West Virginia: Wild, Wonderful and Decadent

Greetings from Virginia!  As many of you know, I spent a few, much needed, weeks at home with family and friends.  The time flew by but I was definitely able to enjoy quality time with many loved ones!  I will compose another entry with more details but this entry is focused on the spa and wine getaway enjoyed by Mom and I -- West Virginia -- wild, wonderful and decadent!

As I planned my trip home, Mom and I discussed taking a short drive to West Virginia.  I brought up the idea of going to a bed and breakfast, seeing what West VA has to offer ... more than just the casino.  After doing some internet browsing we chose Hillbrook Inn (http://www.hillbrookinn.com/).

Prior to arriving, we booked 1) facial and massage appointments upon arrival, 2) 5-course dinner with wine pairing for Friday night and 3) wine tour for Saturday afternoon. We were NOT disappointed! The property is green, serene, private and idyllic for a peaceful getaway.  Just what I needed!  We arrived an hour early so we ventured immediately to the spa to enjoy our facial and massage.  After being in the car for 2 hours, that was a great idea!  The massage was ok - I would have preferred more pressure but the facial was amazing!  The spa uses great products which left my skin dewy (http://www.hillbrookinn.com/spa/spa-products/)!  I actually purchased two of the products to take home with me!

After the spa we formally checked in and upon check in we were greeted warmly with a smile, a welcome drink (prosecco and fresh fruit juice) and an offer to tour the property.

The Hillbrook Inn has quite an interesting history! Hillbrook Inn was actually built during the 'roaring 20s' by Brigadier General Frank E. Bamford on land that was once owned and farmed by President George Washington!  He designed the house after an inn he stayed at frequently after World War I in Normandy.  While there, of course, has been updates and modifications, it remains quaint and gorgeous!

Warm guest welcome

Sitting room and bar

Fine dining

Sunroom - breakfast with a view!

After our welcome drink and tour, Mom and I went to the room.  We chose the Tranquility Cottage. The room was very nice offering a full kitchen, large bathroom complete with jacuzzi tub, vanity mirror and sink, plus a large shower that offered four pulsating jets. The bedroom offered a large queen bed and fireplace.  There was also a queen pull out sofa in the sitting room.

After we settled in, we changed our clothes and made our way back to the main house for the 5-course dinner with wine pairing.  The 5-course dinner with wine pairing was a total of $110 per person.  But my oh my was it decadent!

The menu.  We were prepared for our taste buds
to be amazing and they were!

My gorgeous mother

Pre-appetizer: chicken salad with cucumber
on toast.  It was really good.  We wanted
another bite!

Wine pairing for courses 1 & 2.
Perfect pairing!

Course 1.  The salad was quite good.
The pesto was fresh and provided amazing flavor!

Course 2:  Before this meal, I had never heard of vichyssoise.
The server explained it is a thick soup made with
pureed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream and chicken stock.
It is traditionally served cold but can be served hot.  Ours was
served cold but I wish it was served hot!  It was good and I am
glad I tried a new dish!

Wine pairing for Course 3.

Course 3:  swordfish.  This was only ok.
I felt my swordfish was overcooked and
was rubbery but the flavor was good so
I enjoyed half of the dish. It really paired
well with the wine choice!

Wine pairing for Course 4.

Course 4:  rib-eye.  Now ... anyone that knows me
KNOWS I like my meat medium well.  When they
served the rib-eye medium I thought "oh no..." BUT
I was not going to insult the chef and ask for it to be cooked longer.
So I picked up my steak knife, sliced a small bite, closed my eyes and placed
the small bite in my mouth.  My eyes opened in surprise - AMAZING!
The collard greens were also perfect!  The wine pairing was well chosen!
Mom and I could do this dish over and over and OVER again!

Wine pairing for Course 5.

Course 5:  Bourbon pecan blondie with blueberries and
fresh cream.  Wow, perfect ending to this delicious meal!
I actually enjoyed the bubbly paired with this dish after dessert.
Overall a very decadent AND enjoyable meal!

After dinner Mom and I ventured to the casino.  Lady Luck must have taken off that night ... I digress haha

The next morning Mom and I woke up, got dressed and arrived at the main house for our 9:45am breakfast sitting.  I have never been to a bed and breakfast before and to be catered to was quite nice! I advised them I do not like eggs, oatmeal, cooked fruit and mushrooms.  The chef modified breakfast both mornings to ensure that I was able to enjoy breakfast. They also added my preferences to my guest profile so that if (WHEN) I ever return my preferences would be on file.  Both mornings Mom and I chose a table in the sunroom so we could enjoy a view of the grounds.  We were lucky to also see cardinals, bluejays and butterflies dancing on the sunbeams ...

Breakfast course 1:  french toast with
warm blueberry maple syrup, fresh OJ
and coffee.

Breakfast course 2 for Mom:  mushroom,
rocket and cheese quiche with bacon.

Breakfast course 2 (for me):  fruit cup
(raspberries, blackberries and grapes), bacon,
swiss cheese and pastries.

Breakfast course 1 (day 2):  fresh, flaky,
cinnamon pasty with icing and blueberries.
This was REALLY good!

Breakfast course 2 (day 2)  sausage and fresh
peach halves.  Mom ate most of the peach --
I knew she wanted it because she kept staring,
coveting haha  (not pictured is Mom's second course.
She enjoyed a potato and sausage egg bake)

On Saturday, after a wonderful breakfast, Mom and I relaxed and walked the grounds a little before they picked us up at noon for the wine tour.

A game of chess anyone?

Queens

The wine tour is $85 per person and covers transportation to three wine farms, all tastings and cheese tasting at the first farm.  I would, OF COURSE, recommend the wine tasting tour!  We went to three farms:  Northgate (http://www.northgatevineyard.com/), 8 Chains North (http://8chainsnorth.com/) and Doukenie (http://8chainsnorth.com/).  After enjoying the wine at all three farms, Mom and I agreed that Northgate winery was our favorite!

Northgate:  award winning!

Northgate:  the cheese tasting.

Mom posing at 8 Chains North.

8 Chains North views.

8 Chains North:  chocolate and wine pairing.
Mom and I actually enjoyed the chocolate more
than we enjoyed the wine ...

Doukenie views.

Doukenie:  time to taste some wine!

Doukenie:  comforting inside view.
The wine was just ... ok.

After a wonderful wine tour, Mom and I returned to the room to relax, hydrate and get dressed for dinner.

Mom and I decided to enjoy yet another decadent dinner.  We called our taxi and went to the casino. We made our way through the casino and to The Final Cut steakhouse (http://www.hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com/dining/Final%20Cut). Dinner for two (pictured below) was $200 (tip included) and was worth every.single.bite (or sip)!

To ... cleanse the pallet ... a glass of
Tiamo (prosecco).

Soup:  broccoli with white cheddar
crouton.  This soup was AMAZING.
Full of flavor, great texture and the
crouton was so so good!

Salad:  Cesar.  WHY are their croutons
so big and so delicious!  The salad is a good size
so Mom and I easily split in half.  The pictured is half
portion.

Family size side:  truffle macaroni
and cheese.  When I say this was the best thing
I ate all weekend -- TRUTH!  I tried to stop eating it.
I failed ... failed miserably haha but SO WORTH
EVERY CALORIE!  A must try!

Malbec with my steak.  Great wine -
great pairing!

Main course:  Mom and I both selected the 8oz filet.
I chose a pepper sauce while Mom chose the hollywood steak
sauce.  We did request medium well (some habits are hard
to break) and the steak remained juicy, tender and full of flavor.

After dinner, bellies full, Mom and I thought we would look for Lady Luck again. She, clearly, remained 'out of the office' the second night as well haha but this time we played longer with Mom enjoyed roulette and me enjoying poker.

While Mom and I may have lost at the casino, we definitely WON the weekend!  We planned a decadent weekend in West Virginia and that is exactly what we enjoyed! Upon our return we found the Hillbrook Inn listed at an amazing rate on Living Social! If you purchase now, you must travel until December 22 - it is a great deal! If I were going to be home from Zambia earlier in December, Mom and I would book again for a winter stay!

If you are on snapchat, follow me at: pmkenney79!  Have a wonderful week!