Getaway Guide: Country Inns
We've come a long way since horse and buggy travelers would break the journey at strategically placed country inns. They'd stable the horse, brush the dust from their duds, then dine on familiar food and quaff tankards of ale -- maybe spend the night. But a significant number of those historic inns still exist and can trace their origins in centuries. Many are still serving up familiar dishes and quaffable beverages, and some even offer overnight rooms. Here are a few of my favorites. – Jay Lloyd
It may have been an appropriate stop after a visit to the nearby Boyertown Museum, which tracks Pennsylvania's role in over-the-road-travel, including everything from Conestoga wagons to a horse-drawn hearse and a tiller-steered horseless carriage. The Yellow House hotel, with its covered stable, was a stop on the road that connected Philadelphia with Reading. A lunch here in its period-furnished dining room with a rich mahogany bar was time capsule dining. Snapper soup is a staple, and the traditional chopped sirloin was blanketed in rich mushroom gravy. The menu for lunch and dinner roams from local barnyard to deep sea. If you want to stay over and explore the Oley Valley, rooms are rented for an average of $80, including breakfast.
A leisurely drive in the country to a preserved crossroads village leads to Sunday Brunch at this inn, with its mesmerizing view of a fast-flowing, pristine stream. The bloody marys can be smooth or hot. Mimosas are the ticket for a tingle. It's a bracing start to the final day of the weekend. Then eat light or hearty -- eggs, steak or both. The menu is wide and varied with all the usual suspects. The Inn's dining room and bar attracts a loyal following from Chester and Berks Counties for fin, fur and feather food, but it's the Sunday brunch that draws from far and wide. Stay overnight with breakfast for between $125 and $250 a night.
It's been barely two weeks since I was teased by the most tender lamb shank I've ever consumed -- the kind of stuff that cravings are made of. Unfortunately, Innkeeper Eduard Knechtl told me he'd only have it when it's available, so now, I'll call first. But the Bay Pony Inn has never disappointed on traditional dishes or Eduard's creations. The Inn occupies the center of the small village of Lederach, close to the golf course in central Montgomery County. The dining room and lounge have a warm, homey, somewhat European feel, and a trolley car attached to the preserved inn serves as an intimate luncheon nosh niche. Here's a tip: The Bay Pony, among other things, is known for its calves liver and onions. If you don't see it or any other favorites on the menu, ask. Eduard often has them tucked away. Just leave room for the crème brulee!
Woodside was once a classic Pennsylvania summer resort near the Perkiomen Creek, but it was falling on hard times. A couple of years ago, Rick and Gail Buckman, who own neighboring Spring Mountain, looked across the road and saw the possibilities. Now, Woodside Lodge is completely renovated to retain the flavor of a storied past coupled with an upbeat feel that draws a crowd to the winter slopes and summertime zip line action. The restaurant and lounge has become a local magnet with its contemporary and traditional American menu. Think gumbo and bouillabaisse, burgers and crab cake sliders. A recent meal of scallops and shrimp on spinach fettuccine (served as a "special") was a knockout. An overnight stay offers a chance to explore the Perkiomen Valley. Accommodations are mini suites consisting of bedroom, sitting room and bath and range from $130 to $140 a night including breakfast.
When he got to Georgetown, Maryland on the banks of the Sassafras River, Admiral Sir George Cockburn, the man who burned the White House and most of Georgetown during the war of 1812, spared the house on the hill owned by Miss Kitty Knight. Some say it was the best little bawdy house in Maryland. But lately, as a focus of 1812 festivals, Kitty's reputation has been polished up a bit. The Kitty Knight House serves leisurely dinners and on summer weekends, is the backdrop for dancing on a broad deck overlooking the harbor where Sir George once dropped anchor. The view from the outdoor deck bar at sunset is spectacular. At Kitty Knight, the menu leans toward the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay, and you don't want to pass up the Maryland crab soup! Rooms for an overnight stay range from $115 to $180 a night including breakfast. Coming by boat, I've docked at the Georgetown Yacht Basin and Sailing Associates Marina. Both are a very short walk to the inn. The drive from Philadelphia and the western suburbs is about 1-1/2 hours.
Enjoy your country weekend!
