Thank you to Blue Rock for inviting me out to Washington, VA to experience the inn and write this Blue Rock Inn Review!
I’ve been following Blue Rock since they opened in Washington, VA in Rappahannock County in October 2021, and was delighted to spend a night experiencing both the inn and their impressive four course menu. With a mint julep in hand, sitting in an adirondack chair overlooking the pond and the mountains in the distance, enjoying a cool early summer breeze, I was convinced I might never want to leave.
About Blue Rock
Blue Rock had previously been an inn and restaurant, but had been neglected for several decades when former Pineapples and Pearls* chef Bin Lu took over. The property and grounds were completely renovated and restored, creating a Tasting Room, as well as five rooms within the inn and five within the farmhouse. With sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains towering behind the inn, that first deep breath of fresh country air as soon as you pull up feels like you’re a world away.
*For those who’ve been around here a while…yes, you may recall the restaurant that took my longstanding blog name…
How to Get to Blue Rock From DC
Depending on the time of day, Blue Rock is about an hour and a half from DC, or specifically from where I am on Capitol Hill. It’s an easy drive out 66 to 29, and you can add stops at the various wineries and breweries along the way or go hiking in the Shenandoah. We chose to drive past Blue Rock a bit to Sperryville and explore before checking in.
When to Visit Blue Rock
We visited at the tail end of Memorial Day weekend and were so lucky to have a breezy spring day to sit outside. I can imagine Blue Rock is gorgeous through spring, stunning in the fall with the autumn colors filling in across the mountain, and cozy in winter. I’m sure it’s great in summer, too, but we all know I am not a fan of going anywhere in summer.
The Design at Blue Rock
Blue Rock found its home in a mid-19th century farmhouse that has seen past lives as both a private residence and a working horse farm. Now it sprawls over 80 acres, with landscaping that feels organically connected to the Blue Ridge around it. The design feels modern with nods both to the horse country heritage of the Virginia countryside, and the moody florals and bohemian touches that are current to 2022. One of my favorite spaces is a dark emerald green dining room with rustic beams overhead and a William Morris-inspired wallpaper above the molding.
The Rooms at Blue Rock
We stayed in the Covington room, which is a queen room on the second floor of the inn. It’s a cozy space that’s perfect for a weekend getaway. I absolutely loved the dark floral wallpaper in our bathroom, and the black and ivory damask wallpaper in the bedroom in our room felt crisp when juxtaposed with the light white bedding. The room had a full length mirror, which is always a bonus when getting ready.
In our room, french doors opened to a second floor patio and let light stream in as I sipped on my in-room Nespresso.
The Tasting Room at Blue Rock
After checking in, we had a few hours to kill before our dinner reservation, so we dropped our things in our room and headed down to the Tasting Room. This gorgeous sunlight space feels both cozy and light, and it’s a wonderful place to grab a drink and a snack before dinner or to stop by if you end up in the area and want a bite without committing to dinner. The menu includes casual items with an upscale vibe, including pizza dip, fried chicken, and a burger. You can order cocktails, wine, beer, or indulge in a wine or spirit flight.
Adam grabbed a white wine from a Texas vineyard and I opted for the mint julep, and we took our drinks out to the lawn. There is nothing more relaxing than kicking back in an adirondack chair, drink in hand, and taking in the Blue Ridge views while a light breeze floats by.
Dinner at Blue Rock
While the views are stunning and the inn is superbly designed, that’s not the main reason to visit Blue Rock. This experience is all about the food. With a chef whose experience includes a two-Michelin star restaurant at the helm, Blue Rock sets out to rival some of the finest dining in Rappahannock County — and at a more affordable price point. The four course menu is $99, with an additional wine pairing available for $59.
The menu includes two options for each course and, if you’re strategic like we were, you should each order one of the items and swap. Blue Rock changes their menu seasonally and, when we were there, the menu looked like this:
The Breakfast in Bed and Breakfast
With an exquisite dinner, we knew there was no way Blue Rock wouldn’t continue the delectable experience right through to breakfast. Breakfast is included in your stay and you have a choice of two dishes that you’ll select the previous evening. Adam went for the breakfast sandwich, while I chose the yogurt and granola. Both were a delicious way to start the day, and they were complemented with coffee and fresh juice.
Blue Rock Inn Review: We’ll Be Back!
I’ve covered so much that the only thing necessary to say for my Blue Rock Inn Review is I can guarantee you we’ll be back. Whether you stay at the inn, or drop by the Tasting Room on the way back to DC from hitting the wineries or going hiking, it’s a wonderful place to stop and relax for a bit. I’m even tempted just to see if they have a dinner reservation this weekend…
