We wrapped our adventures in Natchez by dining at the Castle restaurant on the grounds of Dunleith. For some reason we were expecting an exceptional dining experience, but all we got was average for a nice restaurant. We got off to a bad start when the waitress informed us the kitchen was out of filet mignon, which is both Gina’s and my go-to dish when we want to put on the fancy.
I was able to recover by ordering the ribeye with port wine demi glace and the requisite fancy mashed potatoes and shitake risotto. I got a glass of pinot noir that was decent. Demoralized by the lack of a filet, Gina lost control and got a crabcake appetizer and a salad main course. She ordered a glass of Ravenswood zinfandel and it was better than my pinot. My steak was excellent and the creme brulee desert was even better.
The restaurant itself is very cool. It’s in the plantation’s old stable building, which was built in the 1790s. It survived a fire that burned the main house in the 1850s. The owners rebuilt the main house in 1859.
As for the accommodations, I couldn’t have asked for more. Apparently, recessions are a good time to travel. This place was throwing rooms at people. We stayed two nights at a rate less than half the normal rate. The room was huge and appropriately furnished with a canopy bed and other antique furniture. Aside from a loud music incident last night, we enjoyed every minute. I probably should have taken some photos of our room.
This is another angle on the unknown Confederate soldier memorial at the Natchez City Cemetery. I aimed Photoshop at it and pulled the trigger.
The road to Natchez goes through Transylvania, La. Transylvania is tiny. All that’s there is a garage/filling station with a “for sale” sign hanging in the window. We’ve gone through there a few times in the past on our way to Vicksburg and the Redneck Riviera, and I always say we ought to stop and take a picture of the water tower. Well, this time I finally got around to it. Do you think the thing is full of blood?