Just an hour’s drive from the nation’s capital, Northern Virginia’s Wine Country is a fantastic experience. And with October designated as Virginia Wine Month amid fall foliage nearing peak colors, it’s one of the best times of the year.
Northern Virginia Wine Country Dining
Field & Main
8369 W. Main St.
Marshall, VA 20115
(540) 364-8166
www.fieldandmainrestaurant.com
In a community full of hidden treasures in Fauquier County, Field & Main is an absolute gem. Located in the heart of downtown Marshall, this very impressive farm-to-table restaurant is led by co-owners Neal Wavra and Star Wavra. Neal is also a sommelier and studied at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park with his executive chef Anthony Nelson. Neal previously managed the iconic Charlie Trotter’s restaurant in Chicago and worked with Michelin-starred chefs John Shields and Karen Urie.
Related: Five Virginia Wineries To Visit
Harry’s At Airlie
6809 Airlie Road
Warrenton, VA 20187
(540) 347-1300
www.airlie.com
Named after its founder, Harry’s is the newest dining option at Airlie Hotel & Conference Center in Fauquier County. Located one level below the main dining area, Harry’s at Airlie offers a variety of affordable dishes, including main dishes, giant sandwiches, and salads with fresh ingredients sourced directly from the property’s garden. Sample dishes include Corn & Crab Dip with Virginia crab, Airlie corn, and local cheese ($16), Harry’s Signature Burger ($16), and Spaghetti Bolognese with Airlie beef and pork ($25).
Related: Virginia’s Wine & Hunt Country
Red Truck Rural Bakery
8368 W. Main St.
Marshall, VA 20115
(540) 364-2253
www.redtruckbakery.com
Nationally recognized as one of the best small-town bakeries in the country, Red Truck Rural Bakery is also a smart choice for breakfast and lunch. Located across Main Street from Field & Main, the bakery is known to have a line out the door, especially on weekends. However, the wait is well worth the effort with gourmet cakes (from $26) and pies, fresh coffee, and other treats. Red Truck Rural Bakery was founded by Brian Noyes, a former art director of The Washington Post and Smithsonian Magazine, a student at the CIA in Hyde Park, and L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Related: The Clifton Luxury Boutique In Charlottesville
The Conservatory At Goodstone
36205 Snake Hill Road
Middleburg, VA 20117
(540) 687-3333
www.goodstone.com
The Conservatory in Loudoun County is one of the most romantic restaurants in Northern Virginia. As the signature restaurant of the Goodstone Inn, the Conservatory offers a farm-to-table dining experience and an award-winning wine list. Guests may choose the Prix Fixe Menu at $79 for two courses, $89 for three classes, the Chef Tasting Menu for $115 with Wine Pairings for $75, or Vegetarian Tasting for $105 with Wine Pairings for $75. The Goodstone Inn and the Conservatory have received several recent awards, like Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence and OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in America.
The Whole Ox
8357 W. Main St.
Marshall, VA 20115
(540) 724-1650
www.thewholeox.com
The Whole Ox is another phenomenal option in Marshall for lunch or an early dinner. As the name suggests, this family-owned business specializes in high-quality, sustainable meats sourced from local farms. Founded in 2011 by Derek Luhowiak and Marshall native Amanda Wyne Luhowiak, the Whole Ox offers dine-in and take-out options, with a remarkably affordable Butcher’s Bar Lunch Menu available Tuesdays through Saturdays until 6 p.m.
Bonus Selections
A visit to Northern Virginia wine country may not be truly complete without a visit to the double-decker bus and restaurants in downtown Marshall’s Decker Square.
Bubble Decker
8374 W. Main St.
Marshall, VA 20115
(703) 952-5992
www.thebubbledecker.com
Originally unveiled last September, Bubble Decker is a premium wine bar and one of two British double-decker buses in Decker Square. One of a small collection of double-decker businesses in America, Bubble Decker is the fantastic creation of Randy and Karen Phillips, who are better known as the proud owners of Cave Ridge Vineyard in the Shenandoah Valley and the former site for the double-decker grand opening.
Johnny Monarch’s
8374 W. Main St.
Marshall, VA 20115
(540) 878-3555
Johnny Monarch is yet another extraordinary local business led by another extraordinary businessman – Brian L. Lichorowic. Described as the “fourth of sixth generations of kindred restaurateurs…”, Brian retired from the tech industry well before age 40 to attend classes at the Culinary Institute of America and in France, then to eventually co-found/lead Feed Bag Foods LLC, a unique culinary service based in the even smaller nearby community of The Plains.
Update: Johnny Monarch is no longer in business.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS Radio, Engadget, and Radio.com.
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