Monday, September 8, 2014

Revolutionary lunch


Colonial Williamsburg eatery
Lunch at Chowning’s Tavern closed a brief visit to Colonial Williamsburg during our June trip to Virginia for a niece’s wedding. The décor, costumes, entertainment and menu provided a glimpse of life in those early days that led to the birth of the United States.

Server in a costume of the period
Our lunch stop served up a mix of modern amenities and historical accuracy. I was thankful for the mix. We had explored the historic district on foot. 

Temperatures had risen with the approach of noon, and the cool in the tavern was welcomed evidence of air conditioning. We were comfortable enough to  indulge in coffee for Husband Walter and hot tea for me.

Non-colonial sweeteners
The hot drinks arrived in china, not paper or Styrofoam hot cups. And there were also artificial sweeteners, another modern element that we appreciated.

Chowning’s Tavern was definitely not the fast food place of yesteryear, either. Patrons were taking in the surroundings, studying menus at a leisurely pace, and savoring the courses and banter with servers.

Stew with cornbread muffin and butter
The Brunswick stew hit the spot for me in flavor and serving size. Hubby ordered a beef trencher with caramelized onions and aged cheddar. All was well except the horseradish sour cream that accompanied the entree. He is not a fan of horseradish.

Colonial serenade
We also enjoyed the entertainment served with our lunch.

More tunes
A sweet finale to our meal gave me a walk down memory lane. For years I have been on the prowl for pecan pie that tastes like the delicious dessert my mother used to make. Until now every piece of pecan pie I have tried was cloyingly sweet.

Pecan tart
In the interest of personal family history, I have persevered in my search. Success at last! 

The Chowning’s honey-glazed pecan tart could have come straight out of my mother’s kitchen. Ahhhhhh, the sweet taste of history.


12 comments:

  1. i had a comment about all the colonial things and the people and costumes but when i saw the pecan tart... my mind blew and i am drooling. i love pecan pie and this looks even better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. forgot to say, the AC helps enjoy the times from the past a little more

    ReplyDelete
  3. I, too, am drooling over the pecan tart! You already had me going with your hubby's beef trencher with caramelized onions! And I didn't even see the pic. :) Looks like a great trip!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an amazing and interesting place! I am glad they do have SOME modern flourishes. The food looks wonderful, and so does the china!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love reading the stories of your travel experiences! You do such a wonderful job of making us feel a part of the experience! I could almost taste that pecan tart... Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such wonderful memories.
    Oh my, the pecan pie(tart)looks amazing.
    I agree that the AC makes all the difference in the world. Ours has been so expensive this summer. We have tried to stand the heat just as long as we can and then turn the AC on for a bit before bedtime. I am thankful we don't have the humidity though.
    Have a wonderful week Linda.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fun looking place. I am so happy you finally got that taste of home. Too often, we never recapture that elusive delight from our memories. Hope you took a bunch home with you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've always wanted to go to Williamsburg. I loved seeing these photos.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I guess hubby and I had better visit that restaurant in Virginia one of these days. That pie looks awesome. Glad you had such a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What fun. I remember that place didn't used to have AC...it was miserable in the summer and nice in the winter.

    ReplyDelete
  11. David is still searching for the perfect pecan pie. Slim pickings around here, however. Perhaps a trip to Williamsburg is in our future?

    I love the food in Williamsburg and have eaten there many times. Chowning's Tavern is very nice and on the main drag too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love going to places like the one you pictured. you sure seem to have hit a lovely spot on that occasion!

    ReplyDelete