Ashby Inn Restaurant

We always enjoy winter stays in the Schoolhouse. On our first visit, we woke up to snow on the hill behind it, which felt magical. We’ve been coming to the Ashby Inn for about 20 years, probably six times, and it never disappoints. The hospitality in the rooms is excellent right down to the tiniest details, and the food and service are impeccable.

The food was beautifully prepared and elegantly served, though the portions felt very small for what they cost. I would have liked the option to add vegetable sides or salad greens. The service was very good, and the Inn handled the difficult winter weather well. I also loved the location beside Sky Meadows State Park, one of my favorite places to hike. My third-floor room had a four-poster bed, lovely decor, an en suite bathroom, and a view of the nearby hillsides.

The lamb was the main disappointment. It was nicely seasoned and seared, but the inside was much closer to raw than rare, so it was tough and unpleasant to eat. The foie-gras was sumptuous, though the portion was too large for me, and the rich sauce made it almost too much. Maybe most people wouldn’t mind that. There were some great courses too. The grilled octopus was phenomenal, though we try to avoid eating octopus for ethical reasons. The black truffle pasta was excellent, and the potato-crusted halibut was delicious with a just-right portion. The caramelized apple tart was one of the evening’s best courses, paired perfectly with Sauternes. All the wine pairings worked beautifully, and the sommelier was very knowledgeable and took time to explain each wine. We’ve dined at The Ashby several times and the food and service are usually excellent. The service was exemplary again, with attentive, friendly staff and comfortable pacing. We never felt rushed.

The fireplace room was cozy, but the first night the water pressure kept cutting in and out. I called the office twice and left a message. By the time we left two mornings later, no one had called back. I understand this isn’t a full-service hotel, but I’d expect someone to check the phone. At dinner on 12/28/25, the steak and lobster were fine, just not great for the price, and the nice service didn’t feel like it matched the cost either. Some light music would help. The dining room was so quiet at both dinner and breakfast that everyone whispered. Breakfast, which is for guests only, was very nice, with great service and a wide choice of dishes.