STARTERS
Photography: © Read McKendree
1799 The Clifton, Virginia
Nestled out in 100 acres of Virginia countryside near Charlottesville,
From small plates of local corn soup and tempura broccoli to a Sunday
the intimate 20-key The Clifton was originally constructed in 1799 as a
brunch of oysters on the half shell, 1799 brings together influences close
colonial-style house for founding father Thomas Jefferson’s daughter and
to its historic home with elements from farther afield to give guests a taste
her husband – a heritage property with roots in America’s history. Named
of Virginia and beyond. The Copper Bar, meanwhile, offers a more casual
after the year of its establishment’s own founding in a nod to a past it holds
option, with Bousquet’s reimagined drinks menu featuring an extensive
dear, the hotel’s newly rejuvenated 1799 restaurant and adjoining Copper
wine programme and inventive seasonal libations. Be it decadent burgers,
Bar have been given both a fresh look and a revamped concept to boot.
indulgent deep-fried French toast, Atlantic halibut with white beans and
Headed up by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Matthew Bousquet –
ratatouille or milk-braised pork shoulder, 1799 gives classic regional fare
previously of New York’s Lespinasse and his own Mirepoix and Bistro M
a modern twist, just as its renovation sought to do in updating a piece of
ventures – and with a menu pairing French technique with local cuisine
Virginian history for a new era.
alongside ingredients drawn from the hotel’s vegetable and herb garden,
“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle,
the property’s F&B offering provides a European-cum-Appalachian take
stand like a rock,” Jefferson once said, perhaps not in reference to interior
on New American Cuisine. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are now served up
design or menu curation, but entirely applicable here. For this slice of
in three different settings: the sun-drenched Veranda, the sophisticated
American heritage, 1799 and Copper Bar are a new world indeed.
Library and the intimate Wine Cellar, meaning guests can choose from a variety of different tones and experiences.
www.the-clifton.com/1799
IN A BITE Covers: 246 • Owner: Westmount Capital Group • Operator: Scout Hotels & Resorts • Interior Design: Blackberry Farm Design • Executive Chef: Matthew Bousquet • Branding: Watermark Design
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