August 5 was our 14th wedding anniversary. We always like to do something special foodwise and also, historic. Dining at the Halfway House was the perfect option. Established in 1760 as a tavern, inn, and coaching house, the dining room was in the “basement”. The walls are original brick, the floor, original brick and grooved by many feet. Three fireplaces: one at both ends of the dining room and one in the center. Colonial décor circa 1760 was the look. Warm brick and wood, simple wooden tables, brass candlesticks and chandeliers was a lovely backdrop to excellent food.
Some of their specials and regulars include a filet mignon topped with fresh Chesapeake Bay blue crab lump meat, a pasta topped with fresh Bay scallops and shrimp in a spicy Creole tomato sauce, crabcakes made from the same fresh crabmeat, and the night of our dinner – prime rib. We ordered the prime rib.
When it arrived, our jaws dropped. A gorgeous rib of probably a good pound weight covered the plate. It was surrounded by flavorful aus jus and a ramekin of freshly grated horseradish. Accompaniments included a twice baked potato (almost a whole baking potato!) stuffed with potato mashed with sour cream, sharp cheddar, fresh chives and parsley and butter and the other side were sautéed fresh tiny local green beans. My husband had the appetizer of Onion Soup Gratinee’. The broth was redolent of brandy, thyme, freshly ground black pepper and full of sweetly caramelized onion. A homemade crouton topped it and was covered with bubbly Gruyere cheese. I took several bites. My appetizer was a salad made of local Manakin greens (a farm that caters to local restaurants with organic, fresh, unique veggies and salad greens. The excellent housemade dressing was a Roquefort vinaigrette – refreshing and full of bits of tasty cheese.
And as if this were not enough, the bread basket consisted of hot yeast and cinnamon rolls, both made from a recipe originated in the late 1800’s. Homemade butter from the Manakin farm was offered to slather all over the hot rolls. I would have been happy with just the bread basket! The prime rib was melting tender and full of flavor provided by a rub of a variety of peppercorns, fleur de sal, garlic, rosemary.
My husband toasted. As we clicked champagne flutes he said: To my beautiful bride and to our marriage. I pray we will have 14 x 14 more years of happiness and love and that each day, our love grows deeper.
When it a
Aug 06, 2014 @ 17:40:12
This is so romantic. Another Happy 14th Anniversary to both of you.
A wonderful and inviting restaurant. Nice. I love everything fresh and from scratch. I’m itching for a good steak now. Yum. ❤
Where did you put all that food, Kanzen?
Aug 06, 2014 @ 19:00:47
Haha. I brought half home as did BooBoo. Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2014 21:40:13 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Aug 07, 2014 @ 10:45:24
Ha ha. I was fascinated you might be able to clean up the plate. I end up taking home a doggy bag too. 😀
Aug 07, 2014 @ 11:25:35
We both brought home doggy bags….enough for a whole nother filling dinner for us….it was good the second go around! Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 14:45:26 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Aug 07, 2014 @ 15:13:19
😀 😀 😀
Aug 06, 2014 @ 19:25:53
What a loving and lovely celebration. Happy Anniversary and may your husband’s toast come to fruition with an extra dollop of 14 x 14 x 14! ❤
Aug 06, 2014 @ 19:35:05
Thank you! It was a lovely time – and excellent food!
Aug 06, 2014 @ 20:19:53
Wow, this is truly a romantic and special way to celebrate. Happy Anniversary, and many, many more.
Aug 06, 2014 @ 21:21:06
Thank you for the good wishes! Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 00:19:57 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Aug 06, 2014 @ 21:37:05
Dear Kanzen, Thank you for sharing all of this lusciousness: the special dinner and the love energy. Happy Anniversary! xo
Aug 06, 2014 @ 21:45:49
Thank you! xoxoxoxox Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 01:37:06 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Aug 06, 2014 @ 21:45:50
It sounds absolutely WONDERFUL, Kanzen – as does your husband !!!
(Just go back into your post and remove those three words at the end, yes ? – they detract somewhat from a SUPER post !)
I am truly happy for you that you had such an experience, for that’s all it can be described as. 😀
Aug 06, 2014 @ 21:51:33
Done and done! thank you for your advice on that. And thank you for the kind words.
Aug 06, 2014 @ 21:59:16
You never need to thank me: I only utter kind words if I’m pleased. 🙂
Aug 06, 2014 @ 22:01:51
I was taught to always say thank you for kindness and/or courtesy. Out of respect to my mama and my grandmother Ninny, I do. And I am glad you were pleased! This will have my email because I forgot and did this in my email instead of comments. 😎
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 01:59:19 +0000
To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Aug 07, 2014 @ 00:35:53
Happy wedding anniversary!! 🙂 Hope your lives will continue to be filled with magic, beauty, romance, and above all precious and sweet Love! 🙂 ❤
Aug 07, 2014 @ 11:43:27
Thank you dear Trini. Are you still in Norway? It’s good to hear your voice again. ❤ 🙂
Aug 07, 2014 @ 16:11:20
Yes, I am still in Norway! 🙂 I am sorry I have not commented so much on your posts…..I will be back though, just little much to do here 🙂
Aug 07, 2014 @ 16:19:02
Don’t worry. I am glad you are still in Norway and I know it is good to be back. I’ll be glad to see you when you get back. Take care of yourself and may angels of light guard you Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 20:11:22 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Aug 07, 2014 @ 16:19:49
You too my dear and lovely friend! 🙂
Aug 07, 2014 @ 03:28:39
Sounds Glorious!!!!!!!
Aug 07, 2014 @ 11:42:31
It was!!! I hope you and your dear lady are well. Also please let her know gentle Mac made a comment on my miso grilled corn. Neither of us had heard from him in ages. I let him know we had missed him.
Aug 07, 2014 @ 08:18:49
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary. Thanks for sharing the experience, it sounds wonderful. ❤
Aug 07, 2014 @ 11:44:11
Thank you very much. It was wonderful.
Aug 09, 2014 @ 10:23:35
Kanzen, Congratulations on your anniversity, what a wonderful event, and your celebration sounded oh so very good. The meal you described had me craving from the very beginning all the way to the end. What a special treat on such a special day. Take care and be safe. Bill.
Aug 09, 2014 @ 13:09:45
I swear, that prime rib was a full pound! thank you for your good wishes. Be good!!!