
The firemen’s parade is this Friday to kick off the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester! If you haven’t attended this parade it has the most fire trucks of any Firemen’s parade in the country.
Our celebrities that will be out and about this year are Mario Lopez, of MTV’s America’s Dance Crew and author of Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness and the beautiful Jazz Dorset, daughter of legendary sports figure with the University of Pittsburgh and the Dallas Cowboys.
The circus is in town and the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday will be a “Salute to Our Troops” with our local Virginia Girl, “Wounded Warrior” Capt. Leslie Smith, as the Grand Marshall. There are parties, sports breakfasts, dances, dinners, 10K race, the carnival, circus and much more. It is a local event the whole family can enjoy! A small town event at it’s finest.
It is the 87th running of the Virginia Gold Cup and there are still some tickets for spaces left if you go to their website. This is a fun-filled day of steeplechase racing and tailgate picnics! The festive atmosphere and the thrill of the chase make this a must for any city folks. Bring a beautiful hat and let us pack you a picnic to take.
Every Spring and Fall, the Burwell Morgan Mill in the quaint village of Millwood, Virginia becomes an extraordinary art gallery. Over 300 judges artist display their pottery, sculpture, fine woodwork and all types of paintings. There is truly something for every taste and budget. This show runs through May 13 and is a must see for the art lover in this 18th century working mill. When the art show closes the mill resumes grinding of fresh flour for the year. You can stop in this summer and pick up fresh whole wheat, corn, blue corn, and general all purpose flours, just to name a few. Buying local comes to new heights.
So grab your gal and come out to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and enjoy all the countryside has to offer. And don’t forget Mother on the 13th of May, the plant sale at the Virginia State Arboretum, Bland Farm and brunch here at L’Auberge Provencale from 11:30-2:30 and Mother’s Day Dinner 2:30-7:00. Treat your mom to the best that is offered in the Valley at our Shenandoah bed and breakfast!
Virginia Garden Week 19 Apr 2012, 10:26 am
Whew…lists of things to do. This is Virginia Garden week and we here at our bed and breakfast inn are getting ready for 900 people to descend upon us this Saturday, April 21, as L’Auberge Provencale is number 1 on the tour of houses in Clarke County. Our maintenance staff and I have been busy (with a little help from Winey and Cheesey) getting the grounds in tip top shape.
- Mulch Around All Trees
- Prune the fruit trees
- Plant the spring vegetable garden plants
- Plant the beautiful Provencale pots and hanging baskets for our terrace and porch
- Cut down the tulips which bloomed too early and tie up all the daffodils
- Go on a crazy plant buying spree
Fluff all the pillows, and hope it doesn’t rain! Of course, you know they are predicting thunderstorms for Saturday in our beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Our chef are happily cooking with local ramps, asparagus, morels, sorrel, lovage and fresh herbs from our gardens and edible flowers as well. It is a great time to visit Virginia, and the beauty is busting out all over.
There is the usual mess to clean up after a day of planting..but what a beautiful reward we get from all the pots planted and on the southern Virginia style porch. Come out and enjoy the terrace for dinner at our bed and breakfast, the next time you are visiting the countryside of the Shenandoah Valley.
Join the Cooking Classes at our Virginia Wine Country Bed and Breakfast! 12 Mar 2012, 3:58 am
Due to popular demand, our Cooking Classes have now been extended until June 14th 2012, including a one night stay in any available room or suite #1 thru #8 at our romantic Virginia wine country bed and breakfast. The classes start at noon; followed by a wine and cheese social; ending with a gourmet breakfast for two the following morning. Dinner can be arranged but is not included with this special.
A $650.00 VALUE
This Special only $399.00
Call for Available Dates
540-837-1375
Plan to attend our next wine dinner & tasting Sunday May 6th, 1PM – 5PM!
After a very successful Bordeaux Wine Dinner this past Sunday March 4th.We are offering the next event onSunday May 6th featuring Rhone’s.
CELEBRATE WITH your friends at the Rhone Wine Dinner and Tasting, Sunday May 6th 2012 1PM until 5PM. Enjoy a lovely 5 course dinner with wine pairings. A Blind tasting to win special door prize. Enjoy dinner at our world renowned French Restaurant in Northern Virginia!
Mid-Week Cooking Class Special at our Romantic Virginia B&B 8 Feb 2012, 3:16 am
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Enjoy a romantic evening of love this Valentine’s Day! 25 Jan 2012, 2:09 am
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VALENTINE’S DAY MENU
WINE SPECIALS
ARTISAN CHEESE
LOVERS MENU FOR 2
LES ENTRÉES
LA DEUXIEME SUITE
TROU NORMAND
VIANDES ET POISSONS
Great List of New Desserts at L’Auberge Provencale 9 Jan 2012, 9:59 am
We are currently featuring a great list of new desserts at L’Auberge Provencale. We’ve introduced some sweet-tooth and taste-bud-pleasing winners on the Dessert Menu at our French Restaurant in Northern Virginia!
Filo Cinnamon Apple Crisp Appletini Sorbet
Dried Apple Chips, Chateau Hallet Sauterne Sauce, Maple Cream
Flight of Sorbets
Strawberry, Pineapple, Kiwi, Cornucopia Tuile
Warm Clementine Maltaise
Spanish Clementines Grand Marnier Sabayon
Chocolate French Connection
Hazelnut Mousse, Chocolate Bête Noir, Mocha Sorbet,
Chambord Pot au Crème, Grand Marnier Ganache
Trio of Banana
Banana Bread Pudding with Armagnac Anglaise,
Banana Foster on Vanilla Cheese-cake,
Banana Cream Tart
We hope to see you soon at our Romantic Virginia B&B!
Our First Living Social Cooking Class a Success! 23 Dec 2011, 10:07 am
The first Living Social Cooking Class at our Shenandoah Valley Bed and Breakfast was held Wednesday Dec 21.
The participants’ summary of the hands-on experience was “Perfect”, “Fabulous”, “What Fun”…
They enjoyed working hard at preparing:
-Roasted Squab
-Coffee Scented Macomber Turnips
-Glazed Chestnuts
-Brussel Sprouts
To the left you can see Chef Jacob Jananski tasting the fare prepared by guests at our Shenandoah Valley Restaurant.
