Mayor’s Mansion Inn at 801 Vine Street provides meals for the public on Friday and Saturday evening. Click to enlarge all our photos.
photo by Janet Wilson
We hadn’t been to the Mayor’s Mansion at 801 Vine Street since the dining room opened for business. The last time we were there, it was the Adams-Hilborne. Some remodeling has been done, and it is even lovelier than our last visit.
The décor is exquisite and offers a quiet, candlelit, romantic evening while soft music plays in the background. There was just one other couple having dinner on the Saturday we were there – they were celebrating their third anniversary. There is a misconception that you must be a guest at the Bed and Breakfast in order to dine but that is not correct. The dining room is open to the public each Friday and Saturday evening – just call and make a reservation.
The service was excellent, as our server, Stephen, timed every course perfectly, along with being attentive to everything we needed. The menu is pre-set – everyone has the same meal on any given date. I would suggest checking to see what the menu will be in case there are items you do not eat.
On our visit, after our order was taken, we were served bread fresh from John Sweet at Niedlov’s Breadworks, to munch on prior to our first course, Greek Lemon Egg Soup with Chicken and Wild Rice. The soup was a nice, creamy consistency, but a tad on the salty side for me. Wayne prefers more salt than I do so it was perfect for him.
The second course was an Orange and Walnut Salad with Vinaigrette. Both of us found this to be delicious. The Mandarin Oranges were a nice accompaniment to the Walnuts and a definite winner.
The third course was the main entrée, Joye’s Osso Buco with Broiled Tomatoes and Herb Polenta and Sage. Osso Buco is an Italian dish made of veal shanks braised with Olive Oil, White Wine, stock, onions, tomatoes, garlic, carrots, celery, lemon peel and if you so desire, anchovies. Our only disappointment regarding the entrée was the veal – it was extremely tough with too much gristle. Neither of us could eat much of it, so we ended up taking it home.
We both liked the Polenta. It was a little different than most I have eaten where it is served similar in consistency to grits or mashed potatoes. This was of a heavier consistency and sliced – tasty just the same. I especially enjoyed the Broiled Tomatoes, while Wayne liked the Green Beans best.
The fourth course was probably my favorite – Chocolate Meringue Pie with lightly toasted meringue. You could actually taste the cocoa in the pie.
Other dinners coming up which you might want to partake in are October 11 - Chicken Marsala with a side of pasta and Broccoli (Italian Cream Cake for dessert) - $24; October 24 – Roast Turkey with Chestnut Dressing, Smashed Potatoes and Chef’s Choice of Sides (Pumpkin Cheesecake for dessert) - $25; and November 22 – Roasted Duck with Wild Rice and Seasonal Vegetables (Hazelnut Orange Mocha Cake for dessert) - $26. All meals are served with soup and salad as well. Of course, the Mayor’s Mansion Inn serves these types of dinners every Friday and Saturday, unless they are closed for a special event. Just check with them for a date you might want.
The Mayor’s Mansion Inn is also one of the restaurants you will find in the Adventures Coupon Book, which we will have sometime in November for those wanting to purchase them for holiday gifts.
Remember – the Mayor’s Mansion Inn is open to the public for dinner each Friday and Saturday evening (unless closed due to a special event). Simply call and make your reservations.
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