The Inn at Little Washington's July 4th Event & Spring Menu

Spring Has Fully Arrived on the Menu at The Inn at Little Washington

In Washington, Virginia — population a few hundred, Michelin stars three — The Inn at Little Washington has been busy this spring. Chef Patrick O'Connell and his team have added new dishes to the current menu, named a fan-chosen chocolate dessert, caught the attention of Bon Appétit's editor-in-chief, and announced what may be the most memorable Fourth of July event in the region's history. Here's everything that's new.

New Dessert: 'The Spring Tree-O'

The Inn's newest dessert arrived this week with considerable fanfare — and it earns it. The Spring "Tree-O" features three miniature Bavarian creams in lychee, orange, and yuzu, designed to resemble blossoms freshly plucked from an orchard. In the Inn's own words, the dessert "blossoms on the plate" and the flavors "scream spring while dazzling the eye as well as the palate with their intense flavors and colors."

It's the kind of dish that was made to be photographed — and then savored slowly.

On the 'Here and Now' Menu: Colossal White Asparagus

Also new to the table: a dish built around rare Colossal White Asparagus, nestled in a sorrel gelée and crowned with Dijon espuma, Virginia country ham, crispy leeks, and a beet-pickled quail egg. The dish appeared on the Inn's Easter Sunday tasting menu and remains part of the current "Here and Now" seasonal menu — meaning it's available now, for however long the season allows.

White asparagus this size is genuinely hard to source, and the supporting cast of sorrel, country ham, and beet-pickled quail egg reads like a love letter to Virginia's spring larder.

'Total Lunar Eclipse': A Fan-Named Chocolate Dessert

In a fun bit of participatory dining, Chef O'Connell recently invited submissions to name a new chocolate dessert — and received nearly 2,000 entries. The winner: "Total Lunar Eclipse," submitted by Emily Pettit Holder. The dessert is now on the current menu and was also featured on the Easter Sunday tasting menu. No further details on its composition were provided, but the name alone sets a high bar.

Bon Appétit Stops In for Breakfast

The Inn's spring moment got an additional boost when Bon Appétit Editor-in-Chief Jamila Robinson paid a visit and wrote about the breakfast experience. Highlights she noted: smoked salmon rosettes on potato galettes, house-made yogurt with berries and granola, and a flight of freshly squeezed Virginia farm juices. The piece is published at bonappetit.com — and if that doesn't make a weekend reservation feel urgent, nothing will.

Book Now for July 4–5: America's 250th Birthday Celebration

Looking further ahead, The Inn has announced what may be its most ambitious event yet: a two-day Independence Day house party honoring America's 250th birthday, running July 4–5, 2026.

The itinerary, as described by the Inn, includes:

Live music
An all-American poolside soirée
Carriage rides through the village of Washington
An eight-course dinner in the Michelin dining room
Fireworks over the lake, viewed from the formal garden

The event is described as intimate and limited in capacity. If this is on your radar, early reservations are essential — visit the Inn's website directly for details and availability.

Planning Your Visit

Address: 309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747
Phone: (540) 675-3800
Website: theinnatlittlewashington.com
July 4–5 Event: Reserve directly through the Inn's website; seating is limited
Current Spring Menu: Includes Colossal White Asparagus, The Spring Tree-O, and Total Lunar Eclipse chocolate dessert

Menu items are subject to change based on seasonal availability. Details on the July 4th celebration pricing and full program are available through the Inn's website.