NewsFlash
Start Your First Five Days of Married Life– in the Kitchen!
When Thomas Jefferson’s daughter Martha married Thomas Mann Randolph in 1790, her dowry included the parcel of land on which they built Clifton.
It is pretty certain that Martha and Thomas didn’t have to do much of their own cooking – but times have changed – and today’s newlyweds can make the most of their great adventure in life by learning to cook five essential dishes, gather pantry suggestions, and learn of the proper pans and utensils to have at hand. Clifton wants to help with the couple’s first week at home and to insure a proper meal to the table for at least five days.
After all, for all its historic significance, Clifton is most cherished by all the subsequent newlyweds who have celebrated in Virginia at this Relais & Châteaux property, whose quiet charm enhances romantic events from proposals to weddings to honeymoons. And now, newlyweds at Clifton can take advantage of this key feature of the inn: its esteemed chef, Dean Maupin, acting as your own personal guide in the kitchen.
A ‘local’ of understated character and tremendous talent, Dean offers newly married couples a custom-devised menu for their first week home together, taking into account their preferences and dislikes, available time, and cooking experience. The bound notebook they are presented with includes a grocery list for the week, as well as a suggested list of ‘stock’ items for their particular pantry, and a checklist of essential kitchen equipment. Most importantly, he will put the couple through their paces in an intensive private cooking class featuring a number of dishes from their menu. This is no gentle demonstration: as they learn to create what will become their household’s ‘signature dishes,’ they will certainly want to wear their Clifton aprons, which become practical souvenirs of their honeymoon culinary training.
The cost for this special add-on package is $250 per couple; advance reservation required. Rates begin at $225 per night, double occupancy, taxes excluded.
Sweet Virginia Breeze
April Breezes Bring Spring Rates, Festivals and Dinners to Clifton Inn
The golden daffodils are dancing in the soft spring breeze, the ground is carpeted in a deep kelly green, and the azure sky signal that spring has officially sprung at Clifton Inn. Clifton’s enchanting quarters and sweet spring rates make the historic property an ideal home base for travelers to unwind and recharge from the wealth of April events around Charlottesville.
Guests who breeze in to the Inn during the week can take advantage of sweet spring rates available Sunday – Thursday through April 22, 2010, which begin as low as $149* per night and includes full breakast. One night packages, which include a three course dinner for two prepared by executive chef Dean Maupin, begin at $295 per night.
Guests can also enjoy croquet, hiking, fishing on Clifton’s lake, or playing tennis on the area’s only clay court, in addition to two wine dinners, on Clifton’s 100 acres overlooking Monticello Mountain through out the month of April.
Historic Garden Week
April 17- 20, 2010
Since 1929, Virginia’s Historic Garden Week has been the oldest and largest statewide house and garden tour event in the nation. Highlights in Charlottesville and Albemarle County include Morven Estate and Gardens built in 1820, Blandemar, sited on property owned by Col. Charles Lewis in the 1700s, Temple Hill, built around 1790, and the Pavilion Gardens and Homes along the West Lawn of the University of Virginia, designed by Thomas Jefferson.
Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival
April 17-18, 2010
The 10th annual festival, on the shores of the South River in nearby Waynesboro, will feature wine tasting and live music in addition to complimentary lectures perfect for novices and experts alike.
Spring Fling Festival at CarterMountain Orchard
April 17-18, 2010
Celebrate the season opening of Carter Mountain Orchard with apple blossoms, hayrides and music.
Foxfield Races
April 24, 2010
A premier steeplechase event at Foxfield’s beautiful track east of the Blue Ridge. In what has become a time-honored tradition, old and young alike dress up in spring’s finest sundresses, khakis and yes, some seersucker to tailgate along the well manicured racecourse in Virginia’s hunt country and enjoy a day of equestrian racing.
California Dreaming Wine Dinner
April 28, 2010
Napa comes to Charlottesville for Clifton’s California Dreaming Wine Dinner.
*Based on double occupancy and availability. Excludes taxes and gratuity.