Inn at Little Washington

WASHINGTON. People gladly make the 90-minute trip from DC for the Inn's exquisite food and its luxurious setting, inspired by the Windsor Castle dairy room. Seasonal dishes like pan-roasted Maine lobster with grapefruit, orzo and citrus butter sauce showcase owner-chef Patrick O'Connell's creativity and attention to detail. Desserts are equally sublime – the molten-centered chocolate cake with roasted-banana ice cream tends to send palates soaring. Factor in the impressive 14,000-bottle wine cellar, and it's easy to see why the Inn is one of America's top restaurants.