100 Years Old & Still Amazing!

Some things only improve with age. I’m not one of them! 😉  I can only dream of making it to 100, but I’m sure if I do, I won’t look anything like the picture below, which looks nothing like the girl I was in high school.  Oh well!  I’m happy, healthy and loving life!

But back to the things that do stand the test of time.  I’m sure 100 years ago when people dined under this chandelier, they thought it was just as amazing as I do today.  It is located in the Main Dining Room of the Greenbrier.  This year marks 100 years of people eating in the Main Dining Room.  It opened its doors in 1913!  That’s just cool for a history nerd like myself.  Imagining all the people with so many different backgrounds eating at the same table as me.  Cool!

While extensive menus can be fun to peruse, I really like when a menu has been pared down for me.  I know everything on it will be carefully prepared because the kitchen isn’t trying to make a million different things and it is also helpful when I can’t make up my mind.  As usual, I started with the drink menu.

 

I had the Mint Julep the last time I dined here.  I’m not a fan of Maker’s Mark, but felt the need to try it anyway.  This time I decided to have something that I knew I would enjoy, so I went with the Italian Sidecar: vanilla & orange infused Tuaca Liqueur, Cointreau and fresh lemon juice.

 

 

Before our first course arrived, we were  presented with an amuse bouche of caramelized pear terrine.  It was yummy and I wanted more.

My son’s first course was the Garlic Braised Escargot and Rabbit Leg with slow cooked yellow foot chanterelles, leeks, butter lettuce, & toasted hazelnuts served with lemon-parsley webby bread.  It was fantastic!  It doesn’t say that there was a sauce on it, but the juice in the bottom of the bowl was insanely delicious!

For my first course I had the chilled Tiger Shrimp poached in citrus bouillon with celery salad and preserved lemon.  The red sauce was a mixture of tomato and horseradish…which I LOVE!  The shrimp were amazing and I could tell they were poached in the citrus.  I don’t really care for celery, but the shavings of it were better than the usual way I eat it.  Overall, another winner!  My husband and daughter didn’t order from the first course section of the menu.  So moving on to the second course.

My husband ordered the Spring Greens salad which featured soft herbs, toasted Marcona almonds, chipped Manchego cheese and Meyer lemon vinaigrette.  Nothing special, in my opinion.  I loved the presentation, but there just wasn’t much exciting flavor.

My second course was the hearts of romaine salad.  That is a roasted tomato, anchovies and a very unique crouton ring on the top.  The peppercorn and parmesan dressing was yummy, but I am not a fan of whole anchovies.  Icky!  My son and daughter skipped the second course, so finally, the main course (number three).

Do you remember that game my family plays when dining out?  We try everyone’s main dish and then rank them from best to worst.  There was not one bad tasting thing between the four of us and we each liked our own meal the best.  Needless to say, we were one happy family. 🙂   I’ll start with my son’s braised spring lamb shank.  It sat on a white bean ragout, grilled fennel and scallion with pickled grape tomatoes.  Lamb is not my favorite meat, but my son loves it and he was thrilled with his meal.

My daughter finally got some food! 😉  She ordered the minted english pea ravioli.  I was in love with the presentation of this vegetarian dish.  Check out the little carrot forest…adorable!  Besides the peas, the ravioli had house made ricotta cheese.  Delish!

My husband stuck with his love of fish and ordered the Garlic and Orange basted Cobia fillet.  It was served with young beets, warm red quinoa salad,  and forked zucchini (basically mashed).  The sauces were yogurt and basil pesto.  Another great dish.  My husband loved it.  I loved the cobia dipped in the pesto.  But I still thought mine was the best.

My third course was the free range chicken and citrus poached lobster.  I was surprised that I ordered the chicken.  Not something I usually get in a restaurant because I can make it at home.  But this just sounded really good for some reason…and I was right.  OMG, it was amazing!  I don’t know if it was because it was free range chicken or the amazing sauce or the combo of both, but it was possibly the best chicken I have ever had.  The lobster was also fantastic.  I was VERY happy with my choice.

I forgot to take a picture of the dessert menu, but you know we had to get something.  And that something had to be chocolate!  Another beautiful presentation and a yummy ending to our fabulous meal.

Along with the bill came another sweet treat to lighten the blow.  🙂  My favorite was the homemade marshmallow.  We dined in several of the Greeenbrier’s restaurants and the Main Dining Room was my absolute favorite, by far!  Not everyone in my family agreed, but I’m right (as usual)!