Jessica our new gardener, planting our crops here at the inn with the cows watching over

The inn gardens in Shenandoah Valley are in full swing here at L’Auberge Provencale.  We are harvesting all our fresh herbs, lettuce, radishes, sorrel, chives and garlic from the garden already.  I can almost taste the fresh tomatoes that will be here soon.

Some bunnies have taken an interest in the garden as well.  I know they are everyone’s furry friends, but in this case they can be just a little pesky.  It is a good thing they are so very cute.

The orchard has been trimmed this year by a local orchard expert and the trees have not been hit by a frost.  It looks like it will be a good year for peaches, plums, pears, apples, cherries, apricots, nectarines and even paw paws.  The trees are loaded with fruit and are going to produce a mighty harvest this year.  We will keep Barbara busy making her famous jams, jellies, chutneys and infused oils and vinegar.

We are also getting fresh morels, fiddle head ferns and local asparagus.  This time of year is the favorite of our chefs with the freshest and best available.  Chef Scott and Chef Garrett are making tasty morsels for our Spring menu and for our customers this is the best time of year to visit and dine with us at our farm to table restaurant La Table Provencale at our Shenandoah Valley Inn.

Baby sheep grazing in the lush grass of our neighbors farm by the Villa La Campagnette

Apple Blossom Time in the Orchard

The Shenandoah Valley local farming community has been busy this year preparing for an authentic Shenandoah Valley Thanksgiving. We can procure so much of our harvest dinner from Farm to Table. Fields of Athenry is supplying us with some super White Turkey (the breed) this year which we will be brine and roast with our special blend of herbs and seasonings from the fields and garden. In a playful way we are de-constructing the usual sides and finding fun and whimsical ways to showcase some traditional dishes.

Smoked Hickory Syrup Foie Gras

Hickory Syrup, harvested from local hickory trees will be featured on this year menu. We have been loving it for its nutty smokey flavors. The process unlike maple syrup which is tapped, is made by smoking hickory bark and harvesting the syrup. It is just fabulous! Wild boar, sweet potato confit, Pumpkin butter, with fresh foraged Juniper Jus, mushroom bread pudding and funyun powder and smoked hickory syrup foie gras make this a truly mouth watering feast. Arrive early to the Shenandoah Valley and take a crisp walk at the Virginia State Arboretum before or after dinner, just minutes from our Northern Virginia Bed & Breakfast.

Call early for reservations: 1-540-837-1375. We will be serving from 12:00-7:00 pm.

We all should take a few minutes to be thankful for all the blessings of the year. Here at L’Auberge Provencale we also will be sending our prayers to our fellowman in New York and New Jersey who are still facing so many challenges.

Come out to our romantic Virginia restaurant to celebrate the one who means the most…your MOM! We will be serving brunch and dinner on Sunday, May 13th at our Virginia Wine Country bed and breakfast inn.

Brunch will be served from 11:30-2:30; Dinner 2:30-8:00 pm. The Mother’s Day Menu will feature local produce, local procured meats and seasonal ingredients. What a time of year to feast on Fresh foraged greens, Morels, Asparagus, Rhubarb, French radishes, and great greens and herbs from our own gardens and farms of the Shenandoah Valley. And don’t forget our secret house-made Bloody Mary Mix served with Peppered Vodka or perhaps a Provence Royal…Rose Petal Champagne.  For Dad, we have a great selection of microbrewery beers and 98 Scotches and Bourbons.

You may want to stop by Blandy Farm, the State Arboretum, for the Mother’s Day Plant Sale and Garden Fair. The weather is supposed to be beautiful on Sunday and a stroll through the Arboretum and perhaps purchasing an indigenous plant from our great state of Virginia makes the day complete.

Give us a call and we will be happy to secure your reservation! We will have Al Fresco dining available that day, weather permitting. Experience a day in France just minutes away. If the kids aren’t in town we still have a few rooms left. Why not rekindle the romance and enjoy at getaway with the love of your family life at our Virginia Wine Country inn!

We are currently featuring a great list of new desserts at L’Auberge Provencale. We’ve introduced some sweet-tooth and taste-bud-pleasing winners on the Dessert Menu at our French Restaurant in Northern Virginia!

Filo Cinnamon Apple Crisp Appletini Sorbet

Dried Apple Chips, Chateau Hallet Sauterne Sauce, Maple Cream

Flight of Sorbets

Strawberry, Pineapple, Kiwi, Cornucopia Tuile

Warm Clementine Maltaise

Spanish Clementines Grand Marnier Sabayon

Chocolate French Connection

Hazelnut Mousse, Chocolate Bête Noir, Mocha Sorbet,

Chambord Pot au Crème, Grand Marnier Ganache

Trio of Banana

Banana Bread Pudding with Armagnac Anglaise,

Banana Foster on Vanilla Cheese-cake,

Banana Cream Tart

We hope to see you soon at our Romantic Virginia B&B!

The first Living Social Cooking Class at our Shenandoah Valley Bed and Breakfast was held Wednesday Dec 21.

The participants’ summary of the hands-on experience was “Perfect”, “Fabulous”, “What Fun”…

They enjoyed working hard at preparing:

-Roasted Squab

-Coffee Scented Macomber Turnips

-Glazed Chestnuts

-Brussel Sprouts

To the left you can see Chef Jacob Jananski tasting the fare prepared by guests at our Shenandoah Valley Restaurant.

Argentina Asado & Wine Tasting

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2011

2PM- 6PM

Join Madame Celeste Borel, Senor Gonzales, and the Chefs of L’Auberge Provençale for an afternoon on the terrace…Traditional grilled meats and seafood will be served buffet style, while you sip bold and hearty Argentinian wine and enjoy one last summer day dining Al Fresco.

LIVE MUSIC BY THE J.N.G.’S

CALL TO RESERVE NOW, LIMITED SEATING

540.837.1375

$125 per Person

$165 On ANY Premier Room or Suite

Valid only on stay Sunday, September 25, 2011

Includes Gourmet Breakfast for Two at our Shenandoah Valley Inn

Must attend wine tasting. Not valid with any other discount.

Check In 3:00pm    Check Out 11:00am

Pastry Chef Duane Copeland is spoiling us with this month’s sweet treat recipe from L’Auberge Provencale. Be sure to try it out and tell us what you think!

It was a beautiful day on June 26^th – hot, humid and a chance of rain, typical of early summer days in the Shenandoah Valley. Thirty lucky guests joined us indoors at L’Auberge Provencale for a cool, leisurely lunch in our Sunny Peach Dining Room. The ambiance was reminiscent of all that is Southern France and the essence that is Provence.

The “Taste of Provence” wasn’t merely just another wine dinner – it was a Wine Experience.  Guests dined around round tables, adorned in crisp cream linens and fresh garden flowers picked that afternoon.  Rosemary bread and fresh baked French Baguettes were drenched in our house-infused Garlic and Herb Olive Oil. Our guests embarked on the traditions and customs hidden behind Provençale Cuisine; great conversation, food and wine!

The wines and food, paired perfectly with much thought and collaboration by L’Auberge Provençale’s Executive Chef, Jacob Jasinski, Madame Celeste Borel and Wine Consultant, Jason Bise of Country Vintner Distributors. Every taste was a delight to all the senses. In between the flights of fare, Jason Bise took time to educate the party on the riches behind each region we were visiting in our minds and palates. Highlights of the meal started with the Caramelized Onion Mushroom Tartlet next to a bed of Oysters in Sorrel, Caviar and Citrus. The second and third flights showed off Chef Jasinski’s talent for Duck Galantine, Petite Bouillabaisse, A Duet of Gazpacho, and not to overdo it, House Cured Duck Ham & Foie Gras Royale. Just when guests thought it couldn’t be topped, Chef Jasinski sent out Local Lamb Rack & Loin and Slow Cooked Culotte, which melted like butter in everyone’s mouth. The fifth and final flight ended the afternoon on a sweet note; showing off Citrus Crepes Suzette and Apricot Tart Tatin with cool serving of Nougat Ice Cream, a specialty of our Pastry Chef, Duane Copeland.

The company, food and wine told the perfect story of an afternoon dining delight in sun splashed hills of the Southern Region of Provence. We thank each of our guests who made the journey to Provence with us that Sunday afternoon in June. We look forward to our subsequent Wine Dinner next month.

Stay Tuned…

Our next Wine Dinner will be in August, 2011

Date & Time to follow

Featuring Wine Importer & Author, Roy Cloud

To Burgundy and Back Again: A Tale of Wine, France, and Brotherhood

Reviewed 5.0 out of 5.5 Stars on Amazon.com

Read the Editorial Reviews

The menu will feature wines handpicked from Roy’s book and travels through France.

Autographed books will be available for purchase.

Spring has sprung, summer is here and so are our fresh garden vegetables and herbs!

After the long cold winter and a wet rainy spring, we’re ready to serve the bounty of our gardens to our guests. The seedlings and sprouts have turned full bloom and our chefs are ecstatic to be able to use the crisp, garden-fresh delights.

Cultivated in our very own backyard, handpicked daily by our talented team of chefs and primed and groomed in our kitchen (the heart of the house) every piece of produce is not only a source of nourishment, but also a source of passion. Delivered for your dining delight every morning and evening, summer is the locavore’s dream, and the ideal time to visit the Shenandoah Valley.

Here at L’Auberge Provencale we take much pride in our green thumbs. Tended day after day with much love and care, our gardens and orchard provide gifts that keep giving and are the true inspiration behind our menus.

Salads of fresh harvested Garden Lettuce, Duck Galantine served with Orchard Cherries (pickled onsite), Mishima Ranch Wagyu Beef Culotte resting on a bed of Smoked Carrot Puree, a palate-pleasing presentation of Stewed Peppers and Zucchini Butter, or how about a Watermelon Mojito with Fresh Mint… it’s all blooming in our own backyard! If we don’t have it, one of the local farmers will. Look for Alain at the local farmers markets stocking up on local peaches and strawberries to be mixed with the splendors of our herb gardens and turned into jam for breakfast (don’t forget to take a jar of Provence home – our house-made jams and chutneys are available for sale!)

We summon you to treat yourself to our piece of Provence in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, not only will you enjoy the freshest possible cuisine prepared by the area’s best chefs, but you will leave knowing you helped support the local economy and the environment.