Trummer's

Clifton, Virginia. Right smack in the middle of...well, nothing. I'm not sure why anyone would want to go here. I mean it's nice to look at. The serene, wooded landscapes, dotted with abnoxiously large dream homes along narrowly winding roads are what define the term "scenic route." So unless you're in the market for a 10,000 square foot mansion that no one will ever want to come hang out in, you're probably not going to spend a whole lot of time in Clifton.

There is however, one bright spot. Within the refurbished Hermitage Inn Restaurant on Main Street is Trummer's, where one of Food and Wine Magazine's best new chef's of 2010 Clayton Miller serves creative, modern American fare. The craft cocktails, the country-home-esque dining room, the endless/addicting rolls and the never-boring dishes are well worth the drive.

This was escargot with potato gnocchi in a chipotle-manchengo froth, topped with a parmesan crisp.

This was baked salmon over oysters and duck confit.

I'm now eager to try the tasting menu, as my server informed me that Miller creates this menu on the fly as each table orders one, with specific dishes he saves especially for this menu.

I honestly don't know what else there is to do in Clifton, so if you stumble upon this town, you need to check out Trummer's. I mean you really don't have a choice.

- Fat Kid