Say Cheese—and Wine!
Here’s a fine small town where the wine inventory at the local gourmet shop outnumbers the resident population. At White Stone Wine & Cheese, owner Bruce Watson sells several hundred types of wine from all over the world, as well as a variety of cheeses, crackers, sauces, and fancy olive oils. In addition to lunch and dinner, tapas (rockfish tempura, fried goat cheese and tomato ravioli, mini citrus crab cakes with chipotle mustard) are available at the wine bar. The best meal deal? The Saturday night prix-fixe dinners: For $29.99 you get a four-course meal—and, of course, wine. 572 Rappahannock Dr. 804-435-2000.
A Baubles & Buys
Ashton’s lower level showcases gifts galore (fab faux cocktail rings, sassy note cards, sweet baby clothing, preppy pet fashions). But upstairs, it’s part art gallery, part home furnishings boutique. It was hard to say goodbye without snagging one of the edgy, abstract paintings by local artist Anthony Mullins and the tear drop-shaped lamp, topped with a patterned drum shade. 422 Chesapeake Dr. 804-436-8300.
Penny for Your Thoughts
Brought to you by the folks who own Paperback Writer (do we detect a Beatles affinity?), Penny Lane stocks hard-to-find antiques and salvaged collectibles for the home and yard (this was the only place we’ve seen a six-foot-tall Statue of Liberty—you’ll find her next to the unicycle). Our favorite find during the treasure hunt? A $4,900, circa-1882 Monticello chair (also called a gondola chair), named after Jefferson’s estate. 349 Chesapeake Dr. 804-436-1984 or http://www.pennylaneantiques.com.
Whip Up a Cup
Take time to smell the coffee at Paperback Writer, a cozy cafe/book/gift shop, where locals go to chill out with a good read and cup o’ joe. Be sure to cap off your cappuccino with Latham’s homemade chocolate whipped cream (whipping cream, half-and-half, brown and white sugar, cocoa, and vanilla). Lunch items await as well, not to mention cards and gifts, such as CDs and unique jewelry. 367 Chesapeake Dr. 804-436-9339 or http://www.paperbackwriterinc.com.
Out of the Box
Home décor just got a little funkier on the Northern Neck, thanks to two stories of treasures in The Box in White Stone. The same folks who own Ashton’s focus here on whimsical handmade accessories (stained-glass room dividers, raku pottery fish) and contemporary art and furniture, from aluminum wire chairs to lacquered, hot-red coffee tables. We loved the coral motif pieces, from lamps to fabric to decorative pillows. 419 Rappahannock Dr. 804-436-8505.
Southern Style
Peppers’ inventory is best described as “tailored with a twist.” Conservative clothing classics are the rule here, from tailored jackets to hand-knit sweaters to casual daytime dresses—attracting the most sensible of local Southern belles. Though we lean toward the funkier side of fashion, there were plenty of selections that tugged at our heartstrings, from the hip, chunky wooden jewelry to super-sweet eyelet blouses. 538 Rappahannock Dr. 804-436-9606.
