A True Farm to Table Experience: Dinner at Haywood’s

Last weekend, I popped on over to Virginia to spend time on the farm with Nate and his family. It had only been a couple of weeks since my last visit, but the farm looked totally different and ready for spring! Me being the lucky lady that I am, Nate organized a date night for the two of us on Friday night. Normally we hole up on the farm and cook the amazing vegetables that are grown right there. This time, Nate and I got all dressed up and went into town to have dinner at Haywood’s. But, we didn’t stray too far from the norm because Paradox Farms is one of the suppliers of Haywood’s, so we were served our own vegetables all night long! I kept babbling about what a true “farm to table” experience it was. It was really cool to see everyone in the restaurant food that we had just seen being grown, and to think about the hands that picked it.

I have to hand it to Nate for planning a really special date night - all I had to do was show up. We drank fantastic wine and cocktails, enjoyed simple American fine dining, and the restaurant even surprised us with a special gluten-free dessert at the end. We had a blast chatting up the waiters and ended up singing along with the piano bar crooner and possibly doing some fraternity-style chanting to “Sweet Caroline”. We then went to the movie theatre around the corner to catch a viewing of “Insurgent”. It was a wonderful evening, and I’m still smiling about it! Thanks, Nate :).

Our Menu:

• Cocktails: I had “The Emily” which was made with citrus, vodka, and St Germaine. Pretty much the perfect Dani cocktail. Nate had “The Traveler” which was made with bourbon and a special ginger liqueur. Pretty much the perfect Nate cocktail!
• Wine: 2013 Argentinian Malbec “Juan Benegas”
• Starter: Tatsoi salad with sweet potato and candied pecans
• Mains: We shared the seared scallops and the steak with beet greens and potatos
• Sides: Kale cooked in bourbon and bacon (!!!!) and red pepper grits
• Dessert: Gluten free chocolate cake with ganache filling

I highly recommend swinging by Haywood’s if you find yourself in the Shenandoah Valley and Lexington, VA!

Menu featuring Paradox Farms

Me and my tasty cocktail - happy gal

My handsome date charming the waitress while I snap photos of our tatsoi salad

Right as I was getting real loopy from the drinks, our food arrived! We shared the scallops and the steak, with a side of kale and unpictured red pepper grits

Scallops

Steak and beet greens

Gluten free chocolate roulade (they use tapioca flour!) garnished with an edible flower

Nate: “Stop taking pictures of our food and let me eat!”

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