places worth stopping between DC and Chilhowie

[JPinDC]

we are taking a roadtrip down the Chilhowie to go to Town House for our anniversary...and yes it is a 6 hour drive. any places between dc and the southern va that would be worth a stop on the way, or on the way back?

[Pappy]

I am fascinated by this post. Town House is rarely mentioned in these parts. JP: 1) What has motivated you to drive 6 hours to nowhere, 2) Where are you spending the night?

[profjmm]

I'm not the original poster, but I was motivated to try the Town House by glowing reviews on this board. I happened to be driving from Georgia to Pennsylvania, so could make the excuse to try it, and would would love to go again, even though it's a 6 1/2 hour drive from my home. Here's my review from May 2009: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6200...

It is nowhere, but the Town House now has a small inn with two guest rooms. I was there before the inn opened, so I stayed in Marion, VA, at the General Francis Marion hotel.

[Dennis S]

Well, color me interested. We do that route with some regularity but our issue would be where to stow the kids.

[ktmoomau]

Don't know the route you will be taking, but... if you pass by Staunton, the Staunton Grocery in downtown is really good. Most things are locally sourced. Definitely worth a stop.

In Roanoke, although these recs are about two years old, if you pass through there 202 Market was a lot of fun. I loved the cocktails and everything I ate. I also had a good meal at Metro. There was also a wine bar on the corner where the market is normally set up that had good food.

[Dennis S]

Hi Neighbor in old town Strasburg takes you back a few decades with some good home cooking in what feels like a home (the back room at least - the front feels like an old bar/diner).

If I were doing that short of a trip, I'd stop in Crozet for some pizza. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/170683 - when I go down 81, it's usually to get to the SW tip of NC in one day with kids in tow, so I don't deviate much.

You might want to search the south board for Roanoke ideas. In Salem/Roanoke for coffee go to Mill Mountain.

Nothing crazy out of this world, but El Rodeo in Roanoke is a very decent Mexican place. They have good Chili dishes.It's at exit 137, East of 81, on the North side of the road.

[lawhound]

In Roanoke the best food by far is at Alexanders. Great, great place -- Modern American type food with some Cajun influences.