Tucked in Blagden Alley sits The Dabney, a one-Michelin-star restaurant boasting farm-to-table cuisine. Upon entering, you first notice its rustic elegance and the open kitchen where you can see your dishes being prepared. It is a stunning restaurant, and my wife and I could not wait to try the food.

First came the snacks. The Chicken Fried Red Pearl Onion with Caviar was a great way to begin the evening. The other standout snacks were the Valley Lamb Ham and the Shenandoah Seasonal Purple Broccoli. Both dishes were well-executed and extremely delicious, leaving us excited for the other courses.

The following courses included a first for my wife and me: lamb heart. The dish featured embered rutabaga and lamb heart with Shenandoah seasonal dinosaur kale, kohlrabi, and smoked feta. This complex dish had great flavor, with the lamb heart standing out for its meaty flavor and slight gaminess. The main dish of the night was the Rohan Duck. This dish celebrated each part of the duck, with grilled duck breast in caramelized citrus, duck confit with duck jus, duck drums in blueberry BBQ sauce, and a charred mokum carrot for freshness. My favorite part of this dish was the duck leg with blueberry BBQ sauce, which had the right amount of blueberry flavor without being overpowering.

Next came dessert. As someone who loves the peanut butter and chocolate combo, this dessert was perfect for me. Called the pumpernickel tart with popcorn anglaise and peanut praline, it featured a tart with chocolate and peanut butter cream topped with little pieces of popcorn. It was the perfect balance of sweet and salty and a great way to end the night. The Dabney is a warm and cozy place with delicious food. The service was outstanding, and it was a wonderful way to spend a special night. Definitely check it out for a special occasion and visit the restaurant’s website to see photos in the gallery!