Whisked Away to a gourmet countryside!

Seller: The Inn of the Patriots Bed & Breakfast

Contact: Marti Mongiello

Location:

In Categories: Accommodations Tours

Eat like a king—or better yet, a president—on this gourmet getaway to The Inn of the Patriots in Grover, North Carolina, just 40 minutes west of Charlotte.

Escape with your favorite sous chef for a three-night stay, in accommodations steeped with history ($444). Or, add a cooking class for two to your stay ($644).

Here's the dish: the inn was built in 1879 and is owned by Marti Mongiello, a former chef at the White House and Camp David. The Today Show has sung Mongiello's and his wife Stormy's praises, and they are now serving up delicious fare and teaching tastemakers at this B&B in the former Hambright family mansion.

The guest rooms are a mix of American, European, and Asian décor and feature luxurious robes, 400+ channels on DirectTV, 300MB free wi-fi, free business center club use with color printing and video conferencing, and DVD players in each room with vast library. Your stay will also be garnished with sweets—including a sweet treat plate upon arrival; a banana split treat upon request; and a tray of cheese, fruit, marmalade, Belgian chocolate, and crackers upon request—as well as an autographed copy of Mongiello's cooking booklet.

Each morning, the chefs will roll out a six-course gourmet breakfast for two to enjoy in your room, the dining room, or the garden. Guests that opted for the cooking class will blend together for an afternoon in the kitchen with Chef Mongiello. Learn his secrets during a three-hour class, then follow your lesson with a full gourmet dinner for two.

Food and history are paired beautifully at the mansion's Culinary Museum, where presidential china, photos, and the chef's culinary medals are on display. Use your two tickets to tour the Hambright Mansion and museum before embarking on an included tour and tasting at Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard & Winery in Fallston.

Back at the inn, start a game of horseshoes, croquet, or bocce on the lawn or savor a drink by the fire pit. The next night, head to Ni Fen Bistro to treat yourself to a wonderful world of cuisine accompanied by more than 100 wines by the glass and craft beers. After dinner, let the memories of the day marinate before sticking a fork in your tasty getaway.

Poach this week's Escape to The Inn of the Patriots, and add a little zest to your vacation schedule—this North Carolina countryside retreat is always deliciously seasoned.